Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,
I am currently acting as Principal for Mr Philip Morison, who is currently at the MEL Principal’s conference and who will be starting his enrichment leave from Thursday next week. It has been another busy two weeks with a number of events at the College and below I have touched on a few of them.
(1) Liverpool Football Academy Launch
This partnership with the prestigious Liverpool Football Club marks the beginning of an exciting journey filled with many opportunities for our students who share a passion for football.
As we welcome Liverpool Football Academy into our College community, we embrace the powerful motto of Liverpool Football Club for generations: ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’.
This collaboration is not just about training future football stars; it's about instilling in our students the values of sportsmanship, resilience, and determination that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives. It's about fostering a culture of excellence where every individual is encouraged to strive for their personal best, whether on the field or in the classroom.
This journey with Liverpool Football Academy and with the Sisters of Mercy by our side reminds us of the importance of unity, empathy, and solidarity. Let us walk together with compassion in our hearts, knowing that no one is ever truly alone when surrounded by a community that cares.
To our students, I say: embrace this opportunity with open arms, and let the values of respect, compassion, and teamwork guide you on your path to success. And to our staff and supporters, I extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared mission.
(2) College Open Day
On Sunday 3 March we hosted our annual College Open day. The day was filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a vibrant display of everything about our College. This was an opportunity for us to showcase the College, programs, faculties and student life to prospective students and their families. Families had the opportunity to interact with members of staff and students and discover how the College operates. You can read more about it HERE.
(3) Staff Professional Development Day
Last Friday our staff took part in a professional development day working with Greg Mitchell. The professional development focused on student connection and learning and why it is crucial for educators to create a supportive and effective learning environment. It covered:
- individual student needs
- building positive relationships
- promoting engagement and motivation
- effective communication skills
- creating a safe and inclusive environment.
By focusing on these areas in professional development, we can strengthen our ability to connect with students and create an engaging, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive.
(4) EISM swimming
I had the pleasure of seeing our swimmers compete at the EISM Division 3 swimming carnival. Congratulations to the students who made the College proud and came away as the winners of Division 3. It was great to see the involvement of the students and the support they showed each other. Read more about it HERE.
(5) NAPLAN
This week also saw our Year 7 and 9 students taking part in the nation-wide NAPLAN testing. This testing not only provides students with a snapshot of how they are progressing, but more importantly provides information to the College on areas that need improvement.
In the Spirit of Catherine,
God bless.
Adam Skoczylas
Executive Deputy Principal
