Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
Welcome back to Term 2 after what I hope was an enjoyable extended term holiday amid both the beautiful autumn weather and the ongoing Easter season. I hope you all enjoyed productive family time together in celebration of all that is positive in living together in community.
As we start this term together I am aware that it is a short week, but one with a clear focus on Anzac Day.
Last Tuesday, I joined the College Choir, led by Ms Caroline Dickason and Mrs Wendy Anderson, at the dawn service at Lilydale. The College Captains laid a wreath on behalf of our College community. I was proud of all our students who volunteered their time in service of our community and in representing our College.
The first day of school was Wednesday and it started with the College Anzac Day service. The tradition is that we have a service within homerooms with staff and students speaking over the PA system while a PowerPoint is being played. It is both an informative and formative experience and one that is done in a respectful prayerful manner. The service was compiled and presented by our Humanities Faculty Learning Leader, Mr John Ryan, and the Humanities Prefect, Olivia Barre, along with Mercy and Justice Prefect Thomas Hobley.
There was much about this service that provided valuable insight for reflection including:
The opening prayer:
Gracious and Loving God
As we mark another Anzac Day, we remember all those who lost their lives through Australia’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. On Anzac Day, we especially remember the courageous actions undertaken by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the First World War. On this national day of commemoration, we pray for airmen, sailors and soldiers who died in battle, sacrificing their lives while on duty. We commemorate their bravery and pray for the families who lost loved ones. As we strive for peace in our country and the world, help us to become instruments of your peace.
And a stanza from the poem Song of the Dardanelles by Henry Lawson:
The sea was hell and the shore was hell
With mine, entanglement, shot and shell,
But they stormed the heights as Australians should,
And they fought and they died as we knew they would.
Knew they would — Knew they would;
They fought and they died as we knew they would.
As we focus on the past and remember with gratitude all those who have served our country in any way, let us continue to educate ourselves and others of the senseless horror associated with war and inhumanity of such conflicts. Let us pray for a world that cherishes peace and seeks to provide a secure life for all humanity. Let us be courageous in our endeavours to create such a world.
Thank you to all those who prepared our Anzac Day service.
(2) Uniform
With Term 2 comes a change of uniform with the introduction of Winter Uniform. Again, I ask that all ensure that Winter uniforms are correctly fitted and serviceable. The cold and wet weather fast approaches and it is important that we are all prepared for it.
In discussing uniform, the College Captains — after working with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Community Forum Group (CFG) — have proposed another change to our uniform policy. You may remember that earlier this year a change was proposed and accepted to allow students to wear two earrings or studs in each year, and now they propose a change to the College hair policy. Again, a proposal I am prepared to accept and promulgate.
The proposed new hair policy would read:
(3) Hairstyles
- extremes of hairstyles such as (but not limited to) tails, mohawks, dreadlocks or undercuts are not permitted. Hair length between the back and sides can differ, but only in the instance that side length is no shorter than No. 3 clippers, and the back isn't longer than the student's collar
- haircuts with No. 3 clippers or higher are acceptable. Extremely short or shaved hair and multi, unnatural hair colours or any stripes, are not permitted
- hair that touches the collar, shoulder length hair or longer, must be tied back
- students may wear navy blue, white or yellow ribbons. Bobbie pins and plain clips are acceptable
- students must be clean shaven. No facial hair is acceptable
- false eyelashes or eyelash extensions are not permitted.
The intent of this change is to allow students more freedom and to reduce tensions about chosen hair styles. I again thank our College Captains and the SRC for their work in the process to achieve this change.
(4) Community Forum Group
The next scheduled meeting of the CFG is set for 7.30pm on Tuesday 16 May. Proposed agenda items include:
- College email protocols.
- scholarships at MLMC.
If you would like anything added or is you wish to attend this meeting please contact me via email to principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
