Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,

Welcome to the 2021 academic year, after what I hope was a restful family Christmas and an inspiring holiday period. After the past 12 months we have endured, it is great to have had the opportunity to share precious time with friends and family. The weather has certainly been varied and the rain has already provided some challenges. Despite this we must be thankful, for at this time last year we were living amidst serious bushfires that resulted in much loss of land and stock.

We have entered the period of 'COVID normal', but news only yesterday with the reintroduction of face masks reminds us how precarious our situation truly is and that we must be mindful at all times. Let us hope and pray for a far safer and healthier 2021, with a large vaccination program that will see the dreadful virus somewhat controlled as different strains make their way to our shores.

The College has been open and operating for several weeks now and much work has been completed in that time. I believe our students have returned to a College which continues to improve as we strive to continually provide better facilities and create an environment that facilitates learning while providing a welcoming domain for our wider community.

2021 Theme

As stated in the welcome letter sent to you last week, each year a theme is set to help us focus on a Mercy value with the focus over the last four years having been Courage, Respect, Compassion and Justice.

Our College theme for 2021 is:

'Serve one another humbly in love.'

This was developed for us by our Student Leadership Team at their induction program and is centred around the Mercy Value of Service. The Bible reference is from Galatians 5:13: “…you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free …serve one another humbly in love”.

This theme allows us to focus on service, humility and love and so too provides meaningful opportunity for discussion at assemblies, on retreats and as part of our Pastoral Care program.

In focusing on this theme, we note that Sr Veronica Lawson RSM in writing on Service, quoted: “Leaders, in particular, must be at the service of the community." “…the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like the one who serves.” (Luke 22.26)

Top Achievers' Assembly

On Wednesday 3 February, the College held the first full College Assembly for the year. The Top Achievers' Assembly has certainly been a highlight as it was our first opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our 2020 graduating class, who will forever be known as the group who completed Year 12 during the time of COVID. Hopefully the first and last. We celebrated our 2020 Dux Jamieson Manger and the Catherine McAuley Award recipient Harrison George, who were both given the opportunity to address the student body. Both delivered messages worthy of our attention. In fact, if you ever doubt the quality of the students who graduate from our College, I encourage you to read their speeches. Harrison spoke very strongly about being the best version of yourself by rising to the challenge being of service to others and to always be positive. Jamieson also challenged us with the concept that each and every one of us is unique and we each must seize the opportunities that present to us each day in addition to setting goals to achieve. Both worthy reminders for us all.

The College further acknowledged the top achieving students for 2020 in:

Anthony Centracchio, Reanna Corrigan, Kaitlyn Crymble, Bridget Deed, Ryan Finette, Alesha Gray, Ashley Herrod, Jamieson Manger, Rhiannon Nanscawen, Liam Pritchard, Madeline Remminga and Rebecca Snell.

We extend our congratulations to our 2020 Dux in each subject:

• Anthony Centracchio — Legal Studies
• Luca Cianciaruso — Business Management
• Kaitlyn Crymble — Italian
• Bridget Deed — Physical Education
• Emma di Paolo — Dance
• Georgia Drummond — Studio Arts
• Ryan Finette — Mathematical Methods
• Ryan Finette — Specialist Mathematics
• Kimberley Fiorentino — Psychology
• Kai Frost — Religion and Society
• Alesha Gray — Chemistry
• Jamieson Manger — Biology
• Jamieson Manger — Chemistry
• Jamieson Manger — English Language
• Melissa Mathews — Drama
• Kirsten Moerth — Media
• Rhiannon Nanscawen — Health and Human Development
• Rhiannon Nanscawen — Further Mathematics
• Talisha Nichols — Theatre Studies
• Andre Parlas — VET Sport and Recreation
• Matthew Perry — Geography
• Matthew Perry — History Revolutions
• Ethan Prentice — VET Music Performance
• Liam Pritchard — English
• Liam Pritchard — Geography
• Liam Pritchard — Literature
• Madeline Remminga — Economics
• Madeline Remminga — Japanese
• Michelle Richardson — Food
• Jelinna Santiago — Physics
• Clinton Sibberas — Software Development
• Joel Starnawski — Visual Communication Design
• Connor Taylor — Systems Engineering
• Rory Townend — Music Performance
• Amy Wahrenberger — VET Music Performance
• Gus Wiffrie — Product Design and Technology
• Bryce Woods — Accounting

As a College we also acknowledged and gave thanks for the success and efforts of our 2020 graduating class:

Liam Abbott, Reilly Acabado, Jai Addison, Chloe Alford, Alex Arms, Ashlee Atwell, Liana Baker, Isaac Barnes, Rhett Bethune, Bailey Blundell, Joel Bogojevic, Molly Bollaart, Lachlan Bourke, Benjamin Bourke, Tessa Bourke-Finn, Lachlan Boyd, Sarah Boyle, Harrison Brown, Joanna Bryce, Astin Bucci, Tali Butler, Isabella Cachia, Adam Camp, Aaron Campagna, Matilda Carroll, Abbey Carter, Anthony Centracchio, Dane Cerveri, Luca Cianciaruso, Alexandra Cilia, James Cincotta, Reanna Corrigan, Lachlan Cox, Samantha Crabtree, Kaitlyn Crymble, Emily Cullen, Isabella Davies, Jackson Davis, Bridget Deed, Paula Del Giudice, Christina Del Giudice, Jayden Dewar, Shelby Dewar, Declan Di Nezza, Lily Dove, Ethan Downey, Georgia Drummond, Ebony Eacott, Benjamin Easterbrook, Ebony Edge-Willcockson, Amie Edwards-Tesselaar, Jade Edyvane, William Fahey, Alexandra Falconer, Anton Fanfulla, Georgia Farmakis, Mitchell Farr, Ryan Finette, Jack Fiorentino, May Flamsteed, Christopher Fox, Amy Frazzetto, Kai Frost, Annalese Gammell, Mya Garces, Madeline George, Harrison George, Caitlyn Gervasoni, Tomadia Ghali, Kobe Gibson, Catherine Gillet, Chelsea Godwin, Amber Gosling, Thomas Grace, Alesha Gray, Isabella Green , Faith Greenberger, Max Hall, Mackenzie Hardy, Teghan Hartigan, Max Harvey, Adriana Hawkins, Angus Hayes, Meg Hazell-Langley, Alex Heath, Jasper Hennessy, Ashley Herrod, Angus Hill, Bailey Hipfel, Samuel Hodgett, Emily Hoiles, Darby Huggins, Kurt Huttig, Hayley Jackson, Tiarna Jackson, Ella James, Joshua Janssen, Ella Johnson, Matilda Kelly, Jamie La Morticella, Jack Largue, Marielle Laxamana, Emily Leach, Tatiana Lintzeris, Jasmine Maa, Jamieson Manger, Bailey Marsden, Melissa Mathews, Kane McDonald, William McDonald, Nicholas McKenzie, Kira McNair, Joshua Meerkotter, Rebecca Meyer, Kirsten Moerth, Josephine Molluso, Zara Monk, Isabella Murray, Nelson Mwagiru, Rhiannon Nanscawen, Hannah Napier, Jessica Napolitano, Lucy Nation, Darcie Neicho, Talisha Nichols, Archer Noonan, Maree-Rose Orlando, Cameron Oude-Meilink, Rhani Oxley, Isabella Parker, Casey Parker-Turner, Sara Perrotta, Matthew Perry, Olivia Pettinella, Amelia Philipson, Gabriella Phillips, Emma Pitt, Sophie Potts, Jye Price, Liam Pritchard, Jenson Pritchard, Finn Reardon, Mai Reed, Madeline Remminga, Michelle Richardson, Chloe Rickard, Francesca Ripepi, Emma Roberts, Amy Roberts, Ella Rumian, Jelinna Santiago, Charles Schneider, Maddison Schumi, Jacksen Sealey, Tori Sharp, Braeden Shean, Jack Sheehan, Clinton Sibberas, Lachlan Sims, Kirra Smark, Ebony Smark, Rebecca Snell, Olivia Spiteri, Zak Stafford, Joel Starnawski, Madeline Stokes, Riley Swankie, Jack Thomas, Summer Thomas, Paige Thomas, Chelsea Thompson, Lochlann Tipping, Rory Townend, Erin Towning, Genevieve Trollope, Toby Van Berkel, Riley Van Bockel, Lachlan Van Der Klift, Harrison Van Duuren, Bradley Van Steyn, Tara Vanstan, Moses Villani, Sarah Vrsecky, Jacob Vulfs, Hunter Walsh, Thomas Whitaker, Gus Wiffrie, Taryn Williams, Meghan Wobbes and Bryce Woods.

Mark Prest Award 2020

The Mark Prest Award is an award in honour of our former Deputy Principal. It is awarded to a member of staff who most exemplifies Mark’s educational philosophy and witness as judged by the following criteria:

• a passionate respect for the dignity of each person
• sets a public example of integrity, love, commitment and awareness each day
• shows empathy and concern for the welfare of others
• fosters genuine, honest, authentic, compassionate and just relationships
• has a healthy sense of tolerance, acceptance and openness
• is filled with the excitement of teaching
• is a courageous and a committed learner
• aspires to and encourages excellence
• exhibits a quality of teaching which opens up learning to others
• encourages a love of learning in others
• is willing to take risks and learn from experience
• believes that teaching matters
• fosters a strong climate of community involving students, teachers and parents
• has a sense of civic responsibility and pride
• contributes to the social and spiritual environment of the school.

The 2020 Mark Prest Award winner is Mrs Urszula Faulkner, our Science Faculty Learning Leader and a person who has a lot to offer in the future of our College. Congratulations again, Urszula.

Black Saturday bushfires — 12-Year Anniversary

As a College, we also acknowledged the 12-year anniversary of Black Saturday and recognise that many of our community were deeply affected by the tragic events of the day. We remember the dark day in Victoria’s history and pray for the 173 souls who lost their lives. We have a deep compassion for the many lives impacted by the tragic event and continue to keep them in our prayers.

Parent Code of Conduct

In recent years Mercy Education Limited introduced a Parent Code of Conduct. A copy of the Parent Code of Conduct is available on the Parent Portal. This policy provides guidelines to promote desirable and appropriate behaviour to ensure that all interactions with students and adults is respectful, honest, courteous, sensitive and considerate. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to read it.

College Newsletter

The College newsletter is published each fortnight and is an important source of information. Parents and families are emailed the newsletter on alternate Fridays. It can also be easily be found on the College website, under the News and Events section HERE.

The Parent Portal and Parent Access Module (PAM)

The Parent Portal is also a very important access point to the College. Excursion information, medical forms and individual family letters are all published via the Parent Portal. Families should become familiar with the processes to use it. The College will send an SMS to parents when there is important information to check on the Parent Portal.

We will also continue to develop our Parent Access Module (PAM) which caters for live ongoing reporting, as well as semester reports, attendance tracking and access to the College calendar.

Both the Portal and PAM should have the same login details for each family. A user guide for our parent portals can be requested from our College Office if you require assistance. There is a video tutorial on our website HERE.

Welcome New Students

This year we welcome to the College a total of 264 Year 7 students:

7 Blue
Brylee Anderson, Blake Biggin, Cleo Billings, Jack Birthisel, Archie Brown, James Burns, Beau Haylock, Fraser Henry, Isabella Ivan, Oliver Knight, Isabella Lord, Amelie Ludwig, Jaden Mathew, Liam Morabito, Ethan Osip, Tilly Pearce, Annika Pecher, Chloe Rainford, Emily Reichman, Evelyn Ruta, Lowrence Sang, Ignatius Sian Piang, Jasmine Spencer, Mia Surman, Ruby Synan, Kai Trewinand Harris Vassilopoulos.

7 Bronze
Isabella Atherton, Seth Barnes, Riley Bode, Jack Burke, Campbell Bush, Trey Chapman, Tadhg Clinton, Ava Cordingley, Jacob Csik, Chloe Demetriou, Jayla Doolan, Lilka Faulkner, Hayden Ferrall, Alannah Finn, Ronan Flight, Alexander Henry, Cody Hoiles, Zane Mizzi, Charlotte Newsome, Leim Sawyer, Olivia Stoll, Rukiya Sunderland, Lily Taylor, Seteone Tevi, Olivia Vanderkolk and Darcy Vos.

7 Gold
Cadel Betts, Matilda Brewster, Bailey Budziarski, Noah Burow, Anthony Butler, Mahalia Chandler, Jessica Course, Matilda Fitzgerald, Sharli Flynn, Sienna Harkness, Cooper Henderson, Lachlan Holt, Adam Johnson, Alexander Klein, Mitchell McLean, Jack McSween, Lara Mhanna, Charli Ouwehand, Tennille Pearse, Sydney Rowntree, Amelia Russell, Eve Schembri, Archie Spencer, Ashley Stubbs, Lachlan Thornely, Caitlin Vaughan and Brodie Westlake.

7 Green
Alexis Arrif, Jacob Bond, Sienna Clark, Lily Cochrane, Archer Collins, Hudson Don, Thomas Earl, Lily Exton, Katherine Harrison, Ringo Harrison, Mia Hecht, Eliza Kelly, Michael Kirby, Chanel Lopez, Alicia Martin, Xavier Matheson, Isabella Maurici, Alexander McCallum, Luca Nunziante, Thomas Pritchard, Makiya Reed, Madison Stuart, Aiden Thomas, Casey Tincknell, Sophie Tyzack, Marley Wilson and Izobella Zhinga.

7 Jade
Lachlan Alderman, Asher Borg-McIlroy, Rachael Bowers, Kate Chisholm, Mia Cianci, Abbey Dove, Wil Garthwaite, Olivia Grantham, Jessica Hupfield, Rylan King, Nicholas Lambert, Andrew Mammoliti, Jesse McDonald, Kayla Morgan, Isobel O'Neil, Nathan Pease, Noah Polkinghorne, Charlie Robins, Martin Sewiha, Levi Stafford, Luella Sutcliffe, Ebony Tucker, Nikita Van Den Essen, Brielle Wilson, Matilda Woods and Thomas Zinghini.

7 Orange
Hamish Butler, Krystal Cherry, Benito De Angelis, Alannah De Iulio, Ethan Dixon, Katelyn Dunn, William Elderhurst, Oliver Graves, Luke Ivanovic, Sasha Maggs, Bonnie Matthews, Callum Middleton, Grace Mzila, Rosario Napoli, Riley O'Connor, Alyssa Olszewski-Morrison, Abbey Pardon, Archer Peacock, Lucy Roach, Portia Ryan, Karma Storen, Alyssa Tenace, Kiani Thomas, Nicholas Vagias, Sachin Vanderhyde, Morgan Vine and Joshua Wyatt.

7 Purple
Samuel Bouzikos, Jack Cannata, Jett Chapman, Olivia Corney, Cassidy De Wee, Samuel Drummond, Henry Farquett, Beatrice Fedi, Ruari Flood, Samuel Foster, Gabrielle Giudice, Thomas Handasyde, Lachlan Hanson, Chelsea Haynes, Macee-Rose Hobbins, Olivia Hyndman, Sienna Pashalidis, Ethan Roberts, Blake Schelfhout, Liam Shambrook, Frankie-Ella Taylor, Charlee Thomas, Taiah Upson, Alexander Vear, Joshua Violi and Hayley Wyngaard.

7 Red
Tyler Braden, Thomas Conte, Michael Conway, Ava Eastmure, Christopher Ezzat, Eden Farrer, Isabella Garnsworthy, Ryan Gibson, Chloe Greaves, Mieka Halion, Cruze Hope, Maggie Howden, Nevin Joyce, Lohia Lovell, Monika Mackowiak, David Mallinder, Mitchell McNaught, Abigail Mendez, Sophie Poynton, Augustine Ram, Leya Shaibichan, Amarlia Sisson, Emlyn Turriff, Jack Usenich, Emmy van Duuren and Brandan Zmegac.

7 Silver
Jacob Blazincic, Jack Brahe, Sophie Comben, Finn Copling, Rowena Cumming, Hannah Doran, Isabel Draffin, Ella Flynn, Abby Gellert, Charlie Gillam, David Halkidis, Kalan Hathaway, Charles Haughey, Alexander Jerin, Nikisha Joseph, Elle Laxamana, Holly Lennox, Marlee Logg, Taite Packer, Archie Peters, Sienna Powell, Chloe Robertson, Mitchell Scott, Sebastian Ubilla Flores, Joshua Vennix and Madileine Weir.

7 White
Jakara Adamson, Arjun Anandvijaykumar, Vincent Aquilina-Hart, Claire Benham, Pasilika Besek, Jake Bishop, Isabelle Butler, Jenna Campbell, Tai-Ran Chan, Aaylah Coleman, Pietro Corrone, Mia Hamilton, Matilda Hannah, Jacob Heasman, Tara Hutton, Gabriel Keymer, Charli Litchfield, Luke Manini, Ruby McCallum, Lilah Newbery, Lachlan Otto, Oliver Palmer, Giorgio Pieroni, Luella Ripepi, Isabelle Thiele and Jude Upton.

We also welcome a number of students and their families to other year levels:

Year 8 Mia Campbell, Alysha Casey, Ethan De Simone, Ebony Eagleton, Riley Ebert and Audrey Lyons.

Year 9 Cash Atkins, Kyan Ellis, Ryan Green, Liam Haynes, Aksa Manoj and Lucien Primavera.

Year 10 Madison Doran, Tayah Eales, Aashere Manoj, Lucy Sharp and Alexandra Smart.

Year 11 John-Paul Greenough, Tiana Knights, Elizabeth Madge and Paul Stebbins.

Staffing

At our first staff meeting for 2020 we, as a staff, welcomed back a number of returning members:

• Lucia Tabacchiera from parental leave
• Rebecca Heyenga from parental leave
• Paul Morgan from personal leave.

We also welcomed and commissioned a number of new staff at the Liturgy:

• Monique Anderson — Executive Assistant to the Principal
• Mathew Burow — RE and Faith Development Leader, teacher of RE, Humanities and Sport
• Vanessa Frazer — Health and PE Learning Leader, teacher of Health, PE, Sport, RE and homeroom
• Craig Jacobs — Technology Learning Leader, teacher of IT (Design), Maths and Humanities
• Simone Kelly — Administration Officer
• Beccy Madsen — Student Performance Data Manager, teacher of RE, Maths and Humanities.

We also welcomed two new AFL Trainees for 2020:

• Lily Baxter — Events Management Trainee
• Bridget Deed — Sport Trainee.

College Advisory Council

Mount Lilydale Mercy College encourages community involvement within our College through many activities, but one such way is through our College committee structure. Parents and community members are asked to participate in committees to ensure the College is consultative, but also to increase expertise and skills when making decisions that affect the short and long-term future of the College. This year we have vacancies with:

• The College Advisory Council (one place)
• The Policy and Curriculum Committee.

If you are interested in being nominated for either of these committees, or know of someone who you would recommend nominating, please contact me at the College or via email at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au

The Parents and Friends' Association (P&F) is also vital within our College and is another avenue used for consultation. We also encourage new members to the P&F and interested parents should contact Registrar — Community Engagement Mrs Emily Cerra on ecerra@mlmc.vic.edu.au.

Parking and Dropping Off Of Students

Please remember that there is a drop-off and pick-up zone inside the main entrance. Parking is restricted in both Allison Crescent and The Eyrie. Please do not drop off or pick up students in either of these streets. Such action will cause unnecessary congestion to our neighbours. Be aware of the strict parking restrictions that apply in the streets adjacent to the College. Cars are not allowed to stop in sections of these streets at the usual drop off and pick up times. Council Officers are likely to be present to supervise these parking restrictions and drivers who stop in the NO STANDING areas are likely to be fined. Students who have a medical condition that prevents them walking should be driven into the College via the main gate and dropped off as close as possible to her/his locker.

Personal Pars

Members of the College community suffer with the passing of loved ones. Let us include them all in our prayers:

We pray for Pauline Hornidge who passed from this world earlier this month and whose funeral was held in the Chapel. We pray for Peter, her husband, and her extended family. We pray for Nerrida Burnham and her family with the passing of her mother Phyllis Collins on New Year's Day in Canberra

We pray for Annie Collins with the passing of her mum, Patricia Lavelle Collins, on Australia Day morning after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s. Let us pray for the repose of Pauline, Phyllis and Patricia's souls and may they along with all the faithfully departed rest in peace.

God bless

Philip A Morison
Principal

(1) Welcome from the Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

Mr John Rodgers
Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

It is with great pleasure that I write to welcome you to the 2021 school year. It is wonderful to again have students on campus. I enjoy the energy they bring each day, making our community fully alive. A particularly warm welcome to our Year 7s and all the new students in Year 8 through to Year 12. I am sure you, too, will love coming to our wonderful College.

For those new to the arrangements of dropping off and picking up students, please be aware of the speed restrictions within the College. We also ask that extra patience be shown when negotiating the kiss and drop. Please be mindful that students use a crossing half way up the driveway when you are pulling out of the parking bays.

If you were utilising the relaxed parking conditions in The Eyrie last year, PLEASE NOTE that the College has been informed that the Council is returning the section of The Eyrie closest to the school to a no-standing zone. Traffic wardens from the Council are known to be present at drop-off and pick-up times and fines are given. Please be sure to check no parking times.

In a recent letter to parents and guardians from the Principal Mr Philip Morison there was a note regarding acceptable hairstyles. Rather than attempt to name every hairstyle, the College is asking that the length of hair on the side of the head be uniform with the back. If your child's hairstyle does not match the description given, we ask that you support us in making the necessary change as soon as possible.

As always, the staff at Mount Lilydale Mercy College are here to serve our community, please do not hesitate to contact us if there is anything we can assist you with.

(2) Masks on public transport

Mr Louis Papadimitriou
Deputy Principal — Organisation

We have been contacted by our bus company highlighting that we have a large number of students who are not wearing masks on the buses. In line with the advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer, masks must be worn by everyone aged 12 and above while on public transport and school buses.

(3) Information about College Fees

From the Finance department

Thank you! 2020 was an incredibly tough year for many of our families. Despite this, parents and guardians made sacrifices and continued to meet school fee obligations. It is really pleasing to report that going into the 2021 school year that there was only a small handful of outstanding accounts, totalling no more than $5000. This is an outstanding effort by all, of which the College and the College Council are extremely grateful.

2021 has come around quickly with fees and charges invoiced in January. So, again, the College seeks your cooperation in servicing this debt with a clear aim to have no debt at the year’s end.

All families should now have access to their annual College Fee Statement on the Parent Portal. If you have not set up an automatic direct debit, credit card or other authorised payment plan, please make note of the following important dates:

• 15 February — first quarterly instalment due. Please refer to your College Fee Statement for the amount. NB: If you are not paying your College Fees in full and are not on an automatic or authorised College payment plan, then you must pay your first quarterly amount by this date.
• 1 March — annual College Fees paid by this date will be eligible for an early payment discount. Please refer to your College Fee Statement for the amount but remember to take off your early payment discount from this amount (pro rata amount for split billers).

Families that have set up an automatic payment plan must ensure funds are available on the day the payment is processed. Please see below for dates. If you require any information regarding the College Fees, please contact our Finance Office on 9237 1315 or 9739 2209.

Please click HERE for a full schedule of direct debit payments for 2021.

(4) Second Hand Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform Shop is run by the Parents and Friends' Association and is located at the back of the College, in the final portable. Parking can be found in The Eyrie.

Opening hours are 12.00pm-1.30pm.

Terms 1 and 4: every Thursday
Terms 2 and 3: every second Thursday (dates to TBC).

The shop is taking donations that will ultimately service families in need of more affordable uniform items. We are running low on stock and would appreciate any donations. They can be dropped off at reception, or at the shop during opening hours. We are now also taking uniform items to sell on consignment.

Should you have any questions about the shop, please contact Mrs Emily Cerra via email at ecerra@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(5) Bob Stewart Uniform Shop

Opening hours are as follows:

• Monday 8.00am-2.00pm
• Tuesday 12.30pm-4.00pm
• Thursday 12.30pm-4.00pm
• First Saturday of each month 9.30am-12.30pm.

At this stage, due to restrictions, the following will apply: all persons entering the shop will be required to sign in on our COVID-19 register; sanitise hands on store entry; only one parent/guardian is to accompany students for their uniform fittings if possible; wait times may apply. You can still order online via the Bob Stewart website. Postage is a flat rate of $14.95 or choose click and collect.

The new Croydon store (1-7 Maroondah Hwy, Croydon) is now also open:

• Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.00pm
• Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm.

There was a wonderful feeling of celebration and community coming together again in the Doyle Centre on Wednesday 3 February as our academic elite from the Class of 2020 returned to the College for the Top Achievers’ Assembly. Other Year 12 students also returned to receive awards and acknowledgements that could not be presented at December’s Night of Excellence due to VCE results being released after Christmas.

We acknowledged those who achieved the VCE Top Achievers, as well as those who had the highest study scores in each subject, our VCAL Student of the Year and the seven students who achieved the VCE Baccalaureate. Harrison George addressed the student body as the winner of the Catherine McAuley Award (his speech is attached). This year he will study Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Honours) at RMIT.

Dux for 2020 Jamieson Manger achieved an ATAR of 97.25, higher than she expected, and she was among 5.9% of our students who received an ATAR above 90. She received the highest study scores in Biology, Chemistry and English Language and also the VCE Baccalaureate. She was joined at the assembly by her parents Wayne and Jodie (pictured) and her younger sister Carissa. In addressing the student body, Jamieson spoke to them about focusing on what they want in the future and making it happen.

Jamieson, the 2020 Science Prefect, said she was unsure which path she wanted to take and chose a variety of subjects, adding Italian and Mathematical Methods. It helped her to solidify that she loves Science and in a few weeks’ time she will begin a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne. She said she was “not too sad” to be offered her second preference. “It gives me a lot more freedom to explore a lot of different aspects of Science.”

The COVID-19 outbreaks made 2020 a particularly challenging year for our Year 12 students, whichever pathway they took. Twenty of our students achieved 40+ study scores, with Year 11 student Andre Parlas achieving a perfect score of 50 in VET Sport and Recreation. The College had completion rates of 100% for VCAL and 95% for VET. Our Top Senior VCAL student for 2020 was Reanna Corrigan. Reanna is this year at TAFE studying Animal Studies with hopes to become a Veterinary Nurse.

Jamieson said that among her highlights of a tough 2020 was returning to school after each lockdown to reconnect with friends. “Every time we got to go back to school was a highlight for me… the teachers’ faces were just so excited to see you and that was really awesome.” Jamieson said she enjoyed studying at home because it cut the commute, which gave her more time with family and to ride her horse. Her advice for the Class of 2021? “Everyone faces the struggles of VCE in their own way and you just need to do your very best and put hard work into it.”

Bridget Deed scored the second-highest ATAR with a score of 93.95. She has deferred a place at Deakin University studying Exercise and Sport Science/Business (Sports Management), choosing to take up a AFL traineeship working in the Sports department assisting Sports Coordinator Ms Danni Webb. Her advice to students was: "Do everything you can, you don't want to get your ATAR score and be thinking you could have done more".

Rhiannon Nanscawen said she was “elated” when she learnt she had received an ATAR of 93.65. Rhiannon will soon begin a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at Deakin University. “I’m leaning more towards becoming a Clinical Psychologist, but I’m keeping my mind open going into this course.” And the greatest lesson from 2020 she learnt? “Never take your friends and teachers for granted.”

CLICK HERE to read the address given by 2020 College Dux Jamieson Manger.

CLICK HERE to read the address given by Harrison George winner of the Catherine McAuley Student of the Year award.

The academic achievements of our Year 7-11 students across 2020 were celebrated at the 2020 Night of Excellence on Tuesday 15 December. COVID-19 restrictions meant we couldn't gather as we normally do but thanks to technology we were able to share the outstanding successes across the College with more students and their families via a livestream of the event.

The achievements of our Year 12 students were celebrated early in 2021.

Night of Excellence is one of the few events where our Year 7 students have the opportunity to see and celebrate the success of older students and vice versa. We congratulate all of these amazing students on their achievements in 2020.

(1) Student Achievements

Triathlon
Congratulations to Ru Sunderland (Year 7 Bronze) and Mawson Sunderland (Year 9 Jade) who competed in the 2XU Triathlon at Sandringham over the weekend. Best wishes for the remainder of the series.

Football
Congratulations to Bridget Deed (our AFL Sports trainee), Gabby Woods (Year 11 Purple), Mackenzie Adams (Year 12 Gold) and Jess Vukic (Year 10 Jade) (all pictured with their coach, former AFL player Travis Cloke). The four girls have all been selected to play for Eastern Ranges this weekend in the opening round of the NAB League season. If you have any other student achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(2) Swimming Training

Swimming training is held on Monday afternoons, 3.30-4.30pm, and on Wednesday mornings, 7.00-8.00am, at Kilsyth Pool. Training is held to improve students’ swimming and fitness levels. ALL abilities are welcome. Commendations and House points are up for grabs and it’s free to join in. Students will be bussed from the College to the pool on Mondays and back to the College from the pool on Wednesdays. Breakfast is also provided on Wednesdays. Please see/email Ms Webb in the Doyle Centre for more details.

(3) MLMC Swimming Carnival

The annual MLMC Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 26 February at the Lilydale Outdoor Pool.

• Years 7-9: Compulsory attendance (Periods 1-4)
• Years 10-12: Invitational (Lunchtime-end of the day)

More details are to come via Parent Portal.

(4) EISM Swimming Carnivals

The Division 2 EISM Swimming Carnival will be held on Tuesday 9 March at Ringwood Aquanation and the EISM Champions Carnival will be held on Monday 22 March at MSAC.

(5) EISM Sport

Tryouts have been held for EISM Sport (pictured in the gallery). The EISM Summer season start dates are:

• Year 8 — Tuesday 9 February
• Senior — Wednesday 10 February
• Year 9 — Thursday 18 February

If there are any Year 10-12 boys who are interested in playing in the Senior boys’ hockey team this season, please contact Ms Webb.

With the Summer seasons of Year 8, 9 and Senior EISM Sport all beginning in the next week or so, please remember the following:

• Check the Sport plans — up on the Doyle Centre window at the beginning of every week and on the College Instagram story
• If you are unable to play in your team in a particular week, you need to let your coach know as early as possible
• Please be on time to the Doyle Centre on your sport day. All EISM teams need to leave at the start of lunch (occasionally earlier) to get to venues to play
• Your uniform needs to be 100% correct to ensure no forfeited games — hockey, soccer and football players must wear long navy socks (available at the Doyle Centre) and mouthguards must be worn for hockey. NO CORRECT UNIFORM, NO GAME.

Live fixtures for EISM matches can be found online at eism.org (Click on ‘Weekly sport’, then ‘Fixtures and results’ then ‘Junior’ (Year 8 and 9) or ‘Senior’ (Senior) fixtures.

For the first time in months, the MLMC College Choir was able to gather and sing together both the national and the College anthems at the Top Achievers’ Assembly on Wednesday 3 February. During 2020, singing in groups was not possible and we now have the exciting opportunity of rebuilding the College Choir.

Singing in a choir is beneficial in a number of different ways, such as helping to forge social bonds, and improving our sense of happiness and wellbeing. Making music exercises the brain as well as the body, but singing is particularly beneficial for improving breathing, posture and muscle tension.

Choir rehearsal takes place on Wednesdays after school, between 3.30pm and 5.00pm, in McAuley Hall. The Choir is an excellent opportunity for your child to participate in a year-long program and sing with other students. The College Choir will participate in various College Liturgies, assemblies and concerts, as well as providing service for Lilydale RSL’s Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.

If you have any queries about your child joining Choir, please contact Ms Caroline Dickason via cdickason@mlmc.vic.edu.au or Music department secretary Mrs Sharon Flint via sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Below are some student reflections from College Choir members:

The Year 7s and the Year 12s started their day with a welcoming ceremony, welcoming the Year 7s to the MLMC community and the Year 12s to their final year of schooling. This was followed by a Pastoral Care lesson where students spent time with their peers, homeroom teachers and Year 10 Peer Support Leaders. During this time the Peer Support Leaders helped the Year 7s find and set up their lockers — an exciting part of starting secondary school. They spent the rest of the morning playing ‘get to know you’ games and spending quality time in their homeroom groups.

After recess, the Year 7 homeroom groups moved between four sessions which aimed to connect students with each other and the College. They spent time in the Chapel where they learnt about what it means to be part of the Catholic community of MLMC. They explored the Library, where they were shown how to access the online resources as well as books and were introduced to the welcoming Library staff. They participated in an organisation skills session where they organised their lockers and books so that they could start the year in a positive way. The final session was the scavenger hunt, which the students really enjoyed. They worked in groups to find important buildings and people around the College. The energy was high and you could see the excitement as students were able to leave their classrooms and explore the College grounds.

The next few days saw the beginning of classes, and sharing the College with all students as Year 8-11 students began their school year on Tuesday 2 February. This was a very exciting and new experience for the Year 7s. By now, students have met most of their teachers and have begun to understand what it means to be a secondary school student. The routine of secondary school is beginning to feel normal and we look forward to continuing this great start when they return from next week’s camp.

We are pleased to announce a number of events to celebrate our 125th anniversary year in 2021:

• Community Mass — Wednesday 24 February
• 125 Stories book launch — Thursday 26 August
• Unveiling of plaques for College buildings — Wednesday 8 September
• Reunions and tours of the College — Saturday 23 October
• 125 Years College Ball — Saturday 13 November
• Celebratory Mass — Sunday 14 November.

Below is a story about the founding of the College in 1896.

On Tuesday 8 December we celebrated the Class of 2020 with a virtual Graduation ceremony shared with families. Please find below the award recipients.

It is with great excitement that we can announce that MLMC has been officially recognised as a four-star school. The awarding of our fourth star reflects the many initiatives undertaken within the College under the guidance of the Victorian State Government’s ResourceSmart Schools initiative.

At MLMC, our aim is to become a sustainable school that acts as a living example by teaching and embodying eco-friendly initiatives that reduce our environmental impact.

MLMC has now completed the Core, Energy, Water and Biodiversity modules, with the focus this year of earning our fifth star. Our efforts will be directed toward waste reduction and the recycling of organic matter into compost that will in turn be utilised in the College’s vegetable plots. Once this and other initiatives are introduced we will be acknowledged as a five-star school.

Our first star was awarded as a Core introductory module that:

• ensures the College has policies and procedures that will embed sustainability into its curriculum across the year levels
• educates staff and students on minimising the use of water, energy and waste.

The second star was for our work to engage the community on sustainability issues and provide opportunities for people to get involved. The third star related to our integration of sustainability knowledge and practices into our campus, curriculum and community strategies.

An example of embedding sustainability into the curriculum is the College's participation in the Melbourne Water River Detectives program, whereby Year 7 students are involved in testing the quality of the water in nearby Olinda Creek (pictured) and sharing their data on a database that monitors our Victorian waterways. The College has also installed solar panels, with the assistance of VCAL and Science students constructed a frog pond that uses water run-off and provides habitat for Banjo frogs, there are recycling bins as well as bins for composting organic material placed around the College, outdoor plastic seating is constructed from recycled materials and students get involved tree planting during Sustainability Week each winter.

To be recognised as a ResourceSmart School the College has to submit baseline data regarding our water and energy consumption. This data ensures the College can record continuous improvement in its attempts to reduce resource use, make cost savings, integrate sustainability into the curriculum and celebrate achievements with the wider College community.

As I hand the reins to our new Sustainability Leader, Miss Bree Burke, I look forward to working with her and the College's staff and students in achieving our goal of earning our fifth star.

Our Year 11 Agriculture and Horticulture students have this week been collecting seeds and planting out last year’s crop of Yam Daisy (or Murnong). Yam Daisy is a perennial herb originally utilised by Indigenous populations of Australia. In his book Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe detailed accounts of the large-scale farming of this plant.

Students are using this plant to test various hypotheses raised by Mr Pascoe. Growing crops under varied conditions to determine the impact of livestock on the plant, its ability to regenerate and the calorie capacity of the crop when compared to traditional European crops. As part of this process the students will also gain skills in seed propagation, scientific investigation and grazing management.

Our students are looking forward to the year-long project in which they will produce a report on their results.