Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community

As I sit to write to you this morning, it is very dark, cold and wet outside and I am thankful for the heating that is warming my feet. The tree outside my office, while in the process of shedding, is still holding onto many leaves, but Charlie enjoys foraging in the many fallen leaves each day — as do the Year 7 students who frequent the area outside of class time. Winter has well and truly set in and given this is the last day of Semester 1, I am thankful for the approaching holiday period as — you would understand are the teaching and support staff. I expect the students, too, are looking forward to the break after their exams and finalisation of assessment for Term 2. I hope that each of them is looking forward to their report as a celebration of a semester of achievement; a semester spent on campus and within community. There is plenty which we should be grateful for and give thanks.

Today, I wish to draw your attention to several matters, each of which is quite different:

(1) New Child Safe Standards to strengthen child safety will commence in Victoria on 1 July 2022

The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) commenced in Victoria in January 2016. As you will already be aware, Mount Lilydale Mercy College has been diligent in ensuring we continue to meet these standards. As is the case with most things, Child Safe Standards are constantly reviewed, and in line with a new Ministerial Order (1359) are undergoing some important changes. After five years, the introduction of some new Standards will take effect from 1 July 2022 to help improve safety for children and young people.

The 11 new Standards will replace Victoria’s current seven standards and principles. MLMC has been working hard over the past 12 months to ensure we, as a College, will have them in place ready for the commencement of Term 3.

The key changes include some new requirements:

• to involve families and communities in organisations’ efforts to keep children and young people safe

• for a greater focus on safety for Aboriginal children and young people

• to manage the risk of child abuse in online environments

• for greater clarity on the governance, systems and processes to keep children and young people safe.

There are 11 new Child Safe Standards:

Child Safe Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued

Child Safe Standard 2 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

Child Safe Standard 3 – Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

Child Safe Standard 4 – Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

Child Safe Standard 5 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice

Child Safe Standard 6 – People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice

Child Safe Standard 7 – Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused

Child Safe Standard 8 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training

Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed

Child Safe Standard 10 – Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved

Child Safe Standard 11 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people

Below are some links to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) that has more information, one of which is a frequently asked questions section:

https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/resources/New-CSS/Whats-new-overview-of-the-new-Child-Safe-Standards.pdf

https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/assets/resources/New-CSS/New-Child-Safe-Standards-frequently-asked-questions.pdf

(2) COVID-19 update

As you would be aware, following advice from the Acting Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government recently announced changes to the pandemic orders.

There will no longer be a mandated vaccination requirement for any staff working at MLMC and no further records will be kept pertaining to staff vaccinations. This change will come into effect from 11.59pm Friday 24 June, so in effect from the start of Term 3 2022.

With almost 100% of College staff now vaccinated, this should cause little change on our campus.

As part of the changes, parents and carers who have COVID-19 can transport their non-COVID-19 children via private vehicle to the College when an alternative person is not available to assist and other transport is not available.

The parent or carer must travel directly to and from the College only. They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to walk the student to and from the entrance of the College safely, however, this should be unnecessary given College drop off and pick-up procedures. COVID-19 positive parents and carers must not visit the office, first aid or other classroom facility on College grounds. They must wear a face mask at all times.

Family members are asked to continue reporting positive COVID-19 cases to both the Department of Health and to the College, as has been the case for some time now.

You must also let the College know if your child is a close contact. Students who are close contacts and want to attend on-campus should still take five RATs over seven days and wear a face mask while indoors. The College is still issuing RAT kits to those families and students who require them and we have ample supply. Please encourage students to pick up test kits from the office should they be needed.

Students should continue to stay home if they are unwell, even if they test negative on a RAT.

I continue to be thankful for the support of our community as we continue to work with all things COVID-19 and keep our campus as safe as possible. Please continue your support our community by encouraging students to be health conscious, obey cough and social distancing etiquettes where possible and continue with personal hygiene measures including the washing of hands at least every two hours and using hand sanitizer where provided.

(3) Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) at MLMC

Victoria’s senior secondary education is changing and MLMC is adapting to a new VCE, which now features a VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) qualification. From 2023, more students will study the VCE because the VCE will include the Vocational Major, a two-year program that sits within the VCE.

The new VCE VM will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL. This means the VCE will recognise different students equally. This reform recognises the diversity in talents and pathways within one qualification.

In addition to the introduction of the VCE VM, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) have also announced the new Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will replace Foundation VCAL. The intent is to implement this in 2025.

The VCE Vocational Major means students will have more education choices, a higher-quality curriculum and better workplace experiences—preparing them for further study, training at TAFE or employment.

This has implications for our current Year 11 VCAL students and current Year 9 and 10 students who will be facing Pathway selections for 2023 in the coming weeks.

Year 11 VCAL students entering Year 12 in 2023 will face no change to their subjects or pathway program, however, on satisfactory completion, students will receive a VCE VM certificate.

Year 10 students entering Year 11 in 2023 will have the following stream options within the VCE:

In Term 3 we commence with our annual Pathways and subject selection process, during which you will be provided with more specific information pertaining to subject offerings, subject descriptors, subject prerequisites, benchmarks, recommendations and pathway selection guidelines via the MLMC Pathways Portal. Year Level assemblies as well as Year 10 and 11 2023 Parent Information Nights will be held on 19 and 20 July 2022.

A team of staff will be available throughout the year to answer your questions and support students as they make decisions about their final years at the College.

To further assist in understanding these changes parents may wish to post any questions they have in this ONE VCE@MLMC parent query form. Click HERE.

Current Year 10 students are also encouraged to express their level of interest in these stream options by completing this ONE VCE@MLMC Streams two-minute survey HERE.

These are exciting initiatives and we will undertake a process during Term 3 to provide all the information parents will need.

(4) MLMC Community Forum Group (CFG)

Just a reminder that in the last newsletter I introduced the concept of the Community Forum Group (CFG), for which I am looking for several parent participants. If you are interested please email me at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au as we wish to start this group next semester and publish meeting dates as early as possible next term so that agendas can be published.

Enjoy a well-earned, warm and hearty winter holiday.

God bless
Philip A Morison

As we come to the end of another term let us take some time to reflect on what we have and what we treasure. In recent weeks our community has focused on raising awareness of the work of Vinnies and homelessness as well as the plight of refugees and it has reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for.

Remembering Others

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
— Samuel F Pugh

Dates

• Friday 24 June — Last day of Term 2 for students (2.35pm finish time)
• Friday 1 July — College Office closes for school holidays at 4.00pm
• Monday 11 July — Staff Formation Day (student free) and College Office is closed
• Tuesday 12 July — First day of Term 3 for students and College Office opens at 8.00am
• Wednesday 13 July — Year 12 Student Progress Interviews
• Wednesday 13 July-Friday 15 July — Year Level Semester 1 Awards
• Monday 18 July — Pathways Portal opens
• Tuesday 19 July — Year 10 2023 parent information night
• Wednesday 20 July — Year 11 2023 parent information night

Foster carers required

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) has a shortage of foster carers in the east and a high number of children in the out of home care system. The organisation is seeking to recruit more carers. For information, contact Dakota D'Monte from the Foster care requirement team of VACCA — East on 0499 200 571 or email dakotad@vaca.org

SESF scholarships available

The Sports Excellence Scholarship Fund (SESF) helps sporting dreams become a reality for Australian students. Financial scholarships of $1000 each are available to support emerging school-aged students to represent their state or country at sporting championships. Families must demonstrate financial hardship. For further information about the SESF, visit https://sesf.org.au/about/

Canteen

Staff are required for both the McAuley Campus and Barak Campus canteens. Read more HERE.

For the past two years we have been unable to host the Vinnies Winter Sleepout for our Year 12 students at the College due to COVID-19 restrictions. So, we were very excited to be able to hold this event back on campus on Thursday 16 June.

Over 40 students and staff members participated in this event, creating a sense of solidarity with those who are homeless and helping to raise much-needed funds. A huge thank you to all who participated, helped with the preparation, donated soup and financial contributions. A special thank you to Bakers Delight at Chirnside Park who supplied us with an amazing number of bread rolls.

I really enjoyed the opportunity the Year 12 cohort were given to spend the night at school, raising money for the Vinnies Winter Appeal and sleeping in the Year 8 and 9 Quad. Although cold, our spirits were high. We played games, watched a movie and participated in a liturgy in the chapel. This helped us to understand the harsh effects of homelessness in Australia and reminded us of the reason we were raising money. It was a wonderful and significant night that I will always remember.
— Emma Williamson (Year 12 Jade)

The night was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the sense of community that was created. It made me reflect on how lucky I am for the ability to be able to go home every day. It helped me to reflect compassionately on those who are not as fortunate.
— Noah Ruta (Year 12 Gold)

The Vinnies Sleepout was a very humbling experience and helped to put me in the shoes of a homeless person who goes through these struggles every day. The night was filled with fun and excitement, uniting us as a group. I want to thank the staff who went out of their way to supervise us and also contribute to a great cause.
— Mark Rimando (Year 12 Blue)

We have been busily working away to get our amazing College Musical Matilda ready for its performance season in the first week of August. After the incredible disappointment of having to cancel the show last year with only one week to go until showtime, we are thrilled that the Musical is going ahead this year with a full audience.

The show will be playing on Thursday 4 August through to Saturday 6 August in Centennial Hall and tickets are now on sale. Click HERE or visit trybooking.com/CANWI to book your tickets. They are sure to sell fast.

We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

On Wednesday 15 June, around 50 Instrumental Music students performed at the Giovane Recital evening at the College. The students who performed were all at the beginning of their journey towards becoming musicians, and nervously played to a crowd of about 150 people to showcase the skills they have learnt this semester.

For some of these students, they only began to play their instruments at the beginning of this year, while for others they have been honing their skills for a couple of years. For all students, though, playing for their family and friends for the first time in over two years was an absolute joy.

All students did an absolutely fantastic job, and we are incredibly proud of them.

Through the final week of Term 2 our Year 10 students participated in Work Experience with 213 students sourcing their own placements in an amazing array of occupations.

Our students spent time experiencing workplaces including trades, oncology research, schools, daycare centres, outdoor activity camps, hair salons, allied health, real estate agents, vets and many more varied forms of employment. Some students will complete Work Experience over the term break.

To support students still developing their employability skills, we ran a Virtual Work Experience Program at the College where 35 students completed an individual profile, task-matching skills and interests to industry. Our Virtual students then engaged with one of 50 different online modules in their chosen career of interest, developing skills within that sector through the completion of tailored micro-credential courses.

External presenters such as florist Rosalie De Francesco (Class of 2019), owner of Rosie Posie Floral Designs, as well as James Canny (Class of 1987), a pilot from Air Inspect Australia, shared information regarding a number of traditional and emerging industries. Virtual students finished the week by presenting themselves for an online mock interview with the National Careers Institute.

As a result of seeking Work Experience places, some of our students have been offered ongoing part-time work and we expect these numbers to grow by the end of the program. Each student was contacted by a staff member, either by phone or in person, to speak to both the employer and student to ascertain how the student was coping in the world of work. Students also completed a log book as a way of reflecting on their Work Experience and employers completed an assessment of the student, which will be included in their end of year report.

Our Year 10 students are to be commended for their initiative to seek out Work Experience in these challenging times and the Careers team hopes they have enjoyed and benefited from their week.

On Wednesday 8 June, 25 students from Year 7 and 8 Italian classes participated in the Centre of Italian Studies’ junior Italian poetry competition. Students were invited to participate and they took up the challenge to recite poems during the month of May. They made the effort to practice the poems in their own time and meet Italian teachers during lunchtimes.

A judge then visited the College and assessed the students’ recitations based on pronunciation, intonation, appropriate expression, gestures and eye contact. Students were nervous, but they truly ‘gave their best’ to recite their poems. Well done to all the students!

It is most promising and it is hoped they will continue their participation in Italian poetry competitions in future years. Also, a big ‘grazie mille’ (thank you) to teachers Miss Natalie Hamment, Mr Michael Modini, Ms Lucia Tabacchiera and Mr Marco Cardinali for supporting students in their practice.

Participating students were:

• Charlotte Keech (Year 7 Green)
  
• Milla Kleverkamp (Year 7 Jade)
• Wyatt Coleman, Olivio Damante, Hunter Farrer, Trent Orr (Year 7 Orange)
• Chloe Ault, Anmol Brar, Ayesha Marappan , Charlotte Strachan (Year 7 Purple)
• Achalla Didumo (Year 7 Silver)
• Grace Maffescioni, Nicholas Mazzarella, Ezekiel Villani, Grace White (Year 7 White)
• Jakara Adamson, Jacob Blazincic, David Halkidis, Olivia Hyndman, Chanel Lopez, Abigail Mendez, Giorgio Pieroni (Year 8 LEAP Italian)
• Samuel Drummond, Sharli Flynn, Isabella Maurici (Year 8 Orange)

Two of our students share their reflections:

I found going to these meetings very fun, enjoyable, productive and entertaining. After memorising my poem and gestures, and constantly practicing, it was time to compete. I felt nervous but excited. We had time to practice right before the competition, with support and encouragement. After competing, I felt very relieved. I really enjoyed my experience in the competition and recommend it to students.
— Ezekiel Villani (Year 7 White)

I participated in the CIS Italian Poetry competition in the Italian heritage section. I felt nervous at the start but once I finished I was relieved. Overall it was a fun experience and I suggest it to anyone who gets the chance to do it.
— Nicholas Mazzarella (Year 7 White)

(1) Student Achievements

Softball
Congratulations to Karri Pritchard (Year 12 Red) who is currently in Canada representing Australia in the under 18 softball team, Aussie Diamonds. We wish Karri all the best for the tournament and look forward to watching her exciting career.

Football
Well done to Cody Anderson (Year 11 Purple) and Cameron Nyko (Year 11 Bronze) (pictured above) who both played for Eastern Ranges’ NAB League boys’ team last weekend where they defeated the Northern Knights. Both boys were named in the best players and they have both been selected to play again this weekend against the Calder Cannons. Best wishes to both players.

If you have any other student achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(2) EISM results

Year 8 (14 June)

Year 9 (16 June)

Year 8 (21 June)

As part of the Year 9 Compass program students have been completing the unit titled Future Me. In this area students are exploring what is possible for their future pathway and encouraging them to recognise their strengths and interests as individuals. This will help to prepare them as they enter the subject and pathway selection process in Term 3.

On two Wednesdays, 1 and 15 June, groups of Year 9 students left the College to embark on an investigation of university and TAFE campuses. With their Compass teachers and McAuley Campus Learning Advisor Mr Neal Haining, McAuley Campus Director Mrs Gail Preston and Year 9 Level Leader Mr Sam Waters, they travelled to sites including Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, Melbourne, RMIT and ACU universities as well as Box Hill, Swinburne (Wantirna) and Melbourne Polytechnic TAFE institutes. Students were given presentations by institutes and tours of their campuses.

It is hoped that in seeing the size of campuses and the different manner in which these places operate they will gain a better understanding of what type of learning might match their learning style, interests and study requirements in the future. In talking to each other and their families about what they experienced, it is hoped that questions will be asked and discussions started, which is all part of the learning process.

Many thanks go to the institutes who hosted us, the staff who accompanied the students and the Year 9 cohort themselves who, despite some very cold and wet conditions, represented the College and themselves in a manner that made us proud.

There will be follow up sessions for parents regarding pathway selections in Term 3, but if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Careers department by phoning the College or send an email to careers@mlmc.vic.edu.au and one of the Careers staff will get back to you to discuss your query.

Here are some reflections of the excursion from Year 9 Silver students:

I really enjoyed going to the universities as it showed me what will be expected if I ever go there. One thing I found scary was the independence that we get when we go to the university as I have never really had that much independence before.
— Isabelle Noy

The university was good. I learnt a lot about the history of each university and what they teach. It was pretty scary how large the university was, but I will get used to it.
— Riley George

The excursion to RMIT University and Melbourne University was very interesting as I learned about all the different courses that are available. I really enjoyed learning about the differences in how universities are run. Although it was a bit overwhelming finding out about all the subjects you need to do to get into different courses.
— Casey Cameron

I really enjoyed going to the universities as we were able to see what options are open to us for our careers. I learnt that I have a bunch of different ways I can get to my career goal, which was really good. It was scary knowing that I am only a few years away from deciding what I want to do and to get into a particular course and I need to choose certain subjects in later years in high school.
— Sarah Ivanovic

I liked how the RMIT speaker told us about all the opportunities available to us and how you can change courses during your time at uni and they gave us a good description of what uni is like. The main thing I learned was that even if you don’t get into a course you want, you can switch to it later.
— Jamie Corish

A key part of the transition from primary school to a large school such as MLMC is the introduction of Grade 5 students to the College. Over two days this week we hosted Grade 5 students from our priority parish schools as part of our Future Stars program, which aims to smooth the transition to high school.

This experience provides the ‘Future Stars’ of MLMC with a better understanding of what life will be like when they attend secondary school. By participating in this program, students become more familiar with our College and what it has to offer. It is the first step in alleviating any worries they may have associated with transition, and is an important part of establishing connections with students from other primary schools.

We welcomed students from St Patrick’s Lilydale, St Mary’s Mount Evelyn, St Richard’s Kilsyth, St Peter Julian Eymard Mooroolbark, Sacred Heart Croydon, St Paul’s Monbulk, St Joseph’s Yarra Junction and St Brigid’s Healesville.

The purpose of Future Stars is to ensure that students from our Catholic primary schools, who may be attending our College in the future, have the wonderful opportunity to experience a day in the life of a MLMC student.

In small groups of students from a mix of schools, they were able to experience two classes (held over periods 3 and 4), as well as recess and lunchtime in the schoolyard. Students had the opportunity to experience some of the wonderful subjects offered at the College, including Art, Science, Music, Technology and Sport.

Our Year 9 students did a wonderful job of leading our visitors to the right classes and answered any questions they may have had while also assisting in the lessons provided.

We thank all the staff who were involved, from both MLMC and our visiting schools, for their generosity of spirit and time. We are sure that this was a wonderful day for all involved, full of new and exciting experiences for our future students.

It was great to get many keen Maguire House members to come down to the Lecture Theatre at lunchtime on Thursday 16 June for our Maguire House celebration. I had the chance to share information about the history of Maguire House and to inspire them to get involved with the House activities throughout the year. Afterwards everyone there got to enjoy a sausage sizzle.

Sister Patrick Maguire was the first Superior of the Convent at Lilydale and Maguire House is named in her honour. It was a great afternoon and to share my passion for the House with these students was a tremendous opportunity.

Today we farewell two of our wonderful canteen staff members, with Sonia Morrissey and Val Matthews leaving the College.

Sonia started at the Barak Campus canteen seven and a half years ago, helping out. “I could see the potential in it and see what needed to be done so I took over the canteens.” She said she was looking forward to retirement. “I need to sit back and rejuvenate.” Her husband Damien also worked in the Barak canteen and together they operated both canteens until Damien passed away three years ago, then Sonia took over the McAuley canteen.

Val began working at the College 14 years ago, when her son was in Grade 1, and said she was looking forward to travelling to the UK on Monday to see her mother.

We thank both Sonia and Val for their hospitality and service to students and staff over many years and wish them well.

NOTE: Both canteens are desperately looking for new staff. No food experience is required and the job includes school hours and school holidays. If you are interested in the position, or know someone who is, please contact Barak Campus canteen coordinator Stacey Anderson on 0421 301 012.

The VET Hospitality class had the opportunity to have a pasta masterclass on Wednesday 15 June with our very own Ms Nadia Fragnito, a staff member who is also an author and blogger of The Vegan Italian Kitchen and A Vegan Summer in Southern Italy.

Ms Fragnito demonstrated the skills to make tria (a rustic ribbon pasta) from scratch, sugo di pomodoro (slow-cooked tomato sauce) and crema di peperoni gialli (yellow capsicum cream sauce). These recipes are all from southern Italy where Ms Fragnito has travelled extensively and written about in her latest book.

Students spent the afternoon hand rolling and creating different pasta dishes, then took the time to sit down and enjoy the pasta feast. Keira Sandford (Year 11 Bronze) said "the opportunity to hand roll pasta from scratch was so much fun”.

The Certificate II in Hospitality VET course taught here at MLMC provides the students with a year-long course gaining front of house and kitchen skills. Students have the opportunity to receive their food handling certificate, gain barista skills and achieve responsible service of alcohol accreditation. They can also gain key knowledge and skills for catering in-house events such as the College’s annual wine launch and parent seminars, while just recently they baked 400 biscuits for the Year 7 Special Persons’ Day.

The Hospitality industry is an innovative industry with myriad career opportunities from entry-level roles right through to chief executive positions. Ms Fragnito’s love of Italian food has taken her all over the world cooking and learning and recently she made a guest appearance on TV show Everyday Gourmet with chef Justine Schofield.