Dear members of the MLMC community

Welcome back to Term 3 and Semester 2, in what seems like surreal circumstances. I really hoped to be welcoming you back under very different circumstances.

Firstly, I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday and term break, given the circumstances. Each year, we at MLMC have two correction days and three Staff Professional Development (PD) days. This year, we tied the PD days to the end of Term 2 and the beginning of Term 3 to allow for a longer mid-year winter break so that families could plan holidays and make use of travel opportunities outside the gazetted holiday period. I hope it worked for as many families as possible to allow travel given the circumstances of red and orange zones and the risks associated with them.

Personally, Jenny and I had planned to travel to Canberra to see our son who works there, but the thought, or even the slightest possibility, of a two-week isolation period saw us cancel. Still, the beautiful winter’s days here in Melbourne allowed the opportunity to spend time in the garden and lunching with friends. As one door closes, another opens, and it is important that we avail ourselves of opportunities as they present. Rather than focus on what we cannot do, we must remain positive and focus on what we can do.

Flexibility, perseverance and opportunism should be our focus at the moment, for as we learn to overcome obstacles to achieve, we build resilience. This is an important lesson for each of us and one that we must teach our students; they can, and will, achieve and learn if they are determined to do so.

The staff started Term 3 with a whole formation/retreat day. This opportunity is the only day in the whole year when we close the College, so that all staff can join together in community to reflect and form centred around our core purpose. The day was facilitated by Professor Brother David Hall FMS, who worked with the staff in three sessions:

• Building a Civilisation of Love: The Purpose of Catholic Education
• In Good Times and in Bad: Education as Relationship
• Values in Action: The Place of Justice and Mercy in Education.

Now, Br David lives in the suburbs of Sydney. Initially he was to travel down to be with us for the day, but living in a red zone saw this opportunity cease, so Zoom was the order of the day. The retreat was held at Discovery Church in Mt Evelyn, where the internet continually waned and ceased during session one. During session two, Br David lost power in the middle of his presentation.

Br David did a fantastic job of repeating sections that were missed and summarising as he went. The retreat was a great day of learning and discussion. It was also a day that highlighted the challenges of remote learning. Challenges will exist and things will go wrong. A consistent effort, persistence, a cooperative attitude, a sense that everyone is working together and doing their best, with a determination to learn and succeed will see a positive outcome.

This is the lesson that we must share with each other as we enter lockdown No.5. There are some things we can change and some that we cannot. Let us work in the areas where we can to achieve the desired outcomes and seek help where we need it. I can assure you that when technology went wrong on Monday I did not try to fix it, but rather enjoyed a coffee while the experts worked to find a solution.

May we enjoy a fantastic Term 3 and Semester 2 together, whatever form that may take, and with whatever will come. As a College focused on being a community of Mercy, I am sure that we can remain positive as we move forward. I am buoyed by a letter by Catherine McAuley to Francis Ward, who was struggling, in February 1838. In it she said, “You must be cheerful and happy, animating all around you”. This then, is our task, to move forward as a community of hope, positivity and to raise each other up.

I would like to welcome to our community the following students: Olivia Brouwers (Year 8 Red), Noah Tarulli (Year 8 Red), Amelia Eliott (Year 8 Orange), Jasmine Calcagno (Year 9 Green), Mackenzie Lewis (Year 10 Red), Charlotte Calcagno (Year 11 Red) and Angus Middleton (Year 11 White).

Given the change of semester, we farewell staff in Mr Dean Fox and Ms Claude Thia, we wish them well and thank them for their service. Over the holidays, Mr Danny Katzen has also suffered a medical episode which sees him in hospital and unlikely to return Term 3. We pray for Danny’s safe return to us in the best possible time. We cheerfully welcome a number of new staff: Mr Jaimin Hudson (Year 7-12 Mathematics), Dr Andrea Roberts-Davison (Year 7-10 Science and VCE Chemistry), Mr Gary Hearnes (junior Maths and Science), Ms Takako Okino (Japanese Language Assistant and Mrs Johanna Walton (Learning Support Officer).

In the Spirit of Catherine, may God bless each and every one of you at this time. Stay safe and we hope to see all our students back on campus next Wednesday.

Philip A Morison
Principal

Every month Pope Francis publishes an intention and asks Catholics worldwide to keep that as the focus of our prayers. During the month of July, the Holy Father calls on all to become “architects of dialogue and friendship” to solve the conflicts and causes of division that exist in society and among individual people. Only through dialogue, he says, is it possible to avoid the constant polarisation and social enmity that destroy so many relationships.

The Holy Father asks that we pray to construct the common good with men and women who extend a hand to each other, and especially to always be at the side of the “most impoverished and vulnerable, those on the peripheries”.

We Are One With You

O God, we are one with you. You have made us one with you.
You have taught us that if we are open to one another, you dwell in us.
Help us to preserve this openness and to fight for it with all our hearts. Help us to realise that there can be no understanding where there is mutual rejection.

O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely, we accept you, and we thank you, and we adore you, and we love you with our whole being, because our being is your being, our spirit is rooted in your spirit. Fill us then with love, and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways, united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world, and which makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love. Love has overcome. Love is victorious.

— From Thomas Merton (1915-1968)

Important dates

• Tuesday 20 July — Year 10 Parent Information Night via zoom (details to follow).
• Wednesday 21 July — Year 11 Parent Information Night via zoom (details to follow).
• Friday 23 July — Carr House celebration lunch
• Thursday 29, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 July — College Musical Matilda (click HERE for more details)
• Friday 30 July — Ryan House celebration lunch

Uniform Shop closure

The Bob Stewart Uniform Shop at the College has now closed. MLMC uniforms are now available from the Bob Stewart shop in Croydon, at 1-7 Maroondah Highway. The shop's trading hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm. You can call the shop on 9036 7386 or email them at croydon@bobstewart.com.au

Student absences via Portal

Parents/guardians are now able to advise the College of a student absence via the Parent Access Module (PAM). By logging on to your PAM account, simply click on ‘Parent Notified Absences’ (which is located on the top right-hand corner of the screen if you are logging in on a computer, or located under the student's name if logging in with a mobile device). Click on ‘+Add Future Absence’, select the student name, reason, absence period and date of absence and include any notes relevant to your child. Then simply click ‘Add’. You will receive a confirmation email of the absence. Changes or cancelling an absence can be made on PAM also.

The College is required to keep an accurate record of absences as part of the VRQA registration, Department of Education and Training and CECV guidelines. Where a student is absent from the College on any given day, parents/guardians are required to advise the College by 9.00am on the day of the absence. This information is then passed on to your child’s homeroom teacher, subject teachers and Year Level Leader via roll marking.

Student absences can be advised to the College via the Parent Access Module (PAM), by phoning the Absentee line (9237 1365) or by emailing administration@mlmc.vic.edu.au.

Where a student has an unexplained absence, the College will advise the parents/guardians as soon as practical.

VCE students

As per the College VCE Policy, a medical certificate and a letter from a parent is required for students undertaking a VCE subject if absent on the day of a SAC.

Absences for family holidays (more than two consecutive days)

Families are also reminded that a condition of student enrolment at the College is to not withdraw students from school for more than two consecutive days for family holidays without the pre-arranged written permission of the Principal. This can be obtained by emailing Mr Morison via principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au. The College strongly discourages students missing classes for social activities as such absences do impact on the learning of other students. Should you have any queries regarding your child’s absence, please contact the College’s Administration team for assistance on 9735 4022.

Mooroolbark Station closure

As part of removing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Manchester Road and building the new station and multi-deck car park at Mooroolbark, a major construction blitz will see Mooroolbark station close for up to four months from 9.00pm on Friday 16 July until late 2021. During this period there will be some important changes to the way passengers travel in the area. Please see attached the flyer.

New MLMC Shop

The College has introduced a new MLMC Shop which gives parents a one-stop-shop payment portal for all transactions (excluding College fee payments). We’re asking parents to use this portal for costs associated with device repairs, photocopier funds, Catherine’s Cafe coffee vouchers, IT purchases and replacement ID cards, bus passes and badges.

Please log on via the College website's Portals page (or click HERE), and create a new account. It is a very quick and easy process to set up an account and the steps are outlined in the MLMC Shop Parent’s Guide, which you can find on the website and below. If you have any problems please contact the Finance Office on 9735 4022.

Tickets are now on sale and our cast, crew and band have worked tirelessly throughout the school holidays to prepare for this year's MLMC College musical, Matilda. The students and staff involved in putting together this amazing production are all incredibly excited about the show being so close. There will be shows on Thursday 29 July, Friday 30 July and Saturday 31 July in Centennial Hall from 7.30pm.

Based on Roald Dahl's novel, Matilda — The Musical has themes that promote individuality, facing adversity with strength and determination and standing up for what's right. At its heart, Matilda is a musical that barracks for the 'little guys', spurring on its audience to fight for what they believe in. In a societal climate where we are so often presented with disheartening news, Matilda is a breath of fresh (musical theatre) air, where we are refreshingly reminded of the power of a determined human spirit.

Everyone is now busily adding the finishing touches to make this year's College musical extra special. The set is ready to go, lights are programmed, costumes are fitted and hung, and the band is ready to play.

All we need now is an audience. Tickets are selling quickly, so get yours now so you don't miss out. Click HERE or visit https://www.trybooking.com/BSRZU to get your tickets to see Matilda. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

While we cannot gather as a community to celebrate the Academic and Merit awards achieved by our students in Semester 1, their success is to be applauded nonetheless. Semester 1 awards were announced at the end of Term 2, with Academic and Merit awards distributed via the Parent Portal.

You can find the full list of award recipients by year level below.

Recipients of Academic Awards were recognised for their:

• academic excellence
• personal organisation
• positive contribution to the learning environment
• originality
• creativity
• enthusiasm for the subject.

Merit Awards were limited to a maximum of four per class awarding students who demonstrate enthusiasm for the subject, completion of work, a cooperative approach to learning, effort in the subject, consistently meeting due dates and punctuality.

The top achieving Year 12 student was Kimberley Fiorentino (Year 12 Orange) (pictured above), who picked up five Academic Awards. Hannah Heath (also Year 12 Orange) earned four Academic Awards.

Of the Year 11 students, Jack Drummond (Year 11 Red) and Baxter Lill (Year 11 Blue) (pictured left and right respectively above) excelled with six Academic Awards each, while Teagan McConachy (Year 11 Blue) picked up five Academic Awards as well as one Merit Award.

Year 10 student Carissa Manger (Year 10 Blue) received eight Academic Awards, while Louisa Inglese (Year 10 Orange) received seven Academic Awards and one Merit.

Congratulations to every student who received an award.

As we welcome our students back to Term 3, amidst the troubles of COVID-19 a concerted effort is being made to ensure the students' connection to the College community and wellbeing remain a high focus.

Many of our students are confident, are familiar with the systems we have in place at the College and they know how to reach out for help if they are feeling anxious or in need of assistance. Wanting to ensure we provide a means of seeking help, the College (after a trial at Year 8 and Year 10 in Term 2) has introduced an online ‘check in’ system called PULSE.

So what is PULSE?

PULSE is a tool for measuring the week-to-week wellbeing and engagement of students. It tracks the wellbeing of individual students so that the College can respond to those who express a need. It also tracks anonymised student sentiment about their engagement with the school so that the school can make changes based on student voice. Each week your child’s Year Level Leader and Campus Director gain an insight into how your child has responded to the very simple question of how they are feeling.

Why are we doing it?

The primary reason is to ensure all our students have the ability to reach out and indicate they would like some help. Research strongly indicates that measuring student wellbeing in a way that is both comprehensive and timely will enable schools to provide support at both the individual and cohort level. We are using PULSE to get more useful and actionable insight than traditional long-form wellbeing surveys.

How does it work?

Once a week, students will be prompted by email to complete an online 'check-in'. Time is used during Homeroom to allow students to ‘check in’. Four to five minutes is all it takes. The check-in consists of five to six questions and although it is encouraged, the use of PULSE is not mandatory.

What is the impact on your child?

The goal is to have a positive experience and give our students a safe way to make their voice heard and give us their opinion on their experience at school.

What information are you collecting and who is going to see it?

We are collecting two kinds of information:

• Identified: with each check-in, students will be asked ‘how are you feeling?’. This question is asked every week and is 'identified' ie. the student's identity will be attached to their response. This is important if a student asks for help.
• Anonymous: the remaining questions are all anonymous. The school will not be able to see the student's identity. The College will use this to gain insight into overall engagement of students and design programs that better meet needs if necessary.

What happens if your child asks for help?

When we set up PULSE for your child they will be assigned an escalation point within the school if they need assistance and be given the option to be contacted by the relevant staff member. They will also be given the option to speak to someone else if they prefer a different person.

As is sometimes the case, students when at school can mask how they are feeling. If this is the case with your child, we would appreciate your input into how your child is coping, so we can better assist them. Your child’s Homeroom teacher is a great person to contact as they greet them every day.

If you have any questions about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Welcome back to Semester 2. We hope all students and families had a refreshing holiday and are returning with energy and expectation. We are excited for all we have planned for students and families through the rest of the year — for personal growth and learning achievement.

Navigating the first weeks for success

The best way to plan ahead for Semester 2 is to go back and both ‘reflect’ on Semester 1 to identify goals and ‘reset’ those learning habits that require focus and practice. We encourage students and parents to do this TOGETHER:

Pathway Selections

During Term 3, Year 10 and 11 students will be making significant decisions with their pathway choices via:

• Pathways assembly 
• Parent information evenings - via zoom.
• Pathways Portal
• Pathway confirmation interviews.

Staff have designed this year’s process to best assist students and parents with making informed choices for their learning, setting goals, building confidence and a vision for their future years. Students can also utilise the MLMC Careers Website and visit the Careers team for guidance and input.

GAT

We encourage all VCE/Scored VET Unit 3 and 4 students to check and prepare for the upcoming GAT exam which has a revised date of Thursday 29 July (10.00am-1.15pm).

Coming soon

In the next newsletter, there will be an article detailing other Term 3 highlights:

• Units 3 and 4 Practice Paper Wednesdays
• Mercy Day.

If you have any questions, please contact any of the Barak Campus team during school hours.

At the end of last term, students and staff participated in the annual Winter Appeal by donating canned meals, non-perishable food items and toiletries. All of the classes put in an amazing effort and the baskets were stacked high with items. The Year 7 students lined up all of the donated cans through the halls of the Mansfield building (pictured) before adding them to the collection. Thank you to all community members who participated. The donations were collected by members of St Patrick’s Lilydale (pictured in the gallery below) and will help to support those struggling in our local area.

A huge thank you also to everyone who participated in the recent Vinnies Winter Sleepout that was held on Thursday 17 June. Students and families in our College community participated in this virtual event, raising money for homeless people in Australia as well as getting a glimpse into the realities of what it would be like to be without a home. We set a target of raising $1000 but thanks to incredible generosity in our community we raised $2375.19. With over two million people living below the poverty line in Australia, including over half a million children, your donations allow the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide more than immediate help, it provides something much more valuable — the opportunity of a better life.

For the sleepout, I (Amelia) slept on the floor with a couple of blankets with my friend. We spent the time participating in the Liturgy, watching a movie and having a small serving of dinner. This experience enabled us to understand more clearly how individuals in our community struggle every night and helped us to have more empathy towards the disadvantaged. This is something we will carry with us in future years.

I (Stephanie) spent the sleepout with my family (pictured below). We ate a simple dinner of soup together. We then watched a movie before setting up our sleeping area — a couple of mattresses in the garage. After doing so, we played a few games like Uno before finally tuckering out and falling asleep for the night. Through this experience we were able to better understand the plight of those who are struggling and so develop more empathy. It was also good to be able to spend time together as a family, especially in the busy lives that we all live.

In the last week of Term 2, our Year 10 students were able to take part in our Work Experience program. Through the week, 212 students were able to explore their career options with on-site placements. Approval for the program to go ahead had come just days earlier, with COVID-19 lockdowns and a storm impacting many in our community.

Students attended a wide variety of workplaces across Melbourne, with some students also travelling to Victorian regional areas. Some placements were affected by government regulations at their workplaces, however most employers were willing to reschedule for a week in the July holidays to give our students the opportunity to take part. Another group of students completed a Virtual Work Experience program at the College, which allowed them to explore industries of interest and take part in some important learning about their chosen fields.

In past years, the Work Experience program has assisted our students to decide if their chosen industry was a career they would like to pursue or a pathway that was not really for them. Some Work Experience placements can lead to ongoing part-time employment. For many students, the experience of long hours and early mornings makes school seem more attractive after all.

In a time that has been very challenging for everyone, the Careers team at the College were thankful that this valuable Year 10 program was able to proceed and the opportunity it provided to our Year 10 students.

Year 11 Green student Riley Duncan recently returned from his first Finke Desert Race in Australia’s outback. The race is an elite motorsport event similar to the world famous Dakar Rally which is open to high performance off-road vehicles and a range of motor bikes. It takes place in some of the most spectacular desert country, from Alice Springs to the remote community of Apatula (also known as Finke) in South Australia. Sponsored by KTM, Riley entered a 500cc bike in the two-day event, each day consisting of a 230km stage.

As well as committing to his MLMC studies, Riley had been preparing for this race for many months, following a strict diet and training regimen. Regularly competing in similar events, Riley has honed his skills with the best of Australian motorsport. His trip to the Finke competition consisted of two weeks of travel, competition preparation and pre-runs, totalling approximately 2000km of high performance riding.

The race became a true test of character for Riley. On the first day a fellow competitor fell next to Riley and was run over by two vehicles. Stopping immediately to assist, Riley performed CPR on his fellow rider, keeping him alive until the air ambulance arrived and professional emergency workers took over. Riley re-entered the race, having lost a great deal of time and many positions, with the hope of regaining his placings with a strong performance and fast times on the second day. In tragic circumstances, this was not to be. A second accident which claimed the life of a spectator led to the second stage being cancelled and competition for 2021 being called off. As a result, Riley finished 162nd overall. He, however, will always have the knowledge that he made the right decision to stop and render assistance to another person in need.

I am sure that you join with me in admiration of the ability and character of students such as Riley as they conduct themselves so admirably in truly amazing pursuits. He has truly tasted victory in his service to others. Riley was back in class after a 12-hour drive from Alice Springs. He is now looking forward to his next motorsport adventure.

(1) Staff and Student Achievements

Congratulations to Ben Heath (Year 10 Bronze) who has recently departed for Georgia, USA, to join the Rabun Gap Eagles football program as a quarterback. Ben will be the first Australian to play quarterback at USA high school level, which is a huge achievement. Well done Ben. We look forward to hearing about your performances at this level.

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

(2) Cross country training

It is time for students to start getting some kilometres into their legs for cross country season. Training will be on rain, hail or shine on Monday afternoons 3.30pm-4.30pm and Wednesday mornings 7.00am-8.00am (breakfast provided afterwards). Meet at the Doyle Centre for all sessions, all fitness levels and abilities welcome.

(3) EISM reminders

With the Winter seasons of Year 8, 9 and Senior EISM Sport either underway or about to begin, students are asked to please remember the following:

• Check the Sport plans, which are 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) and ‘Senior’ fixtures. This is particularly important as refixturing occurs due to lockdowns.

(4) EISM results

Senior results (14 July)

During the last week of Term 2 we were fortunate to be able to host many Grade 5 students from our priority parish schools at the College. Over two days 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 to participate in our Future Stars program.

As one of our first transition events, the purpose of Future Stars is to ensure that students from our Catholic primary schools, who may be attending Mount Lilydale Mercy College in the future, have the wonderful opportunity to experience a day in the life of a MLMC student.

The students were welcomed to the College by our Year 9 Class Captains before being placed into eight mixed groups, simulating the mixing of students from different schools when entering Year 7. After spending some recess time together in the playground, they formed into their groups to take part in periods 3 and 4 across the many subjects offered at the College. Students got to experience class in Art, Science, Music, Maths, Food, Business, Drama, Sport, Textiles, Woodwork and Agriculture. Our Year 9 students did a wonderful job of ensuring our visitors were in the right places and answered any questions they (or the assisting teachers or parents) may have had. They also assisted and participated in the lessons provided.

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 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.

Here are some reflections from two of our Year 9 Class Captains:

I loved being part of our Future Stars program. It gave Year 9 leaders a chance to meet future students, show them some fantastic subjects we study here at MLMC and to represent our school. My group took part in both a Drama and Science class, where we performed small scenarios and combined chemicals to record any reactions. Everyone made new friends playing downball and basketball during recess and lunchtime, this being my highlight of the day. Our Future Stars program is a fun way for Grade 5 students to spend a day here and I look forward to meeting them again in 2023.
— Lily McLean (Year 9 Green)

As one of the student leaders, this year's Future Stars program was a great experience. I enjoyed leading the groups of Grade 5s with my partner and I enjoyed participating in the same program that I had been part of when I was in Grade 5. The Grade 5s looked like they enjoyed themselves and they were very enthusiastic during all of the activities. Overall, it was successful and enjoyable.
— Alannah Rudan (Year 9 Silver)

The fashion industry is one that leaves behind a huge environmental footprint. There is a need for our students to understand the enormous negative impact the fashion industry has on the planet. In Year 10 Fashion and Design last term, the students learnt how manufacturing and designing clothes can maximise the benefits to the fashion industry and society, while at the same time minimising its impact on the environment.

To promote sustainability, the students constructed garments from recycled bed sheets. The aesthetic value of their garments was enhanced by applying special and unique designs, including embroidery and the use of sequins.

The students completed some of the task during lockdown and showed great skill in turning the bedsheets into amazing fashion pieces. Well done, everyone.

Entries have started coming in for our 2021 MLMC Visual Arts Competition. While last year our students captured the lockdown experience by taking photos of their world for a photography competition, this year the College is calling on all students and staff to get creative and use the theme ‘Our MLMC community’ as we celebrate the College’s 125th year.

And works can be submitted in any medium — a drawing, a painting, sculpture, digital art, photography, collage ... ANYTHING to do with this year’s theme.

This year there are double the prizes on offer, donated by both the Visual Arts and Religious Education faculties, with JB HIFI vouchers up for grabs. There will be awards for Junior (Year 7-9) and Senior (Year 10-12) students. Staff are also encouraged to participate.

Entries are due by Friday 10 September 2021 for display on Mercy Day (Friday 17 September). Works are to be no larger than A2 size for display. Each student entering a work will receive a College commendation.

There is so much beauty within our College community and we look forward to seeing MLMC through the eyes of our students and staff and also to celebrate MLMC’s history.

Returning to the College after the recent school holidays, it is interesting to note that for some years the College hosted a retreat for young business girls from the city while our students were on holidays.

As we look back at 125 years of MLMC, we share a story from the 1935 retreat. By all reports it was very successful.

1935 — Retreat for business girls

In January 1935, while the College was on school holidays, a retreat for young business girls from the city was organised at Mount Lilydale. The Advocate newspaper reported:

“Through the generosity of the Reverend Mother, under ideal weather conditions and amid the beautiful surroundings of the Mercy Convent, Lilydale, forty-four young business girls attended a retreat under the direction of Rev Fr Phillip Murphy OFM, who delivered a most interesting course of lectures. The girls slept in dormitories, and the Sisters were tireless in their efforts to attend to their every need. During recreation on the Sunday the girls walked over the neighbouring hills. It was with sincere regret that they returned to Melbourne on the Monday morning. This is the first organised retreat of its kind, and has been declared by all a wonderful success.”

The retreat was considered such a success that it became an annual event at the College over the holidays and more retreats were later organised at other Convents. At the end of the retreat the following year, the director, Father T Haugh, expressed “his pleasure that such headway had been made in spreading the retreat movement among girls, and hoped that those present would act as apostles in spreading it still further”.

The recent storm events in Lilydale and surrounding areas knocked over the large Manna Gum at the top of the College driveway. The maintenance team worked tirelessly to make the area safe for students. A number of staff, in discussion with Principal Mr Philip Morison, have initiated plans for the garden bed to be developed into a sacred space with our 'Welcome Tree' as the centrepiece.

This project will take place over the next 12-24 months and will be coordinated by teachers Mr Michael Dale and Mr Terry Hill.