Dear parents and members of the MLMC community

It is indeed a strange world in which we live.

Last weekend, the College became aware of our first positive COVID-19 case that had been on campus within 48 hours of testing positive. Over the weekend, all teachers and the class of the positive case who had been exposed were contacted and a period of isolation began. A rapid cleaning regime was undertaken to ensure that other classes could resume on Monday.

What is interesting is how quickly the process changed.

On Friday 12 November, we were aware of a primary close contact so secondary close contacts were contacted and testing was suggested. Over the weekend as the positive case emerged, the College was required to undertake the contact tracing process with staff and students who were fully vaccinated required to isolate for seven days and obtain a negative result on Day 6. Those who were not fully vaccinated were told to isolate for 14 days.

Knowing this, teachers were asked to work from home and a class returned to remote learning for the best part of this week. This also necessitated the College seeking information from families about the vaccination status of each PCC.

Over Monday and Tuesday, it was announced that those who were not fully vaccinated could return after seven days as long as they tested negative after a Day 6 PCR test and then undertook the Rapid Antigen Testing regime on a daily basis and reported the results. The College then tried to ascertain the process by which this could be implemented.

The College then planned for all students to again return to campus today, Friday 19 November.

Yesterday, the Premier announced that with Victoria about to reach 90% double dose vaccination that most of the remaining restrictions would be removed.

Until further clarification is provided we understand this to mean:

• Students who come into contact with a confirmed positive case at school will no longer be required to self-quarantine
• They will be required to get a standard PCR test and isolate until they get a negative test
• Rapid Antigen Testing is recommended thereafter
• If someone is exposed to a positive case for four hours or more in their home or a public setting, then as PCCs they must complete the seven days of isolation if fully vaccinated or 14 days if not
• People who test positive to COVID-19 will now only be required to isolate for 14 days.

As well, we also understand that COVID-safe practices in schools must continue, as well as our thorough COVID-safe plan.

While it is also clear that masks will still be required in primary schools for staff, students and visitors, it is unclear in secondary schools. We are currently seeking clarification and we will continue to wear masks indoors until we are advised otherwise.

I know the rules keep changing and we do our best to keep information provided to you as clear and concise as possible. I fully appreciate the support of the community and individual families over these past weeks as we have navigated the processes around PCCs and positive tests.

On other matters, tonight the Year 12 2021 class will celebrate their Graduation, albeit online. This is the class that will always be remembered as the group who studied their senior years amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and who studied more than half of their senior certificate through remote learning. They have every reason to proud of themselves and we have every reason to be proud of them as a senior class. I continue to pray that they live a life of fulfillment and service to others.

Surprisingly, yesterday I obtained the Demolition Permit Consent form so that on Monday 13 December, the company appointed (Gravity), can start the demolition of the Heath and Ford buildings. This demolition is expected to be completed by mid-February so that Stage 3 construction of our Masterplan can proceed. I include an artist image (below) of how we expect the new Heath building to look, with the intention of providing more information in the coming months.

Members of our community continue to grieve with the passing of loved ones.

Alicia Kay, sister to Deputy Principal Mrs Anita Kay-Taylor, recently passed away in South Africa.

Frank Salvatore Tarulli, father to Mr Steve Tarulli, passed away quietly surrounded by his family.

Angelo Rudan, grandfather to Alannah (Year 9), passed away last Friday.

Richard Brown, father to Archie Brown (Year 7, passed away last Sunday.

Especially in this month of November, let us pray for the repose of the souls of Alicia, Frank and Angelo. May they along with all the faithfully departed rest in peace and May they join with angels at the table of our Father in heaven.

God bless

Philip A Morison
Principal

Please keep our Year 12 students and their families in your prayers as they begin a new journey.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you with thankful hearts for all those near and dear to us who are graduating from high school this week. We thank you for giving each of these young people the talents, abilities and self-discipline required for this wonderful accomplishment.

We are grateful to You for providing teachers, mentors, coaches and counsellors and all who have taught them, nurtured them and challenged them along the way.

Now that their minds have been well equipped with knowledge in many different subjects, we pray that their hearts and spirits will also be well equipped for a flourishing life.

Add heavenly wisdom and discernment to their knowledge. Infuse their ambitions and dreams with Your love.

Help them to desire Your good way for their future.

Remind them that you are only a prayer away when they meet obstacles, heartbreaks and challenges.

May they always be courageous enough to ask for help, advice and support when they need it. May they never needlessly suffer alone without reaching out to You and to others who care.

As they become independent adults, help them learn the secret of dependence on You. Give them a desire to know more about You.

May they find you in the Scriptures, in the joy of new love, in the gathering of Your people, in the beauty of Your creation and in the strength of their youth.

And now may Your blessings be theirs as they begin a new life full of joy and promise.

Amen.

(adapted from Prayers for Graduating High School Seniors)

Important dates

• Monday 22 November — Staff Professional Development day (student free)
  
• Tuesday 23 November to Thursday 2 December — Year 10-12 2022 Academic Formation Program (AFP)
• Thursday 2 December — Final day for Year 10-12 2022 AFP students
• Friday 3 December — Final day for Year 7 and 8 students
• Monday 6 December to Tuesday 14 December — Staff Professional Development
• Tuesday 7 December — Year 7 2022 Orientation Day
• Friday 10 December — Staff Celebration Day (College Office closed)
• Tuesday 14 December — Night of Excellence
• Thursday 16 December — VCAA results published
• Friday 17 December — College Office closes for school holidays (at 1.00pm)

Book lists now available

The 2022 booklists via Lilydale Books are now available online. Click HERE to visit their website. If you have any questions regarding your child’s booklist, please contact the relevant Campus Learning Advisor — Years 7-9 Mr Neal Haining, Years 10-12 Mrs Tamara Rundle.

Lab coats for sale

Emily Cerra
Registrar — Community Engagement

Lab coats are a book-listed item for students from Years 7-10. Should your child need a lab coat, they can purchase one through the College via the MLMC Shop. The coats are $39.95 each and we have them in a range of sizes. Please choose the 'one size fits all' option via the shop, and once purchased we will get in touch with your child to provide them with the size they need. 

Career opportunities

Lauren Ferguson
Careers Leader

An opportunity exists for two Year 1 cadet journalists to join the team at Star News Group. This position would suit a Year 12 school leaver seeking to become a trained professional, be paid while training and not incur tertiary education fees. The cadets will be trained through the Deakin University training program for three years and the two positions will be based in Pakenham and Healesville. For further information about these opportunities, please contact Garry Howe via email to garry.howe@starnewsgroup.com.au

The MLMC Careers team has also received a number of inquiries regarding roles in hospitality. If your son or daughter would like to learn more these, please contact the Careers team via email to careers@mlmc.vic.edu.au

2022 Instrumental Music lessons

Mrs Sharon Flint
Instrumental Music Secretary

The Music Department is now open for 2022 Instrumental Music lesson enrolments. Enrolment forms for 2022 can be found on the Parent Portal under ‘Forms and Information’ or you can simply email me via sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au to request a form. To secure a place in your child’s preferred instrument please return the enrolment form to Student Reception OR to the Music Department as soon as possible as lesson vacancies are filling up fast. Instrumental Music lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 1.

Parent webinar

Mrs Tina Tasiopoulos
Counselling and Wellbeing Coordinator

The Butterfly Foundation is offering a free live webinar for parents providing important tips on supporting body image in children and teens. The webinar, called ‘Let’s Talk Body Confident Children and Teens’, is for parents and carers of primary and secondary school-aged children.

It will be held via zoom (no recording) on Monday 22 November, from 7.00pm-8.15pm.

The webinar will cover body image influences, the importance of positive body image, positive role modelling, reducing toxic body talk, responding to appearance bullying and what to do if you are concerned.

Please click HERE to register.

For further information, please visit butterfly.org.au

During lockdown in Term 3, our students and staff were offered by the Libraries team at MLMC the opportunity to participate in a Flash Fiction Challenge. The premise behind a creative challenge is to give students a short break from school work, to switch gears for a little while, to unblock their imaginations. This in turn helps students to refocus back on to school-based tasks.

Each day an image was posted on Simon. The challenge was for students and teachers to write a short story of 30 words or less based on the image prompt. Stories were judged on their creativity, originality and relevance to the image prompt.

We received 226 entries to the competition, which was a fabulous response. Students from every year level entered, some multiple times. The quality of the work at the College by these budding young authors was excellent. The stories were entertaining, some were funny, some were dark but all of them were cleverly conceived and written.

Pictured above are four of the six Year Level winners (from left) Olivia Corney, Hannah Biggin, Ellie Inglese and Ethan Prentice. We are very proud to announce the following winners and their stories:

Year 7: 

His nose was all I could see through my half opened eyes and just for a moment, my last moment......happiness as my last breath was with my best friend.
— Olivia Corney (Year 7 Purple)

Year 8:

I walk out of the mist. I feel eyes looking at me. I hear people gasping, whispering. I see shocked faces. That's when I hear it. IT'S HIM EVERYONE. RUN!!!!
— Hannah Biggin (Year 8 Silver)

Year 9:

Even though I am a dog I have a dream. My dream is to be a squirrel. I practice everyday.
— Chloe Isabelle Morris (Year 9 Jade)

Year 10:

The dog sniffed and scurried along the floor when he barked at what was behind the door. For he had smelt the foul stench, the stench of gore and nothing more.
— Lauren De Betue (Year 10 Silver)

Year 11:

"Where are we going" asked my daughter as we walked along the dusty track. "We can go anywhere you like" I whispered, holding back tears. "We're free now."

His nose was extraordinary, sniffing out drugs and bombs. That dog was smarter than the average Joe but can dogs smell the lies and secrets that consume their owners?
— Ellie Inglese (Year 11 Blue) (*NB: Ellie's two stories were both judged to be the best in Year 11)

Year 12:

Distant sun solemnly sets. Darkness follows, daylight ceases, mother's grasping hands release. To explore beyond the horizon's view, to seek in space which closeness offers few. Until sun's gaze resets.
— Ethan Prentice (Year 12 Blue)

Story that made the judges smile — joint winners:

I limp towards the bank. As I enter I grin, as I take a "detour" towards the safe. Later I take off my mask. They'd never blame an old man.
— Denisse Lopez Garza (Year 9 Orange)

"Seriously, Rose," I question with irritation."There is plenty of room on the door, just move over."
— Chloe Isabelle Morris (Year 9 Jade)

Most sinister/spine chilling story — joint winners:

All I know of marriage is the unexplained funeral and then the glorious inheritance, nothing beforehand, that's what the girls do. With all the bodies I've stolen. I'm positively rich.
— Charlotte Lorbek (Year 11 Gold)

So many choices, shapes and types. Sitting there on the table before me within this metal cell, waiting for me to pick my poison and how my sentence is fulfilled.
— Emma Di Paolo (Year 12 Blue)

Staff winner:

I fought the currents, I fought the rocks, I fought the bigger fish. I swam in shallow water and this is how it all ends.
— Mrs Bernie Snell

Staff runner-up: 

Welcome to WWE, Wildlife Wrestling Entertainment, where archrivals fight it out for pride and prizes. In our first bout, Butch applies a sleeper hold to Simba. Night night, kittycat.
— Mr Dan Beard 

Staff story that made me smile/laugh: 

"I can't believe that you didn't call the plumber," said Jack coldly. Rose's hazel eyes glazed over, she knew they had fallen behind in their monthly ‘Boat Insurance’ premium too.
— Mr Paul Morgan

A participation award goes to Chloe Isabelle Morris (Year 9 Jade) who entered 36 short stories from the 32 images that were posted.

Congratulations to all the winners who will receive a Collins Book voucher.

Maths Photo Challenge

In the final three weeks of Term 3, a Maths Photo Challenge was also offered to students and staff. The challenge was to find different shapes in everyday life, take a photo of it and then submit it. The students were offered the themes of the number seven, circles, curves and spirals, and lines.

Congratulations to Abbey Wheeler (Year 12 Green), who submitted the winning photo (below) using the ‘lines’ theme.

As MLMC turns 125 years old, let us reminisce about when the College turned 100 in 1996. It was a memorable year and there were lots of ways in which this magnificent milestone was celebrated. Celebrations included a new College song (still sung with gusto), A Century of Mercy book (the beginnings of our book for this year) and the Frayne Speech Festival (an annual event still held for Mercy schools).

1996 — A CENTENARY OF MERCY

1996 marked the centenary of the College and the 100th anniversary of the school’s foundation was celebrated in a number of ways, the most notable being the creation and opening of Centennial Hall a few years earlier. Events in this year included a special Centennial Jubilee Mass with Archbishop George Pell, a black tie dinner and the release of the College anthem, written by the school community. One of its authors, Year 12 student Claire Cowan (Class of 1996), later recalled “it was a busy, demanding year infused with a creative energy and a celebratory mood. An exciting year to be at the school!”

The commemorations also included the launch of a history of Mount Lilydale Mercy College called A Century of Mercy. Written and researched by Mr Adrian Reilly, a history teacher at the College since 1985, it chronicled the school’s first 100 years. Two Mercy Sisters also came out from Carrick-on-Suir in Ireland and presented the College with a Tipperary crystal chalice, which was used at the Jubilee Mass.

Another special event was the creation of a permanent centenary tribute in the form of bronze sculptures, two five-metre high wall reliefs by artist Sister Gael O’Leary RSM. These were installed in the entrance to Centennial Hall.

The Frayne Speech Festival was another significant event, organised by Mrs Colleen Anglin and the English Faculty, which gathered together students from across schools founded in the traditions of Mercy Education. It provided an opportunity for spirited “competition in debating, public speaking and voice choir” and was named in honour of Mother Ursula Frayne, founder of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia. The festival was so successful it is now an annual event across Mercy schools.

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have finally been relaxed, our Mercy — Catherine’s Cafe van is back on the beat serving those in our local community that drop in for a free hot drink and toasted sandwich. This week some regular helpers were back behind the counter for one last shot at living the Mercy value of Service as Year 12 students.

We give thanks to 2021 VCAL Prefect Charlotte Vranken, 2021 College Captain Sam Green and 2021 Vice Captain Will Geeves (pictured above, from left) and the countless other Year 12 students who have dedicated their time to help others.

We now turn to a new group of students to help continue the growth of a tradition of service. Parents of current Year 11 students, some information will soon be shared with you that also seeks your permission for your child to be involved.

On 4 and 5 November the Year 10 VET Sport and Recreation classes ran an ultimate frisbee competition for the Year 7 students as part of their program and they did a great job. 

The Sport and Rec students worked hard for four weeks planning and organising this event. With some unexpected issues on the day regarding teams and not all students showing up, our scheduling team worked extremely quickly to fix the schedules and make sure everyone was included. Those who did attend were extremely happy with the event and they were exhilarated to play a new sport. Due to poor weather conditions the competition was unfortunately cut down to two days, however, on the two days we got to play the weather was perfect. Overall, this was a great experience for us as well as the Year 7s as they have missed out on so much this year due to the COVID-19 lockdowns. We were able to get them involved and help them experience the great sporting atmosphere at MLMC. Thanks to everyone that participated and helped to organise this event.
— Olivia Blewett (Year 10 Bronze), Olivia Gardeniers (Year 10 Gold) and Samahdi Reed (Year 10 Jade)

On Friday 12 November the weather was unusually cold, wet and dreary but many MLMC students and staff took the opportunity to brighten the day with an array of colourful and interesting socks worn as part of Crazy Sock Day.

For a gold coin donation, students and staff could where their craziest socks with proceeds going to Catholic Mission’s Socktober fundraiser. Catholic Mission’s vision is to continue the work Jesus started by helping people in need.

Year 11 Food Studies students have been learning how to modify recipes through Term 4. Recipes can be modified according to food allergies or intolerances, personal likes and dislikes, age, activity levels and medical issues requiring dietary changes like low fat or high fibre diets.

Students modified a grissini and a lavosh crackers recipe according to their personal tastes, adding flavours such as parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and nutritional yeast flakes. They then added these homemade goodies to a grazing box. Chopped vegetables, fruit, dip, cheeses, sundried tomatoes and olives were arranged to help celebrate the end of what has been a challenging year. The boxes looked fantastic as students added their creativity and personal touches to each create a unique grazing box.

Students in the Year 9 My House Rules class have collaboratively produced bedroom items in small groups according to the team requirements. They started planning their designs at the beginning of Term 3. The project was put on hold due to the Term 3 lockdown. Once the students returned to school, they resumed working on their projects and it was amazing to see that all the students endeavoured to complete their projects in a very short period of time.

Our Year 10 Glitz and Glamour and 11 Year 11 Product Design students also endeavoured to finish their projects once they returned on site, with wonderful results.

The students planned on a design brief to construct their garments before lockdowns halted production. After the lockdowns and other disruptions, they finally started their projects. With time constraints during the scheduled classes, they then had to spend some extra time during their lunch breaks to complete their projects. 

Well done to all of the students.

On Thursday 11 November, the College shared a Remembrance Day ceremony to honour those who have sacrificed and given so much for our country.

This year's ceremony was commemorated with the support of our 2021 and 2022 Humanities Prefects, Amy Wahrenberger and Mark Rimando (pictured above). The College came together with the following theme in mind:

By observing one minute's silence we pay tribute to the men and women who have served and are still serving in our defence forces and remember those who have died or suffered in conflicts, wars and peacekeeping operations.
— Australian War Memorial website

All students were in their Homerooms and were given the opportunity to watch images and themes via a PowerPoint presentation relating to the ceremony, which was broadcast over the PA system. The students responded with respect and dignity. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Prefects for the way they expressed meaning and empathy for the fallen during this very special occasion.

Student Achievements

On Sunday 14 November, many of our students participated in the last round of interleague football games, playing for the Outer East Football League. After postponements due to COVID-19, the last game against Mornington Junior Football League was held at Hastings — months after the first two games.

The following students did a great job representing MLMC and the AFL Outer East:

• In the Under 15 boys, we had Cody Anderson (Year 10 Purple) and Baylin Spencer (Year 10 Orange) representing the League
• Cameron Nyko (Year 10 Purple), from Healesville FC, played in the Under 16 boys’ game
• Campbell Frazzetto (Year 11 Green), Patrick Huynh (Year 11 Red), Josh Sharp (Year 11 Bronze), Aiden Westlake (Year 11 Silver), Sam Wicks (Year 10 White) and Jasper Stoppa (Year 11 Orange) all played in the Under 17 boys’ game, with Patrick earning the Best on Ground medal
• Gabby Woods (Year 11 Purple), Perry Byron (Year 10 Bronze) and Mackenzie Adams (Year 12 Gold) all played in the Under 18 girls’ game, which Outer East won by 39 points.

After playing for the AFL Outer East, Cody (pictured) now looks forward to a showcase game for the School Sport Victoria (SSV) football team. Cody has done an amazing job to make this team, which features all of the best young football players in the state. We are super excited to see how he goes in the Australian Championships. Cody also looks forward to 2022 after receiving an offer to tour London, Ireland and France where he will be representing MLMC on the international stage.

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

MLMC had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith to the College virtually last week. Keen scientists and mathematicians from Years 9 and 10 gathered in the Lecture Theatre to listen to Lisa discussing her journey as an astrophysicist, presenter and author. Students were able to gain insight into the opportunities for careers in STEM and learn more about Lisa’s role as the national Ambassador for Women in STEM.

Lisa has a PhD in radio astronomy, has published over 50 scientific research papers and she was also involved in the development of the square kilometre array and the Australian SKA pathfinder telescope. She is a regular presenter on television and radio. Books written by Lisa include: Little Book, Big Universe; Aliens and Other Worlds; Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime; The Secret Life of Stars and When Galaxies Collide. In her ambassador role, Lisa works to remove barriers to the participation of females in STEM.

Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to ask Lisa questions related to STEM or her career. Key messages from Lisa’s presentation included: there are many different careers both in STEM and supporting the work of STEM professionals, mathematics is the basis for many different careers including STEM-based careers and the importance of persisting with your studies.

Below some of the participating students offer highlights about what they learnt:

• Not everyone that works there has the same degree — they are all different but somewhat linked
• It was interesting how she had progressed through STEM and her achievements
• You don't always have to be the best at a subject, just keep working at it
• I liked hearing about the telescopes that she helps create and how she does it
• I think I realised how many branches there are for engineering
• How important Maths is
• About Lisa's work achievements, like the kilometre square telescope grid, how much a telescope can do and how much information you can get out of them
• The square kilometre array, her backstory and all of her efforts in the space field
• There are trillions of planets in the universe
• Science is an ongoing unknown that is very big
• The way Lisa explained the complexity of the telescopes she uses
• Hearing about the square kilometre array
• How Australia is the best place to gain images from space because of how distant it is from light pollution
• I found it very interesting hearing about Australia's influence on space study and how large the program in Australia is. It definitely made me more interested in Australian programs of Science, etc
• Everything that she had accomplished in her career
• The satellites in the desert
• Her interesting and understandable knowledge of why she thought aliens were real.