Dear members of the MLMC community

As we come to the end of another unprecedented term and one which many might be happy to farewell, I would like to thank you, our community, for your commitment to using the Rapid Antigen Tests throughout Term 1. This has assisted in helping us to keep our College community as free as possible of COVID-19 and as safe as possible.

You may have heard recently that the State Government is extending the screening program into Term 2. At present we have been notified testing will continue for the first four weeks of Term 2. The screening recommendations will remain the same for students and staff. Primary and secondary school students and staff are recommended to test at home twice a week.

Over the course of the last few years, we have experienced a number of changes in COVID-19 regulations. One such change that impacts on the frequency of testing relates to the period of time a person is exempt from testing once they have tested positive to COVID-19. Currently, a person does not need to test for COVID-19 for eight weeks (56 days) after initially testing positive.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will continue to be distributed to students in the first weeks of Term 2. Should your child be absent on the day of distribution, they can collect their tests at Student Reception on their return.

The College will continue to do all we can to provide a safe environment, through the provision of hand sanitiser and air purifiers. Earlier in the term, we indicated that a student may take a few days before the mild symptoms they may be showing produce a positive test result. Please help keep our community safe by keeping students with symptoms at home.

As Term 1 concludes, many of you will have experienced or witnessed the impact of COVID-19, along with the impact isolation has had at the College and perhaps in your own workforce.

To assist the College in managing notifications of COVID-19 in households, we ask that you utilise the Parent Access Module (PAM) to inform the College of any student absences. This can be done by logging on to PAM via our website and clicking the Parent Notified Absences button and then including your child’s details and the reason for their absence. For your convenience, please find instructions on how to save PAM to your smartphone. PAM can then be used as an app. Instructions for both iOS and Android phones are included below.

If you are unable to access PAM, please email administration@mlmc.vic.edu.au with any student absences. This will allow the College to best assist you should there be a need. Once you have reported a positive case of COVID-19 in your household, staff can then place work covered in class on Google Classroom pages. As always, families are welcome to contact staff to clarify work if instructions are unclear.

While I understand that the testing and isolation regime will have impacted many of you, rest assured that the staff at MLMC, both teaching and non-teaching, have continued to work often under trying conditions. Some days staff absences have numbered high into the 20s. I am appreciative and thank our staff who have laboured to ensure the best programs available given the ongoing circumstances.

As staffing levels have been low these last weeks, I have decided to close the office early these holidays. The office at MLMC will be open from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Monday 11 April and Tuesday 12 April. The office will be closed from Wednesday 13 April as staff will initially be working at home catching up on a backlog of administration work, with some staff members still in isolation.

The College and the office will reopen for Term 2 on Tuesday 26 April, at 8.00am.

Lastly, over this past few weeks the College has hosted a number of events:

• College Open Day
• Class of 2021 gathering and reunion
• Old Collegians’ Association 125-year Gala
• Old Collegians’ Association Memorial Mass and book celebration
• Old Collegians’ Association reunions
• And a range of camps, excursions and other activities.

I am grateful for our College leadership team, teaching and support staff who planned and represented me at these events as I took personal leave to undergo some surgery.

I hope you all enjoy a well-earned break with family these holidays. I hope you find time to focus on renewal with the up and coming Easter season and the pascal mystery.

In the Spirit of Catherine

God bless

Philip A Morison

The message of the Easter story is Good News for us today, particularly at a time when there is much darkness and sadness throughout the world. This Easter, may we pause and reflect on the beautiful and hope-filled message of the Resurrection, knowing the light of Christ will see us through the darkest times.

Prayer

Heavenly Father
The Resurrection of your Son Jesus brought light into a world
that had been darkened by fear and unrest.

As we enter into our Easter celebrations, may the light of the Risen
Christ shine for us and through us.

May it bring hope, courage and healing to our communities and to
all people in need.

Through your selfless sacrifice may we be strengthened to reach out
to others, putting their needs before our own and offering
hospitality at every opportunity.

We thank you for the ultimate gift of love that we have
freely been given.

In mercy, may we now pass on that gift and truly celebrate
the real meaning of Easter.

Amen

Dates

• Friday 8 April — Last day of Term 1 for students (students dismissed at 2.35pm)
• Tuesday 12 April — College Office closes for school holidays at 4.00pm
  
• Monday 25 April — Anzac Day (College is closed)
• Tuesday 26 April — First day of Term 2 for students (College Office opens at 8.00am)
• Saturday 30 April — Debutante Ball No.1
• Thursday 5 May — EISM Athletics Carnival
• Friday 6 May — Debutante Ball No.2
• Saturday 7 May — Debutante Ball No.3

ySafe webinar

As you may be aware, the College made a Cyber Safety webinar available to parents and students on Thursday 31 March. We are pleased to announce that the ySafe webinar was recorded and is available to you for a short period of time. Access to the presentation can be found by clicking HERE. The link is only available until 14 April 2022.

Some of the topics covered include:

• a social media and games review
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• OnlyFans
• a snapshot of kids’ online lives and cyber safety risks
• cyber bullying, how to detect it and what you can do about it
• setting up a cyber safe home.

Congratulations to all students involved in this years’ House Athletics Carnival. The wet weather held off for us and students brightened the cloudy sky with their costumes and House colours. It was fantastic to see students smiling and competing in a variety of events to earn valuable House points. 

"The Athletics Carnival this year was an amazing and memorable day to be a part of and participate in. I was very proud as the Frayne House Prefect to see Frayne end the day with a well-deserved win," said Frayne Prefect Enndia Hicks.

Team spirits were high at Quarry Road Oval with students earning points in track and field events, the ever-popular tug of war challenge and a variety of ball games.

Year 12 students brought the colour with an array of costumes, making the most of their final sports carnival together.

The Agriculture and Horticulture students from Years 10-12 have again successfully harvested the College’s vines to make the latest vintage of our McAuley Park wine. 

Deeply embedded in learning and with skills strongly relevant to local industry, the College’s wine, a cabernet sauvignon, has won many significant awards in the past. With strong support from Yering Station, Oakridge and other industry members, our students enjoy a rich range of learning experiences through the program.

The College’s Agriculture and Horticulture program values student involvement and, as a result, the students complete nearly every step of the winemaking process. The quality of the wine and its track record of national awards speaks not only to the time invested in the program but also the talent of the students whose efforts make the product.

Make sure that you set aside Friday 2 September to join us at the College’s wine launch event to enjoy the fruits of our students’ hands.

You can read more about last week's harvest and our wine program in the article published in The Lilydale Mail newspaper this week by clicking HERE.

In the spirit of Catherine McAuley, “The blessing of unity still dwells amongst us — and oh, what a blessing — it should make all things else pass into nothing… This is the Spirit of the order indeed — the true Spirit of Mercy — flowing on us”.

This was clearly evident in the celebrations that occurred over the weekend of 26-27 March, with the hosting of the College Gala on the Saturday night followed by a Memorial Mass and celebration of a book commemorating our College’s 125 years of history the next day. It was lovely to finally celebrate as a community the College's 125 years celebration events. After the last two years of lockdowns and event postponements, to be able to celebrate 125 years of Mercy education in Lilydale together in person, without a Zoom login, was truly magnificent. MLMC is well known for its community feel and this was very much present on these two occasions.

What a connection this phrase from Catherine had in our celebrations — from the Gala, the Mass and the commemorative book 125 Years, 125 Stories. The MLMC Old Collegians' Association Gala was a wonderful event which gathered many MLMC alumni. At the Gala, we celebrated the two latest members to be inducted on to our Mercy Honour Roll, Patricia Olson and Kelly-Bourke Finn. Patricia has been a member of staff in various roles for 43 years and Kelly (Class of 1989) is a critical care nurse who has done amazing work as a volunteer helping Melbourne’s homeless. Both are fitting recipients of this honour. Continuing on with the Sisters of Mercy and their service to others, both women exude the spirit of Mercy in their connections with the community and what they have done to show the Mercy values in full flight.

Having some past students also perform on the night was fantastic. Our performers included Georgia McAleer (Class of 2019), Kellie Rhodes (Class of 1995), Anthony Gerace (Class of 2013) and Bonnie Anderson (Class of 2012). We also thank Sean Robertson (Class of 1990), from Essential Catering, for the delicious food and Rosalie De Francesco (Class of 2019), from Rosie Posie Floral Designs, for the floral centrepieces.

The next day, our community members gathered for our Memorial Mass, remembering those from our community who have passed on from this world. As part of the Mass we also acknowledged and blessed some name plaques of those most recently deceased and added them to our memorial wall.

Recognising the publication of the book 125 Years, 125 Stories was such a long-awaited occasion. The wonderful stories of the College, put together in one publication to remember and continue the legacy of MLMC, truly encapsulates the journey of the College since the time the first Mercy Sisters came to Rourke’s Hill in 1896 to the present day. It was an honour that Anthony McAleer, a local historian who was responsible for collating all of the stories for the book, spoke to the audience, as did former College Principal Sister Nancy Freddi, Sister Sylvia Williams on behalf of Mercy Education Limited and former staff member Adrian Reilly.

What a truly wonderful occasion where both present and past staff and students were able to come together to celebrate all things MLMC.

Mount Lilydale Mercy College opened its doors to prospective students and parents on Tuesday 29 March for our first Open Day event in more than two years. The weather gods provided a perfect March evening for students and staff to let our MLMC light shine. It was wonderful to see so many people visit our College and see the opportunities and pathways that are available across all faculties.

Our staff and students demonstrated their creative side, working tirelessly to put together engaging displays throughout the College, to ensure that visiting families were able to see and hear about the vast offerings of the College.

Our students were wonderful ambassadors. They did a marvellous job of leading the tours and answering questions, while others helped out in faculty areas to guide families or demonstrate their skills.

From live music in multiple locations, refreshments from students in our Mercy — Catherine’s Cafe van, Science experiments in the Harley building, playing with remote controlled vehicles or decorating cookies in the Callaghan building, or even patting sheep, there was plenty to do at various locations around the school with guidance from our staff and students.

Our holistic view of education was on show as visitors explored information about our Religious Education and Ministry Programs as well as Careers, wellbeing services, Reading4Me program, Learning Diversity and cocurricular clubs. Our community values were equally exhibited through the celebration of our 125 years of history and Parents and Friends’ Association.

When the Sisters of Mercy arrived at Rourke’s Hill in 1896 and founded the College, they initiated a place of learning, a place of hope and a place where our core values of Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Courage and Service became central to all that we do. We hope that all of our visitors experienced this during their time with us.

VCE Environmental Science is an exciting new addition to our VCE Science program at MLMC. Our Unit 3 and 4 students have been working hard to gain knowledge this term, focusing on the importance of earth’s biodiversity and analysing the threats to biodiversity caused by human impact and natural disasters.

The class recently ventured out to Badger Weir picnic area where they undertook fieldwork to examine the habitat and the ecosystem services within the local environment. This also complemented their ongoing research of the Eastern barred bandicoot as students had to determine whether this area was a suitable habitat for the release of this threatened species.

The fieldwork consisted of the students using sampling techniques such as quadrant sampling and direct observation to help establish the species’ abundance and richness found within the picnic area and surrounding walking tracks at Badger Weir.

These students are the pioneers for MLMC Environmental Science. Through studying this subject, not only are they extending their own knowledge and skills but they can also use their learning to serve future generations.

(1) EISM Swimming Champions Carnival

Congratulations to the 40 students who represented the College at the EISM Champions Swimming Carnival last Monday. It is an excellent achievement to qualify for this event. The Under 16 boys’ relay team of Lucien Primavera, Jack O’Connell, Noah Vulfs and Ryleigh McCormick took home bronze medals in their medley relay — an outstanding achievement. 

(2) EISM Athletics 

Team selection will be sent out over the holidays, so students are encouraged to look out for an email regarding that if they think they may have qualified. 

(3) Athletics Training 

The final athletics training sessions will be held on Wednesday 27 April (7.00-8.00am), Monday 2 May (3.30-4.30pm) and Wednesday 4 May (7.00-8.00am). 

(4) Student Achievements 

Baseball
Congratulations to Ryder Wilson (Year 10 Bronze) who has achieved a lot in his sport over the last term: 

• Ryder (pictured below) was selected as a member of the Under 16 Victorian squad, as catcher, finishing as runner-up in the state
• played his first senior State League season, selected as the club’s base runner for Division 1. Being selected in this team as a 15-year-old is a huge achievement given it is the highest level of amateur baseball in the state
• in the upcoming holidays, Ryder will compete in the Victorian Senior League State Championships, where the winner will progress to the World Series tournament in the USA
• he has also been selected to take part in a four-month training program with the Victorian Under 16 squad, commencing in April. Ryder will be attempting to secure a position with the Victorian squad for the upcoming 2022 Australian National Championships, to be held in Queensland in July.

We look forward to hearing about your successes for the upcoming season, Ryder!

(4) EISM results

Last week, from Wednesday 30 March to Friday 2 April, we had 51 students and nine teachers attend our annual Music Camp, held at Lyrebird Park in Yellingbo. This is the second year we have run the Music Camp, with it growing exponentially in just one year. This year, we had students from our College band, our junior guitar ensembles, the rock band, our salon orchestra and our College choir and a capella groups attend. The students participated in intense rehearsal sessions as well as camp-style activities and the opportunity to 'jam' in their free time.

On the Thursday evening, we had a concert, whereby all of our College ensembles performed a piece or two, while also giving students the opportunity to perform their own pieces which they had been working on. The concert was an eclectic mix of performances from a range of students and musical styles and, most importantly, one of our first opportunities to perform for others in what feels like forever.

Here are what some of our students had to say about their experiences on the camp:

I thought music camp was really good because I got to know the people in my a capella group better, and knowing my group better definitely helped build my confidence when singing. I thought the concert was really good because I got to see so many music types and I got to perform and go out of my comfort zone.
— Charli Litchfield (Year 8 Silver)

It was awesome to get together with people that think the same and just jam out. I got to just try and it didn't have to be perfect.
— Elizabeth Madge (Year 12 Blue)

I loved how people had the opportunity to show off their skills or just have a go, and I liked how we got to play with our ensemble as well. I think that the camp improved my skills because the constant practice made my skills lock in more.
— Monique Ross (Year 9 Purple)

During the week of 21-25 March the Year 9 cohort were lucky enough to take part in our annual Year 9 Camp set in the picturesque location of Trafalgar and run by the very talented and motivating Summit camp staff.

The camp is run in two halves, with Year 9 Blue, Bronze, Gold, Green and Orange attending the first half of the week and Year 9 Aqua, Jade, Purple, Red, Silver and White attending the second half.

A large focus of the camp is to unite the student group, promote leadership and allow each individual to push themselves outside of their comfort zones to gain a real sense of accomplishment and success. What this success looks like is different for every individual, but what was great to see was how these achievements were supported and celebrated by all Homeroom members. Some of the most popular activities for students on camp were Victoria’s biggest giant swing, the wombat hole, the leap of faith and the very enjoyable ‘monster course’.

As always, the Year 9 Camp has again shown why it is such a valuable and important part of the year for our Year 9 students and a big thank you needs to go to them for their commitment to go ‘all in’ while on camp. Also, a big thank you to the 26 staff members that generously attended the camp and supported our Year 9 students on this important journey.

Below are some Year 9 Blue students’ reflections from camp:

9 Blue went to the Summit Camp from Monday to Wednesday and I can proudly say that everyone had the time of their lives. One of the activities we completed was the 26m high giant swing. I went all the way to the top with Maddie and can definitely say I had the loudest scream! My next favourite was the flying fox then the mud run. Overall the camp was a 10/10 and I’m really glad I went.
— Ella Prisow

At Year 9 Camp I felt like I made new connections with my friends and also made a lot of new friends. I had fun doing the mud run with half the class and figuring out the word puzzles with Beau. It was fun to learn new things from my friends and learn about people’s fear. My favourite part of the camp was the leap of faith. I feel like camps always have the same things but this camp had new and different activities.
— Jade Dickinson

The hardest and most difficult activities for me were the giant swing, the summit window and the leap of faith. The giant swing was scary because it is the biggest giant swing in Victoria. It was so awesome, though. Then I went on the leap of faith. You climbed up some ladders in a harness and had to walk out on a little blue platform and jump for a bar then let go. I was nervous to do it, but did it anyway. The scariest thing I did there was the summit window that pushed me to my limits but was still fun.
— Hannah Biggin

Camp was amazing! I learned about conquering your fears and to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. The mud run was amazing as well, working in a team to race through the mud and encouraging others to do their best.
— Angus Upton

We all participated in a variety of wild and adventurous activities, setting our goals and stretches and super stretches to see how far we could push ourselves with the support and teamwork of our groups. It was amazing to see my peers lifting each other up and encouraging them to work past their fears so they could brave the giant swing or the wombat hole. The sense of community was stronger than ever and made for a great camp.
— Lily Lucas

From 21 to 23 March our class went on one of the best camps ever. There was a mud run, leap of faith and even the tallest giant swing in Victoria (which was my favourite). The camp team was amazing with all the encouragement. The summit was the best.
— Owen Read

On Friday 11 March, the Year 12 VCE Physics class set off for an excursion to Luna Park. We arrived at Luna Park along with dozens of other schools with the same purpose: to have fun going on all the rides … and to observe physics in real life through the motion of the various rides. We were also there to collect data, allowing us to relate the motion of the rides to the theoretical equations we have been working on.

We began by going on the twin dragons ride which was a perfect example of pendulum motion, a topic we had studied prior to the day. Next up we braved the Enterprise. This terrifying ride was perfect for our topic of circular motion even though some of the class members took considerable convincing to get onto the ride.

Feeling queasy, having experienced circular motion firsthand, we spent some time working on some questions about the physics we had just felt, before eagerly setting off towards more rides. The bumper cars were a great demonstration of collision and conservation of momentum. We all enjoyed seeing how we could transmit force onto each other's cars.

Overall, it was an extremely fun day, and was very beneficial to our understanding of how the physics concepts we study affect real life circumstances. It was a fantastic opportunity provided by the school and Mr Murphy and it will help our class in understanding VCE Physics this year.

Priceless tips from audio engineers, professional studio equipment and a glimpse into the life of a recording artist … it is all part of the Kool Skools experience for our students. And the resulting 2021 album, titled The Exception, is out now. Fletcher Stafford (Class of 2021) designed the CD cover (pictured in the gallery below).

Kool Skools is a songwriting and recording project, initiated by Empire Studios in Melbourne 25 years ago. Recording a CD is a great experience for students and teachers alike and the students love getting a copy of their music to share with family and friends.

The Exception features songs performed by some of the 2021 graduates as well some of this year’s best musicians and singers, including 2021 Music Prefect Mitch Wolksi and 2022 Music Prefect, Tayler Allwood.

Our College certainly provides a nurturing environment and the funding for students with a passion for music, so if your child is a songwriter, a singer or in a band — don’t let this opportunity pass them by and encourage them to audition for 2022 album.

Our students are being asked to get involved in an Active April House competition. It began on Friday 1 April and will continue throughout the two weeks of school holidays as well as the first week of Term 2.

The premise of Active April is to encourage our community to participate in physical activity every day in April. The campaign is demonstrating the College’s commitment to provide physical activity programs, as well as promoting the important role of physical activity in achieving a healthy and active community.

Adults should engage in 30 minutes of physical activity, while children are recommended to engage in 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Parents are encouraged to have their child view the document below which shows students how to create an account on the Get Active website and join their House team.

Over the month of April we ask our community to log in and record their physical activity on the Get Active website. In doing so, points will be earned for their House. Sports equipment is also up for grabs for the best student participators in each House. Any physical activity completed can be logged (as long as it is over 10 minutes in duration).

Some of our students who took part in this week's bike riding activity at the College (pictured) will be able to log their minutes and earn House points.

An initiative from Amaze, Wear a Hoodie Day at MLMC on Friday 1 April marked the end of our annual Autism Acceptance Week.

The initiative involved students and staff wearing hoodies because some autistic people experience sensory sensitivities and can become overloaded by stimuli in their environment; wearing their hoodie up means they can block out bright lights and busy environments which helps calm them.

According to Amaze, the peak body for autistic people and their supporters in Victoria, research shows that 98% of Australians have heard of autism, and 85% of Australians have personal contact with an autistic person, yet only 29% of Australians agree that they have a good understanding of how to support autistic people and only 4% of autistic people thought Australians knew how to support them (Source: https://www.amaze.org.au/get-involved/hoodie-up/)

Wear A Hoodie Day, along with the activities, videos and discussions had throughout the week, were aimed at building knowledge, understanding and acceptance. Take a moment to think about how wearing a hoodie up contributed to a more inclusive school culture and the positive change that brought to our community. Our College community is helping to shape a better future for autism.

During the week our students also completed a strengths activity as a Homeroom. After discussing neurodiversity and how all our brains can be different throughout the week, this activity on the Friday brought it all back together. It showed the students that despite differences in the way our brains work, we can always find something in common with the people around us to develop a sense of belonging and community. Students from Year 9 Blue are pictured in the gallery below completing the activity.