Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,

As we come to the end of Term 1 in 2021; as we prepare for the up and coming Easter season; as we look forward to family time together over the up and coming four-day weekend followed by school holidays and as we give thanks for a successful Term 1;  I would like to focus on the last word in that greeting to you: Community.

There are three pillars within our Mission statement and each of them is further divided into three:

• Learning — diversity, life long, excellence
• Spirituality — gospel teachings, dignity, service
• Community — inclusiveness, connection, celebration.

Community is a word that is often used to describe a range of things from American sitcoms on Netflix, to interest groups, action groups, places where people live or any grouping of people where there is common interest.

I like to think that MLMC is far more of a community than any of those. It is a College where parents entrust the life-giving gift of a holistic Catholic education, where students develop in a supportive environment aimed at developing a resilient, faith-filled whole person with a focus on the Mercy values of Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Courage and Service.

This last fortnight has highlighted to me how much we crave and enjoy community and if the last 12 months have taught us anything, it is that we learn and live within community.

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting both Year 9 Summit camps at Trafalgar East.  The way in which staff interacted and lived with the year 9 students as they challenged themselves, was exemplary and modelled collegial community living.

This week, the College held the 2021 Athletics Carnival. It was a great day and it too exemplified community. Student participation was a highlight as competition for the Athletics Cup and eventually the House Cup was high with a focus on participation, challenging yourself and just ‘having a go’. The day was amply supported by the Parents and Friends’ Association volunteers who provided sustenance by way of a barbecue, drinks stall and a lolly shop. The VCAL students also supported the event by running their business in selling coffee, toasties, cookies and the like; the profits of which will support Catherine’s Cafe in serving the homeless within our wider area. It was a great day and congratulations to Carr House who won the Athletics Cup.

A second important gathering this week was our first whole College Mass for the year, which also was our Easter Celebration together. Having been required to postpone our Start of School Year Mass, which was scheduled in the February Stage 4 lockdown, and with our Community Mass being cancelled due to numbers and possible ratios, it is important that we as a community celebrate the Eucharist together as it is central to our faith and our community. Father Dean Bradbury, our College Chaplain, as always led us in a beautiful Mass in which he explained and built a Paschal Candle for the College, which he had prepared.

The Paschal candle, which is sometimes referred to as Easter candle or the Christ candle, is the large candle displayed and lit next to the altar. It displays a range of symbols:

• The cross, which is the most prominent symbol and most clearly identifies it as the Paschal candle
• The Greek leeters alpha and omega, which symbolise that God is the beginning and the end
• The year 2021, which represents God among us this year
• Five beads of incense (most often red), which are embedded in the candle (sometimes encased in wax ‘nails’) during the Easter Vigil to represent the five wounds of Jesus — the three nails that pierced his hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side, and the thorns that crowned his head.

Last Friday night, the College Advisory Council hosted a dinner whereby service to the College was acknowledged and celebrated. This dinner was originally planned for December 2020, but COVID-19 restrictions caused a postponement. The rescheduled timing meant that some community members were unable to attend, however, the following were congratulated:

• Patricia Olson — 40 years service to MLMC
• Michael Hill — 30 years service to MLMC
• Daniel Katzen — 30 years service to MLMC
• Janet Barr: 20 years service to MLMC
• Nerrida Burnham — 20 years service
• Peter Del Guidice — 20 years service to MLMC
• Louise Jones — 20 years service to MLMC
• Steve Prosenak — 20 years service to MLMC.

As previously stated, some  staff were not able to attend , but were acknowledged in absentia:

• Bhuwan Autar — 20 years of service to MLMC
• Peter Molinari — 20 years of service to MLMC
• Gayed Gayed — 20 years of service to MLMC.

Michael Dale was also acknowledged as the 2019 Mark Prest Award recipient.

We congratulate and thank all these staff for their dedication to our community.

Lastly, as we approach the Easter season and the Paschal mystery, let us enjoy time together in celebration as family, but in so doing let us celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the basis and fulfilment of our Catholic faith and our Catholic community.

God bless and a Happy Easter to each and every one of you.

Philip A Morison
Principal

Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed — for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.
— John 20:8-9

Prayer

Lord, as we celebrate your Resurrection; we invite you once again into our lives.
May the hope of your Resurrection colour our days.
May the promise of your spirit working in us light up our lives.
May the love you revealed to us shape our giving.
May the truth in your word guide our journeys and may the joy of your kingdom fill our homes.
Thank you Lord.

Amen.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear. May Christ, Our Risen Saviour, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and to be your loving guide.

Dates and Reminders

• Term 2: begins Monday 19 April.
• Autism Awareness forum: MLMC is hosting an Autism Awareness family night on Wednesday 28 April. Click HERE for the details
• Business Breakfast: the Old Collegians’ Association is hosting a Business Breakfast on Tuesday 11 May. Click HERE for more information
• Lost property: we have a large number of (often brand new) uniform items in lost property without any name written on them. Please label your child's uniform where possible.

College Office Closure

The College Office will be closed for the Easter weekend from Good Friday (2 April) through to the end of Easter Monday (5 April). It will be open from Tuesday 6 April-Friday 9 April, 8.00am-4.00pm, before closing for the school holidays. The College Office will remain closed through the second week of the holidays (Monday 12 April-Friday 16 April), reopening for Term 2 on Monday 19 April at 8.00am.

Student absences now on the Parent Access Module (PAM)

Mr John Rodgers
Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

Parents and 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 for the absence, 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. You can also continue to advise the College of a student absence via email to administration@mlmc.vic.edu.au or by phoning the absentee line, 9237 1365. Please contact the Administration team should you have any queries regarding this.

Winter uniform Term 2

Mr John Rodgers
Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

Just a reminder that winter uniform commences at the start of Term 2 (Monday 19 April). It will have been some time since your child tried on their winter uniform, be sure that they do so soon to allow plenty of time to purchase items to replace any that are now too small.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Mrs Emily Cerra
Registrar — Community Engagement

The College’s Second Hand Uniform Shop will change its opening hours in May. It will be open every fortnight on a Thursday 12.00-1.30pm, starting Thursday 6 May 2021.

Enrolments for 2023

Mrs Marilyn Ryan
Registrar — Students

Parents and guardians are reminded that applications for Year 7 in 2023 are now due. Applications can be made via the ‘Year 7 Enrolment’ page on our website, or you can access it HERE.

Work experience

Ms Lauren Ferguson
Careers Coordinator

The College's Careers team is available during school hours to help students finalise their work experience arrangements. Students are still seeking placements for the program in June. If you or your business can assist in offering placements to students, please contact the Careers team by phoning 9735 4022.

Respectful relationships are not only at the core of Catholic values and teachings, but are a necessary element of a proper functioning society. Developing young men and women who respect each other’s fundamental rights is central to our aims as a school community at Mount Lilydale Mercy College.

Issues of consent, sexual assault and gender inequality are critically important. Our school, in partnership with parents, has an important role to play in addressing this significant social issue.

MLMC stands against gendered violence. The testimonies provided by current and former school students across the country reinforce the need to support students to build and manage safe and respectful relationships.

Catholic schools utilise a range of programs to help form appropriate interpersonal behaviours and respectful attitudes among the student cohort, as enshrined in gospel values.

We are committed to teaching respectful relationships education as part of the Victorian curriculum, which focuses on building students’ social and emotional skills by supporting them to recognise and regulate emotions, develop empathy for others, and build and manage safe and respectful relationships (including understanding consent). Our school provides sexuality education as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.

As a Child Safe School, MLMC takes sexual assault allegations very seriously. We respond to any disclosures in an appropriate and supportive manner. Any allegations are acted on quickly by following our procedures for responding to allegations of abuse and assault. We report allegations of sexual assault to Victoria Police and DHHS Child Protection in accordance with cross-sector education protocols documented within:

PROTECT: Four Critical Actions for Schools: Responding to Incidents, Disclosures and Suspicions of Child Abuse

and

PROTECT: Identifying and Responding to Student Sexual Offending.

MLMC will provide support, be it through the College Counselling team or a trusted staff member, to any students who are victim-survivors of sexual assault. The wellbeing of our students is at the centre of all we do.

As a parent or carer, if you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault and needs support, please contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit https://1800respect.org.au

You can also access help through:
Parentline on 13 22 89
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Students can access help through:
Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Headspace: https://headspace.org.au

All of us, from parents as first educators, to school teachers and leaders, to system and sector leaders, must work together to do all we can to address this issue and prevent future harm to any young person.

Critically, we must empower the young people in our care to participate in what must become an ongoing conversation on the efficacy of existing school respectful relationships programs, and the priority they are given in schools and among school communities.

As a Catholic school, we take these matters extremely seriously and will work with students, parents and our local community to support education programs in this critical area of student safety.

If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to discuss something that has happened, please contact me, Mr John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care, on 9735 4022 or via email to jrodgers@mlmc.vic.edu.au

How wonderful to be able to have the whole College at Quarry Road Oval together to take part in the MLMC Athletics Carnival once again. It was two years between Athletics Carnivals and the students certainly made up for lost time with a day filled with colour and cheer on Monday 29 March.

The rain cleared at the perfect time and our events got underway. There was a real buzz at the sporting precinct, with staff and students clapping, cheering and chanting for their teammates and peers, grateful for the friendly competition and House spirit.

The 2020 carnival was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions so it was little wonder everyone got into the spirit of the day to run, jump, throw, pull on a rope or pass a baton or ball to earn points for their House, even if they were wearing a blow-up suit, a colourful wig or running while with a cardboard costume creation.

The Mercy — Catherine's Cafe coffee van was also there to provide hot drinks and toasties, while the Parents and Friends' Association volunteers manned the barbecue and the canteen to keep everyone sustained.

Students competed in track and field events as well as the popular tug-of-war and tunnel ball competitions which require a team effort. Student participation was a focus with House points up for grabs in all of the activities. Well done to every single student who competed on Monday and congratulations to Prefect Emily Wicks and Carr House, who took out the win.

Final points tally:

• Carr: 4322
• Frayne: 4070
• O’Neill: 3475
• Terry Dunn: 3015
• Maguire: 2647
• Ryan: 2613

Early morning on Monday 15 March the Senior VCAL students packed up and headed for the sandy beaches of Phillip Island for their ‘Health is Wealth’ overnight camp. This is a student-led camp where students organise all of the activities and meals. Running these activities directly relates to learning outcomes for the Personal Development Studies, Numeracy and Work Related Studies subjects, while also providing an applied learning opportunity.

The first day started with a tour around the chocolate factory then we moved on to YCW beach for a surfing lesson run by local business Surf Trax. The sun was shining and waves were crashing as some of the students found their footing on the boards.

Following this, the students enjoyed a mini golf tournament, kart races around the caravan park, a night walk with lanterns and a short meditation before the rain started. Hot chocolate and trivia concluded the first day.

Day two included sand dune surfing, with Mr Steve Tarulli breaking the land speed record down the dunes. Bush hut making and a boot camp to finish off left some tired bodies making their way on to the bus for the afternoon drive back to MLMC.

Well done to the Senior VCAL students for stepping out of their comfort zones and giving the activities a go. “It felt good to have these two days of bonding and developing closer friendships,” Niall Hudson (Year 12 Silver) said.

Witnessing the students’ teamwork and increased camaraderie was wonderful to see. A big thank you goes to the staff for giving up their time so that the students have these rich learning opportunities.

After an interesting experience last year where COVID-19 restrictions occurred in the middle of the annual Year 9 Summit Camp, we again found ourselves back in Trafalgar for a full week of fun and challenging activities from 22-26 March.

The rationale of the Summit Camp is to encourage students to challenge themselves and, in so doing, experience a real sense of accomplishment and success. The language of the camp is “target, stretch, super stretch”. In other words, students are encouraged to set a target for themselves in relation to each activity, and if they achieve that target, to stretch beyond that and, again, push themselves even further. What this looks like for each student is different. For some, just putting a harness on and considering climbing up ladders to the abseiling platform is challenging enough. For others, hanging upside down 20 metres off the ground is their base challenge. The entire camp is structured around pushing students out of their comfort zones while still maintaining a supportive and understanding environment. It works well.

The camp ran in two halves with Year 9 Blue, Gold, Green, Jade and Silver attending the first half of the week and Year 9 Bronze, Orange, Purple, Red, and White on site in the second half. Both the College staff and the Summit coaches were very impressed with how the students not only embraced the entire experience individually but also encouraged each other. Each student participated in 10 different group activities and as they progressed the students grew closer together within their homerooms and became much more vocal and compassionate in their support of each other. No student left the camp without having experienced at least one personal success and most experienced many.

Once again, the Summit program showed its value and, in this initial year of the Compass program, reinforced many of the lessons we are trying to teach our young men and women about effort, leadership, teamwork, resilience and fun. Well done to everyone involved, including the very dedicated team of 24 teachers who supported the camp staff and the 260 students in this fantastic experience.

Below are some student reflections from the camp:

I looked up at the intimidating abseil tower. At first, I thought that I wouldn’t go up, but I was determined to have no regrets. After embracing my fear I gradually went up to the top, I had done the worst part. It looked scarier than it actually was! Some activities really pushed my strength and endurance, and sometimes I felt like I would not finish without letting people down and getting hurt, but my tribe hyped me up and helped me get to the end, and it was great. I aimed to see the fun in everything. Nothing beats the feeling of relief and admiration for yourself after you have done something you were almost not going to do. My favourite activity was the giant swing. Riding the tank was probably the highlight. I enjoyed crushing the car. As we left I knew I had accomplished more than I thought.
— Denisse Lopez Garza (Year 9 Orange)

Our time at the Summit Camp was short lived but loaded with heaps of activities, and I wasn’t bored once. I think we’d all be lying if we said we didn’t face at least one challenge there that we had to push ourselves to overcome. I saw kids who were afraid of heights and soon enough they were looking like 'pros' flying down the abseiling wall. I saw kids who didn’t need the help, yet they shared their support with the people who did. I think we all learned at least one thing from this camp, and I would do it all over again.
— Mia Story (Year 9 Gold)

We are pleased to extend a warm invitation to all the ‘special people’ in the lives of our Year 7 students to join us at the College on Tuesday 27 April, from 9.00am to 10.15am, to celebrate Special Persons' Day.

The morning will include a welcome Liturgy and Principal’s Address in Centennial Hall followed by a tour of the school and morning tea in McAuley Hall.

Please RSVP by Friday 23 April with the number of guests (for catering purposes) via the Parent Portal ‘Events’ tab for the ‘Special Person’s Day’ event. Parking will be available on the green basketball courts which provides easy access to Centennial Hall.

As part of the Certificate III VET Sport and Recreation course at the College, students are required to plan and lead a hike camp. Over 17-19 March, the two Year 11 classes hiked the iconic Falls Creek to Mount Hotham crossing, covering 36km of the Alpine National Park. In preparation for this camp, students were required to complete a detailed plan including required gear, logistics and a risk assessment, as well as all the other components necessary to complete a multi-day hike on a challenging and rewarding course in potentially challenging conditions. As it turned out the weather Gods shined on us with the students and staff enjoying magnificent weather for hiking.

All students were physically challenged and led their peers and staff safely and confidently. They were required to guide the group for about half a day and to lead them through an information and physical activity session. Thanks to staff and students involved for a terrific camp.

Below are student reflections from the camp:

We hiked around 36km in total. We thoroughly planned the camp before setting off, going over all the risks we could come across, bringing all the essentials we needed and making sure everything was in place. The aim of this camp was to be able to show that we can lead the group and implement all the aspects to lead the camp for that period of time. We had to make sure to work as a team, check up on everyone and support each other. It was a great opportunity to go to a new environment in the Victorian alps. It was a great camp — learning how to lead and new opportunities.
— Indi Pinnock (Year 11 Gold)

I was very lucky to have been able to attend a hike going from Falls Creek to Mount Hotham. The hike went for three days and two nights and it was a great but challenging experience. It helped me build leadership and communication skills when I was leading the group. I loved the independence that the staff let us have, which really felt as if we were the ones leading. The camp was an experience of a lifetime with all the challenges but also the beautiful views and skills I acquired. I loved hanging out with my mates and just enjoying the time we had.
— Riley Spicer (Year 11 Silver)

Students are being asked to get involved in an Active April House Competition which will run throughout this month, including the two weeks of the school holidays and the first two weeks of Term 2. The premise of Active April is to encourage our community to participate in physical activity every day during April. Taking part in the campaign will demonstrate 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 each day, while children are recommended to engage in 60 minutes.

Please encourage your child to view the video link HERE, created by our Health and PE Prefect Andre Parlas. The instructional video shows students how to create an account on the Get Active webpage 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, House points will be earned. There is also some sports equipment 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).

Please support your child by encouraging physical activity over the Easter break. Visit the Get Active website HERE for more details. Get Active Victoria is free to join, and gives you access to a resource of tips and tools for being more physically active.

The MLMC Old Collegians' Association is inviting members of our community to join us for our annual Business Breakfast on Tuesday 11 May. Members of the community will gather to enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our wonderful VCAL students and be inspired by our two guest speakers.

This year’s guest speakers are Old Collegians Amanda Scardamaglia (Class of 2000) and John Van Gastel (Class of 1985) (pictured).

Amanda is an Associate Professor and Department Chair at Swinburne Law School. Her area of focus is intellectual property law with a special focus on empirical and historical studies in trade mark law, branding, advertising and the consumer. She is also the author of two books: Colonial Australian Trade Mark Law and Printed on Stone: The Lithographs of Charles Troedel, which was awarded the Premier’s History Award in 2020.

John has had an illustrious career as a costumier, working on films Charlotte’s Web, Romulus My Father and The Dressmaker as well as television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Underbelly and Squizzy, musical theatre, dance productions and the arranging of many exhibitions. His credits include creating and producing the costumes for Melbourne Theatre Company’s Shakespeare In Love in 2019. He was an inductee of MLMC’s Mercy Honour Roll in 2015.

Old Collegian Savanna Fanfulla (Class of 2014) will also return to provide entertainment.

Date: Tuesday 11 May 2021
Time: 7.00am to 9.00am
Venue: McAuley Hall at MLMC
Cost: $35 per person
Bookings close: 3.00pm on Friday 7 May
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/BPIKA

We hope you can join us. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in contact me via email to sshallcross@mlmc.vic.edu.au

MLMC purchased three flagpoles in 2017 and staff member Mr Terry Hill helped to organise the purchasing of and placement of the flagpoles. The College raises three flags each day — the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islanders flag.

The flags are kept at student reception in Dublin House. Individual homerooms are assigned the responsibility of raising the flags each day and bringing them down in the afternoon, including students in Year 7 Jade who are pictured helping with the flying of the flags last week.

A special ceremony was held at the College in September 2017 when the Honourable Tony Smith MHR Federal Member for Casey presented the three flags. Jackie Wandin then spoke about the Aboriginal community and their flag and the ways in which they live their lives through their teachings and community.

The raising of the flags represents the many lands that come together to make up our great nation and help us to remember that our land belongs to the Wurundjeri people who are the traditional custodians of this land.

The Australian flag was created in 1901. The Australian Aboriginal flag is also an official Australian flag. The current design was created in 1971 by Harold Thomas a descendant of the Luritja people of Central Australia. The Torres Strait Islanders flag was adopted as an official flag of Australia in 1995 and includes all other indigenous people within the territories of Australia. It was designed by Bernard Namok, a Thursday Islander, in 1992.

The launch of Compass as part of the Year 9 curriculum this year has involved student participation in five rotational units of learning. The first group of Year 9 students has finished venturing into the city for Cityscape. Our expectations have been high and the students have engaged wholeheartedly in the activities. As part of Cityscape they learn valuable lessons concerning urban development, green spaces and cultural pursuits, while navigating around the CBD, gaining independence and greater personal responsibility.

Over the course of four Compass days, the students commute into Federation Square and other locations such as Melbourne Central and the State Library of Victoria. An added feature is that on a Friday as part of the Compass program at school our Year 9 students have to return in time for their afternoon classes of 'The Rite Journey' after lunch. Being punctual, meeting time constraints and using time wisely all feature in the program.

The first day of Cityscape is about building confidence moving around the CBD, and a range of site visits and team activities are set as part of The Great Race (pictured).

On the remaining three days of Compass Cityscape, a major graded assessment is worked on — a walking tour based on tourism to promote a particular theme. Each group chooses an area for focus such as the arts, the laneways of Melbourne, Australian Indigenous culture, green spaces, sporting areas — including the walk along Birrarung Marr to the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium, history and sustainability. We have enjoyed witnessing the creativity and excitement surrounding the activities the students have participated in so far. With flexibility and independence we have seen accountability and initiative from our students.

Rotation one of five is complete. Mr Adam Dean, Miss Georgia Burke, Miss Bree Burke and Ms Sally Wingett and I look forward to working with the students as part of the remaining four rotations over the course of the year in the Compass program.

(1) Staff and Student Achievements

Gridiron
Ben Heath (Year 10 Bronze) has this week been announced as a member of the Under 19 Victorian gridiron team. He was named as a platinum player and their starting quarterback. This is extra exceptional as Ben is only 16 years old. Congratulations, Ben.

Football umpiring
Sam Green and Bailey O’Neil (both Year 12 Green) have been announced as members of the Eastern Football Netball League’s Emerging Field Umpires Squad for 2021. They are part of a group of 15 umpires who will be coached and observed by some of the best umpires at both VFL and AFL level. They will help Sam and Bailey transition into becoming regular senior umpires. Congrats, Sam and Bailey.

Crossfit
Bec Course (Year 9 Bronze) was recently part of her first Crossfit Open, which is a three-week online crossfit competition which consists of weight training, conditioning, gymnastics and Olympic lifting. Bec placed 31st in Australia (out of 122 participants) in the 14-15 year age group, and placed 341st worldwide. This is an awesome achievement and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Bec.

Half Marathon
Luke Phillips (Year 12 Blue), who is our Sport Prefect, on Saturday 20 March participated in the Active Feet Half Marathon, running 21.1km in Portarlington. It was a super effort from our all-rounder. Well done Luke.

Football
Congratulations to Bridget Deed (our AFL trainee) on her selection in the Vic Metro Under 19 team who will be competing in the NAB AFLW Under 19 Championships in Melbourne this week and next.

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

(2) EISM Swimming Champions Carnival

Congratulations to the following students who represented the College at the EISM Champions Swimming Carnival on Monday 22 March: Olivia Hyndman, Sasha Maggs, Krystal Cherry, Rukiya Sunderland, Mia Surman, Terenja Bork, Kinga Kaczmarek, Louisa Inglese, Lachlan Nicholls, Daniel Ryan, Luke Phillips, Lucien Primavera, Cody Anderson, Jack O’Connell and Noah Vulfs. It is an excellent achievement to qualify for this event. The Under 15 Boys' relay team of Jack O’Connell, Lucien Primavera, Cody Anderson and Noah Vulfs (pictured) took home bronze medals in both their medley and freestyle relay — an outstanding achievement.

(3) EISM sport

MLMC has several teams competing in semi-finals of EISM Senior competition on Wednesday 21 April. They are:

• Boys Basketball (both A and B teams)
• Boys Tennis
• Boys Ultimate Frisbee Gold
• Girls Basketball (A)
• Girls Soccer
• Girls Softball
• Girls Ultimate Frisbee Gold.

(4) EISM reminders

With the Summer seasons of Year 8, 9 and Senior EISM Sport all underway, please remember the following:

• Check the Sport plans — up on the Doyle Centre window at the beginning of every week and on the College’s 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 either ‘Junior’ (Years 8 and 9) or ‘Senior’ for fixtures.

(5) EISM results

Year 8 Results 23 March

Senior Results 24 March

Year 8 Results 30 March

Senior Results 31 March

Year 10 students in the Drawing, Painting and Sculpture class have spent the last couple of weeks learning about various Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists: famous for their ground-breaking approach to what constitutes art.

The class is working on a term-long project. While they are only exploring different techniques at this stage, not their concepts, their painting, printmaking and sculpture has been amazing. For their major assessment task, students will pick their favourite of these artists and create an original piece informed by the chosen artist's painting technique and style.

The students have been practicing a variety of painting techniques to get a feel for which they prefer and excel at. These include the stippling approach used by famous Pointillism artist George Seurat, the thick layering and movement shown in Vincent Van Gogh's artworks, or the pixelated appearance of Paul Cezanne's landscapes that went on to become Cubism.

Students have also experienced en plein air — painting in the outdoors. They spent a lesson painting the surroundings of the Yarra Valley visible from our College in vibrant watercolours.

Their final work will be submitted along with their folio for assessment next term and we cannot wait to see what these talented students create.

Below Year 10 Purple student Izzy Walliker reflects on the task:

I really have enjoyed the watercolour painting, during which we captured the school in an Impressionist style. I liked how we learnt a variety of skills throughout the classes but also stayed in the realm of Impressionism. I really love Van Gogh's take on post-Impressionism; he captures flowers and nature in such an inspiring and beautiful way. I love the use of colour and brush strokes throughout his work and his unique take on the world through his art. I have thoroughly enjoyed this topic. I have been able to express myself in a new way and furthered my artistic skills.

The next story we share from our 125 stories of MLMC to celebrate the College’s 125^th anniversary this year is from 1901 and highlights our connections to Ireland, the home of Catherine McAuley.

1901 — the Irish connection

‘Cead Mile Failte’, meaning a hundred thousand welcomes. Throughout the years of the College there has always been a strong Irish connection, from Catherine McAuley and those Sisters who came from Ireland and set foot on Rourke’s Hill to begin Mount Lilydale Mercy College. A hundred thousand welcomes and more the Sisters would have offered the community then and we continue that welcome today.

Most of the early Sisters of Mercy at Lilydale had come from Ireland and they certainly gave the school a strong Irish flavour in those early days. The first Principal appointed was Mother Patrick Maguire, who had been born in Market Square, Enniscorthy, Ireland and had entered the Convent of Mercy in Wexford in 1867 before becoming a founding Sister and later Superior at the Carrick-on-Suir Convent. At the request of Mother Mary Alocque Ryan, she and Mother Brigid Bradshaw came from Ireland to Mansfield and then on to Lilydale to serve. One story has it that it was Mother Patrick’s father who donated the money that purchased the land for the school.

With the increase in the number of pupils, Mother Patrick appealed to the Convent of Mercy at Carrick-on-Suir for the assistance of more Sisters and soon after, in 1901, Sisters Gertrude Power, Margaret Mary Campbell, Patrick Gilligan and a postulant, Ita Lynch, arrived from Ireland. It was not surprising then that when Archbishop Carr visited the school he was greeted by the Celtic welcome ‘Cead Mile Failte’, one hundred thousand welcomes, draped on one wall.

Kay Reardon, a boarder during the 1940s, remembers St Patrick’s Night when the “nuns got us up at midnight and with our blankets around our shoulders we would go to the pavilion and sing Irish songs”.

Agriculture at MLMC provides a range of options for students. Students can also learn about animals and plants in a friendly environment in our Young Farmers Club. Senior students can pursue a technical career via VET Certificate II studies in Years 10-12. VCE students also have the option of studying food and fibre production via VCE pathways. In each case the studies are never boring. This past month has been a perfect example.

VET students have been learning the practical skills of sheep handling, crutching, disease monitoring and treatment with the help of our veterinarian, Old Collegian Ms Eloise Deen (Class of 2007). These students have also been operating pumps, trouble shooting water delivery systems and designing and assembling delivery systems.

VCE students have been completing the theory of farm production systems and studying new technologies, with visits from industry experts to discuss the control of pests and diseases. Additionally they have had the opportunity to get their hands dirty with summer pruning in the orchard and harvesting and processing the grapes for our annual (and award winning) wine production.

Students in the Young Farmers Club have recently competed in the Bunyip sheep show, with the College’s Romney flock winning champion Romney ewe and being awarded reserve champion ewe of the show. Seeing the development and skills of the students grow over the year is very rewarding for the Agriculture team and a highlight of the school year for many of the participants.

Regardless of students’ choices and pathways, the McAuley Park Farm at MLMC has something for everyone.