Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
Since our last newsletter, the weeks have been filled with celebrations marking the passing of the end of the 2017 academic year. Saturday 25 November saw the College host the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony at Melbourne Park. It was an honour and a pleasure to see the Year 12 class of 2017 dressed in their finery for a formal graduation ceremony. After the long period of exams for these students, it is important to celebrate the ending of their formal secondary schooling, as they depart to their many adventures. As a College and community wish each and every one of them well and trust that many will stay in contact and remain connected through our Old Collegians’ Network. We will always be thrilled to see them and hear of their adventures. They will continue to be in our prayers as they await VCE Results, ATAR scores, University, TAFE and job offers.
Meanwhile back at ‘the hill’, the many other years levels have busied themselves with exams, award ceremonies and for some the Academic Foundation Programs (AFP). The Academic Award Ceremonies are indeed a fitting way to finish the year as they highlight achievement and effort. But, they do more than that - they acknowledge every student for their contribution to our College through the College commendation system and I am thrilled at the numbers awarded this year. Congratulations to all students whose contribution and efforts were recognised.
With the end of the year approaching the College farewells a number of staff who move to new environments:
• Rosemary Buchanan who will take long service leave and then retire
• Sue Gunn who will take long service leave and then retire
• Brian Harvey who will retire
• Gaby Hansen who will retire
• Genevieve Schaefer who worked as our Youth Ministry Officer for 3 years
• Rod Kearney who will retire
• Dale Gleeson who leaves us to take up a Deputy Principal role at Galen College Wangaratta
• Nick Thomson who leaves to teach at another Catholic School
• Melanie Travis who has completed her replacement position
• Leah Hill who has completed her special project position
• Caitlin Ioannidis who has completed her replacement contract
• Bohdi Lindsey, Nicole Roberts and Perri Richardson - our Year 12, 2016 AFL Trainees
Each of these staff members has contributed to the broad and rich life of our College and often their work goes unseen. We thank them for their service and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Lastly I would like to thank every family within our community for their ongoing support throughout 2017. I wish each of you a happy, holy and peaceful family Christmas and look forward to your return in 2018
God bless
Philip A Morison
