Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community
As I sit and write to you this week, I am listening to some fantastic music on a unique album called Here Here. And as I do so, I am reminded that it is a unique experience that I am having, as the probability of anybody else listening to it at the same time is very low. You see, it is a very rare CD with only 500 hundred copies made. It is a compilation of music created by a group of musicians in a unique setting. It is the result of the Kool Skools project, which is an exciting multimedia and recording experience through Studio 52 whereby students record and produce their own music. This project has been running for 18 years and MLMC has participated in the past four years.
Last weekend, Mr Denver Carron, who coordinates the project for our College, attended the Kool Skools Awards and, proudly, our College’s project received a number of awards.
- Charli Lilagan (Year 11 Purple) won Best Female Vocalist
- Georgia McAleer (Year 11 Silver) won Best Pop Rock Song
- Samuel Johnston-Bailey (Year 12 Purple) won Best Hip Hop Track
- Rachel Ricciuiti (Year 12 White) won Best Country Song
MLMC was named the overall winning school, being named the Koolest Skool for a second year. I understand that Mr Carron was so proud that as he received the trophy he referenced the musical School of Rock. Congratulations to all involved in this unique project.
MLMC Visual and Performing Arts
The Kool Skools Awards highlighted a week that showcased the many and diverse talents within our College. Last week, amid the exam centre which Centennial Hall had become, the College held a night of Musical Recitals, whereby parents and families were given the opportunity to experience the emerging talents of students who learn to perform through the various forms of the College Instrumental Music programs. Families experienced solo and group performances from beginning musicians, right through to experienced musicians.
On Tuesday night, the College hosted the second MLMC Media Academy Awards, which celebrated film in its many forms. Multimedia projects that were created throughout the year were viewed and celebrated. That same night the College’s Visual Arts Exhibition, which was opened by Mr Greg Box, Manager of Creative Communities at Yarra Ranges Council. In his address, Mr Box spoke of the importance of creativity in the emerging world and the importance of it as employers highlight the need for it in an ever-changing employment market. For me, it was fantastic to see parents and families enjoying the works created and displayed by our students in the visual arts. The pride and joy displayed as they discussed works was obvious and well worth the effort.
This week, the College also held the Performing Arts Showcase, which was different to previous years in that it involved far more than music performance, although bands were a highlight. The showcase of talent was an extravaganza of all the fabulous work of Performing Arts students including Music, Dance and solo performances. The staff and students of the Performing Arts department are to be congratulated.
Year 12 Graduation
While the College is still in the midst of final assessments and exams, it is pleasing to say that the graduating class of 2018 has finished all their exams and will make their final transition to being Old Collegians on Saturday night. Yes, the group will graduate tomorrow night at Melbourne Park. Let us pray for a cool, but dry, evening so that the students and their families can enjoy the ceremony.
It is also pleasing that our Year 11 group of 2018 finished their exams and held their awards ceremony and Mass last week. This week, they transitioned into the Year 12 class of 2019 and the graduating class of 2019. They are now the senior class of the College and are midway through their Academic Foundation Program (AFP). We look forward to celebrating their future successes. Year 10s will now commence their exam period, before graduating to Year 11 of 2019 and completing their AFP.
State Election
Tomorrow, Victoria goes to the polls to elect a State Government. Yesterday, the College loaded on to the parent portal a letter written to each of you from Mr Stephen Elder, the Executive Officer of the CECV. There has been a lot written about the funding of Catholic schools in the past 12 months, but much of that was pertaining to Federal funding. State funding is also important to our system and in the letter it is explained that “in an unprecedented move both the Labor Government and the Liberal Nationals Opposition have pledged $400 million in funding over the next four years to upgrade and build new Catholic and other non-Government schools”. The letter also explains the lack of commitment from the Greens. Please take the time to read it as it explains the issues in some detail and in far more depth than can be discussed here.
We remember
Lastly, members of our community suffer with the passing from this world by loved ones. Let us remember and pray for Bethea Melrose, grandmother to Baxter Lill (Year 8) and Helen Lawlor, a past active P&F member and mother to Jessie (2017), Mitchell (2015) and Nathan (2013). Helen passed away last weekend after a short battle with cancer. May Bethea and Helen rest in peace. May they, along with all the faithfully departed, join with our Father in Heaven.
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
