Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community,
It is cold. Welcome to winter and the much-needed rain.
Over the past fortnight the College has been celebrating National Reconciliation Week, with the theme this year ‘Grounded in Truth: Walk Together in Courage’. This theme was announced by Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia, who said: “Reconciliation is ultimately about relationships and like all effective relationships the one between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians must be grounded in truth. There can be no trust without an honest, open conversation about our history.” (reconciliation.org.au)
Reconciliation is an important concept within the Catholic tradition and it is important that we reconcile with our Australian Indigenous people. All students within Religious Education classes have been invited to write a prayer or promise on Australian Indigenous symbols and animals, which are on display outside of the College Chapel. The week finished with a Reconciliation Liturgy at the start of lunchtime today.
A group of staff and students trekked into the city and Federation Square last Saturday to walk with Michael Long in the 15th anniversary celebration of ‘The Long Walk’ in the ‘Walk together to Dreamtime at the ‘G’. It was very pleasing to see our College banner present. A group of our Year 9 students also travelled to Aquinas College on Tuesday 28 May to participate in their Long Walk memorial.
Furthermore, last Tuesday, a group of staff and students participated in the Reconciliation Cup at Worawa College, whereby our girls are to be congratulated on winning both the football and netball trophies.
I am proud that reconciliation is highlighted within our community and that we are making steps and gestures in moving forward in our commitment.
Family Week
Last week, the College celebrated Catholic Care’s Family Week with the theme ‘Building Connections in the Spirit of Hope’, with the idea that we are best when we are connected. How can hope be strengthened within families, schools and Parishes? Hope is so very important in our lives because we are called to be people of hope. I have admitted freely in the past that one of my favourite biblical references is: "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love". (1 Cor 13:13). I do not know how you could love without hope.
Family Week has been highlighted by fundraising activities in the Ministry Lounge and discussions in classrooms about the work and purpose of Catholic Care.
City Experience
Over the last few days, our Year 10 students have been participating in the City Experience program, whereby they spend two days experiencing Melbourne. The program is not about being a tourist, but rather an important extension of the challenges given to the students through the Year 9 Camp experience . While this Year 10 challenge is not a physical one, as was their experience in Year 9, it is instead a situational resilience and independence-building exercise.
Students were asked to complete several activities in groups. Firstly, they completed the Great MLMC Race where they were challenged to find some landmarks in the city of Melbourne. They had to orientate themselves to the city, learn a bit of the history and take themselves out of their comfort zones and build their problem-solving skills along the way. They also visited a number of landmarks.
The staff do a fantastic job on planning the City Experience, ensuring the safety of our students while providing this rare opportunity. We must continually challenge our students to be their best and then give their best.
Annual Report to the College Community
Each year at about this time, the College is required to produce a report entitled Annual Report to the School Community. This is done to meet compliance and registration protocols, so the format is fairly regulated. At the same time it is a report of interest and it is worth reading. We no longer produce hard copies of this report, but you can access it HERE.
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
