Dear members of the MLMC community

As I sit to write to you for the second time this week, I again reiterate that I hope you are well and coping with all the challenges currently before us. As I said in my letter to parents this week, these are challenging times and this pandemic will be an event that marks all our lives. As you reflect on how it impacts on you, think too on how it will impact on the lives of your children. What will their story be when they reflect on it and what story will they tell their grandchildren?

I think the answer to the above questions are important. I understand that fear is prevalent at the moment. We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic which fills the news services every day. Numbers abound about COVID-19 sufferers, deaths and transmissions state by state and country by country. The economics that parallel social isolation themselves are worrying to us all. Unemployment is on the increase and this impacts people’s lives. Supermarket shelves are still bare if you seek toilet paper or pasta and people with masks wander our streets. Can you just stay home and wait it out? I think not.

I think we have a responsibility to ensure that this period is far more than one of becoming couch potatoes and having family binges of Netflix. I understand the dire situation currently being faced and even after treatment or a vaccine is possible, the road to recovery will be long and for some, perhaps, impossible.

I think it important that we remain people of hope and remain positive as much as we can. This time can be a special family time. Can we not make memories for children of family dinners and game nights, of family discussions and joke sessions, of camping in the backyard or of special social media sessions. Can we not make this a time when family comes first? Take away the busyness of the world outside, park the car and turn off the phone and read books and do jigsaw puzzles. Have family cooking sessions and garden together.

I know some will think me a fantasist, who romanticises an ideal of a time past. Some may say the worry of economics make this a dream, but why does that have to be the case? You cannot change the economics at the moment. You can only do what you can do and you can only influence what you can influence, so be as positive as possible and ensure that in every way possible this is a positive learning experience as much as it can be.

Let us be the people of hope and faith and love that we are called to be.

In this time of remote learning, my belief is that students and families are having positive experiences. Students are learning. The emails I receive from families indicate that the teaching staff are providing a learning experience for our students that is positive and well received. In fact, I receive emails congratulating our teaching staff for their great effort and the collaborative way they have implemented our program. I am eternally proud of and grateful for our staff and the work they are now doing. I am grateful for the work of our students who have been exercising, cooking, developing skills of resilience, flexibility and self-directed learning that will serve them well.

Some parents have indicated that they worry that when remote learning is finished, on returning to a classroom-based curriculum that their child will be behind. I do not believe that to be the case. A recent article on the ABC (read it HERE) discussed this very construct, having looked at some recent scenarios, and it made three very clear points:

• schools in Christchurch, New Zealand, were closed for weeks following the 2011 earthquakes and did not have access to the online learning that is now available
• student results actually went up in the final exams and high school students did not drop out
• education expert Professor John Hattie says Australian students could lose a whole term out of the school year without falling significantly behind international counterparts.

Anzac Day

It would be remiss of me to finish without mentioning Anzac Day. Anzacs will not be forgotten to us amidst the tragedy that surrounds us — coronavirus and the death of four police officers this week (those that served to protect us). Now is the time to remember and pray for all those who have given their lives in service.

Mr John Ryan, our Humanities Faculty Learning Leader, prepared a short one-page introduction to a seven-minute video that was our memorial service conducted during Period 1 today. After the service, all classes observed a minute silence. I provide a link HERE so that you, too, might use the video on Anzac Day tomorrow.

We will not be gathering at dawn services, we will not be attending any marches or even marching. We will line our streets with lights shining at dawn tomorrow in social isolation, but in unity, as we remember them.

God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal

For the Fallen

by Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

hey mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Prayer Group

This week a group of students and staff met for our regular lunchtime Prayer Group via Google Meet. The theme was almsgiving and perseverance and members of the Year 12 CSYMA class had prepared beautiful prayers, readings and reflections. Participants were invited to add their own reflections on the scripture and to pray for any special intentions they had. It was great to still meet together to pray for our needs, albeit in a different way to usual. Prayer Group will meet every two weeks and all students are staff are welcome to join us via the link on Simon.

Friday Mass

Last week we tried using Google Meet to participate in our Friday morning Mass with Fr Dean Bradbury. A small group of students and staff celebrated Mass together online, which worked really well. It is very reassuring at a time like this that we can still have the support of our faith in this way. Again, all students are staff are welcome to join us for our Friday morning Mass via the link on SIMON.

Prayer during the coronavirus pandemic

(adapted from the USCCB)

Mary, Help of Christians. We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our families and loved ones, the protection of God’s holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy. Shelter us under the mantle of your protection, keep us in the embrace of your arms, help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.

Amen.

How can you fill in all of those out of school hours when social and sporting activities are postponed? One answer is to read for pleasure. There’s a vast amount of peer-reviewed research that shows that reading for pleasure on a regular basis improves school results, social life, relationships and life skills, and that reading rates drop as students get older, particularly for boys.

Some suggestions to encourage reading and locate great reading material:

• Start with interests and passions — find books related to reader interests or passions
• Recommendations — share reading recommendations with family members and friends
• Access a variety of material — fiction, non-fiction, magazines, graphic novels or comics, newspapers, ebooks and audiobooks all provide great reading opportunities.

Students can login to MLMC reading guides and virtual reading rooms HERE to find reading recommendations, promotional material and participate in reading discussion forums.

Students can login to Overdrive or have a look at the MLMC library catalogue to search and borrow a range of digital ebooks and audiobooks that can be read at home.

MLMC has also partnered with Eastern Regional Libraries (ERL) to support student public library membership, which provides access to ERL digital and print collections.

The MLMC Remote Learning Program is a response to school closure due to federal and state government declarations of a pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus. The program is focused on continuing the learning under the advice from key governing bodies including Mercy Education Limited (MEL), Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM) and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).

MLMC is a faith community, strongly grounded in the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ and lived out through our Mercy Education values of Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Service and Courage. We believe the continuous enactment of these values will guide us through these uncertain times. MLMC is committed to providing a remote learning program in an environment where we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility. This care and support is extended to our staff, who are charged with this responsibility.

The Remote Learning Student and Parent/Guardian Handbook sent to parents this week (and also available on the Parent Portal) will provide guidelines and clarity on how we will be supporting student organisation, pastoral care and learning. The information in the attached poster is a quick guide to program and the basics of how to learn effectively from home. Reminders based on these guidelines will be shared each week

We appreciate that some parents may be feeling anxious about assisting their child with learning at home. We are all learning in the online environment of our Remote Learning Program. Educators, support staff, parents, and students are all shifting towards learning in a different environment. Change creates new emotions and behaviours as well as opportunities to learn. Our greatest learning comes from the challenges we face, as they stretch our thinking. This is a partnership, so we encourage you to contact teachers directly in the first instance, if you require further clarity or support to contact the relevant Campus Director, and together we will find solutions or consolation.

Our focus remains on the core principles of our Vision for Learning and our commitment to create learning and teaching experiences that meet the needs of our students, even in the Virtual Classroom.

In recent editions of the local Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader and Maroondah Leader newspapers, our College captains Riley Swankie and Tatiana Lintzeris were interviewed for an article on Tomorrow's Leaders. They were asked "What difference they believe they can make to the world" — their response is above.

To read the full article your options are:

• you can read the Melbourne-wide story HERE (which does not include Riley and Tatiana)
• if you ARE a Herald Sun subscriber, then you can read the local story by clicking on the link to the Lilydale, Yarra Valley and the Maroondah School Captains in the story.

In Term 1, Year 8 Textiles students considered all the resources that go into making textile items and the environmental impacts of these. They learnt the sobering fact that 2700 litres of water go into making one cotton T-shirt and some people only wear a T-shirt twice before discarding it. What a waste.

Students also watched part of an episode from ABC TV show War On Waste. They discovered that The Smith Family charity spends one million dollars a year getting rid of poor-quality donated clothing items. These facts helped all of our students to consider how much money they spend on clothing and how often they purchase new clothing.

Below is a list of tips from our students about how we can all minimise textile waste:

Learn to sew, exchange or restyle your old clothes, support local makers, build a capsule wardrobe.
— Jesse Prescott (Year 8 White)

Buy good quality clothes (so they will last longer), prioritise natural fibres, rent out your unused clothing, buy secondhand clothing and shoes.
— Katherine Mansley (Year 8 White)

Here is a report from Textiles students Neve O’Brien and Ben Hendriks (both Year 8 White):

Starting Textiles this year has been so much fun and really important towards learning more about the environmental impacts we all have on the Earth. Last term we learnt all about what happens to all of the clothes or textiles that we throw out every single day. Did you know that the clothing industry, behind big oil producers, is the second largest polluting industry? We also made a luggage tag using the knowledge of what happens to the waste to help make our tag sustainable. We did this by learning which stitches to use and trying not to leave any extra waste that would have to be thrown out, alongside the six tons of textiles that are thrown out by Australian’s every 10 minutes. We also used leftover felt. We got to learn about e-textiles which is the incorporation of technology into textiles. We did this by adding a small light to our tag. This was so much fun and we learnt great skills for the future.

Congratulations to the Senior girls’ ultimate frisbee team, which was awarded the shared EISM premiership with Aquinas College due to the shut down of interschool sports during the panedemic. Many of the girls were disappointed with this finish to the season, as they believed we were the best team in the competition.

For the Year 12 girls in the team, this was their second shared premiership after a heat-out on Grand Final day in 2017. The girls should be proud of their ability and, more so, their work ethic in achieving the premiership.

Here are some of the reflections of the competition from Health and Physical Education Prefect Bridget Deed:

Although the season was short, it was still sweet — after all, spending your Wednesday arvos with Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s finest, chucking a fris around, what more could you want? The memories that we created from 12.45-3.15pm every week will not be forgotten. No doubt every minute spent was full of laughs and made for some of the best memories of my (and hopefully some of your) school lives. I’m truly grateful for every game of fris I played for the mighty Goats and although we missed the Grand Final and another two due to heat or COVID-19, I still feel blessed I got to play as many games as I did. And, to the younger ones in the team from myself and the other Year 12s, thanks for playing with us and putting up with us. Good luck for next year (if ‘rona isn’t still here) and we’re sure you’ll make us proud.

Last Wednesday, after his first day of remote learning, teacher of almost 43 years Mr Danny Katzen shared with MLMC staff a summary of his experience. He showed that even with his considerable knowledge and experience he had to take on new challenges, learn new skills, display resilience and continue to encourage and support others in their learning. These are all qualities MLMC strives to instil in our students and Mr Katzen is a great example to all of us that you never stop learning and adapting.

Here is an edited reflection from Mr Kazten:

Having been in the classroom for close to 43years, I entered the day with a bit of apprehension about how it would pan out. I had spent many hours on the Tuesday planning and scheduling my lessons.

Periods 1 and 2 were a double with my Year 12 Biology class. I quickly discovered that I should schedule the roll marking question and all instructions for the lesson at least five minutes before the actual class. My computer skills have not involved to the stage where I can confidently ‘split my screen’ so I have two computers set up.

Students were good at shooting me short questions which I could immediately answer and I guess because most of these questions were visible to the rest it reduced the number of repetitive questions. I gave my students instructions to step away from their computers for five minutes in the break between periods and send an “I’m back” message when they had returned.

My challenge for Monday's lesson is to schedule a Google Meet session. I still need to develop my confidence with sharing my screen to explain an image or the content of a Google Slide presentation. I also enjoyed answering the many individual student questions. I never knew I could type that fast!

Recess time was just enough to get a quick cuppa and the obligatory slice of toast.

Period 3 and 4 saw me ‘teaching’ my Year 8 Science class. These students really kept me busy with the number of questions they sent which were relatively straight forward and demanded a short answer. I easily settled these students by sending them individual emails. I also learnt to set additional activities to keep the smarter ones occupied. Having my class lists with photos stuck onto my noticeboard in front of my work desk helped me put a face to the many questions thrown at me.

I deliberately did not ask them to ‘turn in’ today's task but more than half of them just wanted to show me what they had achieved during the double period. There was even time to send a congratulatory note to the class as well as individual emails of affirmation.

During ‘lunch’ and period 5 I went for a brisk 7km walk.

Period 6 came and I was confident that this would be even better. I had 7 Jade and since Mrs Rebecca Heyenga (who made great videos on using Google Docs, Google classroom and remote teaching etiquette) is their Homeroom teacher, I assumed that they would be all ready for this business of remote teaching. It ended up being my most difficult class but I learnt from it.

This was a great experience today and it clearly illustrated to me that we need to be flexible, tolerant and open to novel ways of doing things. Be kind to yourself, take care of your physical and mental health and take time to smell the eucalypts and admire the birds, like I did today.

During times of change it is important for our psychological wellbeing that we work towards accepting, adapting and adjusting to the current way of life:

• accept that during these uncertain times, feelings of anxiety and worry are normal
• adapt to a new way of working – acknowledge that we will all make mistakes and that trying new things can be scary and challenging but we are resilient
• adjust to the many different situations that have been imposed on us – whether it’s physical distancing, remote learning or isolation.

Throughout this period in our lives, we need to be mindful of taking care of ourselves; by sleeping, eating and moving well. When we are stressed and we are not looking after ourselves, we have difficulties in focusing on school work, paid work, making decisions and relating to family.

Uncertainty about the world and about the future heightens our feelings of anxiety. During these uncertain times, remember to ask yourself ‘what’s under my control each day?’ The world we used to know isn’t the same, however, there are some things we can still control, that is, doing day-to-day things that we have control over. Such strategies could be:

• to make a daily plan/schedule that you implement
• to create a structure so that there’s somewhat of a routine
• allocate a time for exercise as part of your day
• focus on family time.

Focusing in the present moment, on the here and now can help to quiet worrying thoughts about the future or the past. Focusing on what you can do, what needs your attention today, can help you cope, have a sense of purpose and achievement during these times.

Some tips to coping during the coronavirus pandemic are attached.

The College Counsellors are here to help and assist our students and parents. Please contact us via our email address counsellingwellbeingteam@mlmc.vic.edu.au

A number of other resources are available to parents and students on the College website here: Coronavirus Information

(1) CSEF Funding Reminder

From the Finance Department

If you have not already applied for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) in 2020, now is the time to do so. The CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government, with an allowance paid directly to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you hold or have just received a valid means-tested concession card, are a temporary foster parent or a student between 16 to 18 years old and have a means-tested Disability Pension or Youth Allowance card, you may be eligible for the CSEF.

The annual CSEF amount per student is $225 for secondary school students.

Parents that received CSEF at the school in 2019 do not need to complete an application form in 2020 unless any of the following changes have occurred:
new student enrolments — your child has started or changed schools in 2020 or you did not apply at the same school in 2019; or
changed family circumstances — such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2020.

If a form was not lodged in 2019, parents or legal guardians are required to complete a CSEF application form and lodge it with the College. Application forms should be completed and lodged as soon as possible in Term 2. Schools will be able to accept and process applications up until the end of Term 2 (Friday 26 June 2020). CSEF payments are for the current application year and cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years.

A CSEF application form is attached or it can be downloaded HERE. Find more information about CSEF HERE. Parents must lodge a CSEF application form with a photocopy of their Health Care/Pension card or email all the relevant information to mkirkwood@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Please note - no late applications can be accepted.

(2) Enrolment reminder for Parents of Grade 5 students

From the Registrar, Marilyn Ryan

If your child is currently in Grade 5 and has a sibling attending MLMC please ensure your enrolment application for 2022 is submitted by no later than Friday 8 May 2020. A communication was sent in Term 1 encouraging you to place your application using the online enrolment portal here: https://enrol.mlmc.vic.edu.au. If you would prefer a printed application or if you have any queries regarding the enrolment process, please do not hesitate to contact me on 9739 2229 or via email to registrar@mlmc.vic.edu.au