Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community

Welcome to the 2020 academic year, after what I hope was a restful family Christmas and an inspiring holiday period. The weather has certainly been varied and the heat has provided some challenges. The fires, the scorched earth, the loss of life and property provides each of us with much food for thought and reflection on how best we can help. Let us continue to pray for all those involved in this tragic loss and pray that we can do all that is humanly possible to prevent a repetition.

The College has been open and operating for several weeks now and much work has been completed in that time. I believe our students have returned to a College which continues to strive to provide better facilities and an environment that facilitates learning. A few minor projects are a little behind schedule and we will have to work around them, but the outcome will be worth it.

(1) Stage 2 building program — Sinnott Building

Demolition work is progressing well. The builders have set up their work sheds on Alison Crescent. This will restrict student movement in this area. The builders have allowed for a passageway behind their work sheds to allow for student movement. The stairs between the Calthorpe and Sinnott buildings have been demolished and at different times in the building schedule the stairwell between the Sinnott building and the Mercy Learning Centre building will need to be restricted to allow the building program to progress. During this time students travelling to and from the Harley and Campbell buildings will need to use the passageway along the Alison Crescent gate or go through the MLC building. Again, hopefully, this project will be completed and open for Semester 2.

(2) 2020 theme

Each year a theme is set to help us focus on a Mercy value, with the focus over the past three years having been Courage, Respect and Compassion.

The theme for 2020 is: ‘We humbly act for justice’. It was developed for us by our Student Leadership Team at their Induction program and is centred around the Mercy value of Justice. The Bible reference is from Micah 6:8, “… and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

Justice with humility.

In focusing on this theme, we note that Sr Veronica Lawson RSM, in writing on Justice, put it “Catherine McAuley’s advice in the face of injustice was ‘to speak as your mind directs and to act with courage’.” We look forward to exploring the ideas within these concepts together throughout the year. Justice and Mercy are truly centred in right relationships.

(3) College Opening Mass and Top Achievers’ Assembly

Yesterday, the College held the first full College assembly and Eucharist for the year. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Dean Bradbury. The Mass saw the first formal launch of our College theme. We are blessed and grateful to have Fr Dean as our College Chaplain.

The Top Achievers’ Assembly quickly followed, whereby our 2019 Dux Ethan Cornish and the Catherine McAuley Award recipient Willow Thomas were both recognised for their achievements and were given the opportunity to address the student body. Both delivered messages worthy of our attention. Read more about it HERE.

The College further acknowledges the top achieving VCE students for 2019:
Ethan Cornish
Lara Griffin-Krenn
Alana McGurgan
Tristan Mifsud
Michael Platten
Jason Rice
Jayden Santiago
Grace Staindl-Dymond
Harrison Stolzenhain
Keilani Trewavis.

The three students who completed the VCE-Baccalaureate (Lara Griffin-Krenn, Alana McGurgan and Jayden Santiago) and our top VCAL student for 2019 (Christelle Cartledge) were also recognised for their achievements.

As a College we acknowledged and gave thanks for the success and efforts of our 2019 graduating class.

(4) Mark Prest Award 2019

The Mark Prest Award is an award in honour of a past Deputy Principal of the College. It is awarded to a member of staff who most exemplifies Mark’s educational philosophy and witness as judged by the following criteria:

• a passionate respect for the dignity of each person
• sets a public example of integrity, love, commitment and awareness each day
• shows empathy and concern for the welfare of others
• fosters genuine, honest, authentic, compassionate and just relationships
• has a healthy sense of tolerance, acceptance and openness
• is filled with the excitement of teaching
• is a courageous and a committed learner
• aspires to and encourages excellence
• exhibits a quality of teaching which opens up learning to others
• encourages a love of learning in others
• is willing to take risks and learn from experience
• believes that teaching matters
• fosters a strong climate of community involving students, teachers and parents
• has a sense of civic responsibility and pride
• contributes to the social and spiritual environment of the school.

The 2019 Mark Prest Award winner is Mr Michael Dale. Congratulations again, Michael.

(5) Black Saturday 11th Anniversary

As a College, we also acknowledged it has been 11 years since the bushfires of Black Saturday and recognise that many of our community were deeply affected by the tragic events of that day. We remember that dark day in Victoria’s history and pray for the 173 souls who lost their lives. We have a deep compassion for the many lives impacted by the tragic event. This compassion is shared with those in our state and in our country who have suffered in the recent bushfires. We understand the aftermath will be felt for a long time by the many involved. We walk with empathy and sensitivity knowing that such events reignite past feelings and emotions.

(6) College Newsletter

This College Newsletter is an important source of formation and information. It is published electronically each fortnight. Parents and guardians will receive an email on the Friday it is published. Alternatively it can accessed at any stage via the College website under the News and Events menu.

(7) Parent Portal and the Parent Access Module (PAM)

The Parent Portal is also a very important access point to the College. Excursion information, medical forms and individual family letters are all published via the Parent Portal. Families should become familiar with the processes to use it. The College will send an SMS to parents when there is important information to check on the Parent Portal.

We will also continue to develop our Parent Access Module (PAM), which caters for live ongoing reporting, as well as semester reports, attendance tracking and access to the College calendar.

Both the Portal and PAM should have the same login details for each family. A user guide for our portals can be requested from our College Office if you require assistance using them.

(8) Welcome new students

This year we welcome to the College a total of 284 Year 7 students:

7 Aqua: Alex Austin, Tony Biddiscombe, Terenja Bork, Xavier Bosua, Ava Champion, Isabella Ciantar, Alyssa Condon, Blake Davey, Ava De Iulio, Gabby Donnelly, Anthony Druitt, Mitchell Foletta, Jessica Gould, Noah Goyne, Kane Harrington, Ruby Inglese, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Leonilda Parrella, Cianna Peric, Lily Rumian, Hayden Sandford, Winsome Toopchan, Andrew Tricarico, Mesha Villani, Caiden Wilson, Teneal Wilson

7 Blue: Melia Anderson, Ai Bainbridge, Kaylah Cannon, Bryce Chippendale, Alexis Di Battista, Brody Di Pietro, Angelo Enright, Darcy Geerling, Riley George, Alex Harrington, Beau Horkins, Dylan Hughes, Beau Keatch, Madison Kleverkamp, Sarah Knox, Shona Lillie, Eliza Mackenzie, Zarley McGregor, Aiden Nash, Jeremy Newsome, Alarna Orlando, Jessica Paglia, Cooper Prescott, Brigitte Rice, Lachlan Swain, Lily Vulling

7 Bronze: Zack Allamby, Mackenzie Barnes, Matilda Beard, Cara Bird, Lexi Bush, Xanda Busiko, Noumea Cannon, Sophie Clark, Curtis De Chellis, Morgan Ferguson, Summer Hathaway, Jude Hayes, Sarah Ivanovic, Olive Kercher, Lissette Lopez Garza, Jordan Maa, Charlie MacDonald, Luka Marchione, Indi Mitchell, Sienna Nanscawen, Jessica Sharp, Bailey Taylor, Baxter Tirchett, Ryleigh Van Den Essen, Patrick Van Der Linden, Mitchell Walliker

7 Gold: Casey Cameron, Joshua Dorian, Darcy Dowdle, Isaac Edwards, Sienna El-Zain, Kaitlyn Ezzat, Charlotte Hall, Max Hall, Ruby Harrap, Abby Harrison, Liam Hartigan, Scarlett Henderson, Katherine Hobson, Ava Licciardi, Alex Maffescioni, Chloe McCormick, Layla McIlfatrick, Lachlan McLaine, Khushal Naran, Zachary Oxley, Lachlan Parker, Camila Pizzuto, Charlotte Saunders, Cooper Smith, Milla Smolarczyk, Tiah Spencer

7 Green: Oliver Baxter, Joseph Biasuzzo, Hannah Biggin, Nash Coleman, Zeke Dewhurst-Sibley, Max Di Ludovico, Ethan Fawdry, Isabella Febbraro, Anthony Frankovic, Bridie Galbraith, Maya George, Toby Griffin, Holly Hinds, Kaylie Long, Sophie Manser, Roxy North, Maddison O'Connor, Keira Ramsay, Finn Ratcliff, Mitchell Rawnsley, Ethan Reynolds, Thomas Reynolds, Phoebe Riddiford, Rose Scanlon, Taylah Wade

7 Jade: Mitchel Burkitt, Emily Davies, Poppi Davies, Travis Devanny, Joshua Duane-Willcock, Jeremy Eacott, Bonnie Edwards-Tesselaar, Brooklyn Ellard, Morgan Engelbrecht, Olivia Jenkins, Brooke Lord, Amelia MacDonald, Sam Mercuri, Sophia Nielsen, Esther No Thawng, Boston O'Brien, Sienna O'Toole, Ayda Paterson, Scheraiah Perera, Lila Primiero, Callum Steinecker, Mackenzie Strachan, Kai Surman, Jadah Twomey, Noah Williams, Harry Wright

7 Orange: Brianna Beavis, Thomas Bower, Mikayla Coleman, Noah Dare, Mason Dellar, Miller Dickson, Lucy Donovan, Oliver Duke, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Sinead Francis, Genevieve Gardner, Ava Griffin, Stephanie Hebblethwaite, Noah Holt, Ruben Hurley, Somer Maddock, Ava Musilli, Patrick O'Brien, Paige Prescott, Ella Prisow, John Ram Lawt, Scarlette Rivas Vaquerano, Matilda Ryan, Shiloh Thurrowgood, Jayden Tucker, Jarrah Walpole

7 Purple: Josh Simon Aranco, Chelsea Baxter, Jasmine Brookes, Logan Cane, Chelsea Christensen, Daniel Cianciaruso, Zoe Clarkson, Lachlan Clay, Orlando Clegg, Charlee Dobbin, Jonny Doddrell, Lauren Firmin, Chelsea Gardeniers, Rory George, Sarah Goschnick, Maya Kerr, Ben Koth, Max Mercuri, Emily Spence, Jade Stafford, Anastasia Sutton, Olivia Tweedie, Ben Van Den Broek, Max Vanderkolk, Corey Wyngaard, Bella Young

7 Red: Timothy Baker, Rebecca Bambury, Darcey Barker, Antonio Besek, Isabellah Castellano, Ronan Collins, Abby Findlay, Luke Garlick, Marcus Ghali, Tahlia Godwin, James Healey, James Johnson, Myah Kennedy, Molly Lambie, Jar Lewis, Anika Lill, Daniel Lobosco, Rehan Menuwara, Seren Nelly, Keely Paterson, Elias Peters, Regan Plaucs, Lacie Podesta, Maddy Sealey, Emily Stewart, Sierra Stoppa

7 Silver: Will Ault, Riley Callanan, Max Carolan, Sam Corrone, Campbell Cumming, Aidan De Betue, Aweely Didumo, Sophie Dillon, Charlotte Donovan, Ashton Engelbrecht, Xavier Grima, Noora Hanna Shmuni, Luke Holley, Amelia Iakovidis, Hayley Isbester, Tyson Lang, Zoey Mauldon, Isabelle Noy, Miles Parlas, Asha Rohead, Brianna Scabellone, Matilda Sculthorpe, Angus Upton, Will van de Paverd, Indiana Zaviska

7 White: Amy Coffey, Remy Cole, Isla Collard, Jarem Cox, Jade Dickinson, Seb Farquett, Isabella Hanson, Olivia Horn, Eva Johnson, Kai Maloney, Jaidn Morgan, Lachlan Noy, Kaylan Parker, Reid Price, Owen Read, Riley Robjohns, Rachael Roper, Monique Ross, Cassidy Ryan, Tahlia Shaw, Cameron Thompson, James Thurgood, Grace Trinnick, Mia Vanzin, Thomas West, Kane Wilson

We also welcome a number of new students and their families to other year levels:
Year 8: Aysha Gray, Alana Lewis, Harrison Wells
Year 9: Alicia Atkins, Archer Bentley, Romanos El-Zain, Dane Kitt, Oscar Lyons, Hope Marsh, Brodie McKinnon, Lizzie Snell, Brooke Thomas
Year 10: Alexandra Kavanagh, Forum Patel, Cameron Phillips, Rebecca Simpson, Brianna Strange
Year 11: Shayla Anderson, Maelle Rentsch (exchange)
Year 12: Paige Thomas.

(9) Staffing

At our first staff meeting for 2020, we as a staff welcomed back a number of returning members:

• Hilda Cassidy (12 months leave)
• Emma Whitehouse (12 months leave)
• Nerrida Burnham (leave in Semester 2)
• Jenny Morison (leave in Semester 2)
• Cathryn Arms (maternity leave)
• Denver Carron (eight weeks leave)
• Peter Molinari (six weeks leave).

We also welcomed and commissioned a number of new staff at the Liturgy:

• Bree Burke — Teacher of English
• Beata Clark — Teacher Librarian
• Adam Dean — Teacher of Maths, Science, Geography, Sport
• Hans Dharma — Teacher of Maths, Science, IT
• Caroline Dickason — College Accompanist
• Natalie Hamment — Teacher of English, Humanities
• Lauren Innes — Teacher of Music, PE, Sport
• Anita Kay-Taylor — Deputy Principal — Learning and Teaching.

We also welcomed two new AFL Trainees for 2020:

• Darcy Hamilton — Outdoor Education
• Mikayla Byrne — Sport.

(10) Community Opening Mass

This year the Community Opening Mass will be held on Wednesday 4 March at 7.00pm in the Doyle Centre. This Eucharistic celebration is an important event in the life of the College as we come together in prayer and recognise the importance of God in our lives. At this time we will also pray for a successful year of studies for all of our students, but especially the incoming Year 7 group and the Year 12 Class of 2020. I would therefore hope and expect to see many families at this Mass.

(11) College Advisory Council

MLMC encourages community involvement within our College through the many activities, but one such way is through our College committee structure. Parents and community members are asked to participate in committees to ensure the College is consultative, but also to increase expertise and skills when making decisions that affect the short and long-term future of the College. This year we have vacancies with:

• the College Advisory Council (one place)
• the Policy and Curriculum Committee.

If you are interested in being nominated for either of these committees, or know of someone who you would recommend nominating, please contact me at the College or via email at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(12) Parents and Friends’ Association

The Parents and Friends’ Association (P&F) is also vital within our College and is another avenue used for consultation. We also encourage new members to the P&F and interested parents should contact Registrar — Community Engagement Mrs Emily Cerra on ecerra@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(13) Communications Guide

Attached is the 2020 Communications Guide. Hopefully it will help you when you wish to communicate with staff at the College.

(14) Parent Code of Conduct

On 3 February 2020 I wrote to all families about the Parent Code of Conduct. A copy of the letter and Parent Code of Conduct are available from the Parent Portal. This policy provides guidelines to promote desirable and appropriate behaviour to ensure that all interactions with students and adults is respectful, honest, courteous, sensitive and considerate. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to read it. A copy if also available from the policiies section on the College website.

(15) Personal Pars

Members of the College community suffer with the passing of loved ones. Let us include them all in our prayers. Katharine Anderson, mother to Shayla (Year 11) and Melia (Year 7), passed away unexpectedly over the holidays. Let us pray for the repose of Katharine’s soul. May she, along with all the faithfully departed, rest in peace.

God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal

We Humbly Act for Justice
… and what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
— Micah 6:8

Prayer for Justice

God, you have given all peoples a common origin.
It is your will that they be gathered together
as one family in yourself.
Fill the hearts of humankind with the fire of your love
and with the desire to ensure justice for all.
By sharing the good things you give us,
may we secure an equality for all
our brothers and sisters throughout the world.
May there be an end to division, strife, and war.
May there be a dawning of a truly human society
built on love and peace.
Amen

The image above is of the College's new bronze statue representing the Mercy value of Justice. This statue is just one of six with each representing a Mercy value. The statues were created by local sculptor Christine Sage and will be installed at the entrance to Dublin House in February 2020.

(1) Welcome to the new year

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

Welcome to the new school year. Feelings of excitement, anticipation and perhaps anxiety often surround the return to school. Such feelings often indicate a desire to do well, with a goal of success freshly made. We also hope this means that all students commence the year with a positive outlook knowing that our dedicated staff are also keen to help students learn. As our Principal Mr Philip Morison said in his address to students, it is great to have the students back making the buildings and playgrounds come alive again.

With this fresh energy, we also hope that students return keen to take advantage of the many opportunities offered at school across areas of the curriculum and in cocurricular pursuits. Involvement in all we can offer not only benefits on a personal level, but it also creates the sort of community that builds a strong culture and bond. In other words, the school is a better place for us having been part of it.

I believe the attitude of ‘begin the year in the way you intend to continue’ is very important, so may I give a reminder that wearing the College uniform correctly is important. Support for the uniform requirements of the College is probably the most basic form of support asked for. Students who are not prepared to cooperate in this area will be required to remain at home until they can give the necessary commitment. I would also ask for all items of uniform to be clearly labelled with names. So much uniform ends up in lost property during the year, most of it without any indication as to the owner. A few minutes at the beginning of the year can avoid unnecessary expense later on replacing lost items.

(2) Child safety policy reminder

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

In our commitment to provide a safe and caring environment for our students, MLMC remains vigilant in being a Child Safe School. For more details on how we do this, visit our website www.mlmc.vic.edu.au for copies of:

MLMC Child Safety Policy
Child-friendly edition of the MLMC Child Safety Policy
MLMC Child Protection and Reporting Obligations
CECV Commitment Statement to Child Safety

(3) Uniform and SunSmart reminder

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

This year, we are trialling Term 1 as a blazer-free term. However, on cooler days students are not permitted to wear the jumper as the outer garment to or from school. Under these circumstances the blazer must be the outer garment. MLMC remains a SunSmart College and, as such, our SunSmart Policy requires students to wear a hat at recess and at lunchtime during Terms 1 and 4. The only hat that is permitted is the College bucket hat. Replacement hats can be purchased from the Uniform Shop. We encourage sunscreen to be applied and this is available from various locations around the school. As hats are the uniform item most commonly misplaced, again we urge you to take 30 seconds to clearly write your child's name on it.

(4) Uniform Shop hours

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

The trading hours for the Bob Stewart Uniform Shop in Terms 1, 2 and 4 are:
Monday: 8.00am-2.00pm
Tuesday: 12.30pm-4.00pm
Thursday: 12.30pm-4.00pm
1st Saturday of the month: 9.30am-12.30pm
NB: The shop will be open on Saturday 7 March (Labour Day weekend) 9.30am-12.30pm, but will be closed on Monday 9 March due to the public holiday.

Term 3:
Tuesday: 12.30pm-4.00pm
1st Saturday of the month: 9.30am-12.30pm

You can now also shop online HERE. Click and collect is available and delivery is available for $14.95.

The Second Hand Uniform Shop is run by the Parents and Friends' Association and is located at the College. In Term 1 the shop will be open every Thursday from 12.00-1.30pm. If you wish to place any uniform items into the shop to sell on your behalf, visit visit HERE for details. .

(5) Italian Study Tour — Places available

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

2020 is an Italian Study Tour year. The tour still has some places available. Any Year 10 or Year 11 student is welcome to apply to participate in the tour. Studying Italian is not necessary to be eligible.

(6) Mobile phone policy

John Rodgers, Deputy Principal — Pastoral Care

This year sees a continuation of the Phone Policy introduced in Semester 2 last year. I would ask that parents continue to observe the procedure of using the College Reception if there is a need to contact students during the course of a school day. While it may seem more straightforward to contact your child directly via their mobile phone, this can create other issues. The same applies if you need to drop something off to your child during the school day. Please remember that in the case of a student going home ill, it is the College that contacts parents, not the student. Please encourage your child to avoid making the decision to call you to be collected. As always, if collecting your child, please visit Reception to sign them out. As always, please do not hesitate to contact the College for assistance if needed.

(7) Welcome to the new school year

Louis Papadimitriou, Deputy Principal — Organisation

Welcome back to another great year of learning. I take this opportunity to welcome all of those who are new to our College community. At MLMC we are continuously trying to improve our College grounds and learning environments. Over the summer break our maintenance staff have been busy completing many tasks. Some will be very obvious, whereas others may not. Tasks completed over the summer break:

• a number of classrooms and buildings have been freshly painted
• carpets steam cleaned
• the verandah outside the MLC building has been completed giving students a shade area for summer and a space to escape the rain in winter
• asphalting of the main driveway into the College
• the start of Stage 2 of the building program — the conversion of the Sinnott building (the old Barak Library) into a new Visual Arts learning space. This should be completed by the end of Semester 1
• new facade and entrance created to the Science labs on the back of the Power building
• an ambulant toilet installed in the Power building.

(8) Road safety reminder

Louis Papadimitriou, Deputy Principal — Organisation

A reminder to parents who are picking up and dropping off students at school to exercise great caution as you drive into the school. You will have noticed our sign asking you to slow down. I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is that you monitor your speed so that our school remains a safe environment for our students. Please adhere to our speed limits. Parents who pick up and drop their children off in the streets surrounding the College must be aware that some roads have no-standing zones at the times most popular for dropping off. Please be aware that the council does send out representatives to fine those who do not heed the signage.

(9) College calendar

Louis Papadimitriou, Deputy Principal — Organisation

Our College Calendar is visible to all members of our community via our College website, under the News and Events menu. Further important dates are made visible to parents only via our Parent Access Module (PAM).

(10) Upcoming dates

Louis Papadimitriou, Deputy Principal — Organisation

College Photos were held today (Friday), with the catch-up sesson to be held on Monday 17 February.

(11) Bushfires

Louis Papadimitriou, Deputy Principal — Organisation

With several College camps planned this term, I want to assure our families that we are working closely with our providers/venue operators and government authorities to ensure that the visited areas are safe and that clear evacuation procedures, communication and other strategies are in place.

(12) First aid reminder

Kristin Collins, School Nurse

Parents are asked to please be vigilant in updating your child's Medical Profile on PAM whenever a detail changes. This could be minor, such as an updated Medicare number, new insurance provider, different emergency contact persons, etc., or be more significant changes such as a new medical condition diagnosis, a condition resolves/is no longer relevant, new dietary preferences change, etc. It is extremely important that we have the most up-to-date and valid information to provide the best care to your child while they are at school and when caring for students off campus (excursions, camps, etc.).

(13) College fees reminder

Cathy Pote, Assistant Business Manager

Thank you to all 2019 MLMC parents and guardians who greatly cooperated with the payment of school fees allowing for the College to be in a strong position going into 2020. We are very proud to report that the College only had six outstanding accounts at 2019 year’s end, with a couple of these accounts already paid leaving just a few to be managed.

By now all families should now have access to their annual College Fee Statement on the Parent Portal. If you have not set up an automatic direct debit, credit card or other authorised payment plan, please make note of the following important dates:

• 14 February: 1st quarterly instalment due. Please refer to your College Fee Statement for amount. (NB: If you are not paying your College Fees in full and are not on an automatic or authorised College payment plan, then you must pay your 1st quarterly amount by this date)
• 28 February: annual fees paid by this date will be eligible for an early payment discount. Please refer to your College Fee Statement for the amount, but remember to take off your early payment discount from this amount (pro rata amount for split billers).

Families that have set up an automatic payment plan must ensure funds are available on the day the payment is processed. Please see the table below for dates. If you require any information regarding the College Fees, please contact our Finance Office on 9237 1315 or 9739 2209.

(14) Fee help reminder — CSEF funding

Cathy Pote, Assistant Business Manager

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school excursions, camps and sporting activities. If you hold 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 CSEF. The allowance is paid directly to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

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 (which is attached) and lodge it with the College for processing. Application forms should be completed and lodged with the College as soon as possible in Term 1, as payments are made from March onwards. However, the College will be able to accept and process applications up until the end of Term 2. For more information please contact the Finance Office on 9237 1315.

CSEF payments are for the current application year and cannot be claimed retrospectively for prior years. CSEF application forms are available to download from either our MLMC Finance Website or from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef. A form has also been attached.

Parents must lodge a CSEF application form with a photocopy of their Health Care/Pension Card. No late applications can be accepted. For more information about the CSEF visit www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

(15) From the Registrar's office

Marilyn Ryan, Registrar — Students

I have recently been appointed as the College Registrar and I look forward to working with our community and College staff throughout the year ahead to ensure the process of enrolment and student transition to the College is seamless.

I am pleased to announce that we have now opened our online enrolments for new student applications. All families who have a child currently at the College will be notififed of this new process via email. Please ensure that all applications for Year 7 in 2022 have been received by the College by Friday 8 May 2020. Applications can be completed online at https://enrol.mlmc.vic.edu.au

(16) Prospective parents — events

Marilyn Ryan, Registrar — Students

This year's Taste of MLMC event will be held on Thursday 16 April, in the early evening. An enrolment information session will be held as a part of this annual event where families will have an opportunity to meet the Principal, Mr Philip Morison. Further information and bookings will become available closer to the date. In the meantime, please save the date for this exciting event which showcases our College to prospective parents and students in Years 4, 5 and 6.

In June, the College will host all Year 5 students from our Priority Parish Schools. This annual event, held over two days — Monday 1 June and Wednesday 3 June — allows young students the opportunity to experience the College on a normal working day. We look forward to welcoming these students to the College for a day of fun activities and the opportunity to explore the school.

At our annual Top Achievers’ Assembly, held on Thursday 6 February, we gathered as a community to celebrate the stellar academic achievements of the Class of 2019. The assembly was preceded by the first full College Mass of the year, celebrated by Fr Dean Bradbury.

It was with great pride that we welcomed back 2019 Dux Ethan Cornish and 2019 Catherine McAuley Award winner Willow Thomas, along with our top 10 VCE achievers and the three students who completed the VCE-Baccalaureate in 2019, Lara Griffin-Krenn, Alana McGurgan and Jayden Santiago. Christelle Cartledge was the top VCAL student for 2019 — unfortunately she was unable to join us on the day.

Principal Mr Philip Morison congratulated each of the students on their success while pointing out the significant role their families and their teachers had in achieving their success. He referenced the famous 2008 “Yes we can!” speech of former US President Barak Obama to highlight how each of the Top Achievers had set goals for themselves and dreamed of success. The words “you just have to want it and work towards it. You have to dream it, plan it and work hard,” resonated strongly with our Mercy values. The graduates are to be commended for their efforts. Each of them has modelled for us their personal best. Each person has modelled the characteristics of the vision for learning that our students can aspire to.

Ethan, whose accomplishments include being the 2019 Mathematics Prefect, spoke about how developing the right attitude to learning had helped him through school and how “something is to be learned even in your least favourite subject”.

Ethan said it was the Dux speech of former student Matthew Farrugia-Roberts from the class of 2013, when Ethan was in Year 7, that had set him on the path to developing the right attitude to school. Matthew had said ‘school is not work, it is an opportunity to learn’. While Ethan admitted he had finished school without knowing how to lodge a tax return, cook for himself or change a tyre, he had learned persistence, problem solving skills and how to better discern fact from fiction so that he can make up his own mind. Ethan will soon begin a Science degree at Monash University, alongside fellow Top Achievers and friends Harrison Stolzenhain and Lara Griffin-Krenn. You can read Ethan's speech in the attached document.

Willow, the 2019 Faith and Ministry Prefect, spoke of how she had felt a bit “lost and confused” early in her faith journey before she gained help from family, teachers and life mentors. “You have to have the courage to challenge herself… it builds character, confidence and resilience and helps to build friendships too.”

Willow said Catherine McAuley’s story was “truly inspirational for me and I am humbled to have received an award in Catherine’s name”.

Congratulations to the Top Achievers of 2019

College Dux Ethan Cornish
Catherine McAuley Student of the Year Willow Thomas
Top Achiever – VCAL Christelle Cartledge
Mark Prest Award Mr Michael Dale 2019

VCE Top Achievers and their tertiary offers

Ethan Cornish — Monash University Applied Data Science Advanced (Honours)
Lara Griffin-Krenn — Monash University Science Advanced-Research (Honours)
Alana McGurgan – RMIT University Pharmacy (Honours)
Tristan Mifsud – Monash University Engineering (Honours)/Science
Michael Platten – Monash University Business/Banking and Finance and Accounting; Deakin University Commerce
Jason Rice — Monash University Science
Jayden Santiago — University of Melbourne Science and Biomedical Science
Grace Staindl-Dymond — Monash University Science/Arts and Science Advanced-Global Challenges (Honours)
Harrison Stolzenhain — Monash University Science/Computer Science
Keilani Trewavis — Monash University Science/Arts

Prominent adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will join with experienced secondary educator Sharon Witt in a parent information session held at the College next month, covering many topics about helping our young people navigate the secondary school years.

The 'Surviving High School' session will be held at the College on Thursday 19 March, from 7.30-9.00pm. Topics include understanding the adolescent brain, homework, navigating friendships and coping with stress. Further details are available on the attached flyer.

Attendance is free for MLMC parents. Please register now to reserve your seat HERE.

Starting a new school or even a new year at school is nerve-racking for young people. Although we as adults have gone through that process, sometimes it is difficult to know what to expect. The attached article highlights some key information about transition with light humour and a sense of reality. If at any stage throughout the year you are concerned about your child's wellbeing, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Counsellors at Mount Lilydale Mercy College. We're here to assist in helping your child flourish and thrive.

At the start of each school year, we hold a number of activities that provide students, families and staff the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our faith.

The Year 12 students began their year on Friday 31 January and on the following Monday and Tuesday they participated in the annual Retreat. They started their two day Retreat by coming together as a year level to celebrate the Eucharist in the College Chapel with Fr Dean Bradbury. At five venues across the Yarra Ranges the students then had the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with self, others and God and also began to explore the Mercy value of Justice and the College theme for 2020. Students and staff took part in Liturgies, team building exercises and activities exploring the notion of trus as well as prayers and discussions about what our Mercy spirit means.

On Friday 31 January our Year 7 students also had their first day of the school year. While students began with an assembly in Centennial Hall, the Parent Welcome Liturgy in the College Chapel was well attended by Year 7 parents. They had an opportunity to light candles for their child and to join in prayer for their son or daughter’s journey ahead. There were also prayers for them, in their role as parents, and for teachers and other staff at the College.

On Thursday 6 February the College came together in the Doyle Centre for Mass, celebrated by Fr Dean Bradbury. All students and the College community were joined by the Top Achievers of the Class of 2019 and their families. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith and therefore we welcome the opportunity to celebrate together, particularly at the start of the year.

We acknowledged and celebrated the community, vocational and academic excellence of our students across 2019 at the Night of Excellence at the Doyle Centre on Friday 13 December. Night of Excellence is one of the few events on the MLMC calendar where we celebrate outstanding student achievement across the whole College. It is also one of the few events where our Year 7 students have the opportunity to see and celebrate the success of our graduating Year 12 students and vice versa. We congratulate all of these amazing students on their achievements in 2019.

Top scholars

YEAR 12

College Dux Ethan Cornish
Top Achievers — VCE Ethan Cornish, Lara Griffin-Krenn, Alana McGurgan, Tristan Mifsud, Michael Platten, Jason Rice, Jayden Santiago, Grace Staindl-Dymond, Harrison Stolzenhain, Keilani Trewavis
Catherine McAuley Student of the Year Willow Thomas
Catherine McAuley Student of the Year nominees Chloe Baulch, Grace Clinton, Ethan Cornish, Matthew Gamble, Darcy Hamilton, Samuel Lees, Tristan Mifsud, Ethan Preston, Hannah Steele, Willow Thomas, Keilani Trewavis
Top Achiever – VCAL Christelle Cartledge

YEAR 11
Bridget Deed, Paula Del Giudice, Alexandra Falconer, May Flamsteed, Tomadia Ghali, Jamieson Manger, Rhiannon Nanscawen, Madleine Remminga, Jelinna Santiago, Summer Thomas
Academic Scholarships Jamieson Manger and Rhiannon Nanscawen
MLMC Old Collegians’ Scholarship Ashley Herrod
VCAL Intermediate Jack Largue

YEAR 10
Courtney Barnes, Krishia Catungal, Emma Di Paolo, Kimberley Fiorentino, Laura Fitzgerald, Jessica Gamble, Nadia Mattuci, Brianna Moore, Dianne Sayco, Connor Taylor, Caitlin Van Den Broek
Academic Scholarships Dianne Sayco and Kimberley Fiorentino
Parents and Friends’ Association Scholarships Brianna Moore and Melinda Virgona

YEAR 9
Jacob Avery, Millie Barker, Jack Drummond, Danielle Gazzola, Ellie Inglese, Baxter Lill, Teagan McConachy, Annalise Roper, Noah Ruta, Charlee Schafer
Academic Scholarships Baxter Lill and Charlee Schafer
Parents and Friends’ Association Scholarships Chanel Fernando and Mark Rimando

YEAR 8
Elena Atanasovski, Malindu Chandrasekara, Louisa Inglese, Vivienne Mackenzie, Olivia Nielsen, Jasmine Steele, Mary Vanderkolk, Alice Vardy, Georgia West, Jonathan White
Academic Scholarships Alice Vardy and Louisa Inglese
Parents and Friends’ Association Scholarships Ashtyn Crabtree and Will Toopchan

YEAR 7
Lily Bartusch, Charles Basset, Marielle Catungal, Kaiah Dedic, Nadia Geeves, Hayley Harwood, Benjamin Hendriks, Nicholas Lantouris, Alannah Rudan, Kate Wicks
Academic Scholarships Alannah Rudan and Marielle Catungal
Parents and Friends’ Association Scholarships Megan Schelfhout and Owen Aulich

Specialty Awards

Mark Prest Award Mr Michael Dale
Performing Arts Award Georgia McAleer
Dr Peter Clinch Music Award for Excellence Samuel Lees
Design Acquisition Hannah Steele
Public Speaking Award Kaitlyn Crymble and Jamieson Manger
DAV Debater of the Year Charlotte Lorbek
Essay Medals
McAuley Campus Elena Atanasovski
Barak Campus Emily Zmegac
Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award Stella Atkinson, Lucille Belford, Will Cerini, Alannah Finger, Nikita Garrett, Grace George, Samara Hull, Baxter Lill, Ella McNair, Victoria Prasel, Jamie Speight
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program nominees Brianna Moore and Connor Taylor
Year 9 Rotary Club for Citizenship Stella Atkinson
Year 11 Rotary Club for Community Harrison George
Year 12 Rotary Club for Service Chloe Baulch
Year 10 Bridget Vallence Endeavour and Leadership Award Matthew Colliver
ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards
Year 10 Luke Phillips
Year 12 Molly Henderson
Ryan Donald Memorial Award Noah Andueza
Mercy Education Award Baxter Lill
College Sports Champions
Male Luke Phillips
Female Bridget Deed

Year 12 Awards

Religion and Society Erin Dean
Dance Emily Leach
Visual Communication and Design Rory Townend
Biology Alesha Gray
Psychology Rhiannon Nanscawen
Visual Communication and Design Jade Callaway
Studio Arts Emily Gazzola
Media Studies Matthew Gamble
Visual Communication and Design Harrison George
VET Music Charli Lilagan
VET Screen and Media Mitchell Farr
VET Sport and Recreation Bridget Deed
Health and Human Development Brianna Kollosche and Emma Pitt
Philosophy Jack Woodward
Food Studies Alia Fehring
Computing: Software Development Tristan Mifsud
Geography Isabella Embleton
Legal Studies Chloe Rickard and Kara Inglese
Agriculture and Horticulture Molly Henderson
Legal Studies Charlie Wells and Charlotte Young
Accounting Clay Noyes
Systems Engineering Jelinna Santiago
Product Design and Technology Lachlan Brown
English Grace Staindl-Dymond
English EAL Merna Hanna Shmuni
Legal Studies and Physical Education Daniel Schlueter
History Revolutions and Philosophy Grace Vanderkolk
LOTE – Japanese Jayden Santiago
LOTE – Italian and Chemistry Lara Griffin-Krenn
Mathematical Methods and Specialist Maths Ethan Cornish
Mathematics: Further and Physics Harrison Stolzenhain
English Language and Philosophy Keilani Trewavis
History Revolutions and Literature Kayley McKenna
Business Management and Religion and Society Michael Platten
Drama, Music Performance and Theatre Studies Georgia McAleer
Economics, Philosophy and Religion and Society Jessica Myers-Denton

It has been a great first week at MLMC for our 284 Year 7 students with everyone settling in nicely to life in secondary school.

Their MLMC journey began on Friday 31 January, along with our Year 12 students. It was a hot day, but everyone coped well. After assembly in Centennial Hall our new students had an induction day with a rotation of key areas including Organisation Skills, Catholic Identity in the Chapel, library induction, a Pastoral Care session and a scavenger hunt to help students find important locations around the school grounds. At the start of the day, parents were encouraged to join the Liturgy in the College Chapel.

In the first few weeks of school there is a focus on homeroom activities, providing the students opportunities to get to know their homeroom groups and teachers. The Year 7 Camp takes place next week which is always a highlight for our new students.

Welcome back for Term 1! Our Music department provides wonderful opportunities to help our students develop their music talents. As parents (and teachers) we have a tremendous influence on our children, also on their decisions and what they tend to see as valuable and important. What we support, they are willing to pursue, and what we encourage and give priority to, they continue to be a part of — even when the lustre at times temporarily wears thin.

Learn a new skill in 2020

How many times have you thought about learning a musical instrument some day? How many times have you put this idea in the too-hard basket? Stop dreaming about it and make it happen in 2020.

Enrolment forms can be found on the Parent Portal under 'Forms and Information'. Alternatively you can email Instrumental Music Secretary Mrs Sharon Flint at sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au to request a form. To secure a place in your preferred instrument please return your enrolment form to Student Reception OR to the Music department as soon as possible. You will not be disappointed. Instrumental Music lessons will commence next week.

Choir

For us at MLMC, the beginning of the Choir this year brings extra excitement as we organise and prepare to participate in various College Liturgies, assemblies and concerts, as well as a number of external public events. The Choir is an excellent opportunity for your child to participate in a year-long program and sing with other students under professional guidance. We truly look forward to a great year of rewarding time, learning and spiritual fulfilment. We hope your child will be part of this Choir experience with us.

Choir rehearsals are held every Wednesday after school, from 3.30pm to 5.00pm, in the Music rooms with Ms Caroline Dickason. For further information, please email Ms Dickason at cdickason@mlmc.vic.edu.au or Instrumental Music secretary Mrs Sharon Flint at sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Ensembles

MLMC offers students an array of ensembles to join in 2020. As our College kindly pays for all ensemble rehearsals, fees are not passed on to our families. Students have the pleasure of joining one or more ensembles of their choice:

• Senior a capella — open to Year 9-12 students, with enrolment by audition (meets Monday lunchtime in CEH Foyer)
• Senior guitar ensemble (Tuesday lunchtime in SLR 1.1)
• Junior a capella — for Year 7 and 8 (Wednesday lunchtime in CEH Foyer)
• Junior guitar ensemble (Wednesday lunchtime in SLR 1.1)
• College Choir (Wednesday after school 3.30pm to 5pm in CEH)
• String ensemble (Thursday lunchtime in CEH Foyer)
• Stage band (Friday lunchtime in SLR 1.1)
• Concert band (Friday lunchtime in SLR 1.2).

All ensemble rehearsals commence the week beginning Monday 10 February. Students should take their lunch.

Please direct inquiries to Mrs Sharon Flint at sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au. Ensemble permission forms can be collected from the Music department in Term 1.

Six reasons to join an a capella ensemble

Can you sing? Do you want to show off your talent? It is a fantastic decision if you are passionate about singing. We rehearse each week and we have fun learning various songs. It might be your best decision yet! Here are six reasons why you should join us:

1. Learn to sing a variety of music. You get to sing all kinds of music. You get to perform your favourite songs with your group. You get to learn a lot of valuable information about music. Most importantly, you get to do what you love.

2. Showcase your talent. Singing is a huge talent and you get to show it off on this platform. Combine that with some interesting choreography and it's very entertaining. A capella provides amazing opportunies to show off what you know.

3. Participate in concerts. You get to entertain the crowd and, of course, you get to sing and be proud of what you and your ensemble have learned.

4. It's a de-stresser. When you are studying all day, wouldn't you want a break? An a capella ensemble means rehearsals every week to get you out of that room and into a music-filled environment. In fact, research has shown that singing relieves stress. It's a calming, yet energising break.

5. Make life-long friends who share the same passion as you. Even though you're all different, you all share one thing in common — making music together. It doesn't get any better than singing with your own group of friends.

6. Get connected with other groups. What's better than getting to know more people? Joining one group means joining a bigger singing squad than ever. You might have the opportunity to join other groups and meet more like-minded people.

(1) Student Achievements

Basketball

Congratulations to Ava Garthwaite (Year 9) who represented Vic Metro at the East Coast Challenge over the summer holidays. Congratulations also to Baylin Spencer (Year 9) and Ryan Nunziante (Year 8) who represented Victoria at the Southern Cross Challenge. Well done to all three athletes.

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

(2) Swimming training

Swimming training will be held each Monday afternoon (3.30-4.30pm) and on Wednesday mornings (7.00-8.00am) at Kilsyth Pool to help students improve swimming and fitness levels. All abilities welcome. Commendations and House points are up for grabs! It is free for students, who will be bussed from school to the pool on Mondays and back to school from the pool on Wednesdays. Breakfast is also provided on Wednesdays. Please see/email Ms Webb in the Doyle Centre for more details.

(3) MLMC Swimming Carnival

The annual MLMC Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 28 February at the Lilydale outdoor pool. For students in Years 7-9 it is compulsory attendance (Periods 1-4) while it is invitational for Years 10-12 (from lunch until end of the day). More details to come via the Parent Portal.

(4) EISM Swimming Carnivals

The Division 2 EISM (Eastern Independent Schools Melbourne) Swimming Carnival will be held on Tuesday 10 March at Ringwood Aquanation and the EISM Champions Carnival will be held on Monday 23 March at MSAC.

(5) EISM Sport

The EISM summer season starts on these dates:
Year 8 — Tuesday 11 February
Senior — Wednesday 12 February
Year 9 — began yesterday (Thursday 6 February).

With the summer seasons all beginning in the next week, please remember the following:

• Check the sport plans — up on the Doyle Centre window — at the beginning of every week
• 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 to get to venues to play.
• Your uniform needs to be 100% correct to ensure no games will be forfeited. 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 ‘Junior’ (Year 8) or ‘Senior/Intermediate’ (Year 9 and Senior) fixtures.

(6) EISM Year 9 Results (6 February)

(7) Victorian All Schools Triathlon Championship

If there are any students interested in competing in the 2019 Victorian All Schools Triathlon Championships, to be held on Sunday 15 March, please see Ms Webb in the Doyle Centre. The number of entries is limited. There are Junior and Senior categories, with all events the same distance: 300m swim, 10km bike, 2km run.

MLMC, along with Yarra Ranges Council will host one of two screenings of documentary film 2040, with the film's director Damon Gameau a special guest.

The film will be screened at MLMC on Saturday 29 February, from 2.00-5.00pm. Please arrive from 1.30pm to find a seat as there is no reserved seating.The film will also be screened in Belgrave that day. This is a paperless event, so please don't print tickets — we have devices to register your attendance on the day. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children under 12. Bookings are essential.

Book your tickets HERE.

Mr Gameau will provide further insights into the documentary through a Q&A session. The film looks to the future but is vitally important now as it explores what the future would like like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet. This family-friendly event will also have a nature-themed craft activity happening during the screening. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal or Zoos Victoria Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund as nominated in your ticket booking.

MLMC is again offering our College community the opportunity to purchase an Entertainment book and access fantastic discounts, with the added bonus of raising funds to purchase student facilities at the College.

This year, the Entertainment book has seen the addition of new offers which can be found in Lilydale and the surrounding areas, including The Lilydale General and Innocent Bystander winery. There have also been a number of new retail offers added. For a closer look at what the Entertainment book can offer, visit the online flipbook HERE.

The Entertainment books have now gone completely digital, with a range of memberships to sign up for. If you would like to support the College, while having a range of exciting offers at your fingertips, you can purchase your Entertainment book HERE. The membership will last one year from your purchase date.

A special offer: up to four months of extra membership plus spend and save plus $20 bonus Wish eGift card when you purchase the new Multi City or Multi Plus membership. Hurry — offers end 29 February.

The College thanks you for your support of our students.