Dear Members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College Community

Have you played the game ‘do you remember when’? Having adult children who are all still at university (although two are about to graduate), it is a game that seems to pop up in our house a fair bit when the family are gathered around the television watching something that would spark a memory. Invariably the comment would be “Hey do you remember when dad did …” and then a grossly exaggerated story about a past incident would follow, usually in an attempt to embarrass. We were playing this game last week when the doorbell rang and I saw that groups of young people were standing at our door beautifully costumed, chanting “trick or treat”.

I was unprepared because this is not a custom that has been prominent in Australia until the last few years, but luckily my wife was prepared and dutifully handed out chocolates to the smiles of the children gathered at our door. ‘Trick or Treating’ I always thought was an American custom, whereby children dress up on Halloween and walk the streets asking for a treat. If none is forthcoming, the idea is that they would return to play some sort of trick on you. The custom however is not limited to America and various forms of it have been a custom in England, Scotland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Spain although under different names.

The point is that it is a Halloween experience, and Halloween when taken in context, is important in the scheme of things. Halloween also known as All Hallows' Eve, All Halloween, or All Saints' Eve is the celebration as we approach November 1st with All Saints' Day and November 2nd with All Souls' Day. November is our month to remember the dead, which includes Saints (Hallows) Martyrs and all the faithfully departed. But why is this important? Why do we remember Saints and why do we pray for all souls? They are dead. They have passed from this world. They have left us or have they?

Saints are hugely important to us. They are heroes that inspire and teach us. They are examples and role models that help us aspire to a life of service. They teach us how to be better Christians. Saints pray for us and intercede for us with God the Father. Similarly it is extremely important that we remember all those that have passed before us and pray that they too may attain the promise of Baptism and be with God, seeing God face-to-face.

This Sunday the Mount Lilydale Mercy College Old Collegians will host the Memorial Eucharist at which we honour, remember and pray for the many past Sisters and religious staff and students who have served our community and passed from this world. Please feel free to join us at 2.00pm in the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel.

We pray for those families who have recently experienced the passing of loved ones:

Russell Richard James, grandfather to Lachlan, Kelsey and Abbey Sinclair (Year 12) who passed away peacefully in late September. We pray for the repose of Russel’s soul and may he rest in peace.

Tomorrow, too, is Remembrance Day. In 2017 we mark the 99th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War. At the 11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, we pause to observe one minutes silence in memory of the fallen, in memory of all those who have died or suffered in any war, in any conflict, in peace-keeping operation.

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in the Winnowing Fan, Poems of the Great War in 1914. The verse, which became the League Ode, was already used in association with commemoration services in Australia in 1921.

"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."

Indeed: Do you remember? We will remember them all.

God Bless.
Philip A Morison
Principal

The Principal Mr Philip Morison and the Chair of the Advisory Council Dr Jo Drummond would like to extend a warm invitation to all parents who currently have students at the College to join them for Afternoon Tea on Tuesday 21 November. This informal gathering is an opportunity to speak with Philip and Jo and to meet other College parents in a relaxed setting.

Please book here https://www.trybooking.com/SYIV

The Year 12 Awards were held on Tuesday 24 October. The Prefect body were acknowledged and thanked for their work in all areas of the College in 2017 and the College Gold And Double Gold Awards were presented.

The distinction of College Gold is attained by a select number of Year 12 students for outstanding achievement in the following:

• subjects undertaken
• variety of College activities
• very high motivation level consistently shown
• strong evidence of positively enhancing social relationships
• achievements to an outstanding level relative to one’s ability.

A College Double Gold is the highest award offered by the College colours program of Mount Lilydale Mercy College. A Double Gold represents a highly prestigious award to students who have progressed beyond the attainment of a College Gold. The following students were the recipients of the above awards and we congratulate them all.

College Gold Recipients:

• Matthew Callaway
• Emily Corbett
• Georgia Cullen
• Chloe Dickson
• Alexandra Duncan
• Timeka Eales
• Baylee Eastham
• Chloe Falla
• Angus Faulkner-King
• Stacey Fleming
• Belinda Gerace
• Georgia Goss
• Eve Gowan
• Zachary Griffin
• Emily Keagan
• Jessie Lawlor
• Jackson Lowe
• Ryan Macfarlane
• Lily McDonald
• Lachlan McGrath
• Erin McKenzie
• Tyson Noyes
• Joel Peters
• Abigail Pettigrew
• Ysabelle Price
• Tysha Ramacula
• Jake Rickard
• Kelsey Sinclair
• Nathan Thompson
• Jenny Ting
• Jayden Voorzaat
• Elisabet Yuwono

College Double Gold Recipients:

• Madeline Cimo
• Emily Collins
• Chloe Connolly
• Meg Dolphin
• Samantha Drury
• Nicholas Hamilton
• Tahlia Hayes
• Ruby Kelly
• Rebekah Kelly
• Chloe Leenen
• Mark Melhem
• Krystal Meyer
• Bethany Morison
• Phoebe Myring
• Samuel Ondarchie
• Isabella Preston
• Steven Presutto
• Eden Pritchard
• Gemma Ryan
• Abbey Sinclair
• Christian Toy
• Kylie Verbakel
• Corey Whitchell
• Denali Wraith-Tenson

Year 9’s Duke of Edinburgh Award - Bronze Level

As you may be aware from previous newsletters, the College delivered the Duke of Edinburgh award to Year 9 and 10 students for the first time in 2017. This program has been a great success. Through the skills component of the course, students have had the opportunity to develop their fitness through the physical recreation activities and their community engagementskills through service activities. A highlight for many of the students was the Adventurous Journeys which involved camping, bushwalking and hiking. These two camps built resilience, bushcraft skills, and an appreciation of the great outdoors.

In 2018, MLMC will once again be offering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Bronze Level) for Year 9 students. Current Year 8 students (ie: the 2018 Year 9 cohort) are encouraged to consider participating in the program. An information evening will take place in the Lecture Theatre at 7:30pm on Wednesday 22 November. Students who wish to be a part of the program are encouraged to attend along with their parents. Further information on the program can be found at www.dukeofedvic.org.au

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8

Let us pray
For all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God;
May God give peace

God give peace for those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss;
May God give peace

God give peace for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return;
May God give peace

God give peace for civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity;
May God give peace

God give peace for peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free;
May God give peace

God give peace for all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace.
May God give peace

God give peace O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever.

Amen.

Universtity of NSW Mathematics Awards

Congratulations to all students who took part in the ICAS Mathematics testing in August. In particular, congratulations go to the following students who achieved a credit or distinction. Well done!

Distinction awarded to:

• Madeleine Beard 8
• Thomas Carruthers 8
• Dominika Kaczmarek 8
• Bailey O’Neil 8
• Connor Taylor 8
• Jelinna Santiago 9
• Brent Martin 11

Credit awarded to:

• Callum Dennis 7
• Jack Drummond 7
• Byron Foster 7
• Baxter Lill 7
• Jackson Nunziante 7
• Ella Preston 7
• Sebastian Aisea 8
• Courtney Barnes 8
• Krishia Catungal 8
• Kimberley Fiorentino 8
• Zoe Hendriks 8
• Isabella Keeling 8
• Stephanie Martinez 8
• Taylah Martorella 8
• Ellen McDonald 8
• Flynn Michel-Collins 8
• Blake Payne 8
• Luke Phillips 8
• Bridget Deed 9
• Ryan Finette 9
• Harrison George 9
• Tomadia Ghali 9
• Meg Hazell-Langley 9
• Tiarna Jackson 9
• Jamieson Manger 9
• Chloe Rickard 9
• Alanah Archer 10
• Timothy Carrington 10
• Ethan Cornish 10
• Jack Daelish 10
• Lara Griffin-Krenn 10
• Tristan Mifsud 10
• Daniel Schlueter 10
• Sheridyn Witney 10
• Benito Di Battista 11
• Teresa Toscano 11
• Dylan Findley 12
• James Martin 12
• Jake Rickard 12
• Elisabet Yuwono 12

At Mount Lilydale Mercy College we really value the time and the effort that so many of you give to us.

If you volunteered in any area of the College this year we would like to extend a warm inviation to you to attend our 'Thank You Supper'. The supper will be held on Monday 27 November from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

Please RSVP to Mary Ryan at ryanm@mlmc.vic.edu.au by Monday 13 November. We look forward to seeing you there.

Launched in 1998, Junior Landcare is an awareness raising and funding program that encourages young people to play an active role in ensuring the safe future of their environment. Momentum Energy is a 100% Australian-owned and operated energy retailer. In 2016, Momentum Energy partnered with Junior Landcare to provide more than $200,000 in funding to projects in Victoria that involved young people caring for and learning about their natural environment. The Powerful Youth Projects provide a framework for learning in outdoor ‘living classrooms’, in a way that can be successfully integrated into a range of topics within the school curriculum.

Mount Lilydale Mercy College is one of more than 200 Victorian schools to receive a grant from the Powerful Youth Projects, funded by Momentum Energy through its partnership with Junior Landcare.The Powerful Youth Projects program offers funding of up to $1,000 (ex. GST) to groups seeking to educate young Australians about environmental sustainability.

Science students from Year 9 Horticulture and Unit 1-2 Agriculture and Horticulture have participated in two tasks in the school orchard. Semester 1 students planted a row of stone fruit trees in the orchard and Semester 2 students installed an automatic watering system in the orchard. Along the way the classes have had great support from staff inlcudining Rosie Fitzgerald, Mick Hill and Andy Commerford. We could not have done it without you.

Please find attached the Mark Prest Award Nomination form. Applications close 5.00pm Monday 13 November.

Our Year 8 boys, Josh Keagan, Alec Grebe and Beau Norney, did a great job on Friday 27 October at the State Final of the 2017 Victorian Games and Apps Challenge. They worked as a team to promote their `Bouncing Back!’ game to the judges and presented extremely well - they looked great in their school uniforms too. The finalists were grouped into Years 5 to 6, 7 to 8 and 9 to10. In the Year 7 to 8 section, the three other finalists were:

• Mt Alexander College
• Wanganui Park SC (winners of Years 7 to 8 section and the overall winner)
• Mentone Girls' Grammar

The overall winner, Wanganui Park Secondary College, came from the Year 7 to 8 group - so the MLMC boys were in the hardest section.

The experience was a great one for them and we're already raring to go for the 2018 Challenge. Congratulations to Beau, Alec and Josh - a great effort!

Year 10 VET Sport & Recreation Surf Camp

On Saturday 2 November, Mr Beard’s Sport and Recreation class departed for the Mornington Peninsula for two days of cool beach stuff.

On arrival our class got the kits off and slipped into some wetsuits. We were then transported by boat to a destination called Chinaman’s Hat, a small seal colony populated by approximately 60 male seals. Once at our destination we jumped from the boat into the water and began to swim with the seals, performing duck dives that they would mimic. After spending time snorkelling with the seals, our class made its way down to the beach to play with the frisbee, jump off the pier and participate in other assorted beach activities that were organised by the group.

After spending a night in the luxurious Portsea accommodation, we drove to Point Leo for our surfing lesson, which was a great success for some, and less so for others. In summary, the camp was a great experience, especially as we had organised the camp for ourselves.This camp was a means to learn how to plan and to facilitate independence in a safe environment, and I think everyone would agree that the camp ran smoothly - as it should. Although the overall planning took time and effort, it was worth it.

On Monday 30 October, 51 students (from the Instrumental Music Program, LEAP Music Program, College Ensembles and a variety of Soloists) performed in our End of Year Music Concert. Parents, grandparents and friends had the privilege of watching some of our very talented music students within the College. Solo performances included voice, piano, guitar, violin, flute and drums, while ensembles included A Capella (Junior and Senior), Jazz Band, guitar and violin.

For the first time, our Year 7 and Year 9 LEAP Music students were able to perform in their Band Ensembles. Considering they have only had six months practice together, their performances were outstanding. We were incredibly fortunate to have two special guests playing the cello to demonstrate to our students and parents what the College would like to offer in our Instrumental Music Program in 2018. We would like to sincerely thank Katya Sellmer and her student Katherina from Little Yarra Steiner School.

The Music Department would also like to thank Mr Gus Garces, Ms Diana Doidge, Mrs Tamara Rundle and all the Instrumental Music teachers (Ms Caroline Dickason, Ms April Croydon, Ms Elston, Mr Cooper and Mr Padula) for the dedication and time they put into their music students throughout the year and in preparation for the End of Year Music Concert.

A very big THANK YOU to our amazing technical crew, Chris Keuken, Peter Verhagen, Chloe Connolly, Harrison Strachan and the incredible Stage Manager Isabella Preston who made sure this night ran as smoothly as possible behind the scenes at all times. Last but not least, we would like to congratulate our 2018 Music Prefect Aragorn Keuken for his professional MC skills in giving a short story on each performer on the night. Well done Aragorn, we look forward to working with you closely in your final year at the College.

Auditions for 2018 Instrumental Music Scholarships will take place after school on Tuesday 21 November and Wednesday 22 November in the Music Department SLR 1.1.

Scholarships on offer include: brass, drums, guitar, piano, violin, voice and woodwind. Please collect a Scholarship Application form from Mrs Flint in the Music Department or email sflint@mlmc.vic.edu.au to request one. Scholarship Application forms need to be submitted to the Music Department or Reception by 4:00pm on Thursday 16 November 2017.

The Music Department will allocate your audition date and time and inform you via email. If you require a specific day or time to audition, please email Mrs Flint as soon as possible. We will try our best to accommodate your needs. Good luck!

For Sale - Cubby House or Garden Shed

Eacy year a handful of students in the VET Building and Construction class take on the challenge of building a Cubby House which can then be sold as a fundraising exercise. The students brought their technical and creative skills to the project, with exceptional care and attention to detail As you can see in the image to the right, the end result is a Cubby House of the highest quality.

The Cubby House is on sale for the bargain Christmas price of only $450!

This year all the money raised will go to the Catholic Mission.

The dimensions are 1900 x 1400 and is designed to be dismantled into six sections so it will easily fit onto a standard trailer.

Get in quick - it won’t last long! Please contact Mr Colin Johnson at cjohnson@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Jessica Herrod (Year 8) who has been awarded a green belt in Judo after successfully passing her grading, involving both practical and knowledge tests with the Hawthorn and Lilydale Judo Clubs. Keep up the great work, Jessica! If you have any other student achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Weight Training

Term 4 supervised open gym Wednesday mornings 7.00-8.00am! Either train with your own program or we can help you out. Breakfast is provided afterwards. Please see Miss Webb for more info.

Year 9 Spring Sport

Please check the EISM website for up to date fixtures and venues for games.

Year 9 Results - 2 November

Year 9 Results - 10 November