Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community

As I sit and write to you this week, I am listening to some fantastic music on a unique album called Here Here. And as I do so, I am reminded that it is a unique experience that I am having, as the probability of anybody else listening to it at the same time is very low. You see, it is a very rare CD with only 500 hundred copies made. It is a compilation of music created by a group of musicians in a unique setting. It is the result of the Kool Skools project, which is an exciting multimedia and recording experience through Studio 52 whereby students record and produce their own music. This project has been running for 18 years and MLMC has participated in the past four years.

Last weekend, Mr Denver Carron, who coordinates the project for our College, attended the Kool Skools Awards and, proudly, our College’s project received a number of awards.

• Charli Lilagan (Year 11 Purple) won Best Female Vocalist
• Georgia McAleer (Year 11 Silver) won Best Pop Rock Song
• Samuel Johnston-Bailey (Year 12 Purple) won Best Hip Hop Track
• Rachel Ricciuiti (Year 12 White) won Best Country Song

MLMC was named the overall winning school, being named the Koolest Skool for a second year. I understand that Mr Carron was so proud that as he received the trophy he referenced the musical School of Rock. Congratulations to all involved in this unique project.

MLMC Visual and Performing Arts
The Kool Skools Awards highlighted a week that showcased the many and diverse talents within our College. Last week, amid the exam centre which Centennial Hall had become, the College held a night of Musical Recitals, whereby parents and families were given the opportunity to experience the emerging talents of students who learn to perform through the various forms of the College Instrumental Music programs. Families experienced solo and group performances from beginning musicians, right through to experienced musicians.

On Tuesday night, the College hosted the second MLMC Media Academy Awards, which celebrated film in its many forms. Multimedia projects that were created throughout the year were viewed and celebrated. That same night the College’s Visual Arts Exhibition, which was opened by Mr Greg Box, Manager of Creative Communities at Yarra Ranges Council. In his address, Mr Box spoke of the importance of creativity in the emerging world and the importance of it as employers highlight the need for it in an ever-changing employment market. For me, it was fantastic to see parents and families enjoying the works created and displayed by our students in the visual arts. The pride and joy displayed as they discussed works was obvious and well worth the effort.

This week, the College also held the Performing Arts Showcase, which was different to previous years in that it involved far more than music performance, although bands were a highlight. The showcase of talent was an extravaganza of all the fabulous work of Performing Arts students including Music, Dance and solo performances. The staff and students of the Performing Arts department are to be congratulated.

Year 12 Graduation
While the College is still in the midst of final assessments and exams, it is pleasing to say that the graduating class of 2018 has finished all their exams and will make their final transition to being Old Collegians on Saturday night. Yes, the group will graduate tomorrow night at Melbourne Park. Let us pray for a cool, but dry, evening so that the students and their families can enjoy the ceremony.

It is also pleasing that our Year 11 group of 2018 finished their exams and held their awards ceremony and Mass last week. This week, they transitioned into the Year 12 class of 2019 and the graduating class of 2019. They are now the senior class of the College and are midway through their Academic Foundation Program (AFP). We look forward to celebrating their future successes. Year 10s will now commence their exam period, before graduating to Year 11 of 2019 and completing their AFP.

State Election
Tomorrow, Victoria goes to the polls to elect a State Government. Yesterday, the College loaded on to the parent portal a letter written to each of you from Mr Stephen Elder, the Executive Officer of the CECV. There has been a lot written about the funding of Catholic schools in the past 12 months, but much of that was pertaining to Federal funding. State funding is also important to our system and in the letter it is explained that “in an unprecedented move both the Labor Government and the Liberal Nationals Opposition have pledged $400 million in funding over the next four years to upgrade and build new Catholic and other non-Government schools”. The letter also explains the lack of commitment from the Greens. Please take the time to read it as it explains the issues in some detail and in far more depth than can be discussed here.

We remember
Lastly, members of our community suffer with the passing from this world by loved ones. Let us remember and pray for Bethea Melrose, grandmother to Baxter Lill (Year 8) and Helen Lawlor, a past active P&F member and mother to Jessie (2017), Mitchell (2015) and Nathan (2013). Helen passed away last weekend after a short battle with cancer. May Bethea and Helen rest in peace. May they, along with all the faithfully departed, join with our Father in Heaven.

God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal

1) Final weeks

As the school year draws to a close, we will shortly begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent. These next few weeks can be just so busy as we deal with urgent matters in the lead up to Christmas and the holidays. Make sure you take the time to remember the truly important things that give life meaning.

College activities occurring during the final week of school include:

Friday 30 November:
Year 10 Mass — 9.00 to 10.40am (Chapel)
Year 10 Awards — 11.00am to 12.45pm (Centennial Hall)
Year 9 Awards — 9.00am to 10.40am (Centennial Hall)
Year 9 Mass — 11.00am to 12.45pm (Chapel)

Tuesday 4 December:
Year 8 Mass — 9.00am to 10.40am (Chapel)
Year 7 Mass — 11.00am to 12.45pm (Chapel)

Thursday 6 December:
Year 7 Awards — 9.00am to 10.40am (Centennial Hall)
Year 8 Awards — 11.00am to 12.45pm (Centennial Hall)

Monday 3 to Thursday 6 December
Year 11 2019 Academic Foundation Program — all current Year 10 students will experience some lesson time in the subjects they have chosen for 2019.

Monday 3 to Thursday 6 December
Year 10 2019 Academic Foundation Program — all current Year 9 students will experience some lesson time in the subjects they have chosen for 2019.

Classes conclude for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 — Thursday 6 December, at 3.15pm.

Some parents have questioned why all award ceremonies are not taking place at the start of the school day. These times revolve around the availability of a priest to celebrate the various year level Eucharistic celebrations.

(2) Outstanding fees

Reminder from Dean De Munk, Business Manager.

Thank you to all parents and guardians who have again cooperated with the payment of school fees during 2018. As at 23 November, we only have 17 outstanding accounts. I urge these parents and guardians to make immediate payment or contact with me directly at the College via email to ddemunk@mlmc.vic.edu.au to avoid unnecessary collection action. This includes any parent or guardian who has a direct debit or credit arrangement whereby a payment may have declined during the year and has not been made up. If you have an existing approved arrangement whereby the payment of fees are regular which will allow for a zero balance by 30 November, there is no need to make contact.

(3) Dates for Term 1 in 2019

Commencement dates for the 2019 school year are:
Thursday 31 January — Year 7 and Year 12 students commence
Friday 1 February — all students at school

Some key calendar dates for the early part of the 2019 school year:
Monday 21 January — College office re-opens
Tuesday 22 January — Book collection day
Friday 8 February — School photo day
Monday 4 to Tuesday 5 February — Year 12 Retreat
Monday 11 to Friday 15 February — Year 7 Camp and Step Forward Program
Friday 22 February — MLMC Swim Carnival
Wednesday 27 February — Community Mass (7.30pm)
Tuesday 5 March — Special Person’s Day
Wednesday 6 March — Ash Wednesday
Monday 18 to Friday 22 March — Year 9 Camp
Friday 29 March — MLMC Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 2 April — Student Progress Interviews (student-free day)
Thursday 4 April — Easter Liturgies
Thursday 4 April — Term 1 concludes
Friday 19 April — Good Friday
Sunday 21 April — Easter Sunday
Monday 22 April — Easter Monday (public holiday)
Tuesday 23 April — Term 2 commences
Thursday 2 5April — ANZAC Day (public holiday)

We wish all our students who are graduating every joy and blessing as they begin their new journeys.

Prayer
In my journeying with you,
may I never lose my sense of direction,
never lose sight of the landmark
towards which I travel.
And should cloud or rain obscure my vision,
may I draw closer to you,
so that my feet may tread
in your footsteps,
your words be my encouragement,
and your love my protection
against the storms that assail me.
Your light is the only light I need
as I travel through life's mystery.
Your word the only voice I hear,
that still small voice that leads me
to the place where I should be.
Your presence is the only company I need,
as I walk this narrow road.
Your fellowship the warmth I crave
to help me on my way.

(Under Creative Commons License: Attribution )

MLMC students and staff were honoured to be a part of the Lilydale RSL’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 11 November, marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice which ended WWI. The service was held at the Lilydale Cenotaph which was surrounded by 6100 hand-made knitted or crocheted poppies which were 'planted' in the surrounding gardens. Red poppies were for the fallen, purple poppies were for the horses and white poppies were for the nurses.

Our College Choir (participants are listed below) sang a hymn and the national anthem, our 2019 College Captains, Grace Clinton and Matthew Gamble, gave a speech, and the Vice Captains, Darcy Hamilton and Ethan Preston, laid a wreath on behalf of the College.

Georgia Berrie recited the poem In Flanders Fields and in addition to singing in the choir, Monica Mockiewicz played the role of Dame Nellie Melba, ringing the bell to let everyone know the war was ended, and she walked around the crowd ringing our original Mercy College Bell. All our students represented the College very well and I was proud of them.

The MLMC students in the College Choir were:
Tegan Banks
Georgia Drummond
Jessica Finette
Sarah Janssen
Sam Lees
Teagan McConachy
Monica Mockiewicz
Emma Morris
Victoria Prasel
Chloe Ross
Alisha Rowden
Natasha Thurgood
Bethany Tipping
Celeste Tisbury

A short service of Carols, readings and prayers will be held in the College’s amphitheatre (outside the Music rooms) on Tuesday 4 December between 6.00pm and 7.00pm. It will be an informal gathering, but a great way to start preparing for Christmas.

Come along and bring the family and a picnic or have a complimentary sausage from the barbecue. Children can come along dressed as shepherds, angels or kings, while candles and carol booklets will be available to purchase.

Kool Skools is a songwriting and recording competition that gives students the opportunity to create and record their own music in a professional setting with some of this country’s best music producers. The project begins in Term 1, where students must go through a rigorous process of writing lyrics and music, auditioning and then fine-tuning their songs with other musicians in the school. Recordings take place in Term 3 at Studio 52 in Collingwood, where the likes of Australian recording artists Jimmy Barnes, Casey Chambers and Tommy Emmanuel have all recorded albums. Past competitors in the Kool Skools program include Delta Goodrem and Missy Higgins.

The 2018 Kool Skool awards were held at the Thornbury Theatre on Sunday 18 November, where 21 schools from across Victoria came together to celebrate and recognise the broad range of musical talent that our schools have to offer. The night proved to be a successful one for MLMC, coming in first place in the overall award of “Koolest Skool” in the state, as well as four of our students winning personal awards.

Congratulations to:

• Charli Lilagan (Year 11 Purple) — Best Female Vocalist
• Georgia McAleer (Year 11 Silver) — Best Rock Pop Track
• Sam Johnston-Bailey (Year 12 Purple) — Best Hip Hop Track
• Rachel Ricciuti (Year 12 White) — Best Country Track

Congratulations also to the eight other students who were part of the Kool Skools crew and also wrote songs and were part of the backing band — without them the CD would not have been possible. Thanks also to teachers Miss Rachel Berka and Mr Greg Hysted for their assistance and support throughout the year.

Free copies of this year’s CD, Have Here, are available at reception. Grab yourself a copy and enjoy the work of some of MLMC’s most talented students.

In Term 3, a group of MLMC students from Years 10 and 11 took part in the 2018 Royal Australian Chemical Institute competition. It is a comprehensive educational assessment which tests students’ knowledge and skills in a range of Chemistry-specific areas. Students from MLMC achieved some great results this year at both year levels, with several students awarded certificates of merit, credit, distinction and high distinction.

MLMC’s Ryan Finette (Year 10 Silver) and Riley Swankie (Year 10 Blue), pictured, each achieved a distinction certificate and are to be congratulated on their achievements. Six other students from the group were awarded a credit certificate and are commended on their efforts.

All students who took part in the competition are applauded for taking on the challenge and striving to achieve their personal best. Congratulations to all participants of the 2018 Royal Australian Chemical Institute competition. An excellent effort by all!

The Year 10 Social was held on 9 November at Yering Meadows Golf Club and did not dissapoint. The students were dressed beautifully and made an impressive entrance at 7pm sharp. Everyone has a wonderful time mixing with their classmates across the year level and dancing the night away. It was a great celebration of the wonderful year that they have shared.

Here are some student reflections on the social:

The Social was enjoyable because not many people our age get to dress up and present ourselves so nicely. Also not many people from the year level get to interact with their peers outside of school times. — Emma Keithley (Year 10 Silver)

The Social was a fun night to spend with awesome people. Everyone involved enjoyed themselves and will remember it as a highlight of the year. — Sam Hodgett (Year 10 Purple)

The Year 10 Social was a whole lot of fun. It gave us, as a year level, an opportunity to hang out together as a group for probably the last time, and get formal while we're at it. Everyone I talked to had an absolute blast tearing up the dance floor and talking to everyone. Special thanks to all the teachers who were there and helped organise it. — Bridget Deed (Year 10 Jade)

I had great fun at the Social. It was a great venue, with good food. It was a good experience for anyone who wants to get dressed up and hang out with mates. There was good music and a good time was had. — Dane Cerveri (Year 10 Red)

Members of the MLMC Young Farmers club have competed at both the Ballarat and Lilydale agricultural shows in the past couple of weeks. Our students placed strongly in the sheep show on the Saturday of the Lilydale Show, and then followed this up with successfully hosting the goat show.

Winning the Champion Non-Merino Fleece and Champion Senior Doe classes, with a number of other notable placings, the College’s livestock showed their quality. The students also tasted success, with many placings in the handlers division, with Danielle Greene (Year 9 Green) placing third in the goat handlers event and Abbey Wheeler (Year 9 Silver) and Bella Green (Year 10 White) placing first and second in the sheep event, out of a field of over 20 handlers.

At the recent Ballarat Show, senior Young Farmers members Jeremy Gilligan (Year 12 Red) and Molly Henderson (Year 11 White) combined with former students Emily Corbett (Class of 2017) and Tristan Heffernan (Class of 2015) to pull out a remarkable second place finish in the state Young Farmers Challenge. This competition, attended by Young Farmers Clubs from Colleges around the state, offers the opportunity for international travel for the winning team. The team is already strategising for next year’s event!

Yarra Valley Young Farmers is a club for anyone aged 13-33. Based at MLMC, the club is open to members from the community and offers many wonderful opportunities each year. The blue branded shirts pictured in Ballarat (long sleeves) are the Victorian Young Farmers uniform. MLMC students can join the Victorian Young Farmers for as little as $40 a year and membership offers a range of advantages, including increased access to state-wide events.

When students in the Year 8 Blue Civics class were asked to consider an issue in the community, Casey Stephens went one step further and contacted Yarra Ranges Council directly. He drafted a thoughtful email about the condition of the BMX track in Healesville asking for changes.

“I ride once or twice a week and I ride all around Healesville,” Casey said. “I ride with kids from all different schools and some from MLMC, particularly with Bryce Gellert (also in Year 8 Blue). The BMX track is the main meeting and riding spot for us and it is not as much fun as a pump track or jump trail. The jumps that are on the trail now don't match up. I hope that the Council will change it into a pump track with better jumps and smother beams.”

Casey has since been personally contacted by the Council and invited to be a part of the consultation process. Congratulations Casey on your community initiative. No matter how young, your voice really can be heard.

(1) Student Achievements

Cricket
Congratulations to Ellen Bradley (Year 7) and Chloe Poli (Year 9) who have made the U14 and U17 Female Youth Premier League Outer East Eagles cricket teams respectively. If you have any student or staff achievements, please email them to dwebb@mlmc.vic.edu.au

(2) 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 provided afterwards.
• See Miss Webb for more info.
• Last session 28 November.

(3) Results

Year 9 Results 15 November

Year 9 Results 22 November

This term, Intermediate VCAL students were asked the question "How can we help drought-affected communities in the lead-up to Christmas and raise social awareness?". After some initial discussions with former MLMC Deputy Principal Brian Hawthorne, who is now Head of Middle School at Carinity Education – Glendyne in Hervey Bay, Queensland, a joint project was developed.

Middle school students at Glendyne created T-shirt designs, which MLMC Intermediate VCAL students then printed using our screen printing facilities. Our VCAL students also produced a video of the printing process for the Glendyne students, to explain the complexity of turning their designs into custom-made T-shirts. Glendyne students are now in the process of preparing gift packages containing the feature T-shirts for distribution over the coming weeks, with the assistance of local community sponsors.

I would like to thank Mr Hawthorne and acknowledge the students involved in this amazing community-based program that highlighted applied learning in action and collaboration between interstate schools. I am sure that the drought-affected families in Queensland who receive these custom gifts will be very grateful.

Rosalie De Francesco (Year 11 Bronze) is passionate about creating beauty in floral arrangements. Studying Floristry at Marjorie Milner College of Floristry in Surrey Hills while completing her Intermediate VCAL course this year, Rosalie has been working on some amazing floral displays. Putting her talent to work, she entered the Lilydale Show competition this year in the Open Display Floristry section and placed first out of a pavillion full of entries. This remarkable result is a credit to Rosalie and the VCAL program she has chosen, which allows her to develop her individual talents to such a level.

After a long process and several knockbacks, Rosalie’s search for a VCAL placement finally ended when she walked into Blooms on Brice florist in Mooroolbark. Her skills and confidence have bloomed and she has started her own little business, Rosie Posie Floral Designs. This year she did the floral centrepieces for the MLMC Old Collegians’ Business Breakfast. Rosalie said she dreams to “one day put all that I have learned from Blooms On Brice into my own shop”.

MLMC has a proud tradition of growing food locally and eating it locally. Our Science students contribute to the Plot to Plate program and on National Agriculture Day on Wednesday 21 November, we celebrated the good that our farmers do each year.

Using incredible scientific advancements we feed more people more sustainably with every passing year. As a result, the Australian community enjoys food that is safe, affordable and nutritious, while wearing some of the world’s most loved natural fibres.

On National Agriculture Day, our students harvested peas in the morning and delivered them to staff, while senior classes supported Australian farmers by having a meat barbecue. There was also a curriculum discussion. The learning topic on the day was about beef production, which is a resource intensive farming industry. What are the alternatives to meat and what are their associated resource implications? There are many other less resource intensive ways to feed the country — what are the implications of the choices we make when we choose our food?

The Music department is now taking Instrumental Music enrolments for 2019. Enrolment forms can be found on the Parent Portal under ‘Forms and Information’. Alternatively, email the 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 reception or the Music department as soon as possible. Spots are filling up quickly.

Instrumental Music lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 1 in 2019.

As you may be aware, the College installed a 99.9 kW Solar system on some of its roof spaces across the year. Energy savings were noticed immediately.

Since the installation in February this year, the College has saved approximately $16,685 from producing 54,602 kWh of solar energy (Source: Solar Analytics). These savings would power approximately 2184 homes of four people for a day (Source: ERM Energy).

Please find below a graph comparing our average daily kWh from 2017 to 2018. You can see the savings made over the months that produce more sunlight. Not surprisingly, June and July were our cloudiest and coldest months.

One of MLMC's priority parish primary schools, St Peter Julian Eymard in Mooroolbark, will host its annual fair tomorrow (Saturday 24 November). See the attached flyer for all the details.