Dear members of the Mount Lilydale Mercy College community

Welcome to Term 2 after what I hope was a relaxing, warm and sun-filled holiday. We were certainly blessed with some magnificent days to enjoy, although I know many among you will eagerly be awaiting the much-needed rain. I hope you were able to participate in the Easter celebrations at your local Churches and they provided the spiritual formation sought. At the end of last term, you will undoubtedly remember the fires that devastated the Western District of Victoria and although, thankfully, there was no loss of life, many certainly suffered enormous property and livestock loss. Given that a former Deputy Principal of the College, Dr Darren Egberts (who is currently Principal of Mercy Regional College in Camperdown) had staff and students suffer extensive losses, and remembering the powerful healing effects of the overwhelming support we received at the time of the Black Saturday bushfires, the College held a fundraiser on the last day of Term 1. As a result, on your behalf we have sent $3000 to the MRC community to support them in whatever way needed. Thank you. This is a great effort, especially considering that on that same day we raised money for cancer research through the World's Greatest Shave campaign. Again, thank you.

At the time of writing this newsletter, I am eagerly awaiting the start of the College’s annual Athletics Carnival. At this stage the day promises to be fantastic, with temperatures in the mid 20s and no rain forecast. Our sports facilities at Quarry Road look spectacular after great preparation by our grounds staff and the great planning by our sports staff. This day is one of the great days that make the College a genuine community; different, special and one of which I am very proud. Each year I am surprised by the carnival-type atmosphere, by the supported friendly competition and by the genuine sense of fun experienced by most. I am thankful for the hospitality of our parents that organise time off to run barbecues and provide hospitality to our staff and students. I am reminded of three Australian athletes standing on a track, waiting several minutes to greet and congratulate a runner from the small African nation of Lesotho, in Lineo Chaka, who finished more than three minutes after the previous runner in the women’s 10,000m. After the debacle of the Australian cricket ball tampering scandal, Celia Sullohern, Madeline Hills and Eloise Wellings displayed the fair and friendly sportsmanship for which we have always taken pride in our sport. Participation and challenging yourself and never being afraid to compete is important. I look forward to the announced results in the next newsletter.

So too, ANZAC Day fast approaches. At the College we will hold services next Monday, with Year 12 students Hollee Mandelt and Andrew Purcell leading the commentary. The focus this year is the Western Front and all students will see some stark images of life on the front. The Western Front was the name given to a series of trenches that zigzagged from the Belgian coastline to the Swiss border, some 700km. After the Gallipoli campaign, Australian soldiers were rested in Egypt and then sent to the front to fight the Germans. Conditions were horrendous. In the trenches machine gun and artillery fire were a constant threat but, so too, the living conditions claimed many lives. The thick mud and standing in water up to their knees for weeks at a time was awful. The cold weather was terrible, whereby water was transported as blocks of ice. Sleep deprivation was a huge issue. One section of the front called the Somme saw a famous battle to secure a high point in the area, the town of Pozieres, which claimed more than 22,000 Australian lives (https://anzacday.org.au/ww1-the- western-front). Indeed, we will Remember. Lest We Forget.

At ANZAC Day ceremonies around our country, the Ode will feature as a prayer of Remembrance. The Ode comes from a poem called the For The Fallen, written by English poet Robert Laurence Binyon, which first appeared in The Times of London on 21 September 1914.

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children

England mourns for her dead across the sea,

Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,

Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal

Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,

There is music in the midst of desolation

And glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again,

They sit no more at familiar tables of home,

They have no lot in our labour of the daytime,

They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires and hopes profound,

Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,

To the innermost heart of their own land they are known

As the stars are known to the night.

As the stars shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.

At this time, we also remember those members of our community who experience loss with the passing of loved ones. We remember and pray for Alice Maud Wescombe, great grandmother to Chantelle Pavey (Year 9), Coen (Year 10) and Blake Wescombe (Year 8). Alice passed at the age of 99 years leaving eight children, 31 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren; and Ken Town, grandfather to Isabella de Wit (Year 12) and Joshua De Wit (Year 9), who passed on 26 March. Let us pray for the repose of the souls of Alice and Ken and may they, along with the souls of all the faithfully departed, rest in peace.

God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal

Uniform Requirements

As we return for Term 2 it is timely to provide a final reminder of the uniform requirements for students. For the initial two weeks of Term 2, there is an optional period to transition to winter uniform. During this time, students can choose either winter or summer uniform, but by Monday 30 April all students are expected to be in full winter uniform.

Another reminder about the change to the requirements for the sport uniform at Years 7 and 8 this year: for Terms 2 and 3, all students are required to wear track pants as part of their sports attire. The other uniform change is an optional one for girls. As part of the winter uniform, girls will now have the option of wearing trousers. The only style of trouser that can be worn is the grey pinhead fabric that is stocked at the Bob Stewart uniform shop. The College grey school socks must be worn with these trousers.

Key Dates

Friday 18 May: Staff Professional Development Day

Tuesday 24 April: student progress interviews will be held throughout the day and, as such, it is a student free day for all year levels.

Thursday 26 April: EISM Athletics Carnival. Best wishes to all the students involved.

Saturday 28 April: the first of three functions that make up the Debutante Ball. We wish all the students involved well for their big night. On Friday 4 May, the next Debutante Ball is scheduled. With the exception of those Year 11 students who are involved in this function, all other Year 11 students are required at school on this day. Even for boys who are partnering on 4 May, it would be reasonable to expect that they attend school for part of this day as their preparations are probably not as elaborate as the girls.

In 2017 the College developed a Vision for Learning for the College community, which staff across the McAuley Campus will be rolling out in Term 2, using a common approach for each subject taught in Years 7-9.

This vision applies to all learners, encouraging each to be: independent, self-motivated, confident, resilient, have high expectations and a belief they can succeed; creative and critical thinkers and learners with the ability to challenge, inquire, reflect and question; and able to understand how they learn and measure their progress.

As part of the first stage, a common approach to curriculum planning using the Understanding by Design framework was developed. Staff, under the leadership of Faculty Learning Leaders, have been developing units of work using this framework since Term 4 last year. It places an emphasis on the big ideas and questions central to each unit of work including understanding, knowledge and skills.

The second stage of implementing the Vision began in February, with staff working together to look into ways to improve the learning culture of students at the College. Three key aspects included: the introduction of learning intentions and success criteria in the McAuley Campus; the implementation of a streamlined process for monitoring and following up the completion and submission of homework and assessment learning tasks; and improved and consistent avenues of communication with families regarding the non-completion and submission of homework and assessment learning tasks.

Learning intentions are the basis for tracking student progress, providing feedback and assessing achievement. Success criteria are the measures used by both the student as learner and the teacher to determine whether and how well the learner has met the learning intentions.

Research tells us that the use of learning intentions and success criteria at the start of every lesson helps students to know what that they are going to learn, why they are going to learn it and if they have learnt it. In doing so, it assists in increasing motivation levels and students taking more responsibility for their own learning. The use of learning intentions and success criteria is not new, with many of our feeder primary schools already using these.

The completion and submission of homework and assessment task procedures

In wanting to increase the completion and submission rates of homework and assessment learning tasks, the College has streamlined the procedures associated with this to ensure: consistent student and staff expectations regarding the completion of homework and submission of assessment learning tasks; the best use of SIMON; and transparent communication with parents.

As such, a letter has been sent to all parents via the parent portal to outline these new procedures. All parents are encouraged to check this letter to ensure that they are fully informed of these changes and in doing so they are able to better assist their son or daughter with their learning.

These changes will be launched with students in homeroom next week and will come in to effect from Monday 30 April.

Parents who have any questions are asked to contact Mrs Joanna Egan (McAuley Campus Learning Advisor), Mrs Gail Preston (McAuley Campus Director), Mr Matthew Vallis (Barak Campus Learning Advisor) or Mr John Rodgers (Barak Campus Director).

A reminder to all families that the 2018 Night of Excellence will be held at the College in the Doyle Centre, on Friday 15 December, 7.30-9.00pm.

As we celebrate the wonderful event of the Resurrection and its significance for Christians everywhere, I think these words written by Year 11 CSYMA students remind us of the great joy and hope this brings to us:

Our Hearts Ablaze

We begin to see a blinding sight,

A mysterious figure, dressed in white,

As we reach out, approach the tomb,

No longer feeling a sense of gloom.

Inside the tomb,

We glance and peek.

The room is empty,

Where is he?

We testify,

Life is defied.

Back from the dead,

We look ahead.

Our hearts ablaze,

The Lord we praise.

TOP ARTS 2018

Former students Emmerson Daniels and Tahlia Hayes will have their works included in the prestigious Top Arts exhibition at NGV Australia at Federation Square until 15 July.

The exhibition showcases the exceptional work of 54 students who have completed Art or Studio Arts as part of their VCE in 2017, encompassing drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, digital and mixed media. Emmerson and Tahlia were among more than 2200 applicants. The final 54 were chosen from a shortlist of 136 works, having provided their folios to a five-person panel.

The exhibition includes the opportunity to view selected developmental folios and to hear from exhibitors about their inspiration, ideas and practices

Emmerson’s work Uniformity (pictured) is an acryclic paint on birchwood panel of green garbage bins, put out on the kerb for collection each week.

“In the context of my work this theme relates to the overall similarity and lack of variation that is evident in everyday life,” Emmerson said in the exhibition notes.

“These bins represent the oppressed individuality that is present in all of us as we disguise our distinctions with more socially accepted facades. This is evident as the context of each bin is drastically unique and different, however, such variance is shielded by bland, mediocre frontage.”

Emmerson is studying Fine Art at RMIT this year.

“I hope that through this course I will get a job using the skills I have learnt as an artist and also continue to make art for both myself and to sell,” Emmerson said.

Tahlia’s work Plates represents the ritual of eating. Photographing what was left behind on her plate after eating every meal for three weeks became a ritual in itself for Tahlia, with some of the 72 shots arranged into a grid and printed onto duratran film then attached to the front of a lightbox.

“I was fascinated by the aesthetics of the before, during and after moments of consuming food. What was left behind after eating was most intriguing to me as it clearly showed the evidence that a ritual has been performed,’’ Tahlia said.

“I found it interesting how the actual process of photographing the plates became a new ritual of its own. This was challenging at first as I had to break the habit of putting away and cleaning my plate. The commitment to the full 72 photos was also a challenge.”

When Tahlia submitted her application, she said that she planned to continue as a photographer part-time in 2018 and to study full-time dance and musical theatre.

Teacher Denver Carron said the exhibition represents the cream of the crop and many of those selected for the exhibition go on to study at the best fine arts schools in Australia and have successful careers as professional artists.

“Their success is our success,” Mr Carron said, adding the College was thrilled to have two students selected in the final 54.

The free exhibition is open 10.00am-5.00pm daily until 15 July at NGV Australia, Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square.

Photo Credit.
In the image gallery below you will see a portrait of artist Tahlia Hayes with her work Plates 2017 currently on display in Top Arts 2018 at the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square. Photo by Sam Wong.

College Musical - Pink Panther Strikes Again 2018

Do you like ignorant detectives, ninja sidekicks and the antics of various assassins?

MLMC’s Unit 3/4 Theatre Studies class of 2018 is carrying on the honourable works of film director Blake Edwards and actor Peter Sellers through this year’s production of Pink Panther Strikes Again.

It will be on stage at Centennial Hall on 10, 11 and 12 May from 7.30pm.

Just released from a mental hospital, Pauline Dreyfus (Rachel van der Linden) intends to kill off Inspector Clouseau (Garrett Harrington), a former underling who lives with his manservant Cato (Ashleigh Clinton) and whose blundering drove the previous head of police around the bend.

Dreyfus captures Professor Fassbender (Riley Atwell) and his daughter Margot (Talisha Nichols), ordering him to create a weapon that will destroy the planet— the Doomsday Machine.

Dreyfus threatens world leaders with annihilation unless they hand over his nemesis by using assassins, including Russian femme fatale Olga Bariosova (Maddy Leane.)

Meanwhile, Clouseau goes to England, accompanied by his loyal sidekick Francois (Erin Jones), to look for the missing scientist, and his obliviousness turns out to be an asset.

Tickets: $15 adults, $12 concession, $10 children.

You can book your tickets here MLMC Pink Panther Strikes Again

Instagram: @mlmcpinkpanther #mlmcstrikesagain

Lead actors:

Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau - Garrett Harrington

Inspector Francois - Erin Jones

Dreyfus - Rachel van der Linden

Olga Bariosova - Maddy Leane

Cato - Ashleigh Clinton

Professor Hugo Fassbender - Riley Atwell

Margot Fassbender - Talisha Nichols

Jarvis (Fassbender’s butler) - Maggie McGuire

Dr Duval - Travis Rowden

Scotland Yard Detective McLaren - Georgia McAleer

Scotland Yard Detective Drummond - Katie Lowry

On the final day of Term 1 we held our annual fundraiser for the World’s Greatest Shave, which is always extremely popular and very well attended. This year we had over 100 students and teachers taking part.

The Student Council organised this event and it proved to be a great way to conclude the term. Thank you to everyone who participated, with more than $1000 raised for the Leukaemia Foundation. Special mention to Campbell Manser in Year 7 Red who raised $543.

You can learn more about the World's Greatest Shave here.

A group of Senior VCAL students are seeking second-hand bikes to be donated to help a community in need as part of their curriculum.

As part of Mr Feher and Mrs Brown's class, students Tom Rutzou, Bailey Wilson, Clayton Richards, Antonio Molluso and Tyler Borg (pictured) will be supporting people in third world countries by collecting, repairing and sending bikes to them so that they can get to resources that would otherwise be impossible to get to or would take a lot of time.

While the group have not yet decided on a charity that the bikes will be donated to, we are working on a few different ideas.

Bike donations can be made until 11 May by contacting Tom Rutzou via email to 18trutzou@mlmc.vic.edu.au

This is a project that is a part of our VCAL curriculum that involves us having to work in groups to help a community of people less fortunate than ourselves. We, as a group, decided to do this specific venture because of the knowledge base we all have in mechanics.

As well, we have come to notice the hardships that people in third world countries face daily.

They have to walk large distances over rough terrain, and in dangerous or hostile areas too in some cases, to get such simple amenities as water.

We feel that this is a very large issue within these sorts of villages and one that we may not be able to solve, but we can definitely lend a helping hand in.

Jessica Myers-Denton's Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Presentation

As you would have read in Issue 4 of the College Newsletter, there was a rumour that Jessica would be presented her Gold Award by a member of the Royal family. Well, it proved to be true. On Friday 6 April, Jessica was recognised for her achievements and congratulated by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO.

As shown in the photo below, Jessica was also congratulated by the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau. Congratulations (again) to Jessica on her fine achievement.

Click here to read more about Jessica's Duke of Edinburgh Story.

Rural Ambassador Awards

Ivy Ferguson-Mayer (Year 11) and Rachael Ward (past student) were successful in the Rural Ambassador Awards run by the VAS (Victorian Agricultural Shows) over the school holidays. Both Ivy and Rachael were in the final three candidates for their respective sections (Ivy in the Junior Rural Ambassador and Rachel in the Senior Rural Ambassador) and in the regional final, held in Seymour last Saturday. They were required to make a presentation on community and agriculture to a gathering of more than 200 people. Both Ivy and Rachael represented themselves and the Lilydale Show Society exceptionally well.

Congratulations to Ivy and Rachael and we look forward to seeing all that they achieve this year.

(1) Senior Girls Indoor Cricket Season Report

Report by Serena Gibbs (Year 12)

The MLMC indoor cricket girls got over the line against longtime cricket rivals Tintern, winning 122-101. The build-up to this game was intense, as we had to wait five weeks between games and both teams were wondering if they’d become a bit rusty over the break. The nerves of the whole team showed early out on the field, with dropped catches and missed run out opportunities. But, we all got behind each other, applying the pressure to Tintern who finished their innings with 101 runs. Going in to bat, we knew we had to just chip away at the run chase and the rest would fall into place. We went in to bat with a changed game plan as well as a changed batting line-up. With these changes, all the girls went out and executed the game plan to perfection, coming home with the premiership.

I just want to thank all the girls for putting in 110% effort each week and showing that all that hard work has paid off. Finally, a massive shout-out to Miss Esmonde for coaching us again this season and for always make sure we’re sliding our bats when we’re running.

(2) Student Achievements

Commonwealth Games - weightlifting
Congratulations to Vannara Be (past student) who recently competed at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in weightlifting. Be, who competed in the 62kg category, finished in 8th place with a lifting total of 242kg total (132kg for clean and jerk and 110 kg for the snatch). Well done.

Baseball
Congratulations to Zeke Doyle (Year 8) who has recently competed at the Victorian Junior League Baseball Championships and the Australia vs Japan Friendship Series. Zeke’s team dominated the Vic champs series, only dropping one game over four days. Japan took out the win in the Friendship Series, but it was a fantastic opportunity for Australia to play at such a competitive level. Well done from the MLMC community, Zeke - keep up the fantastic work.

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

(3) EISM Athletics

• Thursday 26 April at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
• Departing the College at 6.45am
• Returning to the College at 4.30pm
• Students will be notified on Saturday via email if they have made the athletics squad
• More information will be distributed then

(4) Results

Year 9 Results (Grand Finals) 29 March

Senior Results (Grand Finals) 18 April

Year 9 Results (Grand Finals) 19 April

A Taste of Mount Lilydale Mercy College 2018

A warm invitation is extended to all parents and students in grades 4, 5 and 6. Please join our College staff and students on TUESDAY 22 MAY to experience a taste of what Mount Lilydale Mercy College has to offer your child in the areas of Technology, Humanities, LOTE and Music. Activities include:

• Free sausage sizzle from 6pm to 6.30pm

• Registration and welcome at Centennial Hall at 6.30pm

• Interactive experiences of the different College faculties begin at 7pm.

Registrations are now closed - tickets will be available at the door. We look forward to welcoming you to the College.

Pope Francis declares 2018 The Year of Youth

The Year of Youth invites the Church into prayerful discernment about the importance and life-giving presence of young people in the local Church and society. It calls for dialogue and active engagement focused on the reconnection and renewal of a new generation of young people in the life of the Church.

The aims for the Year of Youth dovetail together with the goals of Anointed and Sent: an Australian vision for Catholic youth ministry to provide a rich framework and challenges local faith communities to explore new horizons as they accompany young people into maturity.

To celebrate the Year of Youth we have been fortunate to book Jess Manibusan, who is on tour in Australia. Jesse is a composer, singer/songwriter, storyteller, humourist, catechist, evangeliser and encourager. He has a knack of building instant rapport, connecting to his audience, and creating life-giving memories that help deepen faith and cultivate the joy that inspires service, sacrifice and the celebration of life.

Jesse will be taking part in the Year 11 Retreat at the end of May, which is a wonderful opportunity for our students. Information relating to this Retreat has been sent home via the Parent Portal.

Athletics Sports Carnival - Friday 20 April
I would like to give a huge thank you to the large group of parents who so warmly volunteered their time to help us with the barbecue, food and drinks at the Athletics Sports Carnival. It is only through the time and commitment of parents that we are able to offer these services to the students.

Call for volunteers
If you were unable to volunteer for the Athletics Carnival, don't worry, there are plenty of other opportunities coming up across the year for you to choose from. If you're interested in volunteering and would like to learn more about the other activities we run, please contact me at ryanm@mlmc.vic.edu.au

Entertainment Guide - special offer ideal for Mother's Day
Another form of fundraising conducted by the Parents and Friends' Association is the sale of the Entertainment Book for $70, of which we receive $14 for every book we sell. If you buy a book or digital membership by the end of April, you will be entered to win two nights’ accommodation at any Rydges Hotel and Resort in Australia and New Zealand, plus a $500 David Jones Gift Card. This prize is from the company selling the books. If you buy before 4 May, you will also be in the draw for a hard copy of the Entertainment Book ← what a great gift that could be for Mother’s Day! The books can be purchased from the Finance Office or, if you are really keen, I will have some books with me at the student progress interviews next week. Did you know that you can share your digital membership with your immediate family? Please find details for purchasing the book or digital membership attached to this newsletter.

Thank you for your support of a number of charities during Term 1. We have been able to send the following :

• Caritas - Project Compassion: $4800 (Homeroom initiatives and collection boxes $2600, St Patrick's Day out of uniform $1300 and St Patrick's Day cake sale $900)
• World's Greatest Shave - Leukemia Foundation: $1000
• Mercy Regional College Camperdown (bushfire appeal): $3000

Thank you for your support of these important causes.

The Term 2 fundraising and awareness raising focus will be on Catholic Care and National Reconciliation Week.

Cyber-bullying

Advice for parents from the Victorian State Government

In previous newsletters I included material relating to bullying, with particular mention of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett. The issue of bullying and our response to it says much about the type of society we are. The impact of bullying on individuals can be profound and at every opportunity we need to speak out against it. This material has been included as part of our ongoing promotion of a school environment that values respect of others and attempts to ensure our students are safe in every possible way. To this end, please find attached a publication from the Education Department in conjunction with cyber-safety expert, Susan McLean. The focus is on cyber-bullying and contains very sound advice on what parents can do in conjunction with schools to deal with issues should they arise.

Spectrum Journeys is holding a workshop for parents on 29 May in Mooroolbark (for $25) on the following topic:

Parenting your ASD Pre-Teen and Adolescent in the social media age: how to confidently and effectively keep your pre-teen or teen safe online.

We thought this workshop may be of interest to some parents. You can find all the relevant details and booking information on the flyer attached.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges is holding a FREE six-session parenting program for parents of teens called Tuning into Teen - Emotionally Intelligent Parenting. The program is held in Monbulk and begins on 1 May and runs for six weeks.

We thought this may be of interest to some parents. You can find all the details and booking information on the flyer attached. 

REMINDER - Applications for students in Year 7 in 2020 are due

Parents of Grade 5 students are reminded that applications for Year 7 2020 are due Monday 30 April this year. If you have any queries regarding applying to MLMC, please do not hesitate to contact me at thill@mlmc.vic.edu.au

The College is seeking a full-time / part-time (time fraction negotiable) Youth Ministry Officer, working as part of the team delivering the Religious Education program. Further details are available here Youth Ministry Officer - Postition Description

The Parish of St Peter Julian Eymard, Mooroolbark are celebrating their 50th anniversary on Sunday 22 April 2018.

A celebratory Mass will be held at the Parish Church, 234-240 Hull Rd Mooroolbark, on 22 April at 10.30am.

SAfter Mass, a lunch will be held in the Parish Hall starting at 12.30pm.

If you wish to attend please contact the Parish Office on 9723 4275.