Welcome all to the 2026 school year and our first newsletter this year. The newsletter is one of the ways in which we communicate with families and our broader community. It is also a place where we showcase the successes of our students in the classroom, on the sporting field, in Music and Drama or in one of the many co-curricular activities on offer. Tips and links to ideas and supports for families dealing with a range of new and emerging issues are also made available through our newsletter, along with information about upcoming school and community events. It is a great source of information and an opportunity to celebrate the success of our students. We encourage you to include it as part of your fortnightly routine.

We extend a warm welcome to all Year 7 students who have begun their high school journey with us. Welcome to our new students in Year 8 -11 and to all families who have joined the OLMC community for the first time this year.

We also have a number of new staff who have joined us this year and we share a warm welcome with them.

Teaching Staff

Sr Emma Llewellyn rsm – Head of Staff and Student Formation

Asimina Semertjis – Learning Area Leader Science

Carmelina Delorenzo – Humanities Teacher

Georgia Seviloglou – Humanities Teacher

Stephanie Sette – Health and Science Teacher

Nicole Kellam -Science Teacher

Phillip Di Natale – Learning Area Leader Mathematics

Matthew Brown – Mathematics Teacher

Benjamin Hodges - House Coordinator Loreto/Production Coordinator

Tarni Magyar – HPE Teacher

Tina Marabeliotakis- HPE Teacher

Georgia Pashias- Mathematics Teacher

Music Staff

Jane Murone- Instrumental Music Teacher

Sue Webster- Instrumental Music Teacher

Education Support Staff

Danielle Florence- Learning Support Officer

Raelene Mathewson- Community Development

Rachel Cimino – Administrative Assistant Performing Arts

Caitlin Rafter – Sports Assistant

The year has begun well and with much enthusiasm. Year 7 students have begun to settle in and have already started to get involved in the opportunities on offer at OLMC. We hope as everyone settles in to the rhythm of the day and the life of OLMC, they will be confident to take up more and more opportunities. All other year levels have begun well and are already embracing new opportunities.

On Friday 6 February, we had the privilege of celebrating the outstanding academic performances of the Year 12 Class of 2025. It was a joy to welcome back students and their families and to share, as a community, in the exceptional academic success of the Class of 2025. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the extensive and ongoing support provided to all our students by our dedicated teaching staff. Of course, the support of their families was key for all our students in achieving success.

Over the last two weeks, we have held information nights for parents of Year 7-10 students. Connected Communities is one of our strategic goals and these nights offer a chance to not only engage with information about what the year might hold in store for your child, but also a chance to meet teachers and other parents. These opportunities further strengthen our relationship, help to establish and open channels of communication and offer a chance to meet new people. They are foundational in building connections that serve to ensure we can share in the partnership of educating your children and helping them flourish.

College Advisory Council Vacancy

Members of the OLMC parent community are invited to apply for a vacancy that has arisen on the College Advisory Council.

The College endeavours to ensure that the Council membership allows for support in a number of key areas of school management. We are particularly keen to ensure that our Council is abreast of the many aspects involved in leading an educational institution. We are aware that there may be members of our community who have the requisite skills and knowledge who would be willing to support the ongoing educational, financial and leadership aspirations of OLMC. A key role of the College Advisory Council is sharing in the leadership of a Catholic, Mercy community.

The College Advisory Council provides advice and support to the Principal and Leadership Team of the College. Members of the College Council are valued for their wisdom and the contribution they make to the functioning of the College and work together to ensure that the Mercy Ethos underpins the life of the College.

OLMC is one of 13 schools governed by Mercy Education Limited (MEL). Included below is an excerpt from the Constitution set out for College Advisory Councils by MEL.

Purposes

The purposes of the Council are as follows: -

(a) To act as a consultative Council for the College and the Principal in the provision of Catholic education.

(b) To promote the Mercy ethos and to ensure the charism is alive and central to all deliberations.

(c) To assist the Principal and staff in policy making, including the formulation of foundational documents.

(d) To assist in the preparation of the College budget and to recommend its adoption.

(e) To provide advice concerning the financial administration of the College. This could include supporting the Principal with fund raising activities organised by auxiliary bodies associated with the College.

(f) To give such practical support to the College as required in matters such as capital development, the maintenance of College facilities and equipment.

(g) To take part in the strategic planning for the future operations of the College.

(h) To assist generally in developing relationships both within the College community and between the College and the wider community.

(I) To facilitate the welcome of parents and children new to the College.

(j) To develop strategies for the local promotion of Catholic education.

(k) To provide advice according to member’s expertise.

The Council meet in the evening, eight times during the year. In addition, Council members may be called upon to attend College functions both within and outside the school day.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please contact Ms Vicky Rigas, Assistant to the Principal on 9459 2511 or by email vrigas@olmc.vic.edu.au by close of business on Friday 27 February 2026.

Loving and faithful God,
as our community begins a new school year,
we pause to place our hopes, our work, and our relationships in your care.

Your Word reminds us that whatever we do,
we are called to do it with all our heart.
Bless our students, staff, and families
in the many moments that make up each day:
in learning and teaching,
in listening and encouraging,
in challenge and growth.

When the year feels busy or demanding,
help us to remember what matters most:
kindness in our words,
care in our actions,
and courage to do what is right.

May our school be a place where effort is valued,
where each person is known and respected,
and where our work is guided by compassion, justice, and hope.

Be with us in all that lies ahead,
so that together we may give the best of ourselves
and help one another to flourish.

Through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Our 2026 Student Leadership Team has chosen our theme from Scripture:

‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’ Colossians 3:23a

Colossians 3:23 is part of a section of Saint Paul’s letter in which he encourages us, as the early Christians were encouraged, to shape our daily lives around compassion, humility, patience, and kindness. He reminds us that who we are on the inside should guide how we act on the outside. Our work, interactions and service all flow from the same place: a heart centred on Christ.

Paul begins by speaking to the everyday relationships within the community. He calls us to act with respect, fairness, and generosity, even when our work goes unnoticed or feels difficult. He then offers the line: ‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’ (Colossians 3:23a)

For us, this is a reminder of how we live with one another and with ourselves. It points to the small habits that shape the tone of our school: how we welcome others, how we include people, and how we remain steady and kind when things become busy. Paul’s words invite us to approach every responsibility, big or small, with purpose and integrity. It is about living as service, not status.

This vision encourages a culture in which we all strive to bring our best to what we do. It is not about perfection or pressure. It is about taking pride in our work, caring for others, and choosing to act wholeheartedly rather than halfway. It calls us, as students, families and staff, to see school life not as a series of boxes to tick, but as an opportunity to grow in character. Every class, every meeting, every interaction and every challenge becomes a chance to contribute something good to our community.

This outlook aligns with our Mercy tradition. Catherine McAuley believed that doing ordinary things with great care could change lives. Colossians 3:23 echoes that spirit. Whether we are new or long-established, confident or still finding our way, we are invited to make our time at school meaningful by how we approach our work and how we treat the people around us.

On Monday, we began the school year by gathering as a whole community to celebrate our Opening School Year Mass, giving thanks to God for the many blessings that shape our life together. We welcomed back Fr Kevin and Deacon Tri from the Passionist Order, who led our Eucharistic celebration.

During the Mass, our student leaders were blessed and commissioned for the year ahead. As they step into roles of service and leadership, we pray that they may lead with generosity, courage, and compassion, and that their example may inspire others in our community.

We also took time to recall a significant moment in our Mercy story. This year marks 180 years since the founding of Mercy in Australia, led by Mother Ursula Frayne and the first Sisters of Mercy who arrived with deep faith, courage, and trust in God. Their legacy continues to shape who we are and how we seek to live Mercy today.

It was a special blessing to welcome several local Sisters of Mercy to our celebration. Their presence among us was a powerful reminder of the living Mercy tradition that continues to guide and enrich our community.

We are grateful for this prayerful beginning to the year, grounded in faith, gratitude, and hope for all that lies ahead.

As a community, we will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent, a sacred time in the Church year that invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for Easter.

Lent is a season that calls us to live more thoughtfully through prayer, generosity, and care for others. On Ash Wednesday, students will gather in their pastoral groups for a short liturgy, where they will receive ashes as a sign of our shared commitment to live with humility, compassion, and purpose.

As part of our Catholic tradition on this day, meat will not be available at school. This simple practice helps us to remember that Lent is about making space for reflection and choosing to live more simply.

We are grateful to begin this Lenten journey together as a community, supporting one another as we seek to grow in faith, kindness, and hope.

May I take this opportunity to thank all members of our OLMC community for sharing your warm welcome and hospitable heart with me and the other new staff members and students. I hope it has been a positive, productive and promising beginning for all.

For those curious about the ‘new nun on staff,’ here is a little about me: I am a perpetually professed Sister of Mercy (Catholic religious sister) and member of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. I made my first vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and apostolic works of mercy on 18 January 2020 and then my Perpetual Profession on 22 November 2025 (at which Ms Judith Weir, Ms Joanna De Bono and Mr Shane Taylor were present). Before becoming a Sister of Mercy, I trained as a teacher of English and Religious Education, and worked in various schools in Melbourne, London, Ballarat and Perth. I love spending time with my family, friends and Sisters of Mercy, and I enjoy reading, going to the theatre, watching movies and following the footy (AFL). I must confess that I am a loyal Essendon supporter and I continue to live in hope for a better season for my beloved Bombers.

I am blessed by the opportunity to join the OLMC community at this time and contribute to the school's mission ‘where excellence is pursued in all we do and where relationships are nurtured to enable individual growth and a sense of belonging for all, [and whilst] we empower our students to be people of joy, courage and compassion who retain an enduring commitment to God's vision of mercy and justice for all.’ This year I have the privilege and pleasure of overseeing our Staff and Student Formation. This will involve supporting the other members of our College Leadership Team and, in a particular way, our Head of Faith and Mission, Mr Shane Taylor, with opportunities for Staff and Student Formation, including professional development, reflection days, retreats, liturgies, prayer life, etc. We are grateful to Dr Sarah Cook who will be supporting us with our administrative, accreditation and theological processes.

As members of a Catholic educational institution and global Mercy community, we are invited to be faith-filled followers of Jesus Christ and life-long learners in the footsteps of Venerable Catherine McAuley (founder of the Sisters of Mercy). Our formation of the whole person is ongoing, no matter what age or stage we are at. Formation in faith, religion or spirituality aims to provide meaning and purpose in life.

‘A good beginning is of great importance. You must waste some time with visitors.’

~ Catherine McAuley to Elizabeth Moore, December 1838.

The beginning of an academic year provides many opportunities for ‘wast[ing] some time’ with new staff, students and parents / guardians / caregivers. This ‘time’ should not be underestimated. Sometimes it involves putting down that book, newspaper or device to engage with another. Other times it is being silent, still, meditative or prayerful. Often it is the highlight of someone’s day. Giving your ‘time’ to others, or allowing ‘time’ for other things, is a ‘great’ gift.

You might like to consider:

• your ‘beginning’ to this year.
• the ‘good’ in your routines, relationships and reflections.
• ways in which you are spending ‘time’ with yourself, others, and God / religion / spirituality, and how you are balancing these in the business and busyness of your day.

Exodus Christmas Lunch

Our fortnightly dinners had a lovely end of year Christmas celebration with a lunch provided by OLMC. We also had the joy of giving out hampers full of food and table settings for Christmas. Items were donated by all year levels and Staff, and the wooden trays were painted by the Year 9 Horizon class.

Project Compassion

After last year's success in raising money for Caritas Australia's Project Compassion, we are again running a Shrove Tuesday pancake stall on Tuesday 17 February, and selling icy poles at the Swimming Carnival. Bring along cash (or card) to enjoy these treats.

Read more about Project Compassion here.

Anita Galli
Social Justice Coordinator

A very warm welcome to all our returning families and to all those new to the OLMC community. There is no doubt that OLMC is a vibrant and welcoming learning community, and that the student experience is at the heart of everything we do.

The new school year brings excitement, anticipation, and an opportunity for new beginnings. I am excited about what lies ahead for this year.

Setting Goals

As we prepare for a successful year of learning, here are some simple tips to start the year off on a positive note:

• Set goals for your learning. Read and reflect on your Semester 2 report from 2025 and set some goals for your learning for the upcoming year.

• Practice self-care. Make sure you look after yourself throughout the year. Balance your studies with time playing sports or other activities you enjoy doing outside of school. Make sure you also get enough sleep every night.

• Strengthen your support networks. Remember your teachers are here to help you. Reach out to them if you are experiencing any challenges in your learning.

• Be organised. There are lots of ways to be organised. You can create a study plan, organise your folders or computer files for each subject, and organise a space to study at home.

Professional Learning

In 2026 the College Professional Learning program for staff will continue to focus on the collective approach to continuously improve the learning outcomes and wellbeing of all students by embedding the OLMC Instructional Model and Real School’s routines.

Adopting a schoolwide instructional model provides teachers with a common approach and language that make professional learning, coaching, and collaboration more targeted.

The focus is to ensure that there is a synergy between Learning and Wellbeing so that transformative, purposeful teaching is a combination of relationship building and effective instruction.

‘We can have the best curriculum design in the world …, but it’s the relationships (the people) that are developed through the learning process that creates a transformative learning experience’. Real Schools: Aligning Effective Instruction and Relationships, January 2025.

In summary the OLMC Instructional Model is designed to engage learners and we develop relationships by employing restorative language, conduct and mindsets designed to teach and model behaviour that supports student learning through positive relationships, and clear expectations for behaviour and learning.

The following diagram demonstrates the synergy between Learning and Wellbeing where the OLMC Instructional Model works alongside the College Real Schools strategies and development in our pedagogical approaches.

Throughout the year further information and examples will be shared with the OLMC community.

Speaking to students over the last couple of weeks, a common refrain regarding what was enjoyable about the summer holidays was being able to sleep in, catching up with friends and going to the beach if the weather was good. Being out of a routine, as such, provides part of the restorative aspect of a holiday break.

Returning to school, getting up early and managing learning inside and outside of the classroom will be tiring for many for the first few weeks. During this time students will be getting back into the routine of the school day, as well as setting up routines for learning at home. Having a homework schedule, a timetable for when homework and revision is done across a week, is important for ongoing progress and growth. Crucially, helping your child establish a learning routine is one of the most effective ways parents can promote and support learning.

Key Benefits of a Routine

Improved wellbeing: Regular routines lower anxiety and reduce stress by breaking down large, overwhelming tasks into manageable units of time.

Increased Productivity: Sticking to a schedule helps students use their time more effectively and meet deadlines during busy assessment periods.

Habit Formation: Consistent application of a schedule fosters personal organisation and independence, eventually turning study into a daily habit.

Whether homework is completed first thing when arriving home, or after basketball training or music practice is up to the individual. However, what is important is that there is a routine, a regular time after school for homework to be done.

To foster the development of a routine it is helpful to develop a homework and study schedule.

Three tips for creating an effective schedule include:

Prioritise Challenges: Start with the most difficult subjects first. This builds a sense of accomplishment and prevents struggling with tough tasks late at night.

Ensure Balance: A good schedule is not just about completing homework and undertaking revision; it should include extracurricular activities and downtime to maintain a healthy balance.

Make it Visible: Posting a schedule in a common area, such as on the fridge, keeps the student focused and informs the rest of the household of their commitments.

After a few weeks of application, perhaps with a few bumps along the way, the schedule for completing homework will become part of the daily routine, and from sustaining that routine, the level of personal organisation and independence in learning becomes a habit.

Further support:

Students have access to the OLMC Study Habits website through SIMON. On the website is a section on Goal Setting and Time Management. It includes a number of templates to assist in developing a weekly schedule or a term planner.

The College also runs Homework Club after school a couple of afternoons a week to provide assistance for students, particularly those in Years 7-9, in completing their homework. Dates and times when this is run can be found on PAM and SIMON.

To access the College’s Homework Policy please open the Parent Handbook in PAM and select Policies and Guidelines.

Our work with Elevate Education across the year also includes access to free webinars for parents and guardians on a range of topics.

The webinars typically run for 60 minutes and are held on Wednesdays.

Term One Webinars:

How You Can Help Your Child Manage Their Time

February 25, 6:30-7:30 pm (AEDT)

How You Can Make Technology an Ally (& Not the Enemy!)

March 11, 6:30-7:30 pm (AEDT)

How You Can Help Improve Your Child's Memory

March 25, 6:30-7:30 pm (AEDT)

Please use the link here: to register for one or more of the webinars listed above.

At OLMC we continue to look for ways to encourage our students to dream big and explore widely as they navigate the many opportunities and decisions that will lead them towards their future goals. We know that many in our community are engaged in interesting and successful careers. Some will have taken direct paths to their chosen professions, while others’ occupations will have been born out of unexpected and unpredictable scenarios.

In 2026 we are looking for the following volunteers:

• Guests for Student Career Podcasting Interviews
• Interviewers for Student Mock Job Interview Program
• Industry Q&A Panellists
• Work Experience Hosts

If you are willing to be involved, please fill in this form: OLMC Career Engagement Volunteers.

Detailed information regarding each activity including dates and times is explained within the form.

Melinda Williams
Careers Coordinator

It has been a wonderful beginning to the new school year with a number of whole school events being held that have enabled us to gather as a College community. These have included the High Achievers Assembly on Friday 6 February and the Opening School Year Mass on Monday 9 February. We have also run our Parent Information Nights for the parents and guardians of our Year 7-10 students. These are valuable nights where we can connect with our families at the beginning of the school year. As well as hearing about the learning and wellbeing programs for each particular year group, these nights are designed for our parents and guardians to get a sense of the day-to-day routines in place for students, visit the pastoral room, and meet their child’s Pastoral Leader.

One of the highlights of these nights, is hearing from members of the Year 12 Student Leadership Team about their memories of being in a particular year group. A key message that emerged from these student reflections was the value that can be gained from trying something new and getting out of your comfort zone. This message also supports the scriptural theme for 2026: ‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’ Colossians 3:23a.

I think these words from Year 12 leaders about this theme are a wonderful reminder for us all:

'This theme comes from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians and was chosen because it speaks to how we want students to approach their time at OLMC, not with pressure to be perfect, but with intention, effort, and care.

For us, this theme is about engagement. It encourages students to be present, to give things a go, and to take responsibility for their own experience at school. Doing something with your whole heart means trying, even when something feels challenging, unfamiliar, or outside your comfort zone.

Ultimately, “Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart” is a reminder that effort matters. When students choose to be present, involved, and authentic, they give themselves the best opportunity to grow, connect, and make the most of their time at OLMC.’

Tuesday 10 February was Safer Internet Day. This day is a reminder of the importance of working together to keep online spaces safe for all, especially for our young people. This day is recognised by 180 countries and eSafety leads this day in Australia. The eSafety Commissioner website has a number of useful resources for parents including advice on managing the new social media ban, webinars for parents and carers and the option to subscribe to a regular parent newsletter. Please follow the link below:

eSafety Resources for Parents

The Black Dog Institute is a medical research institute which investigates mental health across the lifespan and aims to improve these outcomes for all Australians. In their most recent report, their study of adolescent mental health demonstrated that 8-10 hours of sleep each night is one of the strongest predictors of adolescent wellbeing.

Developing a routine at the end of the day to get ready for sleep is important for us all, including adolescents. This includes:

- moving away from screens in the hour before sleep

- dimming lights

- refraining from caffeine or large meals before bedtime

The Black Dog Institute also promote an evidence-based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems. This app is Sleep Ninja. For more information on the Black Dog Institute and some resources this organisation provides, please follow the link below:

Black Dog Institute Resources and Support

For more information about the Sleep Ninja app, please refer to the link below:

Sleep Ninja App

Please join us for the

2026 International Women’s Day Breakfast
Friday 6 March, 7.30 am – 8.45 am
Heagerty Room, Yarra Street

We come together to celebrate women in our community who actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions and help create a more gender equal world by inspiring inclusion.

Our breakfast will be a morning full of lively conversations and delicious food.

Together, let's #Balance the Scales for gender equality

We welcome Angela Scaffidi AM (Class of 1988) as our guest speaker.

Angela Scaffidi AM is a distinguished alumni of Our Lady of Mercy College and a lifelong advocate for community service, social justice, and women’s leadership. A true woman of Mercy, Angela was recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant philanthropic contribution to the community. Her enduring connection to OLMC includes her current role as Co-Chair of the Advisory Board, and her unwavering support reflects a deep commitment to empowering others and advancing inclusive, compassionate leadership.

Across her career, Angela has led and served at the highest levels in both the social welfare and business sectors. She is Global Chair of PROI Worldwide, a founding partner of SenateSHJ, and an active contributor to education as a lecturer at RMIT University. Her philanthropic leadership spans organisations supporting missing persons’ advocacy, women experiencing disadvantage, autism education, and community networks. Widely recognised for her impact, Angela’s honours include international industry awards and fellowship in Australia’s peak public relations body. Angela brings to this International Women’s Day Breakfast a powerful blend of purpose, leadership, and lived commitment to making a difference.

Tickets - $25 Adult, $15 Student

Please go to https://www.trybooking.com/DJPKY

Bookings close Friday 27 February.

By attending you will be supporting the work of McAuley for Women and Children in providing much needed support for women and their children who are escaping family violence.

Enquiries: Raelene Mathewson E: rmathewson@olmc.vic.edu.au

Follow the official Our Lady of Mercy College accounts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. We’ll be sharing regular news, student achievements and stories from around the College.