We are in Week 3 of Term 3, and it seems to have crept up quite quickly. This Winter has been challenging for all of us in many ways. We have experienced cold that we haven’t felt for a long time and battled Winter colds and flu. However, Winter will soon be over; there are only three rounds left in the AFL fixture which always seems to indicate the end of year is approaching, yet there is still much to achieve this year for our students.

Thank you to all families who attended the Information Evenings regarding subject and pathways selections. We are grateful for your support in helping our students discern the best pathway for their future.

Congratulations to the Parents’ Association, which will tonight hold a Trivia Night. The event is both a chance to bring together members of our community to share in some healthy competition and laughter. It also helps raise funds to support the provision of amenities for our students. OLMC is blessed to have such a large and committed Association constantly striving to bring our community together. In September, they will also host the annual Father’s Day Breakfast.

On Wednesday 20 August, the annual Celebration Concert will be held in the Nalleijerring Centre. It is a wonderful evening where all students involved in our Music program showcase their talents. They demonstrate incredible courage to perform for a large audience and their talents never fail to impress.

In our faith community, August is also a time to focus on Mary, especially with the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August. Mary's life, embodying courage, compassion, justice, and joy, inspires our values and those of the broader Mercy Community worldwide. This year, Friday 15 August will be a student free day as our staff gather to focus on our faith and spiritual direction.

Finally, and importantly for our students on the last Thursday of term we will celebrate Mercy Day. It is always a highlight of the year and a chance to celebrate our Mercy Community.

While this year Term 3 is shorter than normal, it remains an important time of transition and celebration. With one eye focused on 2026, we are also taking every opportunity to celebrate highlights and achievements for 2025. We look forward to welcoming many members of our community and the wider Mercy family to our celebrations.

Mary MacKillop and the Mercy Spirit

In our tradition, 8 August is the feast day of St Mary of the Cross.

Mary MacKillop once said, ‘Never see a need without doing something about it.’ These simple words carry the weight of a life deeply committed to faith, service, and justice. Mary saw Christ in the poor, the isolated, and the forgotten. She responded with courage, compassion, and fierce determination.

As Mercy people, we are called to that same spirit. Though Mary belonged to a different congregation, her example speaks powerfully to those shaped by the legacy of Catherine McAuley and Mother Ursula Frayne. Mary and Ursula were contemporaries - two bold women religious on opposite sides of the country, both pioneering education and care for those most in need.

Mother Ursula Frayne led the first Sisters of Mercy to Australia, arriving in 1846 with little more than faith and determination. Like Mary, she saw education as a path to dignity, especially for girls and the poor. She built schools, hospitals, and places of refuge - not because it was easy, but because the need was great.

Both women believed that faith without action was incomplete. Both walked alongside the marginalised, even when the cost was great. Their legacies continue in the classrooms we teach in, the communities we serve, and the hearts we form.

Mary’s life encourages us to look again at our own communities - our students, colleagues, families - and ask: What needs am I being called to respond to today?

She reminds us, as Ursula does too, that holiness is not about perfection, but about choosing love in the face of struggle and uncertainty.

Loving God,
On this feast of St Mary of the Cross,
we give thanks for her courage, vision, and unwavering trust in your care.
She saw need and responded, not with comfort or convenience,
but with action rooted in faith.

We remember too, Mother Ursula Frayne,
who brought the Mercy spirit to this land with a heart full of trust
and hands ready to serve.
In the face of hardship, she stayed the course,
building foundations of hope and education that still shape us today.

As people in the Mercy tradition, may we carry the fire they lit:

• eyes open to injustice,
• hearts moved by compassion,
• hands ready to serve.

May we, like Catherine, Ursula, and Mary,
trust in your providence,
respond to your call,
and walk humbly with those on the margins.

Mary MacKillop, pray for us.
Mother Ursula Frayne, guide us.
Catherine McAuley, walk with us.

Amen.

Image of Mary MacKillop from: https://www.sosj.org.au/mmk-pa...

All are invited to a free reconciliation event in the Barak Bushlands, Eltham, tomorrow, 9th August.

• Saturday 9 August
• 11:00am - 1:30pm
• Barak Bushlands, Eltham (off Falkiner Street)

For more information, please contact: Reconciliation Banyule

Over the next fortnight we will be holding our Semester Two Parent/Student/Teacher interviews.

The interviews are an opportunity to discuss learning progress, student engagement in class, their use of questioning and collaboration.

It is an opportunity to discuss strengths, as well as identify any challenges and how they may be addressed. It is important that students attend the interviews, where possible, to include their voices and thoughts on their learning experience. Through these discussions, the development of goals and expectations can be set for the semester ahead.

Bookings can be made via PAM. Detailed information regarding the interviews, how to use Google Meet and IT support for interview days, was sent in a letter on Friday 1 August.

We look forward to the upcoming conversations regarding students’ learning and the discussions on strategies for future progress.

Education and career aspirations are often shaped by how young people think they will fit in with others, and by the expectations of their parents, carers, teachers and peers. In the last few months, there have been many pathways and career conversations with students across multiple year levels. For many young people, choosing the right career pathway requires a lot of consideration and exploration. Parents/carers are the greatest influencers of student’s career decision-making. Together with the College we can prepare young people for the many opportunities and challenges ahead.

Career education and guidance at OLMC empowers students to explore career options and make informed choices for their future beyond school. Our Careers and Pathways teams provide a personalised approach to career planning. The pathways and careers conversations are a discussion about students’ areas of interest, skills and career ambitions.

We need to have career conversations often and much earlier than secondary school.

So how do we have career conversations?

Parents can have career conversations with their child by showing an interest in their aspirations. Consider the following:

• Make time to have career conversations with your child.
• Support high aspirations and take care not to ‘crush dreams’.
• Link children’s learning to career pathways.
• Provide accurate, up-to-date career pathway and labour market information.
• Point young people to information on the full range of options and pathways open to them. A great starting point is the myfuture website.

We recently welcomed Seirei Gakuen High School from Japan to our school. The group of seventeen students and their teacher thoroughly enjoyed their visit at OLMC. Some of our OLMC families welcomed the Japanese students into their homes for a one-week homestay.

Our families enjoyed showing the Japanese students what Australian family lifestyles are like. This included sampling various foods, joining their host sister in their normal everyday activities and going on some outings in and around Melbourne, including some exciting footy matches. Back at school the Japanese students did English and culture lessons, visited our Japanese and other subject classes, had conversation sessions with our senior students and went on a Healesville outing with their OLMC host sisters.

Exchanges such as these, enable our language students to not only improve their linguistic and sociolinguistic skills, but also to immerse themselves in the culture of their chosen language. In April 2026, a group of OLMC Japanese language students and teachers are looking forward to visiting Seirei Gakuen High School and the opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with them.

Please enjoy reading the article written by some of our OLMC host sisters about their hosting experience.

James Stavretis
Languages Learning Leader

Last week we had the exciting opportunity to host a group of Japanese exchange students from Seirei Gakuen High School. Over the course of the week, we took part in a range of fun and interactive activities that enabled us to connect, learn, and share our cultures. From sightseeing and games, to shared lunches and excursions, the week was filled with chances to practise our Japanese and learn more about daily life in Japan. It was exciting to introduce them to Australian culture and to give them a sense of our daily lives.

At school, the Seirei girls took part in lots of activities. During PE lessons, they learnt how to play Australian Rules Football, which was an exciting and new experience for them. They visited Japanese classes, participating in various interactive activities. They also had an exciting opportunity to have morning tea, run by THE 7TH LAB, where the Seirei girls connected with Year 10, 11 and 12 Japanese students. This morning tea was an insightful experience, where many new friends were made. It was great to hear about the different activities they participated in, as well as how school in Australia differs from Japan. Seirei students also enjoyed spending recess and lunch with their host sisters and their friends.

Outside of school hours, we spent time showing our host sisters some of Melbourne’s sights and experiences. Some highlights among the group included attending AFL games, the Winter Night Markets and visiting iconic spots in the city like Flinders Street Station, Hosier Lane and the State Library. On quieter days, we introduced them to Australian shopping centres and saw some kangaroos in nearby parks. We also shared some classic Australian meals, while they introduced us to their favourite Japanese dishes. These shared moments gave us the chance to connect more deeply and learn from each other.

Overall, the experience was unforgettable. Not only did we improve our Japanese speaking skills, but we also made new friends and gained a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture. The experience was filled with lots of exciting adventures and we will continue to cherish the lifelong memories and friendships we made.

Isabella L (10C1), Isabelle D (10M5), Georgia W (10M1)

In VCE VM at OLMC, we are often provided with wonderful opportunities to showcase our creativity, communication and presentation skills. Hosting the Japanese exchange students from Seirei Gakuen High School for a delightful morning tea on Friday 25 July, was one such occasion.

The Year 11 and 12 VCE VM students planned the event, created the menu, baking and arranging the purchases of little treats to fit with our 'Aussie' theme. Lemon slice, lamingtons, ANZAC biscuits and Tim Tams all featured, as well as a Caramello Koala for every student. The VCE VM students designed and printed the menus, set up the space, decorated the tables and created an attractive display.

On the day, the VCE VM students played host – welcoming their guests, taking drink orders and preparing barista-made coffees, hot chocolates, chai, matcha and tea. The conversation flowed, and the chatter and laughter, loud enough to be heard over the Japanese pop playlist booming from the speaker, was a clear indication that our Japanese guests, the OLMC Japanese language students and the VCE VM students thoroughly enjoyed the morning tea.

VCE VM is vocational and applied learning in a real-world context. Our morning tea for the Seirei Gakuen High School students is just one of the many opportunities that allows the VCE VM students' knowledge and skills to grow in an authentic and engaging learning experience. And it’s fun too!

Helen Hamblin
Senior Vocational Program Coordinator

The wide and wonderful world beyond the gates of OLMC is a vital source of creativity, empathy building, and experiential learning.

This year across our Design, Arts, and Technologies (DAT) subjects, we’ve been fortunate to use Melbourne itself as our classroom, exploring its cultural institutions and vibrant urban spaces to enrich our learning.

In Year 10 Media, students begin with a visit to the Heide Museum of Modern Art’s sculpture park, where they apply their knowledge of photographic composition and experiment with the collage style of David Hockney. In Year 11, we ventured into the CBD for “The Human City” project, aiming to capture the life and energy of Melbourne beyond the usual landmark shots.

Creative Arts students in Years 11 and 12 visit the NGV International and the Ian Potter Centre to engage with world-class collections. They attend the Top Arts exhibition and take part in critical discussions that examine artworks through personal, structural, and cultural lenses. Year 11 students also step into the role of gallery experts, presenting their chosen works to peers in the salon space.

As part of their Design Brief, Year 11 Food Studies students head to the local Woolworths to budget and purchase ingredients for their individual cooking tasks. This hands-on activity encourages creativity in meal planning while working within a limited budget.

VCE Visual Communication Design and Media students also spend an afternoon at Melbourne Museum’s Top Designs exhibition. This experience offers a valuable glimpse into exemplary student work as well as the Design Plans and Media Production Plans.

How lucky are we at OLMC to have Melbourne as our extended classroom!

Mark Jenkinson
Design, Art & Technology Learning Leader

As part of our pastoral program, we have led students through a series of activities that focus on making good decisions online and being aware of the digital footprint we leave behind. We have made use of the eSmart Digital Licence program which is supported by the Madeline and Alannah Foundation, and have also had Year 9 students recently hear from Susan McLean, an expert in cyber safety.

More information regarding these resources can be found here:

https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/

https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/learning-resources

In addition, in recent weeks, the eSafety Commissioner has made resources available for parents and carers in their efforts to support their children to have safe online experiences. These resources include a number of live webinars, such as AI assisted image-based abuse, and understanding parental controls to help protect your child online. These webinars will be run at various times across the coming months. More information can be found at the website below:

eSafety Parent Webinars

The Black Dog Institute are offering a 90 minute webinar designed to help parents and carers with strategies that support the mental health of adolescents. Please see the attached flyer for details.

A reminder for all parents and carers of our current Year 11 students that on the evening of Tuesday 2 December, we will be having an event hosted by Time and Space. Students of the Class of 2027, and at least one parent or guardian, will be required to attend. This night signifies the beginning of this cohort’s final year at OLMC. More details will follow but please save this date.

This term, the Student Representative Council (SRC) has been hard at work planning and getting excited for the many events on the horizon. Term 3 has already been filled with memorable highlights and a strong sense of community spirit!

Recently, Year 7 elected their two SRC representatives for 2025, Laura W (7B) and Stella W (7F). We're thrilled to welcome them to the Student Leadership Team and can’t wait to hear the ideas they’ll bring to the table.

The Year 11 Formal which took place on Thursday 31 July was a fantastic night full of dancing, laughter, and countless photos. A huge thank you to the Year 11 SRC, media and formal teams, as well as the School Leadership Team for making it such a memorable event.

Reflecting on Term 2, Dare2Donate was a great success, raising $5,340.50 for Mercy Works! Thank you to everyone who donated or participated, it truly reflected the generosity and Mercy spirit of our school.

Looking ahead, we’re already deep into planning for Mercy Day, which promises to be a celebration of fun, service, and school pride.

That’s all from your SRC team for now! We continue to meet weekly, brainstorming new ideas, so stay tuned for what’s to come! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the team with any questions or concerns, we love hearing from everyone and want to improve your experience at school!

Aprila (11A6) and Esther (11L2)
SRC

On Friday 25 July, a small group of the Year 12 Music students were fortunate to be invited to perform at Genazzano College’s ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) event - an auction night dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat human trafficking.

The evening featured a variety of fundraising activities including raffles, auctions, and a series of heartfelt musical performances. Students from Genazzano, St Kevin’s, and OLMC came together to contribute to the cause through music. Representing OLMC, the Year 12 students performed a lively rendition of ‘Let’s Go to the Movies’ from Annie, followed by a reflective version of Billy Joel’s ‘Lullabye’.

It was a rewarding chance to contribute to such an important cause and use music as a way of sharing hope and compassion. We are grateful to have been part of such a purposeful evening alongside other talented and passionate students.

Jasmine P (12A3)
College Co-Captain

Our annual High Tea in Heidelberg is on Sunday 31 August at 2.00 pm and we invite you and your friends and family to share in this special event.

The event will support the work of McAuley for Women and Children (McAuley), an organisation committed to advocating for a better, safer and just society through working with women and children affected by family violence, mental illness or homelessness.

Sunday 31 August 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

OLMC Nalleijerring Centre, Yarra Street, Heidelberg

Booking Arrangements

Tickets are priced at $50 for adults and $25 for students.

You can purchase tickets online by going to Trybooking and searching OLMC.

OR by entering the link https://www.trybooking.com/DCVCT

OR by contacting Marie Jenkins T: 9455 7571 E: mjenkins@olmc.vic.edu.au

To book a group/table, you can either purchase the whole table in one booking or purchase a ticket on an available table and then notify your guests of the table number they should specify when booking. If you want to rename the table so that your fellow guests can identify the table easily, please contact Marie Jenkins. Tables will seat 10 people.

To book individual tickets, purchase the required number on any table.

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.