This week in Cairns, the Australian Catholic Education Conference is being held. Approximately 1500 delegates from all over Australia are in attendance. “With the theme ‘Hope, Anchored in Faith’, the conference will focus on the strategic vision and mission of Catholic education across three key areas – Faith, Excellence and Access.” (Conference flyer)

Prior to the start of the conference, I had the pleasure of attending a Mercy Education Limited Principal’s meeting, which was also focused on hope and leadership for our Mercy Schools. It is a mark of the strength of the Mercy charism that draws us together and allows us to share in such a rich heritage.

Congratulations to all the students who performed at the Celebration Concert on Wednesday evening. The number of students involved in our music program continues to grow. The theme for the night was ‘Symphony of Stars, An Iconic Music Concert.’ We were treated to hits of icons of the past and present. Students performed to a huge audience and they did so expertly. There was lots of toe tapping and encouragement from our audience. Each year, I marvel at the courage of our young people. It is one thing to know you have talent, it is another entirely to share it.

I would also like to thank our families who came not only to see their family member perform but to encourage and support all of our students. Community Connections is one of our key strategies for the next four years. Nights like the Celebration Concert are moments to build those connections. It is a joy for students to have such a large audience to perform for. Without parent support along with that of grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins who also came to the concert, our students would not be challenged nor would their talents be seen and heard on such a scale.

On Friday 29 August, we will have another opportunity to participate in the Frayne Speech Festival. It is a competition for Mercy schools across Australia involving Public Speaking, Debating and Voice Choir competitions. It will be another important opportunity to celebrate the friendship and breadth of Mercy Education. The festival will this year be held at Sacred Heart College, Kyneton. It will be a very early start for our teams as they head up the highway. We wish them all the very best for a wonderful competition.

We are starting to see some warmer days, which signals that spring is on its way and our days will soon feel longer. I am sure that we will all welcome a reprieve from the cold. It will also bring with it the buds of new life, new possibilities and new hope.

Last Friday, the feast of the Assumption of Mary, the whole school staff gathered for a Staff Spirituality Day. The Assumption of Mary, a special encounter of Mary, beginning in the Eastern church during the 5th century and moving to the West in the 7th century, has been a constant in our tradition. However, this feast was only decreased in 1950. The Assumption of Mary is a moment of hope, when God lifted Mary, body and soul, into heaven. This is not just about Mary; it’s a promise for all of us. A sign that every life lived in love, courage, and faithfulness is held close to God.

Luke 1:46–56 – Mary’s Magnificat

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for God has looked with favour on the lowliness of this servant.
Surely, from now on, all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
God’s mercy is for those who stand in awe,
from generation to generation.

God has shown strength with a mighty arm,
scattering the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up those who are lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

God has come to the aid of Israel, God’s servant,
remembering mercy, according to the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to all descendants forever.”

May we, like Mary, Catherine, Ursula, Basil, and so many Mercy Women and men before us, be bearers of grace. May we respond to each day with a generous ‘yes’.

Mary, our Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

Catherine, the Vision of Mercy, pray for us.

Ursula, an animator of Mercy, pray for us.

Basil, our foundation of Mercy, pray for us.

Image from: The Assumption of Mary. Watercolour by: Ronald Raab, CSC 2019

https://ronaldraab.com/2021/08...

We enjoyed and contributed to the Seeds of Justice Student Conference in Anglesea. Year 9s and 10s attended and we learned about ecojustice with a First Nations focus.

We heard from Lisa Moloney from the Opening the Doors Foundation, who run the FIRE Carriers program. We also worked with Juliet Talarico, an OLMC alumna, from TerraLeaders. We learned more about ecojustice and ecospirituality and shared our reflections, including a nature walk. We have a renewed sense of purpose and direction in these areas, which students will work on going forward.

Anita Galli
Social Justice Coordinator

I really enjoyed spending time outdoors and connecting deeply with nature during the Seeds of Justice camp. Learning about ecojustice was something new for me, and it opened my eyes to the importance of caring for our common home together.

Alyssia J, Year 9

I really enjoyed spending time with my friends and meeting new people from all over Victoria. I also enjoyed learning about the importance of caring for our common home, spending time outdoors, and valuing information from informative activities and talks from inspiring people.

Bella M, Year 10

I enjoyed being able to connect with new people from other schools around Victoria. It was really interesting to get to know them all and learn about the different things they do at their schools.

Vonnie J, Year 9

Not only was I able to spend time with my friends and build connections with people from all around Victoria, but I also had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge on our common home and learn more about the FIRE Carriers program, to help create initiatives to improve our school. Overall it was such a positive experience and I am really grateful for the opportunity.

Evie C, Year 9

I loved learning about our common home and strengthening my ideas about how to save it. It was great to be able to spend time with friends from other year levels as well as ones from schools throughout Victoria. I really valued this experience and the learnings I took from it.

Olivia D, Year 10

It gave me a deeper insight into the importance of caring for our common home and the things we can do to make an impact. I learned lots from everyone around me, and I really enjoyed connecting with other students from our school and also with students from other schools across Victoria.

Ruby C, Year 10

Something I really enjoyed about the Seeds of Justice Camp was being able to build new connections with people from my school and in the wider Mercy community. I also enjoyed connecting further with my faith.

Eva K, Year 9

While the online world is filled with opportunities for young people to open their minds, broaden their knowledge and boost their wellbeing, staying safe online is just as essential as it has ever been. When used incorrectly, digital technologies can still potentially lead to negative impacts on the wellbeing of young people.

AI is just one example of how, when used safely and with positive intent, young people can benefit from its capabilities. Students and staff are exploring how AI can be harnessed to support student learning. This may lead to increased confidence in the classroom and an increased creativity and curiosity about learning.

However, AI as a digital technology tool continues to be the subject of plenty of debate. In staying on top of emerging online trends, recognising their positive impacts and having honest, open conversations about potentially unsafe behaviours, parents can support their children to continue to engage with the digital world safely, so they can keep enjoying the benefits. Whether they’re gaming, streaming, chatting, or scrolling, young people can encounter risks. As a parent, you can take simple and effective steps to help guide your child’s digital habits and ensure their online experiences are safe, age-appropriate, and healthy. Here are some valuable tools and resources to help you navigate online safety:

Set Up Parental Controls

Parental controls are your first line of defence. They help manage screen time, restrict access to inappropriate content, and monitor app usage.

The eSafety Commissioner provides an excellent guide to parental controls, covering home Wi-Fi, devices, apps, and gaming platforms: Parental Controls.

Google Family Link allows you to manage your child’s device remotely, this is great to assist with managing Google Chrome usage and Gmail: Parental Supervision Remotely.

• Apple Devices have their own parental controls, which are connected via Family accounts. These are particularly helpful, for ensuring what young people see is appropriate, limit who they can communicate with during which hours, app limits, along with a ‘Driving Focus’ app so young learner drivers are not distracted.
• Apple Devices Parental Controls

• Apple Support

Choosing Safe Devices for Kids

Not all devices are created equal when it comes to safety features. Learn how iOS vs Android compare in terms of parental settings, app restrictions and monitoring in this device safety guide: iOS vs Android Kids Safety.

(NOTE: Apple has made some significant improvements since January). Mixed device families will need to look at individual device settings, along with various apps that can help.

• Samsung Parental Controls

Understand Age Restrictions on Social Media

Currently, many popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 years old. From December this year this will increase to 16 years old. The eSafety Commissioner outlines social media age restrictions to help you make informed decisions about your child’s online presence, along with how to support conversations when talking about these changes: Social Media Age Restrictions.

Stay on Top of Gaming Safety

Gaming platforms like Roblox are incredibly popular but can expose children to strangers and inappropriate content without proper settings. Risks to children playing Roblox are ‘deeply disturbing’, say researchers.

• Roblox provides a Parental Controls Overview to help you manage chat settings, spending limits and account activity: Parental Controls Overview.

Parent-Tested Device Hacks

If you’re looking for tried-and-tested tips from real parents, this helpful Mamamia article shares simple hacks like screen timers, app limits, and even setting up “kid zones” on your devices: Simple Hacks.

Start the Conversation

No tool is more powerful than an open, ongoing conversation. Talk with your child regularly about what they do online, who they talk to, and what to do if they see something that makes them feel uncomfortable. Show curiosity, not judgment—it builds trust.

Need more support?

Visit the eSafety Parents Portal for videos, conversation starters, and more tools to help you support your child’s digital wellbeing:

eSafety Parents Portal

Let’s work together to keep our young people safe, supported, and smart online.

Term 3 is always a time when our students find themselves shifting their focus for some period of time to their imagined future selves. It is a time when choices need to be made which inevitably have some link with their preferences, interests and future ambitions, and often it is exciting but also uncertain.

In the Careers and Pathways Team, we have spent the beginning of term meeting individually with our Year 10 students to discuss their options and plans for their Year 11 program. We have been impressed with the maturity and self-reflection our students have shown and trust they found these conversations to be affirming, supportive and helpful in giving them confidence around their future planning.

Our Year 9 students in Horizon have engaged in a Podcasting Activity, interviewing a variety of professionals about their career journeys whilst developing their communication and presentation skills. We are so grateful to the alumni and local community professionals who have been part of this experience over the last three terms and generously offered their insights as well as their time to support the learning and dreaming of our students.

Parents and alumni with an interesting job role or career journey who might be willing to be interviewed as a podcast guest in the future are invited to email Careers Coordinator Melinda Williams - mwilliams@olmc.vic.edu.au

VTAC APPLICATIONS - YEAR 12 STUDENTS

Whilst all students are making choices regarding their school programs, Term 3 for our Year 12 students is an even busier time as tertiary applications open.

On Tuesday 19 August, all Year 12 students received information about the VTAC Application process and the presentation slides have been shared with them all to continue to access. To submit their application, students need to create a USI (Unique Student Identifier) which is free to obtain online. With many students in the Year level already having met with a member of our Careers Team, the presentation and attendance at Open Days has seen another wave of appointments with all Year 12 students expected to have had a conversation by the end of this term.

SEAS APPLICATIONS

SEAS applications for students who have experienced circumstances that have resulted in educational disadvantage are open to be submitted through a student’s VTAC account. Students were invited to a detailed information session about this on Wednesday 20 August and the presentation slides have also been shared for students to continue to access as needed and can also be accessed here.

The four categories under which students can apply for SEAS consideration are:

KEY DATES:

The following dates can be diarised for Year 12 students, parents and guardians:

Melinda Williams
Careers Coordinator

CARLTON FOOTBALL CLUB

On Tuesday 19 August, 29 students across Years 9-12 elected to visit the Carlton Football Club to learn more about the departments and job roles available in the sports industry. Led by Ryan Pullens and facilitated by the Banyule and Nillumbik Local Learning and Employment Network, the students gained wonderful insight as well as tips to support their consideration of a career in sport. Some of the student reflections from the day are below:

‘The best part of the experience was being able to participate hands-on and engage with something new, rather than just hearing about it. I gained confidence, new knowledge, and skills that I can apply in the future when applying or studying for a job.’

Raavi M, 9G

‘I discovered that the industry connects to many different careers and interests. No matter what job you are passionate about, there is likely a pathway for it within sport.'

Phoebe K, 9F

‘The best part of the experience was hearing from industry professionals about their career journeys and how they got started. I learned that there are so many roles behind the scenes at a football club, from media and marketing to player wellbeing.’

Romi L, 10L6

‘From this experience I have gained the knowledge of what can make you stand out when applying for sport industry jobs and how to launch your career in this industry.’

Giuliana P, 11A1

Melinda Williams
Careers Coordinator

It has been a busy and exciting semester for our Year 9 students, with many opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.

We are thrilled to see Year 9 students participating in the Herald Sun Footy Grand Final celebrations next week, showcasing their school spirit and energy. We wish them all the best for this exciting day. Our students have also proudly represented OLMC in DAV Debating, demonstrating their critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as in the Voice Choir at the Frayne Speech Festival next Friday. Our Year 9 students have given up their recess and lunch-time to rehearse. This is a huge commitment and a very special day for Mercy schools in Victoria

In sport, our Year 9s have been active and committed, with students competing in GSV Badminton and Soccer, demonstrating teamwork and determination. A number of students are also training hard for the Aerobic Nationals on the Gold Coast, taking place on Thursday 18 September.

The arts have been buzzing with creativity, as rehearsals for the Junior Production of Into the Woods (in partnership with Marcellin College) are now underway. We look forward to seeing their talent come to life on stage in November.

Within the classroom, Year 9 students have been working hard to maintain tidy and organised learning spaces. A new initiative has seen the tidiest pastoral room rewarded with a pizza lunch – a challenge that has been embraced with enthusiasm! The winner will be announced in the final week of term.

Year 9G celebrated a fantastic achievement by winning the Science Week competition – a wonderful recognition of their teamwork and scientific knowledge. Students enjoyed the 'Glucose Currency' as a reward, which made learning both engaging and fun.

This term, a big focus has been placed on DEAR (Drop Everything and Read). Every Tuesday during pastoral, students have embraced the opportunity to pause, reset, and immerse themselves in their reading. It has been inspiring to see the commitment Year 9 students are showing towards building positive reading habits.

Students have also been excited about preparing for next year, carefully selecting their Year 10 electives. Many have chosen to accelerate into a VCE subject, showing both ambition and confidence in their learning.

We are so proud of the way our Year 9 cohort continue to involve themselves in all areas of school life at OLMC – from academics to the arts, sport, leadership, and community. This semester has been filled with achievements, and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the year holds.

Deb Butterworth
Year Level Coordinator – Year 9

In preparation for the Celebration Concert and Mercy Day, approximately 125 students from all OLMC music ensembles attended the second Music Camp Experience held this year on August 11 and 12.

Students arrived at the Mercedes Hogan Theatre side of the school where they took over the spaces to bond with fellow musicians from a variety of year levels and work on their items for the upcoming performances. The students worked tirelessly across the days with some time to stop and celebrate their achievements with a talent show, dance numbers and a newspaper fashion parade. All ensembles were led by a variety of instrumental music staff to enable students to build relationships with a wider range of staff and understand that even musicians have different points of view about how pieces should be performed, proving that musicians need to be adaptable, a skill they can use for life!

The camp ended with all of the OLMC ensembles coming together to rehearse the finale for our Celebration Concert, ‘The Cup of Life’ (Ricky Martin). Students are to be congratulated on all that was achieved, their determination to succeed and their positive attitude across both days.

Jo-Anne Mileto
Instrumental Music Coordinator

Our two large Year 9 Dance and Drama classes have been filled with creativity, courage, and collaboration this term. Students have embraced the challenge of stepping outside their comfort zones, taking risks with new skills, and engaging in exciting performance opportunities in the classroom.

In Dance, students have thrown themselves into learning innovative contemporary movement, experimenting with choreography, and working together to create an energetic whole-class routine. Their willingness to share ideas and explore movement patterns has brought a dynamic and inspiring energy to rehearsals.

Meanwhile, in Drama, students have been exploring the rich tradition of Contemporary Indigenous Theatre as a stimulus for their group performances, focusing on the theme of ‘Rituals’. They have been particularly inspired by the way First Nations people use storytelling—and now theatre—as a powerful tool to educate audiences about the deep connection to, and respect for, the land on which we live.

Both the Dance and Drama groups are aiming to host a shared performance in Term 4 for the Year 9 level, showcasing their talent, creativity, and teamwork. It promises to be a celebration of the students’ skill development, artistic expression, and passion for the performing arts.

Our Year 9 students are making the most of every opportunity, and they should be proud of the way they are engaging, learning, and contributing to the performing arts at OLMC.

Deb Butterworth
Year Level Coordinator - Year 9
Dance and Drama Teacher

On Monday 11 August, OLMC’s McAuley Hall came alive with the sound of music, laughter, and the shuffle of dancing feet, as twenty Grade 4 and 5 students from local primary schools joined us for an after-school dance experience.

At first, the group arrived with a mix of excitement and a little shyness. But after some lively and creative icebreaker games, smiles began to spread, friendships began to form, and the energy in the room grew.

When the students stepped into the McAuley Hall, their eyes lit up at the sight of our beautiful dance facilities — the expansive space, the dance floor, and, of course, the wall of mirrors.

Before long, they were moving and grooving to a funky hip hop routine, learning key moves and enjoying the chance to watch their progress reflected back at them. The highlight came at the end of the session, when each group had the chance to choreograph their own final 16 counts. Their creativity and confidence shone through as they proudly performed their original sequences for each other.

It was a joyful and high-energy hour, filled with movement, music, and plenty of smiles. We loved welcoming these vibrant young students to OLMC — and we can’t wait to see them back again.

Deb Butterworth
Year Level Coordinator - Year 9
Dance and Drama Teacher

OLMC Trivia Night – 'Decades Dash'
Hosted by the OLMC Parents' and Friends Association - Friday 8 August 2025

What a fantastic night we had at the OLMC Decades Dash Trivia Night! A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the evening such a memorable and fun event.

We took a lively journey through the decades from the 1970s to the early 2000s and beyond, led by our wonderful host, Michael O’Keeffe. His quirky knowledge of American sitcoms and themed trivia rounds kept us entertained and on our toes all night long. Thank you, Michael — we’ll be calling on you for our next trivia night!

Midway through the evening, the energy peaked with a high-stakes paper plane contest! It was a close and exciting competition that ended in a draw, with the two leading teams sharing the points. The cheers, laughter, and friendly rivalry between tables reminded us just how special it is to come together as a community — and that we should do it more often!

Congratulations to Team ESOteric (OLMC Education Support Officers), who lived up to their name by dominating the more obscure trivia and taking home first place! A special shout-out to The Hot Chickadees, who embraced the fun spirit of the night and proudly accepted the 'Wooden Spoons' for coming last.

A huge thank you to Simone McDonald (Simone McDonald Events) for her incredible efforts in designing the invitations, table settings, displays — and for transforming the room into a vibrant, decade-themed celebration. Plus, another stunning balloon display by Julie from Events Balloons by Julie added the perfect finishing touch!

Thanks again to everyone involved — we can’t wait to do it all again!

Nikki Reynolds
On behalf of the OLMC Parents' and Friends Association

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.

The Parents' Association invite you to a breakfast to celebrate Father’s Day on:

Wednesday 3 September 7.30 am – 8.30 am

Heagerty Room, Yarra Street, Heidelberg

This is a chance for all students to do something special for Dad, Grandad or a significant person in their life by enjoying a delicious breakfast and sharing quality time together. All are welcome.

Tickets $35 per family

Book via Trybooking.com and search OLMC

Or enter the link https://www.trybooking.com/DEVZK

If you are unable to attend but still wish to support the work of the Parent’s Association we invite you to purchase a raffle ticket.

You can do this by clicking on the link https://www.trybooking.com/DEVZN

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.