Harmony Week this year ran from 16 - 22 March and is a recognition of our diversity and all that brings Australians from different backgrounds together. It is a recognition that ‘Everyone belongs’. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. At OLMC, we recognise that we are a very diverse community. We are proud of our diversity and strive to make all feel welcome and share in a sense of belonging.

This is the last newsletter of the term and therefore it is fitting to take a moment to celebrate the successes of our community. Firstly, I would like to thank all our families who came to one of the many parent evenings in support of your child and the College. It is heartening to see such strong involvement from families. There is much research that links strong relationships between school and family to positive learning and wellbeing outcomes for students. At OLMC, we are very aware of the strength of the relationships and we are grateful for your time and engagement.

The implementation of our Instructional Model and the enhancements to our Restorative Practices has been enormously successful. We hope that you have been hearing about some of those aspects at home. The newly styled CANVAS subject pages for students have also helped the implementation and support for our students. This will continue to evolve over the course of the year.

In Term 2, we are looking forward to works beginning on the building of our new Music Centre and the Wellbeing Centre. We anticipate that this will cause some minor disruptions over the course of the next twelve months. Students and families will be kept informed as our building works progress. The new facilities will add enormously to what are already outstanding facilities for learning.

We are living in uncertain times. The war in the Middle East is impacting the world and with it has come challenges we may not have anticipated. It is important for us to hold in our prayers all those who have suffered loss, been injured, displaced or live daily with the uncertainty about their safety and that of their children. I am sharing with you a prayer shared with the world by Pope Leo and hope that is it one you can turn to in these troubled times.

Lord of Life,
you shaped every human being in your image and likeness.
We believe you created us for communion, not for war,
for fraternity, not for destruction.

You who greeted your disciples saying, ‘Peace be with you,’
grant us the gift of your peace
and the strength to make it a reality in history.
Today we lift up our prayer for peace in the world,
asking that nations renounce weapons
and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy.

Disarm our hearts of hatred, resentment, and indifference,
so we may become instruments of reconciliation.
Help us understand that true security
does not come from control fuelled by fear,
but from trust, justice, and solidarity among peoples.

Lord, enlighten the leaders of the nations,
so they may have the courage to abandon projects of death,
halt the arms race,
and place the lives of the most vulnerable at the centre.
May the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity.

Holy Spirit,
make us faithful and creative builders of daily peace:
in our hearts, our families,
our communities, and our cities.
May every kind word, every gesture of reconciliation,
and every choice for dialogue be seeds of a new world.

Amen.

Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network

God of all people,
as we come to the close of this week,
we find ourselves standing at the doorway of Holy Week.

This Sunday, Palm Sunday, the journey begins.
A journey that moves from welcome and praise
to challenge, sacrifice, and deep love.

As Jesus entered Jerusalem,
people gathered with hope in their hearts,
longing for peace, justice, and new life.
We recognise those same longings in our world today.

In our communities,
where there is division, bring understanding.
Where there is hardship, bring care.
Where there is uncertainty, bring hope.

As we prepare to walk through this sacred week,
help us not to stand at a distance.
Invite us into the story.

Give us the courage to stay present
not only in moments of celebration,
but also in moments that ask more of us.

Open our eyes to those around us
who carry quiet burdens.
Open our hearts to respond with compassion.
Open our lives to be signs of your goodness.

In our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods,
may we reflect the humility of Christ,
the courage of his love,
and the peace he offers.

As Holy Week begins,
guide us to walk it with intention,
with awareness,
and with a deep trust
that even in its most difficult moments,
you are at work bringing life.

We place this coming week in your care.

Amen.

On Wednesday, students from OLMC gathered with fellow Mercy students at the Academy of Mary Immaculate for the 2026 Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association (AMSSA) Student Online Conference.

This year’s theme, ‘Mercy in Action – Moving Beyond Words,’ invited students to reflect deeply on what it means to live Mercy not simply as an idea, but as a courageous, justice-centred way of life.

The afternoon began with a national keynote from Sr Annette Schneider RSM, who challenged students to consider the enduring relevance of Mercy spirituality. Using the framework of Head, Heart, and Hands, students listened attentively, identifying new insights, moments of challenge, and practical calls to action.

Following the keynote, students worked together in a local workshop, engaging in a ‘Mercy Mapping’ activity. This invited them to name areas of need within their school, local community, and the wider world, while also recognising where Mercy is already at work. The conversations were thoughtful and honest, prompting students to consider where action is needed most and where their own responses might begin.

A period of guided reflection provided space for students to consider their personal response. Inspired by the example of Catherine McAuley, students were encouraged to move beyond good intentions and identify one concrete step they could take to make a difference in their own context.

The Conference concluded with national breakout groups, where students shared their insights and commitments with peers from Mercy schools across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. These conversations highlighted both the diversity of experiences and the shared commitment to living out Mercy in today’s world.

We are grateful to the Academy of Mary Immaculate, Sr Mary Moloney RSM, Principal, and staff, for their generous hospitality, and to all who contributed to such a meaningful experience. Opportunities like this continue to form our students as young Mercy leaders, ready to respond with compassion, courage, and action.

Last Friday 20 March, we participated in the St. Patrick's Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the city.

All 14 of us were so grateful for this opportunity and to see the diverse communities of other schools. We honoured St Patrick on this holy day.

The St Patrick's Cathedral was absolutely beautiful. We were stunned by its intricate details, from the stone architecture and the stained-glass windows built from 1858 to 1939.

The day started with catching a train to Parliament Station and walking to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Over 300 schools participated in this event, and each had the opportunity to carry its banner through the cathedral during the opening ceremony.

The mass was a great opportunity to connect with the wider Catholic community. It involved not only a day out, but honouring St. Patrick and celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

We were able to take some photos outside the cathedral afterwards, and then had lunch at Melbourne Central.

After lunch, we visited the oldest Catholic Church in Melbourne, St Francis’ Church, which dates back to 1846 and has been in the care of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation since 1920. In this beautiful church, we immersed ourselves in its rich history as it celebrated its 180th anniversary. We learnt that Mary MacKillop celebrated her Holy Sacraments at St Francis’ Church.

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this event and connect with the Catholic school community across Victoria. We also loved window shopping and exploring the food court!

Overall, this was a thoroughly rewarding experience that gave us the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of schools and the wider community. We are so thankful that we were able to be involved in the amazing Mass presided over by Archbishop Peter.

Lastly, we want to thank Sr Emma and Mr Hodges for accompanying us on this wonderful opportunity. We appreciate all the insightful information you shared with us and the fun vibes you brought to our day. Thanks also to Mr Taylor for organising this for us! We all hope to have Maccas with you again!

Emma R 8A, Cara M 8A, Rachel M 8A, Genevieve d 8B, Sinead N 8B, Grace W 8C, Aleisha S 8C, Julia I 8C, Georgia M 8C, Lauren W 8D, Olivia B 8E, Methuli A 8E, Bea F 8F, Anna L 8F

You may be familiar with the expression: a family that prays together stays together. In this time of unrest and uncertainty in our world and our global family, and as we are about to commence Holy Week and prepare for the celebration of Easter, we might do well to take a prayerful pause, and allow ourselves to be still and in the presence of our God of mercy, praying for peace, love and compassion for all. Pope Leo XIV has continued the tradition of his predecessor by sharing monthly prayer intentions, which you can access here for the whole of this year. This month’s prayer intention is disarmament and peace, and so we are invited to join Pope Leo XIV and be united with all people of faith in prayer: ‘Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.’

We could also apply that expression to our OLMC community: a community that prays together stays together. Since the beginning of this year, our students have had numerous opportunities for liturgical and faith formation, including time for prayer in Pastoral and class, deeper learning in their study of Religious Education, and participation in our Opening Year School Mass, Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Year 7 Mass of Welcome, Year 7 Reflection Day, Cambodia Immersion Trip Preparation, Annual Mass of St. Patrick for Schools, Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools’ Association Conference and Stations of the Cross. We are very grateful to the many students who have supported us, whether as a member of our choir, musician, lector, usher, minister of the Eucharist, or as an active participant, and we encourage other students to join us and get involved next term. On our last day of this term, we will gather together as a whole school community for our Holy Thursday Liturgy, with a focus on our hands of mercy and service of one another, just as Jesus did, especially when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper (cf. John 13:1-15).

The members of our Faith Animation and Social Justice student groups have been meeting on a regular basis to help plan our school liturgies, social justice activities, and other faith and mission-related initiatives. The members of our staff Ministry Team have also been gathering and collaborating to consider the ways in which we can continue to offer meaningful liturgical experiences and build on faith formation opportunities for our students.

As for our staff, some have availed themselves of professional learning (PL) opportunities in person or online, such as those offered through Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Australian Catholic University, University of Notre Dame Australia, University of Divinity, Garratt Publishing and Teacher Learning Network. This week our Middle Leaders (staff with positions of leadership or areas of responsibility) have engaged in a PL session on Formation for Mission to understand the meaning of formation, mission and synodality, connect these key concepts with our Mercy story and OLMC context, and engage in spiritual conversations using the synodal process of listening, discernment and dialogue.

May I take this opportunity to wish all members of our OLMC community our Christian hope and joy in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and a blessed Easter holiday break, hopefully with some time for rest, relaxation and renewal with loved ones, and a safe return to school next term. Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

During this term, Horizon has been such an engaging and unforgettable experience. We were able to participate in many different activities that we would never usually be able to do in a regular classroom setting. One of the best and most memorable experiences that we had was going to Melbourne University and Melbourne Museum, on the most recent trail day. It was an adventure for all, including the privilege of buying lunch at Lygon Street! In class time, we have been working on our inquiry-based learning projects. We have conducted surveys involving other students in different year levels, interviewed a person who has a background about our chosen topics, and then made posters and infographics about this data we have collected. Next week, we are going to present this information to our parents and teachers, teaching them about our chosen topic and coming up with a way that we can conquer this world issue. This has been really eye-opening, being able to work with other people and find information that we have uncovered ourselves.

Another highlight was our Eco Justice stalls. These stalls were a huge hit with the Year 7s and 8s, and we thoroughly enjoyed planning them and being able to connect with the younger students, as they participated in our activities and tried the food that we prepared. Some of the fun stalls we ran were: Minute to Win it games, Baked goods, Popcorn, and so many more! On the last day of term, we are also going to Bounce. This is going to be such a fun experience, and we are all so excited to end our amazing term like this. We are going to miss Horizon so much, but we will never forget the memorable experiences for the rest of our school years ahead.

Felicity B - 9B

This term in Horizon has been really interesting and different from normal classes. One of the best parts was our walk around Heidelberg, where we got to explore the area and just learn in a more hands-on way. The Eco Justice stalls were also good because we got to focus on real issues and do something practical instead of just writing about it. Our inquiry-based learning (IBL) research was a bit challenging at times, but it helped me get better at working things out on my own. Going to Melbourne Central every Thursday was fun and helped me become more independent. The excursions were probably the best part, especially going to the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Melbourne Museum. Visiting University of Melbourne and RMIT University also made me start thinking more about the future. Overall, it’s been a good term and a nice change from regular school.

Sarah D - 9A

Lucy Davies
Horizon Coordinator

Recently our Semester 1 Year 10 Sculptural Fashion classes spent the day in the city visiting the NGV International to see the Westwood - Kawakubo exhibition. This major international exhibition pairs the work of two of the most visionary and influential fashion designers in recent history, Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022) and Rei Kawakubo (1942–) of Comme des Garçons. We are so lucky to live in a city that gives our students such rare access to the works of these inspiring female fashion designers!

I was really inspired by Rai Kawakubo and Vivienne Westwood’s art as they gave us a good insight into what Fashion is all about, as well as an insight into what women can create. The messages and quotes with the pieces helped us get a good understanding of what the exhibition was about and this will help us with our Assessment Task. Overall, it was a really fun day for both classes to be with friends and explore different techniques.

Claudia R (10M6)

I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo exhibition. Each individual piece was extremely unique and enabled us to explore a range of different elements and principles that we have been learning about. The experience as a whole was really immersive, including the different media to explore the lives of the two incredible women. Ultimately, it was a really inspiring and creative day.

Evie C (10L1)

Mark Jenkinson
Design, Art and Technology Learning Leader

As we come to the end of a very busy and rewarding first term for the Year 7 students, we would like to congratulate everyone on the incredibly positive and settled way they have begun their exciting journey at OLMC.

It has been so pleasing to see how quickly the students have adapted to secondary school life. They have shown great care for one another, consistently looking out for their peers and demonstrating respect in all aspects of school life. Their willingness to engage, support each other, and contribute to a welcoming environment has been a true highlight.

The Year 7 cohort has embraced the wide range of co-curricular opportunities on offer, including music, choir, sport, and social justice initiatives. Their enthusiasm and involvement have been outstanding, as has their engagement during Year 7 assemblies. We are particularly impressed by their strong work ethic and the confidence they are showing in asking questions and seeking support when needed—an important skill for continued success. One student shared that the experience this term 'has made a big impact on how I feel and who I want to be,' which speaks to the personal growth we are seeing across the year level.

The recent Year 7 Mat Ball competition was a wonderful example of the cohort’s spirit and inclusivity. It was fantastic to see every student participating with such energy and enjoyment. The event truly brought the year level together, and we extend our congratulations to 7H for their well-earned win.

Our Year 7 Reflection Day was another special moment this term. It provided students with valuable time to pause, reflect, and connect—with themselves and with each other. The maturity and respect shown throughout the day were impressive. As one student noted, ‘It showed how much we care for each other and helped us express our emotions,’ capturing the spirit of the day.

A highlight of the term was undoubtedly the Time and Space evening for daughters and their mothers or mother figures. The evening was filled with warmth, connection, and meaningful conversation, as students and their special female guests shared memories, strengthened bonds, and connected with others in the community. One student reflected, ‘I feel like the bond between us has strengthened even more and has allowed me to understand her better,’ while a parent shared, ‘To hear from both sides was powerful and reassuring.’ It was a truly special and uplifting event, and the positive feedback from both students and families has been overwhelming.

Another reflection was ‘I liked how I could share things with my mum and have her support… I felt I could really express how I felt,’ highlighting the strong sense of connection and trust that is developing within our cohort.

As students now move into assessment mode, we acknowledge that this can be a stressful time. However, it has been encouraging to see how calm, prepared, and focused the students have been. Their commitment to their studies and their resilience are commendable.

We wish all of our Year 7 students and their families a very restful and well-deserved holiday, along with a joyful and peaceful Easter. We are incredibly proud of the way the cohort has embraced their first term at OLMC and look forward to all that lies ahead for the rest of Year 7.

Deb Butterworth
Year 7 Level Coordinator

Earlier this month, our Year 8 students and their fathers or father figures gathered for a special evening called Time & Space. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students and the important men in their lives to slow down, connect and reflect on their relationships.

Throughout the evening, students and their father figures showed great courage as they participated in facilitated discussion groups. Together they shared the many joys of the father–daughter relationship, while also acknowledging some of the challenges that can arise as young people grow and change. These honest and thoughtful conversations created a supportive atmosphere and reminded everyone that strong relationships are built through listening, understanding and time spent together.

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening came when students shared a significant item they had brought along for their father figure. Each item carried a special memory or symbolised the bond they share, leading to some very touching stories and reflections.

It was truly a lovely evening and a valuable chance for families to pause, reconnect and appreciate the important role they play in one another’s lives.

Looking ahead, our Year 11 students will have the opportunity to participate in their own Time & Space event in November. I think I can confidently speak on behalf of the Year 8 students who attended this year when encouraging them to take part, it is a very special experience that is well worth it.

Student Reflections

The Time and Space evening was a fun way to highlight the important memories we have shared with our fathers. We had to bring an item that represents a significant part of our lives. It was a great way to express our gratitude and show them a memory that will last a lifetime.

Natalie P 8E

The Time and Space event was a bright, optimistic evening with fun, laughter and a time to connect with our fathers. We each brought a symbolic item which was shared with each other at the end of the night. It was a night to remember, sharing memories, connecting and having the best time together.

Laura W 8F

The Time and Space evening was such a memorable way to strengthen and grow our connections with our fathers. A highlight of the event for me was bringing an item along that reminds us of times with our fathers. Overall, it was an experience that I will never forget, and I’m sure it’s the same with all the other participants as well.

Stella W 8B

The Time and Space event was a lovely night. It was filled with laughter, fun and it was a really good chance to talk to our Dads or male mentors and connect. We each brought a meaningful item to share together and bring the night to a close and we all shared a special moment with our Dads lit by candles at the very end of the night. It was an unforgettable evening and it was so nice to spend this quality time together.

Charlotte N 8G

Felicia Taine
Year 8 Level Coordinator

Early in Term 2, we have two Parent Information evenings scheduled. On Wednesday 22 April, we have Jocelyn Brewer, founder of Digital Nutrition™ presenting to our Year 7 parents and carers on the following topic:

The Year 7 Technology Tango: Phones, Friends and Focus
A practical parent session designed especially for families in the Year 7 cohort. After the first term of high school, many households are noticing a new 'tech rhythm' — more group chats, more screen time, later nights, and more juggling between leisure, learning, and downtime. This session helps parents support growing independence while building healthier, realistic tech habits at home (without shame, fear, or constant battles).

The presentation will cover:

• the 'high school shift' in routines, responsibility, and online life
• friendships and group chats (boundaries, drama, exclusion, and FOMO)
• focus and homework (notifications, multitasking myths, study set-ups that help)
• sleep and late-night device use (simple 'digital sunset' strategies)
• social media and short-form video habits (how they form, how to reset)
• family expectations that work (clear limits, follow-through, collaborative agreements)

More information will be emailed out to our Year 7 families but you can find out more about Jocelyn and the principles of Digital Nutrition at the following website:

https://jocelynbrewer.com/digital-nutrition/

We are also planning an evening for our Year 12 parents and carers on Monday 27 April. This night will be designed to share information about how we can best support Year 12s in their final year at OLMC and will include input from students and parents from the Class of 2025. Please save the date.

Term 1 was jam-packed! With GSV starting in week 1, we experienced a few new challenges and some ups and downs, but overall we commend all the students who got involved in one or more GSV or CGSAV sports.

2026 House Swimming Carnival Results

On Friday 20 February, a beautiful sunny day, OLMC conducted the 2026 House Swimming Carnival.

The Swimming Carnival provided opportunities for everyone to participate with indoor volleyball, novelty events, diving and competitive swimming races all earning points for their Houses.

The OLMC Community of staff and students came together to make this event very successful and enjoyable.

Individual Year Level Results:

Overall School Results:

Congratulations to everyone for contributing to a fun day!

2026 GSV Triathlon

On Sunday 22 February 2026 at Altona Beach, a OLMC squad of 13 teams and 6 individual students competed against other GSV schools in the 2026 GSV Triathlon event.

This year the Year 7and 8 students formed a total of eight teams to compete in the Junior Teams event, the biggest number ever.

A notable Performance from Olivia C (10M5) who raced in the Intermediate Individual Event and finished second - an amazing effort.

Thank you to all the families that came along to support their daughter's sporting endeavours.

CGSAV Tennis Tournament

On Thursday 26 February, OLMC competed in the 2026 CGSAV Tennis Competition with five Junior and five Intermediate players. Our students performed brilliantly, securing 1st Place in the Junior division and 2nd Place in the Intermediates. Congratulations to all the girls on an outstanding tournament!

Juniors: 1st Place

Our Juniors placed 1st overall in the Tournament. With the end result being OLMC (17) defeated Academy (9)

(Isabella O, Eve A, Inaya B, Esta C and Ava N)

Intermediates: 2nd Place

Academy (16) defeated OLMC (5)

(Charlotte D, Anya H, Lydia P and Scarlett W)

Huge shoutout to Isabella O (7E) for being named the Grand Final Best Player in the Junior division! What a massive achievement!

GSV Swimming and Diving Preliminary Carnival

On Thursday 26 and Friday 27 February, OLMC competed in the Swimming and Diving Preliminary Competitions. Our Swimming and Diving Squads competed against a number of other GSV member schools. OLMC finished 6th Overall for Swimming scoring a total 242 points, while our Diving Squad finished 8th. We would like to say a big congratulations to all of the girls who took part in both days.

GSV Swimming and Diving Championship Carnival

On Tuesday 17 March, OLMC competed in the GSV Swimming and Diving Championship. Following our strong performance in the Preliminaries, we were placed into Division 3 for both Swimming and Diving. Our squads competed against several other GSV member schools, and we are incredibly proud of the effort displayed by both teams.

Our Diving Squad performed incredibly well, with the Juniors placing third overall tied with St Margaret’s. Our swimmers also fought very hard, placing fifth, again tied with St Margaret’s.

Congratulations to all the girls who participated! It was a fantastic turnout and a performance to be proud of.

GSV Weekly Sport: Volleyball and Softball Term 1

Congratulations to our 12 GSV Weekly Sport team that competed in Term 1 Sport in Volleyball and Softball.

Term 1 is a difficult term to confirm teams in the technically challenging sports of volleyball and softball.

All teams committed themselves to the competition and many just missed out on finals.

Congratulations to the OLMC Junior D Volleyball Team that finished first in their pool and will now participate in finals this Thursday. We wish them well. Please find the finishing results of Term 1 GSV Weekly Sport.

GSV Representative Softball

On Monday, our very own Sports Captain, Hanna W (12M4), stepped up to represent OLMC in the 2026 GSV Representative Softball Game at PLC. Facing off against the AGSV Representative Teams, Hanna smashed it, running four home runs for GSV! The GSV team had an impressive 17–3 victory. A massive congratulations to Hanna on this incredible achievement!

2026 GSV Finals Evening

We are also thrilled to announce that we have some students moving on to the 2026 GSV Finals Evening, on Tuesday 31 March. We are very proud of them for this huge achievement!

Jasmine J 9B:

Event 17: Year 9 50m Butterfly

Event 31: Year 9 50m Backstroke

Eliza C 12L4:

Event 6: Year 11-12 100m Freestyle (Emergency)

Event 13: Year 12 50m Breaststroke

Event 20: Year 12 50m Butterfly

Amelia G 10A6:

Event 5: Year 9 –10 100m Freestyle

Event 11: Year 10 50m Breaststroke

Sienna C 11A6:

Event 12: Year 11 50m Breaststroke

We cannot wait to see what’s in store for Sport in Term 2!

Trevor Robertson
Sports Coordinator

Caitlin Rafter
Sport Administration Assistant

Raelene Mathewson
Community Development Coordinator

Applications for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) 2026 are now open and remain open until the end of Term 2 - Friday 26 June 2026.

Parents/Legal Guardians holding a Concession Card and being successfully validated with Centrelink will be entitled to a payment of $400 per year for each Secondary School student.

Parents, please refer to the 2026 Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF) Application Form attached.

Please complete this application and return it as soon as possible to Visitor Reception at OLMC along with a photocopy of your relevant Concession Card.

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