The College theme for 2026 ‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart’ (Colossians 3:23a) has resonated with our students with a large number embracing this theme in the many events they have participated in.

The theme is not merely saying ‘work hard’ but rather do everything with the entirety of your heart and soul — put everything you are into it. Students have approached every opportunity presented to them with enthusiasm, commitment and a positive attitude.

The OLMC community has once again demonstrated that we provide students with vibrant and enriching opportunities. These opportunities encourage students to grow academically, spiritually, socially and personally through a diverse range of experiences.

Our annual Mother’s Day Event was a fitting celebration for Mothers and significant women in the lives of our young people. The evening was filled with laughter and conversation and the atmosphere reflected the strong sense of community that exists within our College. Events such as these remind us of the importance of connection, gratitude and belonging. Thank you to the Parents' Association and Megan Edwards for her support and leadership.

Last week approximately 60 students across all year levels participated in the Boorondara Eisteddfod Choir Performance. Our students received an Honourable Mention Award acknowledging their enthusiasm, talent and confidence.

This week as a school community we acknowledged National Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day. Our whole school Mass focussed on these important events. Beautifully led by Fr Vinh and Rev Tri, it was an acknowledgement that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue. As activities week gets closer each year level received a special blessing for the various activities that they will be involved in.

OLMC continues to celebrate the participation and success of students involved in GSV. There has been a continued growth in the number of teams and individuals engaged in sports and physical educational pursuits. The aim of GSV is to encourage both participation and excellence for students on the sporting field; to acknowledge, support and promote team work and shared success; to celebrate individual achievement and to strive for one’s personal best. The success of GSV in achieving these aims is evident with increased participation levels and success.

Finally, the OLMC production with Marcellin College has celebrated a 20-year partnership. Over the past two decades, this partnership has provided students with valuable experiences that have enriched both school communities and created lasting connections through learning, creativity, and shared success. This year’s production Midnight: The Cinderella Musical was truly a standout event. The acting, singing, choreography, costumes and every aspect of the production – from onstage to behind the scenes – were testament to the passion, commitment and talent of all the students and staff involved.

‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart’

(Colossians 3:23a)

All In — A Reflection on National Reconciliation Week 2026

This year's theme, All In, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation — not as a once-a-year gesture, but every single day. It's a phrase that carries real weight.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, marking two significant milestones: the 1967 referendum and the High Court's landmark Mabo decision. These aren't just dates on a calendar — they represent hard-fought turning points in a longer story that is still being written.

All In challenges comfortable passivity. Reconciliation is not a spectator sport, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long. That reminder lands each year differently, depending on where we each stand.

This year also marks Reconciliation Australia's 25th anniversary — a moment to reflect on progress made, and a renewed invitation to lift our collective commitment to the work still to be done. Twenty-five years is long enough to take stock honestly: what has changed, what hasn't, and what we've been slow to face.

To be all in means showing up in the everyday — in how we listen, learn, and act in our workplaces, schools, and communities. It means sitting with discomfort rather than retreating from it. Reconciliation isn't a destination reached by the willing few; it's a shared responsibility that asks something real of each of us.

This week is a beginning, not a boundary.

Let us pray…

God of Mercy and Justice,
As we journey through National Reconciliation Week,
we pause to listen, to learn, and to walk together with humility and hope.

We give thanks for the rich cultures, wisdom, and spirituality
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
the First Peoples of this land.
May we honour their enduring connection to Country,
community, story, and spirit.

Forgive us for the times
when dignity was denied, voices ignored,
and wounds left unhealed.
Open our hearts to truth,
our minds to understanding,
and our lives to the work of reconciliation.

May we be people who build bridges rather than barriers,
who seek justice with compassion,
and who walk gently alongside one another.

Inspired by the Gospel and the Mercy tradition,
may we become communities
where every person is welcomed, respected, and valued.

Guide us, God of peace,
to move beyond words into action,
so that reconciliation may grow
in our schools, our communities, and our nation.

We ask this in the spirit of hope and unity.
Amen.

Our whole school community gathered in the Nalleijerring Centre for our first Whole School Mass of 2026, celebrated during National Reconciliation Week. Led by Rev Fr Vinh Nguyen and assisted by Deacon Tri, the Eucharist invited us to reflect on reconciliation, justice, mercy, and our shared responsibility to walk together with respect and compassion. Through prayer, Scripture, music, and symbolic offertory gifts from each year level, students reflected on themes of healing, belonging, and hope. Fr Vinh’s homily challenged us to consider how we live mercy in real and tangible ways within our relationships, school, and wider community. At the conclusion of the Mass, each year level was commissioned and blessed for the experiences and opportunities of next week’s Activity Week, including camps, retreats, exams, and learning programs. We also keep Deacon Tri in our prayers as he prepares to be ordained to the priesthood tomorrow, and we give thanks for his generous witness of faith and service. We thank all students and staff who contributed so thoughtfully to this meaningful celebration of faith and community.

On Wednesday 27 May, OLMC was delighted to host the second Australasian Mercy Secondary School Association (AMSSA) Online Student Conference for 2026, bringing together students and staff from Mercy schools across Melbourne, including Mount Lilydale Mercy College, Academy of Mary Immaculate, and St Aloysius College, North Melbourne.

The conference provided students with the opportunity to connect, reflect, and engage in conversations centred on Mercy identity, justice, and leadership. Gathering both online and in person, students explored what it means to live Mercy in action within their own school communities and the wider world.

Throughout the day, students shared ideas, built new connections, and reflected on the importance of compassion, courage, and service in the Mercy tradition. We thank all students and staff who participated and helped make the gathering such a positive and meaningful experience.

Senior Seeds of Justice Conference

The theme of human trafficking was a heavy but powerful and important one for our Senior Seeds of Justice Conference.

Year 10 and 11 students who are regular Social Justice Club members attended this annual conference for Mercy schools. The conference provided opportunities for learning and the reflection and deeper listening of a retreat. We had the founder of the Offspring Project speak on her work developing and leading the refuge, school, and training centre for girls rescued from human trafficking. Students asked so many questions and it was a long conversation. We then had a workshop using recycled saris, which allowed further debriefing and thought. Kristi is a positive force, and it was inspiring to hear her speak. Their products are for sale and all proceeds return to the amazing work of the Offspring Project. We also heard from Usha, a teacher at Sacred Heart College who spent time with her family volunteering at a boys’ rescue centre and shelter in India. Again, students engaged on a deep level and it was motivational to hear how these women live the Mercy values so profoundly.

Reconciliation Week

To acknowledge and reflect on Sorry Day, we attended a Healing Ceremony in Malahang Reserve. It was an important pause to honour our national apology to the Stolen Generations and connect with Heidelberg locals, led by an Elder.

This week we celebrated the All In theme with a collage banner, pastoral activities, and a stall to raise money for First Nations students accessing an equal education, Opening the Doors Foundation. Next week we also have students attending the Long Walk at Aquinas College.

Anita Galli
Social Justice Coordinator

Health and Physical Education has concluded a fun and engaging Term 1, particularly within VET Sport and Recreation where students are provided opportunities to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.

The Year 11 VET Sport and Recreation students recently attended the Doncaster Athletics Track to assist with the St Clement of Rome Primary School Athletics Carnival. Students helped officiate a range of events including high jump, long jump, shot put, marshalling the track events and novelty events. The day was a great success for both the Year 11 students and the primary school students, with students demonstrating excellent teamwork, leadership and communication skills throughout the carnival. The excursion also provided valuable practical experience that contributes towards student observations and coursework requirements for the completion of their Certificate in Sport and Recreation.

Year 11 and 12 VET Sport and Recreation students also had the privilege of observing an AFL training session at the Richmond Football Club. Students then attended a presentation based on careers within the sport and recreation industry. Students also partook in a strength and conditioning session delivered by the Richmond Football Club's education arm, Richmond Institute. This experience gives the students a chance to observe and apply fitness concepts as well as an insight into careers in sport and recreation.

Teresa Cerra
Health and Physical Education Learning Leader

The CAT Competition was held on Wednesday 20 May. Students in Years 7 to 11 participated in this problem-solving competition called CAT, Computational and Algorithmic Thinking. Over one hour students were given multiple choice and short answer questions to complete usually involving some form of problem-solving. Students who sat the competition felt the experience was very rewarding. Thank you to all involved and to Leanne Whiteroad for organising the competition.

Filippo Di Natale
Mathematics Learning Leader

Tuesday 19 May and Wednesday 20 May were extremely exciting days for our Year 7 students, as Wild Action Zoo visited our College along with a variety of beautiful Australian animals. Liv from Wild Action Zoo presented a workshop to each Year 7 class covering a variety of topics related to the Living Things Unit our students are currently studying in Science. Below are some highlights and reflections written by our Year 7 students for this memorable event.

The Wild Action Zoo incursion was fun and interesting. We got to see and learn about so many different animals. We learnt about their adaptations, their Linnean classification, and other cool facts. Some of us even got the chance to hold the animals. My favourite animal personally was either the wombat, or the talking cockatoo. The cockatoo was really cool. He said things like ‘Hello’, and ‘How's it going?’ Overall, it was a really great experience.

Alice M 7A

The Wild Action Zoo Presentation was an extremely engaging experience. We saw all kinds of animals, some of which are going extinct and that we may never see that close again. Our presenter was engaging and told us which Phylum, Class, and Kingdom the animals were in, giving us a more scientific experience and helping us connect with what we are learning in class. It was overall very enjoyable!

Hannah L 7B

The Wild Action Zoo Incursion was extremely interesting and captivating. I was amazed at the beauty and cuteness of all the animals. Feeling most of the animals was definitely a highlight, who knew a crocodile's skin would feel like fabric??? My favourite bit must have been when I was chosen to hold an echidna. It was surprisingly heavy, but definitely a special moment for me and the other girls who were lucky enough to hold one of the animals. The Wild Action Zoo Incursion was a memorable experience, and something that I will never forget.

Milla P 7C

There were many highlights for me! Some of them were:

- Being able to hold the snake. I was lucky enough to be picked to hold the black headed python. It was really cool as I was able to overcome my fear of snakes. The snake sat on the back of my neck and in my two hands. When it was in my hands, it felt funny because when it moved, I could feel the muscles moving in my hands. It was really fun to be able to interact with the snake.

- Being able to pat the animals was another highlight. It was so cool to be able to feel the animal’s bodies and how they were different. I was expecting the echidna to be spikey however Liv told us to pat it a specific way. When I ran my hand down the echidna, it felt like I was running my hand down a hairbrush. We were able to feel a lizard, snake, wombat, cockroach, frog, and crocodile.

- When Liv bought out the different birds, it was really cool how she was able to show us the wings. She bought out a parrot that was able to speak English, she could get it to say ‘Hello’ and ‘How’s it going?’, it was fascinating! When Liv bought out the owl, she was able to let it fly back into it’s cage and that was really cool. Next Liv bought out the bat, which she pretended to drop and it spread its wings as if it was going to fly off.

Something that I enjoyed about the experience, was being able to learn so much about different animals, that I never knew before. For example, I thought that when lizards and snakes stick out their tongues, it meant they were hunting for food however, they are actually sniffing out their surroundings and smelling where their prey and predators are.

Another thing I enjoyed was being able to have the opportunity to hold the animal, pat it and identify the different scales, spikes and fur the different animals had.

Overall, the Wild Action Zoo experience was really fun and interesting, and I would definitely recommend it to others my age!

Lucy H 7D

I really enjoyed the Wild Action Zoo experience in Science because it was a fun and exciting way to see and learn about different animals. Liv the wildlife handler was extremely kind and nice, and the animals were very friendly. We also got the chance to hold some of the animals, which was very thrilling and enjoyable! Overall, it was a fun, engaging and unique experience that doesn't really happen that often, so I'm extremely grateful to be able to participate! I had an amazing time learning and seeing all the different and beautiful animals!

Zoe T 7E

Wild Action Zoo bought wonder into the classroom and helped students develop a sense of courage and confidence, not only just being confident to hold or touch an animal, but courage to learn in a fun way. This engaging experience, along with the teachings from the workshop, can be used in the future. This will be a long-lasting memory that I am sure many students including myself will hold onto forever, as a teaching, but also the fun this experience bought. The workshop highlighted the need to care for our animals. Students encountered many diverse animals that may be on their way to becoming extinct! It was a moment of learning, growth and connection that I am certain many students will remember for a long time to come.

Allegra J 7F

Assimina Semertjis
Science Learning Leader

Zines (pronounced zeens) are DIY, self-published booklets or magazines that our Year 11 Media classes have been exploring as part of their unit on Media Forms in Production.

Working in small groups under the expert guidance of our Art Technician, Liam (a zine publisher himself), students collaborated to create zines about the seven Wurundjeri seasons of our local area.

Using paper, glue, scissors, and our hard-working photocopier/scanner, students combined source material and Indigenous knowledge gathered from Museums Victoria with their own found imagery. This blend of first-person accounts and visual material highlighted the unique natural changes in flora and fauna and weather patterns experienced in our local area throughout the year.

As zines often break the conventions of traditional print media, students explored the creative possibilities of the photocopier by scanning and printing their collages using duotone print experimentation. This process created more colourful and stylised final products while highlighting the dominant colours associated with each season.

Amazingly, all of this was completed in a single 75-minute lesson!

Both students and staff were incredibly proud of the final outcomes. For some students, this project has piqued a new interest in this unique print media form, possibly inspiring them to continue developing their skills to create a zine for their Year 12 SAT next year.

These zines will be on display and available to browse at our Art Show later in the year.

Mark Jenkinson
Design, Art and Technology Learning Leader

The Learning Commons has developed a range of resources and activities in consultation with other Learning Areas to support students. A summary of some of these initiatives are included below.

Study Habits

Knowing where to begin with time management and goal setting can be challenging, so OLMC has created a website with videos, templates and additional resources to assist students to further develop these skills and habits.

With exams fast approaching, now would be a great time to review some of the support materials available on the Study Habits site. Students are encouraged to ask the library staff for help with any of these resources too.

Reading Resources

Struggling to find something good to read? Why not try one of the books in our general recommended reading lists. ebooks and audiobooks are also available for students to borrow via the Wheelers app or website. A list of our most popular titles are available on the front page of the Learning Commons catalogue along with our Library newsletters too.

• Year 7 General Reading List
• Year 8 General Reading List
• Year 9 General Reading List
• Year 10 General Reading List

Anna Apfelstedt
Learning Commons Coordinator

Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) and Marcellin College are exceptionally proud to announce our current joint production of the enchanting stage show, Midnight: The Cinderella Musical.

Since early March, our dedicated staff and talented cast of students have been rehearsing tirelessly to bring this captivating story to life on stage. The commitment and energy the students and staff have brought to the rehearsal process have been truly outstanding.

A Visit from the Show's Creator

Recently, our cast was afforded a rare and remarkable opportunity. During our rehearsal on Wednesday 6 May, we were deeply honoured to welcome the musical's acclaimed co-writer and composer, Anthony Costanzo, to work directly with our students.

Having one of the original creators of the musical in the room provided an unparalleled educational experience. Anthony generously shared his profound industry expertise, guiding the students through the specific nuances of his compositions and the deeper creative intentions behind the script. This unique perspective allowed our cast to connect with the material on a completely new level.

Beyond the intricacies of Midnight itself, Anthony also imparted invaluable professional knowledge regarding stagecraft, vocal technique, and the realities of performing at a professional level. His mentorship left our students incredibly inspired, energized, and equipped with new tools to elevate their performances.

We are incredibly grateful for Anthony's time and generosity, and we cannot wait to share the culmination of our students' hard work with the wider school community!

There are still tickets available to the final performances of Midnight this weekend, don’t miss out!

Student Reflection

On Wednesday 6 May, the OLMC and Marcellin cast of Midnight had the amazing opportunity to meet and work with the composer of the show Anthony Costanzo. For all of us involved, it was an eye-opening experience which allowed us to learn more about our characters and the show in general. He encouraged us and showed us how to look for and find the motivations of our characters by asking questions and trying new things. He provided insightful feedback on how we can all work to make our performances even better. By working with Anthony, we learnt so much about how to become stronger and more confident performers, especially in the musical theatre space. We are all so grateful that we got the chance to work on our production with him!

Hannah K (12M2)

Madalena Broadbent
Performing Arts Learning Leader

Last Friday, the choir went to the Boroondara Eisteddfod for a competition. We competed against other schools such as Genazzano, Eltham High, and Kingsford College. Overall, we did really well and received an honorable mention from the adjudicator. Our choir worked really hard to get our songs to come together, especially in such a short time frame of 4 or 5 rehearsals. We want to thank Ms Murone and Ms Mileto for giving us this opportunity to compete and for helping us learn incredible songs that show off our talent.

Amelia B (11C5) and Ava T (11A5)
Year 11 Choir Captains

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government Department of Education Privacy Policy.

Please visit: Fact Sheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers for a FAQ sheet with more information about the NCCD. You can also obtain further information about the NCCD on the NCCD Portal.

Catherine Burke
Learning Diversity 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.

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.