Activities Week: Why Learning Beyond the Classroom Matters

Our students live in a world where information and experiences are constantly accessible. Traditional education alone is no longer enough to prepare young people for:

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Emotional intelligence

• Adaptability

This is why learning beyond the classroom has become an important focus. Some of the most powerful learning experiences happen beyond the four walls of a classroom. Camps, incursions and excursions are not just exciting opportunities for students – they are essential components of a holistic educational experience and aim to also foster the personal strengths of our students so that they may become active, creative, confident and curious young people.

Throughout the week, our students demonstrated curiosity and thoughtful reflection. Whether navigating city streets, camping overnight or participating in community service, they embraced challenges with enthusiasm and an open mind. Each opportunity enriched student learning and allowed students to apply their knowledge in different contexts. Beyond academic growth, these experiences play a crucial role in personal development.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to staff who worked tirelessly to plan and support these experiences, ensuring our students had additional opportunities to grow, learn and thrive.

If education is to meet the emerging challenges of the twenty-first century, we must recognise that learning takes place far beyond the formal education sector. We must ensure that what happens in schools is connected to wider learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Exams and Assessments

While exams and assessments may be one of the least enjoyable aspects of education for students, regular assessments play an important role in learning. Assessments inform what students need to focus on, what their learning strengths and weaknesses are, and how best they can approach future assessments, while also giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Similarly, exams play a crucial role in identifying areas where students might be encountering learning gaps or experiencing challenges.

The resulting feedback support teachers, students and families to improve the students’ learning journey. We know that improving student outcomes critically hinges on quality feedback. This feedback empowers students to reflect on their academic progress, encouraging them to take proactive steps towards enhancing their learning.

The importance of assessments is to improve student learning and provide information about where a student is at, so assessment is an endpoint but also a starting point because it identifies the next key element of learning that needs to happen to make progress. It identifies the needs of students at different stages.

Tuesday was the Feast Day of Mother Ursula Frayne, a woman of deep faith, a compassionate heart, a brilliant mind, and a courageous spirit who was never afraid to challenge injustice.

Mother Ursula learned the spirit of Mercy directly from Catherine McAuley herself. After experiencing both success and hardship in Newfoundland, Canada, she returned to Ireland before answering a new call: to bring Mercy to Australia. Arriving in Fremantle in 1846, she established the first Mercy foundation in Australia and planted the seeds of a mission that continues to flourish today.

At OLMC, our story is deeply connected to hers. Our Mercy heritage traces its roots to Catherine's first House of Mercy in Dublin in 1827, to Mother Ursula's arrival in Fremantle in 1846, and to the establishment of the Mercy community in Fitzroy in 1857. From there, the Mercy tradition continued to grow, eventually leading to Mother Basil and the Sisters from the Academy of Mary Immaculate establishing Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg in 1910.

Today, we are the beneficiaries of the vision, courage, sacrifice, and faith of these remarkable women. Their commitment to education, justice, compassion, and service has shaped generations of young people and continues to shape us today.

As we celebrate Mother Ursula's feast day, may we honour her legacy by living the values she embodied: courage in the face of challenge, compassion for those in need, and a commitment to making God's mercy visible in our world. Through our words, actions, and relationships, may we continue the story of Mercy that began with Catherine, was carried to Australia by Ursula, and lives on in our community today.

Prayer for the Feast Day of Mother Ursula Frayne

God of Mercy,

Today, as a Mercy community, we pause with gratitude for the life of Mother Ursula Frayne.

We thank You for her courage to leave everything she knew behind and journey across the world, trusting completely in Your call. Through her faith, determination, and generous heart, the spirit of Mercy took root in Australia and continues to flourish in our school community today.

Mother Ursula saw possibilities where others saw obstacles. She believed that every person was worthy of dignity, opportunity, and hope. Her commitment to education, compassion, and justice opened doors for countless young people and transformed lives through the practical expression of Mercy.

As we celebrate her feast day, help us to follow her example. Give us the courage to step forward when something is difficult, the compassion to notice those who are struggling, and the generosity to place others' needs before our own.

May we never take for granted the opportunities we have received through the vision and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. Help us to honour Mother Ursula's legacy by building communities of welcome, kindness, inclusion, and respect.

Bless all who continue the Mercy mission today: our students, staff, families, alumni, Sisters of Mercy, and all who seek to bring hope and healing to the world.

Mother Ursula, woman of faith, courage, and Mercy, pray for us.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Last week, our Year 12 students participated in their annual retreat at Arrabri Lodge, accompanied by the Passionist Youth Team and OLMC staff. Over three days, students stepped away from the demands of school and everyday life to reflect on their experiences, relationships and hopes for the future.

Retreats hold an important place in the life of a Catholic school. They provide opportunities for young people to pause, listen, pray and reflect, creating space to encounter themselves, one another and the presence of God in their lives. In a world that is often busy and demanding, retreat experiences invite students to consider what truly matters and how they are called to live with hope, compassion and purpose.

Throughout the retreat, students engaged in meaningful conversations, personal reflection and community-building activities. Many spoke about developing a deeper appreciation of their peers and discovering that they were not alone in their fears, challenges and aspirations.

One student reflected, ‘I realised everyone is going through something, even if they don't show it,’ while another shared, ‘For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could be myself.’ These comments capture the spirit of the retreat and the strong sense of belonging that developed throughout the three days.

A special thank you goes to the Passionist Youth Team, whose warmth, authenticity and skill created an environment where students felt safe to participate fully and reflect deeply. We are also grateful to the OLMC staff who generously accompanied our students throughout the retreat, embodying the Mercy tradition of walking alongside young people as they grow in confidence, compassion and hope.

The retreat was a powerful reminder of the strength of our Year 12 community and the importance of creating spaces where students can pause, connect and grow.

On Saturday 30 May some OLMC students and staff joined many others in attending the Mass of the Ordination to Priesthood for Br Cao Van Tri CP (Rev Tri) at Holy Cross Centre, Templestowe. The principal celebrant was Most Rev Bishop Thinh Nguyen DD (Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne), with support from Very Rev Fr Denis Travers CP (Provincial of the Passionists of the Holy Spirit Province in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Vietnam), many other Passionist priests, as well as a good number of other religious and diocesan clergy (including our OLMC College Chaplain, Rev Fr Vinh Nguyen).

Lily A (12 C3), Olivia B (11 L5) and Rheanah R (11 C2) represented OLMC and assisted as readers during this special Mass. ‘Love’ was the theme of Tri’s chosen Scripture readings (Jeremiah 31:1-6; Psalm 88; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Matthew 25:31-46), which Bishop Thinh preached on in his homily. Bishop Thinh used an acronym to reflect on the role of the priest – ‘L (Laying down your life) / O (Obedience to the heart) / V (Voice of Christ) / E (Eucharistic life)’ – whilst also summarising this as having ‘a Eucharistic heart and a shepherd’s love.’ All those present were asked to consider how they can support Tri in his ministry as a priest.

It was a joyous occasion with Tri, along with his family, friends and religious community (the Passionists), which included Passionist hospitality after the Mass. We were grateful to be able to celebrate with and support Tri who has been supportive of our OLMC community. Best wishes and every blessing to Fr Tri in his vocation as a Passionist priest: may God and St. Paul of the Cross be with you in your love and service of all God’s people.

From Wednesday 3rd to Friday 5th June, our resilient Year 7 cohort embarked on their highly anticipated camp to Phillip Island. While Mother Nature greeted us with cold temperatures and winter rain, the weather was absolutely no match for the excited Year 7 students.

Outdoor Adventures and Team Triumphs

The rain didn’t stop our students from diving headfirst into a packed schedule of outdoor challenges. Working in their activity groups, the Year 7s pushed past their comfort zones and showed incredible grit. Highlights of the outdoor program included the giant swing, canoeing, team rescue, a beach walk, raft making and high ropes.

Evening Entertainment & The Ultimate Dance-Off

When the sun went down, the energy only ramped up. On Wednesday night, students put their thinking caps on for a fiercely contested Trivia Night, showcasing some seriously impressive general knowledge.

However, the absolute pinnacle of the camp's entertainment was Thursday evening's Pastoral Dance-Off. The room was full of energy as each pastoral class showcased their best moves, rhythm, and wonderful choreography. While every single class should be proud of their efforts, congratulations must go to 7E, who were crowned the overall winners of the night with an unforgettable performance! They will now be able to enjoy a pizza lunch next term.

We returned to OLMC on Friday afternoon with a bus full of exhausted, but smiling students. The way they supported one another through the cold weather was a joy to watch.

Beyond the activities, the true success of the camp was found in the moments in between. Our Year 7s showed immense positivity and motivation, using the experience to forge new connections, strengthen friendships, and lift each other up.

A massive thank you to all the dedicated staff members who braced the cold to make this experience possible and well done to Year 7 for being such outstanding representatives of the OLMC community!

Year 7 students are now involved in assessments and tests and they are motivated to do well.

It is wonderful to see so many students participating in the many co-curricular activities on offer at OLMC, especially GSV Netball.

Students are eagerly waiting for their first Dare to Donate, which is held on Friday 19th June. This is where teachers are dared to dress up as a character to assist in raising money for McAuley Services for Women. The Year 7 cohort have been extremely generous with their donations.

It is hard to believe that the students are nearly halfway through their first year of secondary school at OLMC. We are very proud of the positive way that they have embraced Year 7 and how they are living the OLMC values in their daily interactions with their peers and teachers.

Deb Butterworth
Year 7 Level Coordinator

Our Year 8 students recently returned from an unforgettable camp experience in Marysville, and we could not be prouder of the way they embraced every opportunity presented to them.

Despite some very wet and rainy weather throughout the three days at camp, students demonstrated resilience, enthusiasm and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. It was wonderful to see so many students approach camp with positivity, adaptability and a sense of adventure, making the most of every experience on offer.

Throughout camp, students participated in a wide range of activities designed to challenge, connect and inspire. From tackling the high ropes course and learning valuable outdoor skills such as shelter building and safe fire lighting, to making pizzas using fresh produce from the camp garden, students enthusiastically threw themselves into each experience. Many also enjoyed a walk into Marysville township, where they explored the area’s history and learned about the lasting impact of the Black Saturday bushfires on the local community.

Beyond the activities themselves, camp provided valuable opportunities for students to strengthen friendships, develop independence and build confidence. It was especially pleasing to see students encouraging one another, demonstrating teamwork and embracing the spirit of camp life so wholeheartedly.

The Pastoral dance competition on the second evening was an absolute highlight. Seeing the students collaborate to create some seriously impressive dances was wonderful. But better than that was watching them all cheer each other on. The vibes were so positive.

We would like to sincerely congratulate all Year 8 students for the maturity, resilience and positive attitude they displayed throughout the camp. They represented the school exceptionally well and should be proud of the way they contributed to such a successful experience.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to the staff who generously gave their time and energy to attend camp. Their care, enthusiasm and commitment helped create a safe, supportive and memorable experience for our students. Camps such as these are only possible through the dedication of staff, and we are incredibly grateful for all they contributed.

We look forward to seeing the positive connections, confidence and memories from camp continue throughout the year.

Felicia Taine
Year 8 Level Coordinator

Student Reflections:

Camp was a wet and wonderful adventure. It was a time to share memories and lots of food. Even though the weather was rough, everyone stayed positive and had such a blast. At camp, we encountered many challenges like navigating though the high ropes course, a seven-kilometre hike, tackling the crate stack, the importance of food sustainability, and learning how to create a fire and a shelter in the wilderness. Throughout the three days we were there, we learnt the importance of resilience, courage, persistence, teamwork and communication. It was such a fun time, where we were laughing until bedtime, sharing tons of food, meeting and becoming friends with our group leaders and cheering each other on even if we felt scared or uncertain. One of the biggest things that we learnt was that we should step out of our comfort zone from time to time. Despite the constant rain and mud, the camp spirit never faded. Everyone embraced every activity with enthusiasm, proving that a little bad weather could not stop us from having an amazing experience. The laughter, teamwork, and positive attitudes made the camp truly unforgettable.

A big thank you to the teachers, camp leaders, and staff who made this experience possible. Their support and dedication helped create memories that we will cherish for years to come.

Laura W 8F

Camp was like a rollercoaster! The weather was wet and muddy the entire time but even the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits. Camp was an opportunity to meet new people, to challenge ourselves and have heaps of fun. We tackled the challenges together, from embarking on a seven-kilometre hike to climbing up a ten-metre ladder in the freezing rain. However, with our friends cheering us on and making us laugh at the silliest little things, there was never a dull moment. We learnt that even when things seem difficult or scary, looking on the bright side can help us make the most of every situation. Every obstacle became an opportunity to grow, support one another, and most importantly, laugh about later!

Overall, camp was an amazing experience. We made connections with new people, stayed up late, challenged ourselves with exciting activities, survived the harsh weather and shared countless laughs and memories as a cohort which brought us all closer together. Year 8 camp has definitely been a highlight of this year and it will be an experience I’ll never forget.

Charlotte N 8G

Year 8 Camp was definitely one of my greatest highlights of the semester! We all had so much fun bonding with our friends during our cabin time and the evening activities: Trivia Night and the Pastoral Camp Dance Competition! We participated in a range of activities led by our Group Leaders, (shout out to Charlie!😄) and built resilience in areas out of our comfort zone! The hike was amazing! We got to immerse ourselves in the beautiful scenery of a rainforest, even though it was super rainy and muddy and I completely destroyed my white sneakers AND trackies. We also got to talk about food sustainability in an activity called Grow It/Cook It, where we also got to make our own pizzas using herbs and vegetables from the camp’s green garden!

Genevieve D 8B

Student Reflections:

Horizon Camp was a super exciting and fun three-day adventure for us in 9A and 9B. On the first day we went caving. It was a bit challenging, but the whole trip was awesome and very fun. At camp, we did lots of fun activities like a commando course (with a mud pit!), abseiling, electronic fox hunting, and even a MasterChef challenge where we cooked desert and our teachers judged them at the end of the night. The MasterChef judging was very brutal but left us all laughing. On our way back home, we got to do indoor rock climbing at Hardrock Climbing in the city, this was a new experience but fantastic. Going in the mud pit and cooking our own meals everyday pushed me out of my comfort zone a little, but it was also a great time, and it helped our friendship grow and teamwork too. Overall, the camp was extremely enjoyable, we got to try new activities, challenge ourselves, and connect with our friends.

Olivia - 9B

Last Monday 1 June to Wednesday 3 June, 9A and 9B went to camp at the Clifford Park Activity Centre. On Monday, we were lucky to go caving! This was a nerve-wracking but thrilling experience for all of us. The caves were tight and dark, but when we got to the glow worms and the ‘beach’ in the centre of the cave, this was a rewarding and memorable experience to be able to connect with nature. That night, we used the communal kitchens for the first time with the help of our amazing teachers to cook our dinner, which was delicious!

On the second day, we participated in four activities including: abseiling, commando course, MasterChef cooking challenge, and electric fox hunting. These activities were thrilling and so cool! Some of us challenged ourselves with using the rope to swing over the mud pit in the commando course, and others scouted out the ‘foxes’ in the electric fox hunt. In our activity groups, we tried new things, met new people, and built trusting relationships with each other. That night, the MasterChef judging panel tasted our food creations. The highlight for all of us was most definitely Ms Davies (one of the judges) saying the viral TikTok dot cakes were in fact, TikTok ROT!

Finally, on Wednesday, we packed our bags and headed to Hardrock Climbing, a rock-climbing venue in the city. This was such a fun and exhilarating experience for all of us. We learnt to further trust our friends, and how to spot someone while they were climbing. The instructors were very kind, helpful, and encouraging. Some of us even made it to the top of the wall! Once we finished climbing, we went back on the bus, tired but happy with our amazing time at camp. We were all glad to be back at school to see our family, telling them about how much fun we had at camp.

Overall, Horizon camp was such a great experience, and we will never forget the bonds we have made with each other and the blast that we had!

Felicity 9B

Lucy Davies
Horizon Coordinator

It has been a busy and deeply enriching term in Year 10 Religious Education! Our students have been diving into some profound topics, challenging themselves to look at history, scripture, and modern society through a lens of faith and critical thinking.

Here is a snapshot of what we have been exploring in the classroom:

Women in the Abrahamic Faiths

Our students have been undertaking a fascinating comparative study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We began by looking backward, analysing the representation and stories of women within the three sacred texts (the Tanakh, the Bible, and the Qur'an). From there, we brought the conversation into the present day by researching modern, inspirational women from each of these traditions who are living out their faith through leadership, justice, and community empowerment. It has been wonderful to see the students discover the shared roots and unique expressions of faith among these global traditions.

The Changing Catholic Church

In tandem with our study of world religions, we have been exploring the historical turning points of the Catholic Church. The students have journeyed through:

• The Protestant Reformation: Understanding the historical context, the challenges raised by figures like Martin Luther, and the Church's response.
• The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II): Examining how this monumental 1960s council modernized the Church, changed how Mass is celebrated, and renewed the Church's relationship with the modern world.

Through these topics, our Year 10s are learning that history and faith are not static—they grow, adapt, and respond to the world around them.

Grace Austin
Religious Education Learning Leader

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.

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