As Lent closes for 2021, we prepare for Easter and reflect upon the events

which led to Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

In our country, days of Easter remain warm with a hint of the cooler days to follow, beckoning us to make the most of what summer-like days remain. In our churches, it is a time of changing vestments and altar cloth to white after the purple of Lent, a time for celebration and feasting after a time of fasting and penance.

As a contemporary society, many remnants of Easter traditions remain - hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, passion plays, hat parades, the painting of eggshells, and a particular variety of lilies and passionfruit are named for Easter. On the Easter public holidays, families gather, hunt for Easter eggs and colour pictures of bunnies, prepare special foods of different origins and join events which have grown in popularity to mark the season such as the Royal Agricultural Easter Show, a family seaside escape and even the introduction of professional football games held on Good Friday.

In the Catholic tradition, the celebration of Easter is the most significant religious celebration of each year, marked by solemn and reflective Church rituals. This begins with Palm Sunday to begin Holy Week, then Holy Thursday commemorates Christ’s Last Supper and on Good Friday, we remember Christ’s passion and crucifixion. The Easter Saturday evening vigil prepare us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

As Christians, we recall in the Easter Season, the story of a man who preached justice for the downtrodden and freedom for those enslaved, being himself made a prisoner and killed, before his rise from death. It is the story of God who became fully human and displayed for us the fragility of humanity; Jesus, our brother, in whom our faith offers us salvation and forgiveness.

In this Easter Season let us also be reminded of our commitment to the poor and most vulnerable amongst humanity. Let us remember that love conquers death and promises us eternal life.

My hope is that you will share in the richness of Catholic Liturgy in the coming days with your daughters at this most significant time and my prayer for our OLMC community is that your families be blessed with love, laughter, leisure and rest as we look forward to our return to OLMC to begin Term 2.

Now Enrolling for Year 7, 2023

The College is now inviting enrolments from families who wish to enrol their daughter into Year 7, 2023.

CLICK HERE to commence an enrolment application. 

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

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.

Click on the links below to read more about this data collection.

Letter Regarding NCCD
NCCD Information for Parents

New College Strategic Vision Launched

We are very excited to be launching our new Strategic Vision 2021-2025. The Vision, developed largely by the College Leadership Team and in consultation with our College Board and staff, is designed to elicit the best thinking and practice in the academic care of our students and all members of our community – staff, families and alumnae. The focus of the Vision is to ensure that OLMC is strategically positioned, now and for the future.

CLICK HERE to read the Strategic Vision on the College website.

Positive Message from Member of the Public about OLMC Students

The College received a phone call from a bus driver with Transit Systems who drives the 9608 afternoon school run. He wanted to share with us how impressed he was with the behaviour of the OLMC girls. He said he wishes all schools had students like ours who are wonderfully behaved, courteous and tap on and off. He said they are the benchmark that all schools should strive to be like. Congratulations to our Mercy Girls who catch this bus who have been wonderful representatives of our College.

Changes to a Bus Route 

Transit Systems has informed us that there will be an additional route servicing OLMC in the mornings and afternoons. The existing 810X route, which operates from Pemulwuy, through Greystanes to Parramatta, will extend one trip to finish at Market St in the AM. A return trip in the PM will also start in Market St. CLICK HERE for more details of the services that will divert to OLMC, which will commence on 19 April 2021.

Photography/Video Permission Form

Throughout the year, OLMC students may be photographed or filmed at events or in the day-to-day life of the College. These images/footage may be used in College publications such as the newsletter, OLMsCene Magazine, the website and social media. They may also be used in advertisements, newspapers, in print and online promotions and marketing and in educational materials.

In 2021, our Photography/Video Permission Form has been updated to give you more choice over where the College can publish photos of your daughter. The new form has been created to be aligned with The Australian Privacy Principles.

CLICK HERE to complete the form. Please complete the form by Friday 16 April, 2021.

Lucie Farrugia
Principal

University Admissions Centre (UAC)

UAC Digital is a new online platform that will host a range of free webinars for students and parents. These live briefings and Q&A sessions will include information on the application process, moderation and scaling, and introduce the many and varied universities in NSW and the ACT. There will also be a “Lets Chat’ series focused on popular fields of study, like Medicine and Teaching. Register for ‘Let's Chat’ webinars on the UAC Digital page.

The first public session will be the Year 12 Conference. I encourage all Year 12 students to register to hear from the participating universities as well as learn about the university application process. Register for the Year 12 Conference 

Universities are visiting OLMC

During Term 2 ,a number of Sydney-based universities will be visiting OLMC for a series of lunch-time briefings. These briefings will cover courses, applications and campus life and will take place in AG14. The dates are listed below. All Year 10, 11 and 12 students interested in going to university are encouraged to attend.

• Wednesday 21 April – Western Sydney University
• Monday 26 April – University of NSW
• Monday 3 May – Australian Catholic University
• Tuesday 4 May – University of Technology, Sydney
• Wednesday 12 May – Macquarie University

Year 10 Course Preferences

Towards the end of Term 2, Year 10 students will be required to consider their subjects for the HSC. You should choose subjects that reflect your interest and abilities. That is the way to maximise your ATAR and to make it worthwhile in all sorts of other ways. There are some simple requirements about English and the number of units you must complete for the HSC – and university pre-requisites to consider. But otherwise, if you are good at it, do it!

University Admissions Centre (UAC) provides a wealth of information for students in Year 10 to assist with their subject selection for Year 11 and 12.

If you have any questions regarding course preferences, do not hesitate to contact me via email or make a booking to catch up with me during term time via the OLMC careers website.

There are also specific university resources for subject selection and briefing that are scheduled in April and May. The links are included below (click read more).

Our staff and students have enjoyed exploring new ways of learning and teaching in our 12 Victoria Road (12VR) premises this term. We should be very proud of our outward focus and innovative mindset, as reflected by an article written by Mr Matthew Esterman and published by the National Education Summit.

https://nationaleducationsummit.com.au/new-blog/pioneers-in-space

We Science teachers are often asked why the Years 7-10 curriculum includes a mandatory 400 hours of Science. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) mandates these hours for English, Mathematics and Science; more hours than any other subject. While it is clear that literacy and numeracy are essential for developing an engaged, productive and resilient society, the necessity for a scientifically literate citizenry seems less well understood. More recently, the spotlight on science literacy has also shifted to future shortages in the available STEM workforce and the long-term impact on future economies. As a result, career-focused STEM education initiatives have necessarily flourished.

But now that many of these aims are being met, perhaps it is time to refocus our attention on some of the more fundamental reasons for science education and also appreciate why our Mercy Girls spend so much of their time in our Science laboratories.

Research clearly shows that educational attainment is linked to better health, well-being, personal empowerment and active engagement in public affairs, greater trust and support of others and enhanced employability. Society now faces an unprecedented range of challenges, such as feeding and housing the population, healthy living, protecting our environment, generating sufficient energy, supplying enough clean water, urbanisation and global climate change. In this way, a Mercy science education helps form actively engaged and responsible young women who are creative and innovative and can work collaboratively in STEM careers that will help solve society's complex challenges. More importantly, our Mercy values instil a capacity for wisdom in the hearts and minds of OLMC girls who are well-placed for careers that manage risk, put uncertainty into perspective, guide technological development and innovation and forecast and plan for the future. Many of these students can be found in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics and Science Extension classes in Year 11 and 12, where they are developing the knowledge, understanding, values, and skills that align with our global society's needs and expectations.

While Science education is essential for students wishing to enter STEM-related professions, it is even more vital for developing a scientifically literate society; this is why our Years 7-10 curriculum demands at least 400 hours of science study.

The Australian Curriculum defines scientific literacy as:

An ability to use scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry skills to identify questions, acquire new knowledge, explain science phenomena […] and draw evidence-based conclusions in making sense of the world, and to recognise how understandings of […] Science help us make responsible decisions and shape our interpretations of information.

Our Science Curriculum is broadly divided into the acquisition of knowledge and understanding and developing the skills needed to think and work scientifically. We spend about 60% of the learning and teaching time developing skills and the remaining 40% on developing knowledge and understanding. The skill components include planning and conducting investigations, analyzing, processing and presenting data, problem-solving and communicating scientifically. These skills are rarely taught or learnt well without an inexplicable association with one of the four content areas: Living World, Earth and Space, Physical World and Chemical World.

In developing students' capacity to think and work scientifically, we are enhancing science literacy. This means that OLMC girls can ask, find or determine answers to questions derived from curiosity about everyday experiences. It means they can describe, explain and predict natural phenomena, read with understanding articles about science in the popular press and engage in social conversation about a conclusions' validity. They can identify scientific issues underlying local, national and global decisions and express scientifically and technologically informed perspectives. They can evaluate the quality of scientific information based on its source and the methods used to generate it. Mercy Girls can pose and evaluate arguments based on evidence and our shared values and can apply conclusions from such ideas appropriately.

Science literacy helps us interpret and understand our world, manage risk and put uncertainty into perspective, guide technological development and innovation, and forecast and plan for the future. It improves job prospects, cultural awareness and our ability to act as well informed citizens in solidarity with citizens around the world. Science influences all parts of our modern lives and our decision-making processes. Along with literacy, numeracy, language and artistic literacy, scientific literacy is the basis for personal accomplishment, responsible value-based citizenship, social and economic development and a benchmark of innovation, entrepreneurship and competitiveness in our global world. With Mercy Values in our hearts and an exceptional and dedicated team of Science Educators, we are privileged and excited to be a part of this vital aspect of your daughters' education.

Jonathan Saurine
Leader of Learning Science and STEM

MASSH (Mercy After School Study Hub) operates in the Catherine McAuley Library each Monday – Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm – 5.30pm commencing Term 2 Tuesday 20 April and concludes Week 8.

Students from all Year Groups are encouraged to attend to complete unfinished classwork, homework, assessment tasks, organise their tasks or to read a book. Students are encouraged to work independently or in small groups if required.

Students are supervised by the MASSH Coordinator Mrs Rugg and Library Assistant Mrs Pinto and are required to sign in (by 3.45pm) and out of MASSH to comply with the OLMC evacuation and lockdown policies.

What is Academic Coaching?

Academic coaching is held in the Catherine McAuley library between 3.30 – 5.30pm. The College has employed ex-students who are currently studying at University to assist students of all year groups across a range of subject areas. Academic Coaches are due to commence Week 2 Term 2.

Monday: Mathematics all levels

Tuesday: All subjects Years 7-10

Wednesday: English/History

 Thursday: Mathematics/Chemistry

How to book an Academic Coaching session?

Students can see Mrs Rugg (Library) after school Monday – Thursday (3.30 -5.30pm) or email: cheryl.rugg@olmc.nsw.edu.au with the following details:

• Student’s name and Year Group
• Subject they want to work on with an Academic Coach
• Preferred days

Once this request has been received, an email will be sent to confirm the exact times.

Sporting results

If your daughter achieves an exceptional sporting result outside of school, please let me know so that we, as a community, can congratulate them!

NSW CCC Swimming

The NSWCCC Swimming Championships were held on Monday March 29 at SOPAC. OLMC was represented by Kasey Bolt, Tiana Karl, Elizabeth Harvie, Imogen Burns, Mia Cleary, Zoe McIntosh, Emily Shumack, Olivia Nesci, Amelia Harvie, Ashleigh Hamilton, Riley McIntosh and Olivia Towle. Congratulations to all the girls on their wonderful achievements.

Congratulations to the Senior Girls Freestyle Relay team (Olivia, Emily, Amelia and Riley) who finished 2nd, the All Age Freestyle Relay team (Kasey, Tiana, Mia, Emily, Amelia and Riley) who finished 3rd and to Ashleigh Hamilton who finished 3rd in the 16+ 50m Multi-class Backstroke. All girls have also qualified to compete at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships in May!

Congratulations to Amelia Harvie, Riley McIntosh, Emily Shumack and Ashleigh Hamilton who all qualified and competed at the NSW Open Swimming Championships last weekend!

Saturday Netball

Games are scheduled to start on April 24. We will be playing at Eastwood Ryde Netball Association - Meadowbank Park, Adelaide St, Meadowbank.

Game times and grades have been emailed to all players.

Training has now started, but we are unable to train during the school holidays.

Please ensure you arrange to purchase your Netball uniforms from the Uniform Shop if you do not have one yet.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Saturday Soccer

Games are scheduled to start on April 24.

Game times have not been finalised yet. These will be confirmed by IGSSA by the end of March.

Soccer teams have been emailed to all players. We have a senior team, a Junior team, and a Year 7 team. Training has started on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school, 7:30-8:30am. There will be no training during the holidays and training will recommence on April 21.

Please ensure you arrange to purchase your Soccer uniform from the Uniform Shop if you don’t have one yet.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

NSW All Schools Cricket

Congratulations to Vaishnavi Deobhankar who competed in the NSWCCC Open Cricket team at the NSW All Schools Championships at Maitland last week. Despite the impending rain, the carnival went ahead and was able to contest a couple of T20 matches which NSWCCC won. At the end of the carnival, Vaishnavi was recognised for her talent and was selected for the NSW All Schools Open Cricket Merit Team. Congratulations Vaishnavi, what a fabulous achievement!

OLMC Cross Country

The OLMC Cross Country was held on Wednesday March 24. With the torrential rain leading up to the carnival, the Parramatta Park grounds were far too wet, so we had to modify how we selected our Cross Country representative team. This year, the girls competed in the BEEP Test, a Multi Stage Fitness Test, indoors. Rather than first to finish as is the case in a traditional Cross Country event, the BEEP test awards the last competitor. The girls competed exceptionally well and cheered each other on while each age group competed separately. 

Well done to all the girls that competed and congratulations to the following girls who were crowned Age Champions:

12 Years –  Kasey Bolt
13 Years –  Alexandra Attard
14 Years –  Zoe McIntosh and Mia Fogolin
15 Years – Lucie Francis
16 Years – Sofia Polson
17+ Years - Olivia Towle

Congratulations also to all the girls from Callan as they were crowned House Champions!

A big thank you to all the PDHPE Staff and students who helped on the day and to all of the competitors for participating.

Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator

PUBLIC SPEAKING

ENROLMENT INFORMATION EVENING

The public speaking ability of our students continues to impress and even amaze those who hear them. Two girls who displayed exceptional talent recently were Zara Lewis and Nikita Krzeminski, both still in Year 7. Addressing hundreds of guests at the Year 7, 2023 Enrolment Information Evening, Zara and Nikita spoke about their early experiences as new students to the College, remembering how welcome they felt from the first day at OLMC and sharing some of their experiences that made an impact on them. The girls had been writing and practising for weeks before their presentation and their thorough preparation showed. Well done, girls. You are certainly wonderful ambassadors for the College.

CSDA Final

The recent CSDA Public Speaking finals saw Deeya Vashi competing in the Year 9 final. Deeya is to be congratulated on reaching this level, which sees the top twelve students from an original list of over a hundred entrants. While not being judged in the top three placegetters, Deeya’s effort is to be highly commended and an indication of the talent she has as a public speaker. Well done!

Rostrum Voice of Youth

After cancelling this competition last year, it was gratifying that Rostrum is up and running again in 2021. As always, the College opens its doors to hosting one of the early rounds. This year, Covid restrictions meant the number of entrants was more limited than in previous years and only three Junior students and three Senior could participate. Our Junior entrants were Rosemary Gonsalves of Year 7 and Nyssa Suraj and Jennifer Wang of Year 8. Our Senior representatives were Sakshi Chouta and Sarah D’Souza of Year 11 and Anne Nguyen of Year 12. Special thanks to Sarah who stepped in a few days before the event when one of our other girls had to withdraw.

Rostrum is particularly challenging as only the winner of a heat progresses to the Regional Final. Well done in particular to Jennifer Wang and Anne Nguyen who were both runners-up in their division but all girls were thoroughly prepared and performed well. We are proud of all of them.

Hosting an event requires the involvement of many others and our student volunteers play an integral part. A big thank you to London Ardeleanu, Avria Bergado, Chanel Elias, Annoushka Maikap, Jasmine O’Brien, Ruwindri Parndigamage, Gwen Penano and Kavya Samtani as well as DAPS leaders Sabrina Catania and Anne Nguyen who made everyone feel welcome and did so much to add to the success of the evening. Particular thanks to Annoushka and Ruwindri who stood in so capably as chairpersons when some Rostrum officials couldn’t make it. In fact, Rostrum spoke in glowing terms about the enthusiasm and cooperation shown by our volunteers. Thank you also to Mrs Batten and Mrs Bujnowski who gave up their evening to help in the organization of the event.

Debating

Our debating teams are well on the way to preparing for the beginning of the competition which occurs the first Friday after the holidays. Thank you to all the coaches and the girls themselves in committing to an intensive (but very rewarding) six weeks of debating. The good news is that this year’s competition will be live, giving everyone the opportunity to interact with other students face to face, a welcome change from last year. Another change is that we are now allowed four Senior teams (Years 11 and 12) which will give many more girls to participate in this valuable program.  

Detailed reports on each round will appear in each edition of the newsletter in Term 2.

Christopher Ostrowski
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

The College Uniform Shop is open at set times Monday to Thursday and families are reminded to ensure they have winter uniform essentials for their daughter.

Year 7 families who have not yet made a Uniform Shop appointment to purchase their uniform are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Earlier in March Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Educational Services (www.enhanced-learning.net) ran a study skills session with Year 10. 

The session focused on helping students identify changes and improvements they could make to their approach to their studies in order to maximise their results in their final years of school. The main areas covered with Year 10 were working effectively in the evenings and dealing with distractions, managing time efficiently, planning for assessments, making brain-friendly study notes on a regular basis and using a wide variety of active study techniques to suit individual learning styles. Parents are encouraged to review the handout from the session with students and discuss the main areas identified where changes need to be made. Parents can also find extra study skills tips on the following website: http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/. 

All students and parents at our OLMC have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills.

Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and enter the username: OLMC and the password:  64results

There are lots of useful handouts on the THINGS TO PRINT page on this site and students can work through the units where they need additional help.

Engaging (Tech Obsessed) Adolescents

As we continue to support our students in being healthy, ethical members of society, we want to support parents to positively engage their daughters in conversations about their lives online.

OLMC Parramatta alumnae Jocelyn Brewer is a psychologist, educator and speaker who offers expert advice to students and parents. This includes an upcoming series of workshops called Engaging (Tech Obsessed) Adolescents.

Please see below for an overview of the workshops and a discount code. CLICK HERE to view the flyer for more information.

Engaging (tech-obsessed) Adolescents’ is a 4 x 90-minute webinar series for parents of 11–18-year old’s created and presented by psychologists (who were once teachers).

It's shame-free and evidence-based and designed to help parents build communication and connection, and handle tough conversations with their #Screenager.

Use code OLMC10 to get 10% off! CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS 

St Patrick’s Day Mass

On 17 March 2021, I was fortunate enough to attend St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day Mass with Ms Farrugia, Mrs Scanlon and peers Isabella Nouh and Yasmin Sampaio. The special Mass was attended by staff and students from other Irish Charism schools in Sydney, which jointly celebrated 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.

St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland is best known for spreading Christianity in Ireland in the 5^th century. He created councils, supported church officials, founded monasteries and organised Ireland into dioceses. Move forward to 1888, and nine Sisters of Mercy leave their homeland of Callan Ireland for Parramatta, to visit the sick and imprisoned, and to provide girls with an education. Very quickly OLMC was established in 1889, with Mother Mary Clare Dunphy as the founding Principal.

At his special Mass, in the magnificent St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, where we celebrated the Charism of our founders, I felt grateful and privileged for the strength and determination of Mercy men and women who have built our College over its 132 year history. It is hard not to be moved by the Mass with the Latin hymns and the encompassing congregation. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Terry Brady and concelebrated by Fr Joseph Murphy.

Emily Orszulak, Year 9

The importance of down-time:

Our world today values busy-ness. We have come to see being constantly busy with school and activities as a positive thing that helps children grow and evolve into well-rounded adults.  Keeping children stimulated is indeed important to growth and learning, but our obsession with keeping children busy has swung too far in the other direction where children sometimes never get the opportunity to feel bored and are often over-extended.

We all need some downtime built into our days and our kids are no different. They need time to play and time to relax providing an opportunity for their bodies and brains to rest and have a break. Downtime allows them to recharge so they can be at their best for everything else they want to accomplish. Downtime is important for your health. When we are in a state of mental rest it assists in consolidating memories and learning, and in regulating our attention and emotions. Overall it assists in our productivity.

1. Mindless Activities:

It’s important for teens to have time for mindless activities. These activities could include watching an episode of their favourite show, playing a video game, or scrolling through social media if they’re old enough. They need time to disengage from their schedules and to-do lists. Mindless activities provide time to rest and relax and take a brain break.

2. They need time for unstructured play.

For older kids unstructured play may mean spending time with their peers such as inviting a friend over to hang out. They are using their imaginations and building social skills, but still relaxing. It’s not intended to be an organised activity, homework session, or practice.

3. Kids need time to invest in hobbies.

Kids need to have time to discover hobbies and explore their interests. I am not referring to structured hobbies such as dance classes or the debate team. Instead, they could try baking, sewing, LEGO, or reading. Time for hobbies is essential. Spending time learning and exploring new things allows them to relax and take pleasure in the things they create or do.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Term break filled with opportunities for rest, relaxation and much earnt down-time.

Sandra Portela
Senior College Counsellor

Year 9 Reflection Day

Chris Doyle joined staff and students to lead a musically filled day with wonderful messages of acceptance, openness and the importance of being true to ourselves. The girls participated fully with the songs, activities and Mass which was celebrated by College Chaplain, Fr Walter Fogarty.

Year 12 Reflection Day

The Year 12 girls enjoyed the space at 12 Victoria Rd for their Reflection Day which signaled not only the end of their Assessment Block but also provided an opportunity to stop, reflect, and regroup. Girls spent time thinking about the way they see and interpret - important qualities and learnings they will take with them beyond the gate in their backpack and also got creative painting canvases. The day concluded with the sharing of the Eucharist which was a fitting way to round off a day full of friends, fun and faith sharing.

STUDY SKILLS TIP FOR MARCH – 4 REASONS NOT TO PUT OFF STARTING ASSIGNMENTS

Here are four reasons why you should start working on your assignment immediately.

1. GET YOUR BRAIN THINKING ABOUT THE TOPIC:
Even if your assignment is not due for weeks, start thinking about it immediately. At the very least, ensure you review and understand the requirements the day you get your assignment. Even if you are not thinking about it directly, your subconscious will be hard at work.

2. FIND LIBRARY AND ONLINE RESOURCES:
Although the school or local library may not be your main source of reference, you should drop in soon after receiving the assignment. Your teacher will probably have alerted the school librarian to the assignment, and reference books etc, may well be displayed. These will disappear quickly if the whole class has the same assignment. Reference books can sometimes be a useful general overview for an assignment and they help clarify a direction as you begin to immerse yourself into the assignment topic. Your librarian can also guide you to online journals or databases that may be useful.

3. STARTING EARLY MEANS MORE TIME TO EXPLORE AND ASK FOR HELP IF NEEDED: 
If you do some initial research on the assignment, you could find yourself needing more direction in your next research. For example: Perhaps there isn’t enough information, or perhaps you find you don’t understand important concepts, or perhaps you need to speak to your teacher to get further clarity. If you find this out early, you will still have plenty of time to plan, research, write and present your assignment. Imagine if you didn’t start your assignment for a week or so, and then discovered you needed more guidance. You could easily run out of time. Starting early also gives you a longer time to think through and develop your ideas.

4. CREATE A SAFETY NET:
Starting your assignment immediately will give you a safety net in case you get sick or something unexpected happens. Assignments are usually given over a period of time because they require more time; students must plan a strategy or schedule to ensure they are completed. You should always have a schedule that allows for the unexpected.

So get started today!

Learn more this year about how to improve your results and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au  - our school’s access details are:

Username:OLMC 
Password: 64results.

Mercy 6 Senior Day

OLMC is a part of a network of Sydney-based Mercy schools called Mercy 6. A group of Year 10 and 11 students joined students from five other Mercy schools to participate in a day of Justice and Advocacy.

Students joined in with activities, made presentations and watched a video about the significant work of Aminata Conteh-Biger, a survivor of violence in Sierre Leone who is now working to improve maternal health and childhood health and development. Days such as these are a profound way of sharing a common Mercy connection and are always rewarding for the participants.

As the Term draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our newest members of the College from Year 7 to Year 11 on all their efforts to settle into a new school and we hope their time, so far, at the College has been truly rewarding.

We also want to thank all the girls for their focussed work and effort this term and, when it has been challenging, their perseverance has been appreciated by their teachers. I did remind the girls this week that it is always good to remember to thank their teachers as we end the Term for all that they have done to support them.

Term 2 Winter Uniform

Next term, your daughter may wear either her full Summer Uniform or her full Winter Uniform in Week 1 and 2 of Term 2. No combinations of the two uniforms are allowed.

Your daughter will be expected to wear her Winter Uniform from Monday May 3.

I would ask your assistance in ensuring that your daughter’s Winter Uniform complies with the College Dress Code. In particular:

• The junior dress or senior skirt is to be worn at the correct length (at least 2cm below the bottom of the knee cap).
• The College Blazer is to be worn as the outer garment to and from school in Terms 2 and 3. The jumper/cardigan is not to be worn to or from school unless under the blazer. Year 12 jerseys are also not to be worn under the blazer.
• Please also note that that blazers are to be worn to House Assemblies in the Chapel and College Assemblies in Terms 2 and 3.
• Full-length 70 denier pantyhose are to be worn with the winter uniform.

Thank you for your support in ensuring that your daughter wears the correct uniform. When I speak to the girls about uniforms, I emphasise the respect factor. When the girls wear the uniform with pride, they show respect for themselves and for the College. I appreciate the financial commitment you as parents make to purchasing all items of the uniform. It is for this reason that I ask that all items of the uniform are labelled with the student’s name so lost property can be returned to your daughter.

Finally, I wish you and your family a happy and holy Easter and hope that the break provides you with plenty of rest, relaxation and quality time with family and friends.

Ann-Marie Herd

Director of Pastoral Care (Acting)

Project Compassion Appeal

The purple Mufti Day on Friday, 26 March, was the most recent activity aimed at encouraging much-needed donations to the Caritas Project Compassion Appeal. Students and staff of OLMC have been extremely generous this year and donations have exceeded $7600 which is outstanding.

Feast of the Annunciation - March 25

The Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce to her that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus. We remembered this day by praying at the foot of the Holy Family Statue at the front of the College.

Easter 2021

To conclude Term 1, staff and students gathered in the AMCC to mark Palm Sunday - the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This event highlights that Jesus’ death and ultimate resurrection are fast approaching.

As we commence our Term Break, please check your local Parish websites for Mass Times. Remember that you will need to pre-register for many of these events.

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta

Parishes in Parramatta Diocese- click on your local Parish for Easter Mass times.

Staff Spirituality Day

Whilst students enjoy their first day of a well-deserved break, the staff participated in the annual Staff Spirituality Day. This was an opportunity for staff to share prayer, reflection and faith formation.

I would like to wish all families a very happy and blessed Easter break. May you all remember that it was Jesus’ death and ultimate resurrection that joins us all to each other in our Mercy faith community.

Gabby Scanlon
Director of Mission

1980s OLMC Volleyball Team.