From the Principal
From the Principal
From the Principal
New Student Leaders Inducted
At yesterday’s Assembly, we formally inducted our new Student leaders for 2021/2022. At this special Assembly we acknowledged and thanked the outgoing leaders who served our community so selflessly over this past year. I wish our new Student Leadership team all the very best as they embark on their leadership term. Thank you to the parents/carers who joined us for this special assembly and morning tea.
2021/2022 OLMC STUDENT LEADERS
- Head Girl: Maeve Nolan
- Assistant Head Girl: Moana Tuala
- Src President: Charlotte Gillies
- Src Vice President: Sarah D’Souza
- Creative & Performing Arts: Sophia Santos and Anastacia Wanandy
- Debating & Public Speaking: Sakshi Chouta and Stephanie Ogle
- Liturgy: Alyssa Dib and Ebony Elias
- Mercy Action: Jewel Jackson and Mikayla Simpson
- Stewardship: Samantha Emeish and Charlotte Saker
- Sport: Riley McIntosh and Tarni Sutton
House Leaders
- Clare: Lorraine Coorey and Kirsten Patel
- Callan: Olivia Holsinger and Amel Moussa
- McAuley: Olivia Kim and Madeline Wright
- Doyle: Tyra Di Giulio and Tara Nann
- Mercedes: Eliza Gordon and Catherine Hanna
- Callaghan: Chanel Achie and Audrey Baysari
- Stanley: Caroline Lee and Zara Reedman
- Kavanagh: Rishona Johnwilfred and Serene Mawad
I would like to wish all our students, staff and parents all the very best for these upcoming holidays. I hope you have the chance to enjoy a restful break. Thank you to the staff who will be coming in for the HSC study week in the first week of the holidays. These study sessions are invaluable for our HSC students.
Term 3 commences on Monday 12 July for Student-Led Conferences for Years 8, 9 and 10. Classes resume on Tuesday 13 July.
Lucie Farrugia
Principal
Teaching And Learning
History and HSIE Report
History and HSIE Report
Year 12 Society and Culture interviews Head of Education for ABC
On Tuesday 1 June we were thrilled to host Annabel Astbury, Head of Education for the ABC, in one of our Year 12 Society and Culture classes. Our students asked their prepared questions and engaged in a deep discussion around many aspects of popular culture (our current unit) and more specifically, our focus on children’s television. As the most trusted source of Australian content, the ABC represents a critical point of information, discussion and entertainment in our society. This experience developed both the knowledge of the girls and also their skills in interviewing and developing strong, open-ended questions based on our syllabus.
Gillian Carpenter
Leader of Learning HSIE and History
Careers
Careers
I encourage all students in Year 10, 11 and 12 to attend the Western Sydney Careers Expo being held at The Dome, Sydney Showground from 24 – 27 June. The Expo will host seminars focused on subject selection, tertiary courses, careers, employment and gap opportunities. There will also be exhibitors from universities and TAFE as well as information on apprenticeships and traineeships. You must purchase tickets online to attend.
In addition, if you are interested in studying information systems, actuarial studies or banking and finance the UNSW Business School is hosting a Girls in Business Digital Camp at UNSW from 6-7 July 9am to 5pm. The program is free, and tickets are limited, so register now to secure your spot!
HSC Subject Selection
Following are some useful resources and websites for students currently in Year 10 and preparing to select subjects for the HSC.
UAC Steps to University for Year 10 students
Year 10 students are welcome to book an appointment with me next term through the OLMC Careers website to discuss their options for next year and beyond.
Work Experience at Taronga Zoo
From 7-11 June, I had the privilege of taking part in Taronga Zoo’s School Work Experience program in the education and guest experience division. As part of this experience, I was able to learn about how the education and guest experience teams at the zoo operate, as well as the different roles available. I had the opportunity to interact with and learn from a range of teachers and guest experience officers who taught me about their experiences and gave me advice surrounding the best way to get my dream job in the future. Work experience was an incredible opportunity that I will never forget and would strongly encourage other girls to take up similar opportunities that present themselves.
Zsofia Varga-Strike
Year 10
Western Sydney University Visit
Western Sydney University Visit
We were delighted to recently visit the Parramatta CBD campuses of Western Sydney University. Our generous hosts Professor Barney Glover, Bill Parasiris, and Professor Michele Simons, showed what the future of tertiary education looks like. Ms Farrugia, Mrs Wood and Mr Esterman were guided through the state-of-the-art learning studios, conference facilities and specialist spaces that exist at the heart of our city. Both 1 Parramatta Square (1PSQ) and the Engineering Innovation Hub are inspirational, flexible, and innovative.
We look forward to engaging our staff and students in a range of initiatives in these spaces and beyond, as part of our growing partnership with Western Sydney University this year.
Matthew Esterman
Director of Learning Technologies and Innovation
OLMC Connect
Short Sharp Theatre
Short Sharp Theatre
Sharp Short Theatre is a competition run by Riverside Theatres. It requires students to self-devise 10-minute performances. Now in its sixth year, Sharp Short Theatre is a chance for young writers, directors and performers to showcase their stories on Riverside’s stage and learn from industry mentors.
All entries perform in a heat. The best pieces are invited to perform in the final where students are awarded prizes in categories including best script, best direction, best performance and best overall production. Plays come from all theatrical genres including comedy, documentary, suspense, period, drama and fantasy, giving students a chance to play to their strengths and interests and let their imaginations run wild!
At OLMC we held an internal competition on May 20. From this we selected our finalists to compete at the Riverside Competition on June 11. We had a group that included Mercy Girls from Year 7, Year 9 and Year 10. They got to experience all aspects of the theatre, from dressing rooms, technical rehearsals to the final performance in the evening. They all performed wonderfully and made the most of this opportunity.
Our Year 9 Team were successful in making it to the final which will be held on the evening of June 18. Tickets are available on the Riverside Theatre website.
Caroline Rowland
Drama Teacher
Public Speaking and Debating
Public Speaking and Debating
DEBATING
As the Debating season draws to a close, our girls can rightfully be proud of their efforts. When finalists were announced, only one school of the many that took part had four teams qualify for finals. OLMC was then one of only a handful of schools that had three teams make the finals, a truly impressive result. A complete list of wins (from six debates) for each of the teams is below.
- 7A 6 wins (undefeated) qualify for semi-finals after the holidays: Vishnu Gude, Isabel Homairi, Celeste Ieronimo, Sofia Tong and Shiloh Julien
- 7B 6 wins (undefeated) qualify for semi-finals after the holidays: A’ishah Ali, Lizzy Butler, Pia Goradia, Bianca Mina and Celina Wassef
- 8A 4 wins: Isabella Cotter, Bronte Herbertstein, Sierra Lake, Jennifer Wang and Kaira Dasgupta
- 8B 4 wins: Alexandra Attard, Gabby Fleming, Stefanie Gabriel, Jasmine O’Brien and Kristina Fry
- 9A 2 wins: Megan Keller, Isabella Samaha, Neha Sharma and Jasmine Velasco
- 9B 5 wins qualify for the elimination semi-finals this week: Zoe Borger, Tia Monga, Summer Rayne Roughley and Alyssa Taouk
- 10A 3 wins: Olivia Easton, Arlene Kumar, Tijana Pavlovic and Freya Scothern
- 10B 2 wins: Sophie Assaad, Niamh Nolan, Ruwindri Parndigamage and Hayden Rodewald
- 11A 3 wins: Sarah D’Souza, Samantha Emeish, Stephanie Ogle and Sophia Santos
- 11B 2 wins: Tvesa Agrawal, Tarni Sutton, Cassidy Turrell and Mikayla Simpson
- 12A 3 wins: Sabrina Catania, Sofie Del Rio, Anne Nguyen and Riley Rodewald
- 12B 3 wins: Sakshi Chouta, Iris McKenna, Maeve Nolan and Jeeviha Sangar
Siobhan Cassin, Ashlyn Kumar, Jemima Scothern and Juliana Merioles also kindly filled in when many regular debaters were absent on camp.
Congratulations to all teams and their coaches: ex-students Priyanka Sangar, Lily Tambrchi, Jessica D’Souza, as well as Ms Knox, Mr Altura, Ms Rowan, Ms James, Mr Palmer and Mr Hamey.
Ex-students Gabi Mizzi, Allison McGuirk, Priyanka Sangar also adjudicated as did Mrs Anne Kumar. We appreciate all their efforts.
Thank you also to those many volunteers who helped show our visitors such wonderful hospitality on the several evenings when we hosted.
We look forward to following the progress of the teams that made the finals.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Our girls continue to shine in the Parramatta Eisteddfod. In the last fortnight, our students were involved in two more events. The results were excellent. In the Telephone Pairs section, Imaani Sivaganesan, teaming with girls from outside the school, was 1st, Isabella Chivers and Zara Lewis were 3rd, Zoe Samar and Jiya Shah were 4th, while no fewer than five of our teams received a Highly Commended certificate: Kavya Samtani and Ojasvi Yadav, Pia Goradia and Haynin Lai, Harbir Bajwa and Celina Wassef, Georgia Draiby and Teresa-Maree Saba and Emma Kouros and Jacintha Prasad. A special thank you to Ms Katherine Bull who attended the event to support the girls.
In the Prepared Public Speaking event for 13 and 14 year-olds, Arlene Kumar came 1st while Willow Higgins and Ria Sallakonda received Highly Commended awards.
This coming weekend, which is the final weekend of the Eisteddfod, we have twelve students competing across three events. Our girls have worked hard in preparation so we are hoping for more success. A full report in the next Parragraph.
AUSTRALIAN TITLES
Over the holidays, the eight girls selected to represent OLMC at the Australian Debating and Public Speaking Titles in Canberra in September will be attending a full-day workshop as a starting point for their training towards this highly challenging event. Because of their talent, there is no doubt they will be very competitive. The Senior team comprises Sakshi Chouta, Sarah D’Souza, Sophia Santos and Mikayla Simpson while our Junior team is Gabby Fleming, Sierra Lake Neha Sharma and Jennifer Wang.
Christopher Ostrowski
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator
Music Performance
Music Performance
The Chamber Ensemble performed at the Cumberland Women's Health Centre' Mothers Day event on Wednesday 26 May, providing some lovely music for the luncheon. The girls gave of their time and musicality to ensure the event was a success.
Thank you to Veronica Chacty, Ashleigh Ko, Kiana Napernikova, Sadinya Randeniya, Tharuki Randeniya, Gabrielle Wanandy and Jennifer Wang who, the same afternoon, performed at the College's Women in Leadership Forum.
Belinda Angilletta
Music Leader of Learning
Sport
Sport
Merits
A reminder that students who compete for OLMC in any sports can collect Merits from Mr Guthrie.
AMCC Gym
The AMCC Gym is open for students in Years 9 – 12 to use before school – 7:45 to 8:30am, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
If students would like to use the gym (free of charge), CLICK HERE to sign up.
PDSSSC Junior Soccer
On Wednesday June 2, OLMC competed at the PDSSSC Junior Soccer Championships at Jamison Park Penrith. The team consisted of Isabella Zoghbi, Mia Totino, Niamh Nolan, Kyla Jones, Elyssa Wakim, Leah Kolosakas, Sharon Sebastian, Giselle Al-Mir, Alexandra Attard, Helena Rizk, Teyana La Brooy, Sophia Lees and Kasey Bolt. The girls should be extremely proud of their efforts during the Championships as they were very unlucky to just miss out on playing in the Final. After a slow start and losing to Cerdon 2-1 the girls came back to beat St Clare’s 7 nil, defeat Xavier 1 nil and to have an agonisingly close draw with St John Paul II after leading the whole game and then letting a goal through with 10 seconds to spare. This result left the girls 2nd overall where that last goal would have left them in 1st. I was very proud of how the team played especially with several girls having to play out of position. Well done to all the girls. A big thank you to Mrs Emeleus for all her help with the team.
CGSSSA Gymnastics
The 2021 CGSSSA Gymnastics Championships were held at the Sydney Gymnastics Centre at Rooty Hill on June 2. OLMC was represented by Maelys Pace, Heidi Francis, Sarah El-Sabbagh and Alliyah Gabreal. Well done to all the girls on their efforts and skills displayed on the day. Congratulations to Alliyah who finished first on the Vault (level 4), to Maelys who finished 1st on the Vault and 3rd overall in Level 5 and to Heidi who finished 1st on the Bars, 2nd on the beam, 3rd on the Vault and 2nd Overall in level 5 – a fantastic effort by all! A big thank you to Miss Papazoglou who helped out with the team.
NSWCCC Cross Country
The NSWCCC Cross Country Championships were held on Tuesday June 8 at Eastern Creek Raceway. OLMC was represented by Kasey Bolt, Niamh Nolan, Lucie Francis and Sofia Polson. All the girls ran exceptionally well. Congratulations to Lucie Francis who came 2nd in the 15 years and qualified for NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships. The PDSSSC 15 years girls team also won the team event. Well done girls!
Saturday Netball
With school holidays approaching there will be a few weekends where netball will not be on. The final game for Term 2 will be on Saturday June 19 then we will have 2 weekends off. Term 3 games will then start back on Saturday July 10, which is the last weekend of the holidays.
The weekly results can be viewed here
Saturday Soccer
The Saturday Soccer Season is now over. Well done to all the girls on a fantastic season and thank you to all the parents who came out each week to support the girls.
Here are the results from Round 7:
OLMC 1 Drew with Frensham, 4 all
Here are the final placings of our teams:
Ladder
OLMC 1 - 4th S04
OLMC 2 - 3rd J03
OLMC 3 - 3rd Y703
Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator
