From the Principal
From the Principal
From the Principal
Dear Families,
Yesterday our girls participated in the online Father Daughter Liturgy. It was a lovely Liturgy that gave us the chance to reflect on the wonderful role that our Dads play in our lives. Below is an extract of the message that I delivered as part of that Liturgy.
The media tells us instant gratification, power, money, cars, success and image are signs of successful manhood, but in our all-girls school that espouses values of Mercy, we need to be clear about what manhood really is.
Surely at the core of manhood, is love. Love which is in harmony with the love your daughter will receive from all those who surround her. Love shown through the just and discerning decisions you make, love which is compassionate and merciful. Our world, more than ever, is crying for men who are strong in principle, determined and resilient, courageous for the sake of their families, even in times when courage is waning; men gentle in responding to the needs of others and fathers patient when their children challenge them.
I wish all our Mercy dads a wonderful Fathers' Day, albeit different in this lockdown year and thank you for entrusting your daughter's education to us.
Message from 2020 Head Girl
Return to face-to-face learning in Term 4
In last week’s communications, I outlined that OLMC will be releasing our return to school plan, to suit the needs of our community. As indicated by the NSW Premier – at this stage, the earliest possible return date for any students is October 25 which is Week 5 of Term 4. As has been the case throughout this period, we will be reviewing the advice of several education bodies to ensure our plan best serves the needs of our girls. I expect to be able to release this before the end of Term 3. I will also be sharing our plan for any events and activities for the remainder of the 2021 school year.
Communications and Engagement Survey
I would like to thank the very many parents who have completed the Communications and Engagement Survey. We have had a wonderful response and the data obtained will help us fulfill Pillar 5 of our Strategic Vision which is ‘Community engagement’. The results support what we have known to be true - that OLMC parents and carers are totally engaged with their daughters’ academic success and wellbeing in authentic and positive ways.
The survey will close this evening so there is some time to complete it if you haven’t yet had the chance. CLICK HERE to complete the survey.
Creative Kids
A reminder if you haven’t already claimed your creative kids vouchers from the NSW Government, this period of lockdown may be a great opportunity as they can be used for some online activities too. Parents can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school. The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for creative arts, speech, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons and activities. CLICK HERE for more details.
Share your Photos
Thank you to all who shared their Wellbeing Wednesday photos; you can view some of these below here. I now invite you to share photos in the theme of Spring which is just around the corner. The Visual Art Department is running a Student Photography Competition and successful entries will be included in our first Virtual Gallery experience. Here is the CANVAS LINK. The theme of Spring is open to your interpretation. Talk with your friends and family - get them involved! Entries for this competition close on Friday 17 September.
Lucie Farrugia
Principal
Teaching And Learning
PDHPE Report
PDHPE Report
Exercise has always been a necessary and essential part of our lives and now, more than ever, it is paramount that we get outside, enjoy the sunshine and do some physical activity. Each week we have Fitness Friday where one of the PDHPE teachers provide some exercises or form of physical activity for our students and parents. Physical activity not only provides benefits to our physical health such as strengthening our heart, assisting at keeping our blood pressure in an acceptable range, improving the density and strength of our bones but there are emotional benefits as well. When we exercise, chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins are released from the brain that makes us feel happy. So, therefore, during our time whilst we are learning online, it is very important that we all get out and exercise regularly!
I will finish with a quote from Edwin Mamerto: “When life changes to be harder, change yourself to be stronger. What hurts you today, makes you stronger tomorrow.”
Stay active and healthy,
Jennifer McIntosh
PDHPE Leader of Learning
Online Learning '21
Online Learning '21
In mid-August, Year 12 Geography undertook an incursion over Zoom with Hayley Brien, a Marine Biologist who works for a tour company in Port Douglas. Hayley also conducts research and surveys for James Cook University and The Australian Institute for Marine Science. This Term, Year 12 Geography has been studying the Great Barrier Reef as a case study for the Ecosystems at Risk topic. Hayley shared her experiences of working in this unique environment and what we can do to ensure the ecological sustainability of this World Heritage Site.
A Year 10 Religion class last week explored the gifts of the Holy Spirit and did this with amazing enthusiasm and energy!
Music lessons via Zoom have been coming along nicely. This week Year 8 Music students have been practicing “Can’t Stop the Feeling” on their own instrument.
OLMC Connect
Sport
Sport
Sport Cancellations
Unfortunately, it appears that all school sport will be cancelled for the remainder of 2021 due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. Term 4 Saturday Basketball and Volleyball will not be going ahead.
If any school sporting opportunities appear in Term 4, I will inform the community.
Staying Fit & Healthy
On the MyOLMC Sport Canvas page you can find a document with numerous links to online sport specific training resources you can access - https://myolmc.instructure.com/courses/39/pages/olmc-sport
If you would like to keep training for your chosen sports while in isolation, these resources can help you by providing a number of drills you can try at home with minimal equipment, space or people.
Sport During Lockdown
Despite the widespread cancellations of sport in 2021, some students have been lucky with their chosen sport.
Annoushka Maikap has been able to play in various golf tournaments at the Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club.
- She has played in over 20 tournaments with various age groups.
- She won the “Ladies Tuesday” competition “twice”
- Joint winner of “4BBB Stableford” competition “twice” consecutive day in a row
- Winner of “Nearest to the pin” and the “Eagle Nest” competition
She won a total of $237 prize money!
She has reduced her handicap by 4.2 during lockdown.
Golf courses have been closed now since 23 August, but Annoushka is continuing her practice in her backyard.
If anyone else would like to share their good news sporting/fitness/training stories, please get in touch with me.
Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator
Tournament of Minds
Tournament of Minds
This year, OLMC has entered two teams into the Tournament of Minds Competition. Students are encouraged to think ‘outside the box’ to solve a specific problem. They are judged on their creativity, their reasoning and their ability to use their skills. Mercy Girls have been inspirational in the way they have collaborated, meeting via zoom twice a week after online classes.
“This has been one of the best opportunities I could have been offered. I have gained so much confidence in speaking, performing and offering ideas.” Jessica Abrahams (Year 10). Jessica’s team chose the Language Literature Challenge and rewrote the story of Alice in Wonderland in a modern context.
"The competition has allowed me to fully express my creativity and has helped me further develop lifelong skills such as collaboration.” Sierra Lake (Year 8). Sierra’s team tackled a Social Sciences Challenge. They revisited the past speaking to Archimedes, Queen Victoria, Wangari Maathai and Jay-Z to develop a solution to the challenges faced by those who do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. Sierra played the role of Jay-Z.
College Notices
Other Careers Event
From the Director of Pastoral Care
From the Director of Pastoral Care
Father Daughter Liturgy
The whole OLMC Community is invited to join us in celebrating our annual Father Daughter Liturgy which can be viewed below.
Students and staff viewed this Liturgy in class on Tuesday. It is a timely reminder for us all to thank the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who show us unconditional love and support.
Thank you to all the people involved in the collation of this Liturgy including Ms Lucie Farrugia, Fr Walter Fogarty, Ms Ellen Lonergan, Mrs Mary Reyes and all students who filmed videos and sent in photos. To Mr Andrew Houseman and his daughters Tamsyn and Bella - it was lovely to hear insights and see images about the blessings of parenthood. Thank you to Mr Daniel White who put the video together and allowed us to share this moment in time.
Friday Morning Prayer
Each Friday morning at 8.10am we join as a College Community to share in prayer. The College Liturgy Leaders run this service which consists of special intentions, a decade of the Rosary and a general concluding prayer.
All staff and students are invited to attend - the link is emailed out each Thursday afternoon.
As a special prayer for Friday 3 September, in celebration of Fathers' Day on Sunday 5 September, Fathers are invited to join us online for the prayer session. Please join your daughter on Zoom for this 10-minute service.
Cape York Immersion
The Immersion planned for the upcoming holiday break has been postponed and information will be provided in the coming week. At this time, we will schedule a Zoom meeting for all families. We appreciate your patience as we await final decisions.
Prayer for Afghanistan
On Friday 20 August at Friday morning prayer, we prayed the following prayer.
Dear Lord,
We pray for the women and girls of Afghanistan.
For their safety and protection
For the upholding of their rights to choice and freedom.
We pray for wisdom and courage from leaders around the world
To find solutions that ensure equality and safety for all.
May the whole world continue to see that there is the possibility for liberation,
Hope and peace and to work towards these goals.
Help us not give up in despair and hopelessness
Because generations of Afghani women and girls are relying on us.
Gabby Scanlon
Director of Mission
