From the Principal
From the Principal
From the Principal
Farewell and Thank You
As we approach the end of the year, I am pleased that our College staff has remained stable throughout 2021 and into 2022. There is, however, movement between roles within the College and this is testament to the multiskilled expertise of the staff of OLMC. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge staff who will be retiring or the few moving onto other schools in 2022 and thank them for their service to the College.
- Christine Hackett will retire from her Library Leadership Position at the end of this year but will continue on in a part-time teaching role.
- We wish Nerylin Cheeseman all the best as she commences her retirement and thank her for her professionalism and collegiality over the past 10 years.
- Janet Stephens has been a laboratory Assistant at OLMC for 32 years. She has been a faithful and tireless member of the OLMC family and will be missed, however, we wish her well for a well-earned retirement.
- We also farewell teachers Jacques Willems, Katherine Bull, Susan Tymoszuk, Catriona McKellar, Rhys Hancock and Gillian Carpenter as they move on from the College. We wish them all the best as they begin new chapters in their teaching careers.
- We thank Jacinta Ebbott and Blake Hicks who have worked in temporary teaching roles in the Library and in Visual Arts in the latter part of this year.
- We thank Janna Mastrofilippo for her service in our College Canteen for 16 years. From Term 1 next year, the College will have a new canteen provider.
New Staff and Appointments commencing in 2022
I would also like to introduce some new staff members and advise of new appointments commencing in Term 1, 2022.
- Benedict Walsh has been appointed to the role of Head of History/HSIE. Ben is currently the Head of History/HSIE at St Paul’s College, Manly.
- Joel Ford has been appointed as the Head of Library Services. Joel brings a broad range of library leadership and teaching experience within his career so far.
- Leanne Portelli has been appointed to the role of Leader of Accreditation. We thank Leanne for taking up this position in support of all teaching staff to meet or maintain their professional accreditation.
- Christine Roumanus has been appointed to the role of Leader of Student Wellbeing. We look forward to the initiatives this significant leadership role within the Wellbeing Team will provide to our care of students.
- Amy Rowan has been appointed Head of English.
- Cynthia Martins has been appointed Assistant Head of English.
- James Franklin has been appointed Head of Mercedes House.
- Melinda Chand has been appointed Head of Clare House.
- Tara Milgate will take up the role of Coordinator - Duke of Edinburgh Award. Special thanks to Lorraine Dredge for her valuable contribution to coordinating this program to this point.
- Cathy McNulty returns to her role as Head of Doyle House. We thank Cathy immensely for her work as Assistant to the Director of Student Wellbeing through 2021.
- Jared Palmer will replace Sharlyn Teo (Parental Leave) in the first semester as Head of Kavanagh House.
Congratulations and thank you to all these staff members who are taking on these leadership roles or returning to their substantive position at OLMC in the coming year. I feel sure the discernment which has occurred at all levels will result in the very greatest commitment and expertise from our staff to benefit our students.
12VR Campus
It has been a blessing this Term to have access to the high-quality facilities at our 12VR campus, as we endeavoured to keep Year 12 separate from the rest of the school, to separate our Year Groups and to accommodate the building works which commenced toward the end of the Term.
The girls have reported enjoying their dedicated space and the high quality of the facilities.
In planning for 2022, the College Leadership Team has taken the decision to keep 12VR as a dedicated Senior Campus, with mainly Year 12 classes being held there (along with some Year 11 classes). This approach minimises total movement (of students and staff) between our campuses and lost time between lessons. Specialised classes such as science, art, technology, dance and drama will take place on the main campus as will the lunch break for all students, homeroom and pastoral care lessons. Year 12 will be entrusted to navigate their way between campuses without direct staff supervision.
Fees in 2022
Last week, families would have received notification of the College Fees in 2022. Changes to the fees are in response to several factors including, most significantly, a reduction in government funding for the College.
If this change to fees presents too great a challenge for your family at this time, I encourage you to reach out to the College’s Finance Department to discuss payment options in 2022.
New Parent Portal
We are very excited to be launching our new Parent Portal in Term 1, 2022. The portal will help parents stay informed and actively involved with all aspects of the College. Acting as a central point of communication and information for parents, our new Portal will be accessible via desktop and mobile applications and will provide many features that will be launched each term over the course of next year. Some of these will include College news and upcoming events, notifications to parents, fee statements, reports and student timetables.
The changeover to the new portal is a two-step process. The first part of the process is to set up new parent log-ins. Parents will receive an email later this month that will include step-by-step instructions about how to set up their new username and password.
Merry Christmas
Finally, I would like to wish all students, staff and families a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings of this special season. I hope each of you have the opportunity to rest, recuperate and celebrate with your families over these holidays. I also hope you will join in the many Catholic Church liturgies throughout this time with your daughters as an important commemoration of Advent as a time of waiting for the birth of Jesus and a time of hope for all humanity.
Term 1, 2022 commences on Monday 31 January for Years 7, 10 and 12 and Tuesday 1 February for Years 8, 9 and 11. I look forward to a great start to 2022 and a wonderful year ahead for our community.
Lucie Farrugia
Principal
Teaching And Learning
HSIE and History Faculties
HSIE and History Faculties
Congratulations
Kasey Bolt (Year 7) was a Regional Finalist in the National History Challenge. Kasey’s entry on ‘The evolution of women's swimwear and its significance as a part of the wider quest for equality’ was considered in the State Level of judging in the History of Sport category. The Judges were impressed by her level of research, historical enquiry and written presentation.
Photo: Kasey Bolt receiving her Young Historian Silver Award from Mr James Franklin.
Student Wellbeing
Identity
Identity
Identity
I would like to wish all families a very happy and holy Christmas. May this time of year be full of the true meaning of Christmas- taking time out to be with loved ones. I have loved working alongside you all to bring Mercy alive to our community and I look forward to 2022 and all the joys and wonder it will bring to us all.
Mrs Gabby Scanlon
Director of Identity
OLMC Connect
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
As the year comes to a close, our Public Speaking girls continue to shine. In the previous edition of Parragraph, we announced that outstanding Year 7 student, Haynin Lai, had reached the State Semi-final of the UN Voice competition. This week, we received the exciting news that Haynin had progressed to the State Grand Final, where the final eight from over 200 initial entrants now compete to represent NSW in the National Final. What makes Haynin’s achievement even more remarkable is that she had to face a panel of judges who questioned her on the viability of her solution to an international problem. For someone so young to respond to this type of scrutiny at short notice is simply remarkable. The Grand Final will be held this Friday and we wish Haynin the best of luck.
Last week, the Parramatta Rotary Club delivered the Ern Clift shield which had been won earlier this semester by Year 9 student, Mia Fogolin, in their annual competition. Mia has a record of excellent results in various competitions but a win in this competition is exceptional. Well done to Mia. She is pictured below with DAPS Leaders Sakshi Chouta and Stephanie Ogle.
Although Sakshi and Stephanie were unable to attend the annual Christmas Competition for Years 7, 8 and 9 speakers, because of COVID restrictions, their chosen topic for 2021, 'What if the Grinch got his way?' attracted many students to this event. The winners for this year were Kasey Bolt in the Year 7 section, while Gabrielle Fleming took out the Year 8 division and Deeya Vashi was successful in the Year 9 category. The quality of entrants was outstanding and all who participated are to be congratulated. Thank you also to the teachers who adjudicated: Mr Altura, Ms Bull, Ms Martins, Ms McKellar and Ms Rowan.
We are still waiting on results from the Captivate the Future Competition but well done to all twelve girls who submitted entries.
Finally, thank you to all who have contributed so much to Debating and Public Speaking this year: the College Administration, the support staff, the teachers and above all, to our wonderful students whose talent and dedication have once again shown themselves to be exceptional speakers, able to match it with the very best, not just in our local area but in fact, nationally and internationally. We look forward to more success in 2022.
Christopher Ostrowski
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator
Sport
Sport
2021 Thank You
Despite another challenging year, I would like to thank everyone involved in the College's sporting events throughout the year. I wish you all the best over the Christmas break and hope to see you again in 2022, ready and raring to run back out onto the court/field/pitch/oval!
Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator
From The Uniform Shop
From the Uniform Shop
From the Uniform Shop
While stocks last! The Uniform Shop has a limited supply of gorgeous keepsake bears pictured below. They are only $10.00 and can be purchased via the online shop.
Opening Hours and Purchases: The Uniform Shop is open Monday to Thursday, from 8.00am – 9.30am and 3.00pm – 4.30pm on Monday and Wednesday (school days only).
Online purchases can be made via the Online Uniform Shop (https://shop.olmc.nsw.edu.au/) and all orders will be delivered to the Student Centre for collection by students.
Year 7 2022 Uniform Fittings have begun and will continue until Monday, 13 December. Saturdays are now available for fittings, and all bookings can be made via the College website under Uniforms, and then click ‘Make a Uniform Shop Appointment’. House Shirts will also be fitted during this time and delivery will be via the College in Term 1 2022.
A recommended Year 7 College Uniform Package is available on the Online Uniform Shop.
Year 10 2022 Uniform Fittings have begun and will continue until Monday, 13 December. If a fitting is not required, uniform purchases can be made via the Online Uniform Shop and will be delivered to the Student Centre for pick up. If you would like a fitting, then please make a booking via the website. To do this, click on the Uniforms tab and then click the tab ‘Make a Uniform Shop Appointment’.
A recommended College Senior Uniform Package is available on the Online Uniform Shop.
January 2022 Fittings – there are times now available on the College website. The shop will be open a few days before school begins. Please check the website for open times.
In Term 1 and Term 4 2022, all girls are to wear the full Summer Uniform.
If you have any concerns regarding uniform items, please don't hesitate to contact the Uniform Shop on 8838 1275 or uniformshop@olmc.nsw.edu.au
NOTE: The uniform shop will be closed over the school holidays. If any purchases are made online, they will be processed after the holidays when students return to school.
