Welcome back to teaching and learning for Term 2! I would like to request that Year 10 students and their families save the date for the Course Preference Evening taking place in June. Please see below for details.

Save the Date: Year 10 Parents & Students

Date: Wednesday 22 June 2022 (week 9)

Event: Year 11 2023 Couse Preference Evening

Time: from 5:15pm for 6pm start

Further details will be communicated to students and families closer to the date.

Louise Millar
Director of Teaching & Learning

Not sure what you should do after school?

Here below are a few tips and resources to help navigate through the process. A good place to start is to write down your likes, dislikes and childhood dreams. This can help you narrow down the areas to explore. Next consider participating in activities you have always be inspired by and/or read more about your chosen fields. Talking to parents or friends about their jobs, what they like and dislike is very valuable, even shadowing someone (for a day or week) who is in a job you admire can help you envision what your life may look like. The objective of the process is to mindfully choose a path that will bring you real happiness and to which you will be able to commit to the best of your ability. In addition to the resources on www.olmccareers.com you may find the following websites helpful.

https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/

https://year13.com.au/

https://www.dese.gov.au/nci

Upcoming Events hosted by various institutions

University of Sydney

Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design) | Wednesday 11 May 4pm – 4.30pm

Circular Economy = CE = Chemical Engineering | Wednesday 18 May 4pm – 4.30pm

Life in the Field: Conservation and Sustainability | Wednesday 25 May 4pm – 4.40pm

Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Ultimo

Open Day | 14 May from 10am to 3pm

UTS

Year 10 Subject Selection Webinar | Wednesday 18 May 6pm – 7pm

UAC Events

UAC hosts a Let’s Chat Webinar Series. You will need to register through the above link. Upcoming events include:

Let’s Chat – Medicine Students 11 May@6pm

Let’s Chat – Health Science 18 May@6pm

Let’s Chat – 2023 SRS, EAS and Equity Scholarships 24 May@5pm

Work Experience Opportunities

Australian Museum

The program is available to Year 10, 11 and 12 students and applications close on 6 May 2022.

Bell Shakespeare

Students in Year 10 and Year 11 are invited to apply for one week of work experience at Bell Shakespeare HQ in Sydney. Applications open 2 May 2022 and close 1 July 2022.

Working at the Election

If you have an interest in politics, this could be a great way to get your foot in the door. It’s also a great way of adding valuable work experience to your resume. Many of the roles available require no prior experience. If you’d like to be considered for temporary election work, you need to register your interest online with the AEC.

Universities@OLMC

Student Engagement Ambassadors from the main Sydney universities will be attending OLMC throughout the month of May. The presentations will cover life on campus, courses, pathways, early entry and scholarships. Students will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

• Monday 2^nd May | UNSW
• Wednesday 4^th May | Macquarie University
• Tuesday 10^th May | Western Sydney University
• Monday 16^th May | University of Sydney
• Wednesday 18^th May | Australian Catholic University
• Tuesday 24^th May | University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

Last Friday, Years 11 and 12 Drama classes went on an Excursion to the Riverside Theatres. They saw a double bill of monologues “Stardust + The Mission”. These performances showcase the stories of two fascinating Australian men. Stardust explores the life of bandleader and trumpet player, Col Brain. ‘The Mission’ took us on a journey through the story of “Fighting Gunditjmara” man, Allan McDonald – one of the first Aboriginal soldiers from Victoria to enlist for war. This was a great experience to help them develop their understanding of theatricality. The students were able to see how a strong actor/audience relationship can be created using a minimalist set, transformational props and dynamic performance skills. This has inspired them to apply these ideas to their own performance work.

Little Anne was the topic and buzz of discussion circulating our classroom in a recent PDHPE theory lesson. Throughout Term 1, Year 10 cohort has engaged extensively in the topic ‘Active for Life’ in which we expanded our learning in regard to physical activity participation, specifically the barriers, motivators, and outcomes, along with sports injuries and ways they are assessed and managed.

Before entering class on that day, I was overly enthusiastic having been told prior that we would be using dummies and first-aid equipment to demonstrate the procedures of injury management. My peers and I were allocated groups, each of us playing the pivotal role as a bystander in the circumstance of an emergency incident where we must collaboratively carry out the DRSABCD action plan.

Having watched Ms Connor’s demonstration, we were now prepared to save little Anne. Despite having a smile on my face, I immersed myself in the scene and started following the procedure by ensuring the area was safe and squeezing Anne’s shoulders to check if she was responsive. Predictably, Anne was not, so we resumed by allocating people to hypothetically call an ambulance and find a defibrillator and first-aid kit. I opened Anne’s mouth to check for any blockage. We ‘saw’ Anne was choking on vomit, so we placed her in the recovery position and cleared her airway with our fingers. Returning Anne to her back, we looked, listened and felt for breathing. Then it was time for the stage I was personally waiting for, performing CPR. My group took initiative by having one person perform the 30 compressions and the other check for sudden breathing as, over time, it did get quite tiring. We rotated until everyone had a turn, however, if it was real we would need to continue until help arrives, the patient recovers, or a defibrillator is present.

My engagement further excelled when we learnt the different slings used for injuries to the arms through applying both the elevation and arm slings on my peers. Not only was the lesson extremely enjoyable, I learnt numerous lifelong skills, in relation to medical emergencies and injury management, that I will be confident to perform if presented in these circumstances.  

Isabella Younes
Year 10

Chloe Gresham

I am a provisional psychologist and qualified counsellor. I have been practising for 8 years and completing my psychology registration for the last 2 years. My previous roles have involved working with young people and their families from diverse backgrounds in mostly community settings. This involved supporting young people to connect vulnerably and authentically, as well as to then make healthy and empowered decisions for themselves. My passion is to provide a space for young people to understand themselves in their own unique ways. I like to draw on (but not restricted to) using a client-centered, strengths-based approach, primarily using Narrative, CBT, and art-based therapies. I am available 3 days a week (Monday to Wednesday) to support students and their families.

When helping students with assignments, the focus is often just on the research process. These tips will focus on getting started with the writing.

1. CHECK REQUIREMENTS
   So you have done all of your research, collected the information you will need and are ready to start writing your assignment. Before you begin, revisit the requirements, format and criteria for the task. Be very clear on what the assignment is asking you to do and any guidelines you have been given for the assignment. If you are unsure at all, check with your teacher. It can be good to have the assignment questions written on an index card that you keep next to you while working so you stay focused on answering the question and meeting the requirements.
2. PLAN A STRUCTURE
   Your approach will vary depending on the style of your assignment (eg. essay, speech, presentation or report) but regardless of this, unless it is explicitly given to you, you need to decide the structure of your assignment.  Have you determined the main points, the headings and sub headings? Have you made sure you have gathered information about all parts of the question? Have you found any diagrams, images, photos, quotes needed to reinforce any points? Before you begin the writing, create a structure for your work listing all of the headings and sub-headings you will write about. Keep checking back with the criteria or requirements to ensure you are answering the assignment questions.
3. JUST START WRITING
   The best thing to do if you have no idea how to begin your writing, is to just start writing. Now this may sound a little strange, but many students do not start writing because they want what they write to be perfect or ‘right’ the first time. Don’t worry whether your writing is up to standard at this stage. Instead concentrate on getting your ideas down onto paper or screen. Choose a section and start putting down ideas on the sorts of things you could include in that section.  The hardest part of any writing is starting. Once you start putting down ideas this generates other ideas and before you know it you have some text to work with. So even if you have no idea where to start just write or type ‘I don’t know what to include here’ and even writing this will get your subconscious thinking about what could be included.
4. USE YOUR NOTES
   Once you have started, you can use your notes from the research you did to build your ideas and arguments for your assignment. This mean that you integrate your own thoughts and ideas with the research you have done using this to help support your ideas. Make sure that you reference correctly, this means that when you use materials you have researched, particularly quotes, you make it clear where this material has been sourced from. You may find holes in your research as you progress and have to then do additional research about those areas.
5. BE CREATIVE
   Unlike an essay, you generally have a bit more scope in how you present an assignment. Think about how you can bring the material to life for the reader. Photos (appropriately referenced) are a good start and sometimes diagrams, tables, examples, statistics or flowcharts may be appropriate. You might use lists, bullet points or colour to make the material more user-friendly. Your teacher will be reviewing many assignments on the same topic, so what can you do to make yours stand out or have a unique angle.
6. REVIEW AND REVIEW AGAIN
   Have you ever had that experience where you write something, leave it, come back the next day and read it again and find a whole heap of errors you didn’t see the first time? This is why it is important to space out your work on your assignment over a number of weeks and days. You need time to edit your work and you need space between edits. When you come back with a fresh eye, you will be able to look at your work from a different perspective and get ideas on what you could do to improve your work. As you review your work, look for spelling and grammar errors, possible repetition or unclear areas. Reading your work out loud is surprisingly a great way of locating errors or things that don’t make sense.

You can learn more in the Research Skills unit on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and our new unit coming at the end of this year on Assignment Skills.

Our school’s subscription details to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au are:

Username: OLMC
Password: 64results

Staff Spirituality Day

On Wednesday 27 April, staff participated in a Spirituality Day. We shared prayer, reflection and participated in several sessions which focussed on the mind, body and spirit. The day was very worthwhile and I thank all the staff who led sessions to allow others to experience something new.

Gabrielle Scanlon
Director of Identity

Term 2 will see Debating and Public Speaking gather momentum, involving well over 150 of our girls participating in competition, a truly impressive number.

CSDA Debating begins this Friday, with a full complement of 12 teams ready to do battle with St Pius Chatswood. Good luck to all the girls and their coaches, some of whom have already had hours of preparation. Results of each round will be published in Parragraph.

Public Speaking sees the beginning of six weekends of competition involving over 100 girls in Individual Speaking and Telephone Pairs. The competition is broken up into many separate events, each in three major age groups. OLMC has always performed well in this competition and we are sure to have many successes again.

Just before Easter, Haynin Lai of Year 9 was one of only three NSW students from an original 200 entrants who represented at the National Final of UN Voice. While not taking out the ultimate prize, Haynin’s achievement was truly noteworthy. At Assembly this week, Haynin was presented with her medallion for reaching that outstanding level, as well as delivering her speech on a major social issue, where entrants also had to propose a solution. Haynin spoke about the hidden issue of slavery in our Australian society. Well done on your remarkable success, Haynin!

Next Monday evening, three of our girls are competing in the Regional Final of Rostrum Voice of Youth at James Ruse. Lucy Tapley and Sofia Tong of Year 8 are representing in the Junior section, while Karen Pannu of Year 10 will be in the Senior division. Good luck to all these girls.

Christopher Ostrowski
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

Saturday Netball

You can view draws and results on the ERNA website - https://www.ernanetball.com.au/

Saturday Soccer

Round 1 of the IGSA Soccer took place on the weekend. Despite being very wet and muddy, the girls played in some great games. Here are the results:

• OLMC 1 defeated SCEGGS (12 nil)
• OLMC 2 defeated SCEGGS (3-2)
• OLMC 3 were defeated by SCEGGS (11-1)

Surf Life Saving

Congratulations to Kasey Bolt who competed at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast during the holidays. Among Australia’s best Iron women, she achieved a semi-final finish in the Surf Race and Iron Person and a quarter-final finish in the board. She won her quarter-final in the iron person against a talented field. She also got the best merchandise possible coming home with a Silver medal in the Cameron relay! The club she trains with and represents, North Curl Curl, was the best club in the water in Australia. Well done Kasey!

NSWCCCC Swimming

The NSWCCC Swimming Championships were held on April 6 at SOPAC. OLMC was represented by Elizabeth Harvie, Mia Cleary, Zoe McIntosh, Tiana Karl, Emily Shumack, Olivia Nesci, Amelia Harvie, Ashleigh Hamilton and Riley McIntosh.

The girls all performed exceptionally well:

The 15-16 Free and Medley relay girls came 5th in both relays,

• Emily Shumack came 3rd 15-16 years 400m Free & 4th 200 Free,
• Zoe McIntosh came 2nd 15 years 50m Breaststroke & 8th 50 Fly,
• Ashleigh Hamilton came 2nd 16+yrs Multiclass 100 Free & 50 Back and 3rd 50m Free,
• Mia Cleary 5th 50 Breaststroke & 8th 15yrs 50 Free,
• Riley McIntosh 4th 17+yrs 100 Fly & 6th 50 Fly,
• Tiana Karl 7th 14yrs 50 Breaststroke,
• Amelia Harvie 8th 17+yrs 50 Breaststroke.

Congratulations to Zoe McIntosh, Emily Shumack and Ashleigh Hamilton who have all qualified to compete at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships on June 3. Good luck girls!

Australian Age Swimming Championships

Congratulations to Emily Shumack who qualified for and competed at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in Adelaide from April 11-18. Despite not making the finals, Emily swam PBs and should be very proud of her achievements. Well done Emily!

Triathlon

Congratulations to Lucie Francis who competed at the Triathlon Academy Games in Wagga Wagga on April 9 and 10 and won her Junior Female division. Well done Lucie.

Little Athletics Australian Championships

Matilda Webb was selected as part of the NSW Little Athletics Team to compete at the Little Athletics Australian Championships in Melbourne on April 23-24. Matilda competed in the U13 1500m Walk and won Gold. Congratulations Matilda on a fantastic season.

OLMC Athletics Carnival

The 2022 College Athletics Carnival is back and will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Warm Up Arena on May 6. The College Athletics Carnival provides a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to participate in a range of track and field events, whilst enthusiastically supporting their House. The students are encouraged to show their House Spirit by dressing up in their House colours and by cheering on their House at the Carnival. All students will earn attendance points for their House which will go towards the Spirit Cup.

ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE CARNIVAL AS THIS IS A COMPULSORY EVENT and NORMAL SCHOOL DAY.

All students will be transported by bus from OLMC to the Athletic Centre at Homebush and back to OLMC. All students are expected to be at the College by 8am on the day of the Carnival. Students will assemble in their House areas with their Homeroom Teacher, then move out to the buses. Students will be leaving the Athletic Centre at around approximately 2:15pm, with an approximate arrival time of around 3pm at OLMC Parramatta. Students will be dismissed upon arrival back at school.

Students don’t need to sign up for 100m, 200m, 400m or 800m Walk. Students must have already signed up if they wish to compete in the field events, 800m and 1500m.

The Carnival layout will be a Traditional Carnival and students will need to listen out for when their events are called. Students are encouraged to have adequate water, food and sun protection. Appropriate attire will be needed. Students who compete in spikes must wear 7mm spikes.

No student is to bring their notebook to school with them on the day as they will not be taking the notebooks to the track. Phones will also need to be left at school.

A canteen will be available on the day of the carnival. However, students are highly encouraged to bring their own food for the carnival.

In the case of wet weather, as it is a wet weather track, the Carnival will still go ahead. If in case of extreme weather conditions, a final decision will be made on the morning.

Best of luck.

Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator

The College's new canteen provider is Evette's Lunchbox.

CLICK HERE to view a letter of introduction from the Canteen Provider.

CLICK HERE to view the Menu.

School fees for Instalment 2 have now been sent to all families and are due by Friday 6 May 2022. Payment may be made by Bpay, cheque, money order or by credit card via the Parent Community Portal (Visa or Mastercard).

Any queries regarding fees or payments can be directed to the Finance Office on 8838 1214 weekdays during 8.00am – 4.00pm or by email to finance@olmc.nsw.edu.au

Anne-Maree Ironside

Finance Manager

This is a call-out to our Mercy fathers! It is a tradition that the P&F, together with the wonderful Dads in our community, serve afternoon tea to the many mums, grandmothers, and special women in our girls’ lives who attend this special event.

Please CLICK HEREif you are available to assist any time between 3.30pm - 6.00pm on Monday 9 May. Your assistance would be appreciated.

Guest Speaker:  Matthew Esterman, Director of Innovation & Partnerships

All are welcome to attend the next P&F Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, 10 May 2022. The meeting will be held in the Library - access is via Gate 7, Ross St (O'Connell Street end).

What is your leadership Portfolio? Callan House Leader  

What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio? Leading the House in Mass and Liturgies, House Council and Homeroom initiatives, leading Swimming and Athletic Carnivals and taking care of House tasks.               

What is your vision as Leader of this Portfolio in 2022? My vision as Leader of Callan is to inspire girls to step out of their comfort zone and be the best they can be. Whether that be encouraging initiatives that help girls express their interests or having open ears to problems that my peers need to be resolved, I aspire that we all shine to be the brightest we can be.               

What is something about you that others might be surprised to know?  I love Music and actually do Music 1 as one of my HSC courses.   

What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?  "Try" by Pink. I feel like this song really reflects my motivation to keep trying my hardest even though life throws obstacles your way. You are stronger than you know!

Name one person with whom you would like to share a meal and why?  I would love to share a meal with Mother Teresa. I feel like she is one of the kindest humans to walk this planet, and she is a big inspiration to me.            

What would be your superpower? This would be teleportation because I would love to explore the world.

What are your interests outside of school? Music, netball and reading.

What is your leadership Portfolio? Callan House Leader

What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio? Working alongside Amel and Mrs McManus, my role as Callan House Leader enables me to encourage the participation of students in various activities. I aim to strengthen House spirit and promote the Callan value of community within the House as well as collaborate with the House Councillors to promote numerous initiatives.          

What is your vision as Leader of this Portfolio in 2022? My vision as Callan leader is to ensure that all Callan students are able to make the most of their experience in high school. I would love to encourage all students to step out of their comfort zone, whether that be during Athletics or Swimming Carnivals or day-to-day life, instilling confidence within each student and encouraging connections.        

What is something about you that others might be surprised to know? I did Karate for 8 years (I started when I was 4 years old).                              

What would be your superpower? Why? I would love to be able to teleport. Imagine being able to travel whenever, wherever! I could travel to different countries for food and also visit my family overseas.