Dear families,

On Tuesday morning it was lovely to see and speak with so many parents (especially our newest Year 7 mums and dads) as they dropped off their daughters for the first day of the 2019 school year.

I would like to commend all girls on how they have welcomed our new students and staff into the College community.

Year 7 Mercy Girls look splendid in the new College summer dress, as do our Year 10 girls in the new senior blouse and skirt. My sincere apologies to those Year 10 girls who are still waiting for their skirt. Our back-ordered stock is currently being held up by customs on the wharf and we are waiting for its release so that we can complete outstanding orders. I thank those families for their patience. It would be remiss of me not to also mention that the Years 8, 9 and 12 girls of course look wonderful in their current summer uniform.

The school year commenced with a College Assembly and I thank the Year 12 Leaders who put together this lovely welcome assembly. The Year 12 theme for the year is “be the unseen hero in 130.” This recognises both the College's 130^th anniversary as well as our focus Mercy Value of Service.

Late last year the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta and the College commissioned Victorian artist Gael O’Leary to produce a bronze sculpture of Venerable Catherine McAuley. The sculpture, entitled Come Sit with Me, depicts Catherine McAuley in lay clothes sitting on a bench with her hand outstretched, inviting us to ‘come sit with her’ in prayer and reflection. I have provided you with pictures of the clay moulding that is being created before the bronze casting processes begin. It is a beautiful interpretation of Catherine McAuley and it will be ready for delivery to the College in late November. The bench and sculpture will be placed under the Walnut Tree between the College and the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy Convent, providing the opportunity for all to take a moment with Catherine.

On Friday 18 January I attended the Parramatta City Council Australia Day Awards with our nominee from Year 10, Summer Giddings, and her mother. Summer was nominated by the College for Sportsperson of the Year. It was with great excitement that I announce that Summer won this prestigious award for both her achievements in sport throughout the year and also for her fundraising walk up Mt Kosciusko for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Congratulations Summer on this wonderful achievement!

Please be aware of the road works that will commence outside the College on Victoria Rd  and on O’Connell St from this Friday 1 February. This scope of works is part of the new light rail development. There will be significant changes to traffic flow on O’Connell St and road closures on Victoria Rd. Click here for more information.

“Everybody can be great because everyone can serve… you only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr

God bless,

Stephen M Walsh
Principal

WEEK 1

Year 7 Transition Program

Thursday 31 January: Year 7 Cyber Safety Evening with Susan McLean (6pm)

WEEK 2

Year 7 Transition Program

Tuesday 5 February: High Achievers' Assembly 

Friday 8 February: Opening College Mass

Friday 8 February: Year 7 Activities Day

WEEK 3

Year 7 Transition Program

Year 12 VET Work Placement

Tuesday 12 February: P&F Meeting

Welcome back to 2019. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new students and parents and of course, those familiar faces returning for a new year of learning and growth.

In 2018 we focused on building strong relationships for learning, enabled through the Vertical House System. We also focused on recognising learner diversity and embracing a growth mindset, particularly when facing challenges and setbacks.

In 2019, our focus is on assessment. As educators, we know that ‘assessment is learning’. Assessment is a part of what we do every day at school – it’s ongoing, and crucial to deepening our understanding of ourselves and the curriculum. Too often, assessment is thought of as something difficult or stressful undertaken at the end of a unit of work, or a Term. Really assessment is something we engage in all day, every day. A simple nod from another to affirm our thinking is assessment. A conversation where we question and test a theory is assessment. Low stakes writing at the start of the lesson is assessment. And obviously, a test, under timed conditions, is also an assessment. This year, we will broaden our students’ experience of assessment so they understand that assessment is learning.

Ms Gemma VandePeer
Director of Teaching and Learning

Saturday Netball

Saturday Netball registrations are now available for students who wish to play for OLMC.

The registration process involves an online component as well as the completion of a paper form which has been emailed to students. There are also spare forms in the Barbara McDonough Student Centre.

Before you can register online, you will need to login to your netball account. All existing players already have an account. If you don’t know how to login, please contact Mr Guthrie as soon as possible.

If youare a new player, you will need to set up an account on the MyNetball web page before you can register. All students can login or create an account here 

During the online registration process you will need to pay upfront. You will also need to update all your details and upload a photo on your profile.

Click here for registration.

Teams will not be able to be finalised until all registrations are finalised. Registrations (both the online and paper components) and Team Lists must be completed and put into the Student Centre Sports Box by Friday 8 February.

All players will need to purchase the new OLMC Netball Uniform.

A reminder that all families can also apply for the Active Kids Rebate. Click here for more information. 

School fees for Instalment 1 have now been sent to all families and are due by Friday 8 February 2019. 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 8am – 4pm or by email to finance@olmc.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Manna Doshi
Finance Manager

The Western Sydney Orchestra Project aims to bring students and top professional performers together in a unique space to learn from each other and, in the process, create thrilling, dynamic and memorable performances. While open to professionals and students from all over Sydney, our home in Western Sydney is integral to our ethos and mission to provide an inclusive, vital service and opportunity, and lift the profile of artistic endeavour in the region. This new and unique initiative aims to enable emerging musicians to work alongside some of Australia’s finest performers.

You are invited to participate in the Western Sydney Orchestra Project’s Inaugural Workshop and Concert.

The intensive workshops will be held on 9 February at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta and on 10 February at Old Government House, Parramatta Park.

At this inaugural Workshop, we will be honoured to have Kristian Winther mentoring our Ensemble. Kristian Winther has appeared as soloist with the most of Australia’s symphony orchestras, and as Concertmaster of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as Associate Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Western Australian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras. Kristian was formerly violinist in the TinAlley String Quartet, winning first prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition. Most recently Kristian has been performing music from the 17th to the 21st centuries in the Play On series for sold out audiences under the age of 30 in Collingwood, Victoria.

Workshop Details:

Saturday 9 February: 9:00am - 3:00pm at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta

Sunday 10 February: 12:30pm - 2:00pm Dress Rehearsal at Old Government House followed by the concert from 3:00pm - 4:30pm 

Cost: $89 (1 free concert ticket included).

To apply for this opportunity CLICK HERE 

Applications close Sunday 3 February 2019.

Once applications have been finalised, music and details for payment etc. will be emailed to you.

For more information CLICK HERE:

As we begin the 2019 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 2018/2019 Student Leadership Team for their work throughout Semester 2, 2018 and wish them all their best in their final Semester of leadership this year.

2019 Student Leadership Team

HEAD GIRL: Sophie Brown
ASSISTANT HEAD GIRL: Sydrael Fajardo
SRC PRESIDENT: Elisa Halwe
SRC VICE PRESIDENT: Laura Bechara
CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS LEADERS: Kallista Pudun and Elloise Sfeir
DEBATING & PUBLIC SPEAKING LEADERS: Lisa Khouri and Gabrielle Mizzi
LITURGY: Kristine Bringera and Bianca Del Rosario
MERCY ACTION: Clare Kuys and Sofina Saldanha
STEWARDSHIP: Frances Inciong and Mary Khreich
SPORT: Emily Guthrie and Alexandra Younes
HOUSE LEADERS
Clare: Isabella Boutros and Antonia Moussa
Callan: Brianna Dasey and Rachael Nakhoul
McAuley: Tiana Gebrael and Claudia Oliverio
Doyle: Veronica Marquez and Madeline Nolan
Mercedes: Bianca Carney and Manuela Terreiro
Callaghan: Claudia De Bartolo and Serena Haddad
Stanley: Mia Luketic and Therese Saab
Kavanagh: Carla Ayoub and Alysha Rodrigues

All Mercy Girls have access to an online Study Handbook at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au provided by Enhanced Learning Educational Services. I encourage parents to access this site as there is valuable information about studying at home as well as a large number of interactive activities. The Study Handbook will also be accessed by your daughter during her Pastoral Care lessons this year. Our school’s subscription details to this online study skills website can be located on MyOLMC and are included below:

User Name: olmc@olmc.nsw.edu.au 
Password: 64results

CLICK HERE to view the latest tip.

Mrs Anne-Maree Donnelly
Director of Pastoral Care

Melbourne Cup Hat Parade 2008

In addition to our consistent emphasis on intellectual excellence, OLMC has always placed a very high importance on music education and performance. As early as 1893, a visiting Bishop claimed he had “never heard better music anywhere.” Music education of the highest standard continues to be a feature of OLMC today.

Welcome back to OLMC for 2019, and for those students and staff who are new to the community, please know you are part of a community, rich in Mercy and care. In this 130th year of the College, we will be celebrating the Mercy Value of Service. At OLMC, we understand that service is the exercising and ministry of leadership, in order to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, modelled her ministry and leadership on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ mission was to be the face of God’s love to all people. Whilst on earth, he achieved this mission by affirming and challenging people to grow. Please take some time to read the following reflections on service and I invite you to consider what service means to you:

“You my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” - Galatians 5: 13

‘Our charity is to be cordial. Now cordial signifies something that renews, invigorates and warms. Such should be the effect of our love for each other.’

- Venerable Catherine McAuley from the Cork Manuscript

“She was the most guileless soul I ever met. I once heard her say: ‘I could not say an unkind word to anyone.’ I never heard her say an uncharitable word. She was grateful for the least service.” - On Sr Mary Alacoque Kavanagh, the first Principal of OLMC Parramatta 1889-1908

 "Love is the ultimate gift of ourselves to others. When we stop giving we stop loving, when we stop loving, we stop growing, and unless we grow we will never attain personal fulfilment; we will never open out to receive the life of God.  It is through love we encounter God. Where there is Love, there is God.’

- St Teresa of Kolkata

As we commence our first week of the 2019 school year, we ask for God’s Spirit to help us to become more aware of how we too can be people of service and love towards each other, our families, friends and creation.

Just a reminder that parents and carers are warmly welcome to Friday Morning Mass at 8.10am in AG14, whist the Chapel is being refurbished.

As Mr Stephen Walsh mentioned in last week's Welcome email, I will be taking 12 months leave as of Monday 29 April to work with Jesuit Social Services as Manager – School and Community Engagement in Western Sydney. Mrs Gabrielle Scanlon and I will be sharing the role for Director of Mission for Term 1. Many thanks to Mrs Scanlon for her leadership of mission in Term 4, whilst I was on long service leave.

I would like to wish you and your families all the very best for 2019.

Peace and blessings,

Mrs Claire Thomas
Director of Mission