Dear OLMC Families,
On Tuesday evening of last week I had the great pleasure of attending Blacktown Council Chambers for a very important occasion – the 2020/2021 Youth Ambassador Presentation Dinner. Nine students from various local High Schools, including OLMC, presented their thoughts on youth resilience and initiatives they would introduce to foster resilience if they were selected by Blacktown Council to be a Youth Ambassador. All nine students delivered a thoughtful five minute speech outlining their ideas. All the students knew that only two of them would be selected.
It was compelling and competitive as all nine students spoke passionately and with substance. It was a very proud moment for me to listen to the ninth speaker on that evening - Year 11 OLMC student, Riley Rodewald. Riley’s ideas firmly resonated with the audience and the judges and when she was announced as a Blacktown Council Youth Ambassador for 2020/2021 she was deservedly cheered!
On these occasions it is a really an honour to share the moment. Riley contributes positively to our Mercy community as SRC Vice President 2020/2021. She actively contributes her service to our community and now she will make a significant contribution to the wider community in her capacity as a Blacktown Youth Ambassador. Congratulations Riley!
Year 11 students, Charlotte Duff, Saydie Frim and Elizabeth Wong have also been focussed on service and excellence, having recently completed the 2020 Max Potential Course. Max Potential is a leadership development program offered to schools in the Parramatta region where students come together with a dedicated coach to complete a program of self-development. Charlotte, Saydie and Elizabeth completed a Personal Expression Project and their Community Service Project online. I would like to acknowledge the support and professionalism of their supporting OLMC teacher Mrs Trudi-Ann Harvey. According to Mrs Harvey, the online nature of the program meant each student had to produce more work however, each was able to rise to the challenge: "It was so rewarding to see each scholarship recipient overcome challenges and create original Community Service Projects. We are all very proud of Elizabeth who was selected to speak on behalf of the students at the graduating ceremony.” Congratulations to Charlotte, Saydie and Elizabeth!
On Friday 30 October we celebrated World Teachers’ Day here at the College. We gathered to share Morning Tea (socially distanced of course and outdoors!) to reflect on all that we had collaborated on and achieved during 2020. I thanked the teachers for their compassion, professionalism and dedication. On your behalf I would like to express gratitude to all teachers who (with support from parents and carers) have ensured education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It has reinforced the significant role that teachers play in the lives of children and students, their families and communities.
This week at the College students and staff are celebrating Wellbeing Week. It is a week filled with energising community activities focussing on our mental, spiritual and emotional health, which is particularly important in this challenging year. It would be a good opportunity to have a conversation with your daughter about what this week means to her. It is so important to consider our own wellbeing and to take the time to focus on this aspect of ourselves. I do hope some version of Wellbeing Week might be occurring in your household and that your daughter may be instrumental in leading this for you!
The Higher School Certificate Examinations continue at the College this week and will conclude next week on Wednesday 11 November. The Year 12 students have conducted themselves with confidence and maturity and we know the future is in good hands as we witness the high calibre of these young Mercy women. Their faith and their good efforts have sustained them and we continue to pray for their ongoing success.
As Catherine McAuley advised: “The simplest and most practical lesson I know is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow.”
On Friday 13 November we will hold the 2020 OLMC Year 12 Graduation Assembly. We look forward to acknowledging our Year 12 Graduates at this Assembly and to honouring their remarkable achievements and their resilience in this COVID-19 year. They have never given up and they have remained future-focussed at all times! They have, indeed, set us a fine example! Congratulations Year 12!
Stay safe and well everyone.
Marie Wood,
Principal (Acting)
2021 Term Dates
Term 1
First Day of Term: Wednesday 27 January 2021
Last Day of Term: Tuesday 30 March 2021
Term 2
First Day of Term: Tuesday 20 April 2021
Last day of Term: Friday 18 June 2021
Term 3
First Day of Term: Monday 12 July 2021
Last Day of Term: Friday 17 September 2021
Term 4
First Day of Term: Tuesday 5 October 2021
Last Day of Term: Friday 3 December 2021