Year 10 Photographic and Digital Media students also paid a visit to Parramatta Park last term to take photographs as part of their landscape photography unit. The class drew upon their studies of renown landscape photographer, Ansel Adams, as well as other artists, to create a portfolio of images showcasing their understanding of the genre, camera skills and photographic composition techniques.

The National Art School HSC Intensive Studio Practice is a prestigious workshop offered to Year 11 Visual Arts students throughout NSW. This course is designed for highly skilled and interested Visual Arts students seeking to further their studies in Visual Arts in Year 12 and beyond to tertiary level. This year OLMC had 3 successful applicants accepted into the program, with the girls completing the first of their 2 weeks during the recent winter holidays. Evie Dean, Chantelle Garingo and Alessandra Redoblado learnt a variety of techniques in their chosen areas of life drawing and painting, engaging in critical dialogue with their tutors and peers throughout the process. This has already proved to be a rewarding experience for these young artists and we look forward to seeing more of their creative endeavours in the future.

Nikita Krzeminski (Year 8) recently submitted a poem titled ‘Struggles with Teens’ to the 2022 Schools Poetry & Short Story 'National Treasures' Writing Competition. We are proud to announce that her poem passed the first round of judging. Congratulations to Nikita. The Competition was open to students across Australia and they were asked to write either a 16-line poem or a 500-word short story. We look forward to reading many more of Nikita’s poetry in the future.

Struggles with Teens

There I sat, alone, but with the company of the gloomy moon striking one half of my face.
I stood myself up,
trying to gain my balance.
I caught someone in the corner of my eye.
They had dark, puffy eye bags, tangled hair, and terrible posture.
This is until I realized that this person was me.

'Ding'
The vibration of my phone startled me.
'Who could be trying to contact me' I thought as I reach to get my phone.
It was a message from an old friend.
She sent a photo of her and her new friends together.
My eyes started to water as I made my way to my bed.
I lay there, staring at the ceiling with patches of cracked paint that had fallen off.
I lay there, frozen, zoned out without any thoughts going through my head.
As time went by, and the moon got brighter in the night sky,
my eyes start to slowly close.
All of a sudden my mind blanks and all I see is darkness.

Sydney University are offering a series of Webinars to students who might be interested in studying a language or combining the study with another degree.

Year 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to register for the Webinars. The first one coming up is on 3 August and relates to students who might like to pursue the study of a language at Sydney University.

There are also other Webinars to take place in September. Students can register themselves by clicking here and they will receive an email with the links to the Webinars. For further information please contact Mrs Ibarra.

It is a tradition that our newly inducted 32 Student Leaders experience a Leadership Camp shortly after induction. Last week, our 32 newly inducted Student Leaders for 2022/2023 went to St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills to focus on developing their leadership skills. Members of the OLMC Leadership Team, including Ms Farrugia, Ms Scanlon, Mr Esterman and Ms Polo visited the girls over the two days and shared their perspectives on leadership.

Katherine Baker, Liturgy Leader reported back on her time on the Leadership Camp:

How can we be the best leaders? And what does this look like practically? 

These two questions were answered during our two-day leadership camp last week. Although short, it was filled to the brim with reflection, brainstorming, teambuilding, and fun.  

On Friday we bonded over teambuilding (the three-legged race sort) and developed our all-important motto. As the panel of former OLMC leaders told us that afternoon, this motto will be our compass for the next 12 months. In the evening we had lots of fun developing our pitch, and also learned the logistics of the job – time to make some email folders.  

On Saturday morning we pitched to the Leadership team and had some time to brainstorm initiatives. Stay tuned for some exciting and uniting activities! 

On behalf of my peers I’d like to thank Mrs Roumanus, Ms Herd and Mrs Webb for their presence and guidance on this camp. Thank you also to the Leadership team who likewise gave up their weekend to support us.   

The students who went on our recent Immersion presented the College with a lovely artwork titled ‘Bush Medicine’.  Bush Medicine Leaves is a well-documented Dreaming story painted by the women artists of Utopia in Central Australia and reflects the importance of the bush medicine leaves to traditional Aboriginal culture. In painting the Bush Medicine Leaf story, the artists of Central Australia pay homage to the spirit of the medicinal plant. By creating its image the artists encourage the regeneration of the bush medicine plant, so that her people can continue to benefit from its healing powers.

We are very excited to announce that our Indigenous Immersion will run once again in 2023. All students currently in Year 9 or 10 will be eligible to apply to participate in this experience. We will be holding an information session at the beginning of Term 4, so keep an eye out for more informatoin.

Our annual Father Daughter Mass will be celebrated by Fr Walter in the College Chapel at 7.30am on Friday 2 September. All students are invited to attend with their fathers, grandfathers and other significant male role models. The link to RSVP for this event can be found here: Father Daughter Mass - RSVP

For mothers wishing to help out with the breakfast, please see P&F section below. 

The theme for our Mercy Day Mass this year is Women of Courage. We would like to make a display of inspirational women to display at the mass and would love for any student to send through pictures of women you view as courageous and influential so we can add it to our picture display! Please send a good quality image of a woman of courage to Miss Georges, rebecca.georges@olmc.nsw.edu.au so that it can be included.

Legacy Competition

Just last week, two talented Year 9 girls, Gabby Fleming and Hasini Madukuri, participated in the Legacy Public Speaking competition which involved a prepared speech and an impromptu section. Thank you particularly to Gabby, who stepped in at short notice when one of our original entrants was unable to compete, but Hasini is also to be commended for her exceptional diligence in preparation. That diligence paid dividends as Hasini was selected to advance to the Regional Final, an excellent result. Well done to both girls! They are worthy representatives of the College. 

Christopher Ostrowski 
Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

Wednesday Touch Football

Wednesday Touch Football registrations are now open.

If you would like to play Wednesday Afternoon Touch Football (Doyle Ground Parramatta) for OLMC, please create a team and complete a registration form and team list that has previously been emailed to students.

Every player must fill out a registration form and have their name on a team list. If you don’t have a team, please advise me and I will find a team for you. Individual registration forms and team forms are due by Friday, 5 August.

Touch football players wear the OLMC Sport Singlet and PE/Sport Shorts. These will need to be purchased form the Uniform shop ASAP.

Once the OLMC registration forms have been submitted in mid-August, EVERY player will receive an email from Parramatta Touch. From this email you will all need to register online with Parramatta Touch. You will need the team code from their email to register. You will have to pay online with Parramatta Touch during the registration where you can also apply the active kids’ rebate. You will also be billed by OLMC to cover coaches’ fees.

Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator

Opening Hours and Purchases 

The Uniform Shop is open Monday to Thursday, from 8.00am – 9.30am,

It is also open from 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.

Terms 2 and 3 - All girls are to wear the full winter uniform. 

Scarves

Scarves are now available and can be purchased online or via the shop.

Senior Cardigans and Junior Mercy pullovers

For those who have an allergy to wool, or prefer a non-wool knit, the uniform shop has limited stock of both senior and junior cotton blend cardigans and pullovers.  

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

College fees were due on Friday 22 July 2022.  If your account remains outstanding, please ensure that the Finance Office receives payment promptly.

For fee enquiries, please contact the Finance Office on 8838 1214 or finance@olmc.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Anne-Maree Ironside
Finance Manager

This is a call-out to our Mercy Mothers! It is a tradition that the P&F, together with the wonderful Mums in our community, serve breakfast to the many Dads, grandfathers, and special men in our girls’ lives who attend this event.

Please CLICK HERE if you are available to assist any time between 7.30am - 9.00am on Friday, 2 September. Your assistance would be appreciated.

Parramatta Library is preparing to move to its new home. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our new state-of-the-art Library, Customer Service Centre and History and Visitor Information Centre at PHIVE, 5 Parramatta Square, in Spring 2022.  

From Monday, 25 July until Monday, 8 August, students will not be able to use the library study spaces and resources.

From Monday 25 July, Parramatta Library will open as a pop-up, located on the ground floor, 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta.
Monday to Thursday: 9:30am to 6pm
Friday: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am to 4pm
Sunday: 2:00pm to 5pm

The pop-up library will include: 

• library items available through ‘click and collect’ service
• borrow up to 40 items
• place holds (reservations) of up to 10 items on your library card via the library catalogue or by phoning Parramatta Library 9806 5159.

From Monday 8 August, in addition to our pop-up library, computer use of up to 90 minutes and study spaces will be available on Level 1. 

For further information, please visit the council website.

For further information please contact the library on 9806 5192 or 9806 5159 (Mon, Tues, Wed) or apoole@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au