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  • Issue 15/October 19, 2022
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In This Issue

From the Principal

    Teaching And Learning

    • Year 7 Science
    • Dance Extravaganza

    Student Wellbeing

    • From the Counsellors

    Identity

    • Prayer for HSC Students
    • 2023 Immersion Trip to Central Australia
    • Senior Retreat

    OLMC Connect

    • Debating and Public Speaking
    • Sport

    College Notices

    • Sponsor a Seat
    • Mercy Futures - Relationships and Nature

    Parents and Friends' Association

    • P&F AGM - 7.00pm, 8 November 2022

    Other Careers Event

    • headspace Day
    • Western Sydney Parent and Carer Sessions

    From the Principal

    From the Principal

    From the Principal

    The Higher School Certificate commenced last week for our Year 12 students. It brings back vivid memories when I sat for my exams. I recall being nervous at perhaps not being able to realise my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. As in my situation, all things happen with good reason and I would like our girls to be assured that we recognise at OLMC that the hard work has been done and will come to fruition. Learning at school after 13 years has come to an end and as long as they have achievable goals, they will soar.

    The Higher School Certificate, although sometimes is seems like the ‘be all and end all’, is not life-defining. It is the individual who sets the pathway for the rest of their life. As long as every student has passions and goals, I have no hesitation in saying that our Mercy Girls will achieve – whatever that may look like. As a cohort, this group of girls has made a positive impression and they have worked hard to contribute to the College. I have no doubt their hard work ethic, and their level of compassion and care, will see them with limitless opportunities beyond the Mercy Gates.

    Ms Lucie Farrugia
    Principal

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    Teaching And Learning

    Year 7 Science

    Year 7 Science

    Year 7 Mercy Girls are learning about the Structure of the Earth as part of their Science topic ‘Third rock from the Sun.’  As part of this topic, students worked in groups to create their own models representing the different layers of the earth. Models are an important aspect of science as they help people visualise concepts. 

    'In Science, we have been learning about the Earth’s structure. The layers of the earth are the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core. My class created models of the earth showing the different sizes of the layers. Some of us used styrofoam, cake, playdough, clay and syrup. Our models were to be as accurate as possible to the inside of the earth, giving us a fun way to understand and learn about the different layers of earth.'

    Shalini Kanagasundaram (Year 7)

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    Dance Extravaganza

    Dance Extravaganza

    On Friday, 21 October, Elective Dance students and the Co-Curricular Dance Ensembles will be performing in the OLMC Dance Extravaganza. This is a showcase of the works they have developed over the course of this year. The event is free and will commence at 6:00pm in the Edith Angel Hall. We hope to see you there!

    Student Wellbeing

    From the Counsellors

    From the Counsellors

    Overthinking

    We all have had experiences where we can’t stop thinking about something, no matter how hard we try. You may have found yourself picking apart a situation to figure out what it means or to see what you could have done differently.

    Overthinking is also known as ‘analysis paralysis’ because by thinking too much you’re getting stuck in your thoughts and stopping yourself from taking action. Though most of us may overthink from time to time, some people may find themselves overthinking quite regularly, which may put them at a higher risk of experiencing emotional distress. 

    Typical behaviours of an overthinker:

    • There’s a running commentary in your head, criticising and picking apart what you said and did.
    • Combing over your decisions, petrified you’ve made the wrong one, or procrastinating over the next one.
    • Reading and re-reading texts to work out the true meaning of the message.
    • ‘What ifs’ and ‘shoulds’ dominate your thinking, as if an invisible jury is sitting in judgement on your life and finding it wanting.
    • Not sleeping well, because all the ruminating and worrying keeps you awake at night.
    • Feeling regret and beating yourself up for your perceived inadequacies.

    Here are some strategies to cope with overthinking or rumination:

    • Recognise that overthinking is distinct to planning or problem-solving. Overthinking is considered a maladaptive coping strategy because it does not form a sense of resolution or an action plan, whilst planning/problem solving are considered healthy and effective ways of managing stressful situations. Recognising this behaviour can be a helpful step to challenging it.
    • Engaging in positive activities that are distracting and shift your attention can help resist the compulsion to overthink. This may include playing a game, watching a movie, taking a hot shower, or intense exercise may be helpful.
    • Stop fighting your thoughts. Trying not to think about the pink elephant and being unable to think of anything else is a true paradox of our mind. The process our minds engage to not think the thought, actually makes us think the thought. Observing your thoughts in a non-judgmental manner, rather than getting frustrated for being unable to control the thought, can decrease the intensity or frequency of the thought.
    • What would you tell a friend in the same situation? Sometimes we are harsher critics towards ourselves than others. Challenging perfectionistic and unrealistic ideals of how someone should act in a situation can help shift us from being overly focussed on minor/negative aspects of a situation.
    • Planning a dedicated time in the day ‘to worry’ such as 30 minutes before bed. If you find yourself overthinking throughout the day, it may be helpful to change course if you think to yourself, "I don't need to think about this now, I will save it for later tonight." You may find that devoting time to overthink in a focussed way will leave you unable to fill the full time.
    • Relate your thoughts differently via mindfulness, meditation, or prayer. Some people find the Serenity Prayer to be helpful. Mindfulness techniques can help to reframe our thoughts as just that: thoughts rather than facts. It helps to slow down our thinking and be more present, rather than projecting into the future.
    • Write your thoughts out instead of letting them circle around in your head. This can help create a feeling of relief and resolution.
    • Talk to someone about the problem and gain a new perspective.

    If you feel that your daughter would benefit from speaking to someone about her overthinking style, please reach out to a school counsellor who can assist her to learn some more helpful strategies.

    Ms Chloe Gresham
    School Counsellor

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    Identity

    Prayer for HSC Students

    Prayer for HSC Students

    Gabrielle Scanlon, Director of Identity

    As our Year 12 students continue with their HSC, we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

    Creator God, we bring before you our HSC students.

    Give them the gifts of wisdom, right judgement, knowledge and courage.

    Bless them with calm hearts and clarity of mind as they sit for their exams.

    May they be affirmed in their efforts and may they know that you are there with them.

    We pray that they will stay calm under pressure and work to the best of their ability.

    May they feel your loving presence in their lives, now and always,

    and may they be strengthened by the prayerful support of us, their school community.

    Amen

    2023 Immersion Trip to Central Australia

    2023 Immersion Trip to Central Australia

    Yesterday, Tuesday 18 October, Year 9 and 10 students heard from Red Earth about our 2023 Immersion Trip. We are very excited to be able to run this trip again! All students in Year 9 and 10 this year are invited apply to be part of this experience. We will be hosting a Zoom meeting for parents and students where we will provide information in relation to the application process, timing of the trip, proposed itinerary and expectations for our September 2023 immersion. Details are as follows:

    Date:     Tuesday, 25 October 2022

    Time:     7.00 – 8.00pm

    Link:      https://olmcparra.zoom.us/j/85190445008

    Meeting ID: 851 9044 5008

    If you have any questions, I invite you to attend the Zoom meeting, or email me for further clarification gabrielle.scanlon@olmc.nsw.edu.au

    Senior Retreat

    Senior Retreat

    Year 11 students attended their Senior Retreat at Lake Macquarie last week. They enjoyed the time away with friends and were afforded the opportunity for prayer, reflection, community building and lots of fun! Students engaged enthusiastically in all of the planned activities and were respectful to each other, taking advantage of the time away prior to the commencement of the HSC studies.

    Thank you to the staff who accompanied the students to Lake Macquarie. It is a big commitment but also a very rewarding one.

    Mrs Gabby Scanlon
    Director of Identity

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    OLMC Connect

    Debating and Public Speaking

    Debating and Public Speaking

    Upcoming Events

    This weekend, 12 of our students will be competing in various events at the IGSA Festival of Speech at Pymble Ladies College. These events range from Prepared Speaking, Poetry Readings and others as well as an innovative addition this year, Soapbox Speaking. The girls have been preparing very well and are sure to be highly competitive. A full report will follow in the next edition of Parragraph.

    Over the next week, seven students will participate in the first round heats of the UN Voice competition where entrants need to propose an original solution to a current social issue. Competitors not only deliver their speech but are then questioned by a panel about aspects of their solution.

    Christopher Ostrowski
    Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator

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    Sport

    Sport

    NSW All Schools Athletics

    The NSW All Schools Athletics Championships were held at SOPAC from 24-27 September.

    OLMC was represented by Alexandra Kostis, Matilda Webb, Claire Giffney, Eleni Mestousis and Lucie Francis. Well done to all the girls on their results.

    Congratulations to Matilda Webb who competed in the 13 years 3km walk and won gold! Congratulations also go to Lucie Francis who competed in the 16 years 2km Steeplechase and finished second!

    Both girls have now qualified to compete at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Adelaide from 9-11 December. Best of luck girls!

    Stuart Guthrie
    Sports Coordinator

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    College Notices

    Sponsor a Seat

    Sponsor a Seat

    Mercy Futures - Relationships and Nature

    Mercy Futures - Relationships and Nature

    Parents and Friends' Association

    P&F AGM - 7.00pm, 8 November 2022

    P&F AGM - 7.00pm, 8 November 2022

    P&F AGM - 7.00pm, 8 November 2022

    We invite you to attend the P&F AGM at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 8 November 2022 in the College Staff Common Room (access via Gate 2).

    To nominate for a position on the P&F Committee, please complete the form below and email it to pandf@olmc.nsw.edu.au

    P&F Committee Nomination Form

    P&F Committee Roles and Responsibilities

    P&F Committee

    Other Careers Event

    headspace Day

    headspace Day

    Western Sydney Parent and Carer Sessions

    Western Sydney Parent and Carer Sessions

    Our Lady of Mercy College Paramatta

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