Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a proven pathway to well-paid jobs in a diverse range of careers. In NSW, apprenticeships are also fee-free – meaning no upfront training costs for students or employers, plus student earn as they learn. With more than 120 apprenticeship courses on offer, there is plenty of choice. Find out more at:

http://bit.ly/2U8Hevl

To learn more about different apprenticeship or traineeship pathways, watch the My Gain Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/AAPathways/videos

University and college update

On Friday 10 May, during lunchtime in F103, Student Ambassadors from Macquarie University (MQU) will be making a presentation for interested Year 12 students. There will be information about new courses on offer and MQU’s new early entry program.

Many of the universities and private colleges have scholarship programs to consider, plus upcoming information evenings, experience and open days on weekends and during school holidays. These will be of particular interest to students in Years 11 and 12. Students and parents are welcome to attend the various events, so read on for more information on a wide range of courses.

This year saw the introduction of the new Year 7-10 PDHPE syllabus for Years 7 and 9 at OLMC. The new syllabus aims to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes important for students to take positive action to protect and enhance their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing in varied and changing contexts.Physical education is fundamental to the acquisition of movement skills to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities confidently and competently.

The study of PDHPE provides students with the opportunity to enhance and develop resilience and connectedness and learn to interact respectfully with others. Through our learning experiences in PDHPE, students will develop the skills to research, analyse and evaluate health and movement concepts in order to maintain and improve their health, wellbeing and participation in physical activity. During our recent unit for Year 9 titled ‘Bouncing Back’ and Year 10 ‘How healthy are we?’, students were provided with opportunities to learn to critique and challenge assumptions, attitudes and stereotypes of mental health and nutrition and evaluate a range of health-related sources, services and organisations that can provide support and assistance.

Through PDHPE, students learn in, about and through movement and are given opportunities to apply and adapt their skills across multiple contexts. Here at OLMC we want to provide students with as many different types of physical activity experiences as we can. Not only do we offer the traditional types of physical activity such as volleyball, netball and athletics but also new and non-traditional types such as AFL, Ultimate Frisbee, Zumba, Hip Hop and Boxercise. Our aim is to provide opportunities for students to develop and adapt their movement skills in a wide variety of contexts that would ultimately increase the likelihood of lifelong physical activity.

I would like to share some information from the article ‘Why a thriving brain needs a lifetime of exercise’ written by Paula Goodyer (11 August 2017) about the relationship between a healthy brain and exercise.

We don't give much thought to exercising for the sake of our brains (at least not until we're old enough to worry about Alzheimer's). But there's growing evidence that brains thrive on regular physical activity all the way from childhood to old age, say researchers at Deakin University's Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition.

Childhood and adolescence may turn out to be critical for influencing brain health in later life says Dr Helen Macpherson whose recent review of research linking physical activity to brain health was published in Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience, although we need more research to determine this.

Over a lifetime, exercise affects our brain in different ways.

"Physical activity in the early years may set up long term behaviours that promote healthier brains over the lifespan. At any age it may be important to consider the benefits of a healthy lifestyle for maintaining a healthy brain, rather than focusing on the impact on our waistlines," she points out.

Besides paying off with a lower risk of dementia and Parkinson's disease in older age, a lifelong exercise habit – especially one that includes building strength – can benefit the brain at different life stages and even have direct effects on its structure and function.

These benefits may also be different depending on whether you're a child, a mid-lifer or over 60, says Macpherson.

In childhood, for instance, there's evidence that regular physical activity is good for young brains in ways that optimise the rapid development of brains at this age and may enhance learning.

"Imaging studies have found that in fitter children, the parts of the brain involved in attention and memory are larger and some studies have also found that more physically active teenagers have better academic outcomes," she says.

Some very interesting information that not only demonstrates the physical benefits of exercise but the cognitive as well, which provides a good opportunity to start a conversation about making time to be active in our busy lives.

Mrs Jennifer McIntosh
Leader of Learning, PDHPE

World Titles

Over the holidays, Jessica D’Souza of Year 11 travelled to Toronto, Canada, to compete in WIDPSC, the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Titles. Jess earned her selection through her outstanding performances in the Australian Titles last September. Over a hundred student speakers participated in the event, held over five days at prestigious Branksome Hall, an exclusive school for girls in Toronto.

Jess was thoroughly prepared for each of her compulsory events: debating, impromptu speaking, interpretive reading and after dinner speaking. All competitors were required to present in each of these categories twice over three intense days, until the top two in each section (top four in debating) clashed in the Grand Finals. While Jess did not reach the finals, her performances are to be highly commended. Her attitude, effort and graciousness throughout the competition deserve the highest praise. She gained the respect and admiration of all those in the Australian team and OLMC has every reason to feel proud of her.

I would like to thank all those involved in enabling Jess to compete at the highest possible level any student can aspire to: the College Administration, the D’Souza family who supported Jess all the way, the Year 11 and 12 Debating students who helped in training and of course, Jess herself. Her reliability, hard work and impeccable behaviour made it an honour to accompany her to Toronto.

Mr Christopher Ostrowski
Public Speaking Co-ordinator

Twitter

OLMC Sport is now on Twitter, so join in the conversation @OLMCsport

Cricket

Tarni Sutton and Vaishnavi Deobhankar played representative cricket for Parramatta Women’s Grade Cricket Club in the Sydney Cricket Associations U18s Brewer Shield on Sunday 31 March 2019 against Bankstown and were crowned premiers for 2018/2019. Vaishnavi took two wickets and Tarni two catches during the game. Well done girls!

Athletics

Congratulations to Lucie Francis who competed at the Little Athletics Australian Championships at Hobart over the weekend.

Congratulations also must go to Summer Giddings who competed at the Arafura Games in Darwin, winning the Parra Long Jump. Summer has recently been chosen in the Open Australian Team to compete at the Oceania Games in Townsville in June. Well done and best of luck Summer!

NSWCCC Touch Football

Congratulations to Hannah Mathews, Amelia Polley and Chanelle Mikhael who all competed in the PDSSSC 15 years Touch Football Team at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships at Nelson Bay last Term. Despite not making the Grand Final, the girls all had a great time and played exceptionally well. Well done girls!

Saturday Soccer

Saturday Soccer starts this Saturday 4 May. The majority of our games will be played at our new home ground at Tara. The draw has been emailed to all students.

The girls will play in the old uniform for Round 1.

Saturday Netball

Round 2 was held at the start of the school Holidays. Round 3 will be played this Saturday 4 May.

All netball uniforms have now arrived at the Uniform Shop for the teams wearing the new strip this season.

You can view the draw and results here - http://erna.nsw.netball.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/draw.aspx?

Mr Stuart Guthrie

Sports Coordinator

School fees for Instalment 2 have now been sent to all families and are due by Friday 3 May 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 (8.00am - 4.00pm) or by email to finance@olmc.nsw.edu.au

Mr Bradley Johnson
Finance Manager

Staff Spirituality Day

On 12 April, the last day of Term One, all staff took part in our annual Spirituality Day. The theme of the day this year picked up on the College Mercy Value that we are focusing on: Service. We used the passage from Galatians, ‘Through love serve one another’ (5:13) as our inspiration.

Staff went to various locations around our local area and engaged in hands-on activities and works of service looking at ways to serve God, others and self. We then spent time reflecting on the woman of Catherine McAuley and the wonderful contributions she made to Ireland, especially to the women and children who were in such dire need of care and attention.

The day was a practical way of demonstrating our commitment to service by making our actions real and visible. All staff were also asked to donate towels to the Women’s Community Shelter which will open later this year in Parramatta. These donations will help to support the dignity of the women who seek refuge here.

Some of the staff made JRS care packages, cooked for Hope Hostel, sewed bags for JRS and visited Nursing Homes.

Candela Mission Peru Mother's Day Stall

Mrs Mary Rajca spoke at our College Assembly on Monday 30 April about the work of the Sisters of Mercy in the shanty town of Candela in Lima Peru.  This mission supports women through a program that teaches them to make beautiful handicrafts.

We will be selling these items at lunchtimes in Week 2 (keep your eye on the digital boards for more information).  Items range in price from $4 to $10. They are perfect Mother's Day presents.  The proceeds from the sale of these crafts give the women an income so they can provide for their families.

This is a significant way for the students to help the women of Candela and at the same time purchase a handmade gift for their own mothers and grandmothers.

All money raised goes straight to the women who have made the goods. This money is used to buy basic necessities for their families.  Your support of the Mission is greatly appreciated.

Sister Joan Doyle RSM with Ellen and her family outside their home.

Mother Daughter Mass

Our annual Mother/Daughter Mass will take place on Monday 13 May in the Edith Angel Hall. An invitation will be sent out shortly, but you might like to ensure your diary is free for this lovely celebration which will be led by Fr Walter Fogarty, our College Chaplain.

Mass will commence at 4.30pm and you are all warmly invited to attend the Mass and join us for afternoon tea also.

Click here to RSVP to the Mother Daughter Mass.

Mrs Claire Thomas has taken leave for the remainder of the year and I have the privilege of working as the Director of Mission in her absence. I am looking forward to the Retreats, Masses, activities and works of service throughout the year and thank you in anticipation for your support in all that the Mission Team do to ensure your daughters receive a well-rounded education full of amazing possibilities and life-changing opportunities both at the College and in the local community.

Mrs Gabby Scanlon
Director of Mission (Acting)

Year 8 Camp in 2003