From the Principal
Key Dates
Teaching And Learning
LOTE
LOTE
Shonan Shira Yuri High School
Last week, we said farewell to our visitors from Shonan Shira Yuri High School.
On 7 August, hosting OLMC families and the Shonan Japanese students gathered at the College for a farewell evening. The visitors showcased their traditional dance, demonstrated some Japanese games and sang their school song Mihaha Maria to the hosting families and OLMC students. We are very grateful to the families who welcomed the visitors into their homes and hope they had an enriching experience.
OLMC welcomes a French Exchange student
Alycia Masmoudi is currently in Year 11 on a short, 4 week Exchange Program. Alycia is from Lyon in France and is here to gain an experience of school and the Australian way of life. Alycia has been visiting some of the French classes and made presentations to the students. The students have also had the opportunity to ask questions and put some of their language skills into practice. Alycia will return to France on 24 August in preparation to begin her school year in September. We wish her all the best in her future studies. We also thank Ivana Jakus and family for hosting Alycia.
Mrs Sheila Ibarra
Leader of Learning, LOTE
VET Work Placement
VET Work Placement
VET/Careers
VET Work Placement
During the Term break and last week, many of the Year 11 VET students undertook a week of work placement, the ‘learning by doing’ component of their course. The girls entered into the experience with a willingness to learn and work in a real industry setting. During their placement the students were visited by Mrs Brooks, Mrs Roumanus or me, and we were pleased to see them participating professionally and positively to build on their skills.
Several of the girls reflect on their week for us here. From the Business Services class, Gabriella Dagher talks about her experience at Argyle Street Medical Centre: ‘Being surrounded by experienced workers was a bit intimidating at first. However, I was warmly greeted and treated like one of their own. My supervisor and all the other workers taught me tips for working in the business industry and openly shared the ups and downs you can face. I feel much better prepared for the future as a result of my work placement.’
Lara Wehbe spent a week at Ray Wehbe Real Estate: ‘My work placement was amazing! I learnt about real experiences within the workplace at a busy real estate office.’ Similarly, Evelyn Lillie had a positive experience at Good Start Early Learning Centre: ‘Working in an administrative environment was an amazing experience and I've grown in confidence as a result.’
The Hospitality students were also busy at a range of venues, including El-Phoenician, Rydges, Leura Garage, Courtney’s Brasserie, Bondi Pizza, Lachlan’s at Old Government House and AJs Café. A few of their comments… ‘I learnt something new each day, the staff were incredibly nice and it was an amazing environment to be in for my first taste of what it is like to work as a chef.’ Alexandra Zito, Leura Garage.
‘The staff were very friendly, always clear with instructions and they challenged me to learn and improve my skills.’ Thalia Lake, Bondi Pizza
The rest of the VET students will complete their first work placement in the next Term break and I am sure they will also find it to be a valuable learning experience.
Mrs Louise Weihen
Leader of Learning, VET/Careers
OLMC Connect
Public Speaking
Public Speaking
Open Morning Tour
Last week saw the third OLMC Open Morning Tour for 2019, with prospective students and their parents given a guided tour of the College. As always, two outstanding Year 7 speakers were an integral part of the welcome to our visitors. It was the turn of Tia Monga and Summer Rayne Roughley to perform this role, one which they always do with great skill. Tiaand Summer not only delivered an excellent speech, but they also welcomed everyone as they arrived as well as accompanying the groups as they toured the College and asked questions. The girls continue to impress with their confident and sophisticated delivery of their speeches.
History Day
OLMC public speakers do more than participate in competitions. The Parramatta and District Historical Society hold a Public Speaking Day each year where several local high schools present an aspect of their school’s history. This year, four excellent public speakers from Year 9 spoke on the various myths that have become part of our College’s history. Ananya Arunkumar, Sakshi Chouta, Alista Gautam and Amelia Kraszewski are to be commended for planning, preparing and presenting their contribution independently and professionally. A significant element of their delivery focused on the story behind the red stairs and how the myth was actually created by some Year 12 students some years ago.
Mr Brian Powyer, until recently the President of the Society, commented at length on the challenge of all historians to separate myth from reality, a fact that was highlighted in our girls’ speeches. Well done to Ananya, Sakshi, Alista and Amelia for their efforts.
Legacy Competition
Last Friday, Francesca Martinez (Year 7) and Amithi Vaithilingam (Year 9) competed in the Legacy public speaking event at Crestwood High School. Both Francesca and Amithi prepared very well and spoke impressively. Francesca spoke on the topic of music and how it can benefit you in so many ways while Amithi spoke about the pain of students living with mental issues. All speakers were then confronted by the challenging topic “It’s just not cricket”. Students were given five minutes’ notice and had to speak on the topic for two minutes. Once again, our girls performed very well. Although not progressing to the State semi-finals, Francesca and Amithi gave OLMC good reason to be proud of them.
Mr Christopher Ostrowski
Public Speaking Co-ordinator
Sport
Sport
CGSSSA AFL
After a rained out day, the CGSSSA AFL Gala Day was finally held on Tuesday 6 August at Macquarie University. OLMC was represented by Elyssa Wakim, Kyah Rahme, Mia Kerr, Lara Colpan, Lucie Francis, Alannah Moujalli, Niamh Nolan, Laila Dimech, Alice Hong, Chelsea Barakat, Abbey McDonnell, Amelia Polley, Stephanie Ogle, Alana Shehadie, Claudia Attard and Victoria Petkos. The girls played well and enjoyed the day, finishing 5th in their pool. They showed some great team work and skills and continued to improve as the day went on. Well done girls!
A big thank you to Ms Farrugia and Mrs Cunningham for all their help with the team.
Water Polo
Well done to Dinithi Pingamage who participated in the 51st Annual Hawaiian Water Polo Tournament from 30 July – 4 August. Dinithi and her Drummoyne U14 team competed against teams from the US, New Zealand and Hawaiian Islands and claimed the Bronze Trophy at the Tournament.
Saturday Netball
A big thank you to everyone who was able to assist with our Netball Duty on 3 August at ERNA.
Saturday saw our final round played for 2019.
You can continue to view the draw and all results here - http://erna.nsw.netball.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/draw.aspx?
Here are the final placings:
OLMC 1 – 4th
OLMC 2 – 7th
OLMC 3 – 2nd
OLMC 4 – 7th
OLMC 5 – 1st
OLMC 6 – 6th
OLMC 7 – 5th
OLMC 8 – 5th
OLMC 9 – 4th
OLMC 10 – 3rd
Semi-finals for the top four teams in each division will take place on this Saturday 17 August. OLMC 5 and 6 will need to play a Round 15 game on August 17 too.
Please be aware the game times are slightly different:
OLMC 1 plays at 12:50pm
OLMC 3 plays at 2:30pm
OLMC 5 and 6 play at 11:10am
OLMC 9 and 10 play at 11:10am
Good luck girls!
Wednesday Touch Football
Online registration emails will be sent to students' email addresses soon. You won’t need to register online with Parramatta Touch before then. The Parramatta Touch registration emails will include the students' Team Codes.
Mr Stuart Guthrie
Sport Co-ordinator
College Notices
Other Careers Event
From the Counsellors
From the Counsellors
The Feast of the Assumption
On Thursday August 15, we celebrate the feast of the Assumption. This is a celebration of the rising into heaven of Mary at the end of her earthly life.
For Catholics, this is considered a Holy Day of Obligation and Masses will be celebrated in your local parishes. CLICK HERE to find out Mass times for parishes in the Parramatta Diocese.
We will be marking this day at the College with a decade of the Rosary which will be held in the Chapel during the first half of lunch. All girls are very welcome to join us for this communal prayer service.
Year 8 Reflection Day
On 7 August, Year 8 traveled to Mulgoa to attend their Reflection Day. The theme of the day was "The Catholic Church spreads the Good News." We were fortunate to have seven Catholic Church Agencies represented to run workshops for the girls: Mercy Works, Caritas Australia, Catholic Mission, Jesuit Social Services, Jesuit Refugee Services, Vinnies and House of Welcome. All agencies are people-focused and work at restoring the dignity of people affected by homelessness and poverty, as well as support for refugees, asylum seekers and indigenous Australians by providing them all with support, education, financial assistance and advocacy.
Some of the Year 8 girls then presented class work on the topics of climate change, refugees and asylum seekers. This work was part of a project with The Edmund Rice Centre who work with people of the Pacific Islands who are being hardest hit by climate change. Their presentations were fantastic and we are hoping to showcase them again to the school community soon.
Please see below some photos of the day which highlight the speakers and also the sense of community that was shared on the day. The girls were all very well behaved and entered into the day with enthusiasm and maturity.
Mercy Futures - 3 September
Mercy Futures - 3 September
Father Daughter Mass 2010
PRC Guest Speaker
PRC Guest Speaker
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last evening, the College held the 2020 Year 9 Course Preference Evening. It was an evening that commences the process of Year 8 selecting their electives for their Stage 5 studies and it always proves to be an exciting time for the students as they explore the courses being offered at the College.
Reflecting on the advice I offered to Year 8 students and their families, I thought I would share some of it with you here, with the hope that it supports any dialogue around courses and choices at any Stage of learning:
Year 8 students: Identifying your preferences is a discerning process and I encourage you to think carefully about what interests you and to talk things over with your parents and your teachers. Think about courses that will develop your skills and attitudes and which will be useful to you in life.
One of the many benefits of our Vertical House Pastoral System is that you are provided in your Homeroom with many opportunities to talk to students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 who have studied some, or all, of the courses that you may be considering. They can share some of their experiences with you. Listen to them and think about what it means for you. Discuss this with your parents.
Additionally, I asked Year 8 to consider the following three points:
- Please don’t choose a course because your friend is choosing it.
- Please don’t overlook a course because you think it might be too hard.
- Please do make a commitment to your learning, whatever courses you choose.
Earlier in the Term I was privileged to accept a cheque, on behalf of Parramatta Women’s Community Shelter, from the Year 9 Commerce classes (69 students in total) who had raised over $2500 from their Market Day in Term 2. I would like to express my appreciation for the students’ generosity and that of their teachers, and particularly Mrs. Carpenter, Leader of Learning, HSIE, all of whom supported this initiative and made real the power of the individual to make a difference.
Below you will see some photos of a further experience of great generosity. Again representing Parramatta Women’s Community Shelter, I was fortunate to accept a grant from St Michael’s Fund at a morning tea held in the Catherine MCAuley rooms on August 7. All recipients of the grants are working in Western Sydney to support others, particularly women and children, whose lives are touched by challenge, violence and marginalisation. This assistance from St Michael’s Fund and from the Sisters of Mercy reflects the significant work for over 130 years of the Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta in caring and supporting those in need. Importantly, it continues the intention and actions of Venerable Catherine McAuley when she commenced her Mercy work in Dublin all those years ago.
May we all continue to act as Mercy companions.
Warm regards,
Marie Wood
Deputy Principal
