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Dear Parents and Carers, Term 2, Issue 4 5th June—16th June 2017

In this Issue:

Page

1. Principal’s Message

2. Mercy Girls Inspire

3. Message from the Religious

Education Co-ordinator

5. Message from the Director of

Student Wellbeing

6. Student News

8. Message from the Administra

tor of Curricular Activities

10. P & F News

Upcoming Events:

TERM 2

Week 9

20th June— 8.30am—3.00pm Year

9 Drama Excursion

21st June—8.30am—3.00pm

BBSSSA 13 & 15 Year Soccer

22 June Athletics Carnival

Week 10

26th June— Year 12 HSC Trial Per-

formance Evening

27th June— 2.00pm—6.30pm Year

10 Parent/Teacher Interviews

28th—30th June—Band Camp

30th June LAST DAY OF TERM 2

TERM 3 - CLASSES RESUME 17

JULY FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

“Strive for Better Things” Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood mercy@dbb.catholic.edu.au

101 Archer St, Chatswood NSW 2067 Telephone: 9419 2890 mercychatswood.nsw.edu.au

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT: You have received cor-

respondence from Peter Hamill (Director of Schools)

and hopefully by now you have received my email,

sent on Thursday, asking you to take action and voice

your concerns to your local federal member of parlia-

ment about the proposed changes in educational fund-

ing.

If you haven’t read the emails I urge you to do so and

follow the instructions on how to contact your local MP. If we as a com-

munity don’t act now it will have major implications for Mercy College

and all Catholic schools in the northern beaches and north shore areas.

The Bill has been read three times in the House of Representatives and

now will go to the Senate next week. We need to lobby government to

amend the Bill to avoid the major impact it will have on Mercy College

and other schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay.

RETURN FROM LEAVE: As you were aware I have been on leave for the

past three weeks, revisiting a school I have spent time at in Tanzania

and attending the graduation ceremony of the girl I have sponsored from

kindergarten to Grade 6 (Year 12 equivalent).

It was a wonderful time for me catching up on the school and teachers

progression and really reinforced the importance of education, particular-

ly for girls, and how education can break the poverty cycle.

Margreth is my sponsored child and I have been privileged to not only

see her at school but to visit her and her family on a number of occasions

at home. Take note of the photos below, showing when I first met Marg-

reth when she was in Year 2 and the other one at my recent visit. Marg-

reth didn’t begin school until she was 9 years of age as the family could-

n’t afford to pay for her to go to the local school. Twelve years later she

has graduated as a 21 year old, with grades good enough for her to at-

tend university and achieve her goal of becoming a Chemistry teacher.

I alwas feel privileged to be invited into their simple mud structured

home of three rooms with dirt floors and no glass in the windows. Two to

sleep in and the other the lounge/dining room. The kitchen is another

mud structure outside with an open pit for a fire. Here lives Margareth's

family of mum, dad, three brothers, sister and herself, supported by a

small field of corn, six chickens, five goats and a cow. No electricity and

water from a common village pump which is a 15 minute walk away.

We sat and exchanged stories of families, mine more difficult to explain

to someone who had little experience of paved roads and electricity nor

brick houses and shopping centres. This family had to sell one of their

goats to pay for one son’s education. No banks here, the animals were

not for food but a storage of their wealth, which was sold off when they

had a big expense. Unfortunately Margreth being a girl, didn’t get a goat

sold for her schooling.

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Mercy Girls Inspire

Kiana K (Year 9) was selected from the BBSSSA U15 touch. The squad travelled to Dubbo to com-

pete at the NSWCCC Touch Selection trials. The BBSSSA team won all their games and were named

State Champions in the Catholic sector. They only had two tries scored against them!

Kiana is to be commended on her contribution to the team effort and she is the first Mercy Girl to be

selected to the Diocesan team in a very, very long time (in fact she is only the second Mercy girl ev-

er to be selected into the BBSSSA touch team).

Kiana is bottom

row 2nd in from

the left

Year 12 student, Stephanie S completed at the Gordon Waterhouse Memorial Music Scholarship Concert

at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood. She was commended for demonstrating musicianship of a very high

standard.

“Stephanie's performance tonight was of a very high standard. Our Club hopes to see more of your fine

young musicians performing in the GWMMS in the years ahead”

Gerard Sav

Past President Rotary Club of Chatswood

On my first visit I walked away with a gift of four eggs which their chickens had just laid. Not an expensive

gift by our standards, but I knew that the family was eating less that day because they had saved the

eggs for me. Margareth's proud father insisted that I take them. In successive years I have received gifts

of more eggs and live chickens, with this year receiving a beautiful green Maasai blanket embroidered lov-

ingly with beads.

How privileged are we in Australia, that going to school is automatic, I hope and pray that our Mercy girls

understand this privilege and accept the inherent responsibility of sharing this with others.

Best Wishes

Principal

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Message from the Religious Education Co-ordinator

ACYF Festival Launch at Mercy College

Last week students at Mercy College had the opportunity to participate in the ACYF festival launch

held at lunchtime. The mini-festival was led by the team from Catholic Youth Broken Bay who came to

promote the event and give students the opportunity to register their interest. It was wonderful to see

such a great spirit of enthusiasm, joy and energy in the atmosphere. It was just a small taste of what

students can expect to experience at the ACYF in December. Young people celebrating and exploring

their faith as a part of a Catholic community in a party atmosphere.

Registrations for ACYF which will be held from 7 – 9 December are now open. Students can collect an

expression of interest form from Ms Stojanovski or Mrs Thomas in the REC office.

Alpha Youth Program 2017

The Alpha for Youth Program will commence on Wednesday 21 June from 3:30pm – 5:00pm in the

Chatswood Parish Bishop Barry Room, located on Kirk Street.

The dates for the program are:

Term 2: Session 1: 21 June Term 3: Session 2: 19 July, Session 3: 26 July, Session 4: 2 Aug, Ses-

sion 5: 9 Aug, Session 6: 16 Aug, Session 7: 23 Aug, Session 8: 6 Sept & Program Celebration: 13

August. Additionally a Sunday Retreat Day on Sunday 20 August.

With the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in December and 2018 being declared as a ‘Year of Youth’

for the Australian Church it is an opportune time to provide this program for the students to explore

their faith and consider their own discipleship to the Gospel Values of Jesus Christ.

Students can collect a permission note from Ms Stojanovski in the REC Office. Permission notes must

be returned to the College by Monday 19 June.

Ms Gabie Stojanovski

Religious Education Coordinator

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Message from the Religious Education Co-ordinator

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The Power of Words

Over the week I have been reflecting on the events happening in the world and the power of words. I heard of a story about a group of people on a train after the Manchester fundraising concert. The carriage was quiet, the atmosphere felt as though there was tension, suspicion and concern about arriving home safely. The carriage was full. Suddenly, a

three year old broke the air by asking a man about his bald head and whether he felt cold. The people on the carriage erupted into laughter and people began to talk. This story reminds us how important a simple act such as saying ‘hello’ or asking if someone is alright makes such a difference in someone’s day. I have often written about the use of language and how when we speak we either are, or are not, modelling acts of grace and mercy. To be aware of the impact that words have in making someone feel special or making them feel hurt can never be underestimated. I always draw on the words of wisdom from Father Richard Leonard a Jesuit priest “when speaking to someone always come from a place of love”; “if someone is saying something nasty, think more about what is happening in their life to make them speak in that way”. Below is a very moving poem titled ‘The Power of Words’ written by American poet and civil rights activist- Maya Ange-

lou You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise. Mrs G McDermott

Message from the Director of Student Wellbeing

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Thursday Walking Club

Join Mrs Tailor and Mrs Oliver every Thursday at 1:30pm (weather permitting) for a social and fun

walk departing from the school gates! Open to all students from Years 7 to 12. Girls bring their lunch

and walk around the local streets for approximately 20 minutes, usually ending at Beauchamp Oval.

Girls can wear sports shoes, but this isn’t a requirement. Parent permission slips (valid for the year)

are available from student reception and there is no cost for this wonderful activity!

Student News

The Year 8 students have completed the topic of Wood Technology. Over the term we have devel-

oped new skills regarding timber. Students produced a jewellery tree product and submitted a de-

sign folio. The tree had to be functional, aesthetically pleasing, safe and be economical to our envi-

ronment. We researched problems in our world relevant to our lives, for example carbon footprint

and deforestation. The students became aware of this very important issues and how it affects our

lives. Although this topic was challenging we had lots of fun learning and developing new skills and

we as a Year group believe that these skills will come in handy in our life.

By Georgia C and Claudia B 8C

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Athletics Carnival

Thursday 22 June 2017

Due to unforeseen maintenance issues, the College Athletics Carnival this year will be held at Ban-

nockburn Oval (Pymble) on Thursday 22 June. Students will be transported by bus to and from the

venue. Students are allowed to leave the venue if their parent/carer writes a letter to the respec-

tive Year Coordinator. A food van will be operating on the day from 10.30am to 1.30pm but stu-

dents are encouraged to bring their own lunch and water bottle. Also, girls should ensure they

have a hat, warm clothes, towel, ground mat and wet weather gear. Students are to wear their

sports uniform or winter uniform to school before changing into their House colours before the

buses depart. Your daughter will be notified of any changes due to wet weather. The 3000m and

1500m running events are being held at lunch time in the weeks leading up to the carnival. Stu-

dents who wish to nominate for BBSSSA selection in High Jump, Triple Jump and Hurdles may

submit their times/distances for consideration.

Student News

Mercy Catholic College - Athletics Carnival Program

8.45am Tutor Group + Cheers

9.25am Buses to oval

12 & Under 13 & Under 14 & Under 15 & Under 16 & Under 17 & Over

10.00 - 10.20 1500 Walk 1500 Walk 1500 Walk 1500 Walk 1500 Walk 1500 Walk

10.20 – 10.40 1500 Walk – Whole School Participation Race

10.40—11.20

100 100 100 100 100 100

LONG 1 SHOT 1 JAVELIN SHOT 2 DISCUS DISCUS

11.20 – 12.00

800 800 800 800 800 800

--- DISCUS LONG 2 JAVELIN SHOT 1 SHOT 2

12.00 – 12.40

200 200 200 200 200 200

SHOT 1 LONG 1 DISCUS LONG 2 JAVELIN JAVELIN

12.40 – 1.20

400 400 400 400 400 400

JAVELIN --- SHOT 2 DISCUS LONG 1 LONG 2

1.20 – 1.40 DISCUS JAVELIN

1.40 – 2.00 Relays

2.00 – 2.20 Clean up + Assemble for buses

Mr Mark Cuttler

PDHPE Co-ordinator

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Message from the Administrator of Curricular Activities

Mercy Catholic College has launched Qkr (by MasterCard) as an easy

to use, secure phone app for making payments from your mobile

phone for co- curricular activities (i.e. Swimming, Cricket, Basket-

ball, etc). Qkr will accept payment using ANY credit/debit card

(except American Express) and has a simple checkout function.

Commencing Term 3 all payments for co-curricular activities will

be processed via Qkr. It is simple and convenient to use with no

fees or charges.

Getting started!

Step 1. Download Qkr! on your Android phone or iPhone Via App Store or Google Play

iPad users can download iPhone App.

Step 2: Register

Select your Country of Residence as ‘Australia’ and follow the steps to register

Step 3: Find Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood

Search for Mercy Catholic College or Chatswood

Step 4: Register your Child/ren

When first accessing your school menu; you will be prompted to register your child. This allows

you to make school payments on their behalf.

Note: The Qkr web client is available for those not wanting to complete transactions

from their mobile phone.

About the Qkr! App

Qkr is a safe, secure and reliable way to pay for school items. Qkr is provided by MasterCard so

you know the payments are secure. No information is stored on your phone. Registration details

and card information are saved securely on the MasterCard network.

For more information please click on the link below or contact Mrs Margaret Kellendonk Co-

curricular activities Administrator 9419 2890 or margaret.kellendonk@dbb.catholic.edu.au

https:// www.marcard.com.au/en-au/about-mastercard/who-we-are/qkr.html

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Extra Curricular Activities

*2017 MERCY BASKETBALL COMPETITION 1—UPDATE*

Mercy currently has 3 Basketball teams in Comp 1 at Norths Basketball Centre at Crows Nest.

We have-

U16 Division 1 Mercy WILDCATS

U16 Division 2 Mercy MAGIC

U18 Division 2 Mercy DIAMONDS.

Mercy Magic and Mercy Diamonds have had a pretty good season and have both won and lost a few

games and have continued to improve throughout the season as well as enjoying the social side of

playing with school friends.

Mercy Wildcats have had an amazing year after moving up from U14 division 2 last year where they

won the Grand Final . They have fought hard each week and had a few wins and also have learned a lot

along the way as some games proved to be quite a challenge. They are currently coming 3rd and with

only 1 game remaining this Friday 16th they should remain in 3rd place and will therefore be in the

playoffs ( semis ) on Friday 23rd June and hopefully the Grand Final on Friday 30th June.

It would be great to see some extra Mercy students at the centre on Friday 23rd to cheer on the

WILDCATS when they play the playoffs.

( game time is TBA so please keep an ear out in Tutor Group and also look on the Mercy noticeboard

for details).

COMPETITION 2- ( commences: term 3)

Mercy looks like we will have 2 new Year 7 teams start in July for the 2nd Comp at Norths. We are still

looking for a few more players from Year 7 to join so please see Margaret Kellendonk ASAP or email

me at houstons@live.com.au

as final teams will be announced by Friday 23rd June.

Regards

Sharon Houston

Mercy Basketball Conv.

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P&F News

Trivia Night

Many hours of preparation have ensured this night will be a success. The P&F would like to

acknowledge and thank the enthusiastic prize seeking and dedicated preparation undertaken by Ni-

cole Clancy (Promotions Officer at MCC). The P&F team could not have put this event together in

such a professional way without Nicole – Thank you. Also, Meredith’s experience and skills have

been invaluable in ensuring the variety of prizes was good and the venue so lovely – again – Thank

you. The remainder of the P&F Team : Catherine, Robyn and Phillipa have been able to sit back and

watch this event unfold with delight, only really helping with decision making and set up.

We apologise if you were unable to secure tickets. The parent response has been much more than

we had hoped for this inaugural event.

Please feel free to call me at any time if you have any questions or would like to provide ideas or

feedback.

Phillipa Sobb

President P & F

perrysobb@gmail.com

0411 429 629