From the Principal Important Dates

From the Principal
No. 14 / May 23, 2012
Last Thursday, over 200 students, staff, mothers, grandmothers and other significant females in
the lives of the girls joined us for the Annual Mother Daughter Mass. This was the largest
number attending the mass since we introduced it in OLMC’s 120 th year in 2009. To see so
many fill the Mother Mary Clare Dunphy Memorial Chapel was wonderful. Father Walter, in his
homily, spoke of the many contributions that women have made to the Church over the centuries
from its very early days to now. Thank you to the Parents and Friends Executive who generously
provided afternoon tea afterwards in the Senior Common Room.
Important Dates
Thursday May 24
 Years 11 & 12 Careers
Excursion (Engineering)
 Variety Night
Friday May 25
 CSDA Debating Round 4
 Variety Night
Monday May 28
 Years 9 & 11 Parent/Teacher
interviews
 Year 11 Hospitality Work
Placement
 CCC Soccer
 Year 7 English Excursion
 Year 8 Japanese Excursion
Tuesday May 29
 Year 11 Hospitality Work
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Placement
Assembly
CCC Soccer
Year 9 English Incursion
Year 8 Japanese Excursion
Wednesday May 30
At the mass, each mother and grandmother was presented with a prayer card which was an
adaption of Catherine McAuley’s original Suscipe prayer:
 Year 7, 2013 Getting
Connected Afternoon
My God I am yours today and all the days of my life.
Help me to trust completely in loving care and mercy.
May I realise that whatever happens this day, we will do it together.
Please take away my fears, anxieties or hurts that I might experience.
And may I always be aware of your gift of hope delighting my heart and entire being.
I pray all this, my God and my all until that great day we meet face to face forevermore
Amen
 Year 11 Hospitality Work
Placement
 Year 8 Science Extension
Excursion
Table of Contents
From the Principal
1
Staff Profile
2
Curriculum
3
Cocurricular
4
Social Justice
4
Sport
5
Parents
5
This week OLMC will be holding our Annual Variety Night. This is an occasion when so many
talented OLMC students come together to show just how talented they are. The girls, with the
staff, have been working very hard over many months to put together a spectacular show titled
“Cabaret”. There are two performances, one on Thursday night and one on Friday night and
tickets are currently on sale. Please come along with your daughters for a very enjoyable night
out. On Wednesday OLMC will be hosting Years 4, 5 and 6 students from St Patrick’s Primary
school who will be coming to watch the show.
Kitty Guerin
Principal
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Staff Profile
Elizabeth Moore
I started at OLMC Parramatta at the beginning of 2011 and have since been teaching science. I am now
also Acting Assistant Year 11 and 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator.
I’m originally a Melbournian, and, after studying a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Education, I taught in
a Mercy school in Melbourne. It was this experience of the Mercy charism that made me so keen to work
here when I moved. Both schools have a culture of supporting people and encouraging them to be active in
the community and demonstrate Mercy values. OLMC is a really warm, welcoming and friendly
environment; you can stop in the corridors and have a conversation with anyone and that’s one thing I love
about it.
I find science endlessly fascinating and inspiring. It is ever changing. Our understanding and perceptions of
the world can change so quickly by one small discovery. It has such influence over our lives in ways we
don’t even realise. I think even if I wasn’t teaching, I would work in the area of science, perhaps the health sciences field.
My students have taught me a lot over the years, not least that there is apparently a lot more to Harry Potter than I thought! I am learning
from them all the time and, as I see it, teaching is about communication and relationship building.
When I’m not marvelling over the intricacies of the world through the prism of science, I’m off back to the garden state. I take any
opportunity I can to visit family and friends in Melbourne and take in an AFL game (Hawthorn only of course!). I also love travelling (I
recently returned from New York, an eclectic, chaotic and wonderful city), cooking (mainly savoury dishes – I love experimenting and trying
new things) and believe it or not, tap dancing!
Science Teacher
Gold
Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded a Gold Merit Certificate:
Year 11 Georgia Akle,& Jodie Rodrigues (3rd)
Year 9
Daniela Milicevic & Patricia Roveto
Year 8
Jazmin Kokoszka & Thivya Nadeswaran
Silver
Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded a Silver Merit Certificate:
Year 11 Isabella Altamore (2nd), Claire Stephenson (2nd) & Natalie Sarkez (3rd)
Year 10 Victoria De Mattia
Year 8
Maree Portelli & Stephanie Woodhouse
Bronze
Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded a Bronze Merit
Certificate:
Year 12 Tamar Sidrak
Year 11 Cristina Rubbo(3rd), Lauren Allport, (2nd) & Melissa Martin
Year 10 Mayliz Boumansour (2nd) & Bianca Baghdassar (2nd)
Year 9
Megan Wiblen(2nd)
Year 7
Dannielle Arida, Linda Massoud, Sophia Owad & Kayla Wehbe
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Curriculum
English Excursions
Next week two forms will attend different plays as an integral part of different modules of work on theatre and drama. On Monday May 28,
Year 7 will attend a performance of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. This will enhance and
complement students’ understanding of their current unit of work on Drama.
On Friday, June 1, Year 12 Standard English will visit the Riverside Theatre to watch a performance of Educating Rita which is one of their
HSC set texts. Those students attending Riverside will walk to and from the theatre accompanied by their English teachers.
Mr Hegarty
Assistant English Coordinator
LOTE Report
The LOTE Department has been busy with lots of activities and assessments.
This week, Year 8 French students will present their speeches (in French) as part of their ongoing assessment of language skills. Year 8
Japanese students will next week be visiting the Tem-Ichi Japanese restaurant to taste Japanese food and on June 15, the popular group,
Theatre LOTE Fantastique is coming to OLMC to perform “Concert Pop” (in French) for our French students.
On May 14, Elective French students in Years 9, 10, and 11 attended a Culture and Language workshop at the Alliance Française de
Sydney in the city. The Atelier Découverte culturelle activity gave students the opportunity to engage with the French language and its
cultural aspects. Students were grouped and asked to answer questions in French. The Jeu de jeopardie (Jeopardy) was particularly
popular and the winning group received a prize. Students then had a pause-café where they sampled a French breakfast of hot chocolate
and croissant at the popular Grand Café. Students really enjoyed the workshops and visiting an authentic French venue – they always ask
to return again. À la prochaine!
Also this term, on Saturday May 19, Year 12 French students attended a French Study Skills Day at Macquarie University run by NAFT
(NSW French Teachers’ Association). Students spent the morning listening to various speakers provide valuable information on how to
prepare and respond to questions in the HSC Examination. Although it was a challenge to attend a study skills event on a Saturday
morning, it was very informative and beneficial to the students.
OLMC families later this year will have the chance to experience Japanese culture in their own homes! 14 students from Shonan Shirayuri
Gakuen High School in Japan will be visiting OLMC for a period of two weeks and we are looking for families to host these students. It’s a
great opportunity to learn more about the Japanese culture and way of life. Interested families should contact Mrs Morrow or myself.
Coinciding with the visit of our Japanese students, on August 8, Years 9 and 10 elective Japanese classes will participate in an Activities
Day with the students from Shonan.
Finally, this week is very exciting for languages. From May 21 - 31, OLMC girls will participate in the World Languages Championships
2012 which is run by Language Perfect in New Zealand. This online competition sees our students compete with other language students
from around world. All OLMC language students have been registered to participate and we have also invited all of Year 7 to p articipate.
Students don’t need to know the language to compete as they can select the language they wish and learn the vocabulary online. It is a
simple and fun way to learn something new. All the best and good luck to competitors!
Mrs Sheila Ibarra
LOTE Coordinator
VET Report
A new breed of budding chefs and baristas’ is developing as Year
11 Hospitality students embark on the two year VET course. As
an introduction to the industry, students have spent considerable
time examining health, hygiene and safety in the workplace. This
knowledge is also essential for students to be able to participate
fully in their chosen work placement environment which, for the
majority of students, will take place in Week 6. Work placement is
a mandatory requirement of the VET course and gives students
the opportunity to put theory into practice and experience the real
world of a commercial kitchen.
The first catering activity undertaken by Year 11 students was to
prepare fruit salad cups for tasting by visitors to the College on
Open Day in March. These colourful and healthy samples were
enjoyed by the many families who toured our new facilities. The
students demonstrated the Mercy value of Hospitality by
welcoming guests and confidently discussing what Hospitality is
all about. A high tea display exemplified the skills that these
students had already developed in such a short time.
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Planning for the catering of the Senior Citizens Concert is well under way and students
are looking forward to making a delicious selection of mini muffins, scones and
sandwiches for the invited guests. Working in teams to plan, prepare and present food
is a critical aspect of Hospitality and students gain considerable experience by catering
for these events.
Year 12 Retail Services students are approaching the end of their course. With just one
and a half terms to go until the end of their secondary studies, we are buckling down
and preparing for examinations. Last term the girls gained valuable practical
experience when they undertook compulsory work placement in various retail stores
throughout Parramatta. The combination of the practical and theoretical course content
will set the girls up with useful skills and knowledge and with their continual dedication,
application and study, they should be well-prepared for the HSC.
Year 11 Retail Services students are working hard, learning about Workplace Health
and Safety (WHS; formerly OHS), customer service principles and the retail industry.
The girls are also preparing for their five day work placement in Term 3.
Year 11 Business Services students are also preparing for work placement in Term 3. These girls are powering through their work,
enthusiastically learning new concepts and skills relevant to the Business Services industry such as WHS, effective work practices and the
various roles and responsibilities in Business Services occupations.
This year a number of students from Years 11 and 12 are studying VET courses off-campus. Eleven girls are attending classes at TAFE
colleges across the Metropolitan area at Bankstown, Meadowbank, Ryde, Enmore, Hornsby, Castle Hill and Wetherill Park. One Year 12
student is completing the second year of her VET subject by distance education. The girls are undertaking studies in a diverse range of
subject areas including animal studies, beauty, information technology, sport and recreation, baking, interior design, health services and retail
services. The external VET program allows the girls to pursue studies that align with their particular career interests. I commend the girls
involved for the maturity and commitment they have displayed as they work towards achieving their goals.
Janet Frost, Director of Teaching & Learning & VET Team
Cocurricular
Debating Report
On Friday evening St Ursula’s made the long journey from Kingsgrove to Parramatta. As I indicated last week, they always have well
prepared teams and Friday was no different and we split the difference with them six-all. Congratulations to all our senior teams who are
enjoying a ‘purple patch’ and to teams 9A and 7B. I would also like to thank Ms Davie and Ms Batten for their help in the kitchen and looking
after supper. Also a big thank you to Amishi Handoo who, when the St Ursula’s 7B team forfeited, volunteered to join two St Ursula’s girls so
they could at least have a practise debate.
This week we are at two venues in Campbelltown. The A teams all head to St Patrick’s (4 St. John's Road, Campbelltown ) while the B teams
go to John Terry (Demetrius Road, Rosemeadow ). A reminder that seniors need to be at the venue by 6.20pm and Years 7-10 teams need
to arrive by 6.40pm. You will need to leave plenty of time (at least an hour) to make it to these venues as traffic can be heavy on a Friday
evening. I will be at John Terry and Mrs Hackett will be at St Patrick’s.
Good luck to all girls and a safe trip!
Mr Llewellyn-Evans
Debating Coordinator
Social Justice News
On Friday May 25 OLMC will participate in 65 Roses Day by selling merchandise at Parramatta Station and around the College. They will sell
lip balms, silver pens and pins for $5 and torch key rings for $3. All money raised goes to help Cystic Fibrosis www.cysticfibrosis.org.au
Social Justice and Reconciliation Forum
Students in Years 11 and 12 are invited to attend a Social Justice Forum. The theme is Reconciliation – What happens after sorry? It is on
Wednesday May 30 from 4 til 8pm at Mount Saint Benedict College, Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills. Students will be responsible for their
own transport to and from the venue. The cost is $10. More details will be provided in the permission note which will be emai led to students.
We have attended this event many times and it has always been an inspiring and worthwhile evening.
Ms Barbara McBride
Social Justice Coordinator
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Sport
Saturday Netball
Here are the results from Round 6:
OLMC 8 (0) v Bye
OLMC 7 (25) v Santa Sabina 16 (5)
Santa Sabina 13 (8) v OLMC 6 (22)
OLMC 5 (12) v St Gerard’s 8 (21)
OLMC 4 (11) v Woolwich 9 (34)
OLMC 3 (29) v Dundas Central 4 (43)
OLMC 2 (11) v West Ryde Rovers 18 (44)
Marsfield Bluebelles 5 (50) v OLMC 1 (17)
Saturday Soccer
Congratulations to the Junior girls on Saturday who won against Pymble 3 – 2! It was a great game, very close, very even. All the girls played
exceptionally well.
Stuart Guthrie
Sports Coordinator
Parents
Uniform Shop
Shop Location:
Telephone:
Trading times:
Price List:
Email:
4-6 Ross Street (corner of Trott Street)
8838 1275 (If unattended please leave a message)
Before school on Monday and Wednesday - 8:00am - 9:30am
Price list please visit College web site www.olmc.nsw.edu.au/school/enrolments/uniformshop
[email protected]
Trading times:- The Uniform Shop trading times are Monday and Wednesday before school from 8:00am to 9:30am. If these trading times
are not convenient for you to purchase uniforms or accessories items can be ordered and paid for over the telephone or email. Items can
then be collected from the Student Centre or Uniform Shop.
Buttons - blazer buttons are available for free from the Uniform Shop .
Accessories
50 Denier tights 2 for $11.00 or $6.00 each
70 Denier tights 3 for $22.00 or $8.00 each
Black scarf $5.00
Black gloves $5.00
Mercy scarf $18.00
Paul and Christine Bourke, Uniform Shop
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