Mercy Messenger - Term 3, Week 4 - Friday 5 August 2022

Last week, we celebrated Catholic Education Week with the theme 'Communities of Faith, Hope and Love'. I often ask the students "What makes Catholic Education different?" The answer I seek, is that a Catholic school has Gospel values at its core, and Christ's mercy in its actions. As we strive to acknowledge and serve others, through God's mercy, we ‘Serve Christ’ - our College's motto. Our compassion for those in need and the dedication to go that extra mile - that is our mission, one that demands action.

Spirit of Catholic Education Award
As part of Catholic Education Week, Mercy College nominated Mr Vince McSherry for The Spirt of Catholic Education Award. This award recognises individuals making an outstanding contribution to Catholic Education in Queensland. As a former staff member, parent and parish member, Vince exemplifies the caring values of Mercy College. He is a true witness of Christ’s teaching. I take this opportunity to thank Vince for all his hard work and dedication. It was an honour to nominate you for this award. Congratulations!

Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate all the great staff, resources and community activities that Mercy College has and is involved in. Activities throughout the week included a lunch time sausage sizzle for students and a delicious breakfast for staff, cooked by the Leadership Team. I would like to thank the College, the students and community members for making Mercy a community that allows our students to grow spiritually and to acknowledge that every stage of life is permanent grace.

Athletics Carnival
Students and staff enjoyed a great day of fun and competition at our Mercy College Athletics Carnival last week. It was wonderful to see the participation, enthusiasm and sportsmanship for our students. Thank you to everyone who attended and assisted on the day. Congratulation to Badila House who were this year’s overall winners!

New Combined College Logo
Last week, parents, students and our College community were advised of the new St Patrick’s College logo. Reflecting aspects of both the current St Patrick’s College and Mercy College logo, charism and motto, the new design encompasses the rich history of both Colleges. The new logo will be transitioned across both our junior and senior campus as we move towards being one college in 2023. 

I read an article today that said: “Pope Francis has finally indicated that he will retire”.  When you look deeper at what the Pope actually said it was not that he was definitely retiring but that he needed to “slow down or retire,” during two public interviews.  The Pope is older than when his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI retired, now being 85 years old.  Not many of us would want to work or manage an organisation until our mid-eighties (just ask Mrs Agius) and if he does announce his retirement, many people will be surprised.  Perhaps the Pope is trying to prepare us for the announcement or let Netflix know they could begin work on their next movie – “The Three Popes”?

Pope Francis has not been without his detractors as he has tried to implement change at the heart of the Church.  Change is never easy and not everyone welcomes it.  The Church in America has been very vociferous in speaking up against some of the changes the Pope has tried to implement.  If people think that Pope Francis is radical, then he is in good company as Jesus was also considered to be radical.  We have begun to see more letting go within the Church and the appointment of lay people, especially women, to key positions that were previously the reserve of men in Rome.  The Synodal Church will be Pope Francis’ gift to the Church, but it is up to the whole People of God to make it work.

Pope Francis has listened to Jesus' words and put them into action, perhaps we need to do the same: “I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you” (Jn 13:12) 

Students were very keen to use the new Meal Preparation Area which opened up to them Wednesday!  Generously donated by our 2021 Seniors, this facility will be available to all students before school and at break times.  Under the supervision of staff, they will be able to heat food in microwaves and use the toasted sandwich makers. They will also be the ones responsible to keep the area clean. 

Please refer to the link below to look over the new area.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xTLF6pORo0nLhgTUuhaRfiDVgXmdbk8b/view?usp=sharing

Catholic Education Week has been another successful year with students having a Year level lunch, participating in various games and celebrating with an Athletics Carnival.  Staff also got to enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked by our Senior Leadership Team.

It’s that time of the year again where students are asked to reflect on their results from last Semester to plan their actions this Semester to achieve the results they desire. As we focus on Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind, students set personal learning goals in each of their subjects. 

This would be a great time as a parent or guardian to sit down with your child and discuss where they want to head over the next 6 months with their academic learning journey. Goal setting considers both their academic progress and behavioural habits in achieving results.  It’s never too late to ensure effective study and work habits are in place. Your child’s goals are located in their Student Diary (p82). This is a great way for you to monitor your child’s progress when coupled with Google Classroom to see what feedback they may be receiving. 

Learning goals are used over the Semester by staff and students to reflect on their progress in classes, and again at the Student Led Interviews as students share their progress towards their goals with their parents and guardians. 

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning journey at Mercy College.

On Friday 29 July, 10 teams competed at the Inaugural Touch Football Fast 4 Competition.  Our Under 13s won and got a 3rd, our Under 15's came 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th.  Our Opens came 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th. 

We won all the relays and flick passes; the kids had an absolutely outstanding day.

The Mercy/St Patrick’s Cricket teams took to the fields in Mackay as part of the QLD Cricket T20 StreetSmarts State Challenge Championships.  Backing up from last year’s success and with outstanding numbers of players, we were able to field five teams across the four divisions.  

Our junior females dominated both bowling and batting against Whitsunday Anglican School to take a convincing win with six wickets still in hand. Solid batting by Kiana Dunn scoring 45 off 39 balls was backed up by spectacular bowling from Matilda Wiggins who took 2 wickets for 8 runs off 3 overs.   The senior girls unfortunately did not have a local competitor so have progressed to the next stage automatically.

Numbers in the male teams allowed us to enter two juniors and one senior team.  Our youngest of the juniors was mainly Year 7 students who were given their first taste of school cricket.  After playing three games they were unsuccessful in progressing to the next stage but put up strong competition against HSC (Holy Spirit College), Whitsunday Anglican and Mercy / St Pat’s other junior team.   Steady with the bat to create a solid partnership, were Reuben Beardmore 20 runs off 39 balls and Callum Snow 34 runs off 26 balls against HSC. Our older junior team had two convincing wins and one loss, but are progressing to the next stage with their impressive run rate.  Lachlan Evetts showed all the skill needed with the ball to take a 4 wicket maiden over which included a hat trick.

The senior male team comprised players from Years 10 - 12 and were to battle it out against HSC in a three game tournament.  No need for a decider as Mercy/ St Pat’s was too strong and only needed two games to secure the day’s win and progress to the next stage as well.  Jack Muller took an impressive 2 wickets for 12 runs off 3 overs while Liam Newbery was impenetrable at the crease with 70 runs, not out, off thirty-two balls.

Overall a very successful day with all four divisions being won by Mercy/ St Pat’s.  All players showed commitment and skill whilst representing their schools with pride.  Thank you to all teachers involved for giving up their time to take the teams, score and umpire throughout the day.  Teams take to the fields again on Monday 8 August against teams from the Whitsunday area.  Best of luck players and teachers.

Year 9 Careers

Students in Year 9 Careers have started learning about employability skills and how important they are to employers. Employability skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, initiative and resilience are fostered through the explicit teaching of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits and the Leader in Me program. In Year 9 Careers, students are continuing to develop personal awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth. They are learning valuable life skills such as being able to draft and edit an effective Resume and Cover Letter that might lead to an interview for a part-time job, apprenticeship or traineeship.

Year 8 Skills for Learning

In Year 8 Skills for Learning students reflect on self-awareness through the consolidation of the first three Habits that form the ‘Private Victory’; 1. Be proactive, 2. Begin with the end in mind, and 3. Put first things first. Research suggests that role model influence and cultural values play a pivotal role in informing the decisions made by young people on how they choose their future careers. This term, students in Year 8 will choose an important role model in their life to interview and write a biography essay. The role model might be a relative, coach or employer. Families are encouraged to support their child as they select a suitable role model and conduct the interview for homework either face-to-face or on the telephone.

‘Being a role model for others is very important in Christianity. We are to be the light of the world’, Chery, 2022. ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven’, Matthew 5:16.

Year 10 Work Education

It’s been a busy week in Term 3 for the Year 10 Work Education students as they prepare for Work Experience in Week 7. All students are learning about Workplace Health and Safety in class, in preparation for their work placement. On Tuesday and Thursday, August 2 and 4, Mrs McGrath, Mr Ashley Fergus and I accompanied 20 students to Master Builders Queensland in North Mackay to complete a General Safety Induction White Card Course. Any student who has selected a trade in construction for their first Work Experience preference is required to complete the White Card Course, so that they can visit construction sites during their placement. The course gives participants the knowledge and skills required to work safely on any construction site.

On Wednesday 3 August the two Year 10 Work Education classes attended the CQU Mackay Careers Expo during their normal lesson time accompanied by Mrs Vikki McGrath, Ms Elizabeth Falzon and Myself. CQUniversity partnered with Mackay Regional Council to deliver this year's CQU Mackay Careers Expo. This one-day event was designed for high school students to explore their career options. Students had the opportunity to meet with industry experts, discuss career pathways and get hands-on experience with interactive activities. Exhibitors were numerous and included tertiary education institutions such as James Cook University, the University of Southern Queensland and the University of Tasmania, apprenticeship and traineeship providers such as Defence Force Recruitment and Hastings Deering, resource and civil construction organisations such as Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Milek Engineering and many local businesses.

This term's fundraising focus is the Sisters of Mercy not-for-profit charity 'Mercy Works'. They support long term development projects in Australia and the South-East Asia Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea, The Philippines and Timor-Leste. This charity works with some of the most challenged and vulnerable people and communities. Mercy Works helps these communities become self-reliant, and transforms their future by improving health, enhancing social wellbeing and expanding educational and economic opportunities. 

The first fundraising initiative will be a Mercy College Op-Shop. All are welcome to donate 'pre-loved' items of clothing to sell in our Op-Shop later this term. This project will help to raise awareness about sustainability, and it will be a practical way for students to follow the Catholic Social Teaching of 'Stewardship of Creation'. 

If you have any donations of second-hand clothes for our Op-shop, please hand them in to Student Reception. Also, don't forget that we are also taking donations of second-hand uniforms for CatholicCare's School Savy Project in early 2023. 

Thank you for your support of Vinnies!

Half a year has already past, and the Brekky Van Service is still going strong. It may be an early start for our students, but once they do one shift, they cannot wait to come back again to greet our friends with a warm smile and a delicious breakfast. The staff are to be commended for their generosity of volunteering their time to help assist the students with this selfless service learning of helping those who are struggling in our community.

The following students are rostered on for the month of August, and if your child cannot attend, please send a text to our Team Leaders on 0448 984936.

Volunteers are needed in the tuckshop. Monthly, fortnightly or weekly. Mums, dads, grandparents, relatives are all welcome. The hours are from 9am until 2.30pm. These hours are flexible. 9am till 12 is the busiest period. If you can only come for a couple of hours we would  be very appreciative. 

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Margaret Floyd on 4969 4199 or email margaret_floyd@rok.catholic.edu.au.

St Patrick's College and Mercy College Mackay are seeking applications for a Mathematics/Science Teacher to join our college community.

If you would like to #bethedifference please apply on the following link: https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER364-secondary-teacher-maths-science-st-patrick-s-mercy-college.