ISSUE 4-3 15th November, 2007 FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Our Vision Mercy Regional College serves a wide rural community which values growth and diversity in Catholic Education in

the Mercy tradition.

Our Mission In the Spirit of the Gospels we commit ourselves to the core values of community, inclusiveness, learning, care,

justice and mercy, excellence and achievement.

Our Focus for 2007 Community

Through the Mercy tradition we promote the uniqueness of the community and its heritage. College Captains for 2007 It is my pleasure to announce that Anna Whiting and Nick Stephenson have been appointed as Mercy Regional College Captains for 2007. These appointments were made after consulting with both students and staff. Anna and Nick have certainly demonstrated great leadership potential over the past years and I am sure that they will do an outstanding job at representing the student body and College. Congratulations Anna and Nick.

Mercy Regional College Arts Night On Wednesday 28th November the College’s Annual Arts Evening will be held. This evening is an opportunity for the showcasing of student work from the Arts and Technology Faculties. The de Chantal Stadium will be transformed into a gallery displaying students work in Art, Design, Textiles and Woodwork. The evening will commence at 7.30pm. At 8.30pm the drawing of our Car Raffle will occur

followed by supper courtesy of our Food Technology students. Year 12 Examinations Our Year 12 students (and some Year 11 students completing Unit 3/4 subjects) are nearing the completion of their VCE examinations. It is perhaps a good time to acknowledge the superb work our Year 12 teachers do with our VCE students. There are many hours of extra tuition given to our VCE students in order to achieve the best possible results. As a school community, we are indeed privileged to have such dedicated and committed teachers. Mercy is also very lucky to have a number of our Year 12 teachers who are prepared to mark the VCE examinations for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The marking of exam papers is probably one of the best professional development experiences a teacher can undertake and the insight into the setting and marking of papers that teachers can bring back to the school is invaluable for our students. For a small country school this is quite extraordinary to have 5 staff mark exam papers across a variety of different subject areas. In particular my thanks and appreciation are extended to the following staff who have given of their own time to mark VCE exams. Mrs Margaret Leahy: marked the English exam Mr Jared Lynn: marked the Visual Communication & Design exam Mrs Lisa Pope: marked the Biology exam Mr Justin Staunton: marked the Further Maths exam Ms Kellie Wilson: marked the Legal Studies exam

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Year 12 Graduation The Year 12 Graduation Mass and Dinner will be held on Friday 23rd November beginning at 6.00pm at St Patrick’s Church Camperdown, followed by dinner at the Noorat Community Centre. Dinner will commence at 7.45pm. This night is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of our Year 12 class of 2007. Year 11 Examinations While on the topic of exams, I would like to remind all Year 11 students that their examinations are only just around the corner. The next few days will be crucial in revising the work covered throughout the year. Make sure you know what your exam entails and start to prepare for these. The final result will be worth the effort! Congratulations A team of cyclists from Mercy has won the South West Zone 2007 Victorian Schools Cycling Championships. Congratulations to the following team members on their achievement: Jackson Gaunt, Joe Gleeson, Matthew and Xavier Gstrein, Chris and Gabby Jehu, Sam O’Flynn, James Thornton and Damian Wynd. Car Raffle

Only two week left to purchase your winning ticket!

With only two weeks left it is very important that all raffle tickets are sold and returned to the College office. A big thank you to all parents that have sold a book of tickets and have assisted with the ticket selling roster. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

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The car raffle is certainly now the most important fund rasing effort of our PTFA and particularly important this year with our building redevelopment program well under the way. This year’s prizes are as follows: 1st Prize: 2007 CL Ford Focus Sedan valued at

$27,955 including on road costs (Auto, prestige paint, air conditioning, power steering, cruise control CD player, and ABS) supplied courtesy of ManifoldMotors

2nd Prize: Travel Voucher valued at $2000 supplied courtesy of Harvey World Travel, Camperdown

3rd Prize: Electrical Goods Voucher valued at $1000 supplied courtesy of CamperdownRetravision

4th Prize: Jewellery Voucher valued at $200 supplied courtesy of ShowcaseJewellers, Camperdown and Colac.

5th Prize: Dinner Voucher valued at $100 supplied courtesy of Madden’s Bar & Bistro, Camperdown

This year we have selected a more fuel efficient car which will ensure the running costs for the eventual winner will be more economical. Along with this change we have also increased the value of the travel voucher by $1000 and added a new prize, a $1000 electrical goods voucher from Camperdown Retravision. The College is indeed grateful to our abovementioned suppliers of raffle prizes for their generosity. Where possible it would certainly be appreciated if our school community could support these businesses. Just in case you have not purchased your lucky winning ticket they will be on sale at the following locations during the last two weeks:

Noorat Show Camperdown Show (volunteers to assist with

selling of tickets at the show required) Polling Booth – Cobden (election day) Polling Booth – Terang (election day)

I look forward to drawing of the Car Raffle at the MRC Arts Evening on Wednesday November 28th at 8.30pm

ANDREW WATSON PRINCIPAL

MERCY REGIONAL COLLEGE

ANNUAL CAR RAFFLE

THE RAFFLE IS DRAWN ON 28TH NOVEMBER AT 8.30PM

COULD ALL TICKETS BE

RETURNED BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK PLEASE

THIS WILL SAVE A LOT OF

PHONE CALLS TO PARENTS WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED

THEIR TICKETS

Coming Events Saturday 17th November

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Noorat Show Wednesday 21st November

Year 11 Exams begin Friday 23rd November

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Dinner Year 11 Exams conclude

Saturday 24th November

Camperdown Show Monday 26th November

Year 11 to 12 transition program begins Tuesday 27th November

Board Meeting 7:30pm Wednesday 28th November

Arts Night/Car Raffle Draw @ 7.30pm de Chantal Stadium

Friday 30th November

Year 11 students conclude Tuesday 4th December

Orientation Day for Yr 7 2008 students Secondhand book & uniform sale day

1:00 – 3:30pm Mercy Awards VCE (Yr 11 & 12) Mercy Award

Michael Weston for good organisation in English. Middle School (Yr 9 & 10) Mercy Award

James Lenehan for his positive attitude in Technology and his help towards other students in this area.

Junior School (Yr 7 & 8) Mercy Award

Nick Bourke and Charlee Danby working to the best of their ability and being supportive of other class members.

NOTICE TO PARENTS

All accounts owing are now

overdue as they were due to be paid in full by

Wednesday 31st October If anyone has any outstanding amounts owing for the following, could you please send payment immediately. School Fees Music Fees Certificate 1 VET / VCAL Fees Woodwork Fees Welding Course Fees Chocolate Frog Fundraiser

I would remind parents that the agreement of enrolment at Mercy Regional College is that all Fees are to be paid by the due date. Martin Ellul Manager Finance & Administration Mercy Regional College

From the Wellbeing Coordinator Kerin Glennen

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Active Study tips: A large number of students mistake reading their text books or their notes for an act of study. While reading has many virtues, most of what you read does not wind its way into your memory. You must DO something to successfully plant information in your mind so that you can use it again later. You do not learn to ride a bike by reading about it, you had to wobble about a bit and fall off a couple of times. Summarise topics: Every so often you get to the end of a major topic in a subject. An important task, and one that should be part of your regular study pattern, is to make a summary of the topic. One way of working out what belongs in the summary is to think of it as a cheat sheet. Only the absolute essentials should be written down. Anther benefit of this is that later you have a much shorter amount of material to read. Practice Examples: In scientific and math circles, it is very useful to do a few extra examples of problems that you are presented with. The purpose of this is not to bore you out of your brain but to allow you to become familiar with the type of problem that you are faced with. Make Definitions and Formula Cards: In most subjects there are formal definitions to remember. Some subjects also present you with a vast array of formulae. It can be useful to put the term on one side of a small card and the definition on another. The act of making the cards helps you learn the information, and later use of the cards to test yourself further improves your knowledge. Practice Drawing diagrams: Some times students need to practice the presentation of graphs and diagrammatic information, so that these skills are with them in an exam. This helps give the student confidence when tackling exams that require this skill. These are just a few tips that may assist students from years 9, 10 and 11 in their upcoming exams, remain positive and prepare well. Year 9 Peer Activity Program:Throughout this year all year 9 students have been involved in the PAL (Peer Activity Leaders) program, where they regularly visit schools from the Hampden Schools Network and involve years 5 and 6 students in activities. The program has not only strengthened ties between Mercy and the Catholic Primary schools but it has also given our year nines invaluable leadership skills. Five of our students and myself were invited down to

a state conference to explain the program to conference members. These students were Lauren Carlin, Alex Harry, Jordan Clarke, Natalie Fleming and Bray Wright. In preparation for this presentation these students along with Mr. Ian Nicholson not only researched and spoke to many stakeholders about the program but they developed a DVD for the presentation. This along with their extensive knowledge of the program, gave our students the confidence to do an excellent presentation. Unbeknown to our students the author of the program was in the audience and following the presentation she made herself know to all of the students and complemented them on their presentation. The DVD that the students developed and presented was used at the Australian wide conference for the Adeline and Madeline Foundation National Conference against Bullying in Melbourne. Again the response was positive and the DVD was well received. These presentations although delivered by a group of students it represented no only them but all the year nines and students from our Hampden Catholic Schools Network, Mercy Regional College and Vicki Askew and Christine Moloney who have worked tirelessly with the students in the PAL program this year. Congratulations to all concerned a fine effort.

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Year 11 to 12 VCE Transition Program – 2007

Period

Monday 26th November

Tuesday 27th November

Wednesday 28thNovember

Thursday 29th November

Friday 30th November

1 Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

English C Chemistry Studio Art

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

2 Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

English C Chemistry Studio Art

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

3 Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

English C Chemistry Studio Art

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

English C Chemistry Studio Art

Psychology History

Further Maths A Phys Ed

IT 4 Woodwork

Health & HD Visual Communication

Spec Maths

Psychology History

Further Maths A Phys Ed

IT

Further Maths B English A

Maths Methods Food Tech

Woodwork Health & HD

Visual Communication Spec Maths

Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

5 Woodwork Health & HD

Visual Communication Spec Maths

Psychology History

Further Maths A Phys Ed

IT

Woodwork Health & HD

Visual Communication Spec Maths

Woodwork Health & HD

Visual Communication Spec Maths

Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

6 English C Chemistry Studio Art

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

Psychology History

Further Maths A Phys Ed

IT

Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

7 English C Chemistry Studio Art

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

Psychology History

Further Maths A Phys Ed

IT

Biology Business Management

Outdoor Ed Physics

Accounting English B

Legal Studies

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From the Director of Learning and Teaching - Careers Report M s. Lisa Pope r CAREER REPORT Victorian College of the Arts Graduate Exhibition – Thursday 22nd November 6.00 – 8.00pm Exhibition Dates – 23rd November to 1st December - Mon – Fri 10.00am – 5.00pm, Sat & Sun 12.00noon – 5.00pm For more information: Phone 9685 9400 or www.vca.unimelb.edu.au Melbourne Theatre Company – January 2008 Summer School The MTC is conducting a number of short courses in January 2008. These include courses for students aged 9 – 15 and prospective VCE Drama & “Theatre Studies students. For a brochure contact MTC Education - Phone: 9684 4508, E-mail: education @mtc.com.au or www.mtc.com.au Apprenticeship Vacancy At Star Printing In Terang Matt [Company Director] has advised having a apprenticeship vacancy in Cert 3 Printing and Graphic Arts [Graphic Pre Press] to commence end of school year. For more info see Wayne Walsh or please contact Westvic in Warrnambool. Australian Technical College Any Year 10 student who would like to do an ASBA next year and attend the Australian Technical College please contact Simon Corbett on 0447 598 732. Apprentice Chef An exciting opportunity exists for an enthusiastic person, male or female, to undertake a full time Apprenticeship in Hospitality Commercial Cookery. Working with an experienced team within a friendly working environment, the successful applicant will complete a 4 year Apprenticeship and obtain the qualification of Chef, opening the doors to a world of opportunity Automotive Apprenticeship A keen, dedicated and enthusiastic individual is sought who is willing to undertake the necessary study required as an Apprentice Motor Mechanic. As an apprentice, you will be trained in all aspects of automotive care and repair in a full time position, with some Saturdays as required. You will be rewarded with a competitive wage and a long term stable career upon completion of the Apprenticeship Please contact Mandy Parker at Western District Employment Access, 73 Gellibrand St Colac Vic 3250, Phone: 03 5231 3411, Fax: 03 5231 6330 E-mail: mandyparker@wdea.org.au for the above apprenticeships For more information on Careers, new University course details, application forms, etc. Please see Mrs. Lisa Pope.

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WYD Sydney 2008- Register Now!!Are you planning to go to Sydney for the world’s largest youth event? Now’s the time to register! Go to www.wyd2008.org and head to the registration section. Very Important: Make sure you click on the group tab and fill in Ballarat under Diocese. Then click search. Our group name is Ballarat1 and the group number is 102. Select the Ballarat Group and click JOIN. This will make you a member of the Ballarat group. No payment is necessary at the moment. Cost is $395 for the week plus approximately $200 in transport to Sydney. Students must turn 16 before December 31 2008 to stay in pilgrim accommodation. Haven’t made up your mind yet? Contact Stacey Atkins at youth@ballarat.catholic.org.au or call 0439 659 969 for more information.

MRC/St. Pat’s Canteen Roster Term 4 - Weeks 7 & 8

Starting time 10.15am. Any enquiries to Rose ~ on 55932011 or A/H on 55932862. Thanks. WEEK 7 WEEK 8 MON NOV 19 SHERILL HINKLEY 55951135 MON NOV 26 MICHELLE UNWIN 55932849 TUES NOV 20 SHARYN SPICER 55938256 TUES NOV 27 NORA BONE WED NOV 21 LIZ SMITH 55954252 WED NOV 28 ANNETTE HICKEY 55939285 THURS NOV 22 ANDREA MOLONEY 55927267 THURS NOV 29 LIZ OBRIEN 55945331

FRI NOV 23 KELLY WICKENTON 55933863 FRI NOV 30 LEANNE FIELD 55932627

ATTENTION ALL YEAR 9 PARENTS WORK EXPERIENCE 2008

In relation to your son / daughter doing Work Experience in February 2008 a letter and number of forms were sent home with them on 11th September. These forms were –

Medical Condition / Tax File Number / Red Card Training Day [all on the one sheet]

Work Experience Arrangement Form

Work Experience Guide for parents and students

Work Experience guide for employers

Information brochure about Tax File Number

The permission slip for the Medical Condition, Tax File Number, and the Red Card were due back 5 weeks ago. The Work Experience form was due Friday 2nd November. Health and Safety and Industry modules need to be completed before your son / daughter can go out on Work Experience and these modules are due to be done in November, but first we need the paperwork which is relevant to the industry they will do their work experience in. Very few students have returned their forms and I would remind parents that Work Experience is a compulsory component of Year 10 studies in 2008. Your child has had at least 7 weeks to arrange a Work Experience placement with an Employer, if this has not yet happened, please ensure that son / daughter attends to this immediately and then returns their forms to the College Office by no later than Friday 9th November, 2007.

NOTICE If any students are interested in Mini Golf, we have a Discount Card to give away for the Lake Pertobe Mini Golf in Warrnambool the card is valid until 1st December, 2008. Student’s U/18 cost $6.00 and Adults $7.50 all players receive a free soft drink.

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CAR RAFFLE ROSTER Could parents please check your rostered times for the car raffle. This is our only major fundraiser for the year. If you are unavailable to sell on your rostered day please make sure that you arrange a substitute. You may also contact the person selling with you and do a one hour shift each. Please note all tickets are to be returned to the office by no later than Friday 16/11/07. DATE LOCATION TIME NAME TELEPHONETUESDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 ANNETTE O'SULLIVAN 5595 4366

20TH NOVEMBER SAFEWAY ALISON VEENSTRA 5593 3466

11.30 - 1.30 TRACEY HARTY 5593 3525

TRISH O'LEARY 5593 1960

1.30 - 3.30 NOELENE POWLING 5593 9303

DOROTHY BOYD 5595 1626

THURSDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 MAUREEN HOSE 5593 3105

22ND NOVEMBER RITCHIES (Back Door) MARY HIRTH 5596 4208

11.30 - 1.30 COLLEEN O'CONNOR 5595 4250

MEREDITH ERICSON

1.30 - 3.30 TANIA MORA 5595 1066

DENISE VAN DEN EYNDE 5595 1568

FRIDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 MICHELLE WHYTCROSS 5593 8290

23RD NOVEMBER MC CANNS NEWSAGENT BERNADETTE PLACE 5594 5220

11.30 - 1.30 LINDA GAUT 5593 1594

JENNY ALEXANDER 5593 1974

1.30 - 3.30 ANGELA ABSALOM 5593 3489

JAN BREWER 5593 1134

SATURDAY TERANG POLLING BOOTH 8.00 – 9.30 LOUISE MCCONNELL

24TH NOVEMBER 9.30 - 11.00 SYMONE MOLONEY 5592 1741

KATHRYN MOLONEY 5592 5348

11.00 - 12.30 ANNE MOLONEY 5592 7247

MICHELLE JOHNSTONE 5567 1247

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED PLEASE

5592 1732 PHONE JENNY LENEHAN

CAMPERDOWN 9.00 - 10.30 MAUREEN BANT 5593 1501

RITCHIES IGA KIM MCKENZIE 5593 2953

10.30 - 12.30 KATHY RICHARDSON 5593 1430

ROSE HENRY 5593 2862

CAMPERDOWN SHOW 9.00 – 10.30 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR

10.30 – 12.00 THESE TIMES PLEASE PHONE 5593 3097 (H)

12.00 – 1.30 MAUREEN ADENEY 5593 2011 (W) 1.30 – 3.00 COBDEN POLLING BOOTH 8.00 – 9.00 WENDY CROW 5595 1767

9.00 - 10.00 JAN HINKLEY 5595 1683

10.00 - 11.00 CHRISTINE GEPPERT 5594 5369

11.00 - 12.00 ANGELA GLEESON 5566 2294

12.00 – 1.00 CAROLYN RICHARDSON 5594 6200

CAMPERDOWN 7.30 MASS MAUREEN ADENEY 5593 3097

SUNDAY CAMPERDOWN 11.00 MASS TONY EVANS 5593 3520

25TH NOVEMBER

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MONDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 REGINA BEAL 5594 7208

26TH NOVEMBER FOODWORKS DEBBIE LAWLOR 5595 8215

11.30 - 1.30 JILL SONNET 5593 3640

VICKI RANTALL 5593 2726

1.30 - 3.30 ANGELIQUE EVANS 5593 3520

ANGELA JOHNSON 5593 2425

TUESDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 JULIANNE LEE 5593 2950

27TH NOVEMBER MC CANNS NEWSAGENT JANE KINGSTON 5593 2210

11.30 - 1.30 JULIE KEOUGH

MARGARET HUMPHRYS 5593 1554

1.30 - 3.30 LEANNE FIELD 5593 2627

MICHELLE UNWIN 5593 2849

WEDNESDAY CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 CLARE JEHU 5595 1088

28TH NOVEMBER RITCHIES IGA KATRINA BOYD 5594 7245

11.30 - 1.30 KATHY HALL 5595 3187

MARIA HICKEY 5593 9241

1.30 - 3.30 JULIE BRADSHAW 5593 2218

SHEENA RUSSELL 5593 2495

3.30 - 5.30 JO SAUNDERS 5593 3200

ANNETTE HICKEY 5593 9285

CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 HELEN HICKEY 5593 2641

SAFEWAY CHRISTINE LUCAS 5593 2034

11.30 - 1.30 KAREN HARLOCK 5593 2765

DIANNA PLACE 5593 2353

1.30 - 3.30 JOANNE PLACE 5594 7318

HELEN ROSE 5594 5290

3.30 - 5.30 DANNY GORDON 5593 1312

MARY ALEXANDER 5593 2692

CAMPERDOWN 9.30 - 11.30 STEPHEN CLISSOLD

MC CANNS NEWSAGENT PAUL MARSLAND

11.30 - 1.30 LESA THORNTON 5594 7220

TRACEY STEVENSON 5593 2754

1.30 - 3.30 JENNY ALEXANDER 5593 1974

ROSE HENRY 5593 2862

3.30 - 5.30 JOHN HOULIHAN

JAMES CASTLES

COBDEN 10.00 - 11.00 ROS RANKIN 5595 9353

11.00 - 12.00 SIMONE RETHUS 5594 5219

12.00 - 1.00 LORRAINE LEE 5595 1242

1.00 - 2.00 ROBYN JOHNSTON 5595 1740

TERANG 9.30 - 11.30 BONNIE JOHNSTONE 5591 8225

WENDY O'CONNOR 5592 5286

11.30 - 1.30 KATHLEEN O'SULLIVAN 5592 5459

CHRISTINE KENNA 5592 5395

1.30 - 3.30 MARY O'BRYAN 5592 5318

NATALIE BRUCE 5592 2284

CAR DRAWN CAMPERDOWN 8.30 PM ANNUAL ARTS NIGHT