From the Senior Years
Year 11
Emerging leaders: Prefect nominations and interviews
For Year 11 students, Term 3 marks a transition to future leadership opportunities and students from the cohort emerge. For many of these emerging leaders there is a history of service to their community, ongoing engagement in all areas of College life and a demonstrated record of living Mercy values. Ms Bloomfield and I have commented on the strength and depth of the applications that we have received and we wish all students well with their leadership interviews. These interviews are a critical part of the process and are an important part of students’ maturation and application of interview skills that will no doubt serve them well in the future.
We wish all the nominees well for their speeches at the upcoming whole school Assembly as they present their credentials and explain their desire to lead the College in 2024.
Incursions and enrichment
As part of Year 11 Legal Studies, students welcomed Constable Renee Cameron to speak on the balance between institutional powers and individual rights. Students learned about Constable Cameron’s journey into the police force, her current role and some of the cases that she has worked.
This was a rewarding experience for students with an opportunity to hear directly from people who work in one element of the judiciary. Students were interested to hear about the personal side of policing and had a new appreciation of the dedication and service police officers have in protecting the rights of all individuals and the community.
Year 12
VTAC Application process begins
This week has seen Year 12 students learn more about the VTAC application process from Ms Abelardo as part of their Nourish program. It has been excellent to see so many of the Year 12 cohort book appointments and follow up with Ms Abelardo for advice about course and career pathways beyond the College into 2024.
If your child has not yet met with Ms Abelardo, please encourage them to do so in order to informed and in control of her future direction.
It is important at this time that there is clear alignment between student aspirations and their strengths, as well as the course ATAR requirement and their academic performance and ATAR predictions.
Moreover, Year 12 students are busily preparing elements of the End of Year Celebration events. This has included preparation and planning for the final Year 12 Assembly on Monday 16 October as a whole school Assembly. The song to be played as students exit has been a focus for considerable debate and voting. I can’t wait to hear the result.
Another College tradition is for Year 12 students to present gifts to all VCE teachers, acknowledging their support, encouragement and guidance throughout the year. Students have decided on $10 as a contribution and this will be collected across the next week and a half.
Academic Success: Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry Competition
Congratulations to Year 12 Italian students Anna-Maria D’O (12C) and Sienna P-Q (12C) on their second place finish in the Dante Alighieri Italian Poetry competition. This Secondo Premio result means that both students place second in Victoria for their Italian speaking and poetry delivery. This is the result of ongoing preparation, dedication and practice and is a credit to the girls and their teacher Ms Strangherlin. In Ms Stranghelin’s words:
Ho appena ricevuto una notizia meravigliosa! Congratulazioni, per aver vinto Secondo Premio nello stato di Victoria! Di nuovo, congratulazioni per l’ottimo lavoro!!!
I’ve received a wonderful news! Congratulations, you’ve finished Second in Victoria! Congratulations for your hard work!
You can read more about the Dante Alighieri competition here.