News from the Staffroom
Special Commendation!
HA
TS
OF
F
TO
YE
AR
Class Acts
Arts Accolades
Leading Acts
High Distinctions!!
December 2013
12
!
Welcome!
Babe Delights!
Babe is a little pig who doesn’t
quite know his place in the world.
With a bunch of odd friends, like
Ferdinand the duck who thinks he
is a rooster, and Fly the dog, Babe
realises that he has the makings
to become the greatest sheep pig
of all time. With the help of many,
Babe learns that a pig can be
anything that he wants to be.
This is the storyline that captured the hearts and
imaginations of appreciative audiences when the OLMC
and Marcellin College M2 Junior Theatre Company staged
Babe over 3 performances in mid October. The cast of
Farmer and Mrs Hogget, pigs, sheep, sheepdogs, feral
dogs, chooks, ducks and piglet ‘Babe’ were wondrous.
The teachers and backstage crew were also exceptional.
OLMC extends special thanks to our colleagues
at Marcellin College for their ‘frontline’
management, stage direction and hosting of
this quirky and charming production!
There were three months of rehearsals with a cast of over
40 students. We rehearsed every Sunday and during the
holidays. After this came the most enjoyable part – dress
rehearsals. Our costumes and stage make-up transformed
us and we performed as if we had an audience!
The cast weren’t the only students involved though.
There were a lot of dedicated backstage members
who helped make the performances fabulous. And
our teachers were amazing. Every performance went
really well, the cast was always enthusiastic and
we enjoyed every second of the performances.
Erin Coyle
Year 9
R
FO L
ED CIPA
V
ER RIN
S
RE HE P
T
CapeStreet | December 2013
Their rousing rendition of Duce
Maria was both moving and joyous.
All of the events and celebrations
were a reflection on the qualities of
this group, as well as the leadership
shown by Laura Ryan, School
Captain, and by Claire Sheridan and
Simona Agostino, the SRC Captains.
Throughout November we were
close at hand as the girls undertook
their final exams, but now the
farewells have been fully enacted. As
with most endings, there are some
lingering moments of sadness for
those of us who have journeyed
with them over 6 years. Thankfully,
we have become adept over the
years at taking deep breaths and
calling to mind their readiness
for new ventures. May they each
continue to enjoy the respect and
goodwill that we have for them.
On a scale
of 1 to 3
It was always going to
be a non-negotiable
that our Year 12
graduates would be
centre stage in this
December edition
of CapeStreet.
They have rightfully earned
our attention on the coveted
front and back covers, as well
as another feature article about
award recipients (page 5).
The girls celebrated their final days
with great style and inclusiveness,
allowing us all to enjoy their time
with us. They presented themselves
in a way that showed respect for
their teachers and their school.
Their hat attire at the final assembly
was a sight to behold, with many
wondering where those school
hats have been all these years!
The Australian Catholic Bishops
declared 2013 to be the Year of
Grace, and there are many ways that
the College honoured this theme
throughout the year. My personal
resolve was to stay alert and
responsive to the many moments and
experiences of grace that are right in
front of us and that we can take for
granted, even miss altogether. It was
indeed an enriching resolve, with one
outcome being a renewed, daily joy
in the beauty of OLMC’s gardens.
Our gardens have been the source
and location of countless graced
moments for people over many
decades, providing us with colour,
beauty, space and serenity, a place to
meet and greet, chill out, enjoy some
friendship, sunshine, and so much
more. They are a significant drawcard
for enrolments, and, as a wealth of
educational research attests, they
directly and positively influence the
health, morale, emotions, behaviour
and overall performance of learners.
Con had just returned from
Greece, where he travelled with
his Melbourne-based brother and
sister to join two other Greecebased siblings for his father’s
100th birthday. His reflections on
the experience were profoundly
moving, as were the remarkable
anecdotes about his father’s life
and current centenarian health!
More about Con’s father and the
celebrations are described on page
10, in ‘News from the Staffroom’.
It’s a great story about the sacred
and enduring love of fathers, sons
and family members. I warmly
encourage you to ‘take a moment’!
My third highlight occurred only
last week, when I joined a small
group of Year 7s for a ‘wrap-up’ of
the Artist Within program. These
students had successfully competed
for positions in the program. From
beginning to end they demonstrated
high levels of enthusiasm, creativity
and persistence as they learned
and applied new techniques. There
were some startling and poignant
moments of joy as I listened to
these young girls speak so earnestly
and eloquently about what the
course meant to them and how they
viewed their final works. The innate
privileges and joys of education and
of my profession were significantly
elevated, and I was very much ‘in
the moment’. I thank the Year 7s and
their teachers for this encounter.
My hope for all members of the
OLMC community is that the key
intentions and blessings of the Year
of Grace continue to prevail, and find
new expressions, well after the
31 December 2013.
Julie Ryan
Principal
It was in the front gardens in October
that I had some graced moments
with Con Theodorou, our longserving and highly skilled gardener.
1
Class Acts
Arts Accolades
Thursday 17 October was the opening night for the
OLMC Visual Arts and Technology Exhibition, showcasing
the best of students work from Visual Arts, Media and
Technology.
Fly-aways
The exhibition was opened by Julie Ryan, who presented
awards which included the ‘Principal’s Award’, to Vanessa
Cohn, Year 12 and the ‘Artist in Residence Award’, to Emma
Torcaso, Year 12. The PAT foyer was buzzing with students,
staff and proud parents. Congratulations to all whose work
was exhibited. Thank you for the opportunity it gave us to
take time out and contemplate your works!
I knew from first receiving my topic that I wanted to paint
my sister, Romaine, and had ideas such as brushing her
hair, but after taking photos of these posed positions I
looked through them and saw that the real connection
wasn’t really there.
Principal’s Award
Mental illness is the primary focus of my folio work, which
I have titled ‘Monsters of the Mind’. I am fascinated by
psychological illnesses, including depression, anxiety,
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. I am aware
that many people deal with mental illness on a daily basis,
including people close to me, which makes my interest in
the subject all the more meaningful.
In the future I hope to become a counselling
psychologist. I am passionate about the comprehension,
understanding, prevention and cure of such illnesses
and am yet to fully understand them myself.
Inspiration for ‘Bipolar’ and other works in my portfolio
was drawn, in part, from the works of Agnes Cecile – her
watercolour collections. She has created many artworks
that interpret aspects of mental illness. I have also been
heavily inspired by the watercolour works from Marilyn
Manson. In ‘Bipolar’ I used the imagery of two different
faces attached to one being, showing a battle between
positivity and negativity, with negativity in the lead, which
can often be the case. I also depicted the idea of the dark
side overlapping the light side to create a sense that the
dark side is more powerful, evil and menacing
than the light side.
Vanessa Cohn
Year 12 Visual Arts
2
Another award winner
After deciding to go in the backyard and just let her talk
(definitely not a difficult task for Romaine) while I took
shots, I eventually chose one. I admire Romaine for her
independent thinking, even though she is only just 6.
She is very curious and likes to have things explained
rather than just taking things as they are. I really saw her
individuality in this shot. In the next stage of painting
Romaine there were some frustrating moments, as I really
wanted to capture the expression and the tone of the
moment for what it was, not just transferring from photo
to painting.
As for Romaine’s thoughts on the painting, she was a
fantastic critique throughout. If there was a wrong shade
of green on the grass, she wouldn’t hesitate to point it
out. On Exhibition night, Romaine slipped from my hands
multiple times, and every time I would find her with one
hand on her hip and the other on her chin, analysing the
painting, and every so often explaining to passers by that
she was the model. I don’t think she minded the attention
at all!
I can’t thank everyone in the school community enough
for their compliments. It has really inspired me to pursue
art further, and I am now looking forward to VCE studio
art next year!
Chloe Van Der Reijden
Year 10
Class Acts
CapeStreet | December 2013
Wellness Advocacy
World Mental Health Day (WMHD) was celebrated
on 8 October. It is an initiative of the World
Federation for Mental Health and has as its aim to
‘engage communities in activities which promote
good mental health and raise awareness and
understanding of the needs and experiences and
issues concerning people with mental illness’.
At OLMC we chose to recognise WMHD with ‘Wellness
Week’ – a week of activities that fostered connectivity in
our school community and encouraged an exploration
of our individual understanding of ‘good health’. Staff
and students were invited to engage with activities
that challenged them to ‘do one thing differently’ to
better understand what would be useful in developing
their own wellbeing. The activities incorporated the
principles of good mental health, such as the physical,
emotional and social factors that influence wellbeing.
The symbol for Wellness Week was the OLMC Wellness
Tree, modelled on the Japanese Wish Tree. This was
represented by a living tree in the library. Students and
staff wrote a card to hang on the tree wherein they
made a commitment to an action that would be a useful
addition to their social, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Daily pastoral activities, uplifting music and informationsharing regarding mental health were part of the Wellness
Week experience. So too were some after-school
yogalates classes for staff, led by Georgia Heffernan,
an accredited trainer.
Wellness Week was the first of its kind at OLMC and well
received by students and staff. We intend to build on its
successes in 2014 and beyond.
Fran Di Biase
Student Counsellor
Resplendent Tyres!
Had you driven past or attended the Watsonia shopping
strip on Saturday 9 November, you may have noticed some
resplendent tyres, replete with colourful seedlings. These
were the work of our VCAL girls, under the guidance of
OLMC’s Artist in Residence, Kathie Mathes.
The colourful tyres were commissioned by promoters
of the Watsonia Traders Motorshow. The girls each
brought their distinctive flair to the artworks and loved
the opportunity to create some seriously ‘out there’
representations of these traditionally black auto parts.
The girls’ involvement in this community
project was rewarding. Traders in the Watsonia
shopping strip were delighted and grateful,
as were the locals. Congratulations girls!
3
Class Acts
Mercy Day Joys
Mercy Day on 19 September did not disappoint the many students and
staff who regard it as OLMC’s gala annual event.
It began with a beautiful Mass at St Patrick’s
Cathedral. Our choirs were in full voice, our musicians
were exceptional, and Bishop Long, the principal
celebrant, left us with much to ponder and be
hopeful about. We were delighted to have amongst
our special guests Sr Jan Geeson (a previous
Principal of OLMC) and Sr Rosina Livingston.
Back at the College, the highlights included the Staff
versus Students Soccer Game. The Year 12 girls set the
tone for the match with a Dumbledore’s Army dance
routine (a take on the student organisation in the Harry
Potter series). The matter of who won remains unresolved.
The Fairy Floss and Snow Cone stalls competed for the
most popular Mercy Day treat, and the 1950s’ Café was
a popular venue, as was the Disco in the gym. It was a
fun-filled day and a fitting end to Term 3 at OLMC.
Stellar
Performances
The OLMC Celebration Concert was held at the Melbourne
Recital Centre on 30 August, with 200 girls singing,
playing, dancing and acting in top quality performances.
For the audience of over 700 people, there were many
‘WOW’ moments. A mix of pride, awe, appreciation and
wonder at the talent of our girls was alive and well.
There was also widespread recognition of the many
talented and dedicated teachers who worked side by
side with the girls to achieve such excellent
standards of performance.
The showstopper for many was the finale, when
combined choirs sang Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus,
accompanied by the Symphonic Band, and 4 Year
12 vocalists performed solos. It was a stunning
conclusion to a wonderful evening. Congratulations
to all girls who participated and to the passionate
and hardworking Music and Performing Arts staff.
4
CapeStreet | December 2013
Leading Acts
High Distinctions!
A whole–school assembly in October, followed by the
Final Mass and Graduation Dinner for Year 12s, are
traditionally the time that the College formally pays
tribute to graduating Year 12s who have demonstrated
outstanding service and leadership in all areas of College
life, and/or who have achieved the high levels of academic
success in their VCE and VCAL studies.
Congratulations to the following girls:
❚❚
Isabelle Conroy, recipient of the Duce Maria Award for
outstanding leadership within the College community
❚❚
Victoria Le, recipient of the Sr Mercedes Hogan Award
for commitment to learning
❚❚
Beata Starkowski, recipient of the Performing Arts
Award for leadership in and contribution to the College’s
performing arts programs
❚❚
Natalie Pearce, recipient of the Mel Shuey Award for
outstanding commitment to the OLMC sporting program
❚❚
Abbey Lew–Kee, recipient of the Australian
Defence Force Long Tan Award for leadership,
‘mateship’ and teamwork within the school
and the broader local community.
Academic Awards
Frances Cardamone
ACCOUNTING
Carissa Malliadis
BIOLOGY
Frances Cardamone
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Isabelle Conroy
CHEMISTRY
Laura Ryan
DRAMA
Isabelle Conroy
ENGLISH
Kaitlyn Krahe
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Pia Campagna
FOOD AND TECHNOLOGY
Stephanie Ivezic
HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Sophie Dole
AUSTRALIAN HISTORY
Nancine Accetta
HISTORY: REVOLUTIONS
Tenasha Fernandez
IT APPLICATIONS
Kathryn Dowling
FRENCH
April Giacon
ITALIAN
Anastasia Valentino
JAPANESE SECOND LANGUAGE
Nancine Accetta
LEGAL STUDIES
Georgia Cerni
LITERATURE
Amelia Vella
FURTHER MATHEMATICS
Kathryn Dowling
MATHEMATICAL METHODS (CAS)
Erin Munro
SPECIALIST MATHEMATICS
Emma Prowse
MEDIA
Catherine Nguyen
MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Tayla Bosio
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Isabelle Conroy
PHYSICS
Rebekka Syrjanen
PSYCHOLOGY
Nicole Bester
STUDIO ARTS
Jasmine Vaughns
TEXTS AND TRADITIONS
Carly Draper
THEATRE STUDIES
Amanda Sciacca
VICTORIAN CERTIFICATE OF APPLIED LEARNING
Rebecca Grande
VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN
5
Out & About
Race Around Paris
For 18 glorious sunny days in September, a group of fortunate students of
French in Years 10 & 11, and three of their teachers, were immersed in the
beauty of French culture, history and language.
The Race Around Paris was one of the many highlights,
with the girls’ competitive spirit very much in evidence as
they undertook challenges designed to explore some of
the less visible elements of Parisian culture.
One challenge was to take an artistic photograph,
reflecting the atmosphere of the famous literary café,
Les Deux Magots. Sitting in the said café, ordering
refreshments in French and engaging in ‘people watching’
were essential byplays. Next they had to make their way
to rue Napoléon and each order a different flavoured
macaron from Ladurée.
Of course there was method in this madness. Building
on the learning from the Year 9 Horizon program, teams
of students had to complete a series of tasks, and then
return to the historic Place des Vosges with proof of how
each challenge had been met. We had prepared for this
challenge with classes prior to our departure, as well
as in France itself, with orienteering practice occurring
at Montpellier. Montpellier is the university town where
students spent the second week of the tour, prior to their
Paris experiences. The girls lived with a French family and
attended language school. They became young French
women for a short time!
The proof of a successful tour was in the delight of
students who daily proclaimed each new destination as
the highlight so far. The girls loved the colours of Nice,
La Grotte de Padirac, the Roman buildings in Nîmes and
the 5 chapels of Rocamadour, all of which are testimony
to the richness and diversity that is France.
Anna Pianezze
Languages Domain Leader and Tour Leader
And the students said…
For me the Homestay experience was the highlight. Our
family didn’t speak any English, so while it was difficult in
the beginning we quickly adjusted to the challenge.
Of course Paris was the highlight. The Eiffel Tower is so
much bigger than I expected.
It was so good to stay in Montpellier for a week. We really
got to know the town well. Just for a while I was living like
a real French teenager.
My listening improved so much. I had to speak French
everyday and this helped me realise what I’m capable of.
6
CapeStreet | December 2013
Camp Heidi 2013
After the success of the inaugural event in
2012, Camp Heidi 2013 was never going to be
missed. This year, 22 students from Years 10
and 11, along with 6 staff, ran the 3-day holiday
program for 20 children from the Exodus
Community in Heidelberg West.
Our Mercy Pilgrims
Several years back, Sr Mary Maloney,
of the Academy of Mary Immaculate in
Fitzroy, initiated a project wherein Mercy
schools each sponsored 2 students to
attend World Youth Day (WYD).
The first of the sponsored students went
to Madrid in 2010. The experience was
so valuable that a decision was made
by Mercy Principals across Australia to
continue the practice every alternate year.
In 2013, the sponsorship was not for WYD
but rather for an international conference
of Mercy students, to be held in Dublin.
Students would also spend some time in
Rome, visiting key Catholic sites. OLMC’s
two representatives were Samantha
Roxas and Celine Pierre.
Highlights included an Amazing Race
around St John’s Primary School
and an excursion to the Melbourne
Museum. At the conclusion of the
3 days, it was apparent that the
relationships formed between the
OLMC students and the children
were real and meaningful.
The continuation of Camp Heidi
in 2013 highlights the continued
value we place on our partnership
with the Exodus Community. The
work of Br Harry, Br Barry and the
team of volunteers at the Olympic
Village allows our students to
connect with the local community
and to engage in social issues. In so
doing, OLMC continues the legacy
of Catherine McAuley and the
Sisters of Mercy in demonstrating
hospitality and outreach to
members of our local community.
A special thank you to the staff of St
John’s Primary School for allowing
us the use of their grounds and to
all who in many ways, large or small,
made Camp Heide such a success.
It all started in late November 2012 when
I was told that I was one of the two OLMC
students selected to go on the pilgrimage
(Celine Pierre was the other). The months
flew by and before I knew it I was on a
plane to Dublin, Ireland, the heartland of
the Sisters of Mercy. A conference was
held at Coolock House, Baggott Street,
the residence established by Catherine
McAuley for the sick, poor and homeless
of her time. During this time I felt a strong
connection with Catherine McAuley
and God, learning about Catherine’s
relationship with God and how it
influenced her life decisions.
In Rome we visited breathtaking
landmarks such as the Vatican and
the Trevi Fountain. In the two weeks
of adventuring around Europe, I made
lifelong friendships and I have come home
with treasured memories.
I thank God for the blessings of this
pilgrimage. Long after returning home I
continue to share my experiences with my
friends and what I have learnt. I hope I am
inspiring them to explore their faith.
Samantha Roxas
11CPSE
Michael Ryan
Social Justice Coordinator
7
Class Acts
Sports Corner
It is my pleasure and privilege on behalf of the
Sports staff to acknowledge the fantastic efforts
of the students involved in the extra-curricular
Sports program.
Talent wins games,
but teamwork and
commitment wins
championships.
As a College we are truly blessed to have so many enthusiastic and motivated
students whom week after week commit themselves to representing OLMC.
Michael Jordan
A snapshot of Semester 2 Sport
highlights include:
❚
15 OLMC students qualifying and
competing at the Australian Aerobic
Gymnastics Championships
in Brisbane;
❚
The GSV Athletics Team
qualifying for Division 2 for the
Championship Carnival and then
finishing 3rd (the highest OLMC
has ever been placed in GSV);
❚
28 members of the Athletics team
being invited to GSV Finals Night,
having earned this by finishing in
the top 10 for their events across
all 23 GSV schools;
❚
Huge numbers training and
competing for the College in
the Victorian ISG Gymnastics
competition. A great day was had
by all and the girls achieved some
fantastic results;
❚
The Intermediate A Basketball
team competing in the Final of
the McDonalds Cup Basketball
Championships, which now
ranks them as the No. 2
Basketball side in Victoria;
❚
Strong results for Athletics
competitors at the
All-Schools competitions;
❚
Two senior students (Laura Faelis
and Miranda Bakowski) travelling to
Sydney in the September holidays
to represent GSV in Soccer and
Hockey respectively;
❚
58% (15 out of 26) GSV teams
finishing on top of their zones in
Semester 2 and playing finals;
❚
Junior B Volleyball, Intermediate B
Volleyball and Senior A Basketball
enjoying success, winning their GSV
Premierships in Terms 3 and 4.
Well done to all involved and thanks
for a fantastic journey this year. It has
been nothing short of amazing!
Brad Giles
Head of Sport
8
CapeStreet | December 2013
Comfort Zone Departures
Self Confidence + Accepting Challenge + Emotional Resilience + Teamwork
+ Environmental Understanding
These were some of the valued dispositions that Year 8
girls were expected to strengthen through their camp
experience in November.
Over four days and three nights, students hiked around
the surrounds of Eildon and the Goulburn River.
Two of the nights were spent in the bush, with no access
to flushing toilets or electricity. The girls travelled in small
groups of approximately 14 students, accompanied by an
OLMC staff member and an Outdoor Education specialist
guide. The students were responsible for their own
cooking, carrying their own packs, setting up their tents
and navigating their way to each campsite.
The girls returned to school very positive about
their experiences and showed considerable depth of
understanding when reflecting on their capabilities and
strengths. There was a great sense of accomplishment
amongst them, with most reporting that they were
appreciative of the opportunity to step outside their
comfort zone.
Rowena Thomson
Year 8 Coordinator
And the girls said…
It was a change of environment and a change of pace.
It made me realise how much I take for granted and it
also showed me there is more to life than technology
and fancy things. Even though I still don’t think I have
developed a love of camping, it was an experience that
I will remember forever.
Alexandra Vaughns
The drop toilets, camp food, hiking and sleeping
conditions made camp one of the most challenging but at
the same time most fun experiences of my life! And best
of all I could share it with my friends – both old and new.
Claudia Weerasinghe
It was an experience that I won’t forget as I learnt to cook,
sleep on the ground and to carry a 10kg bag on my back
whilst walking up hills. I also learnt some life skills like
persisting through problems, even if it sometimes
gets hard.
Alex Jaksic
9
News from the Staffroom
Unprecedented Precedents!
We would be surprised if any staff member over the College’s entire
history could boast of having a parent reach 100 years of age, and of
celebrating the event in Greece with all siblings present and accounted
for! Con Theodorou, our ‘gardener extraordinaire’, has not long returned
from this profoundly special event.
Con’s father, Evangelos, has lived all his life in Kastoria,
northern Greece. He has raised 5 children and is also
a much loved grandfather, great and great great
grandfather! He is an uncle and relative to a cast of
thousands and a much revered elder statesman in the
town of Kastoria.
Evangelos has no need for glasses, medications or other
aids that are usually required decades before achieving
centenarian status. He can ‘belt out’ traditional songs
without faltering and, as recently demonstrated, he can
still enjoy a night out with his sons until 1.30am in morning
and not raise the white flag! In their regular phone
conversations, Evangelos quizzes Con about major events
in Australia and is clearly ‘chapter and verse’ on matters of
the day down under!
There were many special experiences in the recent
celebrations, but one is without precedent. In 2012 the
Foreign Minister of Greece visited Melbourne. Con and his
sister met with him and spoke of their father’s pending
birthday, and of the practice here in Australia of
centenarians receiving a congratulatory message from the
Queen. The Foreign Minister agreed this was a good idea
and penned some notes.
To Evangelos’ absolute delight (and initial disbelief), a
congratulatory letter from the President of Greece was
received on his special day. It was the talk of the town!
The family is not sure how and where they are going to
celebrate Evangelos’ 101st birthday, but celebrate it they
will, with Evangelos leading the way!
Our Teachers Cross Borders
The first Tuk Tuk ride through the outskirts of town
opened our eyes to the simplicity of life not only here, but
throughout Cambodia. Thoughts and feelings started to
surface amongst the group…life must be difficult here, why
do we have so much, how do they feel about ‘us’, how do
we feel about ‘them’? For many weeks we had discussed
our motivations for engaging with a program such as this,
and now we were beginning to question more deeply
these motives and feelings.
Teachers Across Borders provides support for teachers
working in fragile education environments and is
dedicated to improving conditions for learning in areas
affected by natural disasters, poverty and warfare.
In September 2013, 6 staff members were sponsored by
the College to participate in a Cambodian immersion
program. For each of them it was a profoundly formative
and enriching experience. Extracts from Georgia
Heffernan’s journal give us some sense of this:
Flying into Siem Reap was the first glimpse for most of us
of the landscape of Cambodia. So far, we were travelling
well – excited and energised by the opportunity to spend
the next ten days immersed in the culture we had heard,
read and talked so much about in the preparation
for this experience.
…We were fortunate to visit Sr Denise Coghlan at her
Reflection Centre. She is tenacious in her pursuit of social
justice, refugee rights, poverty alleviation and the banning
of landmines and cluster bombs. A Brisbane born Mercy
sister, Member of the Order of Australia and Nobel Peace
Prize winner, Sr Denise probed our thoughts and feelings
to encourage us to ‘see through the eyes of the poor’ or
‘from the underside of history’.
From Siem Reap we headed about five hours
south west, following the Tonle Sap River down
to Kampong Thom. This is where we met our
friends from Teachers Across Borders.
…The opportunity provided by OLMC for the six of us to
work together, plan and implement a series of lessons
aimed at resourcing, motivating and equipping student
teachers with skills and strategies to manage their own
classes was completely overwhelming, humbling and
enriching! When the whole school stood silently and sang
the Cambodian national anthem at our farewell, it was
difficult not to feel overcome by emotion.
Georgia Heffernan
10
CapeStreet | December 2013
Special Commendation!
In Term 3, two staff members,
Sr Judith Fox (Medical Centre
Coordinator) and Ms Sally
Garvey-Page (Year 9 Coordinator),
were recognised by Ambulance
Victoria for the first aid they offered
to one of our Year 7 students.
One of the MICA paramedics, Mr Joshua Betts, who
attended the emergency incident at the school, nominated
these staff for a commendation. The nomination was made
to Mr Greg Sassella, Chief Executive Officer of Ambulance
Victoria, who awarded them the Ambulance Victoria
Special Commendation.
All of the paramedics involved were extremely impressed
with the actions of Judith and Sally. They also commended
all staff for how they responded to the incident and for
the way that the paramedics were supported, not just by
Judith and Sally but also by staff at Student and Visitor
Receptions and those closely connected to Alyssa, the
student who had become critically ill.
Ms Isabella Shaw, from Ambulance Victoria Head Office,
and Mr Joshua Betts attended a full staff meeting on 17
September to present the Certificate of Commendation to
Judith and Sally.
1
Mr Betts commented that it is unusual, unfortunately,
for members of the public who render first aid to be
recognised because usually they do so anonymously,
in public settings, on their way to somewhere else.
In some ways, Judith and Sally therefore received
their award not only on behalf of themselves and
the other staff at OLMC, but all those that come
to someone’s aid, and are not recognised.
Congratulations Judith, Sally and all involved. The College is
rightfully proud of and grateful for your outstanding effort!
Bells and Bubs!
It was a relatively quiet semester
for births and weddings, though
the ‘less is more’ principle applies.
Congratulations to the following
staff who have welcomed some
very special people into their lives!
1. Bernadette Inman and Woodrow became proud parents of Amos,
their firstborn, on the 14 June.
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2. Ornalla Dharumasena and Danny extended their family with
Edward, born on 11 October. Edward is a much welcomed
brother for Eva.
3. Oliver Hodson married Lucy Daniel at St Stephen’s Richmond,
on the 26 October, and had their reception at Collingwood
Children’s Farm.
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News from the Past Pupils
Rest in Peace
Sr Mary McAllen (Sr Bonaventure)
1923–2013
Sr Mary McAllen was Principal of OLMC in 1961
and 1962. More recently she was an enthusiastic
participant in the OLMC Centenary celebrations.
Sr Mary was the ultimate educator, a Principal of 6 schools and always
passionate about teaching and learning. Over the years she maintained many
connections with past students, who regarded her as a mentor and a friend.
The genuine respect and love so many people felt for her was evident at her
funeral, attended by over 500 people. Mary had prepared her funeral Mass
and it was as she wished – a celebration of her life and her faith in God. We
give thanks for her contribution to Mercy Education and also for the way she
continued to share her love and energy with so many of us at OLMC.
First-time Reunion
Class of 1996
When we left OLMC in 1996, we didn’t have email
or mobile phones, so arranging a catch-up was
difficult. Fast forward 17 years, with the help of
social media, and we have held our first reunion,
arranged in 7 weeks, with 80 attendees!
The Facebook conversation started with a group of 10
and quickly reached 80. The growing numbers didn’t
concern our organisers. A date was set, the venue booked,
and tickets were purchased online. No messing around!
Contact Us
Marie Jenkins is the ‘Go to’ person based at the College
for all matters pertaining to past pupils.
T: 9455 7596 | E: [email protected]
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The pre- and post-chatting online was just as much fun
as the reunion itself, especially as photos from school
camps and final days in Year 12 were circulated.
We came together at the Veneto Club with a common
goal to have fun and reconnect, and that we did. The
evening was truly memorable and hilarious, leaving us
with sore cheeks from smiling and laughing so much.
For those who couldn’t attend, we missed you! We have
promised to do it all over again in 3 years, so we look
forward to seeing you in 2016 to celebrate 20 years.
Huge thanks goes to Monica Bello and Vanessa Ciampi
for their exceptional organisation of the entire night.
Thank you also to everyone who got on board and
volunteered services, in particular Monika Szilagyi,
who provided professional photography.
Tanya Vanderpoel
CapeStreet | December 2013
News from the Past Pupils
Joan’s
Recollections
Class of 1934–1935
Recently Joan Ryan (nee Curtis) contacted the College
after reading the latest issue of the Out of the Blue. She
was keen to share her memories of her days spent at
Heidelberg and Our Lady’s. Joan was a member of the
Sub Intermediate class of 1934 and the Intermediate class
of 1935. She fondly recalled the names of the girls with
whom she shared the class – Ella Raike, Patricia Riley, Joan
Catarinch, Eileen Hunt, Ethel Neander and Xavior Quinn
Joan is the second eldest of a family of seven
children. She was born in Camberwell and moved
to Rosanna when she was about four. Joan and her
sister attended St Monica’s Heidelberg, which later
became St John’s. Joan remembers that as a young
girl she and her siblings had to walk to mass every
Sunday – two miles each way, hail, rain or shine!
Joan studied English, French, Mathematics, Algebra,
Geography and Drawing. Being part of a large family,
and with the effects of the Depression still strong, it
was not possible for Joan to continue on to a Leaving
year, so she went to work in a piano manufacturing
firm. She later married Bill and would have been
happily married 70 years this year had not Bill passed
away in 2006, after 63 years of marriage. Joan is
currently enjoying life with her niece in Mornington.
When Joan was asked what it was she most remembered
about her time at Our Lady’s, she said that it was ‘the love
of the nuns for the students – they made sure that you
learnt everything and gave you a good grounding for life’.
Marie Jenkins
While in the eighth grade at St Monica’s, Mr and Mrs
Jordon, who lived in the two-storey house opposite the
College entrance, sponsored a scholarship
for a student to attend Our Lady’s. Joan still
remembers the day when her parents received
the news that she was the chosen recipient.
Sr Columbus was Joan’s teacher for both years and
she also remembers Sr Stephanie and Sr Antony – who
had only one leg. She remembers playing tennis and
has fond memories of the concerts, when Mrs Lanigan
was always on hand to help out. In both summer
and winter the girls had to wear hat and gloves and
the seams in their stockings had to be straight.
Impeding Motor Neuron Disease
Rebecca Sheen
Class of 2000
While I enjoyed my time at the DPI, I wanted to get back
into the laboratory, so I moved back to Melbourne and
began a PhD at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and
Mental Health, a division at the University of Melbourne.
My project investigated the role of support cells in
the brain in Motor Neuron Disease (MND). MND is a
progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that
selectively kills the nerve cells that control our muscles.
I attended OLMC from 1995–2000. After graduating I
completed a Bachelor of Animal Science at La Trobe
University, majoring in Zoology and Microbiology.
I followed this with an Honours year at La Trobe (2005) in
the department of Zoology, during which time I developed
a strong interest in laboratory research.
It was difficult to find a job in inner-city Melbourne, so I
moved to Orange in NSW, where I began working for the
Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
I completed my PhD in August 2011 and since then have
been working at the Florey in the MND laboratory.
My current role involves researching the molecular cause
of the death of nerve cells in MND. In addition to working
in the laboratory, I write articles for scientific journals and
travel to both national and international conferences to
present my research. I hope to continue researching MND
both in Australia and overseas. I am also hoping to be
involved in clinical therapies to help improve the lives of
people living with MND.
For more information on MND research or neuroscience
research at the Florey, I encourage you to visit the Florey
website www.florey.edu.au
Rebecca Sheen
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May you embrace all that life will
present to you with courage and faith.
May you be sustained by all that you
have experienced at OLMC.
May the companionship you have
shared and forged here continue to
sustain your endeavours.
And may the spirit of Catherine
McAuley be a guiding light for you all as
you continue your journey through life.
Extract from the Final Blessing
Graduation Mass
As we step out past the gates of Our
Lady’s into the big, wide world, we take
with us many things – our wonderful
education, enduring friendships,
invaluable memories of the experiences
we have shared, and an eagerness to
realise our dreams for the future.
We must not let our ATAR define our
success this year, because success is
defined in a myriad of ways, and there
is no way that a four digit number has
the capacity to measure the diverse and
innumerable amazing qualities that exist
in each of us, because if it did, we’d all
be getting 99.95s.
As a man named Howard Thurman
once said, ‘Don’t ask yourself what the
world needs. Ask yourself what makes
you come alive and go do that, because
what the world needs is people who
have come alive.’
Our success is measured by how well
we come alive, and how well we express
the truest form of ourselves as human
beings. So now fly away, my friends, and
be successful.
Laura Ryan, College Captain 2013
Extract from her Graduation Address
CapeStreet | December 2013
CapeStreet is a bi-annual publication of
Our Lady of Mercy College
A Ministry of Mercy Education Ltd
ABN 69 154 531 870
52 Cape Street (PO Box 293)
Heidelberg, VIC 3084
T: (03) 9459 2511
E: [email protected]
Web: www.olmcheidelberg.catholic.edu.au
Editorial committee
Christine Heffernan, Marie Jenkins
Design: Xsd
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