Mercy Snapshot

All the important news in an easy to read format

Term 4, Issue 11, 29 November 2022

IMPORTANT DATES:

Friday, 2 December: Presentation Night rehearsals

Monday, 5 December: Presentation Night

Friday, 9 December: Term 4 concludes

Tuesday, 24 January 2023, 8.00am-4.00pm: Uniform Shop CLOSED

Monday, 30 January 2023, 12.30pm-4.00pm: Uniform Shop open

Tuesday, 31 January 2023, 8.00am-12.00pm: Uniform Shop open

Wednesday, 1 February 2023: Term 1 commences for Years 7 and 12

Thursday, 2 February 2023: Term 1 commences for Years 8-11. All students attend school.

Thursday, 2 February - Saturday, 4 February 2023: VISN Camp

Wednesday, 8 February 2023: Individual student and group photo day

Thursday, 9 February & Friday, 10 February 2023: Year 7 Activity Days

Saturday, 11 February 2023: Year 12 Ball

NEWS FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION AND STUDENT SERVICES TEAMS

The Administration Office will be closed from Friday, 16 December 2022 to Friday, 20 January 2023, reopening at 8.00am on Monday, 23 January 2023.

Please be advised that our Administration, Enrolments, Financial Services and Student Services Teams have relocated to the new building near the Student Drop-off/Pick-up zone, off Leisure Drive.

BOOKLISTS

Please be aware that the 2023 Booklists are now available on the College website located here:

2023 Booklists

For Year 8 to Year 10 students, please await confirmation of classes and subjects, as this will determine which textbooks to buy for Maths and English.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch with Academic Services olmca.academicservices@cewa.edu.au or please contact Campion directly for clarification.

NOTICES FROM THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

College Fees 2023:

Please note that an important letter from Mr Crothers regarding College Fees for 2023 was emailed to families on Friday, 25 November. This letter provides information on a by Catholic Education WA (CEWA) recommended increase of fees for 2023.

It also contains information on initiatives designed to assist parents in paying their school fees, including discounts and a draw to have $750 credited to tuition fees. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Family Fees: Please note that the FINAL fee statements for 2022 were e-mailed to families at the beginning of Term 4. Fees were due to settle in full by Friday, November 11, 2022.

Music Fees:: FINAL fee statements for 2022 were emailed to applicable families on Friday, 28 October 2022. Please note that the BPay details on these statements are different to family fees. Balances cannot be transferred between music and family fees, so please make sure you use the correct reference number on your statement. Fees were due to settle in full by Friday, 11 November 2022.

Fees 2023: Fees will be billed in January 2023, and will be emailed to all families. Please make sure your email details are up to date.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a payment arrangement, please contact Michelle or Samuel at our Financial Services Department on (08) 9720 3300 or via email accounts@olmca.wa.edu.au.

More information regarding College Fees and Charges can also be found on this page.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To meet the increased demand for student places, the College invites applications for the following ongoing positions:

- Humanities Teacher

- Design and Technology Teacher

- Administration Assistant - VET & Careers

- Home Economics Assistant

All applicants must complete an application form.

Closing date: Tuesday, 6 December 2022

For a job description and an application form please visit our Employment Opportunities page:

MOBILE PHONE POLICY AND CAFE PAYMENTS

There is a growing concern throughout the community regarding the use of mobile phones at school. Phones are a distraction for students in terms of their access to social media sites, as well as potentially being a source of bullying activities. Schools have a legal duty of care to keep students safe and to provide them with a secure environment in which to learn. Parents may be interested in a report commissioned in NSW about the use of Smartphones in schools. This report is part of the School TV program available on the College Website and can be found here.

Students at Our Lady of Mercy College are directed to leave their mobile phone in their locker from the commencement of the school day to the end of the school day. In recent times, students have begun to pay for items in the College café using their phones. Invariably, the phone then remains with the student. Consultation with our parents reaffirms that mobile phones are a distraction in the teaching and learning environment. To ensure that our policy remains in place, students will be required to use cash, a bank card or their Student ID Card to pay for items purchased in the College Cafe. Using the Student ID Card has many benefits, one of which is that if a student forgets their card, the staff in the Café are able to look up their name and the items purchased can be paid for.

From Friday, 28 October 2022 (Week 3, Term 4), items from the café may only be purchased using cash, bank card or the Student ID Card.

PRESENTATION NIGHT, MONDAY, 5 DECEMBER 2022

Our Lady of Mercy College Presentation Night will be held at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Monday, 5 December 2022.

The awards to be presented, recognise and acknowledge a range of students, who have achieved excellence in their academic studies, contributed positively to student life or demonstrated leadership. Our students are also recognised for their achievement in vocational education and sporting activities, as well as community service and social justice initiatives.

Thank you to the following sponsors who are generously supporting our Presentation Night:

Our Lady of Mercy College P&F
Australind Lions Club
BCE Surveying
Christ the Living Vine Parish
Harvey Homestead
Jaliel Cleaning Company
Mr & Mrs Tomas
Leschenault Medical Centre
SOS Office Equipment
The Print Shop

NEWS FROM THE UNIFORM SHOP

UNIFORM SHOP OPENING HOURS:

Uniforms can be purchased through our Uniform Shop at Lot 101, Leisure Drive, Australind.

Normal shop opening hours are:

Tuesdays: 8.00am – 3.00pm (closed for lunch 12.00pm – 1.00pm)

Thursdays: 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Opening hours January 2023:

8.00am-4.00pm on Tuesday, 24 January 2023 : CLOSED

12.30pm-4.00pm on Monday, 30 January 2023

8.00am-12.00pm on Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Please refer to the College Website Uniform Page for the Uniform Policy, Pricelist and current Uniform Shop Opening Hours.

ABSENTEE NOTIFICATION METHODS

When a student is absent from school, it is required that on the day of the absence, a parent contacts the College before 9.30 am. A medical certificate is required if a student is absent for a period of more than three consecutive days. Contact to the College may be made by:

SMS: 0481 883 568

Phone: (08) 9720 3300, Option 2

Email: admin@olmca.wa.edu.au

Please state Student Name, Year, Date and Reason of Absence.

COVID-19

In order to enable families to stay up-to-date and informed in relation to current COVID-19 regulations, the College has created a special COVID-19 information page.

This page contains links to College correspondence, Catholic Education WA updates and F.A.Qs. To visit the page, please click here.

COLLEGE TUTORIALS

The College offers a successful tutoring program for our students during school hours and after school.

It is important that students access these extra classes to assist them in the areas where they are experiencing difficulties. If you have any questions regarding your child's need to attend these tutorials, please feel free to contact your child's teacher or Head of Year. Times and Locations can be found on our website.

CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE

Did you know that you can now be green and support the College at the same time? Simply use the ID below and the name of the College when you drop off your empty containers at participating depots.

SCHEME ID: C10374340

Money raised will go towards creating engaging spaces for students. This year, the money raised will fund the fit-out of the Year 12 Common Room.

Visit https://www.containersforchange.com.au/wa/where-to-return for locations of drop off points.

COMMUNITY NEWS

GOFUNDME - Can you help?

One of our Mercy families has reached out to the community with a Gofundme page for a much-loved relative, who is battling an aggressive form of cancer.

To read more about Luke, uncle of Isabella (Year 11) and Jayda (Year 9), and his fight with cancer, please click on the below link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/luke-fight-against-head-and-neck-cancer?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Any help and support is greatly appreciated.

Volunteer at Shire of Dardanup Events

Who’s keen to enjoy a movie under the stars or some live music in the park? The Shire of Dardanup needs volunteers for the upcoming Fuel to Go & Play Summer In Your Park series.

Please complete this form and drop it off, or email to events@dardanup.wa.gov.au by 4pm Tuesday, 6 December, if you are interested.

ABSTUDY

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are recent school leavers can continue getting ABSTUDY if they go on to higher education study or an apprenticeship. Information can be found here:

download our School Leavers Resource eKit
read more about how students can transition to higher education or an apprenticeship
follow us on facebook.com/ServicesAustralia to see future posts about ABSTUDY

STS Leeuwin II Voyages

A Leeuwin voyage offers a great opportunity to get out on the ocean waves, and experience the unique, life-changing adventure that is sail-training on a tall ship.

Voyage sponsorships are available for applicants who require assistance raising their voyage fare through our partnerships with a number of corporate and community organisations. Please note that each sponsorship has different criteria and eligibility requirements and may cover the voyage fare in full or in part. For a full list of our current available sponsorships, visit our sponsorship page.

For more information, please visit www.sailleeuwin.com or phone (08) 9430 4105 or email education@sailleeuwin.com.

Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Youth Explorer voyages are endorsed by SCSA and students in Years 10-12 may earn one WACE unit (to a maximum of three units) and their participation will be entered onto their WASSA. It also provides valuable skills for student’s resumes or portfolios for tertiary entrance.