Mercy Messenger Week 6 Term 4 – Friday 14 November 2014

Week 6 Term 4 – Friday 14 November 2014
Mercy Messenger
Date Reminders
Contents
November
Principal .......................................................................... 1
Thu 20 .............................. Maths Tutoring (Yr 10 only) 8.00am Rm D12
Academic Awards Evening .......................................... 1
Thu 20 ...................................... Maths Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Rm D12
Assistant Principal Mission ............................................. 4
Thu 20 .......................................English Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Library
The Lord’s Prayer ........................................................ 4
Wed 26 ..................................................................... Yr 10 Semi-Formal
Thu 27 ....................................................... Yr 7/8 2015 Orientation Day
Speech Night ................................................................... 5
Thu 27 ...................................... Maths Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Rm D12
Finance Office ............................................................... 12
Thu 27 .......................................English Tutoring 3.00 – 4.00pm Library
A bit of a laugh .............................................................. 12
Fri 28 .................................................................. Yr 10 Graduation Mass
Religious Education....................................................... 13
Science .......................................................................... 13
December
Mon 1 .................................................................................... Yr 9 Camp
Tue 2 ...................................................................................... Yr 9 Camp
Special Children’s Christmas Party ............................... 14
Wed 2 .................................................................................... Yr 9 Camp
Mindfulness Challenge.................................................. 14
Thu 3 ...................................................................................... Yr 9 Camp
Robots show no Mercy ................................................. 15
Fri 4 ........................................................................... Last day of Term 4
Mercy College Wins ...................................................... 16
Mackay Cycle Challenge ‘Love to Ride’ ..................... 16
Mass Times – Southern Cluster Parishes
Second hand uniforms .................................................. 17
Tuckshop ....................................................................... 17
Year 10’s Leaving Mercy College .................................. 18
2014 Yearbooks ............................................................ 20
Cook’s Corner................................................................ 21
St Mary’s
St Francis Xavier
St Patrick’s
St Therese’s
St Michael’s
Saturday 6.00pm
Saturday 6.00pm / Sunday 9.00am
Sunday 7.00am
Sunday 7.00am
Sunday 9.00am
Position Vacant ............................................................. 22
State Election 2015 ....................................................... 22
Community Notices ...................................................... 23
Music Ministry
Front cover: Staff in attendance for Mercy College Speech
Night at the MECC.
Students are invited to lead the music ministry at St
Mary’s Church, 6.30pm every second Saturday of the
month.
Please come along and sing on Saturday 22 November
and 6 December.
Be inspired….
‘Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic
schools. Educating is an act of love; it is like
giving life.’
-
POPE FRANCIS
Word on the Street …….
Comeuppance –
Noun. Deserved reward or just deserts, usually unpleasant.
Sentence: Many action movies end with a wild chase and an over-the-top fight sequence in which the
bad guys finally get their comeuppance.
Source: Dictionary App
Principal
Academic Awards Evening – Principal’s Address (Aspiring to Greatness)
Is it too grand and completely unrealistic to encourage our students to aspire to true greatness? We are in truth
a fairly remote, semi-rural community that in most cases would prefer to go fishing than agitate on life’s big
issues. We’re laid-back, fair-minded, independent and wary of extreme views. All good really, and probably in
large measure why the ‘kids from Mackay’ have an excellent base to go on and in their own many diverse ways,
achieve a measure of true greatness.
Great people over the period of recent history have made an enduring contribution to the welfare of their
communities. Their efforts, while specific and often directed to their particular responsibility, have reverberated
throughout the world. It was never about money or recognition. These things, if they came at all, came
incidentally. In part you could attribute their greatness to being the right person in the right locality at the right
time. More correctly their capacity to act and persist against the odds was due to a life of formative experiences
that equipped them for the trials they needed to overcome. The formation of our young people can aspire to
the same capacity to act, courage to act and intellect to know if to act.
One enduring and highly credible award that
acknowledged true greatness over the last century, has
been the Nobel Prize. This highly prestigious award was
initiated in 1901 and is announced annually in the
discipline areas of Economic Science, Physics, Literature,
Chemistry, Peace and Physiology and Medicine.
Dedicated to persons who ‘make a proven contribution
to the advancement of mankind’. A maximum of three
persons can share any particular award category (and the
million dollar prize). It is usually the culmination of
decades of dedicated and highly uncertain work. Many
who are deserving miss out but those carefully selected
are indeed worthy of the recognition that comes with
being invested with the title ‘Nobel Laurette’.
1
So who was Alfred Nobel and how did the award come about?
Alfred was a highly successful industrialist in the late 19th Century who
brought a bright and enquiring mind to the technological revolution
engulfing Europe at the time. A self-made man from a large and initially
poor family that subsequently built an industrial empire through invention
and investment. Alfred was responsible for hundreds of patents in the
course of his life but is most remembered for the invention of Dynamite.
His family company was into construction and this safe explosive
represented a massive commercial opportunity. Toward the end of his life
Alfred was very wealthy but conflicted due to criticism that his explosive
inventions ushered in a new military capacity for mass destruction. He
subsequently dedicated 90% of his wealth to an ongoing award that would
encourage peaceful contribution to the advancement of mankind. Hence the
award that has only grown in importance over the decades.
About a decade ago, Australian Nobel Laurette, Dr Peter Doherty wrote a book titled “How to win a Nobel
Prize”. Best interpreted as a little ‘tongue in cheek’ as the author is quick to acknowledge that no one sets out
to win a Nobel Prize. It simply happens. But like the famous sporting adage “The more I practice the luckier I
get”, the author recounts his meandering pathway to greatness and the vital qualities that had to be there all
along to even make it possible. And it is here that the relevance to middle adolescents at Mercy, somewhat
begrudgingly making their way to school, becomes obvious. Peter was just a typical kid from the backblocks of
Ipswich who did well at school and went on to do Veterinary Science at Queensland University. You'd have to
read the book to find out how he ended up in Medical research and Immunology in particular. But that’s how
life develops with its inherent unpredictability.
In the final chapter of his book, Peter elaborates on the qualities that would equip an individual to achieve their
potential for greatness. It is indeed a prescription for a successful life. While he addresses many points, I have
identified the six most relevant to our young students struggling with direction and identity –
2
Acquire basic skills and work with the right people
(give school your best effort. It’s important)
Find and cultivate your true passion
(try new things and challenge yourself)
Think outside the box
(creativity and new ways of thinking are vital)
Be persistent & tenacious but be prepared to fail
(never give in, never give up)
Your time is precious
(how do you spend your time?)
Have fun
(enjoy what you do and you can excel)
These are simple yet insightful directions that can be addressed now in our education and Pastoral programs.
If we can see kids excited by what they are doing in class, actively contributing to the community, developing
capacities beyond the adult mentors and really pushing the envelope of the present, then we are laying the
foundations for greatness.
It’s not about winning a Nobel Prize. It’s about empowering young people to take responsibility for their own
lives and exceeding the limitations of generations past. Greatness is about making in your own way, an enduring
contribution to the advancement of mankind.
Mr Jim Ford, Principal
Back to home
3
Assistant Principal Mission
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus gave the Apostles direct information concerning prayer and how to pray
effectively. Jesus gave them (and us!) the words of the Lord’s Prayer, also known as the
Our Father.
Some weeks ago I approached a number of the male College Captains, SRC
representatives and Committee Chairs, to invite them to deliver the opening prayer at
the Mercy College Annual Speech Night. However the invitation involved them singing
the prayer; the reaction from the students and a couple of parents, was of absolute fear
at the thought of singing, let alone singing the prayer, in front of approximately one
thousand College students, staff, parents and special guests. Reactions such as “I can’t
sing” and “There are plenty of others in the school who can actually sing” were
presented to me by the students. My response was, “It’s a prayer, the prayer itself is
the perfect prayer which encompasses all we are called to as Christians, I don’t want
perfect singing anyway.”
However the students accepted my invitation
and during the first practise I had tears in my
eyes as I listened to these ‘brave’ students
and the accompanying male staff sing ‘The
Lord’s Prayer’. They brought new life to such
a familiar prayer.
Pondering on the words as they were sung, I
thought about how this prayer has helped me
in the past. Maybe you can identify how the
Lord’s Prayer might carry you in the future.
The power of prayer and the Lord’s Prayer in
particular is the perfect prayer every day.
Special thanks go to Will Cairns, Lachlan Bulmar,
Matthew Stewart, Nicholas Brownsey, Liam Meng,
Grant Cordwell, Will Orrah, Will Landbury, Astin
Leotta, Campbell Behan and to the following staff
Jim Ford, Val McKenzie, Matt Anderson and Scott
McSherry.
Mrs Jeanette Refalo, Assistant Principal Mission
Back to home
4
Speech Night
And
Awards Presentation
2014
5
- Speech Night Programme Acknowledgement of Country
Jackson Armstrong
The P&F, Cathy Quinn Award
Opening Prayer
Mrs Jeanette Refalo
Welcome
Dance Performance Year 9 students - Miss Cassie Gillespie (Coordinator)
Guest Speaker
Most Reverend Michael McCarthy
(Bishop of Rockhampton - Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton)
Assistant Director’s Mr Michael McCusker
Address
(Assistant to the Director, Schools Northern Region)
Awards Year 8
Mr Tim Mulherin (MP, Member for Mackay)
and Mr Chris Sorbello
Choir Performance Miss Libby Courtice (Conductor)
Mr Stephen Gibbs (Board Chair)
Ms Janice Quadrio (P&F President)
Board & P&F Report
Awards Year 9
Mr Eamon Hannan (Principal, St Patrick’s College)
and Mr Peter Scott
College Captains’ Address
Presentation to
Mr Michael McCusker and House Coordinators
College Captains
Awards Year 10
Mr Michael Stewart (Principal, St Mary’s School) and
Mr Jim Ford
Principal’s Address Mr Jim Ford
Special Presentations
‘The P&F ,Cathy Quinn Award is awarded to a student who has faced challenges in their
time at Mercy College and has managed to overcome these obstacles and shine in
Academic, Social and Spiritual areas.
™
Mercy Award
The Mercy Award recognises the male and female student of the graduating class who
demonstrates respect for self and others, shows personal responsibility for their actions
and their relationships are typified by Love, Mercy and Forgiveness.
These students embody the College Mission Statement.
This award is dedicated in the memory of
Mark Burridge, Caleb Woodland and Matthew Glennon,
three (3) remarkable young men who passed away during 2011.
Cultural Award
The Cultural Award recognises a student who has contributed towards the cultural aspects
of the College.
Brother Tom Higgins Award
The Brother Tom Higgins Award recognises a student who has achieved and performed
to an excellent level in Work, Education and Placement.
Indigenous Achievement Award
This is awarded to the student who proudly promotes Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Culture through attendance and participation in school academic and community
Cultural activities.
Caltex All-Rounder Award
Most Reverend Michael McCarthy
(Bishop of Rockhampton - Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton)
and Mr Jim Ford
Closing Prayer
Awarded to the Year 10 student who, throughout the year, achieved significant outcomes
in academic, sporting, community service & leadership endeavours.
College Dux
College Dux is based on the highest achievement across all subject areas.
Dance Performance Year 10 students - Miss Cassie Gillespie
6
The Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award
The Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award has been created to acknowledge the
achievements of young people, who have demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership
and teamwork within our College or the wider community.



Felix Hadok-Quadrio
Diligence
Awards Kori Bosma
YEAR 8
Sarah Agius
Samuel Andersen
Abbie Beard
Lois Beckingham
Kade Beldan
Leah Belzer
Natasha Bennett
Gabriel Besa
Jasmine Bezzina
Lily Bowditch
Clancy Bowen
Leia Brook
Hayden Brownsey
Lachlan Bryan
Jonathon Buckeridge
Tahlia Camilleri
Aiden Chapman
Hayley Clancy
Mason Clifford
Jack Climpson
Emily Connolly
Keyra Danastas
Kara Daniel
Bree Davies
Paolo Dela Cruz
Jed Dixon
Brydon Edwards
Kirsty Edwards
Amber Fenwick
Harrison Finn
Tia Flohr
Caleb Galea
Ashley Gall
Kye Gaviglio
Nathan Giles
Maddison Goulevitch
Telhia Grech
Erica Hamilton
Jed Hunt
Zachary Hunt
Caroline Jacob
Tia Johnson
Hannah Jorgensen
Hesharth
Kumarasinghe
Thomas Lando
Isaac Lange
Paige Lewis
Zoe Lindemann
Jun Liu
Bridget MacDonald
Rhys Mackenzie
Emma Manzelmann
Amber May
Darcy McAllister
Nicholas McCann
Erin McCartney
Connor McLeod
Rhiannon McLennan
Brayden Mifsud
Cody Nicholas
Riley Nicholas
Tyler Nicholas
Shania Niemi
Jessica Norton
Benjamin OliverArnold
7
Sophie Osborne
Olivia Parsons
Brittany Pattemore
Gabrielle Perkins
Madison Pittaway
Bailee Poyner
Montana Poyner
Hithyshini Prasad
Mariska Pretorius
Taylor Purcell
Tamika Rawson
Grace Renouf
Jarrod Ross
Isaac Sant
Angela Schatkowski
Jesse Schmidtke
Brock Scholte
Colby Sehl
Jasmin Sehl
Bianca Sorbello
Natasha Stewart
Bryce Thompson
Madonna Tomerini
Livanna Turner
Josie Valigura
Annie Van Lint
Joel Van
Moolenbroek
Bianca Van Vuren
Taylah Verri
Vince Vinzon
Chloe Wale
Khobe Weller
Kiralee Welsh
Emily Whitson
Jordan Williams
Britney Worbey
YEAR 9
Micayla Abela
Georgia Acutt
Dana Allen
Shannan Ashwood
Demi Baker
Rina Bascuguin
Logan Bella
Billi Berzinski
Monique Best
Jasmin Blucher
Martin Borg
Megan Born
Nicholas Butler
Emma Carroll
Sarah Chisholm
Alice Climpson
Timothy Colwill
Hayden Connor
Claudia Cristaldi
Brianna Davis
Rakayla Davies
Samantha Ferris
Chiquita Fickling
Samantha Galea
Naomi Gallaway
Michael Gibbs
Kahtia Gooch
Ethan Goode
Jessica Gunning
Grady Hamilton
Danielle Hankinson
Georgia Harris
Zachary Houston
Kaitlyn Hyde
Kayla Jago
Jack Johnson
Logan Kaddatz
Jorja Keltie
Claire Knight-Braniff
Aiden Krause
Kugathira Krishnadeva
Madison MacDonald
Amber-Lee Malone
Erin Maloney
Lisa Manzelmann
Peita Marsh
Anais' Martin
Brianna Martin
Lachlan McCall
Georgia McDonald
Anna McLeod
Joshua Minter
Zali Molnar
Annabelle Morgan
Angela Muddle
Shenae Murphy
Emma Muscat
Kate Muscat
Chelsea Newton
Isobel Odger
Dominique Poots
Clare Pullen
Anna Randazzo
Matthew Reynolds
Ebony Rix
Brodie Rogers
Kate Ross
Amy Saward
Lucy Short
Amelia Strang
Madeline Suner
Camryn Sutton
Brock Thomas
Lucas Tomerini
Lana Turner
Stephanie Vella
Nicole Vicary
Alice Westwood
Elleni Williams
Nicholas Williams
Ashlee Willis
Emma Wilson
Chloe Wright
Adam Zurvas
YEAR 10
Fraser Anderson
Amy Armstrong
Hayden Bamford
Sarah Bartolo
Arni Bascuguin
Campbell Behan
Bianca Bennett
Amy Benson
Tahlie Blackburn
Patrick Blakeney
Chandra Sowmya
Bolla
Jacob Boswell
Shania Brown
Chloe Burke
Gabrielle Burton
Kyle Cavanagh
Carlie Christopher
Grant Cordwell
Billy Cronin
Laura Crowley
Shevy-Jean Zerner
Camille Delfin
Lincoln De Thomasis
Ellie-Jayne Dumigan
Bailey Dunbar
Kylie Duncan
Kit-Julia ElliottO'Brien
Kate Finger
Jezane Funtanar
Isaac Galea
April Godfrey
Chloe Godfrey
Tia-Che Gostelow
Breanna Graham
Chelsea Graham
Kelly Gray
Samuel Griffin
Conor Harris
Nicholas Hilder
Ashlee Hodda
Taylah Hubon
Madison Irvine
Asten Jago
Georgia James
Abbi Johnson
Josie Kendall
Chelsea Lamb
Taylor Lamb
Lleyton Lamont
Alison Larcombe
Astin Leotta
Julia Lourie
Kelsie Marino
Bridget McAllister
Anna McClanachan
Ella McMurtrie
Grace Metten
Shanya Milburn
Zoey Mills
Sonia Munro
Tessa Neivandt
Riley Norris
Baedon Oliver-Arnold
William Orrah
Lucy Osborne
Summer Palmer
Jaidin Pineda
Louella Place
Hollie Richards
Nina Rillera
Kimberly Roper
Amelia Sant
Monique Sant
Brock Schmidtke
Mikaela Scholte
Ellie Shanks
Lachlan Stevens
Madison Stewart
Matthew Stewart
Quewen Sweet
Chelsey Thompson
Alexander Van Lint
Marissa Van
Moolenbroek
Hayden Vassallo
Dylan Vella
Mignon Viljoen
Grace Vipen
Ebony Walker
David Wood
Georgia Worbey
Academic Awards
YEAR 8
Flynn Acutt
Sarah Agius
Abbie Beard
Lois Beckingham
Leah Belzer
Natasha Bennett
Gabriel Besa
Jasmine Bezzina
Clancy Bowen
Leia Brook
Hayden Brownsey
Tahlia Camilleri
Aiden Chapman
Mason Clifford
Jack Climpson
Emily Connolly
Keyra Danastas
Kara Daniel
Bree Davies
Paolo Dela Cruz
Jed Dixon
Brydon Edwards
Kirsty Edwards
Lucy Eyles
Amber Fenwick
Ashley Gall
Kye Gaviglio
Nathan Giles
Maddison Goulevitch
Erica Hamilton
Zachary Hunt
Caroline Jacob
Hannah Jorgensen
Hesharth
Kumarasinghe
Thomas Lando
Isaac Lange
Paige Lewis
Jun Liu
Bridget MacDonald
Rhys Mackenzie
Amber May
Erin McCartney
Nicholas McCann
Rhiannon McLennan
Riley Nicholas
Tyler Nicholas
Jessica Norton
Tyler North
Sophie Osborne
Olivia Parsons
Brittany Pattemore
Gabrielle Perkins
Madison Pittaway
Hithyshini Prasad
Mariska Pretorius
Taylor Purcell
Tamika Rawson
Jarrod Ross
Marco Ruggeri
Angela Schatkowski
Jesse Schmidtke
Brock Scholte
Bianca Sorbello
Hannah Steindl
Natasha Stewart
Bryce Thompson
8
Madonna Tomerini
Livanna Turner
Josie Valigura
Annie Van Lint
Bianca Van Vuren
Kimo Viljoen
Vince Vinzon
Khobe Weller
Kiralee Welsh
Jordan Williams
Sophia Woodman
Britney Worbey
YEAR 9
Georgia Acutt
Dana Allen
Shannan Ashwood
Logan Bella
Taylor Bell
Billi Berzinski
Jasmin Blucher
Nicholas Butler
Rhys Cappello
Emma Carroll
Sarah Chisholm
Alice Climpson
Keeley Colleton
Timothy Colwill
Claudia Cristaldi
Rakayla Davies
Brianna Davis
Samantha Ferris
Chiquita Fickling
Joshua Francis
Samantha Galea
Naomi Gallaway
Michael Gibbs
Kahtia Gooch
Jessica Gunning
Felix Hadok-Quadrio
Grady Hamilton
Danielle Hankinson
Georgia Harris
Kaitlyn Hyde
Jack Johnson
Logan Kaddatz
Claire Knight-Braniff
Aiden Krause
Kugathira Krishnadeva
Armaan Kundal
Georgia Legge
Erin Maloney
Peita Marsh
Brianna Martin
Joshua Minter
Sophie Miranda
Annabelle Morgan
Angela Muddle
Emma Muscat
Kate Muscat
Chelsea Newton
Tristan Niemi
Isobel Odger
Dominique Poots
Clare Pullen
Chrysel Reynolds
Ebony Rix
Brodie Rogers
Kate Ross
Amy Saward
Amelia Strang
Madeline Suner
Camryn Sutton
Brock Thomas
Zachary Thompson
Lucas Tomerini
Holly Van Wyk
Smith
Stephanie Vella
Nicole Vicary
Darcy Webb-Smith
Alice Westwood
Elleni Williams
Chloe Wright
Adam Zurvas
YEAR 10
Fraser Anderson
Amy Armstrong
Sarah Bartolo
Campbell Behan
Amy Benson
Tahlie Blackburn
Patrick Blakeney
Chandra Sowmya
Bolla
Kori Bosma
Chloe Burke
Gabrielle Burton
Carlie Christopher
Grant Cordwell
Laura Crowley
Camille Delfin
Lincoln De Thomasis
Kylie Duncan
Kit-Julia ElliottO'Brien
Clara Friswell
Jezane Funtanar
April Godfrey
Kelly Gray
Samuel Griffin
Riley Head
Ashlee Hodda
Hannah Hoyes
Taylah Hubon
Madison Irvine
Asten Jago
Georgia James
Abbi Johnson
Raina Keliher
Josie Kendall
Chelsea Lamb
Taylor Lamb
Lleyton Lamont
Alison Larcombe
Bridget McAllister
Grace Metten
Zoey Mills
Claire Moffat
Sonia Munro
Tessa Neivandt
Riley Norris
William Orrah
Lucy Osborne
Summer Palmer
Jaidin Pineda
Nina Rillera
Kimberly Roper
Amelia Sant
Brock Schmidtke
Mikaela Scholte
Ellie Shanks
Jake Smith
Lachlan Stevens
Matthew Stewart
Chelsey Thompson
Alexander Van Lint
Marissa Van
Moolenbroek
Hayden Vassallo
Bryce Veitch
Dylan Vella
Mignon Viljoen
Grace Vipen
David Wood
Community Awards
Honour Awards
Subject Awards
Back to home
9
Captains
Argos House - Mignon Viljoen & Grant Cordwell
Badila House - Grace Metten & Campbell Behan
Midas House - Matthew Stewart & Lachlan Bulmer
Oraya House - Abbi Johnson & Will Lansbury
Pindar House - Kylie Duncan & Will Cairns
Triton House - Tia-Che Gostelow & Chelsey Thompson
Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
Mr Tim Mulherin (MP, Member for Mackay)
Uniforms Solutions Mackay & PSW Pty Ltd - Technology , Textiles Award
Stabler and Howlett Veterinary Surgeons Mackay - Science Award
Sinn Mining Supervisor Services Pty Ltd - Indigenous Award
Mercy College Mackay P&F - Mercy Award; Cathy Quinn/P&F Bursary; Brother Tom Higgins
Awardees
Male & Female Dux
Mercy Award
Mercy Award Nominations
Brother Tom Award
College Captains
Cultural
Caltex Award
Indigenous Award
P&F / Cathy Quinn Award
Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork
Award
10
Grant Cordwell
Matthew Stewart
Gabrielle Burton
Sowmya Bolla
Matthew Stewart
Shevy-Jean Zerner
Kit Elliot O’Brien
Asten Jago
Nicholas Hilder
Fletcher Vassallo
Argos:
Grant Cordwell & Mignon Viljoen
Badila:
Grace Metten & Campbell Behan
Midas:
Matthew Stewart & Lachlan Bulmer
Gabrielle Burton
Abbi Johnson
Jackson Armstrong
Nicholas Hilder
Matthew Stewart
Nina Rillera
Mignon Viljoen
Grace Falt
Jackson Armstrong
Chloe Godfrey
Mignon Viljoen
Grant Cordwell
Astin Leotta
Pindar:
William Cairns &Kylie Duncan
Oraya:
Abbi Johnson & William Lansbury
Triton:
Chelsey Thompson & Tia-Che Gostelow
Shanae Best
Speech Night 2014
11
Finance Office
Thank you to all the families who have paid their Term 4 fee
account. A reminder that fees are due for payment on or before
Friday 28 November. If you did not receive an account or if you
are having difficulties with the payment of these fees please
contact the Finance Office on 4969 4180 or 4969 4147.
A bit of a laugh
12
Religious Education
Year 9 students were keen to
take up the offer for some
revision work during study class
this week in preparation for their
upcoming Religion exam next
week. Thanks to Mrs Judith
Hodge and Miss Maxine Neaton
for assisting the students.
We wish all the Year 9 students
the best of luck with their test on
The Sacraments of Healing.
God Bless.
Mrs Carmen Bennett Head of Department, Religious Education
Science
Year 9 students in Physics have been studying light. In order to understand how light is reflected and refracted they
dissected a cow’s eye and were able to investigate the role of the cornea, lens, vitreous humour (fluid) and the retina.
Students enjoyed the practical experience which helped to consolidate their knowledge of lenses.
Colourful Retina-at
the back of the eye
Vitreous Humour
Iris
Lens
Mrs Teresa Hackney, Head of Department Science
Back to home
13
Special Children’s Christmas Party
On Saturday 8 November,
Mackay celebrated the Special
Children’s Christmas Party. This
annual local event is sponsored
by many local organisations to
assist children who come from
four major groups: the
terminally ill, the intellectually
impaired, physically impaired
and also the underprivileged. It
provides a wonderful day filled
with entertainment, food and
Santa.
This year Mercy College Mackay was invited to be part of the entertainment. The dance troupe opened the section by
performing their most recent routine that featured at the close of Speech Night. Students from the dance classes also
provided three small ensemble routines choreographed by themselves. Each group performed a Christmas routine giving
the audience the opportunity to groove along to tunes such as Hi-5.
It was a wonderful experience for the students, sharing their talent with other children from the Mackay District who
were captivated by the movement. What a wonderful way to start celebrating the Christmas Season. Thank you to
everyone who supported the students on the day, and well done to the students who performed.
Miss Cassie Gillespie, Dance Teacher
Mindfulness Challenge
We hope you have enjoyed the Mindfulness
Challenges over the last weeks and that they
have been beneficial in some way.
Can you take ‘one moment’ for the last of
the Mindfulness Challenges?
The Student Wellbeing Committee
Back to home
14
Robots show no Mercy
On Friday 31 October we welcomed forty Year 6 and 7 students from our local
Catholic Primary schools to participate in an Extended Learning Program in
Robotics.
Our College has had a very successful year in 2014 in the Robotics program and
we were keen to show the group an exciting and challenging day of workshops
and activities.
Students worked in pairs to build a basic robot and then complete a Mexican
wave. The next challenge was Robot Sumo, where students built their own robot.
Two robots were back to back in the centre of a black ring with a white strip
around the edge. Using light sensor to detect the white strip they were
programmed to move around the ring to attempt to push their opponent out. The
knock-out competition continued until there was only one robot left.
A brilliant day was had by all thanks to supervising staff and assisting Mercy
students.
Back to home
Mr Michael Denman Head of Department Technology
Mr Brendan Gunning Triton House Coordinator
15
Mercy College Wins
Mackay Cycle Challenge ‘Love to Ride’
Throughout October, workmates and
organisations across Mackay competed to see
who could get the biggest percentage of staff
riding a bike.
Mercy College staff took out several of the
top positions including first place in the 5099 Staff category with 87% participation.
Triton House was first in the 7-19 Staff
category (100%) with Badila very close in
third place (92%).
Our IT Manager, Chris Vella took out the
main prize of a new bicycle! Chris now rides
almost every day, and several of our staff won
cinema tickets, coffee vouchers, massages and
other great prizes from local businesses.
Oh, and we also got this awesome chocolate
mud cake - sorry it’s all gone…
Mr Peter Robertson, Guidance Counsellor
and Mercy Coordinator for this event
Back to home
16
Second hand uniforms
Great news!!!
There will be a second hand uniform shop opening at the College in
2015.
If you have uniforms in good condition that you would like to give
away or sell, please contact Cassie Deas on 4969 4177 or email
[email protected]
Ms Cassie Deas, Second Hand Uniform Coordinator
Science Quiz Questions:
1. If molten rock erupts from volcanoes, what comes out of a cryovalcano?
2. How many sides does a nonagon have?
3. What is a circadian rhythm? Is it a) a loud thudding of the heart, b) a sound made by
cicadas, or c) a biological process that follows a 24 hour cycle?
4. What is a turtle’s plastron?
5. True or false? Baleen, the filter-feeder system in whales, is made mostly of the same
protein that makes up the shells of curstaceans.
Tuckshop
The end of the year is approaching fast and it’s time for our
Christmas luncheon to say ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers.
Thank you all for a wonderful year, your assistance is greatly
appreciated.
I have posted out your invitation, if you haven’t received one by
next week please ring me for details. Looking forward to seeing
you all there.
Below is the next fortnightly tuckshop helper roster:Monday 17 November
Tuesday 18 November
Wednesday 19 November
Thursday 20 November
Friday 21 November
Monday 24 November
Tuesday 25 November
Wednesday 26 November
Thursday 27 November
Friday 28 November
Shirley Butler, Tracy Symonds, Mickaila Dobbie,
Assunta Di Francesco
Patricia Anderson, Fiona Bragg, Annamaria Cappello
Selina Bowgett, Judy Orr, Robyn Moschino
Amanda Tomerini, Marianne Sondergeld, Jade Johnson,
Kerry Gallaway
Warvie Preson, Annette Sammut
Sue Shannon, Stacey Brazil, Janet Van Vuren
Deanne Bartolo, Karen Bezzina, Mary Borg
Tracey Davies, Robyn Moschino, Christine Weller
Lorraine Marino, Madonna Blackburn, Deb Weston,
Lynette McCall
Lisa Clifford, Nicole Sanders, Katrina Dunbar,
Michelle Simpson
Mrs Margaret Floyd, Tuckshop Convenor
17
Year 10’s Leaving Mercy College
18
Back to home
19
2014 Yearbooks
Your dedicated Yearbook Students have been busy designing
this year’s fantastic, colourful yearbook.
…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..
STUDENT NAME:____________________________________________ YEAR 8/9/10 HOMEROOM: _______
Number of Yearbooks:______Money Enclosed: ___________
Please choose from the following three options:
1. Deliver the Yearbook to student/sibling’s homeroom.
HOMEROOM: __________________
2. Deliver to my Year 11 student at St Patricks College.____________________
3. I will collect the Yearbook in February 2015 from the Front Office.
If so, please supply email address or phone number so we can contact you when the yearbook is ready for
collection.
EMAIL:__________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER:__________________________________________________
Back to home
20
Cook’s Corner
Apple Crumble
Filling
4 Cooking apples
2 tblsp sugar
1 tblsp butter
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 tblsp water
Topping
½ cup plain flour
½ cup coconut
½ cup oatmeal
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
50g butter
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C, spray baking
dish with cooking spray.
Filling
2. Peel and slice apples.
3. Place butter, apples, sugar, water
and cinnamon in a saucepan over
low heat and cook for 4 – 5 minutes.
Topping
4. Sift flour into a bowl and rub in the
butter until mixture resembles
breadcrumbs.
5. Add sugar, coconut and oatmeal and
combine well or process all
ingredients in a processor.
Assembly
6. Spoon apple mixture into a prepared
baking dish then top with crumble
topping.
7. Bake for 10 minutes at 180°C until
golden brown
Back to home
21
Position Vacant
A Secondary Catholic Co-educational College – Years 7 to 10 in 2015
POSITION VACANT
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION LIAISON OFFICER 20 hrs/week
SO Level 4
Applications are invited for the abovementioned position at the College
We are seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for this permanent part-time position which requires a capable individual
with a high interest and proven ability in the care and guidance of indigenous students and families. Applicants will also be able to
demonstrate the following criteria –
-to work comfortably and directly with adolescents
-to promote all aspects of educational achievement for indigenous students
-to organise cultural and promotional events
-to develop personalised learning plans
-to liaise with parents
-to work with teaching and support staff
Supporting the aims of quality Catholic education is highly important. It is necessary for applicants to have a current Blue Card
(working with children).
A letter of application detailing past experience and resume can be forwarded
The Principal
Mercy College Mackay
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 4969 4199
to:
Applications close Friday 21 Nov 2014
State Election 2015
Towards the State Election 2015 - Key Issue 1
Annual per student funding that keeps pace with the rising costs of education
Catholic schools in Queensland, on average, receive only about 81% of the government funding per student received by state
schools.
According to the latest figures available, Catholic schools, on average, receive $9,238 per student in government funding while state
schools receive $11,440 per student (MySchool website 2012).
Any additional government funding for Catholic schools helps relieve pressure on school fees and assists more families to choose a
Catholic school. This also relieves pressure on state schools and also saves government money.
Catholic education is seeking to work with the next Queensland Government to achieve consistent budget outcomes that will:
o assist Catholic schools to keep pace with rising operating costs
o
ensure that the gap in resourcing between Catholic schools and state schools does not widen.
Click here to read more information about the annual recurrent funding of Catholic schools
or visit www.qcec.catholic.edu.au or www.pandf.org.au and follow the state election links to find out more detail.
22
Community Notices
The Townsville Defence
Force Careers team will be
conducting an information
session at the Sarina RSL in
Central Street, Sarina on
Friday 5 December at
6.30pm.
Please phone 4956 1814 for further information.
Sunday 30th November, 1 – 4pm
Walkerston State School
BBQ provided Slushie Machine Jumping Castle
Water Slides
Trophy presentation
Lucky Door Prize
Girls vs Boys Shoot Out Competition…
Please RSVP to your manager by 24th November for catering
purposes
New club polo shirts will be available
for purchase - $25
Like us on facebook
A Once in a lifetime
opportunity to be at Gallipoli
next ANZAC Day.
You can win a trip for two to Istanbul and Gallipoli in April
2015 by visiting the Australia in the Great War Facebook
and just clicking to enter.
Competition closes 11 November 2014 so hurry to enter
Anzac day 2015 will be a special time as we commemorate
100 years since the Gallipoli landing and being there will be
an amazing experience.
www.facebook.com/AustraliaGreatWar
Competition Closes 11 November 2014
Science Quiz Answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Back to home
23
Volatile materials such as water or methane come out of a cryovolcano.
A nonagon is a nine-sided polygon.
c) A circadian rhythm is a biological process that follows a 24 hour cycle.
A turtle’s plastron is the shell covering its entire underside.
False. The baleen in whales is made up mostly of the protein keratin, while
the shell of crustaceans is mostly made of the protein chitin.