Message from the Principal – Christine Harding

Welcome to the community of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer. Striving for excellence, we are the only specialist all-girls school in the Sutherland Shire.

We are sent forth…….  

Animated by your gospel, O Christ, we accept the challenges of this holy season. Through its graces, may we take up our daily crosses with generosity, courage and love. May we draw near to you each day, preparing ourselves to live as people of resurrection. We ask this in your name, Jesus Christ, our model and guide. Amen. 

Coin Line for Caritas

We are pleased to share the outstanding success of our recent Coin Line initiative, led with great enthusiasm and maturity by our Year 11 and 12 student leaders. This Lenten fundraising effort in support of Caritas brought our school community together in a wonderful display of generosity and compassion. Thanks to the leadership of our senior students and the generous contributions from staff and students alike, we raised $760.00 for Caritas’ Project Compassion, strengthening our community spirit and living out our core Mercy values.

Year 7 Bake Sale for Harmony Day

The event was a wonderful display of community spirit, with our Year 7 Baggot and Coolock students showing outstanding support and enthusiasm for Harmony Day. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, $550.00 was raised for the Catholic Education Foundation. Congratulations to Year 7 on displaying Mercy values of Hospitality and Justice.

Year 12 Student Leadership Afternoon

Last week, our six Year 12 leaders had the wonderful opportunity to join student leaders from across Sydney Catholic Schools for a leadership afternoon at St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove. This student led initiative featured an address from the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Mrs Danielle Cronin, who spoke powerfully about the call to servant leadership. Our students then worked in mixed school groups to share ideas, explore new initiatives, and build valuable connections with peers from other communities, a valuable and inspiring experience for our emerging leaders.

Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8 camp was a joyful and memorable experience, with the girls showing remarkable grit, care, and encouragement toward one another throughout the activities. Each challenge was designed to stretch their skills, push them beyond their comfort zones, and help them discover just how capable they truly are, all accompanied by plenty of laughter and support. I congratulate our Year 8 students on the positive and enthusiastic way they embraced every aspect of the camp and thank Mrs Baila for her leadership and continued care of Year 8.

Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations

Our Year 12 exams are now underway, and it has been pleasing to see students approaching this period with focus and commitment. This is an important time for them to update their study notes, complete past papers, seek feedback from their teachers, and strengthen their understanding across all subjects. Their consistent hard work over the coming week will set them up for success as they move toward their final HSC year.

SCS New Teachers Commissioning Mass @ St Mary’s Cathedral

Last night, we gathered as a Catholic community and as a system of schools for a beautiful Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. It was wonderful to see so many new Catholic educators coming together in faith and fellowship. The celebration was a meaningful and fitting way to welcome the 2026 academic year, reminding us of the shared mission that unites our schools.

Staff Professional Learning Day – Monday 20 April  Monday 20 April will be Staff Professional Learning Day. As a result there will be NO formal classes on this day and students will NOT be required to attend school. Please contact the College if you require supervision for your daughter. School Resumes for Term 2 – Tuesday 21 April All students should come prepared for Day 2.

All families are warmly invited to attend the Good Friday Liturgy at St Aloysius Parish at 10am on Good Friday. Our students will be reverently presenting the Stations of the Cross, offering a meaningful reflection for the Parish on this Holy day. We look forward to gathering together as a community.

Wishing all our students, staff, and families a blessed and joyful Easter as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. May this holy season bring peace, hope, and renewal to all.

Christine Harding, Principal

Principal’s Post on Empowering Young Women

Since 1935, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College has held a legacy of instilling the values of leadership, excellence and service, nurturing confident young women. We empower our girls to make their make on society with confidence and compassion.

Phones at School: Less Learning and More Loneliness

Laptops aren’t great either

Smartphone and laptop use during the school day is increasingly linked to lower academic performance and rising feelings of loneliness among teens. Research across 36 countries shows that students who spend more time on devices for leisure during school experience sharper declines in test scores and greater social isolation. These findings highlight the growing need for schools to limit non educational device use to better support learning and wellbeing. With Australia leading the way on mobile phone restrictions in schools and social media age limits, OLM is proud to be at the forefront by introducing a device free Year 7, a decision grounded in research and centred on supporting student wellbeing.

This article is written by Jean M. Twenge  (17 March 2026)

Author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World (2025), iGen (2017), and Generations (2023, paperback 2025) and professor of psychology at San Diego State University.

The first evidence we had for the impact of smartphones and social media was for teens’ lives outside of school. Teens were spending less time hanging out with their friends, less time sleeping, and more time on screens, often holed up alone in their bedrooms. That’s not a good formula for mental health, and sure enough, teen depression doubled as smartphones and social media took over after 2012.

But what about during school, where teens spend more than 30 hours a week? Those hours, too, are filled with technology. Sometimes that’s for truly educational purposes — they’re working on an essay for English class, reading a science textbook in an online library, or taking notes in class. But not always. Even school issued laptops often allow access to YouTube and streaming (like Netflix, Disney+), allowing students to sit in the back of class and watch endless hours of entertainment. Others play games. Personal smartphones are also a huge distraction: A recent analysis found that American teens spend more than an hour using their phones during the school day, and almost none of that time is spent on educational activities. Instead, teens scroll through social media, watch videos, and play games. Some take videos of their peers without permission, or sneak off to the bathroom to watch TikToks.

Thus, teens are spending about 20% of their time at school not focusing on schoolwork or talking to their peers. That may be one reason why standardised test scores in maths, reading, and science have declined since 2012 and why students have increasingly reported feeling lonely at school. Electronic devices are both distracting in the classroom and isolating in the lunchroom. What impact does that have on teens’ learning and on their mental health?

In a recent paper, my students and I looked into these issues in the PISA dataset of 15 and 16 year olds around the world. In 36 countries, students consistently took standardized tests in math, reading, and science between 2006 and 2022. In 2022, they were asked how much time they spent using electronic devices (like phones, tablets, and laptops) for leisure purposes (like social media or entertainment) during the school day. This varied quite a bit across countries, with students in some countries spending hardly any time on devices for leisure during the school day, and others spending an average of more than two hours.

In countries where students spent a lot of time using devices for leisure during the school day, test scores plummeted between 2012 and 2022. In countries where they spent less time, test scores merely slid. Thus there was a significantly larger decline in scores in the countries where students spent more time using devices for fun during school hours (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Scores on standardized tests of math, reading, and science for 15 and 16 year olds in 36 countries, by low or high use of electronic devices for leisure during the school day. Note: Controlled for GDP per capita. Source: Twenge (2025) using data from PISA.

The consequences of device use aren’t just academic; they are also social and emotional because device use has displaced students talking to each other during lunch and breaks. In countries where students spend more time using devices for leisure during the school day, the percentage of students who agreed “I often feel lonely at school” rose steeply, with the increase much less pronounced in countries with less leisure device use during school (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Feelings of loneliness at school among 15 and 16 year olds in 36 countries, by low or high use of electronic devices for leisure during the school day. Note: Controlled for GDP per capita. Source: Twenge (2025) using data from PISA.

These results show the twin impacts of the leisure use of devices during the school day: declines in test scores and increases in feelings of loneliness at school. They are another piece of evidence suggesting that schools should restrict students’ use of smartphones from bell to bell — not just during class, but also during lunch, breaks, and passing periods. A school where students are talking to each other is less lonely. 

Of course, phones are only part of the problem. The next step is to lock down laptops and tablets so they, too, aren’t being used for social media and entertainment during the school day. Or, especially for younger students, it may be time to go back to paper and pencil — old-school, yes, but with the bonus of no binge-watching YouTube videos during chemistry class. Some states are considering bills outlawing or restricting the use of devices for elementary school students, a welcome step. Sticking with the status quo means lower test scores and more lonely students — not the outcome any of us want.

Upcoming Events @ OLM

Please click on the following link to reserve your place, for catering purposes:

https://www.trybooking.com/DKXJR

A ‘Pink’ Mothers Day Raffle will also be held to raise money for the Cancer Council.

Tickets available from Student Services or at the event.

$2.00 each or 3 for $5.00

Enrolling Now at OLM

Calendar Update

Term 2 Important Dates

 

March

Tuesday 31 March – Wednesday 1 April
Year 11 Retreat @ Benedict Retreat Centre

April

Thursday 2 April
Holy Thursday – Washing of the feet at St Aloysius Church at 7.30pm

Thursday 2 April
Last Day of Term 1 – School will conclude at 12.15pm

Friday 3 April
Good Friday – Stations of the Cross at St Aloysius Cronulla at 10.00am

Monday 20 April
Staff Professional Learning Day

Tuesday 21 April
Students return to commence Term 2

Wednesday 22 April
Debating Commences

Monday 27 April
Anzac Day – Public Holiday

Tuesday 28 April – Thursday 30 April
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Silver Practice Hike

Thursday 30 April
Year 12 Sutherland Shire Tertiary Expo

May

Thursday 7 May
Mother’s Day Breakfast – 7.45am – 8.30pm – Click on link to book your place : https://www.trybooking.com/DKXJR

Friday 8 May
OLM Athletics Carnival – Sylvania Track

Tuesday 26 May – Tuesday 2 June
Years 9 and 10 Assessment Block

June

Wednesday 3 June
SCS Cross Country

Thursday 4 June – Wednesday 10 June
Red Earth Immersion

Friday 5 June
Staff Development Day

Monday 8 June
King’s Birthday – Public Holiday

Monday 22 June – Thursday 25 June
OLM and DLS Musical – Shrek Jnr.

July

Thursday 2 July (PM) – Friday 3 July
Years 7 – 12 Parent / Teacher / Student Interviews

Friday 3 July
End of Term 2

Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

As we move through the penultimate week of Term 1, our Mercy girls continue to impress. To date, a staggering 4,261 merits have been awarded, averaging approximately 9 per student. This is a testament to the positive culture our girls are building.

• Bronze Level: A special mention to those students who have already reached 20 merits.
• Demerits: With only 163 demerits recorded across the entire College (fewer than 3 per student), it is clear that the vast majority of our girls are meeting—and exceeding—our expectations.

In the House competition, Baggot House currently holds a narrow lead. With one week to go, every merit and carnival participation point counts.  Our next opportunity for participation house points is our Athletics Carnival on 8th May.  I look forward to announcing the final Term 1 standings at our assembly in early Term 2.

I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all girls for the immense effort they have put into their studies this term.  Currently, our Year 12 cohort are showing great focus and resilience as they complete their Half-Yearly Examinations, while other year groups are finalizing their various Term 1 assessments. The dedication shown across the College during this busy period is highly commendable.

Library News

To support this academic drive, our library is a hub of collaboration;

• After School: Every Wednesday until 4:00 PM (all year groups) and Monday/Tuesday until 4:00pm for seniors.
• Peer Support: On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, several 2025 graduates have been assisting with assessment preparation.
• Participation: We are averaging 30 students each Wednesday, all working together and seeking assistance from staff and peers.

Attendance

Recent media reports have highlighted a decline in school attendance across NSW. At OLM, we strive for a minimum benchmark of 90% attendance for every student.

“Regular attendance is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students.” > — Sydney Catholic Schools Policy

While many of our girls maintain 100% attendance, we are working closely with those falling below the benchmark. Parents can monitor attendance via the Compass profile. If you see “yellow” or “red” indicators in the attendance table, we encourage you to prioritize a return to regular attendance to avoid the need for a formal Attendance Improvement Plan (AIP).

College Dress Code

Term 2 commences for all students on Tuesday April 21. Please use the upcoming break to ensure your daughter’s winter uniform is organised and at an appropriate length. Students may return in either full summer or winter uniform, however if you wear the winter uniform students are required to wear their blazer each day. Winter uniform is compulsory from Monday 11 May.

• Grooming: Please refer to page 21 of the College Diary regarding nails, jewelry, eyelashes and other grooming requirements.

Please note that adherence to the College Dress Code is not optional. Non-compliance will result in formal consequences:

• General Breaches: Disregarding uniform guidelines will result in a demerit.
• Nails and Eyelashes: Students arriving with acrylic/long nails or false eyelashes will be required to have them removed. In these instances, parents will be contacted to collect their daughter from school to rectify the issue before she can return to class.

Starting the new term with a commitment to the College Dress Code demonstrates respect for our community and our shared high expectations. A lack of respect for the College Dress Code is considered an act of defiance. I ask for your full support in ensuring all students meet our high expectations from Day 1 of the new term.

After a busy nine weeks, we have one final week of learning and connection ahead of us. I wish all members of our OLM community a productive final week and a restful, blessed break when it arrives.

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

Holy Week

We are coming close to the end of the term, and with that, the holiday of Easter. For some of us, this has been a long season. While the solemn forty days of fasting has helped us to prepare, we look forward to fifty days of feasting. As Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time to mourn and a time to dance”. I hope that all of you celebrate Easter with joy. 

I warmly invite you all to join OLM in our Easter celebrations. St Aloysius Church has Holy Thursday Mass at 7.30pm on 2 April. A number of our senior students will have their feet washed, a representation of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. This Mass ends with an opportunity for Eucharistic adoration, praying with Jesus as he asked of his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Good Friday will be held on 3 April. At 10.00am, our students will be putting on a production of the Stations of the Cross at St Aloysius Church, Cronulla. Our students have been working hard to practice the actions, music and readings. This is a great opportunity to partake in the many devotions that will help us unite our own sufferings with the suffering of Christ.

Mercy Action Group

Mercy Action Group is a student led, student centred Mercy initiative held here at Our Lady of Mercy College. It is held in the Chapel on every second Tuesday. MAG seeks to provide activities and initiatives to connect students with the wider community through action such as making cards, knitting for Winter appeal and other such activities. MAG is available to all students across the school from Year 7 to Year 12. This is a great way to earn Mercy Excellence Hours and to contribute to the wider Cronulla Community. We hope to see all students making MAG a priority next term. If you have questions about MAG, come and speak to Mr Bailey or Mr Anderson.

Year 9 Mercy Formation Day

On 25 March, ten of our Year 9 students represented our College at the Mercy Formation Day held at OLMC Parramatta. The day had a primary focus on local environments and what we as Mercy schools can contribute to ecology in our region. 

AMSSA Conference

This week, ten of our Year 10 students represented the College at the first AMMSA Conference. This is an online Conference, linking all Mercy Schools in Australasia with each other to discuss the Mercy Charism and how it is evolving for not only the twenty first century, but in our regional and national context. This has allowed for our students to engage with students in an open plenary to discuss challenges, opportunities and initiatives to bring mercy to our Communities. 

Senior Retreat

A reminder to all parents with students in Year 11. The Senior Retreat will  be held from the 31 March until the 1 April. A reminder that permission needs to be actioned. These opportunities to go on Retreat are always beneficial to students, especially in light of the busyness of the term. I offer my many thanks for your continued support with your daughters as they begin their senior studies.

Have a blessed Easter and I look forward to seeing you again in term 2.

Ian Anderson, Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Operations – Luke Reynolds

Luke Reynolds, Leader of Operations

Debating and Public Speaking News – Susan Kamp

Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition – Celebrating Our Talented Speakers

We were delighted to have four of our students represent the school in the prestigious Rostrum Voice of Youth Competition, a highly regarded public‑speaking event held Australia‑wide. With more than 350 competitions taking place across NSW alone, the standard is exceptionally high, and it was wonderful to see our girls step confidently onto that stage.

Public speaking is no small feat, yet each of our competitors delivered their speeches with poise, clarity, and genuine passion. This year’s topics invited thoughtful reflection, and our students rose to the challenge with maturity and creativity.

Although they did not progress to the next round, their performances were impressive and demonstrated both courage and skill. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented our school and embraced the opportunity to grow as communicators.

Their efforts remind us that competitions like these are not only about winning—they are about finding one’s voice, stepping outside comfort zones, and celebrating the power of ideas.

We congratulate all four students, Year 8 competitors Emma Broadhurst, Sienna Lauro, Ellanore Cooper, and Year 10’s Sophie George, on their excellent achievement.

Ms Susan Kamp (Co-ordinator Public Speaking and Debating)

Join us on Social Media

Keep up to date with our social events and day to day achievements by joining our social medial platforms :

Instagram and Facebook.

Year 7 News – Mr Reece Bailey

Year 7 Bake Sale – A Sweet Success

Last Friday, our Year 7 students from Coolock and Baggot brought an extraordinary burst of energy, teamwork, and generosity to the school courtyard as they hosted their first Bake Sale Fundraiser of the year. The morning was filled with colour, excitement, and the irresistible aroma of homemade treats, all thanks to the incredible efforts of our enthusiastic Year 7 girls.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our Year 7 students for their dedication and positivity. They have shown what it means to live out the Mercy ethos in both action and attitude. We also acknowledge and thank our Year 7 families for raising such thoughtful, community minded young women. Your support, encouragement, and contributions behind the scenes helped make the day such a success.

Coolock and Baggot should feel incredibly proud. Their bake sale was more than a fundraiser, it was a celebration of teamwork, generosity, and the bright spirit of our Year 7 cohort. We look forward to seeing what they achieve next. Frayne and Doyle will have their opportunity for their own bake sale in Term 4.

Finally I just want thank everyone for an excellent term and I hope Year 7 students and families enjoy the Easter break. See you all in Term 2.

Reece Bailey, Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 7

Year 8 News – Mrs Maria Biala

Year 8 has had a fantastic term filled with growth, connection and achievement. A highlight was undoubtedly our recent camp at the Tops Conference Centre, where the girls embraced every opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones and got involved in a wide range of outdoor activities. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and resilience on display, as well as the way they supported one another throughout the experience. Camp provided a special space for new friendships to form and for existing ones to grow even stronger.

It has also been great to see Year 8 so actively supporting our fundraising initiatives, particularly for our Harmony Day Bake Sale and our Project Compassion Coin Line. Their generosity and willingness to contribute to these important initiatives and their drive to do what is best for others truly reflects the spirit of our cohort. They are living out our Year 8 theme of Giving Back and I’m so proud of them and all their efforts.

In the classroom, the girls have also demonstrated excellent effort in their learning and in working on their assessment tasks. It has been pleasing to see such a strong work ethic across the cohort, as well as the way they encourage and support one another to achieve their best. Our Mercy Value of Excellence is clearly alive in both their attitude and application.

It has been a great term for Year 8 and we are all incredibly proud of all they have achieved so far. We now look forward with excitement to what Term 2 has in store for the girls.

I wish all our Year 8 families a Happy and Holy Easter and a safe and restful holiday break.

Maria Biala, Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8

Year 9 News – Mr Christopher Shelston

As we reach the end of Term 1, it has been wonderful to see Year 9 find their rhythm and settle confidently into the year. The last few weeks have been particularly busy academically, with students completing their first round of assessments alongside NAPLAN testing. This was also the first time Year 9 completed a full set of school examinations in the hall, and they approached the process with maturity and calm. For many, it was a valuable learning experience, understanding exam protocols, managing time under formal conditions, and navigating the expectations of a senior style assessment environment. These skills will serve them well as they progress through the College.

Throughout this period, many students demonstrated strong organisation and commitment to their learning, including those who regularly attended Open Learning on Wednesday afternoons. I strongly encourage all Year 9 students to make use of this valuable support as we move into Term 2. Students can also continue to build their study habits by accessing the Study Skills Handbook via the link below: The Study Skills Handbook

As we head into the holiday break, routines naturally shift, and this can sometimes impact student wellbeing. I encourage families to take the time to check in, have open conversations, and support your daughter in maintaining a healthy balance of rest, connection, and activity. The following resources may be helpful:

Students: https://au.reachout.com/
Parents: https://parents.au.reachout.com/

I would also like to acknowledge the positive way many Year 9 students have contributed to our school community this term whether through their learning, their friendships, or their growing sense of responsibility. Term 2 will bring new opportunities, and I look forward to seeing Year 9 continue to grow in confidence, independence, and maturity. If you have concerns regarding your daughter’s wellbeing, academic progress, or social dynamics, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Wishing all families a safe, restful, and enjoyable break, and a happy and peaceful Easter.

Christopher Shelston – Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 9

Year 10 News – Ms Courtney Kramer

As we near the end of Term 1, I wanted to share how impressed I have been with the maturity and focus displayed by our Year 10 students. They have approached their recent exam block with a mature attitude and have maintained a positive, respectful presence around the school. It is wonderful to see them not only engaging with their current studies but also beginning to think seriously about their future career paths.

In their last year assembly Year 10 students were introduced to the OLM Work Experience program. The key updates on how work experience will run this year include:

Flexible Timing: Unlike previous years, there is no compulsory week of work experience. Instead, students can attend placements at various times throughout the year. This flexibility allows employers to better support our students at times that suit their specific industries.

Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for sourcing their own placements. Please be aware that some fields can be highly competitive or difficult to secure.

Paperwork & Deadlines: All necessary documentation must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the placement.

High-Risk Placements: Certain industries (e.g., construction, animal-related fields) require additional paperwork due to the nature of the work.

Accessing Forms: All required forms and information are available on the Work Experience Site. 

To assist with their career journey, students recently completed My Career Match, a personality based career profile. This tool generates a detailed report suggesting career paths that align with their individual strengths and traits.

I encourage you to review this report with your child. It is important to remember that these suggestions are not definitive; rather, they serve as a brilliant starting point for conversations about roles they may not have previously considered and why certain occupations might suit their personality.

Students have also been provided with links via Google Classroom to further their research. I recommend exploring these sites together:

• JobJump (School code: olomcb)
• Beyond
• MyFuture

For more information students can speak to our Leader of Pathways, Ms Lisa Formica. 

I look forward to Term 2 supporting Year 10 as they navigate these exciting first steps toward their future careers.

Courtney Kramer, Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 10

Years 11 and 12 News – Mrs Ellouise Bernie

Years 11 and 12 are having a strong finish to the term with a range of school events and Year 12 Half Yearly Examinations.

Over the last few weeks our Year 12 Leaders have engaged with a number of events to develop their leadership skills and meet students from a variety of schools.

Our Year 11 and 12 students were fortunate to be visited by Uncle Bruce in our Year Assembly period. The session focused on students developing their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and history, along with linking to a variety of relevant Stage 6 curriculums. Students engaged deeply with this session and took the opportunity to challenge themselves by questioning their preconceptions. 

Going into our first term break for the year, I encourage our Year 11 and 12 students to plan their non-term time effectively to balance a break from the routine of the school day with being productive in their study towards their HSC. Students should talk to their teachers about the most beneficial way to work independently for each subject over the break and engage with their personal learning goals. 

Ellouise Bernie – Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Years 11 and 12

Year 12 News

On Friday 13 March, the Year 12 leadership team and I attended the Student Leadership Conference at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove. When we arrived, we had the chance to mingle with student leaders from a range of Sydney Catholic schools.

The Co-Captains of St Ursula, opened the conference with a ‘This or That’ icebreaker, which was a fun and relaxed way to get to know one another. After a group photo, we found seats and settled in to listen to the first speaker. 

Danielle Cronin, the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, spoke to us about her experiences in leadership. She shared insights into the challenges she has faced, the importance of staying true to your values, spoke about how to be a successful leader and other individuals who have been successful in leadership. Her message encouraged us to think about the kind of leaders we want to be. 

Following Danielle Cronin, leaders from St Mary’s Cathedral College and St Ursula’s spoke about their different leadership styles. Throughout both talks, all of us leaders had the opportunity to ask questions. Finally, as table groups we completed three activities which involved us discussing the array of different initiatives each school has.

Over the course of the conference, we met new people, learned about other schools’ initiatives and gained inspiration that we hope to use to expand our initiatives at our school.

Amelia Gray, Year 12 

Technical and Applied Studies Faculty – Alexandra Chapman

Year 11 Hospitality

So proud of our Year 11 hospitality students — this week learning ‘Cuts and Mise en place’.

Cuts and Mise en place is the vital practice of gathering, preparing and organising all ingredients and tools before commencement of cooking. Well done, hospitality students with their hands on learning.

Alexandra Chapman, Instructional Leader of Curriculum – TAS

Science Faculty – Declan Hoban

Marine Studies

Term 1 has been an exciting and productive start for our Marine Studies students! We’ve
combined classroom learning with outdoor, hands on experiences along our stunning Shire
coastline.

Our term began with Core 1: Safety, where students developed essential knowledge and
practical skills for working safely in aquatic environments. A highlight was achieving the
NSW Surf Life Saving Surf Survival Certification during a fantastic day at Cronulla. Students
demonstrated resilience and teamwork while practising surf awareness, rescue techniques,
and personal safety skills under ideal conditions.

The class’s commitment to environmental stewardship was evident through participation in Clean Up Australia Day. Our students worked along the stretch between Greenhills Beach and Wanda Beach, collecting significant amounts of plastic waste. This activity deepened their understanding of marine pollution, particularly the impact of microplastics on coastal ecosystems.

To finish the term, students are exploring the curious world of Marine Mammals. This module
includes an independent research project on a Marine Mammal of choice. This task has
strengthened the class’s scientific research, critical thinking, and presentation skills, with
students delivering engaging and informative presentations.

We’re looking forward to a return to an adventurous and exploratory Term 2.

Declan Hoban, Instructional Leader of Curriculum – Science

Instructional Leader – Co-Curricular – Danielle Polson

The following link has important information from Sydney Catholic Schools regarding sport.

https://sport.syd.catholic.edu.au/

Touch Football

Congratulations to our OLM Junior Touch Football Champions and Intermediate Touch Football Champions. 

The Junior team beat Penshurst Marist 6-3 in a hard fought final.

Water Polo

Water polo winners are grinners!

Congratulations to our OLM Junior Water Polo Team who defeated St Pats 11-5 in the final.

Our OLM Intermediate Water Polo Team were also victorious in their final, Congratulations ladies.

Conference 3 Swimming

The OLM Burraneer swim squad delivered an outstanding night of racing at the 2026 Conference 3 Swimming Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Against strong competition from across Conference 3, our athletes showed exceptional determination, sportsmanship, and team spirit. The team demonstrated depth across all age groups. Several swimmers claimed podium finishes, broke meet records, and contributed to dominant relay performances.

Gold Medallists

• Stella Bloom- 15 Years 50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke 
• Charli Moses- 15 Years 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly
• Georgia Pyper- 15 Years 100m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly 
• OLM 15–16 Girls Relay Team-  200m Freestyle Relay- Andie Smith, Montana Smith, Georgia Pyper and Charli Moses
• OLM 15–16 Girls Relay Team- 200m Medley Relay- Charli Moses, Stella Bloom, Georgia Pyper and Andie Smith

Silver Medallists

• Annabel Magafa- 12-13 Years 100m Butterfly
• Georgia Pyper- 15 Years 50m Freestyle

Bronze Medallists

• Josie Davis- 14 Years 50m Freestyle
• Emma Romyn- 16 Years 100m Breaststroke
• Olivia Wrighter- 12-13 years 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle 

New Records

Georgia Pyper set a new record for the 15 Years 100m Backstroke

Charli Moses set a new record for the 15 Years 100m Freestyle.

Congratulations to our Intermediate Girls who were the Intermediate Girls Pointscore Champions.

Congratulations to Sunday Bloom, Stella Bloom, Veronica Rogers and Olivia Wrighter who represented Conference 3 at the SCS Sydney Swimming Championships.

Best of luck to Olivia Wrighter and Stella Bloom who will represent SCS at the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Carnival in April.

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships

Congratulations to Jayde Hartup who was a Finalist in the U15 Beach Flags at ‘Aussies’, finishing in 9th Place.

Congratulations also to :

Liesl Spinner – U15 Ironwoman – 12th Place

Georgia Pyper, Andie Smith, Montana Smith and Liesl Spinner – U15 Cameron – 7th Place

Charli Moses U14 Surf Race and Ironwoman – Finalist

Kate McGuinness U13 Surf Team – 7th and U13 Cameron Final – 12th

NSW State Track and Field Championships

Congratulations to Scout Koernig, who had a fabulous two days at NSW Athletics State Track and Field championships, taking home 2 Silver medals: in the 12G 800m and 1500m, both with new personal best times.

Danielle Polson, Instructional Leader Co-Curricular

HSIE Faculty News – Mrs Karla Treeves

ANZAC Care Package Project 2026

Over the last couple of weeks our OLM Community have helped to support our Aussie heroes. The Engadine RSL sub-Branch collected donations for deployed soldiers who won’t be home this ANZAC Day. We wanted to send them a taste of home to show our support at this very meaningful time of year for soldiers.

Thank you to our College community who generously donated goodies for donation to our deployed soldiers.

Mrs Karla Treeves, Instructional Leader of Curriculum – HSIE

Creative and Performing Arts Faculty – Verneen Mason

Verneen Mason, Instructional Leader Creative and Performing Arts

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships – Lisa Formica

Year 9

In 2026, Careers Education at OLM starts formally in Year 9. We are using a program called BECOME education to expand our students’ understanding of the different occupations and careers available in the world today. BECOME builds students’ curiosity about the world of work, boosting their skills and awareness about why and how people work, and the many opportunities open to them. On Thursday 26 March all students in Year 9 will undertake the first component of this. It will continue each term and will culminate in Term 4 with a Mock Interview day.

Year 10

For Year 10, our work experience program for 2026 is no longer a compulsory week in Term 4. It is now available to students throughout the year. Last week students were presented with an introduction to work experience, and provided the information to start preparing. This site contains all information.

Year 10 students also undertook “MyCareerMatch”. MyCareerMatch is a personalised tool to discover their strengths and identify potential career paths. Students gain insight into their personality traits and use this information to explore career options. Parents may have received a copy of their daughter’s report (if your daughter entered your phone number to allow it to be sent to you). It is important to note this is not to lock students into a career but to open up a conversation on how their personality strengths lean towards certain career options.

Year 11

Next term Year 11 will undertake an excursion to the HSC and Careers Expo at Randwick. This will enable them to visit universities, TAFE, private providers and employers all in one place to gather information on what may relate to them. As part of this excursion, we will begin the day with a tour of Ultimo TAFE and UTS. More details to come via compass.

Year 12

As Year 12 are currently undertaking their Half Yearly Examinations, their focus is on achieving the best results possible. When we return in Term 2, students will start to prepare their early entry applications for university. Early next term I will provide students with information regarding the various early entry programs and which institutions offer early entry. This is only one small avenue to access entry to university. All pathways to university will be addressed over the coming terms.

EMPOWER Lunches

Empower lunches will commence again next term. Different speakers will be provided each week during lunch time to discuss their occupation in a casual, informal way with students from any year group. This is a great way for students to hear about the day to day duties of a role, and the different ways to enter that role, from someone still working.

It is also a fabulous networking opportunity for students to develop connections they may not otherwise have.

If you are interested in assisting with a casual half hour chat to our students about your position, I would love to hear from you. Please email lisa.formica@syd.catholic.edu.au.

UNSW

Year 10 Information Evening: Subject Selection | 6–7pm | Online 31 March

Year 10 students are invited to our online information evening later this month, designed to help them navigate the HSC subject selection process, gain insight into transitioning into the senior years of high school and beyond, and provide an early understanding of how to plan for their future university pathways. Registrations now open  

UNSW Health Sciences & Optometry Information Evening | 6–7pm 22 April

Are your Year 11 or 12 students interested in studying health? Our upcoming online session will explore UNSW’s programs across optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, exercise science, exercise physiology, and dietetics & food innovation. Students will learn everything they need to know for 2027 entry. Registrations now open  

UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture Information Evening | 6–7pm 29 April

Our upcoming info evening is designed to help Year 11 and 12 students explore their future with UNSW’s Arts, Design & Architecture. The online session will feature Founding Dean Professor Claire Annesley, alongside current students and alumni. Students will discover our degree options, admission pathways and more, and take part in a live Q&A. Registrations now open  

UNSW Engineering Work Experience Programs | EOIs open 1 April

UNSW Engineering’s Year 10 Work Experience Programs will be offered from 19–23 October 2026. Students will be able to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for either Chemical Engineering or Solar & Renewable Energy Engineering. These programs provide students with practical, hands-on insight into what it’s like to study and work in these engineering fields. EOIs open Wednesday, 1 April and close Sunday, 10 May via the webpage.

UOW

Information Evenings 

We’re inviting all high school students and their parents and carers to join us as we answer all common questions that students have about starting university study. UOW staff and current students will be on hand to make sure you have all of your questions answered at the one time in the one place. 

Please see details of the Sutherland information evening: 

Date: Monday 30 March

Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm 

Venue: Gymea Tradies

Students & families can register now: https://www.uow.edu.au/study/events/info-evening/ 

Western Sydney University

Discover Western Webinars

Our 2026 Discover Western webinar series featured webinars aimed at Educators, Parents and Students. Watch the webinars on demand to hear all about our early offer program, alternative entry, Scholarships and student life. 

• Discover Western – Your Pathway from TAFE to University | Tuesday 28th April, 7:00pm
• Discover Western – For Parents and Supporters: Your Role and How You Can Help Guide Them to University | Monday 4th May, 7:00pm
• Discover Western – Pathways, Alternative Entry and Early Offers | Tuesday 9th June, 5:00pm
• Discover Western – Uni Life, and Making the Most of Your Time At Uni | Tuesday 28th July, 5:00pm
• Discover Western – Scholarships | Tuesday 18th August, 5:00pm

Register here

UCAT – for medicine and dentistry entry 2027 

UCAT 2026: Booking is now open at this link

Lisa Formica, Leader of Pathways and Partnerships