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.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we observe Ash Wednesday, we embark on a journey of reflection and growth. The season of lent reminds us of the importance of humility and the opportunity to renew our commitment to kindness and compassion.

A Lenten Prayer

We gather…

O God, purify our lips that we may sing your praise. Saving God, come near to us. Give us new hearts that we may love as Jesus loved and bring healing to those who are fragile and afraid. We ask this through Jesus your Son. Amen.

We listen…                                         

We are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you. “See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!  

2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

Jesus said to his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For those who  want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?”

Luke 9:23-25

Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College

As we commemorate the 90th anniversary of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College, I am proud as Principal to reflect on nine decades of inspiring, empowering, and educating young women in the Sutherland Shire. This milestone is a time for reflection, gratitude, and reminiscing about the journey that has shaped our College.

The story of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College began in 1935 when the Sisters of Mercy opened the doors to a modest cottage next to Stella Maris Aged Care in Cronulla. Their vision was clear: to create a space where young women could receive not only an education but also the tools to lead, serve, and learn. From these humble beginnings, the College has grown into the vibrant and dynamic community it is today.

Over the years, the College has witnessed significant change and growth. In 1960, we expanded and moved to our current campus on Dominic Street. In 2015, we embraced a name that reflects our proud history and commitment to the future — Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer. 

Throughout this journey, the College has remained grounded in the Mercy values of Excellence, Hospitality, Justice, Stewardship, Service, Compassion, and Dignity. These values are more than just words; they are the foundation of our College, guiding our teaching, service, and learning.

Our motto, “Encouraging Girls and Empowering Women,” encapsulates our mission. It is these values that have helped us create a community where young women are encouraged to be their best selves and make a meaningful impact in the world. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we look forward to continuing our legacy of excellence and empowerment for many more years to come.

Our Alumni Morning Tea on Saturday 8 March was a resounding success, with over 170 alumni gathering to celebrate and reminisce about their time at OLM. The event was filled with warmth and nostalgia as alumni fondly recalled their time at OLM. It was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, faculty, and staff, and to feel the love and camaraderie that has always been at the heart of our OLM community.

The memories shared and the connections rekindled served as a reminder of the strong bond that ties us all together, no matter where life has taken us since those cherished school days. 

International Women’s Day – Saturday 8 March

International Women’s Day, celebrated in many countries across the globe, is a day dedicated to recognising and honoring the achievements of women in all spheres of life. Born out of the labor movements of the early 20th century in North America and Europe, this important day has evolved into a global celebration of women’s contributions and a call to action for gender equality.

It is fitting that we celebrated this day at our Alumni – 90 Years Morning Tea where we reflected on the remarkable legacy of Mercy women. These women have been pioneers, leaders, and advocates in their communities, inspiring generations to strive for excellence and equality.

Open Evening

Our recent Open Evening on Tuesday 3 March was a tremendous success, with a warm and inviting atmosphere that welcomed a great number of new OLM families. Congratulations to our tour guides, who respectfully and passionately spoke to all families about our school. Their contribution made the evening special for our new families.

Our dedicated teachers were on hand to showcase their commitment to providing a high-quality education. Families were also impressed by our excellent facilities, which support a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. I am proud of our students who volunteered to assist and showcase our school. They shared their experiences, highlighting the vibrant and supportive community that defines us at OLM.

Sydney Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition 2025

A huge congratulations to Saoirse O’Brien (Year 9), who triumphed in the qualifying finals of the SCS Public Speaking Competition last Friday evening at Marist College Kogarah. Saoirse has worked incredibly hard over the past three weeks, and we are thrilled to announce that she will be competing in the Grand Final this Friday night at Marist College North Shore. This event features participation from over 75 high schools across the Greater Sydney Area, with more than 500 students entering this year.  An outstanding achievement.

Christine Harding, Principal

Message from the Holy Father

The pope (Latin: papa, from Ancient Greek: πάππας, romanized: páppas, lit. ‘father’)^[2][3] is the bishop of Rome and the visible head^[a] of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff,^[b] Roman pontiff,^[c] or sovereign pontiff. The institution is known as the Papacy. From the eighth century until 1870, the pope was the sovereign or head of state of the Papal States, and since 1929 of the much smaller Vatican City state

Message of the Holy Father Pope Francis for Lent 2025

The following is the text of the Holy Father Francis’ Message for Lent 2025, on the theme “Let us journey together in hope”:

Let us journey together in hope

Dear brothers and sisters,

We begin our annual pilgrimage of Lent in faith and hope with the penitential rite of the imposition of ashes. The Church, our mother and teacher, invites us to open our hearts to God’s grace, so that we can celebrate with great joy the paschal victory of Christ the Lord over sin and death, which led Saint Paul to exclaim: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:54-55). Indeed, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is the heart of our faith and the pledge of our hope in the Father’s great promise, already fulfilled in his beloved Son: life eternal (cf.Jn 10:28; 17:3).[1]

This Lent, as we share in the grace of the Jubilee Year, I would like to propose a few reflections on what it means to journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community.

First of all, to journey. The Jubilee motto, “Pilgrims of Hope”, evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. This arduous path from slavery to freedom was willed and guided by the Lord, who loves his people and remains ever faithful to them. It is hard to think of the biblical exodus without also thinking of those of our brothers and sisters who in our own day are fleeing situations of misery and violence in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.

Second, to journey together. The Church is called to walk together, to be synoda[2]Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters.[3]Journeying together means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (cf.Gal 3:26-28). It means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded. Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.

This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves in the presence of the Lord whether, as bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity in the service of the Kingdom of God, we cooperate with others.

Third, let us journey together in hope, for we have been given a promise. Maythe hope that does not disappoint(cf.Rom5:5), the central message of the Jubilee,[5]be the focus of our Lenten journey towards the victory of Easter. As Pope Benedict XVI taught us in the EncyclicalSpe Salvi, “the human being needs unconditional love. He needs the certainty which makes him say: ‘neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Rom8:38-39)”.[6]Christ, my hope, has risen![7]He lives and reigns in glory. Death has been transformed into triumph, and the faith and great hope of Christians rests in this: the resurrection of Christ!

Source: Vatican News:https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2025/02/25/250225b.html

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.

Below is a case study from The Australian newspaper (Stephen Lunn, 7 January 2025), building on last week’s article about managing anxiety in young people. This case study explores the negative impact of overprotective behaviors and excessive intervention in managing anxiety among young people. It highlights how such actions, often fueled by parents and teachers, can reinforce anxiety instead of helping children build resilience, and advocates for a healthier approach where anxiety is viewed as a normal emotion to be faced and managed.

How Anxiety can Develop

Case study of Mary*

By Dr Danielle Einstein and Dr Judith Locke

Mary was always a bit of an anxious child and it seemed to be getting worse each year. Because of her nerves about her race in the primary school swimming carnival, her parents allowed her to miss it and for her and her mother to see the new Disney movie instead.

Her parents hoped this would make her feel special and more confident. But it stopped Mary from going and realising that it wasn’t as bad as she imagined. Worse, this meant Mary expected to avoid the athletics carnival too, and that morning, she cried and screamed until her parents agreed.

Mary also reported some anxieties at her new high school. Many of her primary school friends went to different schools and she had to make new friends, which felt tricky for her. Her parents checked in daily to see what had happened, but their discussion focused much more on her challenges than the good things – making her feel her school experience was much worse than it is.

When giving a speech in English, one of her cards was out of order and she told her parents how mortifying it was. Her father – keen to help her – emailed the English teacher about her performance anxiety. The teacher offered to assess her next speech without the class present. This felt better for everyone, but Mary didn’t get a further chance to learn that she could get through making a minor mistake. In fact, the adjustment made Mary think she could only do difficult tasks if she had special accommodations.

Sometimes, when Mary is very emotional, her parents allow her to stay home for a “mental health day” (the occasional day is not a problem, right?). But Mary is then allowed to be on her tablet or play video games, and this makes her want to retreat into her devices, rather than deal with the ups and downs of typical school days and friendships.

Her family observe that she spends more time scrolling a screen and less time with them or extended family, and blame it on her sensitivity when with other people. Mary starts following certain people online who primarily discuss their emotional challenges and sees her similarity to these people. She starts to think of herself as being very different from the people who can deliver speeches and participate in competitions.

Mary believes her anxiety is permanent and that considerate adults should not make her face challenges that make her feel nervous. When Mary came to the psychologist, she believed therapy would simply be listening to her issues that week to support her. While this was a small part of it, the psychologist knew effective treatment was going to involve ironing out all the factors that kept Mary’s anxiety going. Special accommodations, long discussions about nerves, and inadvertent rewards of avoiding challenge might have made Mary feel better, but were cementing her anxiety. Importantly,

Mary needed to slowly learn to face difficult things, and those around her needed to encourage this.

It was hard work for all, but the only way for her to improve was to push through it all and truly realise her potential. Treatment only took a few months.

She is now doing well in Year 9 – on the B Netball team, in the musical, and thinking about becoming a teacher.

* Mary is an anonymised composite of a number of cases.

OLM Open Day 2025

90 Years Anniversary – Alumni Morning Tea Gallery

Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

Over the past few weeks, our College community has come together for several whole-school events, and I would like to congratulate our students on their enthusiasm, participation, and positive attitude. While there is always room to improve, it is wonderful to reflect on the success of these occasions and the strong sense of community they foster.

Our Swimming Carnival was a fantastic event, with high attendance and incredible house spirit on display. The energy from the cheering was so strong that we were even told we were “too loud”—a wonderful demonstration of the encouragement and support our students showed for their peers. It was heartening to see camaraderie shine through, regardless of year level, as students cheered on their housemates. I am already looking forward to the Athletics Carnival later in the year—let’s see if we can take the cheering to an even higher level.  Congratulations to Baggot House, the winning house on the day.

The strong connection students have with each other and their pride in our College was also evident at Open Night. When I asked for volunteers to serve as tour guides or assist in classrooms, the response was overwhelming. It was wonderful to see so many students eager to showcase our school to prospective students and their families. Those who participated have been acknowledged with merit awards and the opportunity to count their contributions toward their Mercy Service Hours. The feedback from visitors was incredibly positive, with many commenting on how delightful and happy our students were.

In addition, we recently came together in faith for our Ash Wednesday Mass, joining with other schools in our precinct for a meaningful start to Lent. We also had the privilege of hosting our 90th Year Alumni Morning Tea, an event that highlighted the deep connection between past and present students. The pride and sense of belonging within our community were evident in both gatherings, reinforcing what it means to be part of OLM.

However, as we reach the midpoint of the term, it is important to remind all students of the College expectations that are not open to interpretation or discussion.

Regular attendance is essential for learning and engagement in school life. Arriving on time is particularly important, as Homeroom provides key announcements and ensures students are prepared for the day ahead. Additionally, Thursday Sport plays a vital role in promoting teamwork and participation in school activities beyond the classroom. All students who take part in offsite sporting activities are transported back to school and dismissed at the regular time of 2:50 pm. There is no need for parents to collect their daughters from sporting venues. If an early pickup is required due to an appointment, parents must communicate this via email prior to the commencement of sport.

The use of mobile phones is not permitted on College grounds at any time, including recess, lunch, before and after school. Phones that are confiscated will be taken to Student Services and can only be collected at the end of the school day. Mobile phones are not an essential part of classroom learning; are therefore, not required in the classroom and often serve as a distraction.

While laptops are an important tool in the classroom, there have been instances where students have used them to record videos of themselves or others during lessons. This is a distraction from learning, and I encourage all parents to speak with their daughters about the appropriate and respectful use of technology during school hours.

The OLM uniform is a visible representation of our College in the wider community, and it is essential that it is worn correctly at all times. Students are well aware of the uniform expectations, and I ask for the support of parents in ensuring these standards are upheld.  

Thank you for your ongoing support in reinforcing these expectations. By working together, we can continue to foster a respectful and focused learning environment for all students.  Participation in all avenues of the College and the following of College rules ensures that OLM is a place of learning and continual growth.

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal

Year 7 Camp

During Week 4 of this term, Year 7 left for an exciting two days away on Camp at The Collaroy Centre. During our time away we participated in a number of fun activities that helped us face our fears and truly develop as a new team of young women. 

On Monday morning we left for the Collaroy Centre wondering what new experiences we would be facing. That day we were divided into 6 groups with around 20 girls in each and we participated in three activities. Those were either the drop pole, bubble soccer, laser tag, giant swing, initiative and high ropes. We were challenged with tasks that needed teamwork and tasks we needed to complete independently. 

For example, during the drop pole activity, we had to pair up and climb a 12 metre pole. Once at the top we needed to walk off. The experience was hard, and took courage to overcome, for it’s unnatural to just walk off such a high place. However, all the girls were supporting from below, and helping the two climbers.

On the contrary, the giant swing was an activity with a core of teamwork. Once we were strapped into our harness, we were pulled up by none other than our peers. We had to pull a large rope, until the very top or till the person strapped in the harness was at the desired height. This activity was fun for everyone, because the height of how far you were dropped was entirely up to you.

On Monday night we participated in numerous games where we created a fun team name and competed against each other. Some of these games were, who has the best party trick, who has the best joke, flinch and four corners. When we went back to our rooms some of us went to sleep as soon as our head hit the pillow. We had a big day!

On Tuesday we did the two activities we hadn’t completed on the previous day and then hopped on the bus and traveled back to the College. We would like to thank the teachers who supervised us: Mrs Biala, Mrs Callanan, Mrs McNamara, Mr Lee, Ms Riga, Mrs Owens, Mrs Redman, Mrs Shawcross and Ms Burden. Thank you for taking time away from your families to be with us. 

In conclusion, we had a great time and a successful camp. As a year group we got to know each other better and engaged in new experiences. The girls had an amazing amount of enthusiasm and a positive attitude. We had an amazing time and can’t wait to go on future camps together again.

By Lillian Greaves, Tahlia Hore and Emily Parsonage (Year 7)

Parent Information

School student travel information for parents and students School Travel Passes Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply or update their details as soon as possible. In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.  Terms of Use Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use . This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times. All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel. From the Stakeholder Liaison Team, Customers Systems and Operations. Further information can be found at transportnsw.info/school-students Enquiries can be submitted at transportnsw.info/passes-concessions-feedback

Calendar Update

Upcoming Dates

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

Shrove Tuesday

On Shrove Tuesday 4 March, Ms Mahoney led our Year 11 and 12 students took part in a delicious and meaningful tradition by making pancakes to raise funds for Project Compassion. The event was a great success, with students coming together to show their support for this important charity. A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this fundraiser such a tasty success. Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of many.

Ash Wednesday

Lent is a time of Preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A period of 40 days we fast, give alms and pray. As a College, we attended Mass with Fr James at St Aloysius Cronulla. We also received the ashes, a sign dating back to the Old Testament where Jewish people would mark themselves with ashes as a sign of repentance.

During lent we are called to fast (give up something). This could be anything that keeps us from living in a relationship with God. It might be food, but it could also be social media or a negative issue like procrastination. It is with this idea that we hope to make more room in our life to pray, the second pillar of Lent. Finally we are called to give charity. 

With this in mind, I have been reminded of a story I heard about a young woman who went to Vietnam. She went to the markets where she saw clothing being sold very cheaply. She negotiated harshly to receive a great discount that the store vendor had to accept to feed his family. Later that day she went to an expensive restaurant where she was served and ended up leaving a very generous tip. I find it interesting that we are more inclined to be generous to those who do not need it and less generous with those who need it the most. During Lent, seek to think more about those who most need our charity. The communities that are served by Caritas through Project Compassion desperately need our support. You will find attached here a short video detailing one community that was assisted by Caritas through Project Compassion last year. Toefuata’iga’s story

I pray that you find this time of Lent an opportunity to grow in prayer and love.

Year 8 Reflection Day

The Year 8 Reflection Day is on Friday 14 of March. In partnership with both the local chapter of St Vincent de Paul Society and Caritas, the students will work towards considering acts of charity for Lent. The day will culminate with students making cards and snack packs that will be given to homeless people in Sydney who are serviced by St VIncent De Paul’s Night Patrol.

Mercy Action Group

The Mercy Action Group (MAG) has been meeting each Tuesday at recess in the Chapel. They have been assisting house leaders in running the Social Justice initiatives within the College. We are looking forward to introducing prayer experiences and reflections here also. Some upcoming events they have been discussing are the Year 7 bake sale, return to Stella Maris in term 2 and relaunching One Meal.

One Meal is an opportunity for staff, students and parents to feed people who are disadvantaged here in the Sutherland Shire. Generally it is a small team of staff, students and parents who arrive at 5:00pm at the Salvation Army in Miranda and set up. The people who attend, whilst they enjoy the food, are looking for companionship. The evening is over by 6:30pm. This is a great initiative to be considering during this time in Lent. If you are interested in encouraging this virtue in your daughter and would also like to support her, please email me at ian.anderson@syd.catholic.edu.au and I will share the application form process, which is very easy to complete.

Sacraments

The College has recognised that due to many contributing factors, we have an increase in students at the College who may have missed one or more of their sacraments. Secondly, there may be students at the College who may wish to become Catholic. Some Families have contacted me so that we can work together to support their daughters with the Sacramental Programme. If your daughter is missing sacraments or would like to become Catholic, please email me at ian.anderson@syd.catholic.edu.au. I will add you to the list and will be in touch very soon with the full process. 

Jubilee Songwriting competition
In this year of Jubilee, the Archdiocese of Sydney in partnership with Sydney Catholic Schools have decided to launch a song writing competition. All lyrics and tunes should be unique and it is the hope that these songs can become part of our liturgies and maybe our masses into the future. This competition has been designed by songwriter John Boland. Further details are contained via the following link.

Songwriting competition.

Ash Wednesday Mass

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment – Lisa Romberg

Communication Channels

Who do I contact when?

The following information is a summary of who to contact in different situations. We have provided this overview and the contact details to assist parents to get in touch with those who can help best in each specific situation

Leadership Team

Instructional Leaders of Curriculum

NEWMAN Facilitators

How to Break Down Complex Subjects

Taming Big Topics, One Step at a Time

We’ve all faced it—that overwhelming moment when you look at a massive topic and wonder, “Where do I even start?”. Whether it’s preparing for a history essay, learning a difficult science concept, or tackling a big project, it’s easy to feel stuck. But breaking down complex subjects into manageable steps can make studying not only easier but also more effective. Here’s how you can master the art of simplifying the complex.

1. Understand the Big Picture

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, take a step back and ask: What is this topic really about? For example, if you’re studying photosynthesis, the big picture might be understanding how plants convert sunlight into energy. Write this overarching goal at the top of your notes—it’ll act as a guide for everything you learn.

Tip: Look for summaries in your textbook or online resources to help you grasp the main idea. Tools like YouTube explainer videos can also offer quick overviews or ask ChatGPT to explain the concept to you in a simple way.

2. Break It Down Into Sections

Once you understand the big picture, split the topic into smaller, more manageable chunks. Think of it like dividing a pizza into slices—it’s easier to tackle one piece at a time than trying to eat the whole thing at once. For example:

• Studying ‘The Nervous System’ can be broken into ‘Brain’, ‘Spinal Cord’, and ‘Nerves’.
• Preparing for an essay might involve planning the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion separately.

Focus on one section at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Tip: Use your syllabus, textbook headings, or teacher’s notes to identify these sections. If the subject feels particularly dense, ask your teacher for clarification on what’s most important.

3. Create Visual Aids

Many students find it easier to remember information when they can see it laid out visually. Try these tools:

• Diagrams: Perfect for subjects like science or geography. Draw a labelled diagram to understand relationships between components.
• Flowcharts: Great for processes like historical events or problem-solving methods.
• Mind Maps: Ideal for summarising ideas and seeing connections between subtopics.

Visual aids not only help you organize your thoughts but also make revision more enjoyable and less monotonous.

4. Learn in Layers

Think of studying like peeling an onion—learn the surface-level basics first, then delve deeper as your understanding grows. For instance:

• First pass: Identify the key terms and concepts.
• Second pass: Learn how these terms connect.
• Third pass: Dive into details and examples.

Tip: Use multiple resources during this process. Your textbook might provide one perspective, but online videos or practice questions might give you a new way of looking at the material.

5. Review and Consolidate

Once you’ve mastered each section, it’s time to fit the pieces back together. Review how the smaller parts connect to the big picture. This step helps you see the subject as a whole and prepares you for tasks like essays, exams, or projects.

Tip: Try summarising the topic in your own words. If you can explain it simply, you’ve truly understood it.

From Chaos to Clarity

Complex subjects might seem intimidating at first glance, but with the right approach, you can simplify them into manageable steps. By understanding the big picture, dividing the topic into sections, and using tools like diagrams and mind maps, you’ll gain confidence and clarity. Remember, learning is a process—take it one step at a time, and you’ll find that even the most challenging topics can be conquered.

You can learn more at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with the details below and working through some of the units.

School username: OLMBurraneer

School password: Mercy

Tuesday Afternoon Open Learning

Lisa Romberg, Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment

Instructional Leader – Co-Curricular – Danielle Polson

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

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

Congratulations to Olive Maguire, Mackenzie Franks,

Semara Russell, Olive Handel and Allyra Sorensen

who represented Cronulla at the State Oztag Championships.

Danielle Polson, Instructional Leader Co-Curricular

Swimming Carnival

OLM Swimming Carnival

The annual OLM Swimming Carnival was a great day with perfect weather, amazing house spirit, and close racing that highlighted the impressive skills of our swimmers. The competition was fierce across all age groups, with swimmers giving it their all in every race. Congratulations to the following age champions for their outstanding performances:

• 12/13 Years Age Champion: Veronica Rogers
• 14 Years Age Champion: Georgia Pyper
• 15 Years Age Champion: Kiani Johnson
• 16 Years Age Champion: Ellie Robertson
• 17 Years Age Champion: Camila Alispahic

These swimmers demonstrated excellent skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the day. A special mention goes to Kiani Johnson, who also claimed the title of School 50m Champion, securing her place as the fastest swimmer of the day.

The house spirit was alive and well, with each house supporting their swimmers with enthusiasm. But the title of Champion House this year went to Baggot House. Congratulations to all the Baggot team members for their collective effort and fantastic team spirit.

Danielle Polson – Instructional Leader of Co-curricular

SCS Conference 3 Swimming Carnival – Danielle Polson

OLM Strong Results at Conference 3 Swimming Carnival

The OLM Swim Team delivered impressive performances at the Conference 3 Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. From start to finish, our swimmers showed dedication and skill, achieving personal bests and securing podium finishes in individual and relay events.

Congratulations to the following swimmers who medalled:

Gold

Stella Bloom- 14 years 50m Breastroke

Charli Moses- 14 years 100m Freestyle

Silver

Charli Moses- 14 years 50m Freestyle

Kiani Johnson- 15 years 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly

Georgia Pyper- 14 years 50m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, 50m Breastroke, 50m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly

Ellie Robertson- 16 years 50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke

12-14 Years 4x50m Freestyle Relay- Charli Moses, Stella Bloom, Veronica Rogers, Georgia Pyper

15-16 Years 4x50m Freestyle Relay- Kiani Johnson, Jessica Mayer, Andie Smith, Ellie Robertson

12-14 Years 4x50m Medley Relay- Veronica Rogers, Georgia Pyper, Charli Moses, Stella Bloom

Bronze

Georgia Pyper- 14 years 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle

Andie Smith- 15 years 50m Freestyle

Kiani Johnson- 15 years 50m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke

6x 50m Freestyle All Age Relay- Olivia Wrighter, Veronica Rogers, Georgia Pyper, Kiani Johnson, Ellie Robertson, Camila Alispahic

OLM swimmers were rewarded with the following whole school awards

1st Community Female Team Pointscore

3rd Junior Female Pointscore

2nd Intermediate Female Pointscore

2nd Overall Female Pointscore

Congratulations to Kiani Johnson who was 15 years Female Age Champion.

Public Speaking News

Public speaking, as difficult as it is for many people, involves much more than the act of speaking. Before they take the stage, competing students research a societal  issue and apply it to a metaphorical topic. They then compose a thought- provoking and original speech and deliver it to a small audience of adults and students in an engaging and confident manner with minimal use of notes.

Some of the popular topics were:

• Defying gravity
• Unconventional wisdom
• Words and the spaces in between
• Now what?  

This year a number of our students participated in the Sydney Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competition. The event involves over 75 high schools across the Greater Sydney Area and this year, more than 500 students entered. 

Our Round 1 participating students, who all performed admirably in their specific age group were:

Year 7

Charley Hawkins

Abigail Perinich

Year 8

Lauren Cuddihy

Mia You

Year 9

Saoirse O’Brien

Sophie George

Year 11

Sophie Hammon

Daniella Edwards

Three  of our students delivered outstanding speeches and were selected to progress to the next round of the competition, the Qualifying Final:- Saoirse O’Brien, Sophie George and Sophie Hammon. Of these, Saoirse O’Brien was again nominated for her skilful delivery and fresh interpretation of ‘defying gravity’ and will now proceed to the Grand Final taking place on Friday 14 March.

Thank you also to the parents who attended and supported this event.

OLM students competed in the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition at Strathfield this week.

All students spoke impressively.

Sophie George (Year 9) was runner up in her heat.

Saoirse O’Brien (Year 9) won her heat and now moves on to the Semi Finals.

Emma Broadhurst (Year 7) also showed great potential and spoke strongly.

Ms Susan Kamp

Co-ordinator Public Speaking and Debating

English Faculty – Bernadette Coppock

Poetry In Action Incursion

“How will you use your voice? When will you speak up?” 

On Wednesday of Week 6, Year 9 English classes were treated to an incursion run by Poetry In Action titled ‘Riots and Revolutions’. In this interactive performance, the players reinforced concepts of rhetoric (ethos, logos, pathos and kairos) through performed extracts of famous speeches, such as: 

• Carl Sagan’s ‘Pale Blue Dot’ speech 
• Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’ monologue
• Greta Thunberg’s ‘Our House is on Fire’ speech 

Our Year 9 students were an engaged and polite audience, who had positive feedback on the performance. They were challenged to think deeply about the speeches that they have studied in class in their unit on ‘Persuasion’, many of which were included in the performance. This incursion was a perfect pairing for their upcoming assessment task, which asks them to compose a speech using the pillars of rhetoric to persuade their audience. 

We look forward to seeing how year 9 will, inspired by this performance, use their voices to speak up about issues that matter to them! 

Ms Berger, English Faculty

Mrs Bernadette Coppock

Instructional Leader of Curriculum – English

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships – Lisa Formica

On 21 February 2025, our Year 12 students, together with Year 12 from De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah, and many other schools from around the State, attended the University of Wollongong’s Discovery Day. Our students were able to experience a day in the life of a university student, by selecting their own timetable, finding their way around the university and attending lectures on areas of interest to them. 

Our ladies thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were able to discern if they were planning on the right track after listening to lectures.

UTS: BUSINESS

BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING CO-OP SCHOLARSHIP (BAcc)

The University of Technology Sydney runs Australia’s most successful co-op course – the Bachelor of Accounting. Just look at the list of employers who are actively involved with this program:

Allianz Australia GrainCorp NSW Health

ASX Ingham’s Perpetual

BDO KordaMentha Pitcher Partners

Challenger KPMG PwC

Coca Cola Europacific Partners Lendlease QBE Insurance

Commonwealth Bank Macquarie Group Stockland

Cuscal MA Financial THE ICONIC

Dexus Property Group Merivale Thinkmill

Ernst & Young Mirvac Westpac Group

GPT Group News Corp

These employers together contribute almost $3 million annually to this one course alone. The reason? Demand for graduates of the course, who are seen as something special, is very high and will continue to be so for many years due to critical skills shortages in business. This is despite tough economic conditions.

The UTS Bachelor of Accounting has the aim of producing potential business leaders of the future via an accounting career. The main benefits to students who are selected into the Bachelor of Accounting are a tax-free scholarship valued up to $56,000 a year of full-time work training, and great career prospects with the major employers who support the course. No BAcc graduate has ever missed out on a job, and these job offers are generally made by March of the students’ third and final year of study. That might be only 3 years away from where you are now.

Other key benefits of this program, that set it apart from cadetships or other co-op courses, are that it takes only 3 years to complete and that students in the course study, work and play together as a close group of friends throughout that time.

What sort of students are we looking for? All-rounders, achievers and leaders in various activities. Plus you’d need to be interested in a career in business. A high ATAR is not essential, but it will help. Each year we take in students with ATARs in the range 85-100, who have the other skills and experiences to make them ideal business graduates.

And why choose to study accounting? Well, consider that accounting is recognised by big business employers as a highly desirable qualification for graduates to hold, and business leaders today increasingly have this sort of background. This is because the role of accountants has changed radically over the last 10 years; they are now the people called on to analyse the factors behind business success and failure, and who can provide the information needed for critical decision-making.

As a Bachelor of Accounting graduate you will have more potential than virtually any other professional

– in terms of long-term employment and salary prospects, rewards and job security, opportunities for travel and working overseas, challenges and job satisfaction.

For further details on the Bachelor of Accounting program, please visit UTS Bachelor of Accounting

Email enquiries: carin.alberts@uts.edu.au

BAcc online applications for Rd 1 close on Friday 16 May 2025.

OLM Careers Newsletter can be accessed here.

Lisa Formica, Leader of Pathways and Partnerships

Creative and Performing Arts Faculty – Verneen Mason

Congatulation to Elsie Smith who won at the

Portrait Prize Exhibition

Category 16 – 18 

Winner | Elsie Smith | Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer, Cronulla 

I am also delighted to share the exciting news that the following students have been selected to showcase their work in the 2025 Portrait Prize Exhibition at McGlade Gallery, ACU, from 3 April – 2 May 2025:

Student: 

Congratulations to these talented students.

Drama

This week students in Years 9/10 elective Drama classes participated in an incursion with the Troppo Troupe for ‘Commedia Dell’Arte’.

Students enjoyed an immersive experience with the Troppo Troupe who are known for their expertise in this traditional Italian theatrical style of drama. Students were introduced to the history and fundamentals of Commedia Dell’Arte, including the stock characters, improvisation techniques and physical comedy.

The incursion not only allowed students to engage with a rich theatrical tradition but also encouraged creativity and collaboration, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for the timeless art of physical and improvisational performance.

Verneen Mason, Instructional Leader Creative and Performing Arts

PDHPE Faculty – Damien Trevillion

Child Studies

Child Studies aims to develop in students the knowledge, understanding and skills to positively influence the wellbeing and development of children in the critical early years in a range of settings and contexts.

Thank you to the King family who visited our Child Studies Elective Classes this week to enlighten students of the learning curve involved in raising premature twins.

Year 10 Bronze Medallion

Last Friday, March 14, Caringbah Leisure Centre saw our Year 10 cohort take part in their Bronze Medallion training. This event was not only a day filled with learning and skill development but also an opportunity for students to gain a greater appreciation for water safety and life-saving techniques.

The day began with a 400-meter swim, testing the endurance and stamina of all students. It was impressive to see our students rise to the challenge, supporting each other and demonstrating excellent teamwork throughout the swim. 

Following the swim, the students participated in a series of life-saving skill activities. These lessons included learning critical first aid techniques, and practical rescue skills, all of which are essential for any potential emergency situations. Our students showed great focus, commitment, and an eagerness to learn, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. We hope this experience will inspire our students to continue developing their life-saving skills, both in and out of the water.

A huge thank you to the staff at Caringbah Leisure Centre for facilitating the event and to our teachers and support staff who made sure everything ran smoothly.

Local News – From The Leader

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8906673/our-lady-of-mercy-burraneer-welcomes-first-year-12-cohort/?src=rss

https://olmcburraneer.syd.catholic.edu.au/news/school_news/90-years-strong-our-lady-of-mercy-catholic-college-burraneer-celebrates