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,

The commencement of Term 2 has been marked by a plethora of educational opportunities, both within and beyond the classroom. This is a testament to the dedication of our teachers and the enthusiastic participation of our students. Observing the collaborative efforts and active engagement in the learning process is truly encouraging, as it signifies a vibrant and supportive learning environment.

May – A Marian Month

May is traditionally a month when we pray to and celebrate Mary, the Mother of God. and ‘Our Good Mother’. Jesus, in his last moments on the cross, entrusted his own mother into the hands of his disciple John, saying to him “behold, your mother” (John 19:27). It was at this moment that we all became blessed to call Mary ‘Our Good Mother’. Mary is a constant reminder of how to live a life in Christ.

Mother’s Day has been celebrated in Australia on the second Sunday of May since 1924. But, Catholics have been celebrating a sort of mother’s day since the first few centuries of the Church. The fourth Sunday of Lent, or Laetare Sunday, traditionally was a time to return to your mother church (home parish) and leave an offering.

Mother’s Day

Last weekend, we celebrated Mother’s Day. This is an important and special day when we remember and give thanks to our mothers for everything they have done to guide and shape our lives. In our community I am conscious that for some this can be a day that is celebrated differently and will include grandmothers, aunties and mother figures. For some it may be a day of sadness as well, to those who have lost a significant mother figure in their lives.

A Prayer for Mothers

For our mothers, who have given us life and love, that we may show them reverence and love, and others who show us a mother’s love, we pray to the Lord.

For adoptive mothers and for the women who wish to give birth but experience challenges, that they know your care, we pray to the Lord.

For mothers who have lost a child through death, that their faith may give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them, we pray to the Lord.

For those who wish to serve as mothers, but are not able to do so, that they know your comfort, we pray to the Lord.

For mothers who have died, that God may bring them into the joy of his kingdom, we pray to the Lord.

Amen.

I hope all Mothers and mother figures had the opportunity to enjoy Mother’s Day with their families. Thank you to the mothers and carers who were able to join the OLM community at our Mother’s Day Breakfast.

Year 10 Thursday Sport with De La Salle Caringbah

This term, our Year 10 students are participating in a new combined sports program with Year 10 students from De La Salle Caringbah. Based on valuable feedback from parents, this initiative provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in regular, interactive activities that foster collaboration between our girls and their peers at De La Salle Caringbah. The objective is to build stronger connections and promote teamwork within a dynamic and supportive environment.

The first rotation of activities kicked off with enthusiasm, allowing our students to try a variety of recreational sports, including Climbfit, Flag NFL, Oztag, Gym and Basketball/Pickleball. Last term, Year 9 students participated in a trial program for Art and Music. We are now exploring ways to integrate these subjects into the Year 10 Thursday sport afternoon into the future.

We eagerly anticipate the development of this program, as it fosters new friendships and promotes wellbeing throughout the term.

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Hike

We are immensely proud of our 17 Year 10 students for their outstanding success in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh hike to Jervis Bay, Currarong, Booderee National Park and Murrays Beach. Accompanied by Year 10 boys from De La Salle Caringbah, they exhibited remarkable resilience and teamwork. Big congratulations to all the participants for their fantastic achievements. Special thanks to Miss Polson and Mr Pagano for supporting the girls on their hike.

ANZAC Day at Cronulla Dawn Service

Accompanied by Mrs Treeves, our Year 12 Student Leaders commemorated ANZAC Day at the Cronulla Dawn Service.

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them
Lest we forget

Rostrum of Youth Public Speaking Regional Final

Saoirse O’Brien of Year 9 proudly represented Our Lady of Mercy College at the prestigious Rostrum Voice of Youth Regional Final, held last week at Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

Saoirse delivered a thoughtfully crafted and engaging speech on the impact of social media on adolescents, a topic both timely and relevant. Her presentation was met with great praise, and she tied for first place in the prepared speech component. Although she narrowly missed progressing to the State Final, her performance was an exceptional achievement and a testament to her confidence, poise, and skill in public speaking. We congratulate Saoirse on her outstanding effort and representation of OLM.

Thank you to Ms Kamp, our Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator, for her mentoring of Saoirse.

Christine Harding

Principal

OLM Biggest Morning Tea

You are invited to join us for our OLM Biggest Morning Tea for 2025.

A raffle will be held to help raise funds for the Cancer Council.

Please click on the link to reserve your place, we hope you will be able to attend.

Tickets here : https://www.trybooking.com/DAWMQ

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 in society with confidence and compassion.

‘Each year you delay giving a phone is a big win’:

Child screen-time solutions from around the world

As global concern grows regarding the impact of early smartphone use and excessive screen time on children, several countries are implementing legislative and community-based measures to address the issue. Australia and Spain are introducing national policies to restrict social media access for those under 16, while grassroots initiatives in Spain and Germany are encouraging families to delay smartphone ownership. Meanwhile, France, Italy, and Germany are reinforcing protective strategies through school-based bans, expert-led recommendations, and public health campaigns aimed at safeguarding children’s development and wellbeing.

The article below addresses important concerns about how the overuse of technology is impacting our children’s learning and development. It’s a powerful reminder of the need for balance in their digital lives.

By: Josh Taylor, Sam Jones, Angelique Chrisafis, Angela Giuffrida and Deborah Cole

Sun 12 Jan 2025 02.28 AEDT

If the advent of the affordable mobile phone has given parents a new way to stay in touch with their children, it has also prompted countless arguments about screen time, safety and social media.

As concerns over phone use grow – and the age at which children get their first mobile continues to fall – countries around the world are weighing up how to tackle the issue in schools and at home.

Nowhere has found the magic bullet, but action plans are being mooted and workarounds proposed, from stringent legislation to grassroots action.

As Australia and Spain prepare to pilot stringent laws to tackle the problem, our correspondents explore some of the most notable screen-time solutions.

Australia: ‘Making sure children have a childhood’

Australia made global headlines in November, when its parliament passed a law to ban under-16s from social media. But much of how it will work, and which services it will apply to, remains unclear.

While some states in Australia ban the use of mobile phones in school, the federal government’s new ban will restrict children under 16 from social media entirely by the end of this year. The legislation will empower the communications minister to determine which platforms will be restricted, but it is widely expected it will at least apply to Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

YouTube is expected to be exempt on the grounds of the educational benefits it claims to offer.

The legislation places responsibility for checking ages on the platforms, and states they must take “reasonable steps” to check ages or otherwise face fines of A$50m (£25m). A trial of the technology is under way, but it is believed the final version could include the use of facial age estimation, account behavioural checking to determine ages, and potentially the use of existing authentication services.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said the ban is about making sure “children have a childhood”. The aim, he added, was to get them “playing outside with their friends – off their phones and on to the footy and cricket field, the tennis and netball courts, in the swimming pool trying every sport that grabs their interest” Josh Taylor, Melbourne

Spain: ‘You can use ours’

Spain’s socialist-led coalition government is preparing legislation that would raise the age for opening a social media account from 14 to 16 and calls for the tech companies to install age-verification systems.

It also proposes that parental controls be installed by default on smartphones and that a national education campaign be rolled out to help children and teenagers navigate social media.

An expert committee recently called on the government to consider adding a warning label to digital devices sold in Spain, informing consumers of the health risks that have been linked to social media and digital devices.

In autumn 2023, parents in the Barcelona neighbourhood of Poblenou started a WhatsApp group in which they agreed to delay the age at which they gave their children a phone. Their initiative, Adolescencia Libre de Móviles (Mobile-free Adolescence), quickly spread across Catalonia and other parts of Spain as families united around the idea of not giving their children phones until they are 16.

“Each year you can delay giving a phone is a big win because more than 72% of Spanish children have a smartphone by the age of 12,” said Núria González-Rojas, a spokesperson for the project.

A parents’ group in the Basque Country called Altxa Burua (lift your head up) has been trialling a scheme to delay the age at which children get mobile phones by enlisting the help of families, schools and local businesses. The project, which began in the town of Tolosa two years ago, aims to head off the familiar argument that children need phones for emergencies and to keep their parents informed of their movements. To that end, shops in Tolosa have been displaying window stickers inviting children to use their phones if they need to. The stickers, in both Basque and Spanish, read: “You can use ours.”

Sam Jones, Madrid

France: ‘Taking back control of screens’

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, commissioned a report into the issue, saying the country needed to “take back control of our screens”, which were closing children in on themselves rather than liberating them. He said “the future of our society and democracy” depended on a sensible approach.

The report, presented last April, said children should not be allowed to use smartphones until they are 13 and should be banned from accessing conventional social media such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat until they are 18. No child should have a phone before age 11, it said, and they should only have a handset without access to the internet before 13.

The experts said children needed to be protected from the tech industry’s profit-driven strategies, adding that screens had a negative impact on children’s eyesight, sleep, metabolism, physical health and concentration.

Macron has said ministers should “examine the recommendations and translate them into action”.

Angelique Chrisafis, Paris

Italy: School bans

The use of smartphones and tablets in Italian classrooms in primary, elementary and lower secondary schools was banned completely from September, even for teaching purposes.

The education minister, Giuseppe Valditara, said a decision had been taken for educational reasons but also because of the tension the devices had provoked between students and teachers – including cases of teachers being hit with phones in response to a reprimand.

Valditara has also supported a petition calling for children under the age of 14 to be banned from owning a mobile phone and for under-16s to be prevented from having profiles on social media.

Angela Giuffrida, Rome

Germany: ‘The longer you can put off children using smartphones, the better’

Although German schools cannot bar pupils from bringing in mobile phones, they can ban pupils from using them in the classroom or during break times.

Teachers routinely exercise the right to confiscate phones deemed to be a problem on a case-by-case basis, but experts note the legal footing for this is shaky. Some educators have embraced devices as part of teaching and encouraged efforts to build digital literacy among young people, including encouraging them to set limits on screen time for their wellbeing.

But political officials such as the Schleswig-Holstein education minister, Karin Prien, have called for mobile phones to be banished entirely from elementary schools, citing negative effects on learning and physical health.

Thomas Fischbach, the president of the German Association of Paediatricians, has said that no child under the age of 11 should be given a smartphone, calling the devices harmful for development.

He said young brains were too vulnerable to be exposed to social media “influencers” in particular, with doctors reporting their practices are full of young internet users who had begun to develop psychological problems such as chronic anxiety.

“The longer you can put off children using smartphones, the better it is for them,” said Fischbach.

Germany’s federalist system, however, has meant that while smartphones are a source of concern and debate for most parents, there have been no resonant calls for a countrywide policy.

Deborah Cole, Berlin

Source: The Guardian | January 11, 2025

‘Each year you delay giving a phone is a big win’: child screen-time solutions from around the world

From stringent legislation to grassroots action, Australia and Spain lead the way in tackling children’s use of mobile phones and tablets.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jan/11/children-childhood-screen-time-solutions-around-the-world

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

Welcome back to what promises to be another enriching term of learning at OLM, I pray and hope the Easter break provided a time of rest and reflection for you and your families.

A unique aspect of our students’ learning each week is the “Word of the Week.” Over Term 1, six such words were introduced, encouraging emotional literacy vocabulary expansion and thoughtful communication. To culminate this learning, we held a competition challenging students to creatively weave all six words into a single, coherent paragraph. I am delighted to announce that the winners of this competition were both students from Coolock House, adding valuable points and further extending Coolock’s strong lead in the House Points competition this year.

The runner up was Sienna of Year 8 with this paragraph;

I’m usually known to be pretty elated the majority of time, but today I just felt so befuddled. I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t my usual self: happy. Flummoxed is everything I would describe myself right now. I couldn’t bear to go on like this, I had to get back to my usual self. I’m supposed to empower people, empower myself, but I couldn’t get a grip. I felt so upset. The sincerity in the way I talked in my head brought tears to my eyes. I just knew I couldn’t stay like this, I had to move forward and persevere like any other person.

The winner of the competition was Tamarli in Year 9 with the following entry;

After hours of studying the complex math problem, she felt utterly flummoxed. Her mind befuddled by the intricate equations that danced around her in perplexing patterns. Despite her confusion, she approached her teacher with sincerity, seeking guidance not only to solve the problem but to truly understand the concepts behind it. Her teacher empowered her with the tools and strategies she needed to tackle the challenges head-on. Determined to persevere in her studies, she delved deeper into the problem, noticing every number, sign and term. She gradually began to grasp and understand the abstract language of mathematics. A sense of accomplishment washed over her as her smile grew, elated, reflecting the joy she felt inside.

Term 2 has already sprung to life with vibrant energy. We began with a wonderful assembly where we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our students. It was truly inspiring to acknowledge the incredible effort demonstrated across Term 1, with an impressive 4222 merits earned school-wide. This translated into over 60 well-deserved Bronze Awards presented across all year groups. We also proudly recognised our talented athletes and extended our best wishes to those representing the College in upcoming sporting events.

A special highlight was the captivating performance by our Year 7 Dance Troupe. It takes immense courage to perform in front of peers, and they did so with remarkable poise and talent. I am confident they will shine at their upcoming eisteddfod. There was, however, a moment of disappointment to observe a lack of encouragement from a small number of our Year 9 students during this performance. Such behaviour, often stemming from a lack of maturity, is a valuable learning opportunity for growth.

Congratulations to all students who participated in last week’s Athletics Carnival! As a newcomer to the OLM carnival, I was truly impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by every student. Those who competed in the championship events should be exceptionally proud of their efforts, and I wish them the very best in the next stage of competition.

The coming weeks are filled with a variety of important events and opportunities. These are just a few; Year 10 will be undertaking their Assessment Block, Stage 6 students will receive their reports, Year 8 will engage in a stimulating poetry incursion, students will participate in debating competitions and eisteddfods and Year 11 will participate in the valuable Tomorrow Woman (mental health) workshop. Additionally, our Cross Country team will compete at the SCS level, and there are many other activities planned. I encourage all parents and students to regularly check Compass to stay informed of all the details and ensure full engagement.

Finally, a reminder that all students should now be in complete winter uniform, including the compulsory wearing of the blazer to and from school. Summer uniform items are no longer permitted. We have noticed a couple of students who are wearing the incorrect school pants. All students are required to wear the OLM uniform options only. These are available only from Noone at Caringbah. The uniform is a symbol of our College, our students, and your family, and should be worn with pride.

I look forward to a productive and fulfilling term ahead, working in partnership with you to support the learning and the growth and development of all of our students.

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal

Athletics Carnival

Our annual Athletics Carnival took place on Friday, 9 May. We were fortunate to experience only light rain in the afternoon, allowing the day’s events to proceed successfully.

The carnival ran smoothly, with outstanding participation from our students across all year levels. It was particularly encouraging to see the strong display of house spirit throughout the day. We extend our thanks to the senior students who provided excellent leadership and encouragement within their House groups.

We would also like to express our appreciation to the OLM staff for their hard work and dedication in organising and supporting the event. Your efforts were instrumental in ensuring the day was enjoyable and well coordinated for all involved.

Congratulations to our Age Champions for their fantastic performances:

12 Years Age Champion – Victoria Trajcevski

2nd Place Laura McKinlay

3rd Place Olivia Wrighter

13 Years Age Champion – Chloe McIntosh

2nd Place Veronica Rogers

3rd Place Sienna Beazleigh

14 Years Age Champion – Felicity Barnes

2nd Place Jayde Hartup

3rd Place Sianna Khoury

15 Years Age Champion – Liesl Spinner and Layla White

3rd Place Ella McGuiness

16 Years Age Champion – Roma Taylor

2nd Place Mia-Grace Schembri

3rd Place Ellie Robertson

17 Years Age Champion – Madeline Calabro

2nd Place Catherine Palamara

3rd Place Angelina De Frenza

School 100m Champion- Allegra Little

Congratulations to Doyle who were House Champions.

Best of luck to those students who will be selected to represent OLM at the Conference 3 Athletics Carnival later in the year.

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

In recent weeks, the Catholic Church has experienced a profound moment in its history. While we have been celebrating the most sacred season of our liturgical calendar, the Church has also been in the global spotlight following the passing of Pope Francis and the subsequent Conclave to elect his successor.

It is with great joy that we welcome Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Catholic Church. His election marks a new chapter, and we look forward with hope to the guidance and inspiration he will bring—not only to the Church but to the wider world.

Pope Leo XIV was born and educated in the United States and has spent a significant part of his ministry in Peru, engaged in missionary work. As an Augustinian priest, he brings with him a deep commitment to education and evangelisation. His choice of the name Leo is notable: St Leo the Great was also an Augustinian, and Pope Leo XIII is well known for his encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed the rights and dignity of workers and remains a cornerstone of Catholic social teaching. These connections may offer us insights into the values and priorities Pope Leo XIV may bring to his papacy.

As a school community, let us continue to pray daily for Pope Leo XIV and his intentions, asking God to guide him with wisdom and strength as he leads the Church into the future.

Holy Week Liturgy

At the end of last term, our students commemorated the death of Jesus through the Stations of the Cross. These wonderful women read, sang and performed, helping all our students connect to the events on Good Friday.

During the school holidays, they reprised their roles at St Aloysius Parish in Cronulla. These young women, alongside Fr James created a wonderful experience for all the Cronulla parishioners.

Upon returning to Our Lady of Mercy College for the beginning of Term Two, our community gathered to celebrate the Easter Liturgy. As we concluded Term One reflecting on the solemnity of the Crucifixion, we returned uplifted by the hope and joy of the Resurrection.

During the liturgy, we heard the Gospel readings from Easter Sunday, reminding us of the triumph of life over death. We also had the opportunity to renew our Baptismal promises, affirming our faith and commitment as a Catholic community. The celebration concluded with a special Easter blessing from Fr James, sending us forth in the spirit of renewal and joy.

One Meal

Our Lady of Mercy College continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting the needs of our local community. In particular, our involvement with One Meal reflects our dedication to living out the Mercy values through acts of service and compassion.

Recently, students and their families volunteered their time to serve meals to disadvantaged members of the Sutherland Shire community. This act of hospitality went beyond simply providing food, it offered warmth, dignity, and connection to those who may feel isolated or unsupported.

It was truly inspiring to witness our students not only give generously of themselves, but also experience the deep fulfilment that comes from serving others. One student expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I want to do this every week.”

This powerful example of Christian service highlights the spirit of Mercy that defines our College community. We are proud of the compassion, generosity, and empathy shown by our students and their families, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the future.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’ Encyclical. ‘Care for our Common Home’

A reminder that St Aloysius Parish has an event for parents, students, teachers and parishioners exploring the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si.

When: Tuesday 20th May at 6:00PM

Where: Parish Meeting Room (opposite the church in Giddings Avenue)

Please register by name your intention to attend by using the QR code or email direct. fodriscoll46@gmail.com

Special guest, SSC Councillor, Kal Glanznig will be making an appearance. Councillor Glanznig heads the Council’s Renewables Committee. See more at https://www.kal.gl/mystory

Sponsored by St Aloysius Social Justice and Earth care Groups

Ian Anderson – Religious Education Coordinator

Calendar Update

Term 2 Important Dates

Wednesday – 21 May
SCS Cross Country

Thursday – 22 May
The Biggest Morning Tea (recess at OLM)

Tuesday – 27 May
Year 11 and 12 Parent, Teacher, Student Interviews

Friday – 30 May
Year 11 Careers Expo

Monday 28 May – Thursday 5 June
Year 10 Assessment Block

Monday – 9 June
King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Tuesday – 10 June
Year 11 (HSC 2027) Subject Selection Information Evening

Friday – 27 June
Mercy Action Group Op Shop

Friday – 27 June
Year 7 and 8 Solemnity Mass at St Aloysius, Cronulla

Thursday – 3 July
Last Day of Classes Term 2

Thursday – 3 July
Years 7 – 10 Parent, Teacher, Student interviews at OLM (3.30pm-7.45pm)

Friday – 4 July
Years 7 – 10 Parent, Teacher, Student Interviews at OLM (9am-1pm)

Monday – 7 July
School Holidays

Monday – 21 July
Staff Professional Learning Day – No students

Tuesday – 22 July
Students Return for Term 3 in Winter uniform

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

Assessment

Please take time to read the OLM Student Handbook with your daughter’s taking note of assessment dates using the term planners. Links to these are provided in the table below.

We ask that if you have regular medical/dental appointments that you please try and avoid dates of assessment tasks. If you are able to reschedule any appointments that have already been made, that would be appreciated.

We encourage you to be aware of the expectations of your daughter if she is absent for a task.

Taking responsibility for her own learning is part of your daughter’s educational journey, thank you for supporting us in assisting your daughter grow in this area.

Summary of Missed Assessment Task expectations and Term Schedules

Year Group	Summary: Missed Assessment Task Expectations	Term Schedules
7	Illness/Misadventure: Note from home to class teacherKnown Absence: Due to Leave, Sports representation, Specialist Appointments other….Application for Leave to the Principal Variation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form	Term 2 link	Term 3 link Term 4 link
8		Term 2 link	Term 3 link Term 4 link
9	Unforeseen Absence 9-12Illness/Misadventure: College Illness Misadventure Section A – Student formAND Independent supporting evidence such as a Medical Certificate covering complete absenceIndependent Evidence of Illness or Misadventure AdviceKnown Absence 9-12 Due to Leave, Sports representation, Specialist Appointments other….Application for Leave to the Principal Variation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form	Term 2 link	Term 3 link Term 4 link
10		Term 2 link	Term 3 link Term 4 link
11		Term 2 link	Term 3 link
12		Term 2 link	Term 3 link

Gamifying Your Study Routine

Turn Your Study Sessions into an Exciting Challenge

Studying doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By gamifying your routine, you can make learning more engaging, motivating, and even fun. Gamification involves turning your study tasks into a game, complete with goals, challenges, and rewards. It’s a great way to stay motivated and tackle your workload with enthusiasm.

1. Create a Reward System

Rewards are a simple yet powerful motivator. Set up a system where you earn points for completing tasks, and exchange those points for rewards. For example:

5 points for finishing a Maths worksheet.
10 points for revising a chapter.
20 points for acing a practice test.

Once you accumulate enough points, ‘unlock’ a reward, such as:

Watching an episode of your favourite show.
Enjoying a treat like your favourite snack.
Taking a guilt-free break to play a game or chat with friends.

Tip: Keep track of your points in a notebook or app. Seeing your progress is motivating in itself!

2. Make It Competitive

If you thrive on competition, gamify your studies with a friend or sibling. Set shared goals, such as completing a certain number of practice questions or memorising key terms, and see who finishes first. You could even create mini prizes for the winner.

Ideas for Competitions:

Who can complete the most flashcards in 10 minutes?
Who gets the highest score on a quiz or mock test?
Who memorises a list of vocabulary words the fastest?

Tip: If you’re studying solo, compete against yourself by trying to beat your previous ‘high score’. For example, aim to complete more practice problems in a shorter time.

3. Use Digital Study Games and Apps

Technology makes gamifying your study routine easier than ever. Many apps are designed with game-like features to make learning more enjoyable. Here are some popular options:

Kahoot: Create interactive quizzes and play against friends.
Quizlet: Use flashcards and test yourself with timed challenges.
Habitica: Turn your to-do list into a role-playing game where you earn rewards for completing tasks.

Tip: Explore subject-specific apps like Duolingo for language learning or Prodigy for Mathematics.

4. Design Your Own Challenges

Get creative and build your own study challenges. For example:

Create a ‘study streak’ by committing to 20 minutes of focused study each day for a week. Reward yourself if you succeed.
Set time-based challenges, like completing an assignment in 45 minutes or reviewing an entire topic in one session.
‘Level up’ by gradually increasing the difficulty of your tasks, such as moving from easy practice questions to exam-level problems.

Tip: Name your challenges and track your progress to make the experience more engaging.

Study Like a Pro Gamer

Gamifying your study routine transforms studying into an interactive and rewarding experience. By creating a reward system, introducing friendly competition, and using study apps, you can stay motivated and even have fun while working toward your academic goals. Give it a try—you might just find yourself looking forward to your next study session!

You and your parents 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

Tuesday Afternoon Open Learning has started . This will be held in the Library each Tuesday afternoon from 3pm until 4pm.

This time will provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students, complete any group tasks or learning experiences or provide a quiet space for study and home learning. In addition teachers will be available to assist students with their learning. This includes:assistance with time management and planningtips and tricks to developing study tools such as mind maps, study notes, flash cardssubject specialists who can help answer questions

Burraneer Best

Congratulations to the Burraneer Best Nominees

These students have been nominated by their class teachers as displaying a growth mindset in their learning. This has been demonstrated through areas such as:

Growth in learning (eg pre-test to post-test)
Attitudes to learning
Accessing a grade level higher than demonstrated previously on the Common Grade Scale
Clearly meeting Success Criteria
Articulating and understanding Learning Intentions
Mastery of new skills, attitudes and/or outcomes
High level of engagement with formal and informal tasks
Persistent / resilient dispositions for learning
Articulation of learning goals
Innovation and leadership skills displayed
Working well with others in a collaborative environment

Recipients

Year 7 – Lucy Feitz, Sienna Lauro, Chloe Mckenzie-Matteson, Abigail Russell

Year 8 – Charlotte Diver-Tuck, Olive Handel, Eila Ponder, Allyra Sorensen

Year 9 – Charlee Baden, Lillian Bowring, Mary Gilfillan, Avy Stockwell

Year 10 – Kara Eman, Avy Stockwell, Eve Wilson, Hayley Wood

Year 11 – Camila Alispahic, Amelia Baillon, Cyan McKinnon, Isabella Smith

Year 12 – Chanel Beydoun, Amber Buckland, Amber Govindrulu, Sofia von der Hocht

Nominees

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Esme Browning Alba Buckley Ellanore Cooper Quinn Crouch x 2 Alyssa Dainton x 3 Josie Davis Lucy Feitz Gloria Gallego Parthena Hakim x 2 Charley Hawkins Wednesday Hogan Tahlia Hore Alba Hurst Alexandra Jabel x 3 Jessica Johnson Ava Kaopke Natasha Krupp x 2 Sienna Lauro x 2 Chloe Mckenzie-Matteson Olivia Murphy Jessica Natoli x 2 Ella Norton Abigail Perinich Alana Pignatelli Emma Prince Larissa Riccio Abigail Russell x 2 Emme Sanders Madeleine Smith Amaya Syed Victoria Trajcevski Alexis Usher Avalon Wardrop- Robinson Gabriella Welsh	Ava Allouche Zoe Andrews Felicity Barnes x 2 Taylor Defries Charlotte Diver-Tuck Alice Donohoe Charlie Doyle Saira Gill Madison Goldsmith Mischa Graham Jessica Green Olive Handel Chloe Jones Ivy Josevski Charlotte Kain-Blatch x 3 Annabelle Khoury Sophie Martins Meika McKinnon Annabelle Nicholson Eila Ponder Isla Renshaw Veronica Rogers Emily Ryan Elsa Scmidt-Liermann Allyra Sorensen x 2 Neva Spence Natalia Tsigolis Sandra Vasinova Zara Walsh Grace Whitelum Addison Wing	Charlee Baden x 2 Jasmine Barnes x 2 Rose Barron Lillian Bowring Emily Brooks-Towers Katherine Chen Penelope Crimmins x 2 Sienna Demetriou Olivia Douglas x 2 Alia Fahs x 3 Sofia Faraguna Mary Gilfillan Jayde Hartup x 2 Sophia Iffland Florence Jessop x 2 Isla Jones Khloe Kordovolos Tenya Kotouc Emily Lewis Velia Negib Saoirse O’Brien x 2 Indie Ponder Mileta Richards Isabella Rumolo Gianna Russell Zara Salmon x 3 Annabelle Schneider Kayla Skapetis x 2 Deanna Tsotras Zoe Underwood Sienna Wood x 2	Alexis Barnes x 2 Rosalie Barnes Olivia Colussi Sienna Dunham Kara Emans x 2 Molly Gargett Milan Goldsmith Sahara Hannon Isabelle Hargreaves x 2 Melina Hetherington Kiani Johnson Sevi Kadi x 2 Allegra Little Charlie Liu x 2 Addison Metcalfe x 2 Tannah Moore Sidonie Musq Sage Nicholson Lola Norton Rosie O’Connor x 3 Dylan-Rose O’Malley x 2 Isabella Prany Sabrina Salem Mia-Grace Schembri x 2 Olivia Sinclair Avy Stockwell x 4 Amber Sullivan x 2 Nikita Sullivan Zara Vagg Maddison Vilivili Layla White x 2 Eve Wilson x 2 Hayley Woods x 2

Year 11	Year 12
Camila Alispahic x 2 Amelia Baillon x 4 Madeline Calabro Selena Contarino Daniella Edwards x 3 Chloe English x 2 Amelia Gray Sophie Hammon x 2 Halle James Cyan McKinnon Isabelle O’Brien Catherine Palamara x 2 Christina Samir Hannah Simonet Isabella Smith x 3 Angel Tawanda	Chanel Beydoun Amber Buckland Amelia Buhagiar x 5 Zarina Gill x 2 Kaytlin Gindy x 2 Amber Govindrulu x 4 Elani Moshous Mya Moutevelis Jana Nikolakopoulos Joumana Samir Sofia von der Hocht Olivia Wellington x 2

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

Newman Program

“Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education.”

– Martin Luther King Jr

We have already had a fantastic start to the year in the Newman Program for 2025, with our girls participating in opportunities to demonstrate their intelligence and character on a local stage. Students and teachers from across the school have volunteered to provide enrichment opportunities for our ‘Mercy Girls’.

We have a group of students out competing in the Rostrum Voice of Youth and Sydney Catholic Schools Public Speaking Competitions, with huge thanks going to Mrs Kamp for her support and encouragement of these girls. Saoirse O’Brien in Year 9 recently competed in the Rostrum Voice of Youth regional final, receiving positive feedback from adjudicators and the audience.

Debating has been in full swing, with OLMC hosting and attending debating events for the Catholic Schools Debating Association competition. Not only does participation reflect students’ responsibility, but we have received beautiful feedback on the character our girls have demonstrated during these events, with one adjudicator commenting:

“…it was the first Year 7’s that were so polite in their rebuttals… I also wanted to thank you for your timekeepers – your students did an amazing job.”

Again, many thanks go to Mrs Kamp for her organisation of Debating and Public Speaking, and the explicit teaching of our Mercy values which has become a defining feature of OLM students.

Students have also shown resilience and tenacity in their application to the Da Vinci Decathlon training. Each Wednesday lunch and Thursday Sport-time, students have been dedicating their time to collaborating and preparing for the illustrious Da Vinci Decathlon to be held at Knox Grammar School in Week 4. This is a truly intellectually rigorous experience and we look forward to seeing the girls succeed in this competition.

Lastly, we have had a growing group of interested students creating a Book Club, which is to be held regularly in the Library at Recess on Friday Week B. These students have been discussing and borrowing books, based on peer and teacher recommendations. It has been beautiful to see their joy and enthusiasm about reading! We are looking forward to some collaboration with Book Clubs in the Sydney Catholic Schools South East Precinct in the future.

There are many opportunities for our girls to shine at OLM, as they are empowered to share their gifts with their learning colleagues and the wider community. We are especially looking forward to the 2025 OLM Newman Symposium, with the first planning day being held at the end of the term on June 26.

Most of all, we are looking forward to seeing our Mercy Girls continue to build and share their gifts.

Newman Facilitators:

Kate Berger

Ellouise Bernie

Lisa Romberg

Local News

National Walk Safely to School Day – Friday, 16 May 2025

Engaging families with walking to school safely and pedestrian safety

Free HSC English talk

Wednesday 28 May | 6pm to 8pm
Sutherland Library

A HSC Texts and Human Experiences lecture, presented by Larry Grumley.

More HSC help at your library

We have study guides, spaces to meet and online resources to support you in your HSC year. Watch out for our free lectures on HSC English, essay writing, and other subjects.Here are some other resources to check out:

ATAR Notes | Free Online HSC Head Start LecturesATAR notes offer free live-streamed lectures and resources for HSC students. The Library also holds a number of ATAR-Notes study guides.

HSC | State Library of NSWThe State Library of NSW has resources and online workshops for HSC students

Public Speaking News

Congratulations to Saoirse O’Brien of Year 9 for reaching the Regional Final of the Rostrum: Voice for Youth public speaking competition which took place at Presbyterian Ladies College on the 6 May.

Saoirse presented a 6 minute prepared speech which was outstanding and a 3 minute impromptu speech composed in only 15 minutes.

She spoke confidently and represented the school proudly. The winner of this round will compete at the State Final so Saoirse has made an excellent achievement in progressing to this level of the prestigious competition.

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 Sienna Bedwell who was named in the U15 SCS Netball Team. We wish Sienna all the best for NSW CCC Netball.

Congratulations to Mia-Grace Schembri and Catherine Palamara who were named in the SCS Football Team. We wish Mia-Grace and Catherine all the best for NSW CCC Football.

Well done to the OLM students who competed at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles. Congratulations to Kiani Johnson (Year 10) who won the U15 Board Riding, and Layla White (Year 10) who was 2nd in the U15 2km Run. Kiani also placed 5th in the 2km Swim.

Congratulations to Jayde Hartup (Year 9) who competed at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth. Jayde placed 4th in the U15 High Jump.

Thank you to the Year 8 students who acted as umpires for the Conference 3 Primary School Netball Gala Day.

Congratulations to Chloe McIntosh and Charli Moses who represented SCS at the CCC Touch Football trials.

Congratulations to Charli Moses (Year 8) who was selected in the NSW CCC Touch Football team. An outstanding achievement. Well done Charli.

Congratulations to Victoria Trajcevski and Luara McKinlay (Year 7) who represented the Southern Rebels in the U12’s. They came in 3rd overall, all the games were very close. Well done!

The Sutherland Shire Relay for Life recently united our community to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and raise vital funds for cancer research and support services. A number of OLM students including Clara Doyle, Annabelle Khoury, Saorise O’Brien, Meika and Cyan McKinnon and Elllie Racomelara attended, supporting various teams and contributing to our local community through this important fundraiser.

If you are thinking of participating in this year’s Sutherland to Surf, please join our OLM Burraneer team.

By selecting OLM from the schools drop down menu, you give our school the chance to win the schools challenge. Teachers, parents and students are all welcome to join!

https://sutherland2surf.com.au/prizes-categories/

Below are two sports opportunities for your families:

1.) GWS Giants Free Children’s Tickets.

Join the GIANTS for their Cultural Heritage Series game – a chance to celebrate the rich diversity, culture, and contributions of the people of Western Sydney.

ENGIE Stadium will be alive with live performances, activations, and various food stalls, take advantage of this GIANT ticket offer and make sure you don’t miss out!

The attachment below allows the chance to redeem adult tickets for just $10 and kids for free.

2.) Sydney FC Skills Training Program for Term 2.

The program includes:

Expert coaching
8 weekly sessions
Sydney FC A-League Player Appearance
Sydney FC training kit*
Three-Game Junior Membership for the 2024/25 A-League Season

LEARN MORE (link to Sydney FC general web page) Sydney FC STP General Page
BOOK NOW https://my.sydneyfc.com/skills-training

Thank you for all of your support.

Don’t forget to send your achievements to danielle.polson@syd.catholic.edu.au so we can share with the rest of the community.

Danielle Polson, Instructional Leader Co-Curricular

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Silver

Last week, students from our Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award group joined forces with De La Salle Caringbah for an unforgettable Duke Silver Practice Adventurous Journey in Huskisson. Over three action packed days, they embraced the challenges of hiking, exploring, and learning new skills, while strengthening friendships and pushing their personal limits.

The adventure kicked off with a hike to a waterfall in Macquarie Pass National Park on the drive down. The day continued with a trek from Plantation Point back to Huskisson, along the beach soaking in the stunning views of Jervis Bay.

Rising early on Day 2, the group embarked on a sunrise hike in Booderee National Park. Those who were keen braved the cold for a swim at Murray’s Beach, they explored local history with a visit to the Maritime Museum, before wrapping up the day with an exciting dolphin cruise, where pods of playful dolphins put on a show.

The final day led students from Currawong out to Gosangs Tunnel, culminating in a breathtaking panoramic view.

A special highlight of the trip was Mr Pagano’s astronomy lesson, where he shared his passion for the stars, teaching students how to use them for navigation and timekeeping while identifying major constellations.

A huge congratulations to all involved. We look forward to the next adventure in November.

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships – Lisa Formica

OLM Careers Newsletter can be accessed here.

Last week our Year 12 students attended the Sutherland tertiary Careers Expo at Sutherland Basketball Stadium. This is an Expo organised by the Shire Careers Advisers specifically for Year 12 students with a fabulous range of exhibitors, who were able to answer the specific questions of our Year 12 ladies.

Career Expos

These annual events help NSW students in Years 10, 11 and 12 prepare for the HSC and future career opportunities. It is not necessary to attend all events – the same providers are usually at all events. It is recommended that Year 10 students attend either the HSC and Careers Expo or the Western Sydney Careers on the weekend with their parents.

The apprenticeship / traineeship Jobs Expo is specifically designed for students looking for a job. As it is local (Gymea Tradies), it caters for jobs for our students in the local area.

On Thursday 8 May, all Year 12 students attended the Sutherland Shire Tertiary Careers Expo. This event is organised by the careers advisers of the Sutherland Shire, for Year 12 students only. It is a great event for Year 12 students to have local access to the tertiary providers they are interested in, to ask questions, and to explore providers they may not have known about.

Empower Presentations

During terms 2 and 3, students in Years 10 – 12 will be invited to attend Empower Presentations where they can informally meet and discuss the career of the guest speaker. This provides exposure to careers as well as allowing the students to understand first hand the daily activities of the job and the entry requirements.

The timetable for these presentations is constantly changing and being updated (all presenters are working in the industry they speak about and unexpected situations present themselves which require changes to the schedule).

Students can check daily notices for which presenter is speaking that week, below is a timetable of presenters already booked in.

Monday, 12 May, Recess	HR / Learning and Dev / Psychology
Friday, 23 May, Lunch	Early Childhood Education
Tuesday, 27 May, Lunch	Construction Executive
Mon, 2 June, Lunch	Hairdressing
Tues, 10 June, Recess	Hospitality

Do you have an interesting career you would love our girls to know more about? Are you interested in presenting during a lunch or recess to our girls regarding your career? I would love to hear from you. lisa.formica@syd.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Expo Events

HSC and Careers expo 29 – 31 May 2025

Year 11 students will be attending this in conjunction with a tour of Ultimo TAFE and UTS

Western Sydney Careers expo 26 – 28 June 2025

Apprenticeship / Traineeship Jobs Expo 2 Sept, 2025 3pm-7pm Gymea Trade Union Club

Save the Date, UAC Information Evening:

When: Friday 6 th June 5.15pm – 8.30pm

Location: Inaburra School starting in the PAC and so will the Q and A sessions and the UAC seminar, the expo in the Learning Commons.

This is your chance to get more tailored information about post school options without leaving the Shire.

Note this is a biannual event, thus 9 and 10 and 11 and 12 students and parents should attend. It is aimed at looking at post school tertiary education, there are other opportunities in the Shire for trade expos.

UAC will present two seminars:

6.30pm – 7.30pm for Year 9 and 10 students and parents to help prepare for subject choices and other considerations as they head into Years 11 and 12

7.30pm – 8.30pm for Years 11 and 12 students and parents talking about University entry and UAC

From 5.30pm – 6.30pm a number of Q and A sessions will run to hear from your choice of over 15 Universities and Colleges covering a range of fields. This is a chance to talk prerequisites, early entry and other questions.

Flyer and Registration here

University Open Days

Following on from Expo’s, university open days are a fabulous opportunity to explore a university of choice and see if it has the right feel and courses for you. Is it accessible for you? You have a great opportunity to discuss specific courses with the faculties directly. Senior students have received this flyer into their google classroom.

Has the Mining Industry been of interest to you?

The BEYOND Industry Spotlight goes live from May 12, hosted on the BEYOND platform, with a full suite of virtual activities including:

Live webinars with industry experts
Virtual site tours and industry showcases
Interactive Q&As and career pathway panels
Resources showcasing university, TAFE, and apprenticeship pathways

All sessions are free, online, and built for Years 9-12 – perfect for sharing with students and their families.

Webinar Schedule & Registration Links

Webinar 1: Mining & Renewables – Powering the Future

May 12 · 6.00pm Register here

Webinar 2: Skills Shortages & Emerging Occupations

May 12 · 7.00pm Register here

Webinar 3: University Pathways into Mining & New Energy

May 13 · 6.00pm Register here

Webinar 4: Vocational Pathways into Mining & New Energy

May 13 · 7.00pm Register here

How to find information about courses

If you are interested about a particular course at a particular university, it is worth subscribing to that university’s newsletter for future students.

Most universities offer webinars on courses, scholarships and entry pathways. I also share with students every week a very detailed Careers Newsletter which has links to upcoming webinars and events from universities, private colleges and TAFE.

Here is a sample of upcoming webinars from UNSW

UNSW Faculty Information Evenings

Registrations are now open for our upcoming Faculty Information Evenings. Join us to learn more about our degrees, admission pathways and what it’s like to study with our faculties. 14 May | Law & Justice Info Evening21 May | Science Info Evening28 May | Business Info Evening4 June | Engineering Info Evening18 June | UNSW Canberra Cyber Security Info Evening

Job Opportunity

Joselyn Bancs Hair is currently looking for enthusiastic and motivated students who are interested in beginning a career in the hair industry. They have openings for a first-year apprentice, as well as a Wednesday night and Saturday salon helper.

They are offering both standard and school-based apprenticeship opportunities, providing hands-on experience in a professional salon environment alongside a supportive and skilled team.

This is a fantastic chance for students who are passionate about hair and beauty to start their journey in the industry while gaining real-world experience and training.

Lisa Formica, Leader of Pathways and Partnerships