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.

Welcome back to Term 3. Students have returned looking rested and refreshed and all staff are looking forward to a term of learning.

Feast of Mary MacKillop – 8th August

On August 8th, we honour the life and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop, a woman of deep faith, courage, and compassion. As Australia’s first canonised saint, Mary MacKillop’s commitment to education, social justice, and care for the poor continues to inspire generations. Her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” remind us of the power of kindness and action in our daily lives.

At Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s enduring spirit and her dedication to the dignity of every person. May her example encourage us to live with hope, serve with love, and walk humbly with God.

God of compassion, God of all people, we praise you for your servant,

Mary MacKillop, who gave her life to serve you in the poor and oppressed.

As she is honoured in our world, may we continue to learn to share her vision.

Help us to recognise, as she did, that the poor of our time will hear the gospel in the way we serve them. Be with us as we strive to follow her and carry out our mission of service and care.

Our Lady of Mercy Keep us under your protection and bless our school

Venerable Catherine McAuley Pray for Us

Semester One Awards

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of students who have shown outstanding dedication to their learning during Semester One. The following awards were celebrated at our school assembly last week:

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence – Presented to students who achieved an A grade in the majority of their subjects. This award recognises their commitment, focus, and excellence in academic performance.
Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning – Awarded to students who consistently demonstrated key learning dispositions across all subjects, including:

These students have embodied the core values of our learning community through their commitment to academic growth. We proudly acknowledge their dedication and congratulate all award recipients for demonstrating outstanding excellence in their studies.

Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations

This week, our Year 12 students commenced their HSC Trial Examinations. As part of our precinct arrangements, the girls are undertaking both their HSC Trials and the HSC Examinations at De La Salle College, Caringbah.

The girls’ preparation has been commendable, with students engaging in holiday classes with their teachers, and focused study in the lead up to this important milestone. The HSC Examination process has run smoothly, and we extend our best wishes to all Year 12 students as they continue their journey toward the HSC.

Stage 6 – Year 11 2026 HSC Subject Selection

We congratulate our Year 10 students for the confident and thoughtful manner in which they have approached their HSC 2027 Subject Selections. The process has been an important milestone in their academic journey, and the professionalism shown by the girls is commendable.

Families played a valuable role in the process, with parents joining their daughters in interviews to make informed, collaborative decisions about the path ahead. This partnership reflects the strong support and shared commitment we hold for every student’s success.

We look forward to seeing these students thrive as they move into their senior studies.

Stage 5 – Years 8 and 9 Subject Selection for 2026

We are proud of our Year 8 students for diving into their elective subject choices with such confidence and thoughtfulness. It’s a big step and they’ve handled it with maturity and a great sense of curiosity.

It was wonderful to see families come along to our Year 8 Subject Market Evening, where students and parents explored all course options together. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who presented with enthusiasm and expertise, guiding students toward informed decisions aligned with their strengths and interests.

It’s an exciting time for our students, as they begin to exercise independence in shaping their educational pathway, making choices that reflect their passions and future ambitions.

Year 8 Thursday Sport with De La Salle Caringbah

This term, we are excited to continue our sports partnership with De La Salle College Caringbah, welcoming Year 8 into the rotation for Thursday afternoon sport. Guided by feedback from our parent community, this initiative has fostered collaboration, connection, and shared experiences between our students and their peers at De La Salle.

The first rotation launched with enthusiasm, featuring a mix of recreational sports: Climbfit, Flag NFL, Music, Gym, and Tennis. It’s been wonderful to see our students stepping outside their comfort zones, building friendships, and growing through teamwork.

We’re confident this program will continue to grow and serve as a meaningful contributor to student wellbeing and personal growth throughout the term.

Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod

We are thrilled to share that Emma Broadhurst (Year 7) has achieved 3rd Place in the Solo Singing Musical Theatre category at the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod. Her performance displayed incredible talent and dedication, earning her well deserved recognition at this prestigious event.

Congratulations also to Amabel Garvin (Year 10) who competed at SCS Eisteddfod in the String Division and placed 3rd overall in a very competitive section. Well done, Amabel.

Thank you for your continued support of the College.

Christine Harding, Principal

Principal’s Post on Empowering Young Women

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

Dear Parents / Carers,

The following article, published in The Learning Dispatch by Carl Hendrick on July 26, 2025, presents compelling evidence linking smartphone usage to a decline in mental health and overall wellbeing.

Recent global research has highlighted a strong link between early smartphone use and poorer mental health outcomes in young people. Students who received smartphones before age 13 were found to have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and emotional challenges in their late teens and early twenties.

While the evidence is largely correlational (not definitively causal), experts argue that the consistent patterns across cultures and studies are too significant to ignore. Factors such as unsupervised social media use, disrupted sleep, cyberbullying, and reduced family interaction all contribute to these outcomes.

Importantly, the concern isn’t about phones themselves, but about early access to social media platforms designed to capture attention and provoke strong emotions. These environments can be especially harmful to children who are still developing emotional regulation and self esteem.

As a school community, we encourage ongoing conversations about healthy technology use and support parents in making informed decisions about when and how their children engage with digital devices.

Banning Phones: How Much Evidence Do We Need?

Evidence shows early access to smartphones is strongly associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing. But a lot of the evidence is correlational. What does that mean for schools and parents?

What’s the effect of giving kids smartphones before 13? Not Good. A new global study, covering data from more than 100,000 young adults, reports that those who first received a smartphone before the age of 13 show markedly poorer mental health outcomes in their late teens and early twenties. The most striking associations are with increased rates of suicidal ideation and diminished emotional regulation. The authors claim these findings hold across a wide range of countries and cultures. Strikingly, they are not an artefact of one region or demographic.

What is driving these effects? The study highlights several mediating factors: early and unsupervised exposure to social media platforms, greater vulnerability to cyberbullying, chronically disrupted sleep patterns, and a weakening of family relationships through reduced direct interaction. These factors, taken together, create a developmental environment that undermines resilience and mental health at a crucial stage. This new study is typical of many but is the evidence causal?

Importantly, the study does not claim definitive causation. In the language of research, the evidence is correlational, not causal. In other words, we cannot yet say that handing a ten year old a smartphone will cause poor mental health. But we can say that, on a population level, early smartphone ownership is consistently linked to poorer outcomes. The question is how strong is that link? And should we be recommending sweeping policy based on a link?

This distinction matters, and sceptics often use it to argue against policy action. However, to my mind, the authors of the study make an unusual and powerful argument: even in the absence of causal proof, the sheer scale of the associations, combined with the plausible mechanisms of harm, justify immediate precautionary steps.

This kind of thinking is not new. Seat‑belt laws were introduced well before randomised trials could prove beyond all doubt that they save lives. Lead was removed from petrol not because of a single definitive study, but because of converging evidence from toxicology, public health, and developmental psychology showing serious risks.

Beyond Correlation: Multiple Lines of Converging Evidence

Researchers are right to be cautious about correlational data but as Jean M. Twenge has pointed out, there is compelling, converging evidence from multiple data sources pointing in the same direction. Her analysis of Monitoring the Future data shows that between 2012 and 2019 (when smartphones and social media moved from optional to almost universal among teens) depression among girls rose by 74% (13 percentage points) and among boys by 56% (8 points).

The spike during the pandemic years was significant but smaller, and by 2023 those pandemic‑related increases had receded, yet depression rates remained far higher than in 2012. In other words, even as the immediate shock of COVID‑19 faded, the long‑term upward trend in teen depression tied to a screen‑based social life continued. This pattern, where the rise predates and outstrips pandemic effects, adds weight to the argument that technology and social media use are not just correlated with but are plausibly driving much of the current mental health crisis among adolescents.

Furthermore, as Jonathan Haidt has pointed out, there is compelling, converging evidence that goes well beyond simple correlation.

Longitudinal studies now show that heavier social media use predicts later increases in depression and anxiety, not just the other way around. Randomised experiments find that reducing social media use leads to measurable improvements in mood, and natural experiments (such as the roll out of Facebook or high‑speed internet) show community‑wide rises in mental health problems once access expands, particularly among girls. Combined with clear dose–response patterns and effect sizes comparable to established public‑health risks, these findings make it increasingly difficult to dismiss social media’s role as anything less than a significant causal factor in the current adolescent mental‑health crisis.

Perhaps most compelling are the “quasi-experiments” that examine what happened when social media arrived in different communities at different times. Braghieri, Levy, & Makarin (2022) studied Facebook’s original rollout to specific colleges and found that “the roll-out of Facebook at a college increased symptoms of poor mental health, especially depression.” Studies of high-speed internet rollout show similar patterns: in Spain, Arenas-Arroyo et al. (2022) found “a positive and significant impact on girls but not on boys” when high-speed internet arrived, with effects on sleep, homework time, and family relationships. In British Columbia, Guo found that high-speed wireless internet “significantly increased teen girls’ mental health diagnoses (by 90% ) relative to teen boys.”

What We’re Really Debating: It’s Not The Phones

It is worth underlining what this debate is really about. It is not about banning all phones or denying children any access to technology. A phone can be useful. For example, texting a parent after school, using a maths app, looking up a bus timetable. The issue is not the hardware. The issue is the gateway it opens into billion dollar, algorithmically‑curated, AI driven social media environments long before a child’s sense of self, identity, and emotional stability are formed.

Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are not neutral spaces. They are engineered to maximise engagement through what is called adversarial design: systems that exploit cognitive vulnerabilities rather than serve human intentions. These platforms thrive by feeding users content that provokes strong emotions such as outrage, shame, envy, and fascination because these emotions keep us scrolling. Even adults, with decades of life experience, struggle to resist these hooks. For children, the effects can be far more destabilising.

Consider what this means for a ten year old who is still developing the neurological foundations of self control. Sleep is easily disrupted by late night scrolling; social comparison begins to warp self esteem; algorithmic feeds expose them to communities and content far beyond their emotional maturity. A 2023 report by the US Surgeon General highlighted the links between heavy social media use and increased anxiety and depression among adolescents.

Some food for thought……

Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

Welcome to Term 3. This term is an exciting time as we navigate a busy period for all year groups. It is important that we maintain high standards and expectations, and I ask for the continued support of all parents in this effort. Please ensure your daughter’s uniform is perfect as she leaves home. This includes wearing blazers to and from school, ensuring skirt lengths are appropriately on the knee, and adhering to all rules regarding make-up and jewellery, including no cartridge, nose or eyebrow piercings.

I appreciate that it is a cold time of year, but students are not permitted to wear long sleeved garments under their school shirts. Our College jumper is the only item that should be worn under a blazer if extra warmth is needed. Breaches in uniform will result in demerits. Students wearing make-up – including false eyelashes, will be asked to remove them, false nails and nail polish will also be asked to be removed or sent home. Jewellery guidelines will be strictly enforced, including no nose piercings or cartilage piercings. All information relating to our dress code can be found on pages 20-21 of the College diary.

We began the term with an assembly to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. A large number of students received awards, and I extend my congratulations to all of them. Along with the academic awards, several Gold Awards (45 merits) and a Principal’s Merit Award (60 merits) were presented, which is a truly amazing achievement. I would also like to thank our choir for their wonderful performance of one of their recent award winning eisteddfod pieces. It was a great effort and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. I would encourage others to consider joining the choir.

This week, our Year 12 students began their HSC Trial Examinations. This is an exciting part of the Year 12 journey as it means the culmination of all their hard work is nearing. I wish them all the best in these final assessments before they sit for the HSC.

Student Leadership

The journey to appointing our new student leaders has also commenced, with the final appointments to be made at the end of Term 3. The Year 11 cohort participated in a Leadership Day, where they worked on teamwork, discussed the qualities of leadership, and had the opportunity to hear from Simon Kennedy MP for Cook, about his own leadership journey. Many thanks to Miss Mahoney for organising the day and for her work with the Year 11 students on this important process.

Year 6 Curriculum Day

We had extra smiles at school this week as our future Year 7 students for 2026 joined us for a day of classes. They experienced Visual Art, PDHPE, and History/Geography in our specialist classrooms, with some of our current Year 9 students assisting them. It was a pleasure to have them onsite, watching their nerves and excitement culminate in laughter as they prepare for high school.

Mercy Day

This term, we will also celebrate Mercy Day on August 22nd. This day is an opportunity for each homeroom to raise money for charity. The day will begin with Mass where we will celebrate who we are as a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, fulfilling our role in the world by always striving to be better. Following Mass, all students will return to school where they will have the opportunity to change into mufti clothes, dressing in the theme of O L M B. Each homeroom has designed an activity/market stall that will run during periods 3 and 4 to fundraise. These activities and market stalls will have a cost of $1–$5. There will be no cash or card options available for purchases on the day. Students must pre-purchase tokens from Student Services, with each token worth $1.

Following the fundraising activities, we will have the OLM Spelling Bee and the OLM Talent Show, which will feature a special mystery performance. One representative from each homeroom, regardless of year group, will participate in the Spelling Bee. I encourage any girl who would like to be in the talent show to start practicing now.

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

Term three is always a busy term, this year more than usual. While assessments are starting to occur and HSC Trial exams have begun, we also have many areas of the school Spirituality programme occurring. On the 30th July, twelve of our Year 9 students attended St Aloysius College to facilitate the Confirmation Retreat Day. Our young students were required to support the many students, most of whom are in Year 6, in the various feeder schools, with their faith formation. There were games and activities, and a special presentation led by Fr James McCarthy. Our students helped the young students find their activities and to participate appropriately. Their contribution was very much valued by Fr James and all the other attending staff.

A special mention must be made to three of our students, Mia Dunham (Year 7), Zahra Metters (Year 9) and Stella Puckeridge (Year 9) who attended the day to prepare for their own Confirmation. May our prayers be with them. Currently there are ten students across the school who are participating in at least one of their Sacraments this year. Our prayers and blessings are with all of them.

On Wednesday 6th August the Year 9 Reflection Day was facilitated by Sydney Catholic Schools focusing on the importance of the Church’s teachings about truth, goodness and beauty. As St Paul said, “Whatever is true, whatever is good and whatever is beautiful, think about such things”. There were many activities and sessions throughout the day and after lunch, to celebrate the year of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, we walked to St Aloysius’ Church as a mini pilgrimage and attended Mass with Fr James.

Camino of St Joseph

Each year, to encourage and support Spirituality the Archdiocese runs the Camino of St Joseph. Often held in March near the Feast Day of St Joseph, men from across the Archdiocese walk throughout the night through various Parishes, engaging in Mass and visiting Catholic Churches. This year the Camino of St Joseph is being held in the Sutherland Shire. The pilgrimage will be held on Father’s Day weekend, beginning at St Joseph’s Como. The pilgrimage is due to finish at St Aloysius Cronulla on 6th September and includes breakfast. If you are able to assist with the breakfast, please contact Mr Anderson at the College on 9544 1966. If any men would like to participate in the walking Pilgrimage, please follow the link provided.

Feast of the Assumption

On 15th August our students will be attending Mass at St Aloysius Church in Cronulla for the Feast of the Assumption. Mass begins at 1:30pm. The Feast is a Holy Day of obligation meaning that all the Catholic faithful should make the time to attend mass to celebrate this. Parents and friends of the College are welcome to join us in our celebration. The Assumption is the Feast that celebrates the Virgin Mary being taken body and soul into heaven. It is a wonderful time to reflect on the hope of our own bodily resurrection that we profess in our Creed.

Religious Education Coordinator – Ian Anderson

School Uniforms

Dear Parents and Carers,

Uniform suppliers Noone have relocated their retail store to new premises.

It is a larger and more comfortable space and they are committed to a long tenancy to accommodate their existing schools in the Shire, along with potential new schools in the future.

The new shop address is : Shop 3, 52 President Avenue, Caringbah

The phone number, email/web addresses and store trading hours remain the same:

Phone: 02 7501 5630
Email: caringbah@noone.com.au
Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Sunday: Closed

www.noone.com.au

Calendar Update

Term 3 Important Dates

Friday – 8 August
Feast of Mary Mackillop

Monday – 4 August – Monday 18 August
HSC Trial Examinations

Monday – 11 August
Newman Symposium @ 3.15pm

Friday – 15 August
Feast of the Assumption Mass @ St Aloysius Parish

Monday – 18 August
Staff Professional Learning Day (no classes) – If you require supervision for your daughter please contact the College

Tuesday – 19 August
Red Earth Immersion Cape York – Online Parent Zoom Session @ 6.15pm – Click here link to register

Friday – 22 August
Mercy Day – Mass at St Aloysius Church @ 9.15am

Wednesday – 27 August
TAS Design Evening @ 4.30pm

Thursday – 4 September
Father and Daughter ‘Wear your Jersey’ BBQ Breakfast

Thursday – 11 September
SCS Sport Finals

Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 September
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh

Monday 15 – Monday 22 September
Year 11 Preliminary Examinations

Tuesday 23 September
Year 12 Graduation Mass @ St Aloysius Parish

Wednesday 24 September
Year 12 Graduation Assembly

Wednesday 24 September
Year 12 Graduation Formal with De La Salle College Caringbah

Thursday 25 September
Last Day of classes T3 (compulsory school day)

Friday 26 September
Staff Development Day (no classes) – If you require supervision for your daughter please contact the College

Upcoming SCS Events

E-Bike Safety

Children under 16 and adult riders accompanying and supervising them may ride on the footpath and are encouraged to ride away from the road.
It’s the law for everyone to wear a helmet when riding a bike in any public place. The helmet must meet Australian Standards and be securely fitted and fastened.
Protective clothing, such as enclosed shoes, also help keep children and young people safe on wheels.
At intersections, young people and adults must dismount and use safe pedestrian behaviour as they wheel the bike, e-bike or scooter across the road.
Adults can help children and young people learn safe cycling practices by riding with them and talking with them about the importance of wearing a helmet and following the rules when riding.

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

Academic Awards – Semester 1

The Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence – Years 7-10 ONLY: awarded to students who have attained an A grade in ALL but 3 subjects of the total number of subjects studied

Year 7 a total of 6 or more subjects
Year 8 a total of 7 or more subjects
Year 9 & 10 a total of 5 or more subjects

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning 7-12: awarded to students who have achieved ALL or ALL bar ONE ‘consistently’ in ALL aspects of Commitment to Learning across their Semester report.

Year 7 award recipients

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning:

Layla Becker

Josephine Davis

Lillian Greaves

Madeleine Smith

Harper Zmuda

Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Scarlett Allen	Ophellia Katsidis	Gloria Ray Gallego
Esme Bowring	Ava Kopke	Chloe Reid
Emma Broadhurst	Natasha Krupp	Abigail Russell
Alba Buckley	Matilda Langshaw	Emme Sanders
Ellanore Cooper	Veronica Low	India Sebastian
Emilia Danysz	Imogen Marinos	Abby Stiles
Harper Evans	Miranda Martin	Grace Stonham
Lucy Fietz	Chloe Mckenzie-Matteson	Petra Sullivan
Parthena Hakim	Luara McKinlay	Amaya Syed
Tahlia Hore	Chloe McLintock	Annabelle Terry
Ruby Howlett	Elyse Murray	Liana Thomas
Alba Hurst	Jessica Natoli	Victoria Trajcevski
Alexandra Jabel	Emily Parsonage	Alexis Usher
Jessica Johnson	Lilla Parsons	Ava Walkerden
Mia Jury	Abigail Perinich	Sophy Wang
	Alana Pignatelli	Gabriella Welsh

Year 8 award recipients

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence

Alice Donohoe

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning:

Amelia Andrighetto

Frankie Grocott

Charlotte Kain-Blatch

Eila Ponder

Elsa Schmidt-Liermann

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Ava Allouche

Zoe Andrews

Stella Bloom

Lauren Cuddihy

Charlie Doyle

Annabelle Khoury

Ava Moroney

Kami Nguyen

Nellie Schembri

Sandra Vasinova

Mia You

Year 9 award recipients

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Lillian Bowring

Katherine Chen

Sophie George

Jessica Hammon

Tamarli Haydon

Emma Romyn

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Jasmine Barnes	Isabella Natoli
Penelope Crimmins	Gianna Russell
Olivia Douglas	Zara Salmon
Anna Govindrulu	Holly Sims
Annabelle Hardy	Hayley Stewart
Jayde Hartup	Chelsea Sumagui
Sophia Iffland	Jenai Taleyarkhan
Emily Lewis	Dana Trajcevski
Molly Lewis	Deanna Tsotras
Charlotte Libro	Sienna Wood
Hannah McConnell

Year 10 award recipients

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence

Rosalie Barnes

Amabel Garvin

Melina Hetherington

Allegra Little

Isabella Prany

Mia-Grace Schembri

Skyla Sleeman

Avy Stockwell

Nikita Sullivan

Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Charlotte Burton

Linh Cao

Sophie Carrig

Sahara Hannon

Isabelle Hargreaves

Isabel Lamb

Addison Metcalfe

Mia Murray

Sage Nicholson

Rosalie O’Connor

Kayla Sewell

Jessica Tassone

Roma Taylor

Scarlett Tsigolis

Layla White

Hayley Woods

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Alexis Barnes

Sienna Dunham

Charli Liu

Amber Sullivan

Eve Wilson

Year 11 award recipients

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Camila Alispahic

Amelia Baillon

Madeline Calabro

Selena Contarino

Daniella Edwards

Chloe English

Sophie Hammon

Sophie Mooney

Isabelle O’Brien

Catherine Palamara

Isabella Smith

Angel Tawanda

Year 12 award recipients

The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning

Chanel Beydoun

Amber Buckland

Amelia Buhagiar

Angelina De Frenza

Zarina Gill

Kaytlin Gindy

Amber Govindrulu

Christiana Kyriakides

Elani Moshous

Mya Moutevelis

Jana Nikolakopoulos

Mia Rajkovic

Sofia von der Hocht

Olivia Wellington

Assessment

Please take time to read the 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 teacher Known Absence: Due to Leave, Sports representation, Specialist Appointments other…. Application for Leave to the Principal Variation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form	Term 3 link Term 4 link
8		Term 3 link Term 4 link
9	Unforeseen Absence 9-12Illness/Misadventure: College Illness Misadventure Section A – Student form AND Independent supporting evidence such as a Medical Certificate covering complete absence Independent Evidence of Illness or Misadventure Advice Known 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 3 link Term 4 link
10		Term 3 link Term 4 link
11		Term 3 link
12		Term 3 link

Handling Digital Overload

How to Stay Focused in a World Full of Distractions

Screens are everywhere—smartphones, laptops, tablets—and while they’re essential for learning, they can easily become a source of distraction. Between endless notifications, social media feeds, and gaming apps, it’s easy to lose focus and waste hours. Managing digital overload is key to staying productive and maintaining balance. Here’s how you can regain control of your screen time and use technology as a tool for success.

1. Set Digital Boundaries

To stay focused, establish clear boundaries for when and how you use your devices. For example:

Turn Off Notifications: Silence alerts during study time to avoid interruptions.
Create a Study-Only Space: Designate certain areas, like your desk, as screen-free zones for non-study activities.
Set Screen Time Limits: Many smartphones have features that let you track and limit time spent on specific apps.

Tip: Use apps like Focus Keeper or Forest, which gamify productivity by encouraging you to stay off your phone.

2. Schedule Regular Screen Breaks

Staring at screens for long periods isn’t just distracting—it’s also tiring for your eyes and mind. Breaks help you refresh and refocus. A great method is the 20-20-20 rule:

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

In addition, try incorporating non-screen activities into your routine. Read a physical book, go for a walk, or practice a hobby to give your brain a break from digital input.

Tip: Use break time to stretch, hydrate, or grab a healthy snack—these habits boost both focus and well-being.

3. Use Technology to Your Advantage

While screens can be distracting, they’re also powerful tools when used wisely. Leverage apps and digital tools that help you stay organized and productive:

Google Keep or Notion: For organizing tasks and notes.
Quizlet: For studying with digital flashcards.
StayFocusd or Freedom: To block distracting websites during study sessions.

Tip: When using your laptop, keep only one tab open at a time to maintain focus. Avoid the temptation of multi-tasking with multiple tabs.

4. Unplug Before Bedtime

Excessive screen time, especially at night, can interfere with your sleep cycle. The blue light emitted by devices reduces melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. To combat this:

Turn Off Devices an Hour Before Bed: Swap screens for relaxing activities like reading or journaling.
Use Night Mode: If you must use a device, enable night mode to reduce blue light exposure.

Tip: Create a bedtime ritual that signals your body it’s time to wind down, such as a short meditation or light stretching.

Balance Is Key

Digital devices are an essential part of life, but they shouldn’t dominate your time or attention. By setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and using technology intentionally, you can stay focused and productive while maintaining balance. Remember, you control your screens—they don’t control you. Start making these changes today, and enjoy the benefits of a healthier relationship with technology.

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 – Emma Broadhurst, Mia Dunham, Chloe McIntosh, Jessica Natoli

Year 8 – Kayla Hill, Rita-Adele Murr, Samara Sharratt, Allyra Sorensen

Year 9 – Kyla Brustolin, Isabella Crumlin, Alia Fahs

Year 10 – Sophie Carrig, Isabelle Hargreaves, Georgia Hatton, Isabel Lamb, Ellie Robertson

Year 11 – Camila Alispahic, Amelia Ballion, Sophie Hammon, Angel Tawanda

Year 12 – Amelia Buhagiar, Zarina Gill, Elani Moshous, Sofia von der Hocht

Nominees

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10
Molly Anstey Layla Becker Isabella Belcev Emma Broadhurst x 2 Kiani Broughill Imogen Clancy Alyssa Dainton x 3 Emilia Danysz Chloe Demir Mia Dunham Madeleine Frost x 2 Lillian Greaves Emmi Hallett Charley Hawkins Skylar Heffernan Wednesday Hoggan Alba Hurst Natasha Krupp x 2 Tilly Langshaw Sienna Lauro x 3 Chloe McIntosh x 2 Chloe McLintock Isla Muir Jessica Natoli Emily Parsonage Abigail Perinich India Sebastian x 2 Ella Thomas Lexi Usher Avalon Wardrop- Robins Harper Zmuda x 2	Ava Allouche Felicity Barnes Sophia Briggs Mary Chen x 2 Audrey Crombie-Brown Lauren Cuddihy Alice Donohoe Saira Gill Evangeline Girgis Madison Goldsmith Jessica Green Sierra Haywood Eva Hickson Kayla Hill Harper Hines Helen Huang Charlotte Kain-Blatch x 2 Annabelle Khoury Scarlett Kordovolos Meika McKinnon Ava McLean Charli Moses Piper Moss x 2 Rita-Adele Murr Kami Nguyen x 2 Eila Ponder Isla Renshaw x 2 Evie Ricio Nellie Schembri Samara Sharratt Allyra Sorensen Sandra Vasinova Zara Walsh Grace Whitelum Addison Wing	Charlee Baden Emily Brooks-Towers Kyla Brustolin Katherine Chen Penelope Crimmins Isabella Crumlin Olivia Douglas Alia Fahs Sofia Faraguna Molly Gargett Anna Govindrulu Ella Gumley Jessica Hammon Annabelle Hardy Tamarli Haydon Sophia Holford-Demasi Rebecca Hussein Lilliy Kate Mewton Rhianna Lacey Emily Lewis Molly Lewis Sophie Mathers Ella McGuinness x 2 Isabella Natoli Indie Ponder Emma Romyn Meika Rossini Isabella Rumolo x 2 Kayla Skapetis x 2 Liesl Spinner Chelsea Sumagui Jenai Taleyarkhan Deanna Tsotras Zoe Underwood x 2 Sienna Wood x 2 Ivy Yates	Alexis Barnes Tilly Rose Buchan x 2 Charlotte Burton Mandy Cao x 2 Sophie Carrig x 3 Olivia Colussi Clara Doyle Sienna Dunham x 2 Amabel Garvin Milan Goldsmith x 3 Phoenix Grady x 2 Sahara Hannon Isabelle Hargreaves x 2 Georgia Hatton Ruby Hoggan Reese Krouskos Isabel Lamb x 2 Gabrielle Lazaridis Josie McDonald Zulai McTackett Addison Metcalfe Sidonie Musq Lola Norton Dylan Rose O’Malley Isabella Petracca x 2 Isabella Prany x 2 Dakota Ramos Ellie Robertson Isla Russell Sabrina Salem x 2 Mia Grace Schembri Skyla Sleeman x 2 Ebony Smith x 2 Avy Stockwell Amber Sullivan x 4 Jessica Tassone x 2 Zara Vagg x 2 Maddison Vilivili Eve Wilson

Year 11	Year 12
Camila Alispahic x 3 Amelia Ballion x 3 Madeline Calabro Selena Contarino Daniella Edwards Chloe English Kobyfox Ennis Peta Gover x 2 Sophie Hammon x 2 Halle James Olivia Middlemiss x 3 Sophie Mooney x 2 Catherine Palamara x 3 Hannah Simonet Angel Tawanda	Amber Buckland x 3 Amelia Buhagiar x 2 Angelina De Frenza Zarina Gill x 2 Kaytlin Gindy x 4 Amber Govindrulu x 2 Christiana Kyriakides Elani Moshous x 2 Jana Nikolakopoulos Joumana Samir Sofia von der Hocht Olivia Wellington x 2

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

Newman Symposium

Students in our Newman classes have been working extra hard over the last few weeks, producing a project for our 2025 Newman Symposium to be held on Monday 11th August. The theme for 2025 was ‘messages’, which prompted students to consider what messages are most important in our society, how we can communicate clearly and whose messages are being left unheard in today’s world.

Parents are welcome to attend the Symposium and celebrate the progress students have made on their collaborative, student led projects. It will be a fantastic opportunity for students to receive authentic feedback on their work.

Other students in Years 7 to 9 will also have the opportunity to visit the Symposium and engage with the various projects.

We hope to see you there!

Ms Berger, Miss Romberg and Mrs Bernie

Year 11 Leadership Day

On Tuesday, August 5th, Year 11 students participated in a special Leadership Day designed to empower and equip them with essential skills for the future. The day was a fantastic opportunity for the students to build on their leadership abilities through a series of engaging activities and real world case scenarios, encouraging them to think critically and collaboratively.

A highlight of the day was a visit from the Liberal MP for Cook, Simon Kennedy. Simon Kennedy shared his personal journey, speaking to the girls about the importance of resilience, the power of inspiring others, and the different paths to leadership. His insights provided a valuable perspective on what it means to be a leader both within our community and beyond. The students were captivated by his stories and gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of leadership.

The program was developed to not only prepare students for leadership roles within the school but also to lay a strong foundation for their lives after graduation. The day was a resounding success, fostering a sense of confidence and purpose among our students. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm and commitment they showed and look forward to nurturing our students for future leadership opportunities here at Our Lady of Mercy Burraneer.

Gemma Mahoney

Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 11

Year 9 2025 / Year 10 2026

We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity available to our Year 9 students (Year 10, 2026).

In Term 2, 2026, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer is offering a unique immersion experience to the remote First Nations homelands of Cape York, taking place from Thursday 4 June to Wednesday 10 June 2026.

This immersive journey will allow students to deepen their understanding of First Nations culture, history, and community life in a truly meaningful way. It promises to be a transformative experience that aligns with our College’s values of compassion, respect, and learning through connection.

We will also be holding a Parent Information Zoom Session on Tuesday 19 August at 6.15pm, where you’ll be able to learn more about the itinerary, costs, and preparation involved.

We encourage all interested families to attend the session and consider this wonderful opportunity for your daughter.

Year 6 Curriculum Day

PDHPE Faculty News

Our three Stage 5 Child Studies Elective classes have had the opportunity to work with young children at Little Shepherd Preschool and Our Lady of Fatima Preschool and Long Day Care Centre in Term 2.

It has been such a privilege for OLM students to interact with children at these wonderful centres and they have learnt so much as they put theory into practice.

Our OLM students must be commended for their respectful and enthusiastic interactions with children and staff members at the two centres. It was clearly evident from the moment the girls walked into the rooms or playgrounds that they were totally engaged with their new friends.

The young children were delighted to have our OLM girls in their classes and did not want any of us to leave.

All 3 visits were a great success and we hope to visit again sometime in Term 3 or 4.

Katherine Chen (Year 9) reflected on her experience on the excursion as she wrote:

The preschool visit was a completely different experience. Seeing the children interact with their surroundings and other peers was eye opening and a vast change from seeing it on paper or in videos. Simply observing how the children thought and acted allowed us to have first hand experience and truly engage with knowledge and skills we had previously learned in class.

In addition, our Child Studies classes had a special guest speaker in classes last week.

Emma Formica has recently finished her course in midwifery and spoke to the students about her process of study and her role as a midwife in a Sydney hospital.

Emma spoke to the girls about the importance of education in order to help prepare new parents for the care of a new baby. She explained her role as a rewarding experience as she gave mothers support while preparing to give birth and throughout the first 6 weeks after the birth of their newborn. Part of the midwife’s role is to ensure the mother feels supported and well informed.

The Child Studies students were able to ask Emma many questions to further their understanding and interests in being a midwife as a possible future career.

This week we will begin working with Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 children at local Catholic primary schools as we learn about the growth and development of children from 0-8 years during Term 3.

We are all looking forward to further work in partnership with our community to further our knowledge and skills in Child Studies.

Mrs Alison Redman, Child Studies Teacher

Leader of Pathways and Partnerships – Lisa Formica

OLM Careers Newsletter can be accessed here.

OPEN DAYS

August
16 August	Macquarie University	More Info
17 August	ACU – Strathfield Campus	More Info
30 August	Notre Dame	More Info
30 August	University of Sydney	More Info
30 August	UTS	More Info
September
6 Sept	UNSW	More Info
6 Sept	ACU – North Sydney Campus	More Info

SCHOLARSHIPS

Year 12 students are now applying for university, and have been working on their early entry applications. It is now a good time to also consider scholarships. It is easy to apply for scholarships, though some are more specific and require more detailed applications. Below are just some of the scholarships available.

Co-op scholarships (UTS and UNSW) are a fabulous way of gaining work experience whilst at university. They offer students a financial reward, as well as 2 x 6 month internships with companies related to their degrees.

Sydney Catholic Schools offers a Future Teacher Scholarship

Valued at up to $160 000 the Ramsay Scholarship is offered to students studying the Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) at ACU. The Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) provides students with a rigorous and stimulating intellectual program in which they engage with western philosophy, history, literature, politics, art and culture, and develop a deep understanding of the great works, ideas and movements within the western intellectual tradition in the core of the program.

UOW Management Cadetship is a great opportunity for motivated students. Management Cadets work full time at UOW as they study their degree, applying their classroom experience to a range of functions at the institution. https://www.uow.edu.au/study/scholarships/domestic/cadet/

EXPOS

There are two Expos coming up in the next few weeks:

15 and 16 August – Sydney Careers and Employment Expo at the Hordern Pavillion. Over 100 employers, educators and education providers will be available. More info

2 September – Apprenticeship and Traineeship Expo at Gymea Tradies 3pm – 7pm

This is a great chance to meet with employers and discuss options. More info

EMPOWER LUNCHES

Empower Lunches are continuing this term. We have a range of presenters coming to talk to our students at lunchtime. All students from all year groups are welcome to attend. Students should check daily notices each week to make sure they know which presenter is on and where the presentation will be held as this will change week to week.

NOTE: Timetable subject to change at short notice depending on presenter schedules

Term 3
28 July	Jane Ewing – NECA Careers as an electrician
1 August	Emma HigginsRegistered Nurse / Registered Midwife
5 August	Stacey Cox – MEGTAll things apprenticeship and traineeship
12 August	Jed Wood – Fox and WoodCareers in Real Estate
19 August	Senior Constable Deb WilsonCareers in Policing
9 September	Karleen Dumbrell – Sutherland HospitalAllied health – OT and Physio
TBC	Childcare

Year 10-12 Students Considering a Career in Medicine or Dentistry

If you are in Years 10, 11 or 12, and considering a career in medicine or dentistry, you will need to sit the UCAT test as part of the entry requirements. There are many companies who offer UCAT preparation – please research these carefully to ensure you make an informed decision and find the one (if any) suited to you. One company is NIE and their details are here:

The NIE UCAT Intensive Training Workshop is an excellent opportunity for Year 10, 11, and 12 students considering sitting the UCAT.

The most effective approach to successful UCAT preparation is to begin early with low-frequency but consistent practice during the senior high school years. While you can and will have to still spend some time preparing during Year 12, it would be much better if the bulk of your preparation had been completed prior to the start of the busy Year 12 schedule. This strategy will allow you to spend just a few hours per week maintaining your UCAT skills in Year 12, instead of scrambling to catch up and adding stress to your already demanding Year 12 workload.

Therefore, we recommend that you officially start your UCAT training by participating in our full-day intensive UCAT preparation workshop, or you can also view a range of complete UCAT Preparation Courses offered through NIE.
Another company, for comparison, is Medentry

Lisa Formica, Leader of Pathways and Partnerships

Debating News

Sutherland Shire Debating Competition July – August 2025

This year OLM has entered a junior team in the Sutherland Shire Debating Competition which is a knockout style competition, involving students in Years 7 and 8. This competition requires three students to speak publicly with a non speaking team advisor. Students are given the topic on the day and have just 45 minutes to an hour to prepare their arguments.

Our team was affirmative for the first two debates, agreeing with the provided statements. The first debate topic against a Caringbah High School team was ‘That parents should be held responsible for the crimes of their children.’ Our second round debate against Kirrawee High, was a topical environmental issue, ‘That single-use plastic bags should be banned.’

Thus far we have been successful on both occasions, so our team ‘lives on’ to debate another day! All of our speakers and team advisors conducted themselves with grace and composure and continue to learn and develop their critical thinking skills.

Our next debate will be against the winner of the upcoming debate between St Patrick’s College Sutherland and another Kirrawee High team.

Well done to all the students who have contributed to the team’s success in this competition.

Miranda Martin, Lillian Greaves, Emma Broadhurst and Ava Kopke.

Ms S. Kamp, Debating Coordinator

Instructional Leader – Co-Curricular – Danielle Polson

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

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

The Sutherland Seahawks Gridiron Club have launched Shire Flag Football which will commence on Tuesday 2 September 2025 at Woolooware and will run for 14 weeks.

Here’s what the season looks like

PRE-SEASON | 4 WEEKS – Tuesday on 2, 9, 16 & 23 September

Our first four weeks are all about learning the game – teaching, nurturing, and building skills in a fun and supportive environment. Perfect for all ages and experience levels!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY BREAK | 2 WEEKS – A short break to relax, recharge, and get ready for the real action!

COMPETITION SEASON | 10 WEEKS – starting Tuesday 14 October 2025 it’s GAME ON! Each week brings friendly matchups, teamwork, and loads of fun on the field.

Interested players can register their interest here: https://form.jotform.com/BringitonSports/shireflagfootball

A poster for a sports event

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Danielle Polson, Instructional Leader Co-Curricular

Marine Studies News

There has been a great balance of dedicated research, quick sunshine filled breaks onshore, and plenty of patience as Marine Studies 100hr and 200hr classes wait for the fair weather that Term 3 promises to bring. Both classes continue to bring curiosity and enthusiasm to the classroom, fuelling engaging discussions as we dive deeper into our Abyss and Ocean modules this Semester.

Michelle Owens – Science Faculty

Creative and Performing Arts Faculty – Verneen Mason

Dance Troupe

The OLM Dance Troupe recently showcased their incredible talent at the prestigious Sutherland Shire, St George Dance Eisteddfod. Competing against many outstanding teams from local schools, our students delivered a very polished and captivating performance. The competition was fierce, and although the team did not place, their hard work and dedication were evident on the stage. We are incredibly proud of their effort and artistry.

Verneen Mason, Instructional Leader Creative and Performing Arts