WHAT’S ON AT MERICI #YearofYouth #SpreadingJoy Term 1 Weeks 8 and 9 (26 March – 8 April)
WHOLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Merici College Enrolling Now 2019 Campaign Please follow the link https://merici.news/news/enrolling-now-2019-campaign to find an information flyer on our Enrolling Now 2019 Campaign. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spread the word and forward this information to family members, friends and work colleagues.
Ride to School Day – Tuesday 27 March Ride to School Day is on Tuesday 27 March. Students and staff who ride or walk to school are invited to our free brekkie in the canteen (but to get breakfast you need to show us a selfie of you riding or walking to school). Breakfast will be served from 8.00am - 8.40am. If you haven’t already signed up, please let Bec know by emailing [email protected] so we can get an idea of numbers for catering.
Community BBQ – Wednesday 28 March (6.00pm-7.30pm) All parents, carers, students and community members are invited to our Community BBQ on Wednesday 28 March commencing at 6.00pm. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/mericicommunitybbq to find the invitation. RSVP essential to [email protected] as soon as possible.
Merici College 60th Jubilee Organising Committee Meeting – Wednesday 28 March (5.00pm) Next year Merici will celebrate its 60th anniversary. We would like to thank members of community who have previously expressed their interest in becoming member of the organising committee. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 March at 5.00pm at the College in the Conference Room. We welcome any new members to the team, please send through your details to [email protected] or telephone 6243 4178. For members that are unable to attend the meeting, minutes of meeting will be prepared and circulated to you for your input and comments. Your feedback would be greatly valued.
We are looking very forward to organised wonderful activities to celebrate this very special occasion. Please let Ros know if you are attending the meeting.
Note: Merici College Community BBQ will be held after the meeting at 6pm in the New Quad, all welcome.
Easter Liturgy – Thursday 29 March All staff and students will have the opportunity to reflect on the significance of Easter on Thursday 29 March (Period 5). Parents are also invited to attend this important event which explores the Christian significance and meaning of hope for us today.
MERICI COLLEGE Wise St GPO Box 154 Telephone (02) 6243 4100 [email protected] Braddon Canberra Facsimile (02) 6243 4199 www.merici.act.edu.au ACT 2612 ACT 2601 Good Friday – Friday 30 March
Easter Saturday – Saturday 31 March
Easter Sunday – Sunday 1 April
Easter Monday – Monday 2 April
Bridge Restaurant – Wednesday 4 April (12.15pm) The Bridge Restaurant will be open for lunch on Wednesday 4 April from 12.15pm – 1.30pm. Online bookings available at www.merici.college or contact Reception on 6243 4100.
Talk and Tour – Thursday 5 April (9.00am) For all prospective families interested in learning more about Merici College. The Talk and Tour will consist of a brief introduction to the College by the Principal and a student-led tour. There will be opportunities for parents, and their daughters, to ask questions both during, and after, the Talk and Tour has finished. Go to www.merici.college for online registration.
Save the Date - Canberra Metro Light Rail Stage 1 Update – Community Consultation Meeting – Wednesday 9 May (5.30pm) Canberra Metro will be at Merici College on their Open Day, Wednesday 9 May 2018 at 5.30pm to share information about exciting developments taking place along the light rail corridor, particularly around Northbourne Avenue. All community members are invited to attend. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/anbetroommunityeeting to find more information.
Photo Day – Change of Date: Thursday 10 May (Day 1), Monday 21 May (Day 2) Please note that the School Photo dates have changed due to the Year 7 Camp being rescheduled.
• Thursday 10 May - Day 1: Individual portraits, PC class photos, family and siblings, Student Leadership Team, Leadership and Executive staff teams.
• Monday 21 May - Day 2: Year 12 class photo, House photos, absentee individual photos.
School photos are scheduled to be taken by Advancedlife Photography. Whilst an envelope will be distributed through PC classes shortly, if possible it is Advancedlife Photography’s preference that ordering be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day. Please see below for further information from AdvancedLife Photography:
MERICI COLLEGE School Photography Date: 10/05/2018 ONLINE ORDER CODE NKP 6M5 G73 School photography day is coming up very soon. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link above or by using the envelope.
Important Information:
• School photos purchased online DO NOT require envelopes returned to school* • Don’t forget to order your sibling photos now • Late fees/additional charges will be applied for purchases after photo day • Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken • Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups available at school’s advancedlife & your advancedyou photo sites (follow the link above)
*Sibling photographs must be ordered either online or by order envelope prior to the day of photography. A photograph will not be taken without an order. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at the school.
advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to MERICI COLLEGE for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at-
Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed. Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please direct them via email to [email protected]
Please ensure that your daughter is dressed appropriately, that shoes are polished and skirts are no shorter than the knee. Full school winter uniform (including the jumper) must be worn and the seniors are required to wear their blazers. Students will be asked to remove their scarves and spray jackets for the photo.
Canberra Metro Light Rail Construction Road Update Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/canbmetromarch to find the latest news on road closures and diversions.
Parent Online Advice March 2018 The Parent Advice Online Safety information newsletter focuses on technology issues that concern parents. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/parentonlinemarch to find the latest newsletter on WHISPER and 4CHAN (also attached to this newsletter). We encourage the College community to contact us with specific apps or topics that you would like more information on so that we can help you support your child.
SchoolTV – Diet and Nutrition Families today, with school-age children, have very busy schedules. This can sometimes make it hard to sit down to homemade meals every day when there is such an abundance of pre- packaged and processed food at the available. However, it is still important to teach your kids healthy eating habits. Diet and nutrition is crucial to your child’s development. Not only can it prevent many chronic diseases, but it also impacts on your child’s brain development and learning abilities.
There are many benefits to incorporating a healthy diet and good nutrition. It can stabilise your child’s energy, improve their mood and maintain a healthy weight. Not only will it improve their general wellbeing, but it can also have a positive impact on their mental health helping prevent anxiety, depression and ADHD.
Please follow the link http://merici.act.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter to launch our SchoolTV site and find out more in the latest SchoolTV newsletter.
YEARS 7, 8 AND 9 NEWS
Year 8 and 9 Assembly – Monday 26 March Our School Counsellors and Year 12 students will speak to the Year 8 and 9 students about resilience and on-line safety.
Year 7 Immunisations – Tuesday 27 March The first round of Year 7 immunisations will be held on Tuesday 27 March. For more information please visit http://www.health.act.gov.au.
Year 9 Geography Excursion – Wednesday 28 March Year 9 Geography students will attend an excursion to the Australian National Botanic Gardens and Jerrabomberra wetlands on Wednesday 28 March. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/year9geography to find the permission note.
Year 9 History Excursion – Wednesday 28 March Year 9 History students will attend an excursion to the Australian War Memorial on Wednesday 28 March. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/r9history to find the permission note.
YEARS 10, 11 AND 12 NEWS
Year 10 History Excursion – Thursday 5 April Year 10 History students will be attending an excursion to the Australian War Memorial on Thursday 5 April.
Year 10 Geography Excursion – Thursday 5 April Year 10 Geography students will attend an excursion to Black Mountain, Dickson/Lyneham Wetlands, Scrivener Dam, Molonglo River, Weston Park and Mount Ainslie.
CAREERS NEWS For the latest Careers newsletter, please follow the link http://merici.college/go/mericicareersmarch.
YM@Merici (Youth Ministry)
Beyond Nights - Years 10-12 Youth Ministry Event Friday 23 March Postponed Please be advised that the Beyond Nights Youth Ministry event with Merici and Marist Colleges scheduled for Friday 23 March 4.00pm-8.00pm at St Joseph's Parish O'Connor has been postponed until later in the year. Notification regarding a new date will be advertised in the near future.
CONNECT Masses (Mass @ 6.00pm, YM 7.00pm - 8.30pm) Want to engage with Mass and connect with students from Canberra Catholic College’s and beyond? Then the Connect Mass is for you! Connect Masses are held at Mary Help of Christians Parish, Cnr. Beasley Street & Hogson Crescent Pearce, ACT. Mass starts at 6:00pm with youthful music and a Homily catered to a youth audience. Fellowship and connect is from 7:00pm till 8:30pm. Fellowship involves icebreaker games, food and faithful discussions with other students.
Remaining dates for this year are Saturday 19 May, Saturday 25 August, Saturday 3 November.
For more information contact: Marist College Canberra Youth Ministry Officer – Rossen at: [email protected] or 0431 874 981. A poster can be found at http://merici.college/go/connectmass.
Please note: Merici College staff presence will be at the CONNECT Masses, however, these are not Merici organised events and parent attendance at the Masses is encouraged.
Social Justice group Merici College's Social Justice group meets every Wednesday Week B Recess in the LCD. If your daughter is passionate about social justice, awareness raising and fundraising, please encourage her to attend.
If you have any questions regarding Social Justice please contact Ms Amy Connellan, Head of Mission and Community at [email protected] Christian Service Program
Anglicare - Jamison Anglicare is urgently looking for student volunteers in their charity shop in Jamison. In particular on a Saturdays however, students can volunteer any day. Volunteers would be assisting with pricing, tidying shop, displaying things and also at the register. If your daughter is interested, please contact Isla Smith on 0407 959 359.
SPORT
Under 14 AFL inter-school tournament – Wednesday 4 April The College will be represented by an under 14 AFL team in an interschool tournament on Wednesday 4 April. Interested students should apply to Dr Powell. Details will be posted via Daily Notices.
ACT 12-16 Years Combined Northside/Southside Swimming Carnival – Wednesday 11 April Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/actswimmingchamps to find information and the permission note for students participating in the ACT 12-16 Years Combined Northside/Southside Swimming Championships on Wednesday 11 April. The event will be held at the AIS pool. iC NEWS
Students are working hard on their assignments and using many of the iC resources available to them, both online and on the shelves. The iC is a hive of activity during lunch and after school with students studying and collaborating. Encourage your daughter to seek help from the iC staff if they are having trouble finding information or unsure about referencing.
Co-Curricular activities began at lunchtimes last week. Year 7, 8 and 9 Book Club on Tuesday and the Senior Book Club on Wednesday. Thursday is dedicated to digital detox, we encourage technology to be turned off and to access alternative activities like board games, cards and colouring in. Everyone is welcome. On Thursday 22 March, for the first time, Merici has entered two teams, from Years 7 and 8 to participate in the Kid’s Lit Quiz. A fun competition about books, authors and illustrators held at Radford College. We wish them well.
Yours in reading iC staff
DEFENCE NEWS
Soldier On Family Sailing Day and Come & Try Dragon Boating – Saturday 7 April Soldier On have teamed with ‘Purple Warriors Australia’ for a session of Come and Try Dragon Boating. In addition, a Family Sailing Day has been organised for families. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/soldieronevents to find more information on these events.
IT NEWS
Moodle Access for Families Families can now access their daughters Moodle courses using their family login. This will give you the ability to view the same course content that they see. If you do not yet have your family login details you can email [email protected] to receive the details. As announced earlier this year, these details also let you top up their Merici Card to use for printing and the Canteen.
Family Zone – Is Roblox Dangerous? Keeping up with the latest in online gaming can be a multi-level challenge for parents - especially when what's ‘cool’ seems to change at the speed of a mouse- click. Read more ...
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Music: Pre-Eisteddfod Concert – Friday 6 April The Merici College bands will be performing at a Pre-Eisteddfod concert on the music they will be performing at the Eisteddfod. String ensemble, Junior and Senior Band, and Jazz Band will be required.
Parents are most welcome to attend the concert. Doors open 5:45 pm. Concert starts at 6:00pm. This would be a combined concert with the Young Music Society Concert Band (the community band Miss Way conducts which students are more than welcome to join - rehearsals are Saturdays 9-12pm during term). This event will be a gold coin donation.
Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/preeisteddfodconcert to find the permission note and information on rehearsals. Please return notes to the Expressive Arts staffroom or email Miss Way at [email protected].
Merici Snowsports Meeting (Wednesday 28 March 5.15pm) Hot on the heels of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and our own Australian winter season- opening weekend just 14 short weeks away, Merici Snowsports is holding its first information session for parents and students interested in being part of the team in 2018.
Whether you are a boarder or a skier, we will be presenting an overview of our College’s participation in A.C.T. / Southern NSW Interschools annual Snow-Sports Competition to be held at Perisher Valley 24-27 July. This event is not just for girl’s – parents can come along and get involved too.
Where: CRLC Date: Wednesday 28 March Time: 5:15pm Note: The College Community BBQ immediately follows at 6.00pm
All current team members, plus those students who put their name on the list at the Expo, as well as anybody interested in learning more about Snow-Sports at Merici College are warmly welcome to attend. Numbers on the squad for Interschool event in 2018 are limited. OTHER NEWS
Confidence in Catholic Education Parent And Staff Survey Catholic Education shares with Catholic school parents a deep commitment to providing your children with high quality academic and faith-filled education, and the safest possible school experience.
To inform the work of Catholic Education has engaged accredited, leading Australian researcher body, JWS Research, to help us understand parent and staff views on current child safety and protection policies and approaches and what may be required to strengthen Catholic Education in this important area.
The research project is aiming to reach all parents in the Archdiocese through a survey below.
Your views will help Catholic Education to enhance its schools and meet the needs of the children in our school communities. The survey closes on the 26th March. Your participation is very much appreciated. https://www.questionpro.com/t/ANt0VZbgko
FREE: Girls Make your Move Day, Lyneham Tennis Centre – Sunday 25 March. Tennis ACT has partnered with the Australian Government’s Girls Make Your Move campaign for a girls’ day on Sunday 25 March from 9am-11am, a free community event aiming to inspire, energise and empower young women to be more active.
A number of ACT based sports will be there including Basketball, Crickey, Hockey, Netball, Tennis, and Volleyball. Next Gen Canberra will offer Yoga, Blitz boot camp and box fit sessions. A jumping castle, face painting, and Enchanted Canberra’s Belle and The Flash will also be in attendance.
If you are looking for something active to do on the weekend we would encourage you to check this event out. Further details can be found on the Facebook event - Girls Make Your Move Day.
Tennis Holiday Camps Autumn 2018 Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/tennisholidaycamp to find more information on tennis holiday camps being offered by Canberra School of Tennis.
Gungahlin Flames Junior Basketball Trials Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/gungahlinflamestrials to find information on trials for the Gungahlin Flames 2018 Winter Season Junior Basketball Trials.
Gungahlin Football Club – Female Participation GUFC is keen to attract more females into soccer by providing an inclusive, supportive and competitive environment for girls of all ages Looking for teams from ages 5 through to 35+. Please follow the link http://merici.college/go/gufcfemale to find more information.
Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T) Supported by Parentline ACT Learn respectful communication skills for a peaceful, gentle approach to parenting, without the use of punishment or reward. P.E.T helps children and parents develop resilience, emotional intelligence, confidence and consideration. The course is powerful, proven and practical. Yell less, and enjoy your children more. Build relationships that last a lifetime.
The 24 hour course consists of three-hour sessions, once per week, for eight weeks. Booking is essential. $390 pp for the course (investment includes a workbook and textbook). Course begins: Tuesday, 8 May 2018 (minimum number of participants required); Time: 6.30pm to 9.45pm; Place: Weston, ACT.
For more information: visit www.parentskills.com.au; read P.E.T. on a Page; and join the Parent Skills Facebook community. Resource blogs: www.parentskills.com.au/blogs/larissa; Contact: [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS (Term 1 Week 10 and Term 2 Week 1)
Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings – Tuesday 10 April and Thursday 12 April (4.00pm) Term 1 ends Term 2 begins – Monday 30 April Direct Bus Service South Canberra/Merici commences – Monday 30 April ANZAC Day Assembly – Tuesday 1 May Be a Merici Girl for a Day – Wednesday 2 May D of E Parent Information Night – Wednesday 2 May Seniors – Sport and Recreation Camp – Thursday 3 May Be a Merici Girl for a Day – Friday 4 May Talk and Tour – Saturday 5 May