Student takes on Kokoda Challenge

Sophie Phelan in year 10 has commenced walking the Kokoda Track. Her first day was full on, the rain contributed to the challenge as did the fact that the group had no tents until very late in the evening. Details can be found at

http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=1271

and though this site can be tricky to navigate, friends and well wishers are asked to leave messages on this site.

The preparation for this walk has been a challenge in itself and Sophie has loved every second. Sophie is being joined on the walk by Lisa from 106.3FM and between 7-730am every weekday Lisa is transmitting from the Track so listen and keep informed. The Merici Community is proud of Sophie and wishes her the experience of a lifetime.

We also look forward to hearing her about her experiences when she returns. Watch this space.

 For further details www.kokodachallenge.com 

 

Merici excells in the Australian Mathematics Competition

 

Over 400 students from Merici College participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) on Thursday 31 July. All students received a certificate acknowledging their performance and a detailed report showing how they went on each problem. This year Merici College received some outstanding results on the AMC with over one half of the students receiving a certificate of proficiency or better. Special mentions must be made for Nyomi Bourbous in Year 11 and Sarah Holroyd in Year 7, who both received high distinctions and for Katelyn Wilson (pictured left), who received the highest mark in the ACT for any Year 7 student. Katelyn has been invited to attend the AMC awards ceremony to receive her prize for this remarkable accomplishment

 

Congratulations to Ella Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Ella Ward who has been selected to represent the ACT for Basketball at this year’s upcoming Pacific Schools Games.  The games will be held in Canberra from Sunday 30 November to Saturday 6 December.

 

The Merici Canon

The ‘canon’ of literary works refers to a body of selected works that have endured time in our culture. These texts are valued for not only their artistic merit but also the messages that they convey. The English Department at Merici College is in the business of creating experiences where students can experience texts that resonate in the collective consciousness of our community. We want students to be exposed to both canonical and popular texts. In essence, we want to encourage our students to read regularly and widely. The Merici Canon is a list of recommended texts for each year group. The texts are not limited to novels. The list also included films, poems and plays. This list will grow over time. Please contact the coordinator of English, Mr Feodoroff, if you have some suggestions. kristofer.feodoroff@merici.cg.catholic.edu.au

 

Melanie Poole One of Australia's Youth Representatives to the United Nations speaks to The Merici Community

Melanie's powerful speech is reprinted here

 

If you wish to contact Melanie at www.youthrep.org.au she would really love feedback from students, about any issues, local or global. You can check out her blog and read about her travels around Australia.

Melanie would also like to make young people aware of the incredible opportunities offered by the Foundation For Young Australians (www.youngaustralians.org or ph 1800 252 316). They have been a very generous sponsor of Melanie and the CEO, Adam Smith, is a former Australian Youth Representative!

 

 

Dr Colleen Spence wins Innovative Teacher Award

Congratulations to Dr Cololeen Spence who is one of eight recipients of the Australian 2008 Microsoft Innovative Teacher Award. The award acknowledges exceptional visionary teachers who have introduced innovative technologies in imaginative ways into the curriculum to support students and improve learning outcomes. The award decision was based on Dr Spence’s classroom practice, use of technology to enhance learning, and use of technology in her professional life, including sharing with colleagues. The award includes attendance at two professional conferences in Melbourne and in Kuala Lumpur. Dr Spence is Coordinator of Powerful Learning & Laptop Program at Merici College.

 

 

 

APEX Australian Teenage Fashion Awards

ON the weekend 3 of our students Yasmin Masri, Georgina McWilliam and Genevieve Rossi entered the APEX Australian Teenage Fashion Awards.

The categories entered were Evening Wear, Day wear and Fantasy. The students had to design and produce a garment which was judged according to originality, design and construction. All three students received very good feedback on their designs and Georgina was awarded 3rd place in the day wear category and qualifies for the national final held in Sydney later this year.

 

 

Merici is hosting Senior Crime Prevention debating tournament.

Following a successful Australian style debating season Merici's debaters are straight back to work with the Junior and Senior Crime Prevention tournaments. The Crime Prevention debating tournament is sponsored by the Australian Federal Police and deals solely with issues around law and justice. This year, Merici is hosting the tournament in our brand new Information Centre. Debates kick off with the first round on Wednesday 27 August. The topic will be the contentious: 'That Blackmail should be legal'. Aishu, Hannah and Anita (pictured left) were runners up in last years Crime Prevention debating season

 

World Youth Day

Twenty students from years 10, 11 and 12 and four members of staff, Catherine Rey, Bridget Bandle, Kyla Gilchrist and Julianne Abbott attended the full week of World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney in July. The photos below tell some of the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[view photos from the day >>]

 

Merici's Community Bush Dance a great success

Two Cowgirls get ready to line dance [more images]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merici Achieved Impressive Year 12 Results in 2007

• 98% completion rate for Year 12 Certificate
• Highest ever median (the middle student) UAI for Tertiary students
• Highest ever AST results for Tertiary students
• High percentage of students completing a Vocational Certificate

While the saying ‘Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics’ can be bandied around, the following information will be further elaborated upon at the Year 11 and 12 parent information night on April 2 (as part of parent teacher evening) and at the senior information evening for Year 10 students on May 12.

• 3 students above a UAI of 99
• 15% of eligible students above a UAI of 95
• 38% of eligible students above a UAI of 90
• 78% of eligible students above a UAI of 70
• Median UAI of 86 (equal second highest in the ACT)

Merici’s percentage of students completing a Tertiary package was lower than in previous years and was just above the ACT average at 55%. Many students realise that there are many educational pathways to journey along after college and that going directly to university may not be in their best interests at this stage of their lives. There are strong links between the CIT and local universities with guaranteed entry into a CIT course after completing at Vocational Certificate and guaranteed entry into many university courses after completing courses at CIT.

The attitude of the students was focused throughout the year and despite the disruption of having their study base (the Library) moved for Term 4, the students finished strongly.
Gerard Ryan
Assistant-Principal Curriculum

Outstanding results for Merici students at the ANU College

The ANU in 2006 for the first time offered students in Year 11 the opportunity to begin university units in the fields of Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. The bonus of this study is that the results to count towards a student’s UAI and also to give them credit for particular courses if the student then proceeds to study at the ANU after finishing Year 12. Helen Burke, Zoe Hare, Maree Silling and Vanessa Sewell were all offered early entry into ANU courses after completing their courses with many of their unit results being at Distinction level. Year 11 students interested in enrolling in the ANU College should contact Gerard Ryan.

Some inspiring Year 12 students from 2007

Nickie Bartlett-Fry received the BSSS Excellence Award for Community Service. Nickie made an outstanding contribution to the life of the college as a House Captain, mentoring younger students and leading school activities. She was involved with Amnesty International, the ACT Cancer Council fundraising and St Vincent De Paul Youth Camps. Nickie will be overseas in 2009 working as a volunteer in Africa.

Claire Capel-Stanley received the BSSS prize for the highest UAI at the college (99.85). Claire was an excellent student throughout her time at Merici, concentrating on the Humanities subject area. Her abilities in critical analysis and independent thinking were matched by her fluent and original writing style and her facility with the spoken word. Claire’s result also made her eligible for a scholarship at the Australian National University (ANU) where she is going to study a Bachelor of Philosophy.

Theresa McGuiness received the BSSS Excellence Award for Performing and Visual Arts. She is an outstanding dancer and she also studied Art, Graphic Design and Drama. She had a portrait featured at the CSIRO Gallery with her portrait of a scientist. Theresa has accepted a place at the Brent Street Performing Arts School in Sydney for 2009.

Alexandra Mack received the BSSS Excellence Award for Vocational Studies. Alexandra completed her Certificate II in Hospitality as well as completing a School Based Apprenticeship at Chill Restaurant in Campbell. She will be pursuing studies to become a chef in 2009.

2008 Student Leadership Team

The senior student College Leaders for 2008 have been elected by their peers and College staff, following a rigorous nomination process. This group participates in extensive training with elected student leaders from other schools and takes a leading role in initiating, supporting and organising activities within the College.

College Captain: Tessa Blencowe
College Vice-Captain: Alexandra Benham
Balgo Captain:  Niesa Harper    Balgo Vice Captain: Stephanie Sackley
Brescia Captain: Kieren Sands     Brescia Vice Captain: Alison Fogarty
Ningil Captain: Rachael Williams    Ningil Vice Captain: Eliza Pettit
Penola Captain: Eleanor Windsor Penola Vice Captain: Lauren Teakle
Seiwa Captain: Amanda Tehle    Seiwa Vice Captain: Alyshia Zanetti
Tullow Captain: Sarah Williams   Tullow Vice Captain: Rachel Buitendam