Mercy News - Friday 4 July 2025

Key Dates

NAIDOC Week: 6 July to 13 July

Monday 21 July

• First Day of Term Three

Tuesday 22 July

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama productions, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Mercy College

Wednesday 23 July 

• Year 9 Immersion Day: Religious Education
  

Thursday 24 July

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama productions, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Parade College

Sunday 27 July

• Discover Mercy Open Day, 10.00am

Tuesday 29 July

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama productions, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Parade College
• Years 9 to 12 2026 Subject Selection and Career Expo Evening, 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Wednesday 30 July

• Discover Mercy Open Day, 9.30am and 6.00pm
• CGSAV Futsal Tournament

Thursday 31 July

• Mercy College and Parade College Rehearsals for 'Puffs' Drama productions, 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Mercy College
  

Prayer

Message From Our Principal

Dear Mercy College Community,

Final Day of Term Two
As Term Two comes to a close, our students and staff now embark on a well-deserved two-week break. This term has brought with it a mixture of achievements and challenges, and I know that this time away from the classroom will be a welcome opportunity for rest and reflection. I hope that all our students take this time to recharge, reconnect with loved ones, and engage in activities that bring them joy and renewal.

Learning Showcase
As is tradition at Mercy College, we concluded the term with our Learning Showcase - a valuable opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate learning in all its forms. It was wonderful to highlight the experiences of each year level and to acknowledge the achievements of individual students who continue to inspire us through their curiosity, creativity, and commitment.

Congratulations to our Student of the Term recipients. These awards recognise individuals who consistently embody the values of Mercy College and make a positive contribution to our learning community. Whether through academic achievement, leadership, or quiet perseverance, these students demonstrate excellence in both their attitude and their actions. They remind us that success is not only measured in results but also in character, curiosity, and resilience.

As we come to the end of Term Two, we celebrate some special moments within our staff community.

Vision For Instruction
This term, both staff and students have been engaging deeply with the MACS Vision for Instruction - a key focus in our professional learning and classroom practices. Grounded in high expectations, explicit teaching, and deep learning, this vision has guided our efforts to ensure every student is supported and challenged to thrive.

We’re excited to build on this momentum with the official launch of our Mercy College Instructional Model next term. This model will provide a shared framework for excellent teaching and learning across the College, ensuring clarity, consistency, and impact in every classroom.

We thank all staff for their ongoing commitment to refining their practice and supporting every student’s growth.

College Master Plan Student Consultation
As part of the next stage of our Master Plan, following staff consultation, students from Years 7 to 12 participated in student sessions. They shared their ideas and insights for the upcoming building refurbishments which will include the Chapel, Information Centre and the Community Hub. Their feedback is helping shape our learning spaces that reflect how students learn best — now and into the future.

Jubilee Pilgrimage
Madeline, one of our Year 12 students has been invited by her local parish to participate in the 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage in Rome, themed Pilgrims of Hope, as announced by Pope Francis. With great enthusiasm and determination, Madeline took the initiative to organise a fundraiser to help cover the remaining costs of her journey.

With the support of our school community, she hosted a sausage sizzle, along with drinks and baked goods, on Wednesday 2 July. The event was a great success, thanks to the generosity and encouragement of her family and both students and staff.

We are incredibly proud of Madeline for her leadership, initiative, and faith-filled commitment. We wish her all the best as she continues preparing for this special opportunity and assure her of our prayers.

Staffing Update
We extend our warmest congratulations to Angie Barberi, who has commenced parental leave following the safe arrival of her third son earlier thid week. We wish Angie and her family every happiness during this precious time.

We also send our best wishes to Nima Ballenger, who is beginning parental leave. We look forward to welcoming Nima back later in the year, just in time for our HeadStart program.

As we close another busy and fruitful term, I extend my sincere thanks to our students, staff, and families for your ongoing support and commitment to our Mercy College community. May the holiday period be safe, restful, and restorative for all.

Let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God.

Lila McInerney
College Principal

Student of the Term Awards

Year 7 - Grace Serong, 7C

Grace is a quiet, but consistent achiever. She takes initiative each morning to help set up the classroom for the day, shows respect to both staff and her peers, as well as taking efforts to participate in her classes to the best of her ability. She exemplifies our school values of compassion, excellence and justice. 

Year  8 - Klaudia Walec, 8C

Klaudia is a warm and welcoming presence in our school community. She consistently greets both staff and students with a friendly smile and kind words, creating a positive atmosphere wherever she goes. Klaudia is always willing to help others and works collaboratively and respectfully with her peers. She brings enthusiasm and genuine engagement to every Wellbeing class as well as making thoughtful contributions. Thank you, Klaudia, for the kindness, care and positivity you bring to Year 8 each day.

Year 9 - Mikayla Catelli, 9C

Mikayla’s attitude and effort throughout Term Two have been excellent and therefore she has achieved exceptional results across many of her subjects, especially in Maths. She is always willing to contribute to class discussions and is always very supportive of her peers in Wellbeing. She has received multiple recommendations from her subjects teachers for her academic contributions. She is a pleasure to teach!

Year 10 - Chanel Shlimoon, 10C

Chanel completes all her classwork and homework to the highest standard, makes valuable contributions to class discussions, always willing to ask questions, and displays respectful and responsible behaviour in class. Chanel is also commended for her participation in the Anzac Day service, where she played ‘The Last Post’ on the trumpet.

Year 11 - Zoe Chalhoub, SW2

Zoe has proven to be responsible, consistently managing her time, completing assessments on time and always coming prepared to class. She isn’t just doing what’s expected, it’s about doing it with purpose and pride. She is always respectful to her teachers, peers and the school community. Whether in the classroom or in the hallway, she treats others with kindness and dignity. Her diligence is evident in everything she does. She always gives her best effort. What also sets Zoe apart is her kindness. In a world where it can be easy to overlook the small things, she takes the time to say a kind word, offer a helping hand, or simply smile at someone who needs it.

Year 12 - Naledi Moyo-Akroku, SW2

Naledi is recognised as a truly outstanding student who brings such a bubbly energy into every room, lifting spirits with just a smile and a kind word. Her gentle disposition and caring attitude are felt by all who are lucky enough to know her. What sets this student apart is her natural empathy and understanding of others. Whether a classmate is having a tough day or simply needs a listening ear, she is always there - quietly  supporting those around her. Her beautiful nature shines through in everything she does, from academics to friendships, and it’s clear that kindness is at the heart of who she is. Naledi is a shining example of kindness, compassion, and integrity.

College Co-Captains End of Semester Reflection

The beginning of the 2025 school year has been off to a great start! Semester One has been full of excitement as we celebrate 60 years. In February, we held a 60th Anniversary Mass and day at the lake which was a lovely opportunity to connect with the school. This monumental event marked on our Mercy calendar instilled a plentiful number of memories where students were able to socialise with their friends and remember the achievements that Mercy held. There were countless moments where we were able to interact with our younger year levels and help them steer out of their comfort zone. This was exemplified in the Performing Arts Concert where the Year 7s performed an engaging and exciting dance item with Ms Laino. 

Navigating our journey as school leaders together has been a rewarding experience allowing us to embrace teamwork and collaboration. As co-captains, we have been invited to monthly board meetings where we have the opportunity to contribute as student representatives. We have also represented our school at events such as Discover Mercy Days, the Mother’s Day Mass, Performing Arts Concert, Band Nights, and Primary School Fetes. Through these activities, we’ve been learning how to work as partners and as a part of the student executive team. These opportunities helped us grow and learn the elements of adaptability, communication and teamwork, preparing us for the world outside of the Mercy gates. 

Although there has been some difficulty balancing our work, co-curricular activities, and leadership responsibilities, we've become a strong avenue of support and reliability for each other. We have taken input from our peers and teachers striving to make choices that benefit all year levels. The college has been a constant source of support and guidance, assisting us to navigate through our studies and roles, providing us endless advice, living out our core values of compassion, excellence, hospitality and justice more consistently and effectively, acting as a role model for younger students. 

Of course none of this would be possible without our dedicated student executive team, for their endless diligence and enthusiasm. We are all able to work collaboratively together and ensure all the events and activities that occur at Mercy are fun and enjoyable for all. 

As we look ahead to Semester Two, our hopes for the next semester is to juggle our business schedules of intense study sessions uni applications as well as preparing for graduation. Overall, it has been an incredible journey so far upholding these roles of co-captains and we are excited to finish this year feeling proud and fulfilled in our roles as co-captains.

Kyara Delgama and Darcy Murray
College Co-Captains

Music Lessons

Interested in learning a musical instrument in Semester 2?
If your child would like to learn a musical instrument in Semester 2, please complete the below Instrumental Tuition Enrolment Form and email it to music@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au.  

Shared and individual 30 minute lessons are available.

Students currently learning a musical instrument 
If your child was enrolled in the Mercy College Instrumental Program in Semester 1, this enrolment automatically rolls over for Semester 2. If you do not wish for your child to take instrumental lessons in Semester 2, please email music@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au by Monday 21 July. 

If you wish to change your child’s Instrumental enrolment for 2025, please complete a new Instrumental Tuition Enrolment Form.

Should you have any questions, please email: music@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au.

Supporting Every Student: Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Each year, all schools in Australia are required to participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). This important initiative helps ensure that students with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive at school.

As part of the NCCD process, schools are required to identify information about supports and adjustments provided to students with disability. This information helps schools, education authorities and governments plan and improve support services for all students.

The NCCD process involves:

• Counting the number of students receiving extra support
• Recording the type and level of adjustments provided to support all students’ learning.

Please note:

• No testing or assessments are required from the students as part of this process
• The information collected is non-identifiable – no student names or personal details are shared.

To learn more, we encourage you to read the NCCD Fact Sheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers

Should you have any questions regarding the NCCD, please contact Laura Cutri – Learning Diversity Leader on 9319 9282 or via email: lcutri@mercycoburg.catholic.edu.au 

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