Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

If you listened carefully as you went around undertaking the business of your day, you may have heard  the peeling of our Chapel bell last Friday heralding Mercy Day.  The Chapel  bell rang out 24 times (for 2024), signaling the start of our Mercy Day celebrations and  continuing the  long and unique tradition of the Chapel bell announcing an important event.  Our older alumnae often recall the  Chapel Bell  being rung  joyously to celebrate the end of World War II.

As it is each year, Mercy Day is such an important event in the College Calendar  - a day when the College community unites together to celebrate the Mercy spirit that binds us together – and thus it was this year.   The Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral is always the focal point of the day and the Cathedral resounded  to the sound of glorious music  performed by our very talented staff and student musicians.  The Senior Student Leadership Team proudly walked down the aisle of the Cathedral, holding high the College flags and carrying the message stick, the Vision, Mission and Values Statement and the College Register – the latter encapsulating the story of the College from April 20, 1857 to 13 September, 2024.

I take this opportunity to thank our Celebrant, Fr Michael McEntee, whose homily  focused on the story of the Academy from Mother Ursula Frayne to the present day.

I extend my thanks to Ms Louisa Rennie, Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Education,  and  Mr Anthony Loschiavo, Executive Officer, Mercy  Ministry Companions, the Sisters of Mercy and all our guests  who joined us for the mass.

Following the Mass, a BBQ lunch awaited all and I thank the many parent volunteers who worked all morning to ensure that the sausages were ready when the students returned to the College.  Following the solemnity of the morning, the remainder of the day was a celebration of the present, with dancing in the hall and House performances and skits in the Dillon Centre.   All in all, a grand celebration!

On the other side of the world our teachers and students are enjoying all that Italy offers them with the Study Tour going very well.  The group has spent time in Rome, Siena, Pisa and  Florence - Venice now beckons and, following this beautiful city,  they will  arrive at Ruffini High school for the home stay and  Sister School school experience.  I am sure your daughters will have many stories to tell and I hope everyone has been following their experiences via Facebook.

We have a number of staff taking Long Service leave in Term 4:

Mr Eddie Merceica who will be replaced by Ms Georgie Terrill

Mr Alan Tomassini (from Week 3 to Week 9), replaced by Ms Pam Cleeve-Edwards 

Mr Angelo  De Cata (first four weeks), replaced by Ms Geraldine O’Connor

A very busy term now draws to a close.   I wish all familes and everyone, safe and happy holidays and look forward to working with you again in Term 4.

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal