Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community

A very busy Term 3 is drawing to a close but there is still much happening in these last two weeks.  I begin by sharing with you some wonderful news! 

At last week’s Frayne Speech Festival, a very significant event in the Mercy world, where the power of the spoken word is celebrated through the voice choirs, debating teams and public speakers, Academy students excelled.  Our two public speakers were awarded 1st and 2nd place in this rigorous competition.  Congratulations to Audrey Callanan (1st place) and Christina Camilleri  (2nd place) on their excellent speeches.  Audrey’s topic was "The Power of Stories" while Christina spoke on "The Humanities are More Important than Ever". Congratulations, too, to our Debating team Florencia Herrera, Aisha Binnie, Harper Smith and Alice Portz  who, while not reaching the finals, also acquitted themselves well. 

On Sunday our staff and students leave for their study tour to Italy.  We extend our best wishes for a happy, fulfilling and safe trip away immersing themselves in the art, history, culture and language of this wonderful country.  Mr Sam Di Camillo will be leading this study tour accompanied by Ms Elena Camera, Mr Michael Molony and Ms Tanya Vajda.  In Mr Di Camillo’s absence please contact the relevant Wellbeing Leader, Ms Neil, Deputy Principal or myself should the need arise.  

Thank you to all fathers and  grandfathers who attended last week’s Fathers’ Day Breakfast.  It was a wonderful celebration of the important men in our lives, exemplars of love, fidelity and care.

I warmly invite parents to attend our Mercy Day Mass on Friday, 13 September.  Mass will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral at 10.00am.  You are all most welcome.

The Annual Report to the School Community 2023 is now available and can be found on the Community page of this newsletter.

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal

Dear God,

Thank you for the change of seasons.  As we leave behind a Winter that wore out its welcome, may we step into Spring with a fresh heart, ready for nature to take its course.  May this season bring joy and light, peace and prosperity and a spirit in full bloom.

Amen.

The Celebration of Social Justice Sunday (the last Sunday in August), has a long history in Australia.  This year's statement is entitled "Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World" and highlights the devastating effects of conflict and war and the need to create a world of peace.

"The true God, who is the source of all truth, is a God of encounter and dialogue: and we who are created in God's image are created therefore not for war but for encounter and dialogue." (ACBC 2024a, p. 9)

"A renewed commitment to a culture of dialogue based on encounter in social relationships and in international relations would not only break down misunderstanding and build trust; it would lead us to discover more deeply the truth that the other is not my enemy but is my sister, my brother, even my friend." (ACBC 2024a, p. 9)