Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

“ What gives you joy as a member of the Academy community?”  This was a question asked of me recently but, it is a question that I have been asked on a number of occasions and at varying times.   My answer is always the same – “the Mercy Spirit that is the back bone of all that happens here and is palpable across the College in so many and varied ways.”  I cite some examples:

My day often begins by welcoming students into the College and it is heart warming to see their smiles and hear their “Good mornings!” as they arrive.   They are happy to be here.

Our Senior Student Leaders who work so hard to find ways to engage students across the College in a multitude of different events.

The students who willingly challenge themselves  - at the Frayne Speech Festival, on the athletics track, as a member of the Sustainability group or at a musical performance and the list could go on…

Positive behaviour on public transport – supporting an older person in need, giving up their seat, treating fellow travellers with respect.

The welcome that Year 7 students give to prospective Academy parents  - 7 Green have been remarkable ambassadors of the College in this regard.

The encouragement students give to one another, enabling risks to be taken which produce growth and deeper learning.

The Justice Group who are always seeking new causes and accepting opportunities to change lives.

The College staff who are so generous with their time and expertise – nothing is too much trouble for them.  They support every student to be the best they can be. 

Our parents supporting the College through their presence and ever ready to assist on special days.

The College Advisory Council members who support us both through their commitment and wise and timely advice.

And the list continues…  Mercy is lived each and every day at Academy and our Mercy values are indeed a lived reality – Respect, Compassion, Service, Justice, Hospitality and Courage.

It was pleasing to see the number of students who attended the lunchtime Mass held last Friday in Academy's Ursula Frayne Memorial Chapel to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.  It was another meaningful celebration and appreciated by all present.

In the last newsletter, I mentioned the upcoming Mercy Day and indicated that this year, the whole school Mass would be celebrated at school in the Dillon Centre, as the Cathedral was undergoing repairs.  We were delighted to discover that the Cathedral renovations are now on hold until 2027 and thus, our Mercy Day Mass will, once again, be celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral – an arrangement  that has been in place for many years.  All parents are most welcome to attend the Mass at 10.00am on Friday, 11 September.

We also look forward to the contribution of our students and our musicians and a number of staff who have been asked to lead the prayer at the forthcoming Mercy Ministry Conference.

Best wishes are extended to the teachersand students departing this weekend for the Immersion Experience to Cambodia, along with students and teachers from OLMC, Heidelberg and St Aloysius, North Melbourne.  We know this will be a life-changing experience for all involved and we wish them safe travels.

Building Project

All is proceeding well with our building  project and we hope that all permits and other requistite approvals will be in place by the end of the year with demolition works to then commence in 2027.   An exciting time ahead for the College!

Year 7, 2028 Applications

A reminder that Year 7  enrolment applications for 2028 are now due and interviews with families are scheduled for next week, Thursday, 27 August.  I  am pleased to say that enrolments are pouring in for 2028 and 2029.

Student Achievement

We offer our congratulations to our Year 8 student, Poppy L, who recently competed in a world championship sailing competition in Italy.  Poppy who sails with the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria,  and her Skipper, Matilda from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, represented Australia in the Promotional Class at the International Cadet Sailing World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy.  Poppy and Matilda secured first place against 52 other boats from Australia, Great Britain, India, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine.   What an amazing achievement and experience for Poppy and her skipper! 

Every Blessing.

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal

In the words of the Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy,  Catherine McAuley: 

"We can never say it is enough.”