Dear Members of the Academy Community,

Last week was such a significant week for the Year 12 class of 2023 with their last week of classes, the Graduation Mass last Thursday evening, and the whole school Assembly on the Friday.

The Mass provided an opportunity to pray with and for our Year 12 students as they take the next step in their life journey. As is our tradition, students were blessed three times -with a blessing prayer from all present, the Irish ☘️ Blessing and finally the Mercy Blessing. The music both choral and instrumental was, as always, glorious.

Due to the numbers of parents joining us for the Assembly the following day, a few classes participated in the Assembly from their classrooms via a video link. The 1000 plus attendees could not fit in our Dillon Centre!

The Assembly was one of reflection and joy. Our Senior Student Leaders gave heartfelt and memorable speeches and saw the leadership mantle passed on to the next group of students. I take this opportunity to thank all members of the Senior Student Leadership Team and indeed all Year 12 students for their leadership this year.

Congratulations, in particular, to our College Captain, Rahel Abraham, our Vice Captain, Krissy Francis, Justice Captain, Akos Brobbey-Awuah, Arts Captain, Maddy Palmer, Sports Captain, Lucy Ryan, and indeed all the Senior Student Leadership Team. Their leadership has been a constant throughout the year.

We extend best wishes to all our Year 12 students as they move into the examination Period.

As I did at the Assembly I would particularly like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the Year 12 teachers this year. They have worked tirelessly to support the students and their professionalism, expertise, and care are much appreciated. Special thanks to Ms Jodie Muller, Year 12 Wellbeing Leader, for her encouragement of the students and her dedication and hard work.

Education is not just about preparing young people for the future. It is about giving them the skills, confidence, and heart to shape the future. It is not just about giving them knowledge, but about encouraging them to be all that they can be—to reach their full potential—to enable them to be people who will make a difference in a world that desperately needs honest, strong, compassionate leaders.

Our Vision and Mission Statement also includes the six Mercy values that we hold dear. I believe that, as we farewell our Year 12s, they will leave the Academy with a deep appreciation of these six key Mercy values, and imbued with this understanding, they will, in their own way, make the world a better place.

Compassion

At Academy, compassion and empathy lead to life-enhancing action.

Courage

At Academy, courage means taking a stand in the face of risk, sustained by our faith and trust in God.

Hospitality

At Academy, hospitality is being a welcoming, inclusive community where we open our hearts and extend generosity.

Justice

At Academy, justice and mercy are partners when forming relationships and building a strong community.

Respect

At Academy, we show respect for ourselves, to others, and care for the Earth – our common home.

Service

At Academy, we use our gifts and talents to positively enhance the experiences of those around us.

2024 Senior Student Leadership Team

And now we move into 2024. I take this opportunity to congratulate our new leaders and, in particular, our Co-Captains, Leah Freeman and Sinitta McCarthy. For 2024 the decision was made to return to two students sharing this position. This has taken place in the past although not in very recent times. I know Sinitta and Leah will work together well and ably share the responsibilities of captaincy. Next year we will also have Co Leaders for Justice in recognition of this ever growing area of the College.

We were very pleased with both the number of students who had the courage to put their names forward for leadership and with the calibre of the applicants. Once again we know that there will be strong student leadership in 2024 and that the College will be in good hands. Please join me in congratulating our 2024 Leadership Team:

Year 7 2024

In the midst of farewells, there are also welcomes. On October 7 we welcomed to the College our newest students – the Year 7 students of 2024 - who participated in an Assessment Morning. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a very happy and enriching 6 years of education at the Academy of Mary Immaculate. As we farewell our Year 12 students, we acknowledge that the cycle continues, having now met last week, the students who will form the Year 12 Cohort of 2029!

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm

Principal

"The world will never be the dwelling place of peace, till peace has found a home in the heart of each and every man, woman and child"
St. Pope John XXIII

May you meet mercy each day;

In the light of your own heart,

At the hands of your loved ones,

In the eyes of the stranger and the needy.

And if by chance you do not at first meet it,

Then search your heart for it,

Listen patiently for word of it,

And it will tap you on the shoulder,

A quiet surprise, a small gesture, the tender look,

Given and received in the encounters of your day.

“Poems & Prayers of Mercy” by Mary Wickham rsm

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