Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

A quieter week this week as the College settles down after last week’s huge week where we farewelled the magnificent Year 12 class of 2024!

Our Year 12 students gathered together with teachers and parents for three significant events – the Year 12 Graduation Mass on Thursday, 17 October followed by a College Assembly and a morning tea on Friday, 18 October.

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.   In Fr Peter Varengo’s absence, the Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael McEntee who also celebrated our Mercy Day mass.  Fr Michael’s homily encouraged students to be compassionate, courageous  and spirit filled.  He later observed to me how impressed he was by the atmosphere of prayer within the gathered community.

As has now almost become another tradition, the rain poured down as people entered and exited the Church!  The heavens always seem to open the evening of our Graduation Mass!!!

The College Assembly the next day was truly a memorable occasion as we farewelled the  Class of 2024, bade farewell to the 2024 Senior Student Leadership Team and saw the mantle being passed to the 2025 Senior Student Leadership Team.   I take this opportunity to thank the Senior Student Leadership Team  of 2024.  Their speeches expressed both  gratitude for the past and hope, aligned with a little trepidation, for the future. 

I particularly  want to acknowledge the Year 12 Parent Community.  You have supported your daughters throughout this challenging year and, in many ways, lived and breathed  the VCE experience with them.  Thank you, too, for your support of the College  over the past six years.  

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

As I did at the Year 12 Graduation 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 very much needs honest, strong, compassionate leaders.  I believe that is what this College has gifted to the students over the past six years. 

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.

2025 Senior Student Leadership Team 

And now we move into 2025.  I take this opportunity to congratulate our new leaders and, in particular, our Co-Captains,  Sienna Komarnycki and Niamh Cullen. 

We were very pleased with the impressive 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 2025 and that the College will be in good hands.  Please join me in congratulating our 2025 Leadership Team:

Year 7, 2025

In the midst of farewells, there are also welcomes.  On 12 October, we welcomed to the College our newest students – the Year 7 students of 2025 - who participated in an Assessment Morning.  Hopefully, this is the beginning of a very happy and enriching six 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 2030!

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