Last week I was privileged to attend the Frayne Speech Festival held this year at Mt Lilydale Mercy College.

Audrey Callanan represented the Academy in the Public Speaking competition and we were thrilled that she was the runner up in this competition. Her speech focused on young people of today and she has been asked to deliver that speech to the students next week at our end of term assembly. Congratulations Audrey!

Our debaters also acquitted themselves well, winning their first debate and being narrowly defeated in their second debate. I extend my thanks to Ms Sherine Baydoun and Mr Andrew McLeod for their support of the public speaking and debating students. The Frayne Speech festival provides an opportunity for students who love the spoken word to meet like minded students. It also enables them to understand that they are members of a far wider Mercy community.

This week we had interviews with our potential students of the future, the Year 7 students of 2025. It was wonderful to meet our future students and to listen to their aspirations and hopes. It was also a very affirming experience for us as educators listening to the parents articulate the reasons why they believe that the Academy is the school for their daughter. We hope both parents and students experienced the warmth of the Academy welcome and we look forward to the contribution of the 2025 Year 7 cohort.

When I went on a tour of The Academy of Mary Immaculate in 2022, I instantly fell in love with the lovely welcoming environment and kind smiles. Please consider my application for the Academy of Mary Immaculate. It is my dream school and I know I will do well there.

Year 7 2025 future student

Term 3 may be drawing to a close but there is still much to anticipate before the end of term. Our College Assembly next week will be a celebration of student achievement over the term as well as an opportunity to listen to presentations from College leaders and other students.

Mercy Day is not far away and this year our Mercy Day Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral will once again be celebrated by Father Peter Varengo. Parents are very welcome to attend this Mass at 10.00am next Friday 8 September. Following the Mass, we will all return to the College for a barbecue lunch which will be followed by the highly anticipated afternoon concert and activities.

Happy Mercy Day to all! As we gather together at St Patrick’s Cathedral, we thank God for all the blessings bestowed on us, both individually and as a College. May the God of all Mercy bless us and may Catherine, the first Sister of Mercy and Ursula, the Australian foundress, accompany us and inspire us as we commit ourselves anew in Mercy.

In closing, we wish all the amazing dads within our school community a happy Father's day. We celebrate you and the special bond you share with your daughter/s. May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments.

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm

Principal

Dear Heavenly Father,

On this special day dedicated to fathers, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and love. We thank you for the gift of fathers in our lives, for their guidance, strength, and the unconditional love they provide.

We pray for all fathers around the world, that they may continue to be sources of inspiration and pillars of support for their families. Bless them with wisdom to lead their families with integrity, patience to navigate challenges, and love to nurture the bonds within their homes.

We also remember fathers who may be facing difficulties or hardships. Grant them the strength to overcome obstacles and the courage to seek help when needed. May they find comfort in their faith and in the love of their families and friends.

For those who have lost their fathers, we ask for your comforting presence to surround them. Help them to cherish the memories and lessons they've received, and may they find solace in knowing that their fathers' legacies live on in their lives.

We pray for fathers who may be separated from their families, whether due to work, military service, or other reasons. Keep them safe and connected, even across distances, and reunite them with their loved ones soon.

As we celebrate fathers today, help us remember the importance of expressing our love and appreciation not only on this day but throughout the year. May our actions and words reflect the deep respect and gratitude we have for the fathers in our lives.

We offer this prayer in the name of our Heavenly Father, who exemplifies the ultimate source of love and care.

Amen.

iNFORMATION

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