Learning  

Dear Parents /Guardians,

Over the last few weeks the current Year 10 and 11s have completed their exams and began their Headstart into VCE program.  It has been a time of challenge, anticipation, hard work and new beginnings but we are proud of the way the students have stepped up into their new classes. 

On 28 November we hosted our inaugural GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) in STEM event held in partnership with the Academy of Enterprising Girls.  At this event we welcomed Cheryl Laks - Zoos Victoria, Monica George - Technical Director of GHD, a civil engineering and consulting firm, Chloe Chang - an engineering graduate who worked at Monash Nova Rover project, Chloe Landy - a PhD candidate in the Cardiovascular Pharmacology Laboratory at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as Emily Qiao - an engineer who was Chief Operating Officer at Robogals and is now an Ai Specialist with Google.  Lastly, we had a video message from Pina Marinelli - a chemistry graduate who has since set up her own business as a pilates studio owner.  All of these guests shared their stories about what their work consists of, their experience as a female in STEM and gave advice about how our students can pursue study and career in related fields.  It was fantastic to listen to such innovative and successful women who are leading our world in STEM fields and they inspired many of our students to pursue their passions.

I would like to thank the organising committee of Alice Portz, our 2025 STEM Captain, Lucy Collins, Elise Dabbs, Sophia Deodato,Bianca Dinh, Amelia Grbaz, Olivia Leahy, Yuliya Le, Angela Lukaitis and Monika Tudorovic - all STEM enthusiasts.  These students are also dedicated and inspiring young women who worked with our panellist, organised and promoted the event and will continue to be Girls Leading Our World (GLOW).  Please look out for more events to come in 2025. 

The Celebration of Excellence evening on Monday night was a fitting end to a very busy year at Academy.  Students who have achieved excellence in Academia, Sport and Music, along with those who have demonstrated and lived out the Mercy spirit, were celebrated amidst a gathering of their peers, families and College staff.

This was a beautiful evening and I wish to congratulate all of our award winners for their dedication throughout the year and to their families for encouraging them along the way.  I also would like to thank all the staff who have worked so hard this year to challenge, support and encourage all of our students to become the best version of themselves. Not all students win awards, but all students can overcome their own challenges and achieve their personal goals.

I look forward to welcoming you back next year as we “pave the way” with lots of new opportunities and programs and a renewed focus on learning through the instructional strategies in our Educate for Excellence Model.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and safe holidays.

Ms Lucy Neil

Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching