Principal Report
Dear Mercedes College Families,
As the third week of term draws to a close it is appropriate to acknowledge the staff and students who have been immersed in the core business of teaching and learning, whilst also engaging with the College across many extracurricular pursuits and community events. On Monday 10 February, we welcomed our Year 12 families to the College for our Parent Information Evening and Mini Expo, which highlighted to our Class of 2025 that the year will pass quickly, and to be focused on the present to best prepare for future pathways. One of the Year 12 students said to me at our beautiful First Nations Welcome Morning Tea, that she vividly remembers sitting in class in Year 7 thinking secondary school will go on forever. She was reflecting that even then, she knew she wanted to become a nurse one day and simply cannot believe how fast the years have flown by.
On Tuesday 11 February, the College welcomed 510 parents to the Year 7 to 11 Parent Information Evening and Learning Carousels followed by our P & F Welcome Sundowner. I am so grateful that our parents and staff value collaboration and engagement in the education of the girls. We know that when the parents and the school are aligned in their support, the potential for student success is optimal.
Mrs Dell, Mrs Marando and Mrs Van Der Merwe took a group of girls to the Vyner Brooke Memorial Service on Sunday 16 February, honouring Alma May Beard at the Applecross Sub-Branch of RSLWA. Mrs Dell shared with staff how proud she was of the girls. She said they were women of action, attentive to the needs of those around them. Mrs Dell described how the girls comforted a lady who attended alone as they noticed she was upset. The elderly lady told the girls that she had been thinking about her lifelong friend who had passed away years before. It is in these special moments, the pockets of joy, that sometimes remain unseen, that our girls really embody the Mercy values of Compassion, Service, and Hope, and in doing so, bring life to those around them.
Week 3 saw our first College Advisory Council and Parents and Friends (P&F) meetings for the year. Alumni Amanda Bourke has decided to step down from the Advisory Council after seven years of service. We thank Amanda for her significant contribution over that time and look forward to further collaboration through the Alumni network.
A special thank you to the Senior Leadership Team and specifically Mrs Quinn, for stepping up last week while I was over east attending a compulsory Mercy Education Principal’s Retreat. The team were excellent and during a particularly busy period too – thank you. The Retreat was a worthwhile experience of sharing, learning and strategic planning with other Mercy Principals and our new CEO Mrs Louisa Rennie.
One of the forthcoming highlights of next week will be when all year groups come together at our swimming carnival, a fantastic opportunity to foster House spirit. Wishing everyone a wonderful next two weeks filled with continued learning and growth.
Warm regards
Dr Lucie McCroy
PRINCIPAL
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
All Australian governments implement an annual national data collection on school students with disability. This data collection does not apply just to students with an identified disability, but for all students in the College community that receive learning adjustments. Please click here for detailed information on NCCD.
Parent Code of Conduct
Our Parent Code of Conduct helps us identify how we interact and engage in partnership whilst keeping the best interests of students at the centre of our decision-making and care. Details of which can be found by clicking HERE.
