Dear Parents & Caregivers,
As we approach the final weeks of Term One, our girls continue to be engaged in their learning and productive involvement in a multitude of College activities. Over the last fortnight we have enjoyed witnessing our wonderful community spirit at our second College Family Mass, the Swimming Carnival, the TRJ Calling and Departure Ceremony, and the ACC Basketball Carnival, to name a few. Our Year 10 students attended their combined Mercedes/Trinity College River Cruise last Tuesday, where they had the opportunity to socialise with their peers. We look forward to welcoming our Mercedes Alumni, Jessica McLagan back to the College for our celebration of International Women’s Day tomorrow Friday 8 March.
During the second of our College family masses held last Thursday, we honoured the Wright, McDonald and Serisier Houses.
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The McDonald House is named after Mother Brigid McDonald, who was the Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy in Victoria Square from 1920-1950. She was a northern Irish woman who was vocal about the Mercy Sisters involvement across many Ministries, education, healthcare, social welfare and working with the indigenous. She was a wise woman whose very presence commanded respect. She is said to have been generous, joyful and had a strength that was admired by all. She was a woman of great vision and wisdom. Her life force brought about many of the statues and significant art works around our College. This vigour continued to persevere over her tenure, which included the second world war and great depression. It was Sister Brigid McDonald who oversaw the creation of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, now used as the College Chapel, which was a miracle in its time. A Chapel that will have its 100 birthday this year. There is a devotional space at the back of the Chapel alongside a statue of St Brigid, to honour Mother Brigid McDonald’s leadership contribution to our community. Mother Brigid McDonald at one stage brought over 21 sisters from Ireland to Perth, which further motivated her to ensure the campus, living and praying arrangements were in order. She also was instrumental in establishing Santa Maria College and St Anne’s nursing home which later became a Mercy hospital. Our Red House McDonald has the motto of wisdom, after Mother Brigid McDonald, who showed us how to have impact when working from a place of wisdom. |
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Our Serisier House is named after Mother Dolores Serisier, who was the Principal of St Joseph’s College and then the first Principal of Mercedes College, after the amalgamation of St Joseph’s and Our Lady’s College. Sister Joan Smith said Mother Dolores Serisier was a wonderful sister who had great expertise in correcting the mistakes of students via engaging and almost enjoyable conversations! She saw each incident or mishap as a valuable learning experience that could reveal an important truth, and the students adored her. So much so, that the students sometimes deliberately got into trouble in the hopes that they would be invited in for conversational correction. It was said that Mother Dolores had a lovely manner and had the unique ability to relate to students with love, and her joyful presence was a significant attribute. After school once or twice a week, Mother Dolores would take a novice sister to East Perth to visit indigenous families. Finally, Sister Joan said that Mother Dolores Serisier in particular, had a wonderful gift of being able to draw students out of themselves, to show them who they were. She helped, one by one to reveal the student’s innate gifts from God. Our Blue House, Serisier, has the motto of truth, after the example of Mother Dolores Serisier. |
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Our Wright House is named after Sister Assisium or Sister Mollie as some will know her as. Sister Mollie Wright was a border at St Joseph’s. She joined the Mercedes College staff in 1970 and was the longest serving Principal at the College, from 1978 to 1996. She took the name Assisium after St Francis of Assisi, which explains the origins of our College prayer to St Francis, which was introduced during her tenure. Sister Mollie Wright led the College through significant capital expansion including the development of McDonald block, Mercy wing, College Hall, Library block, Performing Arts and Catherine’s garden. The Radio Station 6PR and Gliddons buildings were acquired and this area is now our present oval. She also acquired the heritage listed and award winning block of flats, Rostrevor. Sister Mollie is well-known as being friendly and firm and was admired as a strong and personable Sister of Mercy, teacher, lover of sports and a formidable Principal. Our purple House, Wright, has the motto of vision, after Sister Assisium (Mollie) Wright. |
These three Houses represent brave and tenacious women who used their gifts, gifts given from God, and committed themselves to their passions, and in doing so carved a future for each of us to be connected to and to be inspired by.
Thank you for your continued support of the College and the essential role you play in the education of your daughter/s.
Take care,
DR. LUCIE MCCRORY
Principal
