Mission statement
Mercy College is a Catholic secondary college for young women, committed to handing on the teachings of Christ and His Church, and to living out those teachings. At Mercy College, personal growth is fostered and diversity celebrated. We strive for excellence as a learning community which is student centred, curriculum focused, community oriented and culturally enriched. In the Mercy Spirit, love, compassion and service underpin all we are and do.
VISION STATEMENT
At Mercy College we endeavour to empower students to engage in authentic learning within a global context. We focus on the literacies required for collaborative learning in a knowledge based society.
With an emphasis on developing a socially just and environmentally aware consciousness, we provide a basis for the individual to contribute with purpose to their world community as a confident, articulate and self aware young woman.
Inspired by Catherine McAuley and the tradition of Mercy, we aim to do this within a faith based, nurturing and educationally challenging environment.
Guiding Theme 2009
Our College theme for 2009 is Connecting with others. we are called to connect with others, those whom we are already in relationship with as well as those we are yet to meet. By reaching beyond our known environment and venturing into new landscapes, we strengthen our connections and forge new ones.
One of the scribes asked Jesus, "Which commandment is the first of all?" Jesus answered, "The first is, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
In sharing the Eucharist we enter into communion with God and others; 'Connecting with Others' invites all members of the school community to be witnesses to Christ's message. By making meaningful links with those who are not yet known to us and seeking to see Christ anew in those we know, we celebrate Christ. Through seeing, feeling and acting together we are enables to better understand what makes us unique and to appreciate diversity. We reconnect with 'known' and welcome the 'unknown' into our Mercy community and in doing so enrich our own lives.
College Crest and Motto
The statement which accompanies this positive theme states that Mercy College should be a learning community which educates “our young women to become aware of every instance of oppression and injustice, to oppose each instance, and to create structures and cultural mores that promote ‘right relationship’ for all.” To help bring this sense of ‘right relationship’ to reality entails following the powerful example displayed by Jesus Christ and Mother Catherine McAuley in the way they embraced life to the full and their utter commitment to the service and love of the poor.
MERCY: That beautiful word, which stands for love, compassion and generosity of the spirit and claims Our Lady of Mercy as the protector of our students.
TRIANGLE: The symbol of the Trinity and of the Spirit within each student, plus a shield to protect them.
THE EAGLE: The eagle wings its way to the heights with its eyes on the sun. So, too, we hope to help our students to have aspirations and ideals which rise to the light, warmth and love of God.
THE SUN: The Sun gives light and warmth and is the sustainer of all life. Christ is the light of the world. We hope that students will turn to Christ, the source of hope and light.
THE CROSS: The Cross is the Christian symbol of loving sacrifice and hope. Goodness demands self discipline and sacrifice, but with the cross comes the hope of resurrection.
GOODNESS IS STRENGTH
The spirit and aims of any school can be read in its school motto. The Motto of Mercy College is Goodness is Strength. The insights and sentiments found here point to what we, as a Catholic School community, believe in and colour the way we act daily as a school community.
The sentiment behind our motto, like that of the Christian message itself, runs counter to much of our experience and impressions of modern life. Images of wars, inhumanity, materialism, intolerance and injustice are constantly thrust into our view and can colour our imaginations and attitude to reality. We can be tempted to become disheartened at such a world. As individuals we can feel powerless to do anything to stem the tide, but we can make a start.
In recent years when Mercy students have come together to achieve a specific purpose, whether it be fundraising for cancer research, or to aid the poor in Australia and overseas, or help peoples burdened with natural disasters or war, the strength and power of mercy and goodness becomes evident.
Any endeavour or journey in life begins with one small step; one small step alone is often what we have to undertake, but when we can take that first tentative step supported by friends and a community - then great strength and goodness can shine.