Mercy College (Perth)
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Mercy College is a Catholic, co-educational kindergarden to grade 12 college in Perth, Western Australia. It was first established as an all-girls school by the Sisters of Mercy in 1972.
The school's motto, "Love in Action", is based on the ethos of the Sisters of Mercy, who travelled to Australia from Ireland last century to establish Mercy convents, colleges and community facilities.
As well as storing records dating back to 1972, one of the priorities of the archives is to strengthen links between Mercy College and St Brigid's College, West Perth, which was our mother school, run by the Sisters of Mercy between 1898 and 1972. New year 8 students of Mercy College are introduced to this Mercy history on Heritage Day, which is part of their induction process. Their understanding and appreciation of the Mercy tradition continues to develop during their life at Mercy.
Part of the Mercy ethos is an understanding that young people need support and encouragement during their school years. This is put into practice at Mercy College through a caring but disciplined environment designed to make students feel safe and confident to develop to their full potential.
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[edit] History
Mercy College has a rich and proud history which began soon after the settlement of Western Australia (the Swan River Colony) in 1829.
In January 1846 the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in the new colony promising to give their services to the poor, the sick and the uneducated. Within a few years they had built a convent, three schools and two orphanages - one for aboriginal children.
In 1888 the sisters established St. Brigid's School in West Perth in an area of sand and scrub. By 1896 there were about 500 pupils and in 1928 there were 40 Sisters of Mercy and 600 pupils. As the city and the suburbs grew and spread the sisters from West Perth began new schools at Leederville (Aranmore), Lesmurdie (St. Brigid's), Osborne Park (St. Kieran's) and Wanneroo.
Eventually the city and the northern freeway system pushed families further north. Mercy College was built in 1972 to meet the educational needs of the children in these new areas. St. Brigid's transferred directly to the new Mercy College as well.
The first students were all girls and the first buildings are now part of the Junior Learning Centre on Mirrabooka Avenue. The school expanded rapidly from the first Year 8 - 10 classes in 1972. The primary school (Year 5) began in 1974.
Mercy College has now become a school for both girls and boys from Kindergarten to Year 12. Its total population is about 1400 students and over 100 staff. Buildings have continued to expand to keep maximising learning opportunities for all students following the example of our founding Sisters. Staff and students alike make a conscious effort to maintain the Mercy ethos.
[edit] College Houses
The year-round House Cup Competition at Mercy College sees friendly rivalry between the six houses to raise the most points through activities such as chess competitions, fun runs, team sports and house performance festivals.
The College Houses are:
Augustine - colour Gold, Cannon - colour White, Flynn - colour Green, McAdam - colour Red, McAuley - colour Purple and O'Dea - colour Blue.
The names of the Houses at Mercy College can be traced back to the origins of the College at St Brigid's in West Perth
Augustine Mother Augustine was an early principal of St. Brigid's in West Perth. She taught Sister Paula McAdam who was the first Principal of Mercy College.
Cannon Sister Rosina Cannon taught at Mercy College and other Catholic schools for 50 years. She retired from Mercy College in 1991 where she had worked in Careers Counselling and care of overseas students. Flynn Sister Joan Flynn was Major Superior of the Sisters of Mercy West Perth congregation. In 1969-70, she negotiated with the State Housing Department to buy the land on which Mercy College now stands.
McAdam Sister Paula McAdam was Principal of St. Brigid's, West Perth when the school closed. She became the first Principal of Mercy College and guided the school through its first three years.
McAuley Sr. Catherine McAuley was born in Ireland on 29 September 1778. On the 24 September 1827 Catherine opened Our Lady of Mercy, a small refuge for women and a school for children. She was soon joined by many young women and on the 12th December 1832 Catherine and her group of helpers formed a new religious congregation known as the Sisters of Mercy .Within ten years Catherine had established twelve foundations. Today there are Mercy Sisters working to help the poor all over the world.
O'Dea Judge Dan O'Dea was chairman of the College Board for 14 years. He presided over the development of Mercy College during the period of its rapid growth in student numbers, staff and buildings.
[edit] Learning Centres
To improve the care for each child at Mercy, the College has been divided into three separate Learning Centres; Junior, Middle and Senior, each of approximately 450 students. Each of these Learning Centres has a Head, Team Leaders and staff especially devoted and trained to provide for the needs of the children at their particular stage of learning. Mercy College is vitally concerned with the development of each students' full potential. Specialist teachers provide a balance of interesting and realistic learning opportunities to meet the unique needs and learning styles of all students from our four year olds to our graduating Year 12 young adults.
Literacy is a priority across all learning areas as it is essential for success in both academic and personal development. Technology enriched learning opportunities assist students to take their place as enterprising leaders in society. The traditional disciplines of The Humanities, including English Literature, Economics, History and Geography and The Sciences - Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Human Biology, are investigated in depth as students develop their problem solving strategies. Success in The Arts, in Music, Drama, Dance and Art, provide cultural benefits and have led to international acclaim for Mercy students.
Health and Fitness of all students is actively promoted through a large range of competitive and recreational sports including, Netball, Cricket, Soccer, Badminton, Ice-Skating, Football, Swimming, Athletics and many more. Finally, but most importantly the spirituality of each community member is nurtured through Religious Education, meaningful liturgical celebrations and opportunities to help others during ministry service. An exemplary "careers" program for students in the Middle and Senior Learning Centres, including individual interviews with students and parents and strong partnerships between Mercy College and Universities, TAFES and employers, helps students discover purpose for their studying and a pathway to achieve their goals and dreams.
[edit] The Chapel of St Brigid (The College Chapel)
The culmination of ten years planning, two years building and six months organising, saw the Mercy College Chapel officially blessed by the Most Rev Bishop Don Sproxton, Bishop of Perth, on Sunday 27th March.
The Chapel of St Brigid is a welcomed addition to the Mercy College community and the completion of this wonderful piece of architecture will seat over 400 students and further develop the strong links with the Mercy tradition of care for the body and spirit. The Chapel will be a focal point of the College with our Year 12 graduating students departing in an environment of outstanding pastoral care.
[edit] Mercy College Parent Council
A thriving school is built from an involved and engaged parent community. At Mercy College, opportunities exist for all parents to model for their children the spirit of service to others, while at the same time contributing to the growth which comes from the many rather than the single involved.
The School Board operates under the guidelines from the Archdiocese and is especially significant in determining priorities for financial management and provision of facilities.
The Parents and Friends' Association was developed over the life of the College to provide resources through its fundraising and to improve the dialogue between school and home. However, since the amalgamation in 2002 of Mercy Primary School and the secondary College, the former Parents and Friends' Association has ceased to operate. In its place is the new Mercy College Parent Council and is no longer a fund raising body. The group's purpose is to develop good relationships within the College between staff and families, and to provide useful information on the education of their children. The Mercy College Parent Council has drawn up "The Parent Council Operational Guidelines" which outlines the objectives and operations of the Council.
Other areas where parents contribute their time and energies include:
Uniform Shop; Examination Supervision; Sports Coaching and Management. Parents interested in assisting further are encouraged to make contact with the Head of their child's Learning Centre.
[edit] The College Board
The College Board provides an opportunity for greater involvement of the local community in the College. Involvement in the Board is the voluntary exercise of the talents and skills of parents and others for the educational good of the students and for management and planning of the College.
A copy of the Constitution of The Mercy College Board is available from the Administration of the College.
There is an Annual Community Meeting held in February of each year for the purpose of presenting the budget for the current year, presenting the report of the Board Chairman and to elect Board Members to represent the Community.
[edit] Alumni
Our students remain part of the Mercy community even after they graduate.
The College continues to communicate with alumni through reunions and regular newsletters, and former students can keep a link with the College by participating as a MOCA (Mercy Old Collegians' Association) member.
