Mercy College (Perth)

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Mercy College is a co-educational Roman Catholic College in Perth, Australia, catering for 1500 students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Mercy College draws on its history as a part of the journey of the Sisters of Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley. The school was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1972. The College's aim is to offer a Christian education which will provide for the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and social needs of our students.

[edit] History

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.

In 1969 the West Perth Sisters decided that it would be a good idea to leave the area which by then was in the middle of a busy city. They brought some land in Koondoola. Eventually the city and the northern freeway system pushed families further north. Mercy College was built in 1972 to meet the educational needs of girls 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.