Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer
Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer is an all-girls 7–10 school situated on Burraneer Bay, near Cronulla, in Sydney's southern suburbs, Australia. Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer is a Systemic Roman Catholic School. It was founded by in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy based at Parramatta. In 1960, it moved to its current location in Burraneer Bay. The current enrolment is 450. A Peer Support System operates alongside a pastoral care structure.
OLMC, along with De La Salle College Caringbah, is an official feeder school to De La Salle College (Cronulla, NSW) for senior schooling in years 11 and 12.
History
OLMC was established in the 1930s on the Esplanade at Cronulla by the Sisters of Mercy, and was located there until 1960. The current property at Burraneer was purchased from Charles Duncan.
1960–1965
The College was officially opened and blessed on October 16, 1960 by HN.T. Gilroy, Archbishop of Sydney. The total number of students enrolled was 199 with seven staff and Sister M. Alphonsus the Principal.
1965–1970
In 1966 the Catholic Education Office established Our Lady of Mercy College as a Regional School and enrolments increased to 439. Temporary buildings were erected in 1967 on the bowling greens and the Science Block was completed. Principals during this period included Sr. M. Anne Ryan, Sr. M. Paulinus and Sr. Immaculata Hegarty.
1970–1979
The old Art cottage was purchased in 1974 and the Library and classroom extensions were officially opened by Cardinal Freeman and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. In 1976 the old Music room was built. Principals of this decade included Sr. Pauline N. Smith and Sr. Margaret Doyle.
1990–2005
The Art rooms moved back across to the main site and demountables across the road were removed. Extensive building work was completed in late 2003 and the College now has a multi-purpose hall, Mercy Centre, new music and practice rooms, and five new general classrooms.
Co-curricular
OLMC offers co-curricular activities in sport, creative and performing arts, social justice, public speaking and debating.