Last week, I attended the Mercy Education Limited (MEL) Principal’s Conference. As Louise Rennie, CEO, highlighted in her speech at the OLMC Awards Assembly two weeks ago, the MEL theme for this year is ‘Walking Together’, inspired by Pope Francis. We have been engaged in discussions and thinking about what this might look like for all our schools. The power of the broader Mercy community and the legacy we continue has featured large in our focus.
In a year when we are about to launch our new Strategic Directions, ‘Walking Together’ along with the OLMC theme of ‘Don’t be afraid. Go and be….’ (Mark 5:36b), seem to have aligned. I am reminded that God works in mysterious ways and can’t help wonder if this alignment of hopes and strategy is His guiding us at OLMC. It is my hope that we can walk together unafraid to go and be.
On Tuesday this week, we held our Opening School Mass and Investiture of our College Student Leaders. The Year 12 leaders and Year 9 House Vice Captains were presented with their badges and pledged to our school community their commitment to honouring and living our school values. In addition, all students and staff made a commitment to each other to ensure that we continue to embrace our Mercy charism and College values.
The first three weeks have been very busy with events and activities celebrating our return to school for 2025 and welcoming all to our community. So many parents and guardians joined us over the last few weeks to meet with teachers and to continue our partnership in educating your children. One of the things that has been stressed at each event has been the value for students in participating in whole school events. Next week the Swimming Carnival will be held. This is always a great day for those who attend. It is a time when connections are formed or strengthened with other students. It is also when House Spirit is further developed and strengthened. We expect to see all students at the Swimming Carnival regardless of whether or not they will be swimming. This would be an excellent opportunity for students to ‘walk together’ with the students in their House to earn House points.