Welcome all to the commencement of the 2026 school year. I hope that you had a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year holiday season. I also trust that all are ready for:
- a fresh beginning,
- be open to new experiences, and
- are looking to continue your journey to human growth and fullness of being in 2026.
I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming our new Year 7s and students who have joined the Merici community in Years 8 through to Year 12.
This year our College theme is Fidelitas. Our theme colour is red. As we move into 2026, we draw inspiration from the biblical quotes,
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah6:8 and “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
At Merici, Fidelitas calls us to faithfulness – faithfulness to our mission, to one another and to the dignity of every human person. Our trust in God and each other offers us strength as we quest for fulness of being and work to make the world a better place. Fidelitas is thus about faith in action: through being present, kind, courageous and in right relationship with ourselves, each other and our God.
Celebrating our 202 Achievements
Congratulations to our Year 12 Class of 2025 for their exceptional academic achievements.
2025 results include:
- IB Median: 84.2
- BSSS Median: 83.8
- Overall Median: 83.8
- Highest ATAR: 98.3
- 30% of students over 90
- 60% of students over 80
- 90% of students over 70
- 100% of students over 60
100% of BSSS attained their Year 12 Certificate
We are very proud to announce that Merici College is the highest ranked Catholic school in the ACT for Year 12 2025 results.
Staffing
We welcome the following staff members for 2026:
| Kathleen Garvie – Assistant Principal Development |
| MJ Logan – Teaching and Learning Centre Coordinator |
| Naomi Wicks – Integrated Humanities and RE Teacher |
| Amer Salman – Sociology and Geo-politics Teacher |
| Alexander Heagney – RE/English Teacher |
| Tara Blake – English Teacher |
| Isabella McLennan – Uniform Shop Facilitator |
| Kirstin Jackson – Mathematics (Science) Teacher |
| Cameron Dean – Science Teacher |
| Rebecca Scollen – Literacy Coordinator (Science) |
| Kirstie Gibson – English Teacher |
| Kylie Blyton – Learning Support Assistant |
| Georgie McPhail – Learning Support Assistant |
| Yih Shean Tan – Learning Support Assistant |
| Kate Bettison – Drama Teacher |
| Libby Sorensen – Hospitality and Textiles Assistant |
Current Staff Changes:
| Nicole Commins – Coaching and Staff Development Coordinator |
| Milanda Roxas Numeracy Intervention Facilitator |
| Joseph Mickleburgh – Co-Curricular Facilitator |
| Bianca Porcheddu – Balgo House Coordinator |
| Alyssa Markmann – Brescia House Coordinator |
Uniform expectations: Wear our uniform with pride!
Our Merici uniform is highly recognisable in the Canberra community and a symbol of our collective identity. Our smart blazers and navy uniform are highly regarded by members of the Canberra community, and they know a Merici Student when they see one.
Every Merici Student is an ambassador for our College and there is an expectation that uniforms will be worn in a responsible and respectful manner, to the highest standard of presentation.
Please familiarise yourselves with the uniform guidelines and support the College in its efforts to ensure the uniform is worn with pride and respect, https://www.merici.act.edu.au/resources/uniforms/.
What is Unacceptable Uniform
- Merici College Sports Hoodies – permitted only for co-curricular sports activities
- Boots or sneaker-style shoes (e.g., Nike Force or other sports brands)
- Excessive makeup or nail polish in non-natural colours (e.g., bright pink, black)
- Non-Merici school bags (e.g., black Nike backpacks, handbags, oversized tote bags, handbags)
- Non-Merici branded puffer jackets (e.g., black or blue in colour)
- Non-natural hair colours (e.g., pink, green, blue, bright red)
- Elastic bands or hair ties used to alter the fit of dresses
- Skirt length shorter than one palm width above the crease at the back of the knee
- No Visible black or white long-sleeve shirts worn under the school blouse.
- Wearing HPE uniform to school in the morning (except Year 7 students on designated days)
We will be working closely with students and families to follow up on any uniform concerns to reinforce our belief that the uniform helps create a sense of belonging and contributes to our strong school spirit.
Communication and Use of Mobile Phones
We understand that mobile phones and technology are now a key part of modern life. Most students own a mobile phone with access to the internet and for safety reasons students will carry a mobile phone to contact home after or before school.
Here at the Merici, we strongly encourage our students to develop socially and emotionally. This development is just as important as any academic progress or grades. Improving social skills and emotional development can best be done by talking to each other, interacting and developing real connections at break and lunchtime, as opposed to using their mobile phones.
For these reasons, the use of mobile phones on the school site, during school hours is as follows:
During the school day, during lesson time, students must not, under any circumstances, use mobile phones to make calls, send text messages, access the internet, access social media sites, take photos or use other applications.
Students can access their phones to check messages and respond briefly via text message during morning tea and lunch while at their locker. Students are not to use their phones in any other part of the school grounds during morning tea and lunch.
During class time, students must store their mobile phones in a secure locker (Years 7-10) or switched off (Years 11-12) unless given specific permission from their teacher, or if approval has been given by the College, for example to manage medical conditions.
Any student in Year 7-10 seen using their mobile phone during school hours, including break and lunchtimes, will have their phone confiscated.
Parents are asked to contact Student Services if there is a need to get a message to your daughter during the school day. Please do not message or call your daughters directly during the school day. If it is urgent and/or an emergency, we ask that you call reception on 6243 4100, they will find a trusted adult that will deliver the message to your daughter and support her. If your daughter is not feeling well, she is to go to Student Services where parents will be contacted by the College if necessary.
If contacting a staff member, I ask that you please be patient. Most of our teaching staff are full time teachers and therefore cannot access their emails or the phone message system until they are free to do so. They will contact you within a 48-hour period.
Important Communications re: Site Works
Many have noticed building hoardings in various sites around the College. We are pleased to announce that two new classrooms are ready to be used from the start of 2026.
Merici News
Updates to the calendar events, news and photos can be found on https://merici.news . You are also invited to follow our Facebook, Instagram and accounts.
I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming school events such as our Community Council Open Forum Meet and Greet evening, Information Evenings, International Women’s Day event and St Angela Merici Feast Day celebrations. Once again, welcome to the 2026 academic year.
With kind regards
Anna Masters
Principal
