We are very excited to be representing you this year and look forward to our challenge of supporting you all as beautiful butterflies. Yesterday we welcomed our Year Seven and new students to our wonderful community. We hope you will settle in quickly and feel at home here. And to our senior peers we recognise that your Merici journey is coming to an end, however we encourage you to continue to share your experiences and inspire our younger sisters to be the best versions of themselves.
Let’s breakdown our theme. United is an adjective meaning to be joined for a common purpose or by common feelings and hope means to cherish a desire with anticipation. Hope is not always wishing for good things to happen, but knowing in your heart that everyday is a new opportunity, and provides a multitude of chances for greatness. When we unite in hope we build up all our positive energy and spread it through the community so it reaches those who are in need of a little hope themselves.
In addition to this, webelieve hope is not just about having hope inside you, but making your innermost hopes and dreams a reality. Put your thoughts into words, and your words into actions. Be a light for everyone around you by seeing those who feel they are invisible, be strong for those who cannot find strength in themselves, love those who do not love you and forgive those who you feel do not deserve forgiveness. Be the change you want to see in the world, so that you may become a beacon of hope for all.
This year we will be implementing the use of #unitedinhope. This will appear on the school’s Facebook and twitter and its presence will represent our Merici college community demonstrating hope and unity. This may be at volunteering, fundraising and various school events throughout the year. The PHABS staff have created this #united in hope human artwork for us, you may choose to recreate this yourselves.
Merici gives us many opportunities to unite in hope within the school and beyond. This year we encourage you to … hope on a personal level by treating our bodies with love and respect, through this we are then able to treat others with love and hope. We unite in our Pastoral Care group with girls of all different ages, interests and goals. PC promotes big sister conversations, within in our friendship groups we give each other comic relief, support through a hug, a thank you, an r u Ok?. In addition to this, we unite as a school in choosing to give up our free time, donating clothes to charity or even purchasing baked goods. These are minor sacrifices we make for the greater good… but we shouldn’t underestimate the impact of our actions on someone’s life, by offering hope.
Change is inevitable in life; it happens to all of us. When we endure tough stages in our lives it makes us feel uncertain and often we struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, as young women of hope when we reflect on the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar each challenging experience when we feel trapped in our cacoons is ultimately leading us on a journey of discovery and brighter futures, just like the transformation into a butterfly. No matter when, or what you are going through, know that you will hatch into a beautiful butterfly because of the support and encouragement we will continue to offer each other.
Just as we mentioned at the Year 12 Farewell Assembly last year, it is important that we approach change with a positive heart and an open mind, not to dwell on how things were in the past but to look forward to the future with optimism and most importantly HOPE! Our vision for 2017 is to embrace each challenge positively. Together we will turn our challenges into an opportunity for self-discovery and growth, and just like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, we will be able to transform into something much greater than we were before.
On Friday, 27 January we were given the opportunity to be a student voice following the lecture of Erin Erceg, a well-known educator who is passionate about mental health and wellbeing amongst young people. Wellbeing is essential for our academic and social development. We are each responsible for our own wellbeing and the wellbeing of each other. There are numerous initiatives to ensure that each of us can reach our full potential. We encourage you to embrace the initiatives Merici provides to nourish your wellbeing. At 9am every morning when the mindfulness minute begins, take the time to focus on yourself, to stop and reflect on the day ahead of you and set yourselves achievable goals. Work together to support each other in your PC, use the experiences and the wisdom of your older sisters to guide you on your individual journey. Remember our community is as strong as we make it together. So, let’s unite in hope. As Desmond Tutu once says; “hope is being able to see the light despite all of the darkness.”. We want to be a community of beautiful butterflies each loving life, having hope and building our futures more wondrous than we dare to dream.
As your College captains we are here to represent you, guide you and support you in every way we can. We are always up for a chat and would love to get to know everyone better. So whether you’ve been here for a day or five years, we hope you cherish not only the good parts of the year, but the lessons you have learnt. Make 2017 is your year and dare to dream and plan for success. #unitedinhope
Roisin Moore, College Captain
Dana Ryan, College Vice Captain
