On Monday 2 March, the Merici College school community celebrated the academic achievements of students in Semester 2, 2019 with over 190 students receiving awards that highlight their effort and joy of learning.
Mrs Wholley welcomed all parents, carers and students to the ceremony and expressed her thanks and pride to all the students on their amazing achievements, “As students at Merici you are called to be young women who build futures on solid foundation that allow you to thrive in an every changing world.
Only just a few weeks ago, at our opening assembly, I talked about the qualities and skills of the Marvel Cinematic Universe characters and how we could learn from their experiences. Much of the movies is about celebrating the gifts and talents they have and how they care challenged each day to respond to the difficult circumstances that life can throw at them. Whilst I hope there will never be an alien invasion in my lifetime I would like to think that I am all students and staff at Merici would be Reflective, Open-minded, Risk-takers, Caring, Balanced, Principled, Knowledgeable, Inquirers, Communicators and Thinkers (all qualities outlined in the IB Learner Profile).
Today we celebrate the achievements of our current Year 8, 9, 10 and 12 students. Our Year 11 students received their recognition at the End of Year Mass and assembly.
Our Graduating Class of 2019 achieved outstanding results, our best to date. This was due to their commitment, study, hard work, determination, and passion to striving to achieve their personal best. Every Year 12 student at Merici received their Senior Secondary Certificate. This includes students who completed Registered units on Modified Packages, Accredited Packages including Apprenticeships and Certificate courses and those who aspired for a Tertiary Package. Merici continued to have the highest percentage of students graduating from College with a Vocational Certificate. We are so proud of every student. And challenge you all to reach for the same high standard.
Congratulations to the students who received an award today. Your effort, purpose and passion to their studies is to be commended. Your attitude is what will make a difference in our world. Your intelligence, when put to great use, will be what makes the burden and chaos of society lighter. Today I want each of you to realise that each one of you has a role, each one of you has been created by God, here at Merici and with the support of your parents and carers we are ensuring that your strong foundations will help you build a wondrous future.”
It was with great pleasure that our community welcomed the Hon. Justice Janine Pritchard as our guest speaker. Janine Pritchard was a student at Merici College from 1983 to 1986 (Year 9 – Year 12).
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Australian National University, a Master of Laws degree (with Distinction) from the University of London, and a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies from Murdoch University.
Between 1991 and 2009 Janine worked as a solicitor and counsel in the Western Australian State Solicitor’s Office. She also lectured and tutored in law at Western Australian universities at various times during that period.
Between June 2009 and June 2010, Janine was a judge of the District Court of Western Australia and during that period she served as a Deputy President of the State Administrative Tribunal.
She was appointed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2010 and appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal in 2018.
In June 2019 she was appointed as the President of the State Administrative Tribunal. (Full article to follow)
In addition to speaking to our students, Janine also attended a Year 10 Citizenship class and a Senior Legal Studies class for a Q&A with our students.
We sincerely thank Janine for spending time with our students today and sharing her life experiences with us.
It was also a wonderful opportunity to present Swimming Carnival Champion medals to students and the Spirit Cup to the winning house Tullow. We congratulate all our students on their outstanding achievements.
Full image gallery: https://merici.news/view-galleries/academic-awards-ceremony
