It is with the utmost privilege that Olivia and I conclude our time here at Merici as College Captains as we stand here representing the Graduating Class of 2019. Graduation marks both an ending and a beginning. It is warm memories of the past but also the big dreams of the future.
Merici College has bloomed this year, standing on the shoulders of those throughout the past 60 years. We would like to thank everyone who has been there throughout our Merici journey; Mrs Wholley, the College Executive Team, the Leadership Team, Teaching staff, Support staff, and of course our fellow sisters, old and new. The support and guidance you have given us have helped shape the women we are today and we can’t thank you enough.
At the beginning of this year, we had goals that we set out to achieve for the Merici community. Our focus was on improving the mental health support throughout the College and further promoting the anti-bullying campaign. Throughout our time here, we have formed a partnership with Lifeline Canberra, held a trivia and auction night to raise money for this organisation, hosted Feel Good Fridays, promoted and celebrated Mental Health Awareness days, discussed new ways of educating Merici students on mental health and bullying, and we saw Mrs Wholley host the combined Catholic College’s Adolescent Mental Health and Well-being Expo. We have worked hard this year with the safety and happiness of all our sisters at heart, andwe would like to thank those who helped us to achieve these goals. We encourage you all be yourselves, love yourselves, and show kindness to everyone you meet.
To our younger sisters in Year 11, you are almost at the finish line so don’t stop your hard work until you’re standing where we stand next year. Good luck to Zoe and Ashlyn, the leadership team and all Year 12s next year, we know you all will do Merici proud in your positions of leadership as big sisters to the younger students.
To our fellow graduating sisters, what a journey! Thank you for the strength, determination and friendship you have demonstrated that not only lifted up our Year group, but inspired the Merici community. No words can describe how proud we are of what you have achieved individually, but also as a cohort. We know that you all are going to succeed in whatever path you choose to follow. This second family compares to no other, and I know you all will be truly missed by those around you.
We hope your dreams take you to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known, because sisters, you are all so very special and you all deserve the best future. We encourage you to continue to love life, have hope, be faithful and building futures more wondrous than you dare to dream, always keeping the lessons we’ve learned at Merici in your heart.
Gift Presentation to the College
We are very excited to announce that this year, the graduating Class of 2019 is presenting the school with an outdoor light box. The box has the design of a blossoming tree, representing the tree of life which really comes alive when it is lit up. We chose this gift for two reasons. The first is to represent the way our wonderful school has bloomed throughout these past 60 years. The second is to honour one of our past students for which the gift is dedicated to. A young girl named Annette Taylor was just 11 when she passed away in 1975. At this time she was attending Merici College. Annette expressed a wish to her parents before her passing that she would like to have her organs donated. Annette became the first organ donor in the ACT. Her donation saved the lives of two people, and their families’ lives as well. This act of generosity and love is why we chose the tree of life as Annette’s legacy continues on today. We remember Annette for her strength and determination, always a sister to us all.
Thank you and our best wishes for 2020.
Malia Harrison, College Captain
Olivia Miles, College Vice Captain
