Principal’s Address: Mrs Anna Masters
“Today we gather to celebrate the end of the academic calendar in a year where we have focused on Joy and the building of a culture that celebrates resilience, gratitude, positivity, being present in the moment, building nurturing memories and finding joy in the service of others.
We also take this opportunity to recognise the successes, strength, determination and passion exhibited by our young women in 2025. So much has been achieved, both academically and more broadly, by our students who have had the courage to impact on each other with positivity and kindness whilst honouring their own dreams and capabilities.
I want to thank the parents and carers of our young women for their support and commitment to the growth of their loved ones. I also thank their teachers for the exceptional learning opportunities and guidance they have provided this year.
This year we have found that joy is our birthright, it is even more fundamental than happiness. We experience joy when we seek to do good for others. The more we turn towards others, the more joy we experience, and the more joy we experience, the more joy we can bring to others. We have aspired to live according to the advice of Desmond Tutu who says that each of us should aim “to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around us.”
We have found that Joy is contagious.
At the start of this year I outlined what can help us to be joy-filled human beings, even in the face of loneliness, suffering, injustice, fear, sadness, grief and despair. Four pillars of joy were associated with the mind, and four with the heart. It might help to reflect on each…
The Pillars of the MIND were:
- Perspective: Did I “reframe” my situation more positively? Could I move beyond my limited focus on “I”, “Me” and “Mine” to “We”, “Us”, and “Ours”?
- Humility: Did I see myself as one with all living beings? Did I accept that I am no better than anyone else and that I am inter-dependent and need others to survive?
- Humour: Could I gently laugh at my own foibles? Did I smile often enough? Did I connect with others through generative laughter?
- Acceptance: Did I accept the realities of my own life or did I worry too much about things I couldn’t control? Was I able to be creative rather than reactive?
The Pillars of the HEART were:
- Forgiveness: Did I choose forgiveness over hatred and resentment?
- Gratitude: Did I come to realise how fortunate I am? Did I wake up everyday thankful that I am alive? Did I allow myself to feel wonder, surprise, thankfulness and gratitude?
- Compassion: Did I see the needs of others? Did I do anything about their suffering?
And lastly
- Generosity: Did I seek to make others happy? Did I give my time, wisdom, care and help to others?
Did we open ourselves to moments of surprise, the beauty of little every-day things and so gather memories to cherish and sustain us in darker times?
As members of the Merici community, we know we are loved unconditionally. We know we are precious. We know that God wants us to be filled with life and goodness and laughter – and joy. God wants us to flourish, to be filled with joy and excitement and to find what is beautiful in God’s creation.
I believe that many of you have achieved the personal goals set at the start of this year.
Congratulations.
If you didn’t, welcome to the world of aspiration and determination – a place where most of us exist! The author of the Little Prince said “True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.” Remember these words as you look to next year.
That being said, have a wonderful safe and restorative break!
Merry Christmas and every blessing to you all.”
Anna Masters, Principal
SPECIAL AWARDS
The College presented special awards to selected students.
Merici All-Rounder Award: This is awarded to a student who has excelled in most but not necessarily all of the following categories.
- Academic
- Co-Curricular
- Personal Conduct
- Leadership
- Service
- Sport
- Cultural
The 2025 winner is an exceptional student and her contribution to the College has been outstanding. She is a true all-rounder. She has received numerous academic excellence awards throughout her time at the College. Her academic record is astonishing, with almost all A’s. She has completed close to 150 hours of service through the Christian Service-Learning Program. She has also been involved in many co-curricular opportunities such as debating, da Vinci decathlon, and book club. She is also part of the gifted and talented program and has been accelerated in her learning since Year 8. This year, she completed four senior BSSS subjects, and came first in all of those subjects. This student is held in high regard by all staff and students. She is a someone who gives much to the Merici community. The recipient of the Merici All-Rounder Award is: Leah Shoebridge
Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award: The Australian Defence Force has sponsored a leadership award for a student in Years 10 and 12. The Year 12 award was given earlier this week, and today we recognise a deserving student in Year 10. This award is given to a student who demonstrates respect, integrity, compassion, teamwork, strength and wisdom. The winner of this award is an exceptional student. The recipient of the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork award is: Grace Jean
The ADFA Future Innovators Award is presented to a student who has shown great potential, motivation and achievement in the areas of Science, Mathematics and other STEM areas. The recipient of this award is: Leah Shoebridge
The ACU Spirit of St Angel Merici Award: The 2025 Spirit of St Angel Merici Award is presented by the Australian Catholic University and is awarded to a student who exemplifies the spirit of the College’s patron, Saint Angela Merici.
Angela Merici’s spirit which continues to live on in the lives of women today is
- a spirit of attentive listening and trust
- a spirit of wisdom and courage
- a spirit of inner peace and mercy
- and a spirit of openness and hospitality.
The recipient of this year’s award is the epitome of this spirit. She is kind and generous to all who come across her path. She has strong morals and values and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She gives of her time generously at all College events. She is respected by peers and staff alike. She is a role model to younger students and stands out for her leadership, maturity and grace under pressure. The 2025 ACU Spirit of St Angela Merici Award is awarded to Annie Walsh-Smith.
Academic Awards
As part of our celebration we presented students with their Year 10 certificates – This certificate indicates levels of achievement and shows patterns of development as the students move closer to being fully independent learners; it is the culmination of two years of schooling. Merici is very proud of the progress that our students make in the area of vocational training. The statements of attainment and vocational certificates presented today are qualifications recognised across Australia. Some students may have gained their national qualifications with Certificate I and II in Active Volunteering, Certificate II in Sport & Recreation, Certificate I Hospitality or Certificate II in Workplace Skills.
We also presented the academic awards for students who have achieved High Distinctions and Distinctions determined from the Grade Point Average of their Semester 2 reports, and awards for academic achievement and outstanding effort. We would also like to recognise students for Outstanding Effort in the Personal Project. These awards are nominated by the Personal Project supervisors and are awarded to students who have shown dedication and commitment to the project across the year.
We congratulate all our Year 10 students on their exceptional academic results.
