In a year where we have been encouraged to Dare to Dream, it is wise to explore how this season of Advent helps us to do so. I feel that the wonderful task of Advent is to awaken us all to memories of goodness and thus open the door of hope. If you are hope-filled you have the courage to dream, to be future-focused, to aspire to better things and to look forward to a glorious future filled with love, joy and the grace of God.
I deeply value how the Advent candles and colours help centre us, week following week, as we prepare for the birth of Christ: the purple Prophecy candle that represents hope and God’s forgiveness; the Bethlehem candle representing faith and the lived experience of Joseph and Mary in the city of Bethlehem; the Shepherd’s candle portraying the rosy joy of Jesus’ birthday; and the Angel’s candle symbolising the peace and justice that the angels and Christ bring to our world.
Hope, forgiveness, joy, peace and justice, powerful words and concepts that are part of who we are as a Catholic community; qualities that are interwoven into the act of dreaming, striving and reaching outwards to the intangible possibilities of our lives and world. Advent encourages us to Dare to Dream.
Today we gather to celebrate the end of Year 10 in a year of wonders and challenges. All are now preparing to embark on the next stage of life’s educational journey, exploring exciting and unique dreams for the future. Today, we also take the opportunity to recognise the successes, strength, resilience and passion exhibited by our young women in 2021. So much has been achieved, both academically and more broadly, by our students who have had the courage to dream big and to strive to reach for personal and community stars.
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 in a year filled with the challenges of face-to-face learning and those of the virtual world of remote learning. Of course, I want to give thanks for each student in this Year 10 cohort.
I am thankful for you. For who you have become as young women in such a short period of time in what I hope will be a very long life. We are excited about your continued growth as learners and as young women who are beginning to understand the important role you have to play in today’s world. You have taken to heart the theme we foregrounded at the start of this year: Dare to Dream. You have shown that “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” You know that :…you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” I have been thrilled to witness your achievements this year: incredible personal projects; competitions won in numerous fields of inquiry and learning; admirable sporting endeavours; excellence in the creative and performing arts; powerful speakers and thinkers in numerous public arenas; and graceful young women celebrating with joy a strength of community at your High Tea.
Year 10, we so look forward to you continuing your senior college years with us and to walking with you as you journey on your individual stellar, dream fuelled trajectories.
For those moving within the ACT or moving interstate or overseas - we hold a strong belief that the education you have received at Merici and the time you have spent here has put you in good stead for whatever path you have chosen. Never be a stranger to us and know that you will always be loved as Alumni of Merici College.
It is tradition at our St Angela Merici Day Mass each year, the Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Year 7-10 Advent Mass to acknowledge the students who have contributed to our community through the Christian Service Learning Program. For the benefit of our guests, the program aims to provide students with an increased awareness of justice in the world and encourage them to actively seek to transform it; an opportunity to put faith into action in the local and global community. Girls today who have completed 50 hours of service will receive their Blue Angel Award, 100 hours their Red Angel Award and 150 hours, their Gold Angel Award. We congratulate:
BLUE ANGEL AWARDS
The following students have completed 50 hours of Service and will receive their Blue Angel Award. Congratulations to:
Hazina Bravo
Maria Isabel Mercado
RED ANGEL AWARDS
The following students have completed 100 hours of Service and will receive their Blue Angel Award. Congratulations to:
Ruby Alexander
GOLD ANGEL AWARDS
The following students have completed over 150 hours of service to receive their Gold Angel Awards:
Sophie Blackburn
Matilda Hanley
We also presented special awards to the following students:
The Merici All-Rounder Award: The Merici All-Rounder Award is awarded to a student who has excelled in most but not necessarily all of the categories Academic, Co-curricular, Personal Conduct, Leadership, Service, Sport and Cultural.
The recipient of the Merici All-Rounder Award is Matilda Hanley
Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award: For the second year in a row, the Australian Defence Force has sponsored a leadership award for a student in Years 10 and 12. The recipient of the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork award is: Sophie Blackburn.
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: Aryana Niyakan-Safy.
The ACU Spirit of St Angel Merici Award: The 2021 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. The recipient of this award is: Bella Loxley
Congratulations to all our Year 10 students and best wishes as they transition into Senior College in 2023.
Anna Masters
Principal
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