During this year we have celebrated the achievements of 60 years of education at Merici College. Our theme of Fidelitas has focused on faithfulness and loyalty. Merici College has helped this year group grow as “faithful” people. Possessing a strong quality of soul and strength to cope with the future.
It is here on this night of celebration. On an evening where we recognise academic, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural achievement that I want you to remember all the blessings you have received. These blessings, these talents and gifts, bestowed on you by God, have been nurtured by your parents and developed throughout your time at Merici College by your teachers, the staff and your friends.
And so tonight we take this opportunity to dream of the wonderful future that is awaiting our graduating Year 12 Class of 2019.
As these young ladies’ journey into new and unknown territories they can move forward as Merici women prepared to not just experience their future but to shape it. They can also be secure in the knowledge that there are 60 years of women who have forged new paths for them to follow, but they should also have the courage to create their own.
I am hopeful, that as you venture into the world you will remain, at your core, a Merici Woman, taking with you the values you know and cherish, values in our school song that I hope will stay in your memory. However, we want them to become more than just words, but part of your lives and part of yourselves.
As you walk from Merici College remember your parents or those who have cared for you as parents. They are your first teachers. It is their love that has nurtured you and will continue to support you through life’s ups and downs. It is the partnership we have had through these final years that have helped you transform from Merici girls into Merici women.
Use God’s gifts to build your character and to find your true vocation in life. You need to choose whether to live your life with integrity or not. Every decision you make should be based on truth and kindness. In the years to come you will have the opportunity to accumulate many treasures: your own possession… money… car… home.
Enjoy these treasures, but hold them with open hands, remembering that God has only loaned them to you – and they are meant for sharing with family, friends and those in need. This will bring true happiness.
To the class of 2019, I ask for God’s blessings on you as you go forward.
Never stop being of service to others. And in the words of St Angela Merici "Persevere faithfully and joyfully in the work you have undertaken for God."
God Bless you all.
Loretta Wholley, Principal
We congratulate our Year 12 students on their graduation and academic achievements. We would like to thank the students for their valuable contribution to the life of Merici College and wish them success and happiness in all their future endeavours.
We would like to acknowledge the academic achievements of all our students and congratulate the following students on their achievemernts:
- Rosemary Zielinski, Merici College Dux
- Jade Esler, Proxime Accessit.
- Kaitlyn Davidson who received the ANU Psychology Award. This award is given to the student who places first in the Psychology course after two years of study.
- Kaitlyn McClory awarded the Long Tan Leadership Award. This Defence Force award is given to a student who demonstrates leadership traits in all that they do throughout the College.
We also congratulate the following students who will receive an award at the 2019 BSSS Recognition of Excellence Ceremony. The BSSS Recognition of Excellence Ceremony is a prestigious award ceremony in December by the BSSS. Awards are given in five categories: Community Services, Vocational Studies, Academic Excellence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students and Academic Achievement. These awards will be at the Llewellyn Hall on Tuesday 17 December. We congratulate:
- Zali Marshall, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award
- Ashleigh Lee - Vocational Studies Award
- Tess Carlton - Community Services Award
- Shabnam Mohamad Shafiq – Academic Excellence
- Academic Achievement Award - to be announced on Tuesday 17 December
We would like to take this opportunity of farewelling our families and thank you and all our community for all your support over the years.
