The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) Recognition of Excellence Ceremony is a prestigious award ceremony. Awards are given in five categories: Community Services, Vocational Studies, Academic Excellence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Academic Achievement. These awards were presented at the Canberra Theatre on Monday 11 December. 

We would like to congratulate the recipients receiving the following awards and commend them for their exceptional dedication to their studies.

Merici offers a range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects at the College and also provides and supports opportunities to attend outside training facilities, such as CIT and other private training providers.

Read full article attached below.

The pre-pandemic vibe of the Merici Science Department started to return in 2023, as events returned to face to face and more external science activities opened up for our students.

We welcomed St. Joesph and St. Thomas Mores Primary Schools to the College for Big Sister Science Days with our Year 9 students. This gave the primary school students an authentic experience; to conduct experiments in a laboratory using a range of equipment and explore sustainability all under the guidance of the older students, who got to share their science and teaching skills.

2023 has been another busy year for the SAM team.  With a small but dedicated team led by Captain Matilda Ross, the award-winning Biodiversity Project has continued, largely maintaining the grounds.  Students have participated in many events on the sustainability calendar including Ride2School Day, Earth Hour, World Environment Day and International Bee Day with funds raised for bee conservation. The Sw(op) Shop was also held to divert clothing from landfill.

As enrolments at Merici continue to grow, we have been able to attract highly qualified and experienced Mathematics teachers, in a very competitive market. Mr. Michael Lewthwaite joined us from an international school in Malaysia and made a significant contribution to the Maths Enrichment program throughout the Year. He was joined on staff by Ms. Milanda Roxas, again a very experienced high-school Maths teacher with special expertise in inclusive education. Ms. Louisa Crockett also joined us from another school in the Catholic system and we were delighted to welcome back Mrs.

2023 has been a very exciting year for the Languages Department. We have welcomed two new staff members to our passionate team of teachers: Mr. Giuseppe Battaglia and Mrs. Tina Rodriguez. We have also welcomed back Ms. Sandy Zhai who has been working with the Chinese classes. Ms. Anna Aguizzi and Ms. Esia Grezzi, Italian Assistants with the Dante Alighieri society, have supported students in the classroom. We would like to thank all the Learning Support Assistants who work in our Language classrooms and often learn the language along with the students.

Information Centre 2023

The year has flown by. It began busily as always, preparing and distributing over 3,100 textbooks within the first few weeks. Term 1 saw us engaged and celebrating being back at school, displays were created, we set up the WIDE reading program and began the database and research lessons. We also launched the new Senior Study in the old iC lab, new furniture was delivered, and seniors have a new space for quiet study.

2023 has been a year of wonderful expansive endeavours for Inclusive Education at Merici College. With the ever-growing team of professionals, we have seen The Hub, our central location, become a consistent hive of activity for students from across all year groups needing additional support. This space houses many varying aspects of improving learning for students.

Full article attached below.

Mrs Karen Evans,

Inclusive Education Coordinator

Health and Physical Education (HPE) in 2023 brings a renewed vibe, a new Studies Coordinator, Ms. Kylie Olsthoorn, and at the end of the first term we said farewell to Ms. Jenna Fisher and welcomed Mr. Tristan Beltrame permanently into the HPE team.