A very special celebration Mass was held on Friday 4 August to celebrate the Feast Day of St Angela Merici.
We extend our thanks and appreciation to Fr Trenton for celebrating Mass with us, as well as our students and staff. Special thanks are extended to our gratitude to Sr Angela, Sr Frances, Sr Genny and Sr Noelene representing our Founding Orders who were instrumental as the foundresses of the College. We also extend our thanks to our parents who were able to attend.
As part of the celebrations, we lit our College candle which displays the College crest and House crests, symobolising Christ as our light and reminding us that we are one community with strong connections to our six founding religious communities.
As a pilgrim, Angela was always on the move, carrying her Pilgrim staff for support along the way. With her eyes focussed on the road ahead and following the dream that God planted in her heart, she was resolute about the steps she needed to take, even if she was at times uncertain about where the road might take her. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to build our lives on strong, sure foundations, to dig deeply so as to withstand life’s storms. So we might ask the question, “What will help us build foundations that are sure and strong?”. In the first reading, St Paul gives us a clue when he tells us to “build our lives on love”, just as St Angela Merici portrays a love reflected in acts of patience and kindness, a love that is always ready to believe the best, to trust and to hope.
Through our six College Houses the shared charism of our six religious communities continues to be recognised, remembered and lived out across our College community.
- Balgo House with its focus of walking togeterh towards a merciful world.
- Brescia House with its focus of reaching out in service of a better world.
- Ningil House with its focus of love and courage for a compassionate world.
- Penola House with its focus on courage for a just and inclusive world.
- Seiwa House with its focus on acting for a peaceful world.
- Tullow House with its focus of being in search of a kinder world.
At the conclusion of Mass, the Christian Service Learning Program awards were presented to more than 250 students for 50 hours (Blue Award), 100 hours (Red Award) and 150 hours (Gold Award) of completed Christian Service. This year we introduced two new Angel Wings for 300 hours of community service (Platinum) and 500 hours (Diamond). We congratulate these students for the contribution they have made, and continue to make, to our wider community. We would like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the following students who have achieved over 300 hours and 500 hours of community service,and were presented their awards:
- Sophie Blackburn, Platinum
- Jessica Guirigis, Platinum
- Harriette Maguire, Platinum
- Raechel McKinnon, Diamond
- Maria Georgiadis, Diamond
Congratulations to all our students who were honoured at the Mass for their service in various community and school charities, activities, and events. Their efforts reflect their ongoing dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others, and we could not be prouder of their accomplishments.
The awards ceremony also acknowledged e will also be presenting the prestigious St Angela Merici Award to a select group of students. This award recognizes those who have accumulated Christian service hours s but have also demonstrated excellence in multiple areas of college life, including Sport, Co-curricular, Cultural, and Academic activities. To qualify for this prestigious award, these students have also actively participated in all College events, including retreats and reflection days. Their commitment was underscored by a process of discernment, led by the College leadership team and this is what truly sets them apart.
Congratulations to the following students who received their St Angela Merici Award. Your selfless efforts and dedication to service inspire us all, and we are grateful for the positive impact you have had on our community and beyond. Your commitment to Christian service exemplifies the values we cherish as a school and will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.
- Matilda Hanley (2022 award recipient)
- Raechel McKinnon (2022 award recipient)
- Aryana Niyakan-Safy (2022 award recipient)
- Sophia White (2023 award recipient)
- Hannah- David Hoole (2023 award recipient)
- Gabrielle Shoebridge (2023 award recipient)
May we all continue to be inspired by the words and actions of St Angela Merici, to “challenge people to love life, have hope, be faithful and build futures more wondrous than you dare to dream”.
LONG SERVING STAFF MEMBERS RECOGNISED
It has become a tradition here at Merici College, that staff members’ years of service are recognised, and staff are acknowledged for their dedication and commitment to the life of Merici College.
You may have noticed that many of our staff wear a different coloured name badge, other than our traditional navy-blue badge. Some will be wearing a light blue badge which signifies 5 years’ service at the College, yellow signifies 10 years, red – 20 years and gold – 30 years.
This year, we feel very privileged to present the following staff members their long-serving badges and thank them for the tremendous contribution they have made, and continue to make, here at Merici.
- Mrs Natalie Fairfax
- Mrs Felicity Maher
- Mrs Jackie Males
- Mr Joseph Mickleburgh
- Mr Damian Predovan
- Mr Giles Thompson
- Mrs Emma Kennedy
- Mrs Janell Jones
MERICI CAFE’S NEW NAME UNVEILED!
Raechel McKinnon and Matilda Hanley, our 2023 College Captains were very pleased to announce the name of the school cafe to be called ‘Angie’s Cafe. This followed after a survey sent out at the end of last term, giving the school community the opportunity to suggest names for the cafe. The Captains thanked everyone for the suggestions they sent in, it was definitely a challenge to pick!
DEDICATION TO MS VIRGINIA McLEOD
On behalf of the school community, the College Captains were honoured to recognise the dedication of Ms Virginia McLeod. In a similar fashion to how we have named other spaces around our school after people who have had a particularly special impact on our school community (such as the Catherine Ray Learning Centre, Chris Fraser Tennis courts, and Gerard Ryan Maths Room), we have named the Trades Centre after somebody who has undoubtedly touched every staff member and student at this school.
Ms McLeod started here at Merici in 2002. In her time at Merici, she has taught Hospitality, Graphics, Interior Design, Architecture, Art, Photography, Textiles, Food Technology, IMS, Maths, Digital Technologies and Business Administration. She has held leadership positions such as Assistant Vocational Education Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator of Global Studies, then Coordinator of Global Studies and Head of Junior School. Ms McLeod was instrumental in the design of the Hospitality kitchen and restaurant for the Trades Training Centre. This was done with the generous support of the executive, in particular the then-Principal Mrs Catherine Rey, the then-Business Manager Mr Keith Vardanega and current staff member who was Assistant Principal, Mr Gerard Ryan. The healthy canteen, the garden and the sustainability program were all part of the vision for the integration of the canteen with hospitality and Business Administration. The mentor program was the next initiative, which eventually led to the incredible relationship we have with Black Mountain School. Other initiatives she has been instrumental in was the 50-year mural painted with the help of the SRC and the mosaics in the Indigenous garden, designed by Ms McLeod in consultation with local elders.
Ms McLeod has always given her time and expertise in a very quiet way, as she always has wanted the students to shine. If we, as students, could describe Ms McLeod in one word, we would describe her as somebody who truly cares. Ms McLeod is always looking out for her students – particularly the ones who she identifies that they need some extra help – and goes to extraordinary efforts to ensure they feel cared for, supported, and loved. Although she has held many roles and has at times perhaps been one of the busiest people in the school, Ms McLeod has never failed to be there for her students, being a teacher before being a head of school. She is held in great respect by the entire community. As such, we are proud to today dedicate the McLeod Trade Training Centre to our much loved Ms McLeod. Congratulations Ms McLeod and thank you for all you have done for us at Merici.
Full image gallery here.
