Mercy Messenger - Term 4 - Week 8 - 27 November

Reminder: Last day of school, Friday 3 December finishes at 12 noon. Please arrange collection of your child/children by this time.  Wishing you a safe and merry Christmas.

As this is our last newsletter for the year, may I take this opportunity to say what a privilege it has been to lead the College this year together with our Leadership team.  I wish all our students, staff and their families a safe and Holy Christmas, filled with joy and the blessings of our heavenly father.

2021 Graduation Mass and Final Assembly

On Friday, we came together to celebrate our 2021 Graduation Mass. Special thanks to Father Alex, Joe Kelly (AP Mission) invited guests, parents/guardians, staff and the talented musicians for making this such a memorable occasion. 

It was wonderful to have our students gather for our last assembly and mass on Mercy grounds where education has flourished for 50 years.  I reminded the students to reflect on their wonderful time here and their schooling so far and ponder where the journey will take them next.  

May their path of further education flourish and may they reach the highest goal possible – to be the best person they can be – to serve others and become active members of the community of humankind.  To acquire not only knowledge but the acquisition of values and the discovery of truth.

God Bless you and best wishes Year 10’s.

I wish to farewell and thank the following staff who have contributed positively to our Mercy community and wish them all the best on their further pathways:

Michelle Crossland; Helen Patroni; Alex Burrie; Ben Palise; Cecelia McLoughlin; Andrew Sunderland; Amy Andrews; Val McKenzie; Cassie Gillespie; Paul Haverda; Doug Bettington; Amanda Corry; Liz Fatnowna; Emma Wilson; Jo Oliver-Arnold; Tarnah Kemp; Kylie Denning; Kerri Davidson; Carmel Marshall

Annual Speech Night

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2021 on their achievements which were acknowledged at our Speech Night on Tuesday. We were very fortunate to have Bishop Michael McCarthy attend the evening together with other special invited guests. 

I asked students to acknowledge those who have helped them get to this point - parents/guardians and family, teachers and friends and to be truly thankful for this day. Mercy College is proud to send these students out into the world on a mission – to serve Christ in the world.

While we congratulate all our award recipients, a special mention must go to the following award winners;

• The Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award:  Mwansa Nawale
• The P&F Cathy Quinn Award:  Sofie Wright
• Mercy Award: Mwansa Nawale and Heme Heke
• CQU Change Maker Award for Design: James Galea
• Christian Brothers Award for Vocational Education: Lexi Newman
• Indigenous Achievement Award:  Charli Bliss
• Caltex All-Rounder Award:  Meghan Connolly
• College Dux: Olivia Price and Bradley Manera

Year 7 Orientation Day

It was a pleasure to welcome over 200 Year 6 students from our district schools to our Orientation Day on Thursday in preparation for the commencement of their schooling next year at Mercy College. We welcome each and every one of you to our Mercy community!

Leadership Camp

Best wishes to all on the Year 9 Leadership Camp held at Cool Waters Yeppoon this week.  This camp has activities that focus on team development which enhances best leadership practices such as valuing people and building relationships.  Mercy College is proud to enable time to allow leadership collaboration that awakens the Leader in all our students.   

Mrs Janelle Agius

Speech Night

Final Assembly Year 10 Students

Semi-formal

Orientation Day at St Patrick's College

Graduation Mass

Year 9 Business Week was a huge success and an absolute blast throughout the week! With 19 stalls run by 60 Business and Economics students, lunch time felt more like the Mackay Show than a school day! Students studied a unit called $20 Boss where they learnt the basics of starting a social enterprise that generates profit while also making the world a better place. Students selected their own groups, analysed their combined skills and interests in relation to business, conducted market research, designed unique products to solve community problems, produced marketing materials, created business names and logos, and finally pitched their ideas and received $20 start-up capital each. With this money, the Year 9 business groups ran their stalls for 3 sessions, over 3 days serving up a fantastic range of home-made treats and games while supporting a variety of local charities. There were ice-creams, fudge, brownies, Christmas themed treats, coffee and pancakes, cupcakes, mocktails, icy-ups, fairy bread, chocolate balls, cinnamon scrolls, jelly cups, oodles of lollies, chocolates and soft drinks, as well as games and music in the Undercroft every lunch break and before school. Every business group should be commended on their organisation and professionalism, as well as their cheery customer service and innovation. Business Week has been a highlight of the academic school year and the College is extremely proud of all Year 9 Business and Economics students who have undoubtedly learnt A LOT about running a business this semester. 

Miss Alex Burrie

Frank Gilbert and Annamaria Capello from the St Vincent De Paul Society were in attendance at Wednesday’s College Assembly, and were delighted to be presented with approximately 90 Christmas hampers, as well as a $2000 cheque to purchase more groceries.

A very big congratulations to Oraya-5, Mrs Meigan’s Homeroom, on winning the title of ‘The Most Generous Homeroom’ for having the most Vinnies Christmas hampers out of all of the 36 Homerooms. They were clear winners with 15 hampers! They now have a big trophy on display in their room for the year, a ‘gold-plated’ laundry basket and they will soon get to enjoy a class party (with plenty of junk food).

On behalf of the Vinnies Committee I would like to thank everyone for their contribution to the Christmas Hamper Appeal, however large or small. These donations will be well received by struggling families in our community this Christmas. Thank you all for upholding the Catholic Social Teachings of the Common Good, and the Preferential Option for the Poor. Merry Christmas!!!

Mrs Louise Mullaney

In 2021 we had another very successful year of Rugby Union at Mercy College. The Mackay Schools' Rugby Union Competition took place at Quarry Hill over 5 weeks earlier this Term, with several schools competing from the Mackay and District area. 

Congratulations to the following Mercy College teams:

• Year 7/8 Girls - undefeated Premiers
• Year 9/10 Girls - undefeated Premiers
• Year 7/8 Boys - undefeated Premiers
• Year 9/10 Boys - 3rd Place

Congratulations to the following players on their individual achievements:

Player of the Grand Finals - Keely Pitt and Declan Grady

Congratulations again to all students involved. Thank you to our parents/guardians who came along to support their children and to the incredible staff who supported our students each week: Jo Ciantar Schatkowski, Val McKenzie, Natalie Porter, Cassie Gillespie, Ben Palise, Kym Crofts, Belinda Browne, Rowena Bartlett, Tereasa Dreghorn, Michelle Bettini and  Kelly Cooke. Looking forward to a great season in 2022.

Mr Michael Comerford/Miss Cassandra Gillespie

Rotary Fair

Congratulations to our instrumental groups who performed at the recent Rotary Fair. At its new venue, the showgrounds, the evening was a fantastic hit with the Mackay Community and it most definitely came back bigger and better than 2019.  Students performed through out the evening sharing in the early Christmas joy. Thank you to the staff who also came along and supported the Ensembles. This truly is the greatest ‘gig’ to end our year!

Celebrating Cultural

It was a night to celebrate the amazing efforts of our students. Christmas attire was compulsory as the shoes where removed and teams of four took to the lawn bowls field. Serious competition took place on the greens between the groups, but our Year 12 grandparents took out the trophy and best dressed for the evening. Thank you to the staff and students who came along to celebrate the year that has been, over dinner and a 'friendly' game of bowls. It was a great night to relax and reminisce on the year that has been. 

As 2021 wraps up and we clean the instruments and wash and hang the costumes, I want to say thank you to all who have supported the Cultural family at the College. After a wonderful 8 years as Cultural Coordinator I would like to say thank you to the Mercy Community. It has truly been an honour working alongside the Cultural staff and with our Cultural students. Our rehearsals and events are a huge part of what I love about my job. As I move on after 10 years at the College to spend more time with family, I look forward to seeing the Ensembles continue to perform for our community. Goodbye, good luck and best wishes.

Miss Cassandra Gillespie

Don’t forget our Christmas luncheon for Tuckshop volunteers next Thursday 2 December 2021. Please RSVP by Monday 29 November.  

We are looking for volunteers for next year; please consider volunteering. Our busy period is 9:00am to 12 noon. Dads and Grandparents are also welcome. We appreciate any time you can spare – monthly, fortnightly, weekly.

Hoping to see you next year.

Mrs Margaret Floyd