Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross

”Education is a passport to freedom and the means to unlock the globe.”

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal of OLM.  It has been a wonderful start to the term, with both students and staff being incredibly welcoming and friendly.

In my role, I am committed to supporting the spiritual, academic, social, and emotional growth of all students. I look forward to working closely with students, parents, teachers, and the wider school community to ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive and to embody what it means to be a ‘Mercy Girl’.

As we begin the year, I encourage open communication and partnership between home and school. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the year at school events and gatherings.

Opening College Mass: A Meaningful Start to the Year: 

Our Opening College Mass was a truly special experience and a wonderful way to begin the year. Students demonstrated great attentiveness and reverence throughout the occasion, reflecting the Mercy spirit of our school community.

A heartfelt congratulations to our senior students who received their leadership and House Captain badges. A special mention to our College Captain, Amelia, who spoke with pride and confidence as she read the leadership pledge on behalf of the team. This event set the tone for a year of growth, leadership, and excellence.

Uniform Reminder: Wear It with Pride!

Our school uniform is a key part of our identity, and it should be worn with pride at all times. While most students follow the dress code, we’ve noticed that some skirts are shorter than the required length. This is often due to rolling them up, which can be easily fixed. Over the past three weeks, we have been requesting that students address shortened uniforms. However, some students have not yet complied. Starting tomorrow, parents will receive a Compass notification if a skirt has been permanently shortened by hemming or cutting, asking for it to be corrected within three days

Additionally, nail polish and makeup must follow the guidelines outlined in the student diary. If you’re unsure about the rules, please refer to pages 20-21 for more details.

E-Bike Safety & Guidelines

The use of e-bikes as a mode of transport is becoming increasingly popular, offering a fun and convenient way to travel. However, student safety remains our top priority. We recently reminded students of the safety concerns when riding to and from school and sent a letter home via Compass outlining the rules regarding e-bike use. As stated in the letter, only two types of e-bikes are permitted in NSW: electronically power-assisted cycles and power-assisted pedal cycles. These must comply with Transport for NSW regulations. Any overpowered e-bikes or those that do not meet these requirements are not allowed on SCS school grounds.

We have spoken with students currently using e-bikes and have designated a specific area for bike storage during the school day. Students should have taken a consent form home, which must be signed and returned to Student Services.

A reminder to all riders: helmets must be worn at all times.

Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal