Message from the Principal – Christine Harding
Welcome to the community of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer. Striving for excellence, we are the only specialist all-girls school in the Sutherland Shire.
Welcome back to Term 3. Students have returned looking rested and refreshed and all staff are looking forward to a term of learning.
Feast of Mary MacKillop – 8th August
On August 8th, we honour the life and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop, a woman of deep faith, courage, and compassion. As Australia’s first canonised saint, Mary MacKillop’s commitment to education, social justice, and care for the poor continues to inspire generations. Her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” remind us of the power of kindness and action in our daily lives.
At Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer, we celebrate Mary MacKillop’s enduring spirit and her dedication to the dignity of every person. May her example encourage us to live with hope, serve with love, and walk humbly with God.
God of compassion, God of all people, we praise you for your servant,
Mary MacKillop, who gave her life to serve you in the poor and oppressed.
As she is honoured in our world, may we continue to learn to share her vision.
Help us to recognise, as she did, that the poor of our time will hear the gospel in the way we serve them. Be with us as we strive to follow her and carry out our mission of service and care.
Our Lady of Mercy Keep us under your protection and bless our school
Venerable Catherine McAuley Pray for Us
Semester One Awards
We are proud to celebrate the achievements of students who have shown outstanding dedication to their learning during Semester One. The following awards were celebrated at our school assembly last week:
- Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence – Presented to students who achieved an A grade in the majority of their subjects. This award recognises their commitment, focus, and excellence in academic performance.
- Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning – Awarded to students who consistently demonstrated key learning dispositions across all subjects, including:
These students have embodied the core values of our learning community through their commitment to academic growth. We proudly acknowledge their dedication and congratulate all award recipients for demonstrating outstanding excellence in their studies.
Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations
This week, our Year 12 students commenced their HSC Trial Examinations. As part of our precinct arrangements, the girls are undertaking both their HSC Trials and the HSC Examinations at De La Salle College, Caringbah.
The girls’ preparation has been commendable, with students engaging in holiday classes with their teachers, and focused study in the lead up to this important milestone. The HSC Examination process has run smoothly, and we extend our best wishes to all Year 12 students as they continue their journey toward the HSC.
Stage 6 – Year 11 2026 HSC Subject Selection
We congratulate our Year 10 students for the confident and thoughtful manner in which they have approached their HSC 2027 Subject Selections. The process has been an important milestone in their academic journey, and the professionalism shown by the girls is commendable.
Families played a valuable role in the process, with parents joining their daughters in interviews to make informed, collaborative decisions about the path ahead. This partnership reflects the strong support and shared commitment we hold for every student’s success.
We look forward to seeing these students thrive as they move into their senior studies.
Stage 5 – Years 8 and 9 Subject Selection for 2026
We are proud of our Year 8 students for diving into their elective subject choices with such confidence and thoughtfulness. It’s a big step and they’ve handled it with maturity and a great sense of curiosity.
It was wonderful to see families come along to our Year 8 Subject Market Evening, where students and parents explored all course options together. Thank you to our dedicated teachers who presented with enthusiasm and expertise, guiding students toward informed decisions aligned with their strengths and interests.
It’s an exciting time for our students, as they begin to exercise independence in shaping their educational pathway, making choices that reflect their passions and future ambitions.
Year 8 Thursday Sport with De La Salle Caringbah
This term, we are excited to continue our sports partnership with De La Salle College Caringbah, welcoming Year 8 into the rotation for Thursday afternoon sport. Guided by feedback from our parent community, this initiative has fostered collaboration, connection, and shared experiences between our students and their peers at De La Salle.
The first rotation launched with enthusiasm, featuring a mix of recreational sports: Climbfit, Flag NFL, Music, Gym, and Tennis. It’s been wonderful to see our students stepping outside their comfort zones, building friendships, and growing through teamwork.
We’re confident this program will continue to grow and serve as a meaningful contributor to student wellbeing and personal growth throughout the term.
Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod
We are thrilled to share that Emma Broadhurst (Year 7) has achieved 3rd Place in the Solo Singing Musical Theatre category at the Sydney Catholic Schools Eisteddfod. Her performance displayed incredible talent and dedication, earning her well deserved recognition at this prestigious event.
Congratulations also to Amabel Garvin (Year 10) who competed at SCS Eisteddfod in the String Division and placed 3rd overall in a very competitive section. Well done, Amabel.
Thank you for your continued support of the College.
Christine Harding, Principal