Assistant Principal – Karen Shawcross
Welcome to Term 3. This term is an exciting time as we navigate a busy period for all year groups. It is important that we maintain high standards and expectations, and I ask for the continued support of all parents in this effort. Please ensure your daughter’s uniform is perfect as she leaves home. This includes wearing blazers to and from school, ensuring skirt lengths are appropriately on the knee, and adhering to all rules regarding make-up and jewellery, including no cartridge, nose or eyebrow piercings.
I appreciate that it is a cold time of year, but students are not permitted to wear long sleeved garments under their school shirts. Our College jumper is the only item that should be worn under a blazer if extra warmth is needed. Breaches in uniform will result in demerits. Students wearing make-up – including false eyelashes, will be asked to remove them, false nails and nail polish will also be asked to be removed or sent home. Jewellery guidelines will be strictly enforced, including no nose piercings or cartilage piercings. All information relating to our dress code can be found on pages 20-21 of the College diary.
We began the term with an assembly to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. A large number of students received awards, and I extend my congratulations to all of them. Along with the academic awards, several Gold Awards (45 merits) and a Principal’s Merit Award (60 merits) were presented, which is a truly amazing achievement. I would also like to thank our choir for their wonderful performance of one of their recent award winning eisteddfod pieces. It was a great effort and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. I would encourage others to consider joining the choir.
This week, our Year 12 students began their HSC Trial Examinations. This is an exciting part of the Year 12 journey as it means the culmination of all their hard work is nearing. I wish them all the best in these final assessments before they sit for the HSC.
Student Leadership
The journey to appointing our new student leaders has also commenced, with the final appointments to be made at the end of Term 3. The Year 11 cohort participated in a Leadership Day, where they worked on teamwork, discussed the qualities of leadership, and had the opportunity to hear from Simon Kennedy MP for Cook, about his own leadership journey. Many thanks to Miss Mahoney for organising the day and for her work with the Year 11 students on this important process.
Year 6 Curriculum Day
We had extra smiles at school this week as our future Year 7 students for 2026 joined us for a day of classes. They experienced Visual Art, PDHPE, and History/Geography in our specialist classrooms, with some of our current Year 9 students assisting them. It was a pleasure to have them onsite, watching their nerves and excitement culminate in laughter as they prepare for high school.
Mercy Day
This term, we will also celebrate Mercy Day on August 22nd. This day is an opportunity for each homeroom to raise money for charity. The day will begin with Mass where we will celebrate who we are as a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, fulfilling our role in the world by always striving to be better. Following Mass, all students will return to school where they will have the opportunity to change into mufti clothes, dressing in the theme of O L M B. Each homeroom has designed an activity/market stall that will run during periods 3 and 4 to fundraise. These activities and market stalls will have a cost of $1–$5. There will be no cash or card options available for purchases on the day. Students must pre-purchase tokens from Student Services, with each token worth $1.
Following the fundraising activities, we will have the OLM Spelling Bee and the OLM Talent Show, which will feature a special mystery performance. One representative from each homeroom, regardless of year group, will participate in the Spelling Bee. I encourage any girl who would like to be in the talent show to start practicing now.
Karen Shawcross, Assistant Principal