Message from the Principal – Christine Harding

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.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV

On the 18 May, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry, in St. Peter’s Square. As a community we pray for Pope Leo XIV and ask that he is light for us all.

As Pope Leo XIV begins his service as Bishop of Rome, we ask that your Spirit guide and strengthen him.

Help him to see clearly the needs of the Church and respond with wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Grant him the ability to lead with integrity and to unite your people in truth and charity.

May he be a steady witness to faith, hope, and love in a divided world.

Give him perseverance in his responsibilities and clarity in proclaiming the Gospel.

Keep him close to Christ, especially as he serves those who are most vulnerable, overlooked, or excluded.

Our Lady of Mercy Keep us under your  protection and bless our school

Catherine McAuley     Pray for us.

National Sorry Day

On Monday May 26, we observed National Sorry Day, also known as the National Day of Healing, to honour the Stolen Generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families. This day reminds us of the importance of truth-telling and healing as part of our journey toward reconciliation. The theme for National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week in 2025 is “Bridging Now to Next”, which encourages all Australians to reflect on our shared history and take meaningful steps together toward a more unified and respectful future. 

Bangarra Dance Theatre

On Tuesday 27 May, Ms Burden accompanied our Indigenous students to a performance by Bangarra Dance Theatre at Walsh Bay. This was a powerful and enriching opportunity for students to experience one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts companies.

Bangarra is renowned for its unique ability to blend contemporary dance with rich cultural storytelling, drawing deeply from the histories, traditions, and voices of First Nations peoples. The performance offered students a chance to engage with culture in a dynamic and meaningful way, deepening their connection to identity and heritage.

Year 11 and 12 Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews

On Wednesday 28 May, we held Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews for Years 11 and 12. These interviews are an important opportunity for students and their families to engage in meaningful conversations about learning progress, strengths, and areas for growth.

They provide valuable feedback that supports each student’s development and helps guide their next steps. These conversations are not just about academic results, they are about deepening understanding, setting goals, and fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.

World’s Biggest Morning Tea

We are pleased to share that the College has proudly hosted the World’s Biggest Morning Tea for the seventh consecutive year. This year’s event raised $2414.00 in support of vital cancer research, prevention initiatives, and support services. It was wonderful to see such strong participation from both staff and our parents, highlighting the strength and generosity of our school community. A sincere thank you to Mrs Diane White for her outstanding dedication and commitment in coordinating this event each year.

Tell Them From Me – Parent Survey

​Until 13 June, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer using an online survey. All Sydney Catholic Schools are expected to undertake the survey, this is an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite ​you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning Parent survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey window will be open to parents until Friday, June 13, 2025. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

http://tellthemfromme.com/w7nzs

Walk with Christ Procession

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney warmly invites families to take part in the upcoming Walk with Christ Festival and Eucharistic Procession in celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi. 

Event Information

  • Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
  • Location: Martin Place, Corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place
  • Program: 
    • 1:00 pm –  Music festival, featuring special guest performances
    • 2:30 pm – Procession commences, walking to St Mary’s Cathedral. A liturgy will be then held at the Cathedral forecourt
    • 5:00 pm – Event Finishes

Parking and Road Safety

The Sutherland Shire Council has recently increased the presence of parking inspectors around our College during drop-off and pick-up times. The Sutherland Shire Council enforces strict parking regulations, especially in school zones, to ensure the safety of students. We kindly ask all parents and caregivers to carefully observe and adhere to the parking signage around the school.

Double Parking

Double parking around the school creates serious safety risks for our students. Vehicles parked illegally obstruct the view of students trying to cross the road, making it harder for drivers to see them. Additionally, students getting in or out of double-parked cars may need to step into the middle of the road, increasing the danger.

For the safety of all students, we ask that parents and caregivers refrain from double parking and instead use the designated, safer parking areas available.

No Stopping Signs

No Stopping signs are located around our school. These signs mean that in the direction of the arrow, you must not stop your vehicle at any point on the road or curb—unless there is a medical or other emergency.

No Stopping signs also mean:

  • No parking is allowed in these areas.
  • No dropping off or picking up students in these zones, or only during specific hours as indicated on the sign.

While it may seem convenient to stop or park in these areas, we ask that you refrain from doing this as it may put our students at risk.

Thank you for keeping our school community safe.

Christine Harding, Principal