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,
Prayer
Last week we celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi. We reflect on the Body and Blood of Christ which we receive in the Eucharist and we reflect on our call to be the Body of Christ to those around us. We are the hands of Jesus today, we are the feet of Jesus today and we are the eyes and ears of Jesus today. When we participate in the Eucharist, the Spirit gives us the energy to be the Body of Christ for Jesus.
St. Teresa of Avila wrote a beautiful prayer reminding us of our mission as Jesus’ disciples. We are his hands and feet here on earth. (Teresa of Avila: 1515–1582)
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning and has grown into a nationwide celebration of First Nations resilience and contributions. Although NAIDOC Week 2025 falls during the school holidays (6–13 July), it remains an important opportunity for families and communities to engage with local events and deepen their understanding of Indigenous heritage.
Vocal Ensemble Eisteddfod
We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our talented students on their outstanding achievement at the SCS Vocal Eisteddfod held at St Patrick’s College Sutherland.
Competing against some of the region’s most talented students, our performers demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and collaboration. Their confident and passionate singing of Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish captivated the audience and judges alike, culminating in a well-earned victory.
Congratulations to our talented vocal ensemble and their coach, Sian Fuller on this great achievevment. We invite you to enjoy their wonderful performance by viewing the videos attached to this link.
Chamber Ensemble Eisteddfod
It is with great pride that we celebrate the exceptional achievement of our school’s Chamber Ensemble, who earned second place at the SCS Ensemble Eisteddfod at Marist College Eastwood, last week. Under the expert guidance of Mr Lee, our talented students delivered a performance that was both technically impressive and emotionally moving. Their dedication, discipline, and passion for music were evident in every note, earning them well-deserved recognition from the judges and audience alike.
Sport with De La Salle College Caringbah
In response to feedback from our parent community, we have continued to take steps to create more opportunities for interaction between boys and girls through our joint sports program with De La Salle Caringbah. The initiative has been well received, with students participating in a variety of sports and cultural activities. The students are forming new connections, and learning important skills. Year 9 has completed in Term 1, Year 10 now completed their Term 2 involvement, and we’re pleased to continue this successful collaboration with Year 8 in Term 3. A big thank you to our Co-Curricula leaders, Ms Polson and Mr Safi for their dedication and excellent organisation of this program.
Year 12 Holiday Workshops to prepare for HSC Trial Examinations
It has been a very busy and productive term for our inaugural Year 12 cohort. Our students have demonstrated commendable dedication and focus as they prepare for the upcoming HSC Trial Examinations. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the maturity they have shown during this important phase of their academic journey.
While the school holidays offer a welcome break from the regular timetable, they also present a crucial window for Year 12 students to consolidate their learning. We have arranged a number of holiday workshops, both online and on campus, to ensure students have access to continued support.
I strongly encourage all students to use this time wisely, engaging in revision, finalising study notes, reviewing the syllabus, and completing past papers. These activities will be instrumental in preparing for the HSC Trial Examinations and achieving their personal best.
We wish all our Year 12 students a productive and balanced holiday period.
Year 10 HSC Subject Selection
It was wonderful to see so many families and students at our Year 10 Subject Selection evening for the HSC 2028. This is an important time of decision making, and we’re proud to support our students with guidance from our experienced HSC teachers. All members of the Instructional Leader Curriculum team were in attendance to answer questions and assist families throughout the evening. Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we help students make informed choices for their senior years.
Year 8 Students visiting St Francis De Sales
Each Monday, a group of Year 8 students and Mr Bailey walk to St Francis de Sales primary School to support Kindergarten to Year 3 students across a variety of activities, including numeracy, literacy, craft, reading and play. This meaningful initiative allows our students to contribute to the wider community while forming positive and lasting connections. Our Year 8 students have consistently represented the College with pride, serving as outstanding Mercy ambassadors. It’s been uplifting to witness how this experience nurtures a strong sense of responsibility and belonging among our Year 8 girls.
As we approach the end of the semester, a reminder that student reports will be released shortly and Parent Teacher Student Interviews will take place at the end of Term (Thursday 3 July from 3.30pm – 7.45pm and Friday 4 July between 9am – 1pm). I strongly encourage all families to book appointments with their daughter’s teachers, as these conversations are a vital part of our shared commitment to each student’s learning journey. These interviews provide a valuable opportunity to reflect on progress, set goals, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. We are very proud of our girls and thank you for your continued support in nurturing the growth and success of our girls.
Mrs Christine Harding, Principal