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.
Through this Lenten time, we are called to renewal:
Through this Lenten time, we are invited to deepen our prayer:
Through this Lenten time, we are urged to almsgiving:
Through this Lenten time, we are summoned to greater courage:
Through this Lenten time, we are encouraged to fast from self gratification:
Through this Lenten time, we are forgiven so that we may forgive:

We are sent forth…….
Animated by your gospel, O Christ, we accept the challenges of this holy season. Through its graces, may we take up our daily crosses with generosity, courage and love. May we draw near to you each day, preparing ourselves to live as people of resurrection. We ask this in your name, Jesus Christ, our model and guide. Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers,
At OLM, we believe that a sense of belonging is the foundation for success, both academically and personally. When students feel connected to their peers, teachers, and the community, they are empowered to do their best work and achieve great things. Encouraging involvement in extracurricular activities is one of the key ways we foster this sense of belonging, offering students opportunities to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships. Additionally research indicates that extracurricular activities provide a broad range of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral benefits to students.
Source: Smith, J. A., & Brown, L. M. (2002). The impact of extracurricular activities on student development. Child Development, 73(4), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00467[1] (https://adams.marmot.org/Record/.b21193770) Findings: * This research showed that extracurricular activities are essential for adolescent development, particularly in fostering positive social behaviors. Students who participate in extracurricular activities experience better social integration and have more opportunities to form positive peer relationships. * The study also highlighted how students involved in activities like sports and music tend to develop a greater sense of belonging, self-confidence, and emotional regulation. Source: Gilman, R., & Huebner, E. S. (2006). Characteristics of adolescents who report very high life satisfaction. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(3), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-006-9036-7[1](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-09730-002) Findings: * This study found that students who participated in extracurricular activities, especially those involving teamwork or leadership roles (e.g., sports teams, student leadership), had higher self-esteem compared to their peers who were not involved. * Extracurricular activities were also linked to emotional benefits such as reduced anxiety, greater emotional stability, and improved self-worth. |
We are proud to see so many of our students engaged in these opportunities, as they enrich their school experience and contribute to our school culture. In the past two weeks we have had some impressive extracurricular activities:
Coin Line for Caritas
We are thrilled to announce the huge success of our Coin Line initiative, led by our Year 12 students leaders. This fundraising effort during our Lenten season aimed to support Caritas, and it was heartwarming to see the entire school community come together for such a worthy cause. Our Year 12 students demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication, organising and promoting the event with great enthusiasm. Thanks to their hard work and the generous contributions from students and staff, we raised $757.95 amount for Caritas. This initiative not only raised important funds but also built community spirit and displayed our core Mercy values.

$320.20

$178.50

$142.60

$116.65


Year 7 Bake Sale for Harmony Day
The event was a wonderful display of community spirit, with our Year 7 students showing outstanding support and enthusiasm for Harmony Day. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we raised over $500 for the Catholic Education Foundation. Congratulations to Year 7 on displaying Mercy values of Hospitality and Justice.

Year 5 Curriculum Day
We commend the class of 8Z students for their outstanding assistance and engagement during our Year 5 Curriculum Day, where Year 5 students from our Catholic feeder schools attended OLM for the day to get a taste of high school STEM subjects. The girls’ actions reflected our Mercy values of Service and Excellence, showcasing what it means to be a positive school leader and a true “Mercy Girl.” Their contribution highlights the strong sense of community and service here at our College.

MAG – Mercy Action Group
Our Mercy Action Group (MAG) has met each Tuesday in the chapel, led by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bailey, offering our girls an authentic social justice activity to support the community. Run by our Year 12 students, the group embodies the Mercy values of Compassion, Respect, and Service. We encourage all students to get involved and make a positive impact.
Duke of Edinburgh Hike
We are incredibly proud of our 43 Year 9 students for their outstanding success in the Duke of Edinburgh hike at Kiama. The girls were joined by 21 Year 9 boys from De La Salle Caringbah. They demonstrated remarkable resilience and teamwork. Big congratulations to all the participants for their fantastic achievements. Special thanks to Miss Polson, Mrs Tregoning, Ms Kramer Ms Clemenson for supporting the girls on their hike.

NSWCCC Swimming
We are thrilled to announce that the following students have progressed through to the NSWCCC Swimming Championships held at Homebush Aquatic Centre last week. This is a fantastic achievement, especially given the high level of competition. Congratulations to all our swimmers for their hard work and dedication.
- Stella Bloom – 50m Breaststroke
- Kiani Johnson – 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke
- Charli Moses – 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 200m Freestyle
- Georgia Pyper – 400m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke
- Ella Robertson – 50m Backstroke
Last Day of Classes for Term 1 – Friday 11 April Our last day of Term 1 classes will be on Friday 11 April. There will be normal classes for Periods 1 to 5. All students are expected to attend the day. Staff Professional Learning Day – Monday 28 April Monday 28 April will be Staff Professional Learning Day. As a result there will be NO formal classes on this day and students will NOT be required to attend school. Please contact the College if you require supervision for your daughter. School Resumes for Term 2 – Tuesday 29 April Students will return to school for classes on Tuesday 29 April. All students should come prepared for Day 2. |
Wishing all our students, staff, and families a blessed and joyful Easter as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. May this holy season bring peace, hope, and renewal to all.
Mrs Christine Harding
Principal
Christine Harding, Principal