News & Events

Year 8 Retreat

Year 8 Retreat was an eye opener as it showed us a lot about ourselves and others, and what we could do. I learnt a great deal about people skills and how to treat others, which is something I am sure to use in the future. Through this we met many new friends and had countless experiences we are sure to remember. – Amelia Strang

I enjoyed the day with the Passionist Team presenters because I got to make friends with new people. At Kinchant Dam I really enjoyed the activities because we don’t get to do those things and they were challenging to complete. It felt like an achievement. – Kyden Smith

Year 9 Retreat

This year we, the Year 9’s went to South’s Leagues Club for our retreat. At the retreat we focused on getting out of our comfort zone and saying positive things to our peers, we have thought but never said. This included saying why we admire people that aren’t our best friends, and pairing up with a partner that we barely knew and trying to learn as much about them in 20 minutes. We were then questioned randomly by Michael Fitzpatrick (Presenter) on our partner’s attributes we had learned. I enjoyed talking with people I usually don’t hold a conversation with. The presenter, Michael, was funny, gave out easy instructions and had simple rules, and made the retreat enjoyable. – Dylan Vella

Year 10 Retreat

The hope and inspiration I have taken from Glen Gerryn’s words have shown me to always look at everything in the world in a positive way. There will also be lots of obstacles but you just have to pick yourself up and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Glen’s words were motivational, inspirational and breathtaking. - Emma Karst

I have had things said to me in the past and it made me realise that it’s not worth being upset, listen to the good things, not the bad and the best thing is to just be confident. - Joshua Morton

The Mercy College Choir students joined four hundred other choristers for the KMEIA 21st Regional Choral Festival last month from 24 to 26 March. Our students, Mr Jim Ford and Mr Val Mackenzie participated in a series of choral workshops including opening the Festival with a handbell ringing performance. Brisbane guest Conductors included the energetic Mr Anthony Young from St Laurence’s College and Dr Debra Shearer-Dirie, Director and Conductor of the Brisbane Concert Choir and the QLD Conservatorium. Eight of Mr Young’s students from St Laurence’s College also joined in the festivities.

Thank you to students and parents/guardians for a wonderful weekend of song.

Miss Libby Courtice, Choir Coordinator

Last Wednesday Mercy College swapped their uniforms for an orange outfit to celebrate Harmony Day and Close the Gap day. The day began with an assembly jam packed with activities to celebrate the cultural diversity of our school. The flag ceremony was a definite highlight. A procession of flags from all over the globe, showed the students just how many different countries our Mercy College community come from. The assembly ended with a couple of dances from the Slade Point mob.

After assembly it was time for the Year 8’s to participate in a range of cultural activities from painting boomerangs to having chopsticks races. The Year 9 French students had a picnic of snails and crackers with camembert, played baguette javelin and finished with a few rounds of petanque. The Year 9 Japanese students learnt about the famous Japanese Tanabata festival and wrote down their wishes in Japanese to hang on the school bamboo. The Year 10 French students visited The Creperie to taste some authentic French crepes. The Year 10 Japanese students learnt about Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes, and the impact of the bombings on Hiroshima. The students have started making their 1000 paper cranes and will send them to Japan for the peace festival later in the year.

At lunch time there were kangaroo kebabs on sale as well as Indigenous games being played in the pavilion. Overall it was a fantastic day, and it was great to see everyone participating and enjoying being together.

Miss Shai Eather, Languages Coordinator

Thank you to staff, students and parents who came along to the annual 'Clean-Up Australia Day' on Sunday 2 March.

It was a wet and windy morning at Mackay Harbour, however, that didn't stop us from making a huge effort to clean up the local environment.

After two hours and many filled recycling bags, we all enjoyed the hot BBQ breakfast supplied by Mackay Bulk Ports Authority and the 'Clean-Up Australia Day' organisation. This is a very worthwhile and fun event that Mercy College will continue to support in the future!