News & Events
News on Mercy College and its students is added to this page on a regular basis. Also available is the calendar of events and the school newsletter.
Choir Festival
02 April 2013
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
Harmony Day
Back to top 22 March 2013
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
Clean Up Australia Day
Back to top 08 March 2013
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!
Chess Gamers
Back to top 27 February 2013
Mercy Chess Club participation amongst students is strong and we are looking forward to a thrilling year. The following students participated in the Mackay Regional Chess Competition for primary and secondary students, held at Victoria Park State School on Monday 25 February.
Mercy Buccaneers – Asten Jago, Lincoln De Thomasis, Pierce Donnelly, Nick Hilder
Mercy Pirates – Nina Rillera, Purav Bhandare, Armaan Kundall, Lachlan Stevens
Solo Sailor – Jackson Armstrong
Congratulations to Mercy Pirates taking out 2nd overall place in Teams, Lincoln De Thomasis 3rd overall Individual and Nina Rillera and Purav Bhandare received merit ribbons (in the secondary schools events).
Mercy Chess Club is on every Wednesday in the Library at lunchtime – new players are always very welcome to join.
More News
Interhouse Swimming Carnival
Back to top 22 February 2013Mercy's Rising Stars
Back to top 05 February 2013Archived News
Interact - The Good Work Continues
Back to top 16 November 2012Mercy Surfs Up a Win
Back to top 26 October 2012Japan Study Tour
Back to top 17 October 2012Mercy Competes at National Robotics Competition
Back to top 13 October 2012Soccer Success
Back to top 20 September 2012Debating Final
Back to top 12 September 2012Work Placement
Back to top 05 September 2012State Robocup Runners Up
Back to top 01 September 2012Festival of Fashion
Back to top 21 August 2012Junior News Reader Competition
Back to top 07 August 2012Rock Pop Mime
Back to top 02 August 2012Debaters Deliver
Back to top 27 July 2012Bonjour New Caledonia
Back to top 23 July 2012Top Grade Netball
Back to top 15 July 2012Dear Edwina Musical
Back to top 07 July 2012Mercy Choir - Guests of Honour
Back to top 20 June 2012St Vinnies Committee
Back to top 06 June 2012Relay for Life 2012
Back to top 01 June 2012Its Sweet to Retreat
Back to top 31 May 2012Quandong Rainforest Lodge Art Camp
Back to top 18 May 2012Rowers Double Up
Back to top 15 May 2012Students Bring Joy to St Francis
Back to top 11 May 2012Ensemble in the Garden
Back to top 04 May 2012Riding Along on Your Push Bike ...
Back to top 02 May 2012Harmony All Day
Back to top 25 April 2012The Money Line
Back to top 29 March 2012St Francis Easter Egg Appeal
Back to top 28 March 2012Workshop with Dr Debra Shearer-Dirie
Back to top 26 March 2012Interact Committee Get into Gear
Back to top 20 March 2012Visual & Performing Arts Showcase
Back to top 15 March 2012Queensland Award Winner
Back to top 09 March 2012Jazz Great Workshops Students
Back to top 08 March 2012Game On!
Back to top 02 March 2012Ash Wednesday
Back to top 22 February 2012Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday)
Back to top 21 February 2012Valentine’s Day
Back to top 14 February 2012Academic Award Winners
Back to top 15 November 2011HPE Recreation Camp
Back to top 10 November 2011Sports Awards Night
Back to top 02 November 2011Outstanding Student - Brooke Camilleri
Back to top 24 October 2011Mercy Musicians on Tour
Back to top 11 October 2011Queensland Boxing Champions
Back to top 10 October 2011State Rowing Championships
Back to top 07 October 2011Challenge Accepted!
Back to top 07 September 2011Hockey Gold
Back to top 05 September 2011Crossroads Social
Back to top 24 August 2011St. Vinnies Conference
Back to top 23 August 20112011 Rowing Championships
Back to top 17 August 2011Student Festival of Fashion
Back to top 15 August 2011Interschool Athletics Success
Back to top 13 August 2011National Schools Tree Day
Back to top 03 August 2011Athletics Carnival
Back to top 29 July 2011Co-curricular Music
Back to top 27 July 2011Outstanding Students
Back to top 22 July 2011Hooray for House Day
Back to top 20 June 2011Rocky Robotics Competition
Back to top 13 June 2011Art Prize Winners
Back to top 11 June 2011Robo Soccer
Back to top 10 June 2011Our Future Politicians?
Back to top 31 May 2011Concert Band Shine at Festival
Back to top 20 May 2011Music Ensembles - Great Performance
Back to top 19 May 2011Hannah - State Soccer Selection
Back to top 13 May 2011Masterchef Competition
Back to top 27 April 2011Easter Egg Appeal
Back to top 10 April 2011Harmony Day!
Back to top 01 April 2011St Vinnies Start the Year Off With a BANG!
Back to top 25 March 2011RSPCA Charity Luncheon
Back to top 23 March 2011First Band Performance
Back to top 04 March 20112011 Swimming Carnival
Back to top 03 March 2011Chess Success
Back to top 02 March 2011Mercy Introduces Languages Tutoring
Back to top 25 February 2011Television Stars!
Back to top 24 February 2011Drama Workshop
Back to top 23 February 2011Cultural Trip Enriches Education
Back to top 21 February 2011Students Visit Japan
Back to top 25 September 2010Western Music Tour
Back to top 13 September 2010Equestrian Winner
Back to top 09 September 2010Crossroads Social
Back to top 30 August 2010Just Peachy
Back to top 29 August 2010Sheridan Second in Parliment House
Back to top 19 August 2010Athletics Carnival
Back to top 27 July 2010Mercy Rowing
Back to top 24 July 2010Technology - Robotics Competition
Back to top 24 June 2010Outstanding Mercy Students
Back to top 23 June 2010Readers Cup
Back to top 22 June 2010Mercy Netbal
Back to top 22 June 2010APEX Debating Competition
Back to top 21 June 2010Mercy’s Cultural Connections
Back to top 20 June 2010Cross Country
Back to top 10 June 2010'Pippin' Musical Promotion
Back to top 09 June 2010Jack Wins National Title
Back to top 14 May 2010Gymnasts Perform Well
Back to top 23 April 2010Mercy Students Excel
Back to top 16 April 2010Netballers at NQ Games
Back to top 12 April 2010Mercy's Greatest Shave
Back to top 19 March 20102010 Swimming Carnival
Back to top 13 March 2010Outstanding Mercy Student
Back to top 12 March 2010Boori Pryor Visits Mercy
Back to top 26 February 2010Interact Executives Receive Badges
Back to top 25 February 2010Mathletes Take on the World
Back to top 19 February 2010Outstanding Basketballers
Back to top 18 February 2010Outstanding Mercy Student - Scott Schulte
Back to top 29 January 2010Vocational Placement Awards
Back to top 20 November 2009Mercy Wins Optiminds
Back to top 23 October 2009Outstanding Mercy Students
Back to top 15 October 2009Mathematics Awards
Back to top 05 October 2009The Arts - Art Tour
Back to top 16 September 2009Townsville Careers Trip
Back to top 05 September 2009Festival of Fashion
Back to top 26 August 2009Rowing Regatta
Back to top 01 August 2009Excellent Results for Mercy Students
Back to top 31 July 2009Literature Festival
Back to top 22 July 2009Outstanding Mercy Students
Back to top 17 July 2009New Zealand Futsal Trip
Back to top 17 July 2009Mercy QISSN Netball Team
Back to top 02 July 2009Mackay Show Art Winners
Back to top 26 June 2009CQU Robotics Competition
Back to top 19 June 2009Brother Tom Higgins Bikeathon 2009
Back to top 29 May 2009Relay for Life
Back to top 22 May 2009Outstanding Achievements
Back to top 15 May 2009Art Camp 2009
Back to top 02 May 2009Lightning Jack Buchhorn
Back to top 01 May 2009Free Online Tutoring
Back to top 10 April 2009Congratulations Lucy Power
Back to top 09 April 2009Moving Opera!
Back to top 27 March 2009Japanese Sister-City Visit
Back to top 20 March 2009Year 8 Netbooks Arrive
Back to top 06 March 2009Mercy Trip to Japan
Back to top 06 February 2009Mercy College Facelift
Back to top 29 January 2009Sporting Success
Back to top 11 August 2008Inaugural Rowing Regatta
Back to top 05 August 2008Mackay Show Winners - Home Economics
Back to top 24 June 2008Vocational Education and Training
Back to top 22 June 2008Biggest Morning Tea Success
Back to top 22 June 2008Pioneer Valley Show Winner
Back to top 18 June 2008Visual Art Camp
Back to top 28 March 2008St Francis Easter Visit
Back to top 21 March 2008Wakakirri Success
Back to top 13 September 2007Congratulations Junior News Readers
Back to top 12 September 2007Hockey Heroes
Back to top 11 September 2007Crossroads Social
Back to top 30 August 2007Athletics Carnival 2007
Back to top 08 August 2007Brisbane Careers Trip
Back to top 27 July 2007Eungella Art Camp
Back to top 22 March 2007Swimming Carnival 2007
Back to top 15 March 2007Athletics Carnival
Back to top 02 August 2006Vicky Wilson Cup
Back to top 25 July 2006Ski Trip
Back to top 18 July 2006Cross Country
Back to top 20 April 2006Music Camp
Back to top 16 March 2006Swimming Carnival 2006
Back to top 23 February 2006Sports Presentation Night
Back to top 03 November 2005Ski Trip
Back to top 29 September 2005Little Shop of Horrors
Back to top 05 September 2005Brisbane SOSE Trip
Back to top 25 August 2005Principal - Moving On
Back to top 18 August 2005
It is with excitement tinged with sadness that I announced to staff this week and to you through the Newsletter today, that I will be leaving Mercy College at the end of this year.
I feel after ten years as Principal the time is right for me to move on. Together with my husband Peter and children Michael, Julia and Alex(ander) we will be relocating to the Brisbane North Coast.
Mercy College has been such a large part of my life and it will be with great sadness that I leave but we have reached a point where the curriculum that was introduced in 2000 is now established, accepted and achieving the original objective of providing an innovative and exciting learning experience for students while also preparing them well for their transition to Years 11-12.
The hard work of staff will now pay off as they continue refining and streamlining our curriculum to fit with the expectations of the Queensland Government’s ‘Smart State Strategy’. My work here is done and I am looking forward to exploring other options and for the next five years at least I would like to concentrate on getting my own children through school.
I know I will have the opportunity over the next few months to talk to many of you personally but today I would just like to say thank you for the support that the parent body has given me personally during my time as Principal.
Mrs Cathy Quinn, Principal
Athletics Day
Back to top 08 August 2005Congratulations Piran
Back to top 16 July 2005Western Band Tour
Back to top 12 June 2005