From the Assistant Principal
As Term 1 comes to a close, there is a real sense of accomplishment throughout our student community. Much of this positive atmosphere comes from the leadership of our Prefects and Vice Prefects, who have taken on their roles with maturity and real care for others. They have welcomed new students, organised events, and shown our Mercy values in daily life. Their efforts have made others feel noticed, supported, and encouraged.
A great example of this leadership was during Harmony Week. Our student leaders encouraged everyone to join in, guided younger students, and helped create a welcoming and joyful atmosphere. Harmony Week is not just a set of activities, it shows our commitment to belonging, respect, and celebrating cultural diversity. A highlight was our Community Art Activity, where students painted their cultural flags on their hands and this colourful display of identity, supported students to talk about their heritage, family stories, and what culture means to them. This simple activity had a big impact, reminding us that every student brings a unique story to our community.
Another highlight was our Mini Language Lessons. Staff and senior students taught sessions in Irish, Cantonese, Swahili, Portuguese, Arabic, and Spanish. These lessons brought laughter, curiosity, and a sense of achievement as students practiced together. It was a great example of learning from each other and enjoying new experiences.
Creativity and cultural expression also showed in the Origami Workshop, where students learned traditional folding, and in the Native Ingredients Chocolate Bark Cooking Classes, which introduced flavours and ingredients from First Nations food traditions. These hands-on activities let students experience culture by making, tasting, and doing.
The Hall was full of energy during Zumba, with students and staff moving together to celebrate rhythm and wellbeing. At the same time, the Culture Trivia Quiz brought friendly competition and lots of laughter as teams tested what they knew about global customs, languages, and traditions.
Throughout all these activities, the most noticeable thing was how students supported each other. They encouraged friends to try new things, shared their cultural knowledge with pride, and joined in every activity with openness and respect.
As we start the term break, I encourage all students to rest, recharge, and think about how much they have grown. Whether it is academic progress, personal growth, or helping our school culture, every student has something to be proud of. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 2.
Siobhán Bloomfield
Assistant Principal, Student Engagement & Wellbeing