Merici College
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| Merici College | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
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10 Wise Street, Braddon, Australian Capital Territory | |
| Coordinates | 35°16′00″S 149°08′15″E / 35.2668°S 149.1375°E |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent secondary day school |
| Motto | Latin: Fidelitas |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1959 |
| Principal | Loretta Wholley |
| Years | 7-12 |
| Gender | Girls |
| Enrollment | c. 700 |
| Colour(s) | Navy blue, maroon, gold |
| Affiliations | Associated Southern Colleges |
| Website | www |
Merici College is an independent Roman Catholic secondary day school for girls located in the Canberra suburb of Braddon in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Established in 1959, the College caters for students in years 7 to 12. The school's Principal is Loretta Wholley.
History
Merici College is named in honour of Italian saint St. Angela Merici. The College is the oldest Catholic girls' school in Canberra. It was founded in 1959 as Canberra Catholic Girls' High School. The letters CCGH can be seen on the original gates at the Ipima Street side of the building. At that time, although there were several Catholic boys' schools in the area, there was no equivalent institution for female Catholic students. The founding of Merici is unusual[citation needed] among Catholic schools in that, rather than being established by a single order of nuns, it was originally intended as an archdiocesan school. The school was staffed by nuns from six different orders; the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the Presentation Sisters, the Ursuline Sisters, the Brigidines and the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. When a second Catholic girls' college opened in Canberra in the 1960s, the school became known as Braddon Catholic Girls High School.
In 1977 following a decline in enrolments it was decided to trial co-education with seven boys enrolling.[citation needed] The name was changed to Braddon Catholic High School. 1978 saw the largest intake of boys with 49 in total enrolling.[citation needed] During 1978 it was decided that the school should once again return to being a girls only school with a decision being taken to no longer enrol boys. A letter was sent out to parents of the boys already at the school suggesting that it might be preferable for the boys to enroll at Daramalan College, St Edmund's College, or Marist College Canberra.[citation needed] The total number of boys dwindled over the ensuing years to just four boys during 1983.[citation needed]
In 2009 the College celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Merici College is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, with concerts, cake, the year 12 jerseys have the 60th symbol on them. Girls have been wearing makeup to represent feminism. Also, the year 12 class have been celebrating Angelas life, by partying each weekend in order to celebrate her life and the influence she has on the girls. The Ningil house captains, Henrietta and Sophie, have recently visited Fyshwick to explore content which involves the empowerment of girls. The school have also been involved with Marist events. Such as 'speed dating', which is why now the majority of the Merici population are involved with men. As everyone says, Girls, Girls, Girls. But, Merici is more than just girls. Girls are powerful, intimately, through the act of love for equality and pride. We show pride for LGBTQI, no matter what gender, no matter what coloured pants you wear, Merici is a proud community.
Pastoral care system
Merici College has a vertical pastoral care system. This system replaces the more common Australian system of having a year coordinator assigned to each year group. Upon enrolment to the school, each student is assigned to one of six houses, each associated with one of the founding religious orders. The houses are: Penola (white and black), Balgo (yellow), Brescia (purple), Ningil (red) (named for a mission in Papua New Guinea founded by Nano Nagle's Presentation Sisters), Seiwa (named after Seiwa College) (blue) and Tullow (green). Students remain in their appointed house throughout their time at the college. They are also assigned to a vertically integrated pastoral care class consisting of students from all year levels in the same house.
Community involvement
Merici College has a St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Each year, Merici participates in sporting events organised by various Canberra sporting bodies. Sports that the school competes in include: soccer, softball, netball, hockey, basketball, volleyball, swimming, water polo, track and field, touch football, golf, tennis, equestrian and snow sports. The school is affiliated with Associated Southern Colleges.
Merici College is the sister school of Marist College Canberra. Marist provide us with boys that we love and treasure. Our community involve us with men who treat us with tender loving care. They protect, help, and love just like how a girl should be treated. Marist continues to demonstrate faith, encouragement and communication through the act of making love for our people.
Notable alumni
- Rosemary Follett AO – the first Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, first woman to become head of government in an Australian state or territory.
- Joanne Brown (nee Alchin) – 1996 and 2000 Australian Softball Olympian 2 x bronze medallist
