Our Purpose

Mercy College is a community whose members work in partnership towards the education of young people. With Christ as our guiding light and in the spirit of Catherine McAuley, we seek to recognise, appreciate and develop the gifts of all in a spirit of collaboration, love and service.

The College is committed to creating a climate where students can develop a love of learning. Our students are encouraged to be self-aware, tolerant, compassionate towards others and independent in thought and action, by contributing to the world in which they live and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Charged with the ministry of our vision statement, the College is committed to the following core values:

As a student centred College, we are dedicated to the life-long education of the whole person, which includes the development of:

The College’s motto, Love in Action, is based on the personal understanding of what ‘Mercy’ meant to Sister Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. It also reflects how we as a College community act in faith and exhibit our Christian values by showing kindness and tolerance, as well as love and compassion toward all members of the community.

Lamb of Sacrifice – Symbolises Jesus Christ. In Christian history the Hebrews offered lamb on an altar to receive God’s blessing.

Flag of Triumph – Represents the victory of truth. In our lives, truth is always the stronger force.

Book of Scripture – The lamb sits on the open bible and this represents God’s word for us and offers to us greater knowledge of God.

Mercy Cross – The cross represents Jesus Christ and reminds us of the reason for his life, death and resurrection. The idea of the Mercy cross came from Catherine McAuley who wanted the Mercy Sisters to give their lives in service to other people.

Misericordia – Misericordia means Mercy. This is the openness of God to help us. When we search for the Mercy of God, then we are able to reach out to others with forgiveness and compassion. Catherine McAuley wanted ‘Mercy’ to be the main motto of Sisters of Mercy.

Vertical Bands – Originally the Mercy Sisters’ Shield had several bars – four red and three green that were adopted from a medieval Order of Mercy. The Mercy College crest has five bands of gold with four white and sometimes you see blue on these bars as well. The five bands stand for – Justice, Compassion, Service and Excellence, Dignity.