• Comment: See WP:COI and WP:NSCHOOLS. Greenman (talk) 11:19, 9 May 2025 (UTC)

• Comment: Reads like an advertisement. Very lacking in sourcing compared to the information in the article. Ktkvtsh (talk) 22:31, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

Mercy College is a Catholic secondary school for girls, located in the suburb of Coburg, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1965 by the Sisters of Mercy, the  College is operated and governed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS).^[1]

The Mercy values are excellence, hospitality, justice and compassion.  Mercy seeks to be a College that educates the whole person. Mercy College is committed to handing on the teachings of Christ, to witnessing Christ’s teaching and those of His Church and to living out those teachings. Love, joy, compassion and service underpin the Mercy spirit.

Established in 1965, Mercy College continues to be linked to the Sisters of Mercy and is faithful to and attentive to their vision and mission. With an emphasis on developing a socially just and environmentally aware approach to life, the College provides a basis for each girl to contribute with purpose on a local, national and international level as a confident, articulate and self-aware young woman.

The Mercy sisters have been involved in education in the Coburg district since 1886.^[2] Mercy College commenced classes as a regional secondary college for girls in local primary schools in 1965, then opened on the current site in Coburg in 1966. The College was built on the site of the old Mercy Convent which was originally The Young Queen Hotel built in 1846 and used as a watering place for miners on their way to the goldfields.

The story of the Sisters of Mercy in Coburg and Mercy College begins in 1778 with the birth in Dublin of a remarkable woman named Catherine McAuley. Catherine's Catholic parents were middle class.

Catherine began her work of mercy in 1827 when, after inheriting a large fortune, she chose to build a house in Baggot Street, Dublin to address the needs she saw around her. Catherine set up a school and a refuge for homeless and destitute women. She also began to gather around her other women who shared her vision of alleviating illiteracy, poverty and sickness, and of bringing into people's lives a profound sense of God.

Catherine did not intend to found a religious order. However, along with two companions, she was persuaded to commence training, thus giving birth to the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine stated that the principal aims of the congregation were:

"To educate poor girls, to lodge and maintain poor young women who are in danger...............and to visit the sick and poor."

The Catholic community of Mercy College models its response to the call of Jesus on the legacy and spiritual perspective of Catherine McAuley and the Mercy sisters.

The House System is an integral part of school life at Mercy College and all students and staff belong to a House^[3]. Each House is led by a House Captain who forms part of the Student Executive. The House Captains, along with House Leaders at Years 7 to 10, are responsible for fostering House spirit and participation in many activities throughout the year. The House Shield is awarded on a points system. There is a uniform scale of points for all activities, which are awarded for participation and performance.

  FRAYNE

Sister Ursula Frayne was a friend of Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy as a Catholic Religious Order in Dublin in 1831, and was deeply inspired by Catherine’s spirit and values. In 1846, Ursula was chosen to lead the small group of Pioneer Sisters of Mercy accompanying Bishop Brady from Dublin to the Swan River Colony in Western Australia. She travelled 55,000 miles and brought Catholic education to Australia. She worked to better the situation of Indigenous Australians, of immigrant Irish orphan girls, of the poor, the uneducated and the needy.

  KANE

Father Paul Kane was the founding Parish Priest of St. Matthew’s, North Fawkner from 1982, until his retirement in 2008. He was a valued leader and source of wisdom in the life of Mercy College. Fr Kane was president of the Canonical Administrators who administered the College and was Chair of the College Board for more than 20 years. He was a regular presence in the College, presiding at lunchtime Eucharists and celebrating Masses of Commencement and Thanksgiving throughout the years. The College benefited immeasurably from Father Kane’s service, gentleness and wise presence.

  MARIAN

For 2000 years, Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of Jesus, has provided a wonderful and powerful model of discipleship for all Christians around the world. She was a woman who had the courage to love in every circumstance of her life, be it joyful or sad, because of her total openness to God’s will: “let it be done to me”. As a young girl, Catherine McAuley was especially drawn to Mary as the ‘Mother of Mercy’. Thus, her companion sisters were called The Sisters of Mercy and the College bears that name – Mercy College.

  O’HEA

In 1853, a young Irish Augustinian priest from Cork arrived in Melbourne and was given charge by Archbishop Goold of the Coburg mission. Father Charles O’Hea established St. Paul’s parish school, asking the Sisters of Mercy to take charge of the school in 1897. He died in 1903 and left his residence and extensive lands to the Sister of Mercy in Geelong, with an express wish that a Mercy Convent be established in the district. Father O’Hea’s generosity enabled nine Sisters of Mercy to journey from Geelong in 1903 and establish the first Mercy Convent in Coburg. It is as a result of his bequest that Mercy College sits on the land it has today.

  THECLA

Sister Mary Thecla Day was the founding Principal of Mercy College and serving from 1965 to 1967. She was a woman of vision and initiative as she set out to establish the new College in Sydney Road, Coburg for girls, offering an academic curriculum. This would prepare them for the changing future, which saw women entering business, politics and professional life. As a Sister of Mercy and educator, Sister Mary Thecla Day worked tirelessly with the local Catholic parishes and families to build, literally from the ground, the Clairvaux building, which houses the college’s current Years 7 to 10 classrooms.

Mercy College Coburg offers a comprehensive and dynamic curriculum designed to support the academic, spiritual, and personal development of young women from Years 7 to 12. Grounded in the guidelines of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA), the College provides a balanced education that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and ethical understanding (edarabia.com, coursesearch.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au)

Years 7 to 10

Students in Years 7 to 10 engage with the Victorian Curriculum across nine key learning areas:

• Religious Education
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities
• Health and Physical Education
• The Arts
• Technologies
• Languages (Italian and Indonesian)

The curriculum also emphasises the development of general capabilities, including Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding, and Personal and Social Capability. Students participate in both year-long and semester-based subjects, allowing for depth and breadth in their studies.

In Years 9 and 10, students have the opportunity to select from a range of electives, such as Sustainable Technology and Digi Tech Design, which explore topics like renewable energy and robotic technology. These electives are complemented by inquiry-based learning projects that encourage problem-solving and innovation.

Years 11 and 12:

Senior students at Mercy College can pursue various academic and vocational pathways, including:

• Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
• Victorian Certificate of Education - Vocational Major (VCE-VM)
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) studies

These programs are structured over two years and offer a diverse range of subjects to cater to students' interests and career aspirations. The College's approach ensures that each student receives guidance and support to make informed decisions about their educational journey.

STEM and Innovative Learning

Recognising the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the modern world, Mercy College integrates STEM education throughout its curriculum.

Holistic Development

Beyond academic excellence, Mercy College is committed to the holistic development of its students. Programs in Interpersonal Development and Personal Learning are integral to the curriculum, promoting self-awareness, resilience, and social responsibility. The College's pastoral care initiatives and Religious Education curriculum further support students' spiritual growth and well-being.

Through its comprehensive curriculum, Mercy College, Coburg empowers young women to become confident, articulate, and compassionate individuals ready to contribute positively to society.

Mercy College offers a comprehensive co-curricular program designed to enrich students’ personal, social, spiritual, and academic development. Founded in the Mercy tradition, these activities aim to foster leadership, creativity, cultural awareness, and social responsibility.

Seeds of Justice/Social Justice

The College’s Social Justice Program is integral and based on a model of building awareness, being inspired through reflection, and being empowered to take action. Students engage in various initiatives that increase their awareness of social justice issues, preparing them to understand human rights and live up to their responsibilities as Catholics in the Mercy tradition. Students at all year levels are able to participate as active members of the ‘Seeds of Justice’ team. Throughout the year, students raise awareness and funds for the following organisations and causes:

• Caritas’ Project Compassion

• Opening the Doors Foundation as FIRE Carriers

• ACRATH
• Catholic EarthCare
• McAuley Community Services
• Catholic Mission’s Socktober
• St. Vincent de Paul’s Winter Sleepout and Christmas Appeal

Music and Performing Arts

The College provides extensive opportunities in the performing arts, including instrumental music, ensembles, bands, and drama productions. Students engage in various performance-based experiences as part of both the curriculum and co-curriculum programs.

Alongside the Mercy curriculum, the Performing Arts provide co-curricular opportunities including:

• The College Musical
• The College Drama Production with Parade College
• Annual Performing Arts Concert
• Vocal Ensemble
• Mercy Voices
• Guitar Ensemble
• Rock Bands
• Concert Band
• Private and Group Instrumental Lessons
• String ensemble and other small chamber groups

Sport/CGSAV

The Mercy College sporting program promotes and models how students can lead a healthy and active lifestyle, which can ideally be maintained throughout their lifetime. Being active and involved in sport contributes to the holistic well being and development of the individual. Through participation in organised sport, students experience structured skill development, acquire knowledge of a range of sports and activities and enhance their appreciation of team work, training and commitment.

Teams are actively coached and supported by staff members with relevant interests and skills, as well as additional input from students eager to participate in the development of players at this level.

Mercy College teams are currently involved in the Catholic Girls Sports Association Victoria (CGSAV) in a diverse range of sports, including: Australian Rules Football, Badminton, Basketball, Indoor Cricket, Indoor Soccer, Netball, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball and Swimming.

Clubs and Interest Groups

A diverse range of clubs and interest groups cater to a variety of student passions. These include:

• Book Club
• Art Club
• Meditation
• Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge
• Social skills groups (facilitated by the Counselling Team)
• Word Games
• Futsal Fridays
• AFL Club
• 80s Film Club
• Italian Club
• Indonesian Speaking Competition
• Volleyball Club
• Walking Group

These groups promote cultural awareness and encourage students to explore new interests and talents.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)^[4]
Catholic All Schools Sports Association
Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia (AGSA)

Official website