Message from Principal Vince Bellini – Finding Courage and Discovering Our Gifts
As I write this end-of-term reflection, our Year 12 students have just completed their final day of classes. It is one of those moments that reminds us just how quickly a school year passes and how much can be achieved along the way.
This term has certainly been one of great achievement across our College. We have celebrated success academically, on the sporting field, through our faith and spiritual life, and particularly through the performing arts.
One of the great highlights was our very first College production, School of Rock. It was wonderful to see our students take to the stage and share their gifts with our community. For many, this was their first experience performing in any type of production. Stepping onto a stage for the first time takes courage. It requires a willingness to take a risk, trust those around you and allow others to see a side of you they may not have seen before. Our students certainly rose to the occasion.
What made the production so special was not simply the final performance. It was seeing students find confidence, discover new talents, form friendships and support one another. It was also seeing the many students and staff working behind the scenes, each contributing their own gifts to something much bigger than themselves.
In many ways, this is what our Mercy values call us to do: to show the courage to step forward, the respect to recognise the gifts of others, the hospitality to create a place where everyone belongs, and the service to use our talents for the benefit of others.
This spirit continued through the Catholic Performing Arts Festival, where our musicians, singers and dancers represented Our Lady of Mercy College with distinction.
Our College Choir received Excellence in Choral Singing, while our Dance Troupe received Merit in Creative Dance.
Our individual performers were also recognised, with the following students received the following awards:
Vocal Soloist
Outstanding: Alexie
Excellence: Iona, Adrian, Bella and Matilda
Merit: Francheska
Vocal Duets
Excellence: Bella and Matilda, Francheska and Adrian
These awards are wonderful achievements and deserve to be celebrated. However, what I am most proud of goes beyond the certificates and recognition. It is the student who found the courage to audition, who stepped onto a stage for the first time, who encouraged a friend when they were nervous, the dancer who kept working to perfect a routine and the staff member who gave countless hours so that our students could have these opportunities.
Our students continue to strive to be their best, but perhaps more importantly, they continue to discover who they are and the gifts they have to offer others. Not every student will receive an award, sing a solo or take centre stage, but every student has something valuable to contribute to our community.
I am incredibly proud of what our students have achieved. School of Rock and the Catholic Performing Arts Festival have reminded us that sometimes we simply need the courage to step onto the stage, trust in our gifts and see where they might take us.
For our Year 12 students, that message seems particularly fitting as they prepare to step beyond the familiar surroundings of Our Lady of Mercy College and into whatever comes next. I hope they do so with confidence in themselves, gratitude for those who have walked alongside them, and the courage to share their gifts with the world around them.
Because when our young people are given the opportunity to discover what they are capable of, they often surprise us and sometimes, even themselves.
Vince Bellini Principal