Year 12 Graduation and Awards Ceremony

On Wednesday evening, 22 October, our Year 12 students celebrated their final chapter at the College. Students, family, and friends gathered in the Gymnasium for the Graduation Liturgy, Awards Presentations and Graduation Ceremony.

The liturgy commenced with Father Roshan and a selection of the students leading in prayer. They asked God to guide them and their peers to use their gifts and talents to achieve their goals, and to have the strength to overcome any obstacles that they may face in the future. The liturgy concluded with Father Roshan's blessing all of the Year 12 students.

Our Lady of Mercy College Choir, led by Ms Tanya Kavanagh, sang Companions on the Journey, by Carey Landry, after which the official Presentation of Awards Ceremony commenced.

Recipients of College Honours:

Leela Baird

Rachel Cronin

Emmasyn Dillon

Ruby Fyshe

Rowan Jamieson

Olivia Mumme

Bonnie Pere

Daniel Phillips

CJ Sheahen

Keeley Stevens

Recipients of the Year 12 Special Awards:

Mercy Values Award: Lilli Greay Christian Service Award: CJ Sheahen

Long Tan Award: Kaylee Hughes

Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award: Daniel Phillips

Recipients of the Awards of Academic Excellence:

Leela Baird Visual Arts General 

Xavier Behrend Certificate III Sport & Recreation 

Rachel Cronin Religion & Life ATAR Modern History ATAR 

Emmasyn Dilllon Visual Arts ATAR 

Jayda-Rose Evans English General 

Human Biology General 

Mathematics Essentials General 

Psychology General   

 Caitlin Fraenkel Certificate III Business 

Sophia Landfried Applied Information Technology ATAR 

Ellise McAlinden Dance ATAR 

Psychology ATAR

Olivia Mumme Biology ATAR 

Chemistry ATAR 

English ATAR 

Human Biology ATAR 

Sophia Neilson-Chiellini Physical Education Studies ATAR

Charlotte Osborn Mathematics Foundation General 

Bonnie Pere Certificate II Hospitality 

Daniel Phillips Mathematics Methods ATAR 

Materials Design & Technology General: Metal 

Physics ATAR 

Layla Pierce Certificate II Outdoor Education 

Mathematics Application ATAR 

Raine Potter Materials Design & Technology General: Wood 

Zoe Princi Dance General 

Keeley Stevens Religion & Life General 

Charli Stewart Curtin UniReady 

Grace Tate Biology General   

Recipients of the Major College Awards:

Sporting Excellence Award

The Senior Sporting Excellence Award is presented to students in Years 10, 11 or 12 who have achieved outstanding results whilst representing the College and have shown a high level of leadership and sportsmanship.

This year the Senior Sporting Excellence Award goes to:

Rowan Jamieson and CJ Sheahen.

Academic Distinction

Awards of Academic Distinction are presented to Year 12 students who have achieved 14 or more A grades across Year 11 and 12 or their equivalent in General and VET Courses.

The recipient of Academic Distinctions are:

Leela Baird, Jayda-Rose Evans and Olivia Mumme.

Proxime Accessit

Awarded to the student who has achieved the second highest academic result in Year 12, in the General and ATAR pathways.

The student receiving the Proxime Accessit for the General Pathway is:

Rachel Schatz

The student receiving the Proxime Accessit for the ATAR Pathway is:

Daniel Phillips

Dux

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest final academic results in Year 12 in General and ATAR pathways.

The Dux for the General pathway is: Jayda-Rose Evans The Dux for the ATAR pathway is: Olivia Mumme

Marcellin Champagnat

This major award is named after St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers.  Although our College has adopted the charism of the Mercy Sisters, it is important to remember that through our link with Bunbury Catholic College, the Marist charism has also been an important part of our foundation. 

This award is open to any student, from any year group across the College. It recognises their resilience and endeavour to be the best they can be, despite the many challenges they may have faced. 

The winner of this award is: Demspey Miffling

Mercy Education

The Mercy Education Award is presented to a Year 12 student who has demonstrated leadership in the Mercy tradition and espoused the core values of Mercy Education. Tonight’s recipient is an excellent example of what it means to follow The Mercy Way.

They consistently show respect and compassion to all members of the College community, making younger students feel accepted and valued and volunteering to assist staff with different tasks. They have shown Hospitality by leading tours of the College and emceeing at assemblies. They have shown Courage by accepting the role of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and taking a leading role in the Easter Liturgy. They displayed Service by promoting fundraising activities and committing to the Christian Service-Learning program at the College. This person has also been an excellent leader as College Captain.

This award is presented to: Daniel Phillips

Ursula Frayne

The Ursula Frayne Award is named after the first Mother Superior of the Mercy Sisters in Australia.  Arriving in Perth in 1846, the Mercy sisters overcame many challenges to establish their religious order nationwide. 

This award is given to a Year 12 student who has displayed leadership qualities and contributed to the College’s co-curricular program. The recipient tonight has represented the College in swimming, athletics, philosophy, Tournament of the Minds, debating, the Science and Engineering Challenge both locally and in Sydney, and various Mathematics competitions. They have enthusiastically embraced the Service-Learning program by completing an impressive number of volunteer hours for community organisations, including assisting with the Knights of the Southern Cross dinner in 2024. They have supported faith initiatives by accepting the role of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Finally, they have embraced leadership opportunities which culminated in their appointment as Read House Captain this year.

This award is presented to: Keeley Stevens

O’Meara Shield

The O’Meara Shield recognises a Year 12 student who is characterised by their overall commitment to the College pillars of Embracing Life, Nurturing Faith and Inspiring Learning. 

This year’s recipient has embraced life by representing the College in a range of areas including: debating, Tournament of the Minds, philosophy, the Science and Engineering Challenge both locally and in Sydney, the Reconciliation Bridge Walk and cross-country.  They also embraced the opportunity to take on a role in the College’s production of Matilda in 2021. Their dedication to their studies is evident in the number of learning area awards they have received over the last six years, including awards for Religion, English, Drama and History. This student has also contributed to the faith aspect of the College by participating in the Christian-Service Program, being awarded the Mercy Values and Christian-Service awards in previous years, accepting the position of Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and volunteering to assist with the College Breakfast Club for the last four years.  Finally, they have been a Year 7 Homeroom Representative and held the position of McAuley House leader since Year 8.

The winner of this award is: Rachel Cronin

Congratulations to all award recipients.

After the Award Ceremony the evening continued with the Graduation Ceremony.

Mr Vince Bellini welcomed guests and addressed the students, reflecting on the significance of the occasion. He reminded them that the night was not only a celebration of endings but also a recognition of new beginnings. As graduates, they leave the College equipped with knowledge, values, friendships and memories that will guide them in the years ahead.

He encouraged the students to look forward with confidence, reminding them that the future is theirs to shape. As they step into the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the Mercy spirit, a call to lead, to serve, and to make a difference in the world. Each of them has the power to influence others through their actions, courage, and compassion.

Students Toby and Kaylee shared their reflection on their Mercy Journey and College Captains, Olivia and Daniel, took the opportunity during their address to thank the staff and teachers;

"We thank you, Mrs Ball, for shaping us, believing in us, and downright setting us straight. Many families here tonight, recognise that you have played an integral part in guiding their child through their high school journey. You have remained a constant presence and for that, we will be forever grateful.

Now, to a personal thank you to our Year 12 peers. As your College Captains for 2025, we are forever in awe of the support and guidance we have received in being your student leader representatives. Thank you for your suggestions and your feedback. We always tried to ensure that your voices were heard. We are so proud of all of you. You’re finally at the end.

We wish you love and all the very best for the future. In the spirit of Mr Galati, stay organised, take care and finally…believe in yourselves.

They then invited their peers to stand up and recite a commitment to following The Mercy Way together:

"As graduates of Our Lady of Mercy College, we are part of a long tradition of Mercy Education, which has at its core, the teachings of Jesus Christ.

We promise to be ever mindful of The Mercy Way, in the many settings in which we find ourselves.

May the values of Respect, Compassion, Hospitality, Justice, Service and Courage be reflected in our words and actions.

May we follow Catherine McAuley’s example of a living faith, burning brightly.

May we endeavor to embrace life, nurture our faith and be inspired to become life-long learners.

Finally, in the words of Catherine, may we “resolve to do good today and be better tomorrow”.

CONGRATULATIONS to all graduating students. The entire College community is extremely proud of all your efforts and achievements throughout your learning journey at Our Lady of Mercy College.

We wish you every success in the future and the best of luck.

A link to all photos of the event has been shared with Year 12 families and students via email.