Print feature page   Add to shortlist   Our Lady Of Mercy College Parramatta     Our Lady Of Mercy College Parramatta Victoria Road Parramatta, NSW 2150 Tel: 02 9683 3300 Fax: 02 9890 1466 Email: olmc@olmc.nsw.edu.au Website: www.olmc.nsw.edu.au Key Details Type: Catholic Level: Secondary Gender: Girls Religious Affiliation: Catholic Download Prospectus/Brochure Our Mission Statement OLMC is an Independent Catholic girls’ College in the Mercy tradition, based on the Gospel values of mercy and justice. OLMC encourages the spiritual, moral and intellectual growth of the individual. OLMC recognises and values the uniqueness of each individual. OLMC provides the environment in which students have the opportunity to become self-motivated and independent learners. OLMC educates students to assume their role in society with confidence and to be initiators of change in that society, within the spirit of the Mercy tradition. Curriculum Features of OLMC's curriculum include: • integration of the Mercy values of compassion, justice, dignity, excellence, service, stewardship and hospitality across all areas of the curriculum • a technology rich learning environment: a notebook computer will be provided to every student in the College by the end of 2011 • a wide range of subject choices to School Certificate and Higher School Certificate levels, with student achievement consistently above State average • special programs for gifted students and for those with specific learning difficulties • a strong focus on literacy and numeracy • VET courses to HSC level A technology rich environment During the past four years OLMC has been developing its infrastructure to support an ICT integrated approach to teaching and learning. During that time notebook computers have been distributed to all teaching staff, interactive whiteboards have been installed in a number of rooms and data projectors and wireless facilities have been installed in every classroom within the College. Most importantly the College has worked with the teaching staff in developing their skills in the use of technology, particularly in the classroom. Over the past two years a number of ICT Integrators have been appointed. These Integrators have undertaken post graduate study in the use of ICT and work with the other teachers in developing learning programs based on the new technologies. During Semester 2, 2009, Years 7 and 8 students have been allocated notebooks by the College for school and home use. Years 7 and 11 will be the first Year groups in 2010 to receive their notebooks; the roll out of notebooks will then continue for the next two years so that every student in the College will have one by the end of 2011. Student leadership opportunities Students at OLMC have a range of leadership opportunities available to them which reflect the service model of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. While the College encourages student involvement in formal leadership it also acknowledges the importance of each individual’s informal role as a leader, incorporating Mercy values in all her relationships with others. A student in Years 7 to 10 may be elected to a formal leadership role as a • Homeroom Leader • Mercy Action Leader • Member of the Student Representative Council • Colour House Leader In addition to these positions, girls in Year 10 are invited to nominate for the position of Peer Support Leader. In this role girls offer support and guidance for Year 7 students during their first year at the College. Year 11 students may be elected to the above positions for the first semester of their senior years. However, during Term 3, Year 11 students may nominate themselves for election to one of the for 26 senior leadership positions within the College, which include the four executive positions of Head Girl, Assistant Head Girl, SRC President and SRC Vice President. The other 22 senior leaders are responsible for various portfolios which affect the student body such as debating and public speaking, creative and performing arts, assembly, liturgy, and Mercy action. These girls hold these leadership positions until the new Year 11 leaders are selected the following year. Sport and co-curricular activities OLMC has traditionally had a very high number of students involved in the wide variety of sports offered at the College. All students are encouraged to become part of the sporting community in the sport of their choice and to take advantage of opportunities to try new sports as well as continuing to develop skills in the more familiar areas. Sports offered at the College include: AFL, Aquathon, Athletics, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cricket, Cross Country competitions, Dance, Diving, European Handball, Golf , Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Touch, Triathlon, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Water Polo. In recognition of the importance of educating the whole person, OLMC also offers an extensive Cocurricular program and students are encouraged to take part in a range of offerings. Activities include: Chess Club, Debating, Drama Ensemble, Duke of Edinburgh Environmental Action Group, Future Problem Solving, Mock Trial, Music (instrumental and vocal training as well as a wide variety of ensemble groups) Public Speaking, Readers' Group, Science Club, Shakespeare Festival, Social Justice (Amnesty International, Caritas Australia etc), Textiles Club, Titration Competition, Tournament of Minds, and Young Writers' Competitions.   Announcements: 120 years of Mercy education Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta opened its doors to students for the first time on January 7th 1889. A group of nine Sisters of Mercy from Callan Convent had arrived in Sydney from Ireland in November 1888 to establish a school for girls and found a convent in the Parramatta area. Sr. M. Clare Dunphy was the Superior of the group and Sr. M. Alacoque Kavanagh was the first Principal. In 1892 the school accepted its first Boarder and by 1889 a new wing had been built in order to accommodate the increasing number of classes and boarders. In 1911 there were101 pupils enrolled at the College but by the mid 1920s this had almost trebled. Today the school population exceeds 1,000 students. The history of OLMC Parramatta is unique in that for 115 years of its life it had seven women hold the position of Principal, all of whom being Sisters of Mercy. This has meant that the Mercy heritage and traditions are still very much part of the current College community and valued by all. The transfer of the day to day running of the College from the Sisters to the College Board and College Executive and the appointment of the first Lay Principal have been relatively seamless and although a new era has begun, the College still continues to be influenced and inspired by the values and traditions of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters who established this great school, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. More Information: For general or enrolment enquiries please use the form below or contact the school directly. Name: * Email: * Phone: Enquiry: Location: