Founded in 1896 by the Sisters of Mercy, the Mount Lilydale Mercy College aims to create a first-class learning environment that is animated by the spirit of freedom, love and mercy, where each student experiences respect, self-worth and unconditional acceptance.
Curriculum: In Year 7, a strong transition program ensures the step from primary to secondary school is made in a smooth and settled manner. Religious Education, English, Maths, Humanities, Music, Information Technology, Science, Art, Drama, Food Technology, Textiles, Sport and Physical Education are compulsory in Year 7. Italian and Japanese are the LOTE subjects offered. The Years 7 to 10 programs, while providing a broad-based curriculum, aim to develop relationships between students and teachers to create an effective learning environment. A gifted extension program is offered at Years 7 to 9 and Pathways extension at Year 10. In Years 11 and 12, the college offers a large range of VCE subjects as well as VET and VCAL. The Archbishop Sir Frank Little Indigenous Scholarship is available to students.
Sport: All students are encouraged to participate and the college is a member of the Eastern Independent Schools of Melbourne sports competition.
Co-curricular activities: Students attend camps in Years 7 and 9, Motivational and Team Building activities in Years 8 and 10 and retreats in Years 10, 11 and 12. An interstate trip to Central Australia is also offered at Year 10, as is an experience at Jigalong in the Pilbara. The college offers bi-annual overseas visits to Japan and Italy for interested students including visits to sister schools Horyuji International School in Nara, Japan and Casale Monferrato in Northern Italy. Musical tuition is available and there are college bands and choir, as well as an annual musical production.
Student welfare programs: Pastoral care programs are an integral part of the college curriculum. A strong sense of the Mercy tradition of Catholic education is seen in the programs, policies and day-to-day life of the school. Justice, mercy, compassion, hospitality and hope are values that reflect much of what the school aims to achieve.