Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta has been offering outstanding educational opportunities for young women for more than 120 years. A Catholic independent girls’ College in the Mercy tradition, the College offers a dynamic and nurturing educational environment for girls in Years 7–12.OLMC offers girls the opportunity to excel in all aspects of College life. As a College, it is committed to the values of mercy and justice.
OLMC was established in 1889 and continues to celebrate its reputation as a school of strong academic achievement, its ability to accommodate the differing needs of its students, its constant involvement in music and sporting arenas and its emphasis on holistic education. Students are supported and challenged in their learning by a team of committed and professional staff, as they strive to become confident and independent learners. At OLMC, staff recognise their responsibilities to educate students to anticipate the challenges of an unknown future. The learning environment embraces emerging technologies in the classroom and the student notebook program (where every student in Years 7–12 has their own notebook computer). More significantly they strive to ensure that the young women who leave are committed to a future in which they will live fulfilled lives true to the Mercy values of the College.
Facilities: The College is presently undergoing an exciting transformation. Early 2011 will see the opening of the Janet Woods Building. This learning space will encompass new state-of-the-art science and technology facilities, a commercial and domestic kitchen, an innovative library, flexible learning spaces and a new senior study. Other College facilities include: large assembly hall, facilities for drama, visual arts and design and technology and a Student Services Centre.
Subjects Years 7 to 10: The OLMC offers a broad curriculum. In Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) students study Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Technology, Visual Arts, Drama, Music and Personal Development/Health/Physical Education. In addition to these core subjects, Year 8 students study Languages (either French or Japanese).
In Year 9 students study a core range of subjects comprising Religious Education, English, Mathematics (Stages 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3), Science, Australian History, Australian Geography and Personal Development/Health/Physical Education. In addition to these subjects, students can choose two electives from the following: Commerce/Business, Commerce/Legal, Geography, History, Digital Photography, Media, Design and Technology, Drama, Information Software and Technology, Physical Activity and Sports Studies, Food Technology, French, Japanese, Music, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts and Visual Design.
Subjects Years 11 and 12: Our Lady of Mercy College is accredited with the Board of Studies so that students qualify for the award of the NSW Higher School Certificate. In Years 11 and 12 students must study at least 2 units of English and 1 unit of Studies of Religion as well as choosing from 1 unit Studies of Religion, 2 unit Studies of Religion, English — Standard/Advanced/Extension 1/Extension 2, Mathematics — General, Mathematics — General/Extension 1/Extension 2, Science — Biology/ Chemistry/Physics/Senior Science/Earth and Environmental Science, Business Studies, Ceramics, Community & Family Studies, Design & Technology, Drama, Economics, Exploring Early Childhood, Food Technology, French, Geography, History — Modern/Ancient/Extension, Information Processes & Technology, Japanese, Legal Studies, Music and Music Extension, PD/H/PE, Photography, Society and Culture, Software Design & Development, Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation, Textiles & Design, Visual Arts, Visual Design 1 unit, Vocational Education — Hospitality Operations/Business Services/Information Technology/Retail Operations. Opportunities are available for students to attend external Vocational Education Courses at TAFE Colleges. Students can also study languages through the Open High School or Saturday morning classes.
Sport: AFL, aquathon, athletics, basketball, cheerleading, cricket, cross-country, dance, diving, european handball, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, touch football, triathlon, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, water polo.
Co-curricular activities: OLMC also offers a wide range of co-curricular activities, which include the following: Amnesty International, choir, debating, drama ensemble, Future Problem Solving, Mock Trial, public speaking, orchestra, music and vocal ensembles, rock bands, science club, Student Representative Council, Tournament of Minds, Young Writers, chess club, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, environmental group, peer support, readers’ group, Shakespeare Festival, Mercy Action Group, textiles group, Red Cross Group, St Michael visiting group.
Welfare and personal development: The College has as its two main goals the encouragement of students to become independent learners and the internalisation of Christian values and attitudes. All teachers and girls are involved in the pastoral care program. The College has a strong student leadership program and a career adviser.
Enrolment Officer: Mrs Rosalba Sorgiovanni Yee, 8838 1222.