What an amazing start we have had in Year 7!

As we move further into the 2026 school year, it has been an absolute joy to see our students settle in so beautifully. From the very first day, our students have embraced our Mercy values with genuine enthusiasm - showing compassion, respect, and a deep sense of community in the way they interact with one another. Their commitment to excellence has also shone brightly, with classrooms buzzing with curiosity, focus and a determination to do their best. Our teachers have been consistently blown away by the maturity, kindness and responsibility displayed across all year levels. Whether supporting a peer, taking initiative in their learning, or contributing positively to the school environment, our students have set a remarkable tone for the year ahead. We could not be prouder of the way they have begun.

Classroom Routines

The students look wonderful in their uniforms and have been punctual to class. They are learning the routines of the college quickly and are working on remembering to bring the correct materials to each class.

You can help us at home by building good habits with your child to ensure they are well set up for success. This can be through tasks such as:

• Checking the timetable for the next day and ensuring homework has been completed.
• Organising the correct uniform for the next day.
• Charging the laptop.
• Packing the school bag - Student Diary, any books taken home that are needed for the next day, snacks, lunch and water bottle.
• Ensuring adequate time for sleep, and a healthy breakfast in the morning.

Connect Week

We have some major events coming up in Year 7, starting with Connect Week from Monday 16 – Friday 20 February. Year 7 Connect Week is new in 2026 and has been designed to provide students with a structured series of activities that strengthen their sense of belonging within the school, wider community, faith, house identity, and the environment. Throughout the week, students will engage in experiences that foster positive relationships, encourage reflection, and build collective responsibility. Throughout the week, students will have opportunities to:

• Develop stronger connections with peers, teachers, and their house groups
• Engage meaningfully with their community through service and awareness
• Explore aspects of faith through guided reflection and discussion
• Strengthen pride in their school identity and culture
• Deepen their understanding of environmental stewardship

On the Monday evening, there is a Welcome Evening where Year 7 families are invited to learn more about the College, meet their child’s Mercy Homegroup Leader, and ask any questions that they may have. More information about the evening will be provided to families and in the newsletter.

Information about Connect Week for Year 7 students has been sent home and is linked below. Please read this information carefully and we know it will be a wonderful experience for all students and staff in building positive and lasting connections with each other throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing our students thrive throughout the week and meeting families at the Welcome Evening.

Learning Spotlight: Humanities and English

The textbooks, novels, workbooks and highlighters that you have purchased for your child have been put to very good use already in the Humanities and English classrooms.

Walking through Ms Lewis’ Humanities class this week, students were engaged in learning about the Water Cycle and referring to their Investigating Humanities textbook for support. They collaborated on the task at hand and problem-solved with each other when facing challenges.

In English, the first unit of work has begun - Speak Up, Stand Strong’. Students have been remembering to bring a book to read at the start of each class, and most have commenced their weekly homework schedule using the Year 7 English Homework textbook. The highlighters have started to come out as they learn, or re-visit note-taking techniques designed to help them identify key words and phrases in texts and better summarise and comprehend important information when they read. The students in Mrs Cody’s classes have been participating with great enthusiasm.

Learning Spotlight: Food Technology

Meanwhile in the Food Tech kitchens, Year 7s made (and ate!) delicious Banh Mi.

We look forward to a busy few weeks ahead. As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s friendly Mercy Homegroup Leader.

• Mrs Kim Greenwell and Mr Sebastian Greene, Year Level Coordinators – Year 7
• Mrs Sarah Cody, Year Level Learning Leader
• Miss Alyssa Lemon, Learning Diversity Leader