Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta

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Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta

School Motto	Sub tuum praesidium Under Your Protection
Established	1889
School type	Independent, Roman Catholic, Day
Known As	O.L.M.C
Principal/Headmaster	Mrs. Kitty Guerin
Chairman	Ms. Geraldine Star
Chaplain
Location	Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Campus	Urban
Enrolment	994 (7-12)
School colours	Green, Aquamarine and White
School Song	The Alma Mater
School Hymn	Mother of Mercy
Area	2 Hectares
Homepage	www.olmc.nsw.edu.au

Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta (O.L.M.C), is an independent, catholic, day school for girls in the Mercy tradition, based on the Gospel values of mercy and justice. The college is located in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia, and was founded by the Sisters of Mercy at its current site on the 7th of January 1889. It is a member of the Combined Catholic Colleges and the Catholic Girls Secondary Schools Sporting Association.

1 History
2 Principals
3 Notable Alumnae
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

O.L.M.C was established in 1889, with 7 pupils, in a school previously ministered by the Sisters of Mercy, North Sydney. It was originally named St Mary’s High School, however was soon known as Our Lady of Mercy College, and included a primary school. The founding principal was Mother M Alacoque Kavangagh. Subjects taught included: English, Latin, Modern Languages, Mathematics, Singing, Elocution, Physical Culture, Freehand and Geometrical Drawing, Painting, Music, Needlework and Woodcarving.

In 1890, first pupils sat for the Trinity College Music examinations, beginning a tradition of excellence in music which continues today. In 1893, the first boarder was enrolled and by 1899, a new wing was built along Villiers Street to accommodate classes and boarders.

OLMC was one of the first schools in NSW to be registered in 1913, and the following year the first group of students sat for the leaving certificate. In 1923, the Ex-student’s Association formed and also created the school song, “The Alma Mater”. By 1929, the expansion of the school lead to the erection of the Brigid Shelly Building, which accommodated over 150 borders and 200 day pupils. Further expansions have occurred in 1939, 1967 (Francis Kearney Building, 1969 (Catherine McAuley Library and Hall) and 1994 (Matha O’Sullivan Technology Wing).

In 1955, the primary school began to phase out and in 1975 to college ceased to enroll boarders. The college celebrated its centenary in 1989 with over 900 student enrolled.

In 1996, the arsonist who destroyed Saint Patrick’s Cathedral also lights a fire in the grounds of the college. However, it is immediately extinguished by the nuns. Prime Minister Paul Keating makes a surprised visit to OLMC, greeting students from a vantage point on the front fence – and leading to pictures that are shown across the nation.

In 2002, the college was incorporated and the first board of directors appointed, with Geraldine Star the first chair person and in 2004, Kitty Guerin was appointed the eighth principal of the College, being the first lay person to hold the position in the college’s 115 year history.

[edit] Principals

Mrs Kitty Guerin 2004-

Sr Ailsa Mackinnon 1990-2004

Sr Janet Woods 1978-1989

Sr Edith Angel 1965-1977

Sr Mary Gonzaga Stanley 1946-1964

Mother Mary Alphonsus Stanley 1934-1945

Mother Mary Frances Kearney 1909-1933

Mother Mary Alacoque Kavanagh and Mother Mary Clare Dunphy 1889-1908

[edit] Notable Alumnae

[edit] Business

Helena Carr (nee John) - Businesswomen and wife of former NSW Premier, Bob Carr
Anna Mann (nee Torv) - second wife of Rupert Murdoch
Kate McKenzie (nee McGee) - group managing director: Telstra wholesale, former Director General of NSW Department of Commerce, Group Manager of WorkCover, and Deputy Director General of NSW Cabinet office

[edit] Entertainment and the arts

Pamela Page - Internationally acclaimed pianist

[edit] Nursing

Maree Worthington - Nurse and aid worker who, in 1996, was captured by Sudanese militia with two others and released after 5 weeks

[edit] Politics and law

Sheila Cassidy - Human rights activist, arrested and tortured in Chilie in the 1970s.
Rosemary Goldie - first woman ever to hold an official post of authority in the Roman Curia - Under-Secretary of the Council for the Laity
Alison Megarrity - ALP member for Menai, New South Wales in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly