Our College

Mercy Education Limited appoints the Principal, to whom they delegate the administration of the College. The Principal is responsible for the Catholic ethos of the College, the educational administration, the selection of staff and designation of duties within the College, the curriculum, the academic standards, school discipline within the pastoral criteria established by the Council and the care and maintenance of the College.

Mercy Education Limited Governance Statement

Mercy Education Limited (Mercy Education) is an incorporated ministry of Mercy Ministry Companions (MMC). MMC is responsible for ensuring, as faithfully as Catherine McAuley and her sisters, that the Catholic identity, charism and spirituality of schools previously under the stewardship of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG), thrive into the future.

MMC delegates the responsibility of these thirteen schools’ governance to Mercy Education. There are nine schools in Victoria, three in Western Australia and one in South Australia.

Commencing on 3 December 2021, the MMC Trustee Directors were installed by the Institute Leadership Team of ISMAPNG as the canonical authority for Mercy Education Ltd. The Trustee Directors also comprise the Board Directors of Mercy Ministry Companions Limited (MMCL), the civil body of Mercy Ministry Companions. Mercy Ministry Companions Limited is the Member of Mercy Education Limited.

In transferring the incorporated Education, Health and Community Service ministries to Mercy Ministry Companions, the Institute Leadership Council and the Institute has entrusted the Trustee Directors with this Mercy heritage and empowered them to develop new expressions of the “gift of mercy”. In the new era of Mercy Ministry Companions, canonical stewards, board directors, executives and management continue to embody the compassion, hospitality, integrity, care, justice, practicality and service which characterise contemporary channels of Mercy.

The governance role of the Board of Mercy Education is confined to the thirteen schools and sets policies, approves schools’ strategic plans, appoints Principals, approves senior leadership positions and fulfils due diligence in finance and audit management, capital development, risk management and litigation.

The current Board Directors and National Office Staff of Mercy Education are listed at https://www.mercy.edu.au/governance/board-members and https://www.mercy.edu.au/governance/office-members respectively.

The Mercy Education Limited schools are:

  • Academy of Mary Immaculate, Fitzroy, VIC
  • Catherine McAuley College, Bendigo, VIC
  • Emmanuel College, Warrnambool, VIC
  • Mercedes College, Perth, WA
  • Mount Lilydale Mercy College, Lilydale, VIC
  • Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg, VIC
  • Sacred Heart College, Geelong, VIC
  • Sacred Heart College, Kyneton, VIC
  • Santa Maria College, Attadale, WA
  • St Aloysius College, Adelaide, SA
  • St Aloysius College, North Melbourne, VIC
  • St Brigid’s College, Lesmurdie, WA
  • St Joseph’s College, Mildura, VIC

Mercy Education is the Employer of the Principal and staff of the Mercy Colleges. The existence of Mercy Education Limited gives strength, support and solidarity to each of the member Mercy schools and its community.

Our Charter as a Mercy School

The aim of all Mercy schools is to remain true to Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy Education Ltd launched ‘Our Charter as a Mercy School’ in 2018, which is available to download below. Catherine McAuley wanted first and foremost for her schools to live and to teach the Good News revealed in Jesus Christ. The Charter reminds us of our commitment to Catherine’s vision and is a lens through which we embrace the Gospel message, to inspire our school to strive for excellence in learning and achieve student success.

College Advisory Council

  • Mr Jason Angove
  • Mrs Samantha Dowling
  • Mr Jason Hannaford
  • Mr Sam Kane
  • Mrs Justine Minne
  • Mr Jeff Westbrook
  • Mr Brian Turner (Principal)

Catherine McAuley College employs over 230 staff and has approximately 1600 students. The following people currently hold positions of leadership and responsibility:

Staff Leadership

  • Principal: Mr Brian Turner
  • Executive Deputy Principal Staff & Administration: Mr Frank Dullard
  • Business Manager: Mr Seppe Marsilli
  • Executive of College Administration: Mrs Sonja Cain
  • Assistant Principal Campus Leader (St Mary’s): Mrs Suzie Kemp
  • Assistant Principal Campus Leader (Coolock): Mr Len Watson
  • Assistant Principal Learning & Teaching: Mrs Gina Giblin
  • Assistant Principal Faith, Mission and Community: Mrs Cara Pawsey