Mercy Education Limited

Our Charter As A Mercy School

The aim of all Mercy schools is to be true to Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who wanted first and foremost for her schools to live and to teach the Good News revealed in Jesus Christ. Our commitment to Catherine’s vision as a lens through which to embrace the Gospel message inspires our schools to strive for inclusive and safe environments, excellence in learning and student success.

  1. We are faith-centred Catholic school in the Mercy tradition inspired by Catherine McAuley
  2. Our school leadership is visionary and shared
  3. We are learning-centred and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in our teaching
  4. We foster our students’ growth as competent, confident, independent young adults
  5. We value the engagement of parents and the wider community

Mercy Education Limited has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to compliance with all relevant legislation and guidance including:

  • Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA)
  • Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Safety Act 2016 (SA)
  • Ministerial Order 870 (Vic)
  • National Child Safe Organisation Principles (all States)
  • National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (all States)

Mercy Education Charter

Code of Conduct

Mercy schools are inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine’s vision is underpinned by the values of compassion, justice, respect, hospitality, service and courage and each Mercy school strives to reflect the spirit of mercy in the relationships it forms with its students, parents, staff, volunteers and the wider school community. Mercy Education has developed two codes of Conduct to provide context for these relationships, the Mercy Education Code of Conduct and the Mercy Education Parent Code of Conduct.

The Mercy Education codes of conduct describe the expected attitudes and behaviours for its employees and school communities. Students can feel safe, protected and empowered with the knowledge that adults have an enhanced understanding of appropriate boundaries in their interactions with young people. Senior leaders, employees and volunteers are guided in their responsibilities to meet professional ethics, workplace health and safety and general conduct obligations in the workplace. Parents are encouraged to work in partnership with their schools to promote supportive and effective relationships with staff and other school families and to act as role models for their children. The Mercy Education Parents Code of Conduct is provided to all families upon enrolment.

Download Code of Conduct

Governance

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 a 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 have 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.

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.

Board Directors and National Office Staff of Mercy Education
Mercy Education Limited Schools
Mercy Education Governance Statement

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