Mercy Education Limited

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.

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.