As Term 3 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on the many opportunities our young women have had this term to live out our Mercy values through their learning, service, relationships, leadership and care for others.

Our Mercy Day Mass today provided a particularly important opportunity to pause and remember where our Mercy tradition began. The Mass recognises the anniversary of the opening of the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, in 1827. This custom-built house was designed and funded by Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine chose to use her considerable inheritance not for her own comfort or lifestyle, but to establish a place of Mercy for women and children who were most in need.

At the time the House of Mercy opened, Catherine, together with Anna Maria Doyle and Catherine Byrn, were not members of a religious order. In time, as the work grew and the formation of a religious order became necessary, the Sisters of Mercy were established, taking their name from the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy. When we celebrate Mercy Day at Carmel, we are therefore not simply marking an event in history; we are celebrating our place within a worldwide Mercy family and the continuing legacy of Catherine McAuley.

I often return to the words shared by Father Mark in his homily at our Mercy Day Mass in 2024. He reminded us that being a person of Mercy means recognising Christ in others, particularly those who are vulnerable, and that mercy is lived through the everyday choices we make.

“Mercy is found in these everyday moments when we make the choice to love as God loves us.”

This is such a powerful challenge for our Carmel community. Mercy is not simply something we talk about or celebrate once a year. It is evident when we notice someone who is struggling, include someone who is feeling left out, stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly, offer comfort to a friend, or simply take the time to see what another person needs.

Catherine McAuley’s story is also a story of hope. Her decision to say yes to God’s call began a legacy that has reached across generations and across the world. From the first House of Mercy in Dublin, to the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Aotearoa, and ultimately to Carmel College, that legacy continues through the choices we make each day.

I hope that our young women will continue to see the need, make a difference and walk the talk of Mercy, not through great gestures alone, but through the small, practical choices they make every day.

When we return to school in Term 4, our Year 12 and Year 13 students will begin their practice NCEA external assessments. These examinations are an important opportunity for students to experience examination conditions, identify areas for further preparation and receive valuable feedback from their teachers before the final NCEA examinations in November.

It is also important for families to be aware that, should a student be unable to sit a final NCEA external examination and subsequently require a derived grade, her practice examination result may provide evidence to support an application.

I encourage our senior students to approach these examinations with purpose, but also with perspective. At this stage of the year, many of our young women are balancing academic expectations with sporting, cultural, service and leadership commitments. We are very mindful of the high expectations that many place on themselves, and sometimes the most important thing we can do is remind them that they do not have to manage everything alone.

If you have any concerns about your daughter’s progress, wellbeing or how best to support her as she prepares for her examinations, please reach out to her teachers or Dean. Working together, we can help our young women maintain both their academic focus and their wellbeing.

As we finish Term 3, I hope the coming two weeks provide our students and families with an opportunity to step away from the routines and demands of school and to spend time together.

Catherine McAuley reminds us:

“The simplest and most practical lesson I know is to resolve to be good today but better tomorrow. Let us take one day in hand at a time, merely making a resolve for tomorrow. Thus, may we hope to get on, taking short, careful steps, not great strides.”

I think these words are particularly fitting at this point in the year. We do not always need to be striving for the next achievement or looking too far ahead. Sometimes we need to pause, reflect on how far we have come, restore our energy and consider the small steps we can take to move forward well.

So, as I do at the beginning of each term break, I encourage our young women to find a healthy balance between rest and recuperation, preparation and self-improvement. Yes, they need a break. They need time with family and friends, time to relax and time simply to be. But I also encourage every student to maintain some positive daily routines: 30 minutes of physical activity each day, 30 minutes of reading each day, and at least 30 minutes away from devices before bed, allowing time to wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep.

These simple habits can help our young women return to school feeling refreshed, reinvigorated and ready to make the most of the opportunities Term 4 will bring.

As we begin planning for 2027, I also want to acknowledge the strong interest from families wishing to join the Carmel College community. Our roll is under considerable pressure, and we currently have a growing waitlist for places for next year. With state school ballots now having taken place, I would ask families who know that their daughter will not be returning to Carmel in 2027 to let us know as soon as possible. This information is extremely helpful as we undertake our planning and enables us to offer places to other families who are hoping to become part of our community.

Thank you to our students, staff and families for the contribution each of you has made to Carmel College during Term 3. There have been many moments of achievement, challenge, growth and service, and I am grateful for the way our community continues to support one another.

As we celebrate Mercy Day, may we remember Catherine McAuley’s example: to see the need, to respond with compassion and to have the courage to make a difference.

I wish all our students and families a safe and restful term break. Take the opportunity to pause, reflect and recharge, and we look forward to welcoming our young women back for Term 4, refreshed, reinvigorated and ready for the opportunities ahead.

Mana Maria.