Mercy News

The Mackay Whitsunday STEM Challenges Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) race held over the weekend of 10 - 11 October, was an outstanding success. Our teams proved they can keep up with and beat some of the fastest teams in Queensland.

There were many challenges including a spectacular crash on the first lap of the first race, meaning 'Our Lady of Mercy', the Elite Trike, was out for the first set with a busted rider.

Our Junior boys team was competitive all day and it was a tight finish, but the win for the race goes to the Junior Girls who took out their category on race day, and as a new team, competed extremely well.

As the Team Manager and the Race Coordinator, I am personally very proud of our team. Their leadership and organisational skills allowed me to let the racers organise themselves to race and compete in the very best Mercy spirit while I coordinated the races.

The start of Term 4 has been jam-packed for Cultural Ensembles who had the opportunity to perform on three different occasions. It was an early start on Monday 5 October as the Stage Band, Mercy Drum Corp, Dance team and St Pats Drum Corp headed to Airlie Beach to participate in the Whitsundays Arts Festival. It was a beautiful day on the waterfront and the students enjoyed performing in front of a crowd. Both students and teachers received amazing feedback from the public who thoroughly enjoyed watching the talented students.

These Ensembles, along with Cheer, were back on the road on Wednesday and Thursday as they travelled around to St Anne’s, St Mary’s, St Francis and St Johns primary schools performing for the students and promoting the amazing cultural opportunities that St Patrick's and Mercy Colleges have to offer.

To conclude our recent Mercy Day celebrations the annual Mercy Encouragement Award achievers were announced. This award is presented to a student from each of Years 7, 8 and 9. The students who received the award have been identified as living out the Mercy values of Hope, Compassion and Justice through their service for the poor and vulnerable. The annual award acknowledges the continuation of the work of Catherine McAuley who saw a need and did something about it.

In addition to acknowledging the efforts of the recipients, this award aims to encourage all students to strive to initiate social justice projects within the College and further afield in the wider community. The three award recipients are:

• Year 7 - Katherine Ziekenheiner
• Year 8 - Anthony Sorbello
• Year 9 - James Galea

The Mercy College Cross Country Carnival was held on the last day of Term 3. The 2020 course saw students make their way along Harbour Road finishing at the Mackay Harbour where Mercy Day celebrations took place. Congratulations to Midas who took out their 7th consecutive Cross Country Carnival.

Age Champions

• Year 7 Boys - Lars Gall
• Year 7 Girls - Mackenzie Hudson
• Year 8 Boys - Will Radke
• Year 8 Girls - Madeline Doring
• Year 9 Boys - Mason Davies
• Year 9 Girls - Olivia Price
• Year 10 Boys - Damian Rutland
• Year 10 Girls - Abigail Vickers

Round 5 vs Mackay SHS
Mercy College took on traditional rivals Mackay State High School in Round 5 of the Cowboys Challenge. The match held extra meaning for both teams with the Booka Primrose MDSSRL Division 1 Trophy on the line. A win for Mercy also meant qualification for the Grand Final of the Cowboys Challenge. After dominating field position early, Mercy went into the halftime break trailing Mackay SHS 6 – 4. A composed second half saw Mercy score three tries to take out the match 18 – 6 and progress to the Cowboys Challenge Grand Final.

Grand Final vs Ignatius Park College
The team travelled to Townsville in Week 9 to play in the Grand Final of the Year 10 Cowboys Challenge against Ignatius Park College. Mercy put the first points on the board through a Calvin Brown try, but allowed Ignatius Park to strike back soon after. The second half presented a number of opportunities for Mercy to take back the lead, but unfortunately they were unable to capitalise. Ignatius Park went on to win the match 16 – 8.