As we celebrate the past, we also recognise our new achievements and opportunities. Hosting new events and initiatives this year, our community came together for the Generations Breakfast, the Frayne Speech Festival and the Transforming Lives Scholarship Appeal.
It was wonderful meeting with past students and families at the various events celebrating our 150-Year anniversary, and learning about their connections to Emmanuel. While their stories are all different, they all share an enduring link with Emmanuel College. Read some of these stories here.
...we are grateful to the Sisters of Mercy 150 years ago, for they too tried something new,Peter Morgan
Two years ago, the whole world was deeply affected by the covid pandemic, including our college community. With lockdowns and covid outbreaks, our new normal was an experience that will mark history.
During these uncertain times, we found ourselves adapting the way we learn via the ever-changing digital landscape. Teaching via a screen was challenging, and it was devastating to see curriculums take a toll. Now with a new sense of normality, it is my greatest pleasure to see our students fostering their talents once more, and turning these passions into achievements.
Our recent achievements include our Senior Football team qualifying for the Herald Sun Shield and winning the SSV Grand Final, while our year seven Netball team also became state champions. Further details can be found here.
As reported in the last edition of the Emmanuel College Connection, the Science precinct is now complete, allowing us to move ahead with planning for the new year nine learning centre. The Edmund Rice Centre will be located at the rear of the McAuley Campus adjacent to the Mercy Place aged care facility, enabling the consolidation of all students onto the one campus.
The college architects, Baldasso Cortesse, will soon commence detailed design and documentation to prepare the project for tender in 2023. The College aims to occupy the new facility in late 2024 in readiness for classes at the start of 2025.
The project has a $16 million plus price tag which demands extremely careful financial planning, and, it is hoped, support from the Federal government in the form of a Catholic Capital Grant for which the College has made a detailed submission. Grant applications are announced around November-December each year. Should the College be successful the project will proceed as planned, however, it may be necessary to delay the project by one year if external funding is not available.
I am extremely grateful for the work of College Business Manager Stephen Kerr (Emmanuel 2000), and the support of the College Building and Finance Committees for their expert advice that helps us plan and undertake these projects.
During term two, the Emmanuel College Warrnambool Foundation conducted its first ever appeal known as the ‘Transforming Lives Appeal’ in support of the new scholarship program being introduced to the College. The Emmanuel College Foundation has the strategic purpose to support the ongoing and long term growth of the College through the provision of scholarships and funding for future capital works. The ‘Transforming Lives Appeal’ received magnificent support from alumni, the school, and broader communities and reached its appeal target of $150,000. Thank you for your support of this appeal. Your generosity enables the College to introduce a range of new scholarships in 2023 providing sponsorship for families to access an Emmanuel education for their children where financial barriers would have prevented access. The College Scholarship Program will also in time assist young people already attending Emmanuel to continue their education and to excel in areas in which they have recognised talent.
Again, thank you for your support and generosity which contributes to the growth of the College. If you missed the Appeal, it is possible to make a contribution to the Emmanuel College Foundation at any time and all gifts are tax deductible. Please link here for more information about the Foundation and the opportunity to support the College’s growth, or if you would like to discuss the Foundation and how you may be able to help, please contact Alison Byrne, the Executive Officer of the Foundation, on 03 5560 0888.
Emmanuel College hosted the annual Frayne Speech Festival for Mercy Education school students from Years 7 to 12 across the state. Emmanuel College has been participating in the festival since its inception in 1996. The Frayne Festival is a public speaking event for students to participate in debating, public speaking and voice choir activities. The Festival is a unique opportunity for students from schools with a shared history to come together and challenge one another at an intellectual level.
A very high standard of competition was seen across the board, and we congratulate all winners who participated with a particular congratulations to the Public Speaking category winner, Emmanuel Year 12 Student, Louise Tamer.
Today, the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, including Mother Ursula Frayne lives on in our school community and continues to inspire us to collaborate in engaging contemporary learning in our school and through the Frayne Speech Festival in the interests of our children – tomorrow’s leaders.
The sudden death at the end of term three of Mary Mugavin-Brown, wife of staff member and former Deputy Principal Brian Brown, was a huge shock to our community. The Emmanuel College community extends its heartfelt sadness to our friend and colleague, Brian, and to Johnathan, Matthew, Timothy and Gabrielle and their families.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let your love forever shine upon her.
A cherished member of the Emmanuel College Community, John O’Sullivan was Director of Enhancing Catholic Identity and Religious Education for close to 10 years at Emmanuel. Principal of St Colman’s Primary School in Mortlake before starting at Emmanuel College in 2008, John worked with our College for 12 years and those in our community who know John regard him as compassionate and kind, and always there to help a student or colleague.
During his time at Emmanuel, John coordinated the Young Vinnies group, where students participated in kind deeds and fundraising for Saint Vincent de Paul. John assisted the Vinnies Group students with delivering toiletries to those in need in Melbourne, volunteering in the soup kitchen at St Joseph’s Parish, and organising daily prayers and many liturgies for the school. We thank John for his contributions to our College. Leaving a lasting impact, his generosity, and the opportunity he provided for students to give back to the community, we will forever be grateful for.
We wish John all the best for his future as the Principal of St Malachy Primary School in Edenhope.
In light of our achievements, we are grateful to the Sisters of Mercy 150 years ago, for they too tried something new, and in a pioneering spirit, fostered what is now Emmanuel College.
