We provide an affordable education for girls from a diversity of cultures and backgrounds, equipping them to become leaders of the future. Our students are encouraged to develop a positive self-image reflecting self-awareness, courage and resilience, as well as caring for others, the community and the environment. Young Mercedes women have a love for life, belief in themselves and confidence in their abilities.

Inspired by the practical example of Catherine McAuley, our lives are centred in God. We strive to be living proof of social consciousness. We are altruistic, focused on recognising the needs of others and addressing them. We challenge our students to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by giving back to the community and continuing to live Mercy values all their lives. We are innovators in girls’ education.

Our dedicated staff strive for high standards in learning and teaching and enthusiastically share good teaching practices, ideas and resources. We seek out professional learning that will maintain excellence and a high degree of expertise in our teaching areas. Our learning environments provide access to the latest technologies which are integrated across the whole curriculum. We aim for excellence and the highest educational outcomes within a non-threatening learning environment. Risk-taking is encouraged, success is rewarded and disappointment acknowledged.

Our students are self-directed, critical thinkers who take ownership of their educational journey and persevere to achieve their personal best. The focus is on lifelong learning that will provide the spiritual, social, physical and emotional development needed to achieve personal fulfilment. Education is seen as a shared responsibility between the family and the College.

A high level of mutual respect, support and communication between parents and teachers plays an essential role in the education of all our students. Involvement of parents in a variety of College activities is promoted through the Parents & Friends Association, enhancing the richness of the learning experience.

From Little Things…

On 2 February 1846, the first school in Australia to be founded by a religious congregation – and Western Australia’s first permanent school – opened its doors to just one student. Fortunately, by the end of the week, the Sisters of Mercy had encouraged another five students to attend the school and, by the end of the year, there were one hundred.

Mercedes College, as it is known today, was established by seven pioneer Mercy women under the leadership of Ursula Frayne. The Sisters were inspired by their founder, Sister Catherine McAuley who proclaimed the gospel by what she said and how she lived. They were told that, in the fledgling Swan River Colony, there were “thousands of children awaiting the bread of instruction.” Something of an exaggeration maybe, but the Sisters took up the task of providing spiritual, practical and educational services to local children.

The school began life in a small cottage and, despite moving to various buildings and expanding dramatically, still stands on its original site opposite St Mary’s Cathedral in what has now become the heritage precinct of Perth’s CBD. Despite initial hardship, the College flourished. From the original foundation in Victoria Square, the Sisters undertook the establishment of Mercy schools throughout the state and beyond.