Mercy Tradition
Our Mercy History
In 1914, the Mercy sisters from St Aloysius College in Angas Street were asked to take over St Thomas School. These sisters developed the values of Mercy expressed and taught by Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley was guided by those powerful words of Jesus: "I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full."
At St Thomas the Spirit of Mercy lives on…“For the circle of mercy is timeless, It is the spirit of life itself Which grounds us in faith and lifts us in hope And holds us in God’s loving care.” (1993, Jeannette Goglia, RSM)
At St. Thomas School, our Mercy tradition and commitment to Religious Education are intertwined, shaping not only our academic curriculum but also our community values and ethos. Through initiatives such as the House system and Mercy Awards, we empower students to live out their faith and make a positive impact in our school and beyond.
Our Mercy Values
At St Thomas, our aim is for each student to become a person of Mercy - guided by the values of Jesus, educated and self-disciplined, who has deep compassion and a strong sense of generosity. A person of mercy is willing to serve others and lead others and to share with them the Mercy values.
At St Thomas School, we are proud of our Mercy heritage, which serves as the foundation of our community spirit and values. In line with this tradition, we have introduced a House system that not only acknowledges our Mercy heritage but also fosters a sense of belonging and unity among staff and students.
Our House system is an integral part of our pastoral care program, promoting positive reinforcement and community building beyond just Sports Day. Through this system, students are encouraged to collect points for their house by representing the school, performing acts of kindness, providing service to others, and demonstrating dedication to their school work.
Our House system sees students divided into four teams, each named after a significant figure in our Mercy tradition. Thomas (Blue) honors St. Thomas, one of Jesus' apostles and the namesake of our school. McAuley (Green) pays tribute to Sister Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Jordan (Red) is named after Sister Deirdre Jordan RSM, a prominent Mercy Sister in Adelaide. McLennan (Gold) honors Father Kevin McLennan, a former parish priest at the Holy Cross Church.
As part of our commitment to both our Mercy tradition and Religious Education, we integrate the House system into our broader educational framework. Students learn about the lives and legacies of these Mercy figures through Religious Education classes, connecting their actions within the House system to the values and teachings of our Catholic faith.
We also recognise and celebrate students who embody our Mercy values through Mercy Awards. These awards, focusing on compassion, integrity, justice, respect, and challenge, are presented to students who demonstrate these values in our school community. Through nominations by teachers and acknowledgment by our Principal, students are encouraged to live out their faith in tangible ways, contributing to a positive and compassionate school environment.
Certificates for Mercy Awards are presented to students during our fortnightly newsletter, highlighting their achievements and contributions. This recognition not only reinforces our school values but also serves as a testament to the importance of integrating faith into every aspect of school life.
Mercy Schools Affiliation
Mercy is central to the Christian story and, where Mercy describes the particular characteristic or identity of a school, it does so in relation to an understanding of God as merciful. It is also named in connection with the educational endeavours of the Sisters of Mercy, a group of women who have an historic commitment to the expression of mercy in their schools. Students at Mercy schools are invited into a lively and rich educational culture which they share with a long line of other women and men who have been educated in the Mercy tradition.
Today, those associated with this tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, are the inheritors of the legacy of the vision and practice of Catherine McAuley.