Merici College is an all-girls Catholic secondary school located in Braddon, Canberra, educating young women from Years 7 to 12 with a strong focus on academic excellence, personal growth and community engagement. Founded in 1959, the College empowers students to become confident, compassionate and capable young women who contribute positively to society. Its mission expresses this aspiration clearly: Merici empowers women to love life, have hope, be faithful and build futures more wondrous than they dare to dream.
Merici College is proudly the highest-ranked Catholic school in the ACT for Year 12 2025 academic results. This achievement reflects the College’s strong academic culture, dedicated teachers and commitment to supporting every student to achieve her personal best.
Curriculum and Academic Framework
Merici College delivers a rigorous and contemporary curriculum grounded in both the Australian Curriculum (V9) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, providing students with nationally recognised and internationally benchmarked pathways.
Middle Years Programme (Years 7–10)
The junior curriculum integrates the Australian Curriculum within the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Students study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Religious Education, Health and Physical Education, The Arts and Languages. Learning is a combination of explicit instruction, inquiry and interdisciplinary; encouraging critical thinking, creativity and real-world problem-solving.
In Year 7, students experience integrated English and Humanities before subjects become more specialised from Year 8 onwards. In Years 9 and 10, students can select electives such as Sustainability and Engineering, broadening their academic experience. Languages offered include French, Italian and Mandarin. The Year 10 Personal Project is a key component of the MYP, fostering independent research, self-management and reflective learning.
Senior Years (Years 11–12)
As an authorised IB World School, Merici offers the IB Diploma Programme alongside courses aligned with ACT senior secondary requirements. In the IB Diploma, students study six subjects across key learning areas, including Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and The Arts.
The IB core components – Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) – develop advanced research skills, ethical reasoning, leadership and community engagement. The College ensures learning progression from Year 7 through to Year 12 is cohesive and purposeful, preparing students for tertiary study and future careers.
Philosophy of Learning and Support
Teaching and learning at Merici are shaped by the College’s Principles of Powerful Learning, which promote deep understanding, growth mindset, resilience and reflective practice. Differentiated instruction ensures students are both supported and challenged, with personalised learning pathways available for students with additional needs as well as for Gifted and Talented learners.
Wellbeing and Community
Beyond academics, Merici College prioritises student wellbeing and the development of character. A vertical pastoral care structure creates “big sister, little sister” support networks across year groups, fostering connection and mentoring and encourages a strong sense of belonging. Retreats, Christian Service Learning and leadership opportunities nurture faith, compassion and social responsibility.
A vibrant co-curricular program further enriches student life, offering opportunities in sport, music, performance, visual arts and community initiatives. These experiences build teamwork, confidence and leadership.
Visit us on Open Day, Wednesday 6 May, so that we can introduce you to life at Merici College. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing how a Merici education can help your daughter build a future more wondrous than she dares to dream.
Contact: Anna Masters, Principal
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