History

Mother Mary Francis Kearney was the second Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. In 1913, OLMC was recognised as a Registered Secondary School. 100 students, including primary school children, attended the school this year. A uniform was established in 1914. Described as a "milk-coffee colour tussore silk" (a strong but coarse silk from the oak-feeding silkworm), the uniform was introduced for day pupils. Boarders still wore the individual black dress which came with a detachable white collar and cuffs. A large cream hat was worn in the summer with the underside lined with blue and a navy velour in winter. The hat was worn with gloves whenever a student left the College grounds. Students also wore a black overcoat in the winter. This later changed to a navy blazer (likely in the early 1920s). In 1929, the College opened the boarders' extension (pictured). The College's Alma Mater, written by ex-students, was introduced in 1933. The song was set to the tune of the German Stein song and was sung for the first time at their reunion in September of that year.

Mother Mary Alphonso Stanley was the third Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. In 1935, Apostolic Delegate, Cardinal Bernadini, visited OLMC. Boarders lined up in their Sunday best to welcome the Cardinal (pictured). The Mother Mary Clare Dunphy Chapel was built in 1938. This year, the first of the brown uniforms were introduced for both day pupils and boarders. That same year, the College celebrated our Golden Jubilee in 1938 over a two week period with a picnic in Parramatta Park, a pontifical High Mass, a Jubilee Banquet, concert and a garden party in the Convent Grounds. In 1939, a four-storey wing was erected on the northern end of the old school along Ross Street. The main features were cloakrooms, a home science kitchen, laundry, and demonstration room. Two of these rooms were soon converted to laboratories for the teaching of Chemistry and Biology. At the time, very few girls’ schools included science in the curriculum.

Sr Mary Gonzaga Stanley was the fourth Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. In 1946, a tie was added to the College uniform. The student publication 'I, Libelle' (Go forth little book) was published for the first time in 1947. That year, the College House system was established with McAuley and Mercedes Houses. 1954 saw another uniform change with the edition of a summer dress for students (pictured). The dress was cotton checked and aqua in colour. At that time, OLMC was the only girls' school in the district with a real summer uniform. Primary school ceased at the College in 1962.

Sr Edith Angel was the fifth Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. In 1966, Francis Kearney House was blessed and opened (pictured) by Cardinal Gilroy. The building catered to Forms V and VI (Years 11 and 12). Clare House was introduced as the third College House in 1969. 1970 saw the blessing and opening of the Catherine McAuley Library, auditorium, and a two-storey science block along Ross Street. The Boarding School closed in 1974. The College bid farewell to gloves as part of the uniform in 1976, with Sr Edith Angel changing the uniform rules.

Sr Janet Woods was the sixth Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. Every room in the College was given a fresh coat of paint in 1978, with thanks to the Men's Auxiliary Group. This year, the outside of Villiers Street was painted in a cream colour once the verandahs were removed. A new senior uniform was introduced in 1980. Made of the same check material as the junior uniform, the new additions featured a skirt and blouse, along with a shorter, fitted, jacket. 1987 saw the SRC introduced to the College (pictured). The first activities organised by the SRC included a dance for Years 9-12, a talent quest, and an appeal for refugee children. The College celebrated its centenary in 1989 with a variety of functions. The same year, The Heritage Rooms were renamed to The Stanley Rooms in recognition of Sr Alphonsus and Sr Mary Gonzaga Stanley's service to the College as principals.

Sr Ailsa Mackinnon was the seventh Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. 1994 marked a change in uniform to a cotton striped short-sleeve dress. It featured a dropped waist with six white buttons, a large white Peter Pan collar, and a dark green removable bow at the neck. In 1994, the Martha O'Sullivan Technology Wing opened, named after Sr Martha O'Sullivan who looked after boarders. The Joan Hartley Spirit Shield was introduced and presented to the winning Colour House at swimming and athletics carnivals. 2002 saw the College become incorporated. The inaugural College Board was established with ex-student, Geraldine Star, as Chair.

Mrs Kitty Guerin joined the College in 2004 as the eighth, and first lay, Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. Mrs Guerin also served as Assistant Principal from 1993-1997. This year, the OLMC Parramatta Alumnae was formed with Ms Jillian Fogarty as the Inaugural President. 2005 introduced a new College crest and the OLMsCene, OLMC's biannual magazine. The College Hall was named The Edith Angel Hall in 2006 after Sr Edith Angel, ex-student and Principal of the College. Sr Edith Angel was responsible for the major building work during the late 60s and 70s. The Catherine McAuley Alumnae Award was introduced in 2009. The award acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of the OLMC Alumnae community. Each year an Alumnae is nominated and awarded the prestigious award. Technology continued to be a focus of the College with the purchase of 250 notebook computers. The Notebook Computer Program was launched with each student in Years 7 and 8 receiving their own notebook for school and home in 2009. Building works continued throughout 2010-2012. Francis Kearney House, Christina Creede Music Centre, and the Barbara McDonough Student Centre were all refurbished. Opened by the Governor in 2012 (pictured), the Janet Woods Building provided new science laboratories, a modern library, kitchens, and a senior common room.

Mr Stephen Walsh joined the College in 2014 as the ninth Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. Social media came to OLMC this year, with the College launching our official Facebook and Twitter accounts. This year we celebrated 125 years of Mercy Education at OLMC Parramatta, giving our thanks to the generations of teachers who have kept the Mercy spirit alive. In 2015, new display cabinets went up in the College Reception foyer featuring a collection of books, photographs, and other objects. July saw the commencement of new weekly Mass in the Mother Mary Clare Dunphy Chapel, giving students, parents, and staff the opportunity to attend every Friday morning. The Ailsa Mackinnon Community Centre was officially opened in February 2017. Named after former principal, Sr Ailsa Mackinnon, the Centre blends sports facilities with a community gathering space. The inaugural Women in Leadership Forum was held this year with four guest speakers. This event has remained a mainstay of the College calendar. 2018 saw the introduction of our new Vertical House System. We welcomed Doyle, Kavanagh, Callan, and Callaghan Houses. A new Master Plan was published this year with a key highlight, the extension to Brigid Shelly Building which provided the College with flexible and contemporary learning areas. In 2019, the College moved to a brand new uniform. The change symbolically coincides with the College's 130th anniversary and formed an opportunity to connect with our rich Mercy heritage.

Ms Lucie Farrugia joined the College in 2021 as the tenth Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta. In July 2021, it was announced that the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta selected Mercy Partners to protect the custodianship and continuity of OLMC into the future. The transfer occurred in October 2021. 2023 saw the opening of the new Brigid Shelly Building and Roseneath Cottage. Another highlight of the year came when the College went "under the sea" for our musical, The Little Mermaid. The performance was an extraordinary journey and continues to be a cherished memory for all involved. Hats made their return to the College in 2024, forming part of the uniform for all students (pictured). Co-curricular opportunities continued to expand for all students at the College. In 2025 alone there were over 90 opportunities available, enriching learning outside of the classroom. The College was named by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority as one of the NSW Schools Making a Difference for 2025. OLMC was identified as an overachieving school where student progress is significantly above what is expected for similar schools.