It has become a tradition for the staff members of the Mercy Schools in Johannesburg to celebrate Ascension Thursday by coming together for a day of prayer, reflection, fellowship and networking. This year it was the turn of McAuley House to host the event and welcome colleagues from Mayfair Convent and St Matthew’s Primary and High Schools.

Mrs Amalia Filianris, Principal of Mayfair-Mercy School and colleagues dancing to the beat of the drums

The day began with a beautiful Mass celebrated by Father Graham Pugin SJ who allowed us to reflect on the idea that in the Ascension, Jesus was not leaving us, but paving the way for us to follow.

Tea and scones were served after mass, allowing everyone to enjoy the sunshine on this mild autumn day. This afforded us the opportunity to network with colleagues and to meet new ones. It was not a day just for teachers, but for administrative and support staff too.

Mercy School staff members enjoying their new found talent

Our second session was a departure from the norm as we engaged in a team-building drumming session. Teachers can make the most difficult pupils and so it turned out, with plenty of interaction between our excellent drumming teacher and his excited group of students. There were many things for us to learn, beyond the basic skill of beating a drum; skills such as listening, concentration and co-operation. There was much laughter along the way, but what a sense of achievement when we all managed to beat out our rhythm in unison, then in two parts and finish at the right time! We left this session feeling exhilarated.

Nicky Humphreys and Francis Sheehy rsm

A delicious curry and rice lunch followed and there was more networking between colleagues before we went our separate ways. Days such as this affirm all our staff members, from cleaners to management, in their role in Mercy education. We hope that the Ascension Day gathering will continue as a Mercy tradition for many years to come.

Mrs Nicky Humphreys
Primary School Principal
McAuley House Mercy School
Johannesburg

South African Province