Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College

The school has an active debating program with five main competitions: Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA), Friday Evening Debating (FED), Lower North Shore Debating (LND), Archdale Debating Competition, and Schools Debating Network (SDN). During the year, about 150 Monte students participate in these competitions, with trials to place students in teams that fit their abilities. The program also supports an internal Social Debating option for students who prefer a non-competitive format. Debating develops critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork and broad general knowledge.

Music and performing arts are central at Monte. The Music Academy has 23 specialist teachers providing individual tuition in musicianship, singing, brass, woodwind, strings and percussion. There are co-curricular ensembles including Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Taiko Ensemble and Senior School Choir; workshops, concerts, eisteddfods, competitions and the annual Music Camp provide performance opportunities. The College Musical is the annual musical theatre production; students can perform on stage or work behind the scenes, and Theatresports, drama clubs and the Shortcuts Film Festival develop drama and film skills.

Monte runs Cultural Immersions to develop cultural understanding and global awareness. Timor-Leste immersion includes annual visits and fundraising through Food for Thought to support education for girls at Colégio Infante de Sagre School in Maliana. Cambodia Mercy Immersion and the Central Desert Program offer cross-cultural experiences supporting Mercy values, including NAIDOC Week activities and learning about Anangu culture. These experiences foster cultural understanding and active citizenship.

The school offers co-curricular opportunities in drama and music through Performing Arts, including the College Musical and Theatresports; Drama Co-curricular includes Screen and Stage Skills (SASS) workshops; Theatresports teams compete in inter-school events; Shortcuts Film Festival allows students to make and present short films.

Mercy in Action is a fundamental part of Monte's life, focusing on community service and social justice. It includes the Mercy Action Group which meets fortnightly to drive change, the Green Team promoting sustainability and environmental initiatives (such as solar panels and beehives), and NAIDOC Week activities including Biamunga events; The Biamunga Mob explores Indigenous language, art, cooking, wagaji (ceremonial dance), wellness and meditation.

Monte has leadership opportunities for students from Middle School to Senior School. Middle School Leadership uses a Student Representative Council that gives students voice on matters such as timetabling and uniform policy; Senior School Leadership includes the Student Leadership Team, the Student Representative Council, Peer Support and Peer Mediation; primary leadership roles include College Captain, Senior Leaders, House Captains and Co-curricular Captains.

The school emphasizes wellbeing as part of the Monte education. The Pastoral Care program, SELF-GROWTH, provides a framework for staff and students to support social and emotional learning; the six pillars of GROWTH guide student goals, relationships, wellness, transition and humanity. The House system supports belonging and camaraderie through the House Cup; the College provides a full-time psychologist, a College Counsellor and a Health Centre on site.