The Annual Catholic Education Support Staff Dinner was hosted by Merici College this year, at their very own full service a la carte dining experience, the Bridge Restaurant.

The evening was supported by the National Catholic Education Commission who provided prayer cards for the guests. The event acknowledged the valuable contribution that support staff provide to our ACT Catholic Secondary Colleges including St Mary MacKillop College, Tuggeranong; St Francis Xavier College, Florey; St John Paul II College, Nicholls; St Clare’s College, Griffith; Daramalan College, Dickson; Marist College, Pearce and St Edmund’s College, Griffith.

Narelle Patrick, Enrolment Officer at Merici College, said it was a wonderful way to get together as one community and celebrate Catholic Education. “Our Support Staff dinner is held every year and it gives us a chance to connect with our colleagues and those that work in other colleges,” she said.

Senior Merici hospitality students served guests entrées of beetroot cured salmon with an apple and cucumber salsa and horseradish cream, or fig and goats cheese tarts with a sesame dressing.

For the main course, they chose either roasted chicken supreme served on bread and butter pudding with a burre blanc sauce, or, braised pork belly on miso pumpkin puree with a walnut and apple salsa.

Dessert featured PX Ximeno cheesecake with citrus crumb and strawberries, and chocolate sticky date pudding with salted caramel and ice cream.

“It was so much fun preparing the dinner and meeting so many support staff members,” said Year 12 Hospitality student, Sara Blakey. “I particularly enjoyed hosting the evening and hope our guests had a great time,” she said.

Principal Anna Masters said, “Merici was thrilled to host this special dinner, especially as we are celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia this year.”

Next year’s dinner will be hosted by St Francis Xavier College, Florey.