Principal

Dear Members of the Academy Community,

International Women’s Day was celebrated at the Academy on Friday 10 March.  250 staff, students and parents gathered together to celebrate this important day. 

The opening address was delivered by myself, below. 

Our 2015 College Captain, Georgia Hill, gave the keynote address and that has also been included in this newsletter.

“Good morning everyone and a very warm welcome to Academy’s International Women’s Day Breakfast.  It is our pleasure to host this event - an event where we celebrate the strong, resilient women who form the Academy of Mary Immaculate community.

You may have noticed that, as you walk through the Academy gates, you are greeted by the Spirit of Mercy sculpture.  You may also have noted and, if not, I encourage you to have a look as you leave the College, that this woman is not a slight whimsical figure but rather a strong, determined woman whose left arm is raised welcoming you into the College but whose right arm contains fire  - the warmth and passion and strength of fire.  Her leg is also slightly raised. She is a woman of action!   This is our strong, resilient woman of Mercy who welcomes you into the College and whom we encourage our girls to emulate.

Our hope is that our students leave this College as strong, purposeful women – raised by loving, insightful and supportive  parents and educated by teachers who equip our students  with the skills, the voice and the desire  to make a difference in the world – a world that so desperately needs strong ,resilient women in all areas of society -women of courage , women of fire.

At a gathering such as this one we celebrate our achievements in this area as demonstrated by the current students and time and time again by the caliber of our past students and their involvement in institutions and causes which enable them to make a difference.

But, as we gather together today, we must not be become complacent as complacency  is an evil in itself. Today It is fitting that we take the time to acknowledge all that still needs to be done to ensure the flourishing of all women in the world of today. 

A couple of days ago Antonio Guterres, UN secretary General  stated “ women’s rights are being abused, threatened and violated around the world” as “ progress won over decades is vanishing before our eyes” With reference to Afghanistan he said : 

“Women and girls have been erased from public life. In some other countries girls going to school risk kidnapping and assault. In other countries police prey on vulnerable women they have sworn to protect. “ He went on to say:  “Centuries of patriarchy, discrimination and harmful stereotypes  have created a huge gender gap in science and technology” and noted that “women account for just 3 percent of Nobel Prize winners in science categories” He concluded by saying   “the patriarchy is fighting back. But so are we.  And I am here to say loud and clear, The United Nations stands with women and girls everywhere.”

We, too, at the Academy stand with women and children everywhere!

So this morning, as we gather together, we celebrate the achievements and the inspirational presence and actions  of so many women but know that there is a long journey ahead before  all women are treated with respect and equity.

Our prayer reflection today highlights this and  encourages us to stand up for the rights of women around the world.”

This reflection was written for International Women’s Day by Sr Mary Wickham, 

a Sister of Mercy.

Every blessing,

Sr Mary Moloney rsm 

Principal