Justice
FIRE Carrier Commissioning Ceremony
Congratulations to the following students and staff for their commitment to reconciliation by becoming commissioned FIRE Carriers at the Term 3 assembly:
Year 11: Eloise, Clara, Lucy, Emma, Siobhan
Year 10: Yulia, Melody
Staff: Ms. Julie-Anne Archer
Our Academy FIRE Carriers have been instrumental in raising awareness about reconciliation and the importance of “Keeping the Fire Burning!” This initiative honors the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous culture, especially following the 2023 National Referendum. This year, these dedicated students have actively shared knowledge about the significance of FIRE Carriers within our community. They have educated others on the meaning of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, participated in Indigenous Games, and engaged in yarning sessions with Aunt Vicki alongside staff and students. Additionally, they have raised funds for the Opening the Doors Foundation, that supports Aboriginal young people in completing their education. They have highlighted the ongoing issue of unequal access to education for many Indigenous students. Our Academy has also continued to strengthen our friendship with the staff and students of Worowa Aboriginal Girls’ School in Healesville, located on William Barak’s home, Coranderrk. Some of our staff and students have enjoyed shared sports days with the Worowa students. Thanks to Aunt Vicki, we have also established new connections with Aboriginal community members, fostering relationships we hope to nurture in the future.
Wrap up for Mercy Works Mornings
As we conclude our series of Mercy Works Morning fundraisers, we extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. The Justice Group kicked off the first event by preparing and serving pancakes and Milo. In the second week, Year 7 and Year 12 volunteers continued the effort with hot chocolates and biscuits. The third week saw Year 10 and Year 11 students selling baked goods and barista-made hot drinks, and in the final week, Year 8 and Year 9 students served hash browns, Milo and barista-made hot drinks. In total, these morning events raised $681 for Mercy Works. It has been wonderful to see students from across the school volunteer their time for this amazing charity. A special thank you goes to the Wellbeing Leaders from each year level who supervised and assisted in organising their year level’s morning, and to all the students who volunteered, making these mornings such a success. It has been great to see the wider school community come together beyond the Justice group. These fundraisers have not only raised funds and awareness for Mercy Works but also honored Catherine McAuley’s tradition of the “Comfortable Cup of Tea,” symbolising the warm and caring relationships central to her vision of Mercy. To learn more about Mercy Works please go to their website at https://www.mercyworks.org.au/
Mercy Day Bake Sale
On Mercy Day, the Justice Group hosted a bake sale that brought our school community together in a final effort to raise funds for Mercy Works . Thanks to the incredible efforts of our talented bakers, including some dedicated parents, we successfully raised an impressive $613! The array of delicious treats on offer was a testament to the hard work and creativity of everyone involved.
Sr Sally Bradley - Mercy Works Guest Speaker
Last Thursday, 19 September, we had the privilege of welcoming Sr Sally Bradley from Mercy Works to our school. Sr Sally has been the Executive Director of Mercy Works since 2019, joined the Justice Group for their regular meeting to conclude our Mercy term and fundraising efforts. She shared her passion for Mercy Works’ mission of partnering with disadvantaged communities in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines. The session was an informal knowledge-sharing event with an open forum for questions, allowing students and staff to learn more about the impactful work of Mercy Works and the difference our fundraising makes.
It was terrific to see so many staff, students and Justice Group members attend this insightful event. Thank you to Sr Sally Bradley for taking the time to come and speak with us.
Seeds of Justice Conference in Anglesea
In early September, four students from the Justice group in Years 9 and 10 spent two days at the Seeds of Justice conference in Anglesea. During this event, they collaborated and shared ideas with 40 other students from various metropolitan and regional Mercy schools.
One of the workshops, hosted by Hayley Marriot from McAuley Services for Women, provided valuable insights into family violence and the extensive support services offered by McAuley Services. Priya, a Year 10 student, shared her thoughts: “Hearing real-life stories highlighted the consequences of homelessness, especially among women who encounter family violence. It made a real impact on me. The strength of those who shared their experiences was inspiring, brave, and impactful.” Melaleuca, a Year 9 student, added, “It was incredible to hear how access to McAuley’s services can help women and their children turn their lives around and rebuild.”
Students also heard from Mercy College, Camperdown alumna Sophie Rowan, whose passion for social justice led her to work for the UN as a Health Advisor in the United Federation of Micronesia. Sophie spoke about how her Year 10 social justice immersion trip to Cambodia inspired her to travel more and experience different cultures. This experience prompted her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at ACU, that included a six-month internship overseas, ultimately opening doors for her position with the UN. Inspired by Sophie’s journey, Academy students suggested the need for more social justice cultural immersion opportunities at the Academy.
Upon returning to school, the Justice Group brought back several actions they plan to implement. These include weaving more threads of hope into all our social justice actions and recognising the good we do, inspiring our community to continue making a positive impact in our community.
Justice in Action Term
Next term is our Justice in Action term, featuring many student-led initiatives. We are excited to see our students take the lead in these important activities. We will also celebrate the Year 10 students’ winning contribution to the McAuley Donation Drive with a Justice Group-hosted Morning Tea.
Student-Led Initiatives:
Anti-Slavery Day - October 18 Investigation into local cafes that use sustainable coffee beans
Disability Awareness Week
Other Justice Events:
Year 7 & Year 8 Seeds of Justice Conference
Young Mercy Links 2025
Student Leader Formation Days
FIRE Carriers Christmas Stall
Ms Melinda Sachanandani
Justice Leader