Learning  

Despite being in the throes of winter, we have had much to celebrate at the start of the new term.  

Year 10 Success 

Firstly, congratulations to Meredith from 10 Blue who has been accepted into the Monash University Scholar’s program.  There were only 30 open places available so it is a wonderful achievement to have been selected, well done Meredith! 

During the end of Term 2 break, Academy was one of two Australian schools who joined presenters from India, Kenya, USA, UK, South Africa, Egypt and Afghanistan at the Kids Conference, hosted online by the University of Oxford, UK.   The research and prototype of the ‘Liberty” app’ that was developed last year by Hannah, Sophie, Isabelle and Mabel as part of their Year 9, 2025 Synergy program, was presented to the overseas audience by Hannah, Sophie and Isabelle.  The “Liberty” app’ is an app aimed to improve the safety of Women within Melbourne.

 A special thank you to Jacinta Chute and Sherine Baydoun for preparing the students in developing both their prototype for the Liberty App and helping with their presentation for University of Oxford.   

NAPLAN 

Year 7 and 9 students have received their NAPLAN results by post.  Students in Year 9 who are at the highest standard or who achieved outstanding growth in Reading and Numeracy, are awarded Certificates of Achievement from the Victorian Premier.  Once again, we have a very large number of students who have shown high achievement and high growth.  These students will receive their certificates at the end of the year as part of our celebration of excellence. 

New Year 10 Program from 2027 

I am also very excited to introduce our new Year 10 Program that will be in place in 2027. 

In 2025, we conducted a review of the Year 10 Program and have implemented the review recommendations, resulting in an improved program structure for Year 10, 2027.  We believe we have created a program that empowers students through increased ownership and choice in their subjects, as well as strengthening our commitment to our Mercy Values through a fulfilling Community Action Program developed in partnership with Mercy Health and Australian Catholic University.  

I would like to thank all Learning Area Leaders along with our Director of Faith and Mission, Ms Hannah  Hale, Community Action Coordinator, Mel Sachanandani, Timetabler Pam Cleeve-Edwards, Sr Mary and Sam Di Camillo for coming together to develop an exciting program.   Thanks, also to all the subject teams who have contributed to the new subjects and to the staff and students who contributed to the review in 2025 (2025 Senior Student Leaders, Lauren Sach, Tanya Vajda, Lorelle Evans, Olivia Hamilton, Amelia Bongetti, Mark Molino, Pam Cleeve-Edwards, Hannah Hale and 2025 Year 10 – 12 students who provided feedback and shared their ideas). 

Year 9 students will be introduced to the new program during a special assembly on Tuesday, 11 August and further information will be available after this, but a summary is below. 

Students will continue to study English, Mathematics (General Pathway or Methods Pathway), Science, Health Education, Physical Education and Religious Education throughout the whole year.  Students will also take part in the Wellbeing and Work Experience Program. 

To complement the Religious Education Program, students will take part in the iGen (InterGenerational Education Nexus) program for one semester as their Community Action.  Built on the foundation of our Mercy charism, the program fosters deep, meaningful connections between generations while developing students' interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.  

Students can also choose five semester based electives from the following options: 

Year 10 Electives 

*Counts as 2 semester long electives 

** Only if not studied in Year 9 

Acceleration Options  

iGen (InterGenerational Education Nexus) program 

Research shows that intergenerational programs yield long-lasting positive impacts for all involved, improving overall health and wellbeing for both students and residents.  

iGen provides students with the unique opportunity to put our Mercy values directly into action through ongoing engagement with residents at Mercy Health Aged Care East Melbourne.  

During iGen, students spend time weekly with residents at Mercy Health Aged Care East Melbourne, assisting staff with activities such as art, games, gardening and conversation, or co-creating solutions to daily challenges.  Before visiting, students complete pre-education modules alongside Mercy Health experts and Dementia Training Australia—addressing topics of Dementia, Infection Control, Communication and Palliative Care. 

By stepping into this practical service learning model, students grow in empathy, compassion and initiative, while directly enriching the lives of the residents.  The program builds vital life skills—such as active listening, independence and social awareness—that serve students well across any future academic or career pathway.  Furthermore, iGen opens eyes to rewarding careers in healthcare and community service, while addressing key social challenges such as isolation in aged care.  Through shared stories, joint projects and regular visits, students live out the Mercy spirit and strengthen our broader community ties. 

Subject Selection 

It is time again for Subject Selections and this week, all Year 11 students have had an individual counselling session with a member of the Year 11 Student Wellbeing Team and the Leadership Team.  During this time, they reflected on their goals, celebrated success and identified some strategies for improvement, as well as discussing their future pathways and Year 12 subjects.  I was extremely impressed with the students I met with who came prepared and had thought deeply about how they can continue to meet their goals. 

Information has been sent out to Year 10 students and parents regarding the subject selection assembly, VCE and Subject Selection Information Evening, VCE Subject Expo and planning meetings that are occurring over the next three weeks. 

Subject selection information will be provided to all Year 9 – 12, 2027 students by Thursday, 20 August, with Year 8 students receiving information regarding the Year 9 program for 2027 via an assembly to be held on 20 August.  Subject selections are due by the end of the day on Wednesday, 26 August.  This allows students to discuss their options with teachers at Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences held on Monday, 24 August and Wednesday, 26 August. 

Acceleration 

I take this opportunity to remind Year 9 and 10 students of the requirement of achieving an 85% average across their subjects if they would like to be considered for accelerating into a VCE subject in 2027. 

AI at Academy 

Recently, I have had discussions with several parents and students about the use of Generative AI at school.  During the Professional Learning Day at the start of term, staff explored and discussed the current evidence about, and our approach to emerging digital technologies.  

This is an ever-evolving area and the guidelines and position that we have initially created are currently in review and will be significantly updated and expanded based on current advice in this area.  We will not only look at Teaching and Learning, but also Ethics and Wellbeing, Privacy and Security.  I would like to bring together a steering group of parents, students and staff to advise and contribute to our guidelines.  

Alessia from Year 9 delivered a compelling, mature and balanced Point of View speech on “Should AI be allowed in schools?”  and I would like to share her introduction.  

 “…instead of asking how students can use this technology responsibly, many schools are still asking whether it should be allowed at all. 

They are asking the wrong question. 

Artificial intelligence is already part of students’ everyday lives. Schools should not be deciding whether students will use AI.  

They already do. 

Rather, they should be teaching students how to use it ethically, effectively and responsibly. 

The biggest problem is this. 

Banning AI does not solve anything.  

Students still have access to AI the moment they leave the school gates. A school ban does not remove AI from their lives. It removes the opportunity to teach students how to use it responsibly.” 

If this resonates with you or challenges your thinking, and you are interested in being part of this steering group, please contact me. 

Should  you have any questions or wish to provide any feedback about matters related to student learning, please feel free to contact me. 

Ms Lucy Neil 

Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching