Senior School

From Historical Truth-Telling to Celebrating Indigenous Excellence

This term, our Year 11 cohort engaged in a deeply moving unit of study exploring British colonisation and its profound impact on First Nations Australians.  Guided by empathy and historical truth-telling, students examined how forced displacement, assimilation policies and the severing of ancestral land connections, deeply fractured traditional spiritual practices, systems that were built on tens of thousands of years of deep Country connection, ceremony and sacred lore.

With a deeper awareness of the past, the cohort shifted its focus toward resilience, agency and Indigenous excellence.

To celebrate the enduring strength of First Nations peoples today, Year 11s researched inspiring contemporary leaders, activists, scholars and trailblazers making a transformative impact across Australia.  Each student created a research poster highlighting a key Indigenous figure.

Students chronicled the courageous battles of leaders like Eddie Mabo and Vincent Lingiari in securing Land Rights, alongside contemporary figures like Professor Megan Davis and Pat Anderson, key advocates for constitutional recognition and structural reform.  Others focused on trailblazing athletes Nova Peris and Cathy Freeman, who smashed barriers while proudly representing their culture on the global stage.

The finished posters are now proudly displayed in the Religion Bulletin Boards transforming our walkway into a gallery of strength, leadership and hope.

Our Year 11 students deserve high praise for the maturity, respect and intellectual curiosity they brought to these complex topics.  By honouring both the truth of history and the brilliant present of First Nations leadership, they have taken an important step in their journey as active, informed and empathetic young citizens.

Ms Hannah Hale

Religious Education Learning Leader

Frayne Speech Festival 2026

On Friday, 7 August a select group of students were chosen to represent the Academy of Mary Immaculate at the annual “Frayne Public Speaking Competition”, a long-held Mercy School event, this year hosted by St Aloysius College in North Melbourne.  

In the spirit of challenge and camaraderie, the Frayne Speech Festival brings together students from Mercy schools across the country to echo Ursula Frayne’s enduring legacy. Through debating, public speaking and voice choir, students are invited to harness their voices for justice, grapple with contemporary issues and share what matters to them.

Our two public speakers selected from Year 12, Samantha T and Zara F, both spoke eloquently and enthusiastically about their ‘Untold Story’ and represented the school with immense pride.  Despite not making the finals round, both students should be proud of their effort and the manner in which they delivered their speeches.  There was a wonderful aura of camaraderie when both participants said that they had made friends with the other public speakers and wanted to cheer them on in the next rounds – our Mercy Values in action!  A big thank you to Ms Fiona Tassone who coached them in the lead up to the big day.

The debating team comprised of Year 12 students: Lucy R, Kayla H, Kate C, Krystina K and Freddy G were clinical in both their debates, claiming two wins from two.  They debated thoughtfully and logically on the affirmative side that ‘Australia Should Introduce a Windfall Tax’ and then argued assertively in debate two on the negative side that ‘We should abolish all private education.’  Sadly, whilst winning both debates, the scoring system meant that the team narrowly missed out on finals (I’d love to see those calculations!!) - but they should be immensely proud of how they demonstrated their debating prowess! 

Sr Mary proclaimed at the end of the day that the Frayne Festival is always a wonderful day that celebrates all things Mercy!

Mr Stefan Odachowski

English Learning Leader