Justice

Living Mercy Beyond Borders

School trips come in many forms—from language tours that build fluency to cultural excursions that expand global awareness.  A Mercy Immersion, however, is distinct in its core purpose.  Rooted in the charism of Catherine McAuley, an immersion is not about tourism; it is an invitation to step into the world with radical hospitality, empathy, and open hearts. Where traditional tours seek to observe, an immersion seeks to connect. It calls our students to "bear witness" to the realities of others, to walk alongside communities as equal partners, and to put our values of compassion and justice into tangible action.

Over 12 transformative days, our immersion team traveled across Cambodia, stepping far beyond their comfort zones to experience a profound journey of service, solidarity, and personal growth.

Reflecting on the Journey

Our journey began in Phnom Penh with visits to Tuol Sleng (S-21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields.  Bearing witness to the country's tragic history was deeply moving, yet our students were equally struck by the incredible warmth, joy and resilience of the Cambodian people today.

Transitioning to Kampong Cham, our group partnered with Buddhism for Social Development Action (BSDA) to build a new home for a local family living in severe hardship.  Working alongside local tradespeople and the family’s sons, students embraced hard physical labor—mixing concrete, laying bamboo floors and raising walls—to complete the house ahead of schedule.  The experience concluded with a traditional Buddhist house blessing, an emotional presentation of homewares purchased at the local market and heartfelt farewells.

In Siem Reap, the group explored the ancient wonder of Angkor Wat and learned about local landmine clearing initiatives.  Partnering with Sister Denise Coghlan rsm and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), students gained deep insights into resilience as they built wheelchairs and assisted in constructing a toilet block for a family affected by landmines.

Throughout the journey, students stepped well outside their comfort zones—whether trying local delicacies like fried crickets and spiders, learning basic Khmer, or navigating the intense heat.  The immersion concluded with a joyful visit to Neam Roub Primary School, where our students led games, planted 20 trees and donated essential supplies.

Through daily reflections, liturgies and shared laughter with local children, our students truly embodied our Mercy values of compassion, hospitality and respect.  We extend our deepest gratitude to all the families whose support made this life-changing experience possible.

Inspiring Action: Sr Sally Bradley 

We were privileged to welcome Sr Sally Bradley rsm, Executive Director of Mercy Works, who spoke to our Year 11 cohort and joined our staff during our afternoon meeting.  Sr Sally shared an illuminating look into the life-changing development projects supported by Mercy Works, offering our school community a firsthand look at how compassion in action creates lasting impact. 

Sr. Sally detailed how Mercy Works partners with local communities facing disadvantage across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines. Rather than providing short-term fixes, Mercy Works focuses on long-term, community-led solutions that build dignity, self-reliance, and opportunity. She highlighted key initiatives, including:

 Australia: Supporting First Nations remote health programs (such as community laundry initiatives) and providing educational support for refugee-background students through the Mercy Works Connect mentoring program. 

Papua New Guinea: Strengthening village livelihoods, adult literacy, healthcare access, and clean water infrastructure. 

Timor-Leste: Delivering vital maternal health, rural nutrition, and women’s empowerment projects. 

The Philippines: Walking alongside women, children, and families affected by domestic violence, exploitation, and severe poverty through local shelters and skills training. 

Sr Sally linked this impactful work directly to the organization's guiding vision: "Changing Lives through Partnership." By walking alongside communities with respect and mutual dignity, Mercy Works translates our core Mercy values—Compassion, Justice, Respect, and Hospitality—into tangible, practical support. 

Sr Sally's visit served as a timely reminder of why our school tradition matters.  The funds raised from our upcoming Mercy Day Bake Sale will go directly to supporting these very projects.  Every sweet or savoury treat purchased directly aids Mercy Works in delivering education, healthcare, and sustainable opportunities to those who need it most. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sr Sally for sharing her wisdom, inspiring our Year 11 leaders and staff, and reminding us all of Catherine McAuley’s call to be "shining lamps, giving light to all around us." 

Care for Caren Day

Transforming Lives Through Education - Mark your calendars! On Thursday, 17 September (the last day of Term 3), our school community will be hosting our annual Care for Caren Day fundraiser. 

In a wonderful tri-school partnership, Academy of Mary Immaculate has joined alongside St Aloysius College (North Melbourne) and Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC, Heidelberg) to co-sponsor Caren, a seven year-old, Standard 2 student attending The School of St Jude's Primary School at the Sisia Campus in Tanzania. By uniting our school communities each year, we ensure Caren receives a 100% free, high-quality education, medical care, nutritious meals, and safe transport. 

Why Education Creates Sustainable Change 

At The School of St Jude, the motto is "Fighting poverty through education."   Providing academic opportunities to bright, disadvantaged children does not just help individual students—it breaks the cycle of generational poverty for entire families and communities. Free, high-quality education equips young Tanzanians to become the future doctors, engineers, teachers, and ethical leaders of their nation. 

The Ripple Effect: St Jude’s Alumni Success 

The long-term impact of this sponsorship is already visible through St Jude’s inspiring alumni network: 

Medical Leadership: St Jude’s graduates are now working as qualified medical doctors in regional Tanzanian hospitals, providing critical care to underserved communities.

Engineering & Innovation: Former students have completed degrees in civil and mechanical engineering, helping build essential infrastructure across East Africa.

 Community Educators: Many graduates return through the Beyond St Jude’s program to serve as volunteer teachers in government schools, directly benefiting thousands of local students before entering university. 

How You Can Support on Thursday, 17th September: 

👕 Casual Clothes Day: $2 

🌭 Sausage Sizzle: 1 for $3 | 2 for $5

 🎉 Combo Deal: $6 for Casual Clothes + 2 Sausages 

💎 Special Raffle: Purchase a sausage for the chance to win a special pendant! 

We encourage all students to get involved, enjoy the end-of-term celebrations, and bring along their gold coins to support Caren's bright future! 

Ms Melinda Sachanandani

Justice Leader