Social Justice at the Academy!

As Term 1 begins, we are excited to see our school community getting actively engaged in a range of social justice initiatives. These opportunities allow students to live out Mercy values, develop leadership skills, and make a meaningful difference in the world. This term, students can participate in impactful programs such as volunteering at St Mary’s House of Welcome, where they support vulnerable individuals in Fitzroy, or preparing for the Cambodia Immersion to be held in August, which fosters cultural understanding and service. Additionally, students will attend inspiring events like the presentation by Gemma Sisia, founder of St Jude’s Tanzania, to learn about education’s transformative power in addressing poverty and injustice. We are also looking forward to upcoming events like the Project Compassion launch, the March for Women, and the FIRE Carriers Market Stall—all of which provide opportunities for students to engage with important social issues.

Become a Justice Captain - 2025!

We encourage all students from Years 7 to 11 to consider applying for the role of Justice Captain. Justice Captains lead social justice initiatives within their mentor groups and the broader school community. This role offers students the chance to develop leadership skills, raise awareness about key issues and contribute to meaningful change. It’s an incredible opportunity to grow as compassionate global citizens while building valuable skills for the future.

The role of a Justice Captain is an exciting leadership opportunity for students passionate about social justice and Mercy values. Justice Captains play a vital role in promoting social justice initiatives within the Academy, raising awareness of important issues and leading efforts to make a positive impact in both the school and wider community. Key responsibilities of a Justice Captain are:

Attend regular Justice Group meetings and participate in discussions on social justice issues - held lunchtime everyThursday in Walsh 2.1
Lead mentor group fundraising efforts, such as Project Compassion
Share and promote the Academy’s justice initiatives within their mentor group
Optionally join the FIRE Carriers program to assist with reconciliation activities and celebrate significant cultural events

Eligibility & How to Apply: The role is open to all students from Years 7 to 12. Each mentor group can have one or more Justice Captains and students can hold this position alongside other leadership roles (e.g. Class Captain). To apply, students simply nominate for the role through the same process as Class Captain nominations.

This role offers students the chance to:

Develop leadership skills and empathy
Learn about global and local social justice issues
Participate in excursions, camps, and immersions, such as the Cambodia Immersion
Make meaningful contributions to their community while boosting their resume for future opportunities

Students who fulfill attendance and participation requirements will receive a Justice Captain Badge at the end-of-semester assembly.

Encourage your child to consider this rewarding opportunity to lead with compassion and create positive change!

St Mary's House of Welcome Volunteering

St Mary's House of Welcome volunteering recommences on February 19, providing a wonderful opportunity for our students and staff to put Mercy Values into action!

Founded in 1960, St Mary's House of Welcome is a not-for-profit center in Fitzroy offering essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty and mental health challenges. Their open-door policy ensures that anyone in need can access practical assistance and specialist support.

This year, volunteering will take place on Wednesday mornings, allowing greater accessibility for Year 12 students who have free periods at this time. Each week, up to 6 students (aged 16 years or older) will have the chance to serve and prepare breakfast for clients.

Students will meet their supervising teacher at 8:00am outside the Student Attendance Office, walk together to St Mary's House of Welcome on Brunswick Street, receive a briefing and then serve our local community. Please note that students will miss Mentor Group, all of period 1 and part of period 2 on these days.

We highly encourage students who haven't volunteered before to participate! Volunteering offers numerous benefits, including:

Developing compassion and empathy
Enhancing leadership skills
Making a tangible difference in people's lives
Strengthening university and job applications
Experiencing personal growth and fulfillment
Bringing joy to others

Many past volunteers have found this experience incredibly rewarding, offering a chance to step outside your comfort zone, connect with our wider community and gain a new perspective on life.

Thank you to all the staff who have volunteered their time; their support is essential in providing these valuable experiences for our students.

For more information about St Mary’s House of Welcome, please visit their website at https://www.smhow.org.au/

Cambodia Immersion

As part of our Social Justice program, the Academy is excited to participate in an Immersion to Cambodia this year. This unique and rewarding opportunity is a joint program with Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC), offering students a chance to engage in meaningful service and cultural exchange.

The Cambodia Immersion allows students to express their faith through:

Global Awareness and Cultural Immersion: Gaining insight into global issues such as poverty and injustice while experiencing the richness of Cambodian culture
Active Service and Community Engagement: Participating in service activities that embody Mercy values of compassion, service and hospitality
Faith-Based Experiential Learning: Living out Gospel values, promoting dignity and standing in solidarity with others
Holistic Personal Growth: Combining experience, reflection and action to develop a socially engaged spirituality rooted in justice, respect and courage.

This immersion reflects the shared history and partnership between the Academy and OLMC as sister schools founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Mother Ursula Frayne established the Academy in 1856, while Mother Basil Emoe founded OLMC in 1910 after being sent from the Academy. Today, both schools are part of Mercy Education Limited, continuing a legacy of collaboration through programs like Seeds of Justice and AMSSA Conferences.

Formation & Preparation Sessions

To ensure students are well-prepared for this experience, a series of formation sessions will soon begin for the ten Academy and five OLMC students who have been selected for this immersion. These sessions are designed to equip students with cultural understanding, practical knowledge and team-building skills essential for their journey.

We thank Arancha Joulian and Shane Taylor for their dedication to this program. This immersion represents a powerful opportunity for students to grow as compassionate global citizens while living out the values of Mercy. We look forward to seeing the transformative impact this experience will have on our students and the communities they engage with.

The School That Hope Built

On Thursday, February 27, students participating in the Cambodia Immersion and members of the Academy Justice Group will have the incredible opportunity to attend a presentation at the Mercy Hub by Gemma Sisia, founder of St Jude's Tanzania (the school that Hope built), along with two inspiring alumni, Winnie and John.

Gemma and the alumni will share updates, stories and achievements from St Jude's, a pioneering leader in charitable education in Africa. Established in 2002, St Jude’s provides free, high-quality education to over 1,800 bright but underprivileged primary and secondary students. It also supports hundreds of graduates with access to higher education and supplies over 20,000 government school students with volunteer teachers annually. Remarkably, 97% of St Jude’s secondary graduates go on to pursue higher education, creating sustainable change within their communities.

This presentation will highlight the transformative impact of education as a tool for fighting poverty and injustice. We hope our students embrace this unique opportunity to learn from Gemma and the young Tanzanian leaders about the power of education and its role in shaping futures.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Angela Scarafilo, Coordinator of Young Mercy Links Victoria and Young Mercy Links for hosting the event for our students and those from other Mercy schools across Victoria.

To learn more about St Jude’s Tanzania, visit their website at https://www.schoolofstjude.org/

To learn more about Young Mercy Links, visit their website at

https://www.mercyhub.org.au/young-mercy-links.html

Upcoming Justice Events

We have several exciting events coming up to support social justice initiatives:

Project Compassion Launch

4 March (Shrove Tuesday): Kick-off Project Compassion with a Justice Group pancake sale before school. Mentor groups will also be fundraising during Lent to support this cause.
7 March, Friday: March for Women & Casual Clothes Day: Students and staff will March for Women in the afternoon. On the same day, we will have a casual clothes Day to raise funds for Project Compassion.
8 March, Saturday: International Women’s Day - Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while also promoting action towards gender equality.
23 March, Saturday: FIRE Carriers Market Stall from 12:00pm to 4.00pm at St Fidelis Primary School Fete

Ms Melinda Sachanandani

Justice Leader

Senior School

Years 11 & 12

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