Justice

National Reconciliation Week 

National Reconciliation Week was celebrated from 27 May to 3 June.  These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.  This year, people of all backgrounds and communities from across Australia commemorated Reconciliation Week with the call to action to continue the fight for indigenous issues “Now More Than Ever”.  National Reconciliation week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, culture and achievements, and to explore how each of us can actively contribute to reconciliation in Australia.  The week began with prayers for reconciliation during mentor groups and the sharing of the history of reconciliation through short videos and a series of Compass posts for students and staff alike.  During the week, many classes across the school have engaged in learning to highlight the importance and commitment to achieving reconciliation.  Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, fostering respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

During Reconciliation Week, the FIRE Carriers were very active around the school.  With the help of the Justice Group members, Reconciliation Week was acknowledged with a display in the undercroft, that shared facts about the Aboriginal flag, tips on ways to support and learn about reconciliation and information on respectful language related to First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  The display also included a brief history of Reconciliation Week and information about significant Victorian and local First Nations people. 

The groups hosted a fundraiser where students could participate in native flower seed planting and purchase indigenous design items at a Market Stall that collectively raised $370 for Opening the Doors Foundation.  The Opening the Doors Foundation supports Indigenous education and provides scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  Learn more about this wonderful charity by visiting their website at https://www.openingthedoors.org.au/ 

Other lunchtime activities available to the students included free earring painting where students were able to explore and learn about the colours of the Aboriginal Flag and their significance.

As well as a Botanical Drawing & Talk hosted by Angela Foley PhD (Ed), BA (Hons Geog) of Merri Creek Management.  Students and staff had the opportunity to learn about Caring for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.  During the Botanical Drawing & Talk, students explored the six layers of Country, including dispossession, language, and seasons, while creating botanical drawings of native plants.  Harriet, one of the Academy's Justice Co-Captains said that “Angela brought about some vital gaps in our own understanding of Indigenous history.  For example, the year 1835 being the year Melbourne specifically was colonised and prior to this date the Aboriginal population had already reduced due to the spread of disease from Sydney.  Isn’t that an apt reminder that we can all constantly grow and develop in our acknowledgment and understanding of our shared history.” 

The following week the FIRE Carriers conducted a knowledge sharing session with the student leaders from St Mark's Primary School in Fawkner.  The primary school leaders came and met our FIRE Carriers in Carlton Gardens where our students explained what it means to be a FIRE Carrier, what they do, what being a FIRE Carrier school means to Academy, how we promote reconciliation and gave them ideas of what they can include in their FIRE Carrier Covenant and Reconciliation Action Plan.  They also received a "goodie" bag from the Academy FIRE Carriers that included an Aboriginal flag themed ribbon of support, a bookmark with information about FIRE Carriers, an Aboriginal designed bookmark that they could colour-in and some native flowers seeds to grow at school.  

Refugee Week 17 - 21 June 

Refugee week is next week, and this year’s theme is “Finding Freedom – Family”.  In a world marked by displacement and the search for refuge, this year’s Refugee Week theme “Finding Freedom” – with a focus on family – encapsulates the profound journey of resilience, strength and unity that defines the refugee experience.  This Refugee Week, we aim to shed light on the transformative power of familial bonds, as well as chosen bonds in the face of adversity and emphasise the crucial role families play in providing solace, support and a sense of belonging to those forced to flee their homelands.  This theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families.  Taken from https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/theme/ 

The Justice Group students have an amazing opportunity to visit the Mercy Hub on Nicholson Street during Refugee Week to cook cultural recipes and listen to stories from a refugee.  To learn more about the wonderful things the Mercy Hub does in our community, please visit their website at https://www.mercyhub.org.au/ 

The Justice group has organised a lunchtime talk hosted by Mr. Simon Capp, a volunteer from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.  The talk will highlight the difference between an asylum seeker and refugee along with other significant facts.  Did you know that an an asylum seeker is a person who leaves their country of residence, enters another country and applies for asylum in that other country?  Whereas a refugee typically is a person who has lost the protection of their country of origin, and who cannot, or is unwilling to return there due to well-founded fear of persecution.  To hear more about the amazing work of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, please visit their website at https://asrc.org.au/

Additionally, facts, literature and stories of refugees will be shared daily with the school via Compass.  The group will also be participating in Culture Day, a Senior Student Leadership Team initiative.  

St Mary’s House of Welcome 

As you may be aware, we are big supporters of St Mary’s House of Welcome situated on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, and send volunteers there most weeks of the school year to serve breakfast to those in need.  The charity runs on the generosity of local businesses and support from volunteers like our students.  This winter, St Mary’s House of Welcome has reached out and asked if the Academy community is able to help with a donation. Even a small donation can make a significant difference to the people supported by St Mary’s House of Welcome. To make a donation please visit https://www.smhow.org.au/winter-appeal 

Coming Events

Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association Conference June 24 - 27 

NAIDOC Week during Term 2 Break - (will be celebrated Week 1 Term 3 at Academy) NAIDOC Week Guest Speaker - Elder, Vicky Burgess (Year 11 & Justice Group),  July 18 Perform for Peace - Thursday, July 18 - tickets on sale via TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/CSOSF   Bookings for the night will close on the July 16.  

Young Mercy Links Presentation to Year 12 - 15 July