Senior School

Islamic Museum of Australia

Our Year 11 Religion and Society students recently had the privilege of hearing from Sherene, the Director of Learning at the Islamic Museum of Australia.   Sherene generously shared her insights about the faith of Islam and what it means to live as a Muslim in contemporary Australia.

Students were introduced to the core beliefs and practices of Islam, as well as the richness of its history and traditions.  Sherene also spoke candidly about her own experiences, highlighting both the joys and challenges of practising her faith in a multicultural society.  This encounter encouraged our students to broaden their understanding, ask thoughtful questions and appreciate the importance of respect and dialogue between different faiths.

This experience will enrich the students’ study of Religion and Society by grounding classroom learning in real-world perspectives, deepening their knowledge of Islam while fostering empathy and awareness of the diversity within the Australian community.

Exploring Judaism

Our Year 11 Religion and Society and Texts and Traditions students recently visited the East Melbourne Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Victoria, established just twenty years after the Academy itself.  This historic site offered students an unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Judaism, both as an ancient faith and as a living tradition within Australia.

Rabbi Guttnick and his assistant, Ruth, warmly welcomed the students and shared their knowledge of the Torah, the cycle of Jewish life and the history of Judaism in Australia. Students were able to see first-hand how the Torah is treated with reverence and to hear stories about how Jewish communities have flourished in Melbourne since the mid-19th century.

The visit provided a meaningful connection between classroom learning and lived faith, allowing students to experience the sacred space of a synagogue while engaging in dialogue with members of the Jewish community.  This enriching encounter encouraged respect, understanding and appreciation for the diversity of religious traditions in our society.

Ms Hannah Hale

Religious Education Learning Leader

Frayne Speech Festival

The Frayne Festival is a gathering of students from schools founded in the traditions of Mercy education and a celebration of the age-old art of speech making.  Myself, Ms Tassone and Sr Mary had the great pleasure of accompanying both Year 11 and Year 12 students to Sacred Heart College, Kyneton on a crisp Friday morning on the 29 August.

Our Debating Team consisted of Year 12’s Alice Portz, Olivia Leahy and Alisa Sanelli and Year 11’s Lucy Ryan and Kate Chesterton, whilst our public speakers were Year 12’s Olivia Portelli and Florencia Herrera.  

It gives me great pleasure to report back that the day was a roaring success with Florencia Herrera winning the Public Speaking Competition.  She flawlessly presented her prepared speech on ‘Change begins with listening’, in the aptly named ‘Mary Moloney Theatre’; however, it was the impromptu round in which Florencia’s quick thinking really set up the win.  It is safe to say that Sister Mary was delighted to be bringing back the silverware to Academy on the bus ride home.  Credit must also go to Olivia Portelli who delivered her speech with great charisma and purpose, despite her losing her voice earlier in the week – what a Mercy moment! 

The Debaters won both their debates, firstly debating on the affirmative side for the topic that “Water restrictions should be reintroduced permanently in Metropolitan Melbourne to address long-term drought risks”, winning by a point.  Their second debate arguing on the negative that “VCE should be replaced with a more flexible and skills-based assessment system” was also handled with great endeavour.  The team was very unlucky to not make finals, as their tie for second place came down to fine DAV margins, meaning that the two winning teams with highest team speaker totals made the final.

Congratulations to the Year 11’s for stepping up on such a big occasion and our Year 12’s who debated for the final time for Academy – well done to Alice Portz who carried her strong DAV form into the day, claiming ‘Best Speaker’ for both debates. 

Overall, the day surmised what it means to be a Mercy School and the spirited interactions between Mercy students and teachers really showed the strength of this fabulous community.  Thank-you to all staff and students for a wonderful experience.

Mr Stefan Odachowski

English Learning Leader