Feast for Freedom

A Message from the College Co-Justice Captains:

We are delighted to invite you to the Academy of Mary Immaculate’s special fundraising evening, Feast for Freedom, taking place on Thursday, 24 July at our campus, 88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. Doors open at 6.00pm, with the evening commencing at 7.00pm sharp. Tickets can be purchased via Try Booking using the QR code on the event flyer below.

Feast for Freedom is an opportunity for the Academy and Mercy school communities to come together in solidarity, sharing a meal of delicious cultural dishes and celebrating our shared values of compassion, justice, and community. The purpose of this evening is to raise funds for refugees, asylum seekers, and other stateless peoples, with all proceeds supporting the Jesuit Refugee Services in Cambodia and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne.

The evening will feature a variety of student-provided entertainment, including singing, musical performances, and an art exhibition. We are also honored to host a keynote speaker Dr. Jade Roberts Lecture at Melbourne University Law School who’s research and teaching focuses on international law, statelessness, forced displacement and human rights.

There will also be a raffle and silent auction with wonderful prizes such as an Air BNB stay on the coast, artworks, handcrafted jewelry and much more!

Call for Donations - For our silent auction and raffle, we are seeking charitable donations from the wider Academy community. We welcome items such as:

Gift vouchers (e.g. Village movie tickets, Bunnings gift cards)
Donations from small businesses
Collectables, arts or crafts (e.g. candles, mugs, picture frames, plants)
Body lotions, creams, linen products
Non-perishable food items (e.g. chocolates, lollies, jam, cakes, biscuits, olive oil, savoury items, teas, coffee – no alcohol please)

Items may be auctioned individually or as part of a hamper. Donations can be dropped off at the Main Office anytime between now and the event. Individuals and businesses are welcome to include their names with donations for public acknowledgment in the evening.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to contribute, please contact Co-Justice Captains Emma Otsuka and Eloise Aravena, or Sustainability Captain Clara Faraci, via Deputy Principal Mr Sam Di Camillo’s email: Sam.DiCamillo@academy.vic.edu.au.

We look forward to sharing this special evening with you and thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Warm regards,

Emma & Eloise Clara

Co-Justice Captains Sustainability Captain

Refugee Week Food Drive!

The Justice Group and I would like to extend our gratitude to all families who contributed to our Refugee Week Food Drive in support of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). Despite the cost of living and having only four days to donate due to the correction day last Friday, the drive was a tremendous success. Your generosity and quick response enabled us to collect a significant number of essential food and toiletry items, all of which will make a real difference for people seeking asylum in our community.

The ASRC Foodbank supports around 1,200 people each month, and your donations help ensure that families and individuals have access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food and basic necessities. Thank you for\ showing such compassion and community spirit.

We are proud to be part of a school community that stands in solidarity with those in need. Your support truly matters—thank you for making Refugee Week meaningful and impactful.

For more information about the ASRC and how you can continue to help, please visit

asrc.org.au/ways-to-give/donate-food.

Refugee Week Workshop at Mercy Hub

Today, a group of fifteen Justice Group members from Years 7 to 9 attended the Mercy Hub, where they participated in a special Refugee Week workshop. This year’s theme, “Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community,” provided a meaningful backdrop for the day’s activities.

During the workshop, students listened to the inspiring stories of Steve and Banin, who shared their personal experiences as refugees coming to Australia. These powerful narratives helped our students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by refugees in our community.

Heike (Year 9) reflected: “The workshop was empowering. We learned how Mercy organisations such as Young Mercy Links and Mercy Hub support people in our community, including refugees. We also learned a lot about refugee experiences and how each person's journey is different.”

Ceana (Year 9) added: “We learned that the term ‘superpower’ doesn't always mean superhero, but refers to our individual skills and talents that we can use positively to make others’ lives better.”

Students worked collaboratively with peers from other Mercy schools, discussing the meanings of freedom and community. They reflected on their own unique “superpowers” and explored ways to make their communities more welcoming and supportive for refugees.

It was a valuable and inspiring experience that encouraged our students to think deeply about inclusion, diversity and the positive impact they can have on others.

Year 10 Community Action Week

Next week, our Year 10 students will embark on their Community Action placements, joining a diverse range of organisations including op-shops, nursing homes, special development schools, the Royal Botanic Garden, Fitted for Work, the Islamic Museum and many more.

We wish all our students the very best as they step into these valuable experiences. Community Action is a lived expression of our Mercy values, offering students the chance to give back to their communities, learn new skills and explore a variety of workplaces and career pathways. We are incredibly proud of our Year 10s for embracing this important week of service and growth. As new challenges arise, we also see new opportunities to broaden students’ contributions as volunteers and deepen their understanding of community needs.

Good luck to everyone involved—may you find inspiration, connection and joy as you make a meaningful difference in the lives of others!

Education and Empowerment in Tanzania

Supporting Education and Empowerment in Tanzania is a Mercy Schools Initiative that we are excited to share! It is an incredible initiative led by two of our dedicated students, Heike of Year 9 and Zoe of Year 11, alongside our Academy Justice Group. Inspired by a powerful presentation from Gemma Sisia, founder of The School of Saint Jude’s in Tanzania, they have launched a collaborative project to sponsor a child’s education at this remarkable school.

The School of Saint Jude’s provides free, high-quality education to some of Tanzania’s poorest children, offering them opportunities to break the cycle of poverty through learning. Since opening in 2002, the school has grown to educate 1,800 students across three campuses, with an impressive 97% of graduates continuing on to higher education.

Heike, Zoe, and the Justice Group will be sending formal letters to Mercy schools across Victoria, inviting them to join us in this collaborative effort to raise $3,240—the cost of sponsoring one student for a full year. This sponsorship covers tuition, boarding and educational resources, giving a child the chance to thrive academically and personally.

We invite families and community members to support this meaningful cause. By coming together, we can help transform lives and empower young people to build brighter futures.

For more information or to make your own donation, please visit the St Jude’s website

https://www.schoolofstjude.org/

Well done, Zoe and Heike, for demonstrating such compassion and leadership, inspiring our students and championing education beyond our borders!

Academy Stamp Box!

📬 Thank you to all the families who have generously donated stamp collections to this wonderful cause. We will be collecting stamps throughout the year, and your ongoing support is greatly appreciated. If your workplace receives stamps, we would be grateful if you could collect them for us. Additionally, if you have any personal stamp collections you are able to donate, we would warmly welcome them. Every contribution makes a difference!

We're collecting used or new stamps to raise money for those in need around the world. Sounds small, right? But here’s the kicker: Stamp donations can raise between $35,000 and $40,000 every year. That’s a serious impact from something you might usually toss in the bin!

So, snip your stamps, leaving about 1 cm of envelope around the edge. Or, bring in the whole envelope. We accept both used and brand-new stamps, but used stamps are preferred (yes, even from your mail at home). Own an old stamp collection? We’ll take that too! We send the stamps to auction, and the money raised goes toward grants that help communities in need around the world.

Drop your stamps off at the Stamp Station located at Student Reception, open before school, at recess, lunch and after school.

Let’s turn everyday stamps into life-changing support. Start collecting now, spread the word, and let’s make a difference - one stamp at a time! You can also ask your friends and family outside of school to collect stamps and bring them to the Academy Stamp Box.

Sincerely,

The Year 7 Justice Group Members

Coming up in Term 3

Mercy Term St Mary’s House of Welcome Volunteering - opens up to Year 10 students, aged 16 and over
NAIDOC week - Celebrated week 1 of term
Feast for Freedom - 24 July
Culture Day - 25 July
McAuley Donation Drive - TBC
Mercy Works Mornings - TBC
Casual Clothes Day - TBC
Seeds of Justice Camp Anglesea: Year 9 & 10 Justice Students - 15 & 16 August Cambodia Immersion 24 August - 5 September
Mercy Day Bake Sale - 12 September

Ms Mel Sachanandani

Justice Leader

Important Dates

Dates | Alerts | Reminders | Events

Talk & Tour

Term 2 Ends

NAIDOC Week

Term 3 Begins

Classes Commence

Feast for Freedom