Justice

Embracing the Season of Giving

As we wrap up the year and welcome the festive season, we are reminded of the true spirit of Christmas — the gift of thinking of others, especially those who are less fortunate.  This embodies the compassion and generosity central to our Mercy faith.  By sharing our blessings and extending a helping hand, we not only brighten the lives of those in need but also deepen our own sense of purpose and community.

On behalf of the Justice Group and Justice Co-Captains, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all families for the conversations you have had in your homes about social justice issues, for the generous donations made throughout the year and for the time your children have dedicated to engaging in a wide range of social justice inititiatives across all ross all year levels.  Your commitment to fostering a culture of kindness and support truly makes a difference in our school and beyond.  Let us embrace this season of giving, continuing to inspire one another to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

We wish you all a happy and holy Christmas filled with joy and peace.   We look forward to continuing our journey of service and advocacy in the coming year. Please enjoy our final report.

FIRE Carriers

On Saturday, November 16, the FIRE Carriers and a musical group from the Academy volunteered to support St. Joseph's Primary School Fete. This event was a wonderful celebration of the Academy's talent and community spirit, showcasing outstanding musical performances that highlighted the tremendous gifts our students possess.  From captivating solos to vibrant group performances, each act left the audience in awe and demonstrated the hard work and dedication of our young musicians.

Additionally, we raised an impressive $657 from the market stall for the Opening the Doors Foundation, marking a significant achievement for our last FIRE Carrier event of the year.  I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the students—Emma, Eloise, Melody, Trinity, Krystina, Yuliya and Sam — as well as to staff members Ms Alex Cowin and Ms Arancha Joulian, who dedicated their Saturday to participate.  Your commitment and love for our school truly shine through in your efforts.

St Mary’s House of Welcome Christmas Food Drive

As we conclude our Christmas Food Drive for St. Mary's House of Welcome today, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the students and their families who contributed to this important initiative.  Your generosity and support have made a significant impact, helping those in need during the holiday season.

Together, we are fostering and embodying the Mercy values of compassion, service and  hospitality that we hold dear. 

Thank you for your kindness and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.

For more information about St Mary’s House of Welcome, please visit their website at 

https://www.smhow.org.au/

Disability Awareness Week

This year, the Justice Group's Term 4 student initiative is Disability Awareness Week, aimed at fostering inclusivity within our school community with a focus on hidden disabilities and the vital roles played by carers and siblings.  This important week served to recognise the experiences of individuals who encounter both visible and invisible disabilities, including physical, cognitive and socio-emotional aspects.  It is a time to celebrate the diversity within our community while promoting education, understanding and awareness.

To support this initiative, the Justice Group organised various activities and informative Compass posts covering topics such as appropriate language use and explanations of hidden disabilities.

 Students also had the opportunity to engage in fun activities during mentor group sessions, including Sensory Bingo with lollipop prizes, brain break challenges and hands-on lunch time activities including bead bracelet making and cloud dough creation.

A highlight of the week was a lunchtime session with our guest speaker Veronica Ingram, held at lunchtime Friday, 29 November 29.  Veronica is a clinical psychologist specialising in child psychology and autism.  Veronica addressed areas such as understanding autism and hidden disabilities, promoting awareness and acceptance while providing strategies   for supporting individuals facing these challenges.

Disability Awareness Week culminated on 3 December, the International Day of People with Disability, which this year emphasises "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future."  Together, we can create a more inclusive society that values the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their abilities.  This initiative was well received by the school body.

Young Mercy Links Student Leader Formation 

This week, following the conclusion of classes, the 2025 Co-Justice Captains Eloise and Emma, and Sustainability Captain, Clara, attended the Young Mercy Links Student Leader Formation.  This wonderful opportunity allowed the newly elected student leaders to participate in a two-day program focused on exploring the unique qualities of ‘Mercy’ Leadership.

During the formation, the Captains engaged in discussions on topics such as leading in a  Mercy school, mercy in action, collaborated with other student leaders from a range of Mercy schools and developed Leader Action Plans for 2025.  This program provided our student leaders with a chance to connect with peers from other Mercy schools, sharing ideas and discovering new ways to embody the principles of Mercy within our school community.

The two day event took place at the Mercy Hub on Nicholson Street early in December.  A special thank you to Ms Fiona Tassone for attending the conference alongside our students on Wednesday.  We look forward to seeing how this experience enriches their leadership journey in 2025.

Ms Melinda Sachanandani

Justice Leader