ACADEMY  NEWS

Justice

Walking Together for Reconciliation

Last Friday evening, the FIRE Carriers, Ms Hannah Hale, and I had the privilege of participating in the Long Walk to the ‘G.  The event was filled with an incredible sense of energy and unity, as we joined many other schools—including fellow Mercy schools—in a shared commitment to reconciliation.

 

We began the evening with a moving smoking ceremony and were inspired by speakers who highlighted the ongoing importance of reconciliation in Australia.  It was wonderful to connect with Lisa Moloney, who leads the FIRE Carriers program across Victoria, and to enjoy a range of free activities such as face painting and bracelet making.  Most importantly, we walked together in solidarity, showing our respect and support for First Nations peoples.

 

Reconciliation Week 2025

Bridging Now to Next

 

Why is Reconciliation Week Important?

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to come together and strengthen respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.  It is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, acknowledge past injustices and celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of First Nations communities.  

 

This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, encourages us to consider how our actions today can create a better, fairer future for everyone.   It is about building on the progress we have made, learning from the past and working together to ensure that respect, understanding and inclusion continue to grow in our community.

 

Reconciliation Week invites us all to be part of positive change—whether by listening, learning, or taking action.  By participating, we help bridge the gap between now and the next generation, paving the way for a more united Australia.  

 

How Academy Paved the Way this Reconciliation Week 

This year, Academy embraced Reconciliation Week with a vibrant program of activities organised by our FIRE Carriers and Justice Group, reflecting the 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next.   Our school community came together to learn, celebrate, and take action for a more inclusive future. Highlights from the Week:

  • Daily Compass Posts - students explored First Nations histories, cultures and achievements through informative Compass posts, helping to build understanding and respect across our community.
  • Mentor Group Kahoot – Tuesday, 27 May Students kicked off the week with a fun and educational Kahoot quiz in Mentor Groups, testing their knowledge of First Nations topics and sparking important conversations.
  • Bake Sale – Thursday, 29 May Our bake sale was a huge success, featuring delicious treats made with Indigenous ingredients like lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum, salt bush and fingerlime. Thanks to your generosity, we raised $230 for the Opening the Doors Foundation!
  • Colourful Casual Clothes Day – Friday, 30 May Students and staff wore casual clothes with colours from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and purchased support pins, raising an additional $747. This brought our total fundraising for the week to $947, all of which will go directly to the Opening the Doors Foundation to support educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
  • Lunchtime Craft Activities in the Kirrip Hub – Friday, 30 May The week wrapped up with creative lunchtime activities, including bush bouquet making, platypus bookmark crafting, and Indigenous card games—offering everyone a chance to connect, learn and celebrate together.

Thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and helped make Reconciliation Week at Academy a meaningful and memorable experience.  Your support is helping to bridge now to next, creating positive change for our community and beyond.

Feast for Freedom

A message from the College Co-Justice Captains: On Thursday, 24 July the Academy of Mary Immaculate will be holding a fundraising night entitled "Feast for Freedom", an evening where the Academy community can come together to share a meal of cultural dishes. 

 

The purpose of this evening is to raise funds for refugees, asylum seekers and other groups of stateless peoples.  There will be a number of student-provided entertainment, such as singing, musical performances and an art exhibition.  There will also be a keynote speaker as well as a silent auction and a raffle.  For the silent auction and raffle, we are seeking charitable donations and contributions from 

 

the Academy wider community in the form of gift vouchers (e.g. Village movie tickets, Bunnings gift cards etc.), donations from small businesses, collectables, arts or crafts (e.g. candles, mugs, picture frames, plants), body lotions, creams, linen products and non-perishable food items (e.g. chocolates, lollies, jam, cakes, biscuits, olive oil, savoury items, teas, coffee but no alcohol please).  These items will be auctioned either individually or as part of a hamper.  

 

The proceeds made from the auction will be donated to Jesuit Refugee Services in Cambodia and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, organisations that seek to assist forcibly displaced people internationally.

 

Items can be dropped off at the Main Office from any time between now and the event in July.  Individuals and businesses are most welcome to add their names to any items donated so they can be thanked and acknowledged publicly on the evening.

 

Any contribution you are able to make will be greatly appreciated.  Further information and an invitation to join us on the evening will be sent soon.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact College Co Justice Captains and Sustainability Captain, Emma Otsuka, Eloise Aravena, and Clara Faraci via Deputy Principal, Mr Sam Di Camillo’s email Sam.DiCamillo@academy.vic.edu.au

📬The 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!

 

How it works:  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). 

Have 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.

Where can you drop off your stamps? The Stamp Station is located at Student Reception, open before school, at recess and 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

Refugee Week Food Drive

As part of Refugee Week, (Sunday, 15 June – Saturday, 21 June 2025) we are proud to support the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) by holding a food drive to help provide essential items to people seeking asylum in our community.

 

The ASRC Foodbank supports around 1,200 people each month, including many children, by offering access to nutritious, culturally appropriate food and basic toiletries in a welcoming environment.  Your donation is a direct and meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of others.

 

How You Can Help:  We invite all families to contribute by donating items from the ASRC’s priority list.  Essential food and toiletry items include:

  • Tuna in oil (any size)  
  • Tinned vegetables (tomatoes, peas, carrots, corn)
  • Dried/tinned legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils)
  • Coconut cream or milk
  • Pasta and basmati rice
  • Vegetable or olive oil (750ml–1L)
  • Tomato paste
  • Asian sauces (soy, chilli, fish, oyster sauce)
  • Spices (cumin, turmeric, chilli flakes, coriander, garam masala, etc.)
  • Honey, peanut butter, jam, or tahini
  • Instant coffee or black tea bags
  • Sweet or savoury biscuits
  • Dried fruit and nuts
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Laundry liquid/powder (1L/1kg)
  • Deodorant/razors
  • Shampoo
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste

Please ensure all items are within their use-by date and in unopened, undamaged packaging to respect the dignity of those receiving them and to comply with health regulations.

 

Donations can be brought to the school library throughout Refugee Week.   For more information on the ASRC and their work, visit asrc.org.au/ways-to-give/donate-food.

 

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us support people seeking asylum in our community!

 

Ms Mel Sachanandani

Justice Leader