Justice

Seeds of Justice

On Thursday 19 May several Academy Justice Group members participated in the May Mercy Seeds of Justice Student Conference. The theme was Together in Mercy: Welcoming the Stranger. Guest speakers included Sr Sally Bradley, Executive Director of Mercy Works, Sally Morgan from Hope Co Op and young adult members of Young Mercy Links Melbourne and South Australia. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to collaborate with students from Mercy schools across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia who are also interested in issues of social justice. Students reflected on this experience.

Rahela & Zahra’s story 

Rahela and Zahra’s journey as refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan to Australia was an inspirational story of hope and resilience. Both women emphasised the importance of education as it provides security, hope, stability and access to further, greater opportunities for the future. We realised how fortunate we are in Australia to have access to education that some may take for granted. It was heartbreaking to hear that many, in least developed countries, aren’t able to do so, due to the ongoing violence and wars. Their stories put into perspective the significant impact that education has in our lives. Education empowers individuals as it provides resources and knowledge to help us endure difficult circumstances in our lives.  They provided us with a deeper insight into the challenges that refugees encounter and hopefully, the government will change its laws and policies regarding refugees’ rights.

Eve Filippelli, Yasmin Pitisano & Hava Marcelin- Moura

The Hope Co Op

The Hope Cooperative, an initiative of Sally Morgan, a registered Year 12 teacher working at St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre North Melbourne, was developed from the centre’s Maree program. This program focused on assisting asylum seekers from Manus Island and Narau in their journey to a better life, specifically in obtaining entry to tertiary education. Her attention was directed at supporting particular students aged between 18 and 25 in her Year 12 English class, who had recently left detention at the Broadmeadows Detention Centre.  Listening to her students’ stories, she began to form meaningful relationships and became very much a parental figure to most of her students and someone they looked to for advice. 

Unfortunately, as a result of Australia's lack of flexibility with refugee policy, many of her students began to lose hope and began to accept that their reality would have them “stare at a wall”  in detention, with few opportunities here. 

Sally Morgan and these students devised the Hope Co-op and recently launched a book titled “The Shape of Hope.” This collaborative effort shares the perspectives of people involved in the beginnings of the Hope Co-Op and aims to broaden everyone's knowledge, witnessing the courage of various young people seeking asylum and what they are doing to change things.

​Ruby Hoare and Stefania Inserra

How we can take action 

Rob Ruzbacky was a refugee from Slovakia and sought asylum here. Together with small groups from the other participating schools, we got an insight into what causes someone to become a refugee, why Australia should take in refugees, where refugees are detained, as well as current policies and government changes. We discussed what we can do as individuals to advocate for refugees and how we can make a change. Some suggestions included spreading awareness through posters, daily messages and newsletters, organising a multicultural day, showing the diversity of cultures in Australia by bringing different foods and dressing up in traditional clothing of different cultures. 

We can also vote for parties which have humane policies for refugees as well as participating in activities as a school to raise funds for refugees. This workshop broadened our knowledge about refugees and as a school community we cannot wait to start advocating and standing up for individuals stuck in the refugee cycle.

Amelia Callea, Clarissa Agoustakis and Niamh Cullen

Mercy Works 

We were very fortunate to hear from Jo Casamento (Communications Coordinator) and Sr Sally Bradley (Executive Director) from Mercy Works. We learnt about Australia’s relationship with Asylum Seekers and Refugees through the ‘Tampa’ and ‘Children Overboard’ affairs. Although these affairs were disheartening, Fatima, Zahara and Jawed’s inspiring stories were sources of hope and inspiration. These stories really addressed the theme of ‘welcoming the stranger’ as it showed that one smiling, one helping hand and one person can change someone else’s whole world. 

All it takes is that first step and the lives of others can be changed one person at a time. We also learnt of the importance of taking action and not waiting to be approached in order to welcome the stranger. 

We then heard about the work that Mercy Works has done in the Philippines where human trafficking for sexual exploitation is prevalent, greatly affecting girls and women. It was shocking to hear that girls the same age as us were falling victim to this injustice and it was terrifying that that could have been us, especially after hearing Mely’s story. Mercy Works created change in Cebu in the Philippines through the Good Shepherd Welcome House which helps women to gain access to education, health services and employment. 

Krissy Francis

Unveiling our First Nations Plaque

 In the Academy's 165th year, it is important for us to acknowledge the history of the land on which our school sits. It is important to celebrate First Nations’ deep past and enduring presence.   Here at the Academy we stand in solidarity with our First Nations sisters and brothers. Our new plaque on the Flynn Building acknowledges our First Nations people. This was unveiled on Monday May 30 during National Reconciliation Week.  As Mercy people and as a FIRE Carrier school, we continue to work for justice for all.

National Reconciliation Week Bracelet Making 

Justice Group members gathered to make bead bracelets in the colours of the Aboriginal flag and to learn more about issues relating to reconciliation and building a community together based on truth and understanding.

Sharing Stories Afternoon

Connecting Community Inaugural Event  

Our Connecting Community Program is our new initiative supported by the Rerum Novarum Award funds that will enable us to continue to build relationships in our local area.

Last week, in our Academy library, a number of our students connected with Year 1 & 2 students from Sacred Heart Primary School, sharing stories with a First Nations focus. We read ‘Colours of Australia’ by Bronwyn Bancroft. Together we reflected on the colours of Fitzroy, our shared suburb and created artwork to reflect our impressions. We look forward to more local collaborations soon and our ongoing relationship with Sacred Heart.

Justice Group