SOCIAL JUSTICE

SOCIAL AWARENESS LIVE@LUNCH

This semester, we have hosted a number of keynote speakers to inform and inspire our students during our new Social Awareness Live@Lunch sessions.

Dr Sonia Mycak, Research Fellow in Ukrainian Studies at ANU, shared her unique and personal insight into the impact of the war raging in Ukraine. In a demonstration of solidarity, the seminar concluded with the participants standing to observe a minute of silence.

In the lead up to Refugee Week 2022, we heard from guest speakers Marwa Moeen, Farhat Nazari and Farhat Kohistani, who shared their recent experiences of life under the Taliban regime. These amazing women fled Afghanistan less than 12 months ago, guided to safety with the help of a community who mobilised from afar. Their stories were incredibly powerful, giving a deeper appreciation and awareness of the trauma suffered and the issues affecting refugees in general.

During National Reconciliation Week, we were visited by Anaiwan man and First Nations advocate Terry Chenery who spoke to the students about intergenerational trauma and the significance of Reconciliation with First Nations People.

In June, students heard from Laura Vidal (Churchill Fellow 2017), a social work practitioner whose work includes identifying, responding to and preventing human trafficking, slavery and forced marriage.

Social Justice

SORRY DAY

Our students marked Sorry Day with an Assembly where they reflected on the hardships faced by families of the Stolen Generation and prayed for a future that is just and equitable for all Australians.

RECONCILIATION WEEK

Year 9 students marked the commencement of National Reconciliation Week with a Charism Day, which included a symbolic walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to St Mary’s Cathedral, commemorating the Walk for Reconciliation in the year 2000. Afterwards, students created a banner with footprints reflecting the theme of their Charism Day, 'We walk in others' footsteps...'

Student Leaders marked Reconciliation Week with an exploration of the Cammeraygal clan, the traditional custodians of the Kirribilli peninsula. JPIC Human Rights Councillors gathered to write to the Prime Minister in recognition of National Reconciliation Week in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and advocating for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

A school-wide Hoodie Day raised funds for Mary Ward's work with First Nations communities in Western Australia.

Year 9 took part in Charism Day, organised by our fantastic Religious Education Department. The day included a series of events focused on the theme of National Reconciliation Week, Be Brave. Make Change. We went to Mass at Star of the Sea Church, walked across the Harbour Bridge and visited St Mary's Cathedral. We had the opportunity to learn more about the First Nations Australian culture and explore the meaning of reconciliation.

Olivia Madsen & Genevieve Price Pontifex

IGNATIAN INTERSCHOOL FORUM

The Ignatian Interschool Student Forum is a time of shared discussion for our students to meet and discuss topics relevant to the youth of today through the lens of Ignatian Spirituality. Year 11 students from Loreto Kirribilli, St Ignatius' College Riverview, Loreto Normanhurst and St Aloysius' College met at Riverview to discuss Diversity and Discrimination. The forum aims to provide opportunities for our students to meet and engage in meaningful discussion, to participate in building reflective communities and to work together as a representative voice of youth to discuss issues and develop possible solutions.