Independent Schools Guide 2023: How Academy of Mary Immaculate is helping students find their voice

Long before the 2022 VCE results were published, students from Academy of Mary Immaculate had already secured 32 early entry offers from universities, including Australian Catholic University (ACU), La Trobe, Swinburne and Victoria University.

Three students also received scholarships from the University of Melbourne and ACU. The offers and scholarships weren’t solely based on traditional ATAR scores – they recognised that success beyond school requires determination, independence, resilience and perseverance.

These are all attributes developed across all year levels at Academy. The inner-city school delivers an in-depth combination of learning experiences and opportunities for students to get out and about and connect with the Melbourne community.

Added to this is constant encouragement for students to be active citizens and to have a strong voice. In November, Year 9 student Liv Dinnen wrote a speech that was read out in the House of Representatives as part of Raise Our Voice Australia.

The initiative sees more than 70 federal MPs across Australia read a selection of 90-second speeches written by young people. Liv’s speech, read by Dr Daniel Mulino, who is the member for Fraser, highlighted the importance of closing the gender pay gap, increasing women’s participation in the workforce, raising the minimum wage in female-dominated industries and offering paid parental leave.

In 2022, students from Years 7 to 11 also took part in the first BE LIKE HER live radio broadcast on LIVE FM. BE LIKE HER encourages students to develop their own thoughts on the powerful impact women have had on their community and the world.

Academy students interviewed women from diverse backgrounds and industries about their achievements and the challenges they confronted and overcame while on the road to success. Academy’s location in the heart of the city lends itself to some unique experiences, and teachers make the most of the locations on their doorstep, says Lucy Neil, Deputy Principal (Learning and Teaching).

“Students travel to and from the city each day, and being part of that daily commute makes them independent learners who are society-conscious and appreciative of the world around them,” she says.

“Our location enables Melbourne to be an extension of our classrooms, and we regularly use resources like the State Library, National Gallery and Melbourne Museum.”

The Year 9 Synergy program makes use of the city every week – recently, students watched engineers at work in the Metro Tunnel project, and visited CERES farm and education centre in Brunswick East to learn about water quality and indigenous flora and fauna as part of a sustainability project.

The city location also helps students understand community needs. Every Friday morning, six students from Years 10 to 12 and a teacher volunteer at St Mary’s House of Welcome and serve breakfast to those in need. Students also volunteer at Fitzroy Homework Club after school every Tuesday and help students who need some extra support with schoolwork.

While focusing on helping others, Academy also has a firm focus on taking care of students with an extensive wellbeing program.

“Wellbeing is integrated into our learning processes. Every year level has a Wellbeing Leader and dedicated mentor,” says Neil.

Looking ahead, Academy is working on a site master plan that will move the campus firmly into the future.

“The master plan is inspired by our city’s laneways, green open areas and transformative learning spaces,” says the Principal, Sr Mary Moloney.

“Our commitment to girls’ education is underpinned by the future role young women will play in Australia and the world. “Our education philosophy supports each student to find her voice, be her own leader and empower leadership in her fellow students.”

ACADEMY OF MARY IMMACULATE

88 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy 3065

Website: academy.vic.edu.au
Enquiries: 03 9412 7100 / registrar@acacdemy.vic.edu.au
Years:7 – 12
Denomination: Catholic
Gender: Girls
Fees: $ 9,465 to $ 9,890
Boarding: No
Scholarships: No
ATAR (Median for 2022): 79.2

This article appeared in Domain’s 2023 Independent Schools Guide.