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15TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALASIAN MERCY SECONDARY SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

Speaking the silenceAMSSA CONFERENCE

S Y D N E Y N E W S O U T H WA L E S

8 - 10 AUGUST 2019

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Speaking the silence15TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALASIAN MERCY SECONDARY SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION

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WELCOME TO THE 2019 AMSSA CONFERENCEMercy schools confront the silence in different ways and challenge students to act for change in the world.

The 15th Biennial Conference of AMSSA gathers Mercy educators to share stories and renew their commitment to “speak the silence.”

Our societies often ignore or condone mistreatment of the marginalised. The Adelaide Mercy community, for example, has students from traumatic refugee experiences on Nauru who seek education in the hope of a better future. And the community hears the cry of the poor and afflicted through the voices and experiences of these young people. In each of our schools, students are empowered to embrace those in need and to act with

compassion to change the social and political structures that diminish humanity.

We know that we can achieve great things in our schools through the transforming power of faith, education, and positive relationships. Many young students live inspiring lives, and flourish in the face of adversity. Many others inspire when they stand beside those who suffer and when they advocate for a more just world. Catherine McAuley’s vision and mission continues to inspire and underscore our commitment to justice for all.

On behalf of the AMSSA Executive I welcome all delegates to the 2019 Conference: Speaking the Silence. I acknowledge and thank the organising committee from our Sydney schools, and look forward to this three-day program of inspiration and celebration. I hope and pray that Mercy opens our hearts to the injustice in the world, and calls us to further Catherine’s vision in our schools.

Paddy McEvoy Principal, St Aloysius, Adelaide AMSSA President

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CONFERENCE PROGRAM

THURSDAY 8 AUGUSTMONTE SANT’ ANGELO MERCY COLLEGE

10.00 am - 12.00 pm

Mercy Principals Meeting

12.30 pm - 1.30 pm

AMSSA Executive Meeting

1.00 pm Registration

2.00 pm Conference Opening Geraldine Doogue

2.30 pm Welcome Mass Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM

4.00 pm KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1 Angela Reed RSM

6.00 pm - 7.30 pm

Cocktail Reception

FRIDAY 9 AUGUSTMONTE SANT’ ANGELO MERCY COLLEGE

8.30 am Arrival

8.45 am Liturgy

9.00 am eKEYNOTE ADDRESS 2 Mary McAleese

10.30 am Morning Tea

11.00 am SESSION ONEWORKSHOPS

11.00 amWORKSHOP Round 1 x 45 mins

11.55 amWORKSHOP Round 2 x 45 mins

12.40 pm Lunch

1.15 pm - 4.30 pm

SESSION TWO EXCURSIONS

SATURDAY 10 AUGUSTMONTE SANT’ ANGELO MERCY COLLEGE

8.45 am AMSSA Biennial General Meeting

9.15 am Liturgy

9.30 am KEYNOTE ADDRESS 3 Phil Glendenning AM

11.00 am Morning Tea

11.30 am SESSION THREE SPEAKING THE SILENCE OF THE AMSSA NETWORK FACILITATED FORUM

12.15 pm CONFERENCE CLOSEAngela Reed RSM

1.00 pm Lunch

WORKSHOPS• Limited numbers apply.• Workshops are repeated in Round 2.

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CONFERENCE DINNERCRYSTAL BALLROOM LUNA PARK, SYDNEY

6.30 pm Pre Dinner Drinks

7.00 pm DINNER

Ged Kearney MP Guest Speaker

10.00 pm Dinner concludes

MASS TIMESFriday 5.30 pm St Mary’s, North SydneyFriday 5.30 pm St Patrick’s, Church Hill

(The Rocks)Saturday 8.00 am Mary MacKillop

Memorial Chapel, North Sydney

REGISTRATION $800



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KEYNOTE ADDRESSESKEYNOTE ADDRESS 1

ANGELA REED RSM

MIA GLOBAL ACTION COORDINATOR, UNITED NATIONS‘Speaking the Silence’ is at the heart of Angela’s pioneering work, both as Mercy International’s Global Action Coordinator, and as co-author of the new ‘Inherent Dignity: An Advocacy Guidebook’. In the case of human trafficking, Angela’s advocacy work challenges the dominant narrative of efforts which focus upon those exploiting demand to a radical reduction in supply.For Angela, “If these conditions – like anadequate standard of living, quality education, safety, gender equality – were in place for many girls and young women, then the vulnerability to trafficking would be reduced significantly.”

Journeying with Filipino women, in particular Mely Lenario, trafficking Survivor Advocate, and Marietta Latonio, Professor in Social Work in Cebu and the ‘I Have a Voice’ research project, continues to impel the development of advocacy frameworks in which the silenced are empowered to speak for themselves.Angela’s conference contribution will powerfully demonstrate our capacity within Mercy education to be advocates, local actors and collaborators within a robust human rights approach for the upholding of the human dignity of all.

eKEYNOTE ADDRESS 2

MARY McALEESEFORMER PRESIDENT OF IRELANDAn unapologetic Catholic and ‘Mercy Girl’, Mary McAleese has a renowned passion and advocacy for faith, bringing a voice to the silenced and marginalised in the Church and the world. “The theme (Speaking the Silence) is timely. I think the days of silence have been suffocating, wasteful of human talent, they have drained trust from the Church, and in some ways, you could say, they have drained credibility for a whole generation.

We’re now really at a time when people are demanding, I think, the authentic voices of women, powerful voices of women, right the way through the whole panoply of life... The confident voice that comes from education.”

Mary has served as Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College, Dublin, and as a journalist and presenter for Irish TV. In 1987, Mary was appointed Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University and was named its first Roman Catholic pro-vice-chancellor in 1994. In 2018, her powerful address at the Voices of Faith International Women’s Day Conference in Rome on the theme ‘Why Women Matter’ attracted sustained international attention.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS 3

PHIL GLENDENNING aM

DIRECTOR, EDMUND RICE CENTREPhil has been the Director of the Edmund Rice Centre since its inception in 1996 and is currently the President of the Refugee Council of Australia.With a background in education, law, political science, and overseas aid and development, today he is primarily involved in human rights advocacy and education, peace and reconciliation work and raising awareness of the impact of climate change on marginalised peoples. His rallying cry is to speak the silence.“When we deny the truth of our past, we simply repeat the crimes of the past. It’s why… people remain on Manus Island and Nauru, unable to find safety in Australia. It’s why Muslim Australians are increasingly the targets of racial abuse. And it’s why we still refuse to take seriously the call from our neighbours in the Pacific who are looking to us to act on climate change.

We live in challenging times…We must commit to working together to overthrow injustice, and strive for the rights of the most vulnerable. We must not be silent.”

In the 2017 Australia Day Honours, Phil received the Order of Australia Award (AM) for significant service to the community through social welfare organisations, as an advocate for human rights and education.

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FRIDAY 9 AUGUST

WORKSHOPS SESSION ONE 11.00AM and SESSION TWO 11.55AM

WORKSHOP 1HEARING EARTH’S SILENT CRYTools, practices and strategies for growing our ecological consciousness in a school setting. Through contemplative prayer, ritual, movement and meditation, learn how we can awaken to imaginative practical actions to protect and heal our common home. Presented by Sally Neaves, Rahamim Mercy Eco-educator, Bathurst, NSW

WORKSHOP 2*DESIGN THINKING AND INNOVATION – CHALLENGING LEARNERS TO FIND THEIR VOICELearn how one school has successfully embedded design thinking into curriculum delivery to add more voices to classroom collaboration, ideas testing and sharing. Presented by Andrew Del Mastro, Design Thinking and Innovation Coordinator, St Aloysius College, North Melbourne, VIC

WORKSHOP 3TAKING UP CATHERINE’S CHALLENGE – “A TIME TO BE SILENT AND A TIME TO SPEAK.”Looking at the place of silence in Catherine McAuley’s life, you will be taken through a process of considering, ‘where, in our lives as men and women of mercy, is there a time to be silent and a time to speak?’ Presented by Anne Ferguson, Leader in Education and Mercy Ministry Formation, Parramatta, NSW

WORKSHOP 4CONVERSING WITH SILENCE – AN ARTIST’S WAYParticipants will be shown a simple, practical method to connect andengage with silence, including practicalexercises of meditation and prayer, andhands-on writing and drawing activities. Presented by Daniel Dominguez, Figurative Sculptor and Faith Formation Facilitator, Sydney, NSW www.danieldominguez.com.au

WORKSHOP 5BRIDGING THE POST-GRADUATE MERCY SILENCEYoung Mercy Voices as agents of change post school – sharing inspiring ways the young adults’ JAM (Justice and Mercy) program works to link Mercy graduates with a vibrant Mercy network and initiatives beyond school. Presented by Gaby Kinsman from Young Mercy Links, and Clare Peterson and Bridie Squire, Social Justice Coordinators, St Aloysius College, Adelaide, SA

WORKSHOP 6WALKING THE JOURNEY WITH REFUGEES Through the first-hand sharing of story, and an introduction to ‘Mercy Connect’ refugee school student mentoring program, discover ways your staff and students can ‘speak the silence’. Presented by Kingsley Edwards and refugee engaged with Mercy Works, Parramatta, NSW

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AMSSA 2019 proudly presents 12 workshop offerings for you to choose from. Our workshop program represents an extensive gathering of Mercy schools, settings and enterprises, each one breaking open our theme ‘Speaking the Silence’ in significant and diverse ways.

PLEASE NOTE Conference delegates are invited to register for two workshops. Due to the nature of some workshops and venue capacity, numbers have been capped. Places will be filled via the online registration process, to ensure workshop preferences we encourage delegates to book as soon as possible.



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FRIDAY 9 AUGUST

WORKSHOPS CONTINUED

SESSION ONE 11.00AM and SESSION TWO 11.55AM

WORKSHOP 7*NAVIGATING THE ADOLESCENT LANDSCAPE – OVERCOMING EXTENDEDGLARES AND LASTING SILENCESLearn how the fundamentalelements of the successful TLC &Nourish Programs (Transition toSecondary School and Well-being)can be applied at your schoolto raise voices, build community andsupport your students to strive forhigher things. Presented by Pauline Cutajar, Deputy Principal Wellbeing & Development, St Aloysius College, North Melbourne, VIC

WORKSHOP 8SPEAKING UP AND SPEAKING OUT ON ISSUES FACING ABORIGINAL PEOPLEAboriginal elder, Aunty Sandra Hickey and Jesuit Social Services’ team members, share stories and ways to build community and drive policy, practice and values that overcome inequality, prejudice and exclusion.

WORKSHOP 9*RECEIVING AND RAISING STUDENT VOICE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM DESIGNSharing of teaching and learning that heightens staff and student engagement, student agency and contemporary connections. It covers universal learnings from one innovative approach taken in working within a new RE Framework. Presented by Christina Symons, Catholic Identity and Mission Integration, and Danielle Gurry, Faith Life and Mission, from Sacred Heart College, Geelong, VIC

WORKSHOP 10ADDRESSING THE SILENT CURRICULUMWays of welcoming all – students, staff and families – into a Mercy School Heritage, Faith and Identity. Presented by Melissa Cartner, Director of Mission, Mercy College K-12, Koondoola, WA

WORKSHOP 11THE JUSTICE EXHIBITION FINDS ITS VOICE – FOUR SERVICE ORGANISATIONS IN FOCUS. SPEAKING THE SILENCE OF LOVE: HELPLESSNESS| MENTAL HEALTH | HOMELESS | OUR POOR From the inspiring range of Mercy Action Organisations and Projects invited to present their work in the Justice Exhibition space, this workshop gives participants the opportunity to hear first-hand from The Cardoner Project (Jesuit Social Enterprise for the Service of the Poor), Cana Communities (Relief for the most needy with the least options), CatholicCare (Mental Health support) and the Mercy Foundation (Homelessness). Like a good coffee, this workshop is short and strong in input, but designed to develop into more lasting conversations and connections.

WORKSHOP 12*VOICES EMERGING FROM THE SILENCING OF PATRIARCHAL PARADIGMSThis workshop will explore ways in which educators can seize every opportunity to be agents of change and give voice to those made silent by seen and unseen patriarchal modes and gender assumptions. Presented by Dr Susan Bunkum(PhD), Principal, Chanel (Co-ed) College, Gladstone, QLD

AMSSA Workshops and Teacher Accreditation: Mission | Formation | RE | Proficiency

All participants will receive a certificate of conference participation, itemising your workshop attendance. Participants attending NESA Board Endorsed workshops will also receive an accreditation standard certificate.

*Workshop attracts NESA BoardEndorsement (Standard 6.2.2)

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JUSTICE EXHIBITION

CANA COMMUNITYCana Communities , based in inner-Sydney, evolved in 1995 from its start as De Porres House in 1975, provides a number of overnight shelters and homes, as well as operating a Farm at Orchard Hills. Cana’s focus is on the special care of people who are most in need, who are suffering from loneliness, mental illness, addictions, homelessness and other factors of alienation.

Cana Communities celebrates people.• Listening and valuing through the

love, chaos, and frustration of afamily-like community

• Providing support, shelters andhomes ,and a sense of belonging.

• Volunteers who visit those in jail.

CATHOLICCARECatholicCare Sydney is the official welfare agency of the Archdiocese of Sydney, delivering programs in the areas of disability; children, youth and family services; senior services; and employment, education and training. The work of CatholicCare is guided by the Catholic tradition of compassion and concern for social justice. CatholicCare’s role is to facilitate the development of individuals, families and communities most in need, through quality services, research and advocacy.

MERCY FOUNDATIONThe Mercy Foundation was established by the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney in 1990. The Mercy Foundation is committed to social justice and structural change with the goal of creating greater social equity and inclusion in Australia. We are working to: • end homelessness, especially

where women and girls areconcerned;

• end human trafficking and slavery, with particular interest in domesticservitude.

We also assist communities across Australia to address local social justice issues. The Mercy Foundation addresses its social justice agenda through seed funding, advocacy, research and education.

THE CARDONER PROJECTThe Cardoner Project is a not-for-profit, student-focused hub for volunteering, founded in 2010 by Fr David Braithwaite SJ. Its mission is to create Australia’s next generation of compassionate, faithful and dedicated leaders for the Church and the World.Based in Broadway, Sydney, The Cardoner Project currently extends to a thriving social inclusion and enterprise, the running of The Two Wolves: Community Cantina, placements of service volunteers into immersion experiences with partner communities around the world, and local initiatives where our university students volunteer their time to support disadvantaged communities at initiatives around Sydney.

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This exhibition will promote the work of an inspiring range of faith-based, mercy, service, ecological and justice organisations, as well as current national and international projects and programs of advocacy, all engaged in the welfare and empowerment of the silenced.

Together they will give voice to their work in Workshop 11.



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FRIDAY 9 AUGUST

EXCURSIONS 1.15PM

EXCURSION 1

MERCY MISSION AND HERITAGE – DISCOVER THE QUIET SPIRIT OF MERCY POWERFULLYSPEAKING THROUGH PLACE AND TIME

VENUE: Mercy Mission and Heritage Centre & Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney

The unspoken works of the Sisters are on full display in this hands-on and interactive space where the stories, artefacts and commemorative pieces showcase the Sisters’ significant work in Health, Education, and for the Poor. The centre is located at Stormanston House, just footsteps away from conference HQ, and is a celebration of the North Sydney Mercy Story which stretches over 150 years. Reflect on what speaks to you with a ‘comfortable cuppa’ and scones on the Stormanston balcony.

The tour will further include a guided walk through the Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College campus, hosted by senior student leaders, who will share what a Mercy education and ‘Speaking the Silence’ means to them as young Mercy women.

www.nsmercy.org.au/news/news-for-time-and-eternity

EXCURSION 2

DISCOVERING MARY MACKILLOP – THE WOMAN WHO MODELS LETTING YOUR GOOD FAITHAND WORKS DO THE TALKING

VENUE: Mary MacKillop Place & Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, North Sydney

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop is Australia’s first saint. This Sister of St Joseph was excommunicated from the Church for ‘speaking the silence’ and was never afraid to stand up and defend the children, poor and disadvantaged in South Australia. The heart of this sacred site is the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel where the tomb of Saint Mary MacKillop is located. You will spend time with a hands-on and informative collection of artefacts which tell the tale of this hard working and faithful educator, whose catch cry, “never see a need without doing something about it”, can encourage us all to stand up and defend those silenced in aspects of their lives.

Delegates will walk together to Mary MacKillop Place, (10 minute walk). The tour is self-guided, participants will have an opportunity to visit the Chapel (tomb) before moving on to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden (15 minute walk) for a moment or two of further reflection on the quiet banks of Sydney Harbour.

www.marymackillopplace.org.au

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The excursion program offers a wonderful range of activities to get to know your host city, conference colleagues and new facets of our theme ‘Speaking the Silence’. Walk, train, bus or ferry your way to and from North Sydney. Where applicable, entry and transport costs are covered in your registration fee.

PLEASE NOTE Conference delegates are invited to register for one excursion. Due to the nature of some excursions and venue capacity, numbers have been capped. Places will be filled via the online registration process, to ensure excursion preference we encourage delegates to book as soon as possible.



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EXCURSION 3

FINDING SILENCE IN THE CITY VENUE: St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, Sydney

Make your way to the bustling heart of the city where havens of silence can be found – if you know where and how. Visit St Mary’s Cathedral where you will be given an opportunity to take a silent moment or two before exploring the beautiful Church and its Crypt. From St Mary’s the group will make their way to Hyde Park, the city’s beautiful green heart, where you will participate in an eco-reflection to hear the silence of nature speaking to you. The southern end of the park is home to the Anzac Memorial, another place that powerfully draws you into the spirit of silence.

Transport to the city will be by train to Museum Station, followed by a five minute walk.

www.stmaryscathedral.org.au

EXCURSION 4

SPEAKING THE SILENCES OF HISTORY AND PERSECUTIONVENUE: Jewish Museum, Darlinghurst

Explore the exhibits and listen to the stories shared by Holocaust survivors in this world-class museum dedicated to documenting and teaching the history of the Holocaust. This experience may challenge your perception of morality, social justice and human rights. You are invited to take insights from this experience back to your communities and share the importance of speaking out and up for the silence of persecuted people. Transport to the Jewish Museum will be by train to Kings Cross Station, followed by a five minute walk.

www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au

EXCURSION 5

SPEAKING THE SILENCE THROUGH THE ARTS VENUE: Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney

Take the opportunity to listen with the ears of your heart as you visit the Archibald Prize Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, located at the entry way to the Sydney Botanical Gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Circular Quay. The Archibald is Australia’s premier portrait painting prize. You’ll be free to peruse the exhibition (and gallery) guided to those artists and portraits of particular significance to our conference theme, ‘Speaking the Silence’. The tour is self-paced within the booking timeframe.

Transport to the Art Gallery will be by train to Museum Station, followed by a 15 minute walk.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

FRIDAY 9 AUGUST

EXCURSIONS CONTINUED 1.15PM

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EXCURSION 6

MERCY WALKING PILGRIMAGE… A TIME TO BE SILENT AND A TIME TO SPEAK

VENUE: St Patrick’s Church Hill, The Rocks, Sydney

OPTION 1: Join our Mercy walking pilgrimage – an opportunity to walk together as pilgrims, connecting, conversing, silently listening and praying, whilst taking in some of the best sites Sydney has to offer. Departing from Monte, together pilgrims will proceed via Mary MacKillop Church to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden, located in the picturesque Lavender Bay. Pilgrims will then walk across the Harbour Bridge and gather at St Patrick’s Church Hill, where we will explore the birthplace of the Sisters of Mercy in Sydney and have a moment for personal prayer in one of the oldest Catholic Churches in Australia.

The pilgrimage will comprise of a 90 minute walk.

OPTION 2:Or, make your way directly to St Patrick’s Church Hill by train to Wynyard Station, followed by a 10 minute walk. Here you will be immersed in a guided tour (90 minutes) of this birthplace of the Sisters of Mercy in Sydney, home to the first Mercy Sydney convent, the first Primary School, Mercy High School and Business College. This tour includes more significant time in St Patrick’s historic Church.

Post tour, you’ll be at the doorstep of the historic Rocks district which you are free to explore. A self-guided tour brochure will be available.

• Mass is celebrated daily at St Patrick’s ChurchHill at 5.30pm

www.stpatschurchhill.org

FRIDAY 9 AUGUST

EXCURSIONS CONTINUED 1.15PM

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VENUE AND ACCOMMODATIONCONFERENCE VENUEMonte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College 128 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060

ACCOMMODATIONWe recommend the following properties, to book please use the information listed below:

Rydges North SydneySpecial rate of $179 per night if using this link to bookPhone: +61 2 9922 1311

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Harbourview North SydneyLink to bookPh: +61 2 9955 0499

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CANCELLATION AND COLLECTION NOTICECANCELLATION POLICYThe registered delegate understands that all registration fees must be paid in full before attending the Conference.

Any amendments and/or cancellations must be notified in writing by email to the Conference Chair.

Cancellations received in writing prior to Friday 12 July, 2019 will be refunded, less an administration fee of $110.00 per adult.

No refunds will be provided after this date. A substitute delegate is welcome without penalty.

Please advise the Conference Chair of any name changes as soon as possible.

Conference registration closes on Friday 28 June, 2019.

COLLECTION NOTICEThis collection notice is provided to you in conjunction with the online registration for the 2019 AMSSA Conference.

Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College (“The Organiser”) is organising the event on behalf of AMSSA.

1. The primary purpose of collecting this personalinformation is to enable the Organiser toorganise and manage the 2019 AMSSAConference and to process your registration.

2. The Organiser will not disclose personal andsensitive information to others, however, for the purpose of networking, all delegatesattending the 2019 AMSSA Conference willreceive a list of names and email addressesof attendees. Please contact the ConferenceChair if you do not wish to have yourinformation distributed.

If you would like any further information about how the Organiser manages your privacy, please contact the Conference Chair.

BOOKING WEBSITEwww.trybooking.com/BBYNU

For all enquiries please contact the Conference Chair via email: [email protected] or call +61 2 9409 6240

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