Beyond the Classroom > Social Justice

A well-known mantra of Mary MacKillop was, “To never see a need without acting.” In this vein, our College community is ever watchful and responsive to the needs in our local, national and global communities.

Within the focus on faith development, the College endeavours to foster a sense of personal growth that encourages a strong sense of social justice, stewardship of creation and our responsibilities as global citizens. Our social justice programs have a particular emphasis on assisting the Catholic and Josephite ministries in their endeavours to improve the lives of the marginalised.

Our school has the following threefold approach to social justice:

Reflection and Prayer:

Stemming from our deep understanding, empathy and compassion, we respond as a Catholic community through reflection and prayer.

Education and Awareness:

Our first aim is to ensure our girls are empowered with knowledge. This knowledge forms the foundation of the deep understanding upon which genuine compassion grows.

Action to Support Need:

With the Gospel values and Mary MacKillop as our guide, we respond in an appropriate way via physical support, financial support or the offering of goods to support those in need.

Opportunities for girls to be involved in social justice initiatives include, but are not limited to, the following projects:

Charity

Undertakings

Caritas Australia
Catholic Overseas Aid Organisation

Fundraising through Project Compassion during Lent. This includes fundraising with Shrove Tuesday pancake sales, fair trade Easter raffles and other fundraising activities.

ZONTA International
A not-for-profit organisation working to advance the status of women

Students and staff work to assemble sterile birthing kits for use by women during child birth in developing countries.

Joseph’s Corner

Ongoing fundraising and support of the work of this agency which supports families and individuals affected by drug and alcohol addiction in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.

Mary MacKillop Today

Hosting of the annual Mary MacKillop Today Foundation Fundraising Dinner.

Local Women’s Refuges

Collection of toiletries for use in various women’s refuges around Melbourne.

Clean Up Australia

Annual involvement in cleaning up the Altona foreshore.

Edmund Rice Tutoring

Tutoring of primary school students in Tarneit and Sunshine after school to provide students from refugee and migrant backgrounds another opportunity to improve their learning.

MSJ Sleep Out

A night at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College for students with guest speakers, op shops and fundraising activities to allow students to become more aware of the issues surrounding homelessness.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank

Collection of non-perishable food items for distribution to those in need.

Cancer Council Australia

Participation in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and Daffodil Day.

Catholic Mission: SocktoberFundraising for Catholic Mission with students wearing colourful or odd socks for the day.

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