Year 9 Students Consider What Would Catherine Do?

Catherine McAuley Westmead students in North Sydney Monte Sant' Anglo Mercy College
A group of Year 9 students attended the Mercy 5 Junior Forum at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney

Late last term 13 Year 9 students attended the Mercy 5 Junior Forum held at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney.

The students participated in activities that looked at water scarcity throughout the world, with the main theme the Mercy value of Stewardship. Students were also asked to ponder throughout the day, ‘What Would Catherine Do?’ Michelle H. and Lucinda T. have written a reflection below:

Catherine McAuley Westmead students in North Sydney Monte Sant' Anglo Mercy College

Upon arriving at the forum one of the first activities we participated in was a filtration experiment where we learnt firsthand how difficult it can be to purify water in areas and regions facing water scarcity. This activity helped us appreciate how vital clean water is and how limited access to it can affect people’s day to day lives.

We were also given a chance to listen to Ms Sally Neaves, Integral Ecology Animator, Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, who spoke to us about water crises and the devastating floods that affected the regional NSW town of Eugowra.

We discussed together what solutions could be implemented into the town to ‘Slow the Flow’ of water and reduce the impact of flooding. We also brainstormed ideas looking at how we could bring back our learning to the school community, focusing on awareness raising.

Overall, this event was an exciting experience and was both educational and inspiring for the students to learn about the work of the Sisters of Mercy in NSW.

Michelle H. and Lucinda T., Year 9

Catherine McAuley Westmead students in North Sydney Monte Sant' Anglo Mercy College