McAuley Students Attend Mercy 5 Eco-Justice Retreat Day

Student leaders attended a Mercy 5 Eco-Justice Retreat Day at the end of last term.

On the 6th of April, Year 9 MAG Leaders (Mercy in Action Group), junior representatives, and the Environment Student Leaders attended the Mercy 5 Eco-Justice Retreat Day at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer.

Students explored a variety of important issues that impact our communities today and worked collaboratively to brainstorm solutions that can be implemented within our school community, and potentially the wider community, focusing on the cleanliness of our waterways and oceans. We performed a body prayer and learnt about the importance of having access to clean water, discovering how numerous developing countries struggle with a lack of this essential resource. This was a stark reminder of the privilege we hold and the responsibility we have to advocate for those who are less fortunate.

One key initiative we discussed was Catholic Religious Australia’s ‘10,000 Trees for 10 Years’ project. We learned how this initiative aims to combat climate change, restore biodiversity, improve water quality and enhance degraded soil, and how our school community can play a part in this vital environmental effort. By participating, we can help reduce our carbon footprint and contribute positively to the planet’s future.

Additionally, using a water usage calculator, we explored how our water consumption at home may be unnecessarily high, and the many ways we can make a difference by reducing our usage. From simple actions like shorter showers to ensuring we don’t leave taps running unnecessarily, every small change can collectively lead to significant environmental benefits.

Year 9 MAG Leaders stated, "We learned about connecting with nature, and learning how we can look after the planet in our Mercy community and the small things we can do as individuals whilst meeting new people from the other Mercy schools.”

Throughout the day, we had the chance to network with students from other Mercy schools, sharing ideas and insights, and planning interschool initiatives that will further build community, the spirit of mercy and the value of stewardship. It was a day of inspiration, where we united for a common cause and made connections that will empower us to take action toward a more sustainable and just future for all.