Year 11 Encounter Day – 6 August 2025

MERCY LEADERSHIP AND THE COMMUNITY WITHIN

Thank you to those families who supported our Encounter Day on Wednesday 6 August. It was a fabulous day, the sun shone, the sessions were engaging and the students enjoyed some valuable time as a whole year level cohort.

The day provided the opportunity for students to reflect, connect, and grow in their faith and personal development. The theme for the day was Mercy Leadership and community within, which invited students to explore how leadership, grounded in compassion and hospitality, positively impacts their lives and communities. These sessions were facilitated by REACH, known for their youth empowerment programs, and the Richmond Football Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute, which focused on leadership development and cultural understanding.

The day began with a beautiful Mass led by Father Brian and Father Jackson with our students performing music throughout and leading various elements of the prayer. Mr Turner then spoke to the students about what it takes to be a leader, particularly in preparation for next year where they will lead by example to the whole school. Students were then split into three sessions following on from our camp with the REACH program, a session on leadership with the Richmond Football Club representatives and a team bonding session, also led by the Richmond Football Club.

“There has been lots of positive feedback following this day, in particular about the REACH session. This session could be described as a bonding experience with our fellow peers, as we were able to have open conversations without any feelings of judgment. Overall, we shared a day full of fun activities and open conversations, and this is an especially important thing for a cohort to experience.” Milla Sherriff

Quotes from other students included:

“Encounter Day really brought everyone closer together. I think it really surprised me and others how much we could all actually relate to one another.”

“It was helpful because it reminds other students who fail to take others into consideration that we are all people, we all have our own struggles, even them, even their mates, everyone.“

“A fun day filled with group activities and growth opportunities. Also great pizza.”

“I may not remember all the talks, but it’s still fun and that’s the most important part!”

“Life is like a river you must always keep flowing”

“I didn’t think I was going to connect with my peers like that.”

“We already knew everything we learned, but we did not have the kind of understanding that comes from a day like Encounter Day. It reminds us how we are all alike, how we all share feelings, and how we can be better people to one another.”

“Freedom, by definition, is people realising that they are their own leaders.”

Some of the students’ main takeaways from the day included:

• How to develop our leadership skills.
• How to deal with pressure from school.
• Lots of people experience things deeper than what we see, and everyone has their own struggles so we should always be considerate.
• Lots of people are in the same boat.
• Everyone is a leader.
• You always have someone to talk to.
• We will work out what we want to do with our lives … one day.

“Overall, Encounter Day was an invaluable experience for Year 11s. It is these days that continue to foster and build on the connections within the cohort, while growing as individuals.”

Ms Ashlee Burke and Mrs Jo MacDonald, Year Level Coordinators – Year 11