On Tuesday, 4 August, students from Holy Cross School Wooloowin joined with students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Kangaroo Point, and Holy Spirit School, New Farm for a special Mercy Formation Day centred on the inspiring theme, You Are Not Too Young to Change the World.
The day provided students with a meaningful opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Mercy values that are at the heart of our school communities while connecting with peers from fellow Mercy schools across Brisbane.
A Formation Day is an important experience in Catholic education. It offers our students the chance to step away from their regular classroom routines and engage more deeply with the values, traditions and beliefs that shape their faith and school community. Through prayer, reflection, discussion and hands-on activities, students are encouraged to consider how they can live out these values in their everyday lives.
For students in Mercy schools, Formation Days provide a special opportunity to learn more about the legacy of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, whose vision continues to inspire schools around the world. Her commitment to compassion, justice, service and human dignity remains as relevant today as it was nearly 200 years ago.
Throughout the day, students explored key Mercy values including Hope, Compassion, Dignity of the Human Person, and Welcome. These values were brought to life through the stories of remarkable changemakers who have made a positive impact in their communities. Students learned about initiatives such as Project I Am and Ryan's Well, discovering how young people can create meaningful change when they identify a need and take action to help others.
The theme of the day, You Are Not Too Young to Change the World, challenged students to recognise that age is no barrier to making a difference. Through the stories shared, students saw examples of courage, determination and kindness in action, inspiring them to consider how their own talents and gifts can contribute to the common good.
Students then rotated through a range of engaging and creative learning stations, including Voices, Story Tellers, Innovators and Action Makers. These experiences encouraged them to think critically about issues in their communities, collaborate with others and express their ideas in imaginative ways.
A Gallery Walk at the conclusion of the day gave students the chance to showcase their learning and celebrate the diverse ways they had responded to the theme. It was wonderful to see students sharing their ideas, listening to one another and reflecting on how small actions can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Most importantly, the Mercy Formation Day reminded students that living the Mercy values does not require grand gestures. Everyday acts of kindness, inclusion, just, service and compassion can make a significant difference in the lives of others.
As a Mercy school, Holy Cross is proud to provide opportunities that nurture not only academic growth, but also the development of compassionate and courageous young people. The Formation Day encouraged students to recognise that each of them has the capacity to be a changemaker and to be Mercy in action every day.