All Hallows’ strives to be faithful to the Mercy Mission by responding in three key ways.
Outreach
The founding Sisters of Mercy in Dublin were known as the “walking nuns” as they were without the usual strict convent enclosures. The Sisters inspired local girls to see and meet local needs and it is in this tradition that the School offers a variety of outreach experiences. These personal interactions encourage the students to meet people with disability and social disadvantage in genuine exchanges of friendliness, kindness and joy. Volunteer students meet before or after school with a supervising staff member for this service. Our students are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and Catherine McAuley to explore practical ways to express God’s mercy. Our outreach program includes the following experiences:
- Eddie's Van Breakfast Outreach
- Jimmie's Van Breakfast Service
- Peer to Peer Tutoring
- Mercy Cooking
- AHSews
- Crochet4Care
- Student2Student Reading Program
- Immersions including Cambodia, Cape York, Central Australia and Cherbourg Community Visit
- Awareness Raising
In order to become sensitive to the reality that what many of our students would experience as ordinary is in fact extraordinary for many others, issues of injustice, poverty and oppression are explored. School Assembly presentations provide a forum for students to become informed about a variety of social justice issues that impact on local, national and global communities. Interested students meet each week with a supervising teacher during lunchtime to plan school activities to inform and gain wider student attention about targeted issues. Activities model Catholic Social Justice principles and involve students in such activities as signing petitions, letter writing, poster making, listening to guest speakers and interactive awareness-raising activities. Our awareness-raising program includes the following opportunities:
- Human Rights Group
- Eco-Justice Group
- Kitty's Room
- Jane’s Team.
Appeals Response
Students and families are encouraged to give generously in the spirit of Mercy to a variety of appeals for specific need areas and requests. Emphasis is given to helping students make connections and links to where funds/goods are destined so that greater insight into social disadvantage is gained, positive actions of hope are modelled and a greater appreciation of their own circumstances is fostered. Our appeals response program focuses on:
Annual Whole School Project – a focused appeal for a specific need area with the aim of providing significant funds to have a major transformative impact;
Appeals such as the Winter Appeal, Easter Appeal, Christmas Hamper Appeal and specific responses for a variety of needed items both in Australia and overseas;
Kitty's Room - packs are prepared for people moving from homelessness into accommodation in collaboration with Micah Projects and the Romero Centre. Donated new goods and money are used to obtain the items needed for the packs.
Whole School Project
Each year, the All Hallows’ School Community focuses its fundraising efforts on a particular project.
We're proud to announce that Helena's House is our Whole School Project for 2026!
Named in honour of past pupil Helena McIlwain (Class of 2017), who passed away aged only 19, Helena’s House is a BestLife Foundation initiative that honours Helena's legacy of compassion, advocacy, and dedication to empowering children and young adults with disabilities.
Helena's House will be a welcoming, purpose-built home where young people with disabilities can experience independence, friendship, and belonging.
We were joined this morning by Helena’s sister, Sophia, as we shared this special announcement with our students and staff.
We invite the All Hallows’ community to come together through our fundraising efforts this year to make Helena’s House a reality. Our support will help create a sensory garden, a therapeutic outdoor space designed to enrich the wellbeing and learning of those who stay at Helena’s House.
Be sure to visit the All Hallows' School Facebook and Instagram to follow our fundraising efforts.