The college provides an outstanding secondary education for girls, developing confident, independent thinkers who are well equipped to face the promise and challenge of the future. Students are secure and positive in their outlook and are encouraged to achieve their best in academic, sporting, cultural, leadership and community endeavours and in personal relationships. The Academy is the oldest girls’ secondary college in Victoria, and enjoys a superb location at the top of Nicholson Street, Fitzroy. Established in 1857, the college is owned and administered by the Sisters of Mercy.

Facilities: The college environment is a vibrant seamless mix of the historic and modern. Students from all over metropolitan Melbourne benefit from well-maintained learning facilities set in beautiful enclosed grounds and amongst grand old buildings. The college’s facilities include a gymnasium, an information resource centre, dedicated IT areas, a Year 7 e-Learning Street, music centre, performing arts areas with professional sound and lighting equipment, and well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. Taking full advantage of its central location, students enjoy easy access to parklands, outdoor sporting facilities and Melbourne’s state-of-the-art educational and cultural landmarks. The Academy is extremely well-served by public transport (Parliament Station, passing city trams and buses).

Curriculum: The Academy offers a wide range of academic and practical subjects, preparing students for further study options or the workforce. Students study all domains of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) in Years 7 and 8 including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Religious Education, Languages (French, Italian and Japanese), Health and Physical Education, Technology, Performing and Visual Arts. In the middle years they continue with core subjects and begin to explore areas of interest through electives. In Years 11 and 12, students specialise, choosing from a broad range of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) courses, to meet future educational needs and career aspirations. Enhancement studies at university level are also available. The Academy offers Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates for students wishing to pursue specific areas of employment or TAFE. The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) also facilitates increased opportunities for applied learning and student initiative.

Sport: Sport is an integral part of the school structure and contributes uniquely to the harmonious relationship between the intellectual and physical development of students. The Academy offers 14 inter-school and house sports including indoor/outdoor team sports, athletics, aerobics and aquatics.

Extra-curricular activities: Students are able to choose from a diverse range of activities that promote creativity, confidence and the pursuit of individual talents. Visual Arts: exhibitions, life drawing classes, excursions, artist incursions, educational lectures and an art and design team. Music: individual and group tuition, instrumental and choral ensembles, drama clubs and performance opportunities. Academic Extension: public speaking and debating, junior school philosophy, overseas study tours, LOTE competitions, college magazine, Mathematics and Science Competition and extension and Book Club.

Student welfare programs: Leadership is promoted through peer support and peer mediation, Student Representative Council, and the many clubs and teams led and initiated by students. Pastoral care is comprehensive with an emphasis on programs that promote student resilience, self-discipline, leadership opportunities and self-esteem. Academy personnel promote a real partnership with parents in providing the best care for students.