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To celebrate National Health and PE Day and National Child Safety Week, Merici College teamed with Jasiri Australia to become the first school in Australia to train all of the students in self-defence.

Founded by Caitlin Figueiredo and Ashleigh Streeter-Jones in December 2017, Jasiri Australia is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children through self-defence and leadership training, and supports the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF), the national children’s charity committed to ending violence and abuse. Under the partnership with Merici, proceeds from the classes will be paid forward to fund vital services for children accessing AMF programs like eSMart, Better Budies Program and Buddy Bags.

Caitlin Figueiredo, Jasiri Australian CEO, ACT Young Woman of the Year 2018 and former Merici College student says “I am overjoyed that Merici have come on board to champion young women’s safety and health with Jasiri. Our classes will empower a generation of fearless young women with skills, support and resilence to be their own advocates of change”.

Phil Coe, Acting Principal at Merici College says “Merici and Jasiri are pioneering a violence prevention program that will encourage students to develop their International Baccalaureate learner profiles to become fearless and principled communicators. We are committed to empowering our students and providing them with opportunities [like the Jasiri self defence classes] to develop their strength, knowlege and resilience.”

Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, Jasiri Australia COO and ACT Woman of the Year 2018, said “this is the largest program of its kind in Australia! Given the statistics young women in our country face, it’s fantastic partnering with a local school that is committed to supporting their students overall wellbeing. Withoug a doubt, this is a turning point for our organisation and we’ve only just begun. We will not rest until we have eradicated violence against women and children in our