Celebrating Diversity
Australia is a country of diverse communities. Each community across this great nation is unique. Through the contribution of so many diverse cultures, as Australians, we are proud to celebrate such richness of diversity.
Today our College celebrated NAIDOC Day. Traditionally, NAIDOC celebrations occur from 5 July. This year due to concern for the community as a result of COVID-19, NAIDOC Week will be marked from 8 – 15 November. Today, students took the opportunity to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
Today’s NAIDOC celebrations provided a valuable opportunity for our students to participate in a range of activities and show support for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This year’s theme ‘Always was and always will be’ recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65 000 years. The theme was chosen to encourage all Australians to embrace the true history of this country. ‘Always was and always will be’ elevates the continuity of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices as things all Australians can be proud of.
During recess and lunch, the Mercy walk was abuzz with students who participated in a variety of activities, giving them the chance to share in the rich history, traditions, and stories of Indigenous Australians. Engaging with the language, painting, dancing, music, and history of Indigenous Australians enriches the lives of our students. It unlocks the imagination by creating wonder and appreciation for the First People’s successes. It leads to a better and shared understanding of where this great nation came from. Â
Today also presented students with a great opportunity to develop and enhance ongoing relationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and local communities for more engaged and enriched future learning. Discovering more about the inspiring stories and deeply spiritual and cultural connections Aboriginal People have with the land will lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of the First Nations.
Combating The Attention Span Crisis In Our Students – Jennifer Oaten
It is no secret that attention spans have been steadily declining, especially among younger generations growing up immersed in digital technology. The average person’s attention span when using a digital device has plummeted from around two and a half minutes back in 2004 to just 47 seconds on average today – a dramatic 66% decrease over the past two decades.
Weekly Wrap Up: Term 2, Week 2, 2024
Week 2 has come to an end! This Weekly Wrap Up features highlights from Scuba Diving Club, the Sisterhood Series, and Boarding ANZAC Service.
Santa Maria Teams Shine in Term 1 Sports
Santa Maria had a huge number of girls in the IGSSA AFL and Volleyball competition with strong results for a number of teams.
- Compassion, ConnectingLearning2Life, Featured, Respect
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
