Social media has changed the way we access our news. People expect to be informed immediately or even while it is happening; anyone generates imagery, mobile phone recordings are often used, and the footage is broadcasted live from the scene, with little filtering.
Competitions and comparisons to others are common, not just in schools but in society
Mothers are our most precious gift. The mother-child bond is one unlike anything else. It comes with treasured memories and unconditional love. When we become mothers, a part of our hearts we never knew existed unlocks.
I believe our young people can and will be the drivers of this change. We need to harness their passion for sustainability; this was evident through our student’s voice when developing our strategic plan. Our role is to ensure they learn and understand the vital role they can play in sustaining our planet.
While it is easy to focus on the negative impacts of COVID-19 in schools, there has been much learning for us as a College.
Joy doesn’t come from others; it comes from within us. When we are more present, the simple things in life become joyful; the food we eat, the air we breathe, the sounds of nature and our families. The more we get in touch with our true selves, the more joy we will feel. With joy, there is hope. The present is where joy lives.
With current restrictions and COVID-19 cases on the increase, I feel no guilt about wanting to stay at home on Friday night and sit on the couch rather than attending a social gathering.
‘No’ is one of the tiniest words in the English language, but it carries a lot of power for a word so small.
Santa Maria College girls have created, designed, built, innovated, and helped shape the world as we know it today. They have been responsible for some great achievements and are some of our greatest leaders.
Teaching in 2022 is a challenging job. Not only has the role become far more complex and demanding in recent years, now our staff are dealing with COVID-19 and the challenges it presents.
I have the greatest admiration for our boarders. These incredible young women contribute so much to who we are as a community.
Principal, Jennifer Oaten, shares the 2022 strategic goals identified by the College Leadership Team and based on our Strategic Plan launched in 2021.
Entering high school from primary school is an exciting time for children and their parents, but it can also be challenging for your child. Some children cope with change better than others. As parents, what we say and how we respond to challenges they face can significantly change how a student settles into high school.
When was the last time you were brave? Perhaps it was a difficult conversation you had with a friend or family member; A time you said no because you were overcommitted; A presentation you were required to give, or a truly honest answer you gave.
Family time is important for the emotional and social development of young people. Work, homework, and after school activities all compete for family time, but it is important to build family bonds as they can help you through the tough times.
All people are creative, the research says this. The biggest hurdle is for you to believe you are creative. Being creative takes confidence and bravery, and encouragement from educators and parents.
What is the last thing young people look at before they go to sleep, and the first thing they check when they wake? Social media
Remember, if your daughter does not get the ATAR score she hoped for, it is not the end of the world.
As an all-girls school, Santa Maria College (SMC) believes there are great benefits in a single-gender environment. Our girls are encouraged to be active learners who take risks in learning, identify, grow and celebrate their passions and develop self-confidence and self-belief.
Sleep is a miracle medicine; it is free, has no side effects and has significant power to influence our lives. Sleep has a strong influence on our happiness and our positive outlook on life.
Much learning has occurred both in and out of the classroom during Term 3. Here are some of the highlights.
Today is Mercy Day, a day when we pay tribute to the hard work, commitment, and devotion of the Sisters and people of Mercy. Mercy Day is a celebration of our charism and rich heritage. It is a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such wonderful facilities and opportunities compared to many girls around the world.
Anxiety is a challenge facing parents and educators, but if we all develop our understanding and work in partnership, we can support all our students to thrive.
Fathers or father figures play a significant role in the lives of young women. They can significantly impact a girl’s wellbeing, growth and journey through life.
We want our girls to be confident leaders who accomplish much, but we also want them to be true to their values and stand by what is important to them. This is the key to being a successful leader.
As parents, we often focus on the positives and achievements and don’t mention the struggles because many of us believe the success of our children determines our success or worth. We all want to be perfect parents who have perfect children. Perfectionism is a trait that we commonly see in girls.
I want every girl at Santa Maria College to believe anything is possible in regards to what she chooses for her future.
Grandparents, special friends, and other significant others are such an important part of young people’s lives and help provide a solid foundation for success in life.
Twenty buses transported nearly 1280 students from Years 5 – 12 to the venue, ready for a great day of friendly rivalry and quiet competitiveness. The Houses competed in track and field events and showed tremendous spirit working together in the team events. The carnival is a great example of our strong sense of community where students, staff and parents come together to enable athletes to demonstrate their talents.
As parents and teachers, we can learn from our Olympians. We need to talk to our girls about managing disappointment, the worst-case scenario, and how they can move forward—reframing failure as an opportunity to grow and learn.
