Best Wishes, Year 12s – Jennifer Oaten
We wish Year 12s the best in their preparation and emphasise the importance of staying active and healthy and connected during exam times. Check on each other regularly and reach out if you need support.
Thank You Letter To Catherine McAuley
I write this letter to you to say thank you to you, Catherine McAuley! We are so grateful to you for what we know as Mercy today. Without your opening of the House of Mercy in Dublin in September 1827, we may not exist as a thriving school community, for educating girls in the Mercy tradition which opened in 1938.
Connecting Learning to Life
We want our girls to go out into the world and have the skills to solve problems such as breast cancer. They may not find a cure for cancer, but there are many ways, through creative thinking and problem solving that new ideas can change the quality of life for others or the quality of our world.
Creating A Love Of Science
Growing up on a farm, Science surrounded me as a little girl. From calves being born to our pet kangaroo, to planting vegetables, understanding the importance of the weather, firebreaks or dung beetles, the processes of preserving fruit and jams and the benefits of fixing or modifying what you have, rather than buying new.
So Many Words…. So Few Comprehend
How many words have you read on a screen in the last few days? The number of words in our lives is multiplying by the millions every day. We read words in documents, emails, social media, news updates and even online shopping. So many words!
Women Leaders As Role Models – Jennifer Oaten
Principal Jennifer Oaten asks what makes a leader and what attributes make a woman a worthy role model for our girls?
Growth – Jennifer Oaten
As parents, many of us have taught our children how to drive and witnessed their growth. It requires constant feedback and encouragement.
Create The Change – Jennifer Oaten
In developing the path forward in any organisation, it is vital that all members have a voice and their voice is valued. We have taken this belief into our process for the development of the next College Strategic Plan.
Our Changing Expectations Of Teachers
Over the years, expectations of teachers have continued to grow. As a classroom teacher today, inspiring students in our subject matter is just one of the expectations of our teachers.
Power of The Pause
The power of the ‘pause’ is so significant in our online lives today as poor judgement can have a long term impact. If only you had paused.
We Stand Together – Jennifer Oaten
Humans show great diversity. Diversity can be defined as the entire spectrum of the differences that exist among humans across the world that includes cultural background, colour, religious affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation and ability.
Time, Our Most Precious Resource – Jennifer Oaten
Now that we have removed or minimised the external pressures, such as sport, social outings, shopping trips, commuting to and from work, we have realised how overcommitted we are in our lives. This extra time at home has given us opportunity to reflect on how we utilise our time. Time is the most precious commodity we can have because unlike money, we can’t make more of it.
What Will We Take Forward? – Jennifer Oaten
A crisis such as COVID-19 has forced us to adapt, to change, and to consider some important questions about what we will take forward and what we will leave behind from our current practices
What is the Enhanced Learning Program all about?
Each of our Enhanced Learning Programs has several Connecting Learning to Life attributes that we try to focus on. While many of them will have those ideas of problem-solving, critical thinking and communication, some of them are more about the individual and following their area of interest.
Find Your Joy – Jennifer Oaten
Every night, and no matter what my day has been, she brings me joy.
Introverts and COVID-19 – Jennifer Oaten
With current COVID-19 restrictions in place, I feel no guilt about wanting to stay at home on Friday night and sit on the couch, rather than attending a social gathering. There is no one I have to see, and nowhere I have to go!
The Future Of Education Has Arrived – Jennifer Oaten
In the past six weeks, Education has changed more than it has in 100 years. The disruption caused by COVID-19 has pushed teachers well out of their comfort zone and given them little choice to but to learn new technologies one day and the next, to be implementing it with classes.
Choosing a School for Your Daughter
Choosing a school for your daughter may seem like a daunting task. There are so many variables and everyone has an opinion. It can be overwhelming. I think the first thing to remember is that ultimately, it’s about your child.
Family Resilience – Jennifer Oaten
Family resilience is the ability to develop and grow strengths that can help you meet life’s challenges, being able to work through problems in a positive way and to emerge stronger from the situation.
Thank You – Jennifer Oaten
As Principal of Santa Maria College, I wanted to thank you for your support during these difficult times. It is a tough time for all of us but I know we will come through this, even stronger, as a community.
Family Time Is Precious – Jennifer Oaten
Family time is precious. As parents, it seems that one minute we are holding a tiny baby and the next they are a teenager, with their license and their independence where mum and dad play a much smaller role.
House Spirit takes to the Pool – Jennifer Oaten
Principal Jennifer Oaten congratulates our girls on their House spirit, enthusiasm, and compassion.
Santa Maria College Opening Mass – Jennifer Oaten
Our Opening Mass provides time for us to ask for God’s blessing on our year and celebrate our community. We also reflect on the wonderful legacy that Catherine McAuley and the sisters have left us.
Welcome Back! – Jennifer Oaten
Welcome back to Santa Maria College for the 2020 academic year. What a start we have had! Here are some of my highlights from the week.
A Beautiful Celebration To End The Year – Jennifer Oaten
The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. Advent, which begins the Church’s liturgical year, began on Sunday 3 December and encompasses the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas
First Stage of the College Master Plan Announced – Jennifer Oaten
A dedicated team has worked very closely with our Architects EIW in a comprehensive process over the past year to develop the College Master Plan 2019-2029 and we are delighted to share with you the outcome.
Mental Health Strategy Update
“To work together to ensure that all Santa Maria College students have the skillset to manage their wellbeing*, tackle challenges and thrive in school and life.” *Wellbeing = emotional, mental, physical, spiritual and social wellbeing
Farewell to Helen Chaffer
Today marks the end of an incredible era as we farewelled Helen Chaffer. Helen retires after 40 years of service at Santa Maria College and Mel Maria.
The Value of Student Voice – Jennifer Oaten
“At Santa Maria College, we are not only given the opportunity, but we are encouraged by our teachers and each other to voice our opinions, concerns and ideas—to continue moving forward as a school and as a community. Student voice is integral for growth, and allows for us, as students to have an active role in shaping our education.”
Weekly Wrap Up – Term 4, Week 5
Can you believe that it is the end of Week 5 and we only have three more weeks of school left for 2019? Another jam-packed week…enjoy!