What Are Successful Students Doing Well?
Why do some very bright children fail to be successful students? A good brain alone is not enough to achieve academic success. Here are 10 characteristics of successful students
Shame: Why It Is The Most Destructive Weapon Of All
Shame is unspoken, toxic and destructive. When we shame a child it can have lasting effects. Yet we all do it. Why? And how can we repair the damage?
5 things to discuss with your teen before they leave home for a sleepover, party or gathering
Paul Dillon believes there are five things every parent should discuss with their teen before they leave home for a sleepover, party, or gathering.
The Enormous Power of Celebration
Active-constructive responding is a set of behaviours that promote intimacy and trust. Responding to a child’s good news in this way builds the relationship.
What You Need To Know About Girls And Their Frenemies
In schools we talk constantly about protecting girls from harm. We teach them about paedophiles, on-line grooming, sexting, and the harm caused by drug and alcohol use. In reality, the more likely destructive influence on an adolescent girl’s day to day life is the damage they do to one another in their friendship groups…Relational aggression.
How To Help Your Teens Sleep Their Way To A Better Brain
It may seem that your teenager is always tired. There are very good physiological and developmental reasons for that. Here’s how you can help.
What’s Making Teen Smoking Cool Again?
Just when we thought we had smoking rates under control in Australia, many of our teens have decided it’s cool again. Why?
Perfection Paralysis
Perfection paralysis is the fear of starting a task for fear of not getting it exactly right. What drives perfection paralysis and how can we help kids overcome it?
Growing Brave Kids
It is important that we raise brave kids. We want them to take risks intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Here’s how we can develop bravery…
Don’t Forget To Connect With Your Teen
What kids need most from us is meaningful connection, it has a profound impact on their physical and mental health. How do we build that connection when they are so often pulling away?
50+ Ways to Get Your Teenager Off Their Device and Into Holidays
When teenagers are sitting around using their devices, it is often out of habit. Here are 50+ alternatives you can offer your kids these holidays.
Transition Smoothly To High School
The transition from primary to high school can be daunting for children. What can we do to make sure they are prepared and the transition is easy?
Preparing Your Child For Boarding School
Boarding school is a big adjustment for children and their families. How do you best prepare your child so that they thrive?
Why Are Girls’ Schools So Awesome?
What makes all-girls education so powerful? Academic results speak for themselves, but what are the other benefits for girls?
Weekly Wrap Up Term 3 Week 10
Enjoy the Santa Maria College Weekly Wrap Up for the last week of Term 3.Â
Studying for Exams in Boarding – From the Head of Boarding
There has been some very good information published for both students and parents about preparing for exams. This article looks at how advice can be applied specifically to boarders.
The Life of a Gap Student
We’ve had a great experience so far, making friends for life. The boarders are all so unique and welcoming and make this feel like home.Â
Life Skills at the Ready
The Year 12 ACCESS Transition Program is a unique opportunity for our students to participate in workshops, which will assist their transition to life beyond school.
What Do You Love About Mercy Day?
Last week we raised an amazing $23,000 through Mercy Day celebrations. We asked girls from different year groups what they love about Mercy Day?
Fresh From the Farm: Produce from Home
Last Friday, for the very first time, the boarders held their own ‘Fresh from the Farm’ stall at the Mercy Day celebrations.
Strive9: Social Justice and Student Growth
The Year 9 social justice program, Strive9 culminated in a presentation to parents this week. It was a great chance to reflect on what has been a challenging but highly worthwhile experience.
A Day of Spiritual Reflection
Mums from Santa Maria College and Aquinas College spent a day together in spiritual reflection recently looking at their connection with God, others and self.
2020 Boarding Councillors Announced
Congratulations to the 2020 Boarding Councillors who were commissioned in front of the College community at an assembly last week.
Art Represents the Holy Spirit
The Year 5 classes have been creating artworks that represents the Holy Spirit. They’ve come up with some amazing stuff!
Boarders Raising Awareness with New Artwork
Year 12 Boarding Leaders approached the College recently with a submission to have an artwork installed in the Boarding School raising awareness of mental health.
An Interview with Our New Boarding Leaders
We recently interviewed Harriet Comerford-Smith, Head Boarder Elect and Mackenzie Goss, Deputy Head Boarder Elect to find out a little more about them.
Santa Maria’s Blue Tree Blessing
Amy Treasure, Head Boarder and Harriet Comerford Smith, 2020 Head Boarder Elect, have been working together on our very own Blue Tree Project here at the College.
Years 5 & 6 Father Daughter Camp
This year, the annual Father Daughter Camp was held at Woodman Point Recreational Centre. Dads and their girls participated in many different activities designed to build trust and confidence.
Women Together – Sharing Stories
This week, students from the Santa Maria College Seeds of Justice group enjoyed a morning with the ladies from the ‘Women Together’ group.
Ciara Duffy (2011) Inspires Year 12 Students
Ciara Duffy (2011) is a medical researcher. She spoke to our Year 12 Human Biology class about her work in breast cancer research.