Research Is Moving Mercy Education Forward
Tania Hicks has recently submitted her doctoral thesis for review. She has focused on the impact of a Mercy education.
Year 7s Focus on Friendships
Healthy friendships are a vital part of positive mental health. Linda Stade spoke to Year 7s about some of the friendship issues they may encounter in early adolescence and some positive approaches they can take.
ACCESS Links Students to Life Beyond School
This week our Year 11 and 12 ACCESS girls have been connecting with industry, undertaking training, and gaining qualifications, all to prepare them for life beyond school.
Leadership Training Day
Last Thursday the leaders of 2021 were commissioned. This week, leadership training and formation sessions were held to start these girls on their journey.
News and the Millennials
Our young people are less engaged with ‘hard’ news than ever before. Has COVID changed that? Is an understanding of current affairs even important?
Managing Social Media Use Together
Principal Jennifer Oaten invites parents to partner with the school in understanding and managing our girls’ social media use.
Health Week 2020
This week was Health Week at the College! The Health & Physical Education Department ran a variety of activities for staff and students throughout the week.
Year 12s Are Getting Linkedin
In preparation for post-school life, our Year 12s were introduced to Linkedin by Jo Saunders from Wildfire Social Marketing.
Shhhhh…. Don’t Tell
Who does your daughter speak to when she has a problem? This blog from our Director of Staff & Students, Danielle Spark, addresses the resources available to you and your daughter when problems emerge, as they inevitably do in every child’s life.
Stress and Your Child’s Brain
Neuroscience shows that long-term stress damages a person’s ability to lay down memories. How is this impacting students and how can we help?
Nutrition For Life
Vanessa Carmody is our Deputy Head of Boarding and a qualified nutritionist. She spoke to the Year 11 girls last week about nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
Weekly Wrap Up – Week 6, Term 3, 2020
It’s been a short but busy week here at Santa Maria. Enjoy our Wrap Up of Week 6!
Kids and Mean Gossip
When friendship issues and drama arise, often gossip is at the root of the problem. Why do kids gossip and how can we change a culture of gossiping.
Our Sporty Boarders
Many of our boarders grow up in very sporty environments. It is great to know that they continue this involvement when they come to Santa Maria.
When Should Parents Step Back?
With all the best intentions, sometimes parents rescue their kids from challenges rather than helping them grow through those experiences. When should parents step back?
Celebrating Our Nurses – Jennifer Oaten
Principal Jennifer Oaten pays tribute to our nurses.
Kindness Science at Santa Maria
Acts of kindness positively impact both our community and each student, staff member and parent individually. It’s the perfect marriage of science and faith in action. Read what Santa Maria is doing to promote kindness and why it is important.
Meeting Monsignor Keating
Since standing down from his position as Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Monsignor Keating has been saying Mass for the Santa Maria community in the Chapel on Fridays. We sat and talked with him about life since his ‘retirement’.
Kindness Rocks
When we are kind to others it releases in us chemicals that improve our mental health and wellbeing. Check out the novel way Santa Maria College is using this information.
Clare Turner (1995) Talks About Immersion Experiences
Clare Turner (Sale, 1995) is a teacher in Melbourne. She leads immersion experiences for students and staff within Australia and overseas.
Planting for the Future
Over the July holidays a group of our girls took up the opportunity to experience farm life and complete service hours in Bannister.
Meet Our Staff: Meg Anderson
Get to know Meg Anderson, one of our fabulous English teachers. Meg started at Santa Maria after being impressed by her daughter’s experience as a student.
Weekly Wrap-Up Week 10, Term 2, 2020
The last week of a very big, strange term, where our girls and staff still managed to achieve so much!
James Rees: Acting Coordinator of O’Donnell House
James Rees will be taking on the position of O’Donnell House Coordinator in Semester 2 while Benjamin Court takes some time to travel with his young family.
Our Acting Head of English: Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca Johnson will be our Acting Head of English in Semester 2. She replaces Anthony Phillips who will be enjoying some time for family and writing.
Skyla Shares Her Story With Commerce Students
Skyla Pengilly (2018) visited Year 10 and 12 Commerce classes this week. She talked to them about her traineeship at one of the big four accountancy companies and the value of experience with great mentors.
TikTok and Your Child’s Brain
TikTok came of age during the COVID-19 restrictions. It’s entertaining and kids love it, but is it having an impact on their neurological development?
Year 9 Artists Apart Together
Year 9 Visual Arts students are currently sharing their experiences of COVID-19 via an installation called Swoon.
Boarding School and Homesickness
Homesickness is one of the greatest concerns for parents considering boarding school for their child. Santa Maria College’s Head of Boarding shares her experience and advice in this interview.
Academic Offerings in Our Boarding Community
The Santa Maria Boarding community offers a large range of academic support for boarders to help them achieve their academic goals while at the College.