This term we welcome Ben Court into the position of Dean of Students: Year 9, while Tania Hicks is on long service leave. Ben has worked at Santa Maria College since January 2011. In that time he has been a member of the English and Religious Education teams and House Coordinator of O’Donnell House.

What is your new position?

Dean of Students: Year 9

What does your role involve?

The leadership of pastoral care, student welfare and academic tracking of students in Year 9. This includes being an important point of contact for parents.

What do you hope to accomplish during your time in the role?

I look forward to making a positive impact on the girls, encouraging them to strive for their best and to build strong positive relationships with fellow students and all members of the Santa Maria Community. I plan to focus on student wellbeing and, in following with Tania Hicks’ theme from Semester 1, a strong sense of unity and cohesion within the cohort. I’m even hoping to get a pilot program going about respectful relationships in collaboration with Aquinas College, so watch this space.

What are you most excited about in your new role?

As Dean of Year 9, I can’t wait for the Strive9 program to reach its implementation stage later this term and seeing the incredible projects finally come to life. All of the Homeroom groups have terrific ideas and are making really good progress already. I also look forward to the Year 9 Transition Program towards the end of the year, but I’m really pumped for Year 9 Camp down in Karridale. I’ve had the privilege of joining the Year 9s down on camp on a number of occasions over the years and it certainly is a real highlight on the calendar.

We look forward to seeing Ben’s plans come to fruition.