Community, Connection & Celebration – Jennifer Oaten
This week, something special took place at Santa Maria College.
We welcomed Mercy Principals and leaders from across Australia and New Zealand to our College for the 2025 AMSSA Staff Conference. Over three days, our campus was filled with conversation, learning, reflection, shared laughter, and a deep sense of purpose. The theme, Community, Connection and Celebration, was not just a title on a page. It was something we experienced together.
From the very beginning, there was a feeling that we were part of something bigger. In the quiet reverence of our Opening Mass, held in our beautiful College chapel and led by Reverend Dr Sean Fernandez, we set the tone for what would follow. It was a sacred and grounding moment, one that invited us to pause, to pray, and to recognise the presence of Mercy in our shared mission. The voices of our combined schools’ choir is something Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, would have been so proud of.
Community – Anchored in Mercy
Whether it was a quiet conversation over tea or the hum of voices gathered in our Boarders’ Dining Room, the sense of community was strong and sincere.
Despite her early life of wealth, Catherine McAuley experienced the hardships of financial loss and dependency. These experiences shaped her deep empathy and commitment to community. In 1827, she used her inheritance to establish the House of Mercy in Dublin, providing education, shelter, and care for the poor. This house became a beacon of hope, fostering a sense of community among those in need.
In his keynote, Professor Br David Hall invited us to consider what kind of leadership the world needs right now. His answer? Leadership that is bold, hope-filled, and deeply human. His words reminded us that Catholic schools do not simply exist to educate. They exist to shape young people who will enrich our world with courage and compassion by engaging with their communities.
Connection – Learning That Unites Us
Catherine’s work connected with the marginalised, offering practical support and compassion. In 1831, she founded the Sisters of Mercy, the first order to leave their convents to serve the poor, sick, and dying in their homes and hospitals. This approach created strong connections between the Sisters and the communities they served, breaking down barriers and building trust.
Across the days, we were challenged and inspired by a series of keynotes that offered both insight and invitation to build connections in our Mercy communities.
Dr Mark Williams, with his deep understanding of the brain, helped us see the science of learning through a new lens. His message was clear: when we understand how the brain truly works, we can connect more strongly with our students and teach in ways that are far more impactful.
Dr Helen Street reminded us that wellbeing cannot be bought or borrowed. It must grow from within, from our unique contexts, our values, and the relationships that give our schools their soul. Her approach encouraged us to see wellbeing not as a program but as a culture.
Together, these voices reinforced the idea that while our roles may differ, we are united in our commitment to growing young people who are confident, resilient, and deeply connected.
The breadth of workshops offered throughout the conference also demonstrated our collective commitment to collaboration and growth. Educators from a wide range of Mercy schools shared their expertise, experiences, and challenges. From spiritual formation, student leadership to inclusive practices, mental health, and emerging technologies, these sessions became spaces of generous exchange. This openness to learning from one another – offering ideas freely and listening with intent – was a living expression of community. It reminded us that we are at our strongest when we work together, united by a shared mission and Mercy values.
A Pilgrimage of Mercy – Walking in Ursula Frayne’s Footsteps
On Thursday afternoon, we stepped into history.
Boarding the James Stirling riverboat, delegates retraced the journey of Mother Ursula Frayne and her companions, who arrived at Bathers Beach in 1846 with courage in their hearts and little more than faith in their hands. As we made our way up the Swan River toward the site of Australia’s first Mercy school, we were reminded of the legacy we inherit and the responsibility it carries.
This Pilgrimage of Mercy was more than a historical journey. It was a time to reflect, to honour the past, and to recognise that we walk in the footsteps of women who led with conviction and compassion.
Celebration – Purpose, People & Possibility
The Sisters of Mercy and the lay people who work in Mercy schools today celebrate Catherine McAuley’s life by continuing her mission, ensuring that her spirit of mercy lives on.
On Thursday evening, we gathered for our conference dinner at Bathers Beach House – a place that holds profound significance in our Mercy story. It was here, in 1846, that the first Sisters of Mercy arrived in Australia. Their mission was clear: to bring education, compassion, and the spirit of Mercy to a new and unfamiliar land.
The dinner was filled with warmth, connection, and laughter.
We were fortunate to hear from guest speaker Dr Tania Hicks, who served Santa Maria College for 17 years and is a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic Insitute of Wetern Australia and the University of Notre Dame.
Tania delivered a powerful workshop exploring how Mercy education fuels student spiritual growth. Drawing from her doctoral research, she highlighted the way hope, shared belief, and a sense of connectedness underpin a Mercy education and contribute to both spiritual and personal development.
Her message resonated deeply, reminding us that Mercy schools not only educate but also nurture the growth and development of young people through compassion and connection. She also noted that while students may not always recognise the significance of spirituality during their school years, many reflect on its value and impact in their lives after graduation.
Looking Ahead – Carrying Mercy Forward
As I reflect on these three days, I feel immense gratitude.
Gratitude for the wisdom so generously shared. Gratitude for the connections formed and strengthened. And gratitude for the reminder that we are never alone in this work. We are part of something much larger: a Mercy community built on faith and service.
As we return to our schools, may the spirit of Community, Connection and Celebration stay with us. May we continue to lead with courage, teach with purpose, and boldly carry forward the story of Mercy.
- 2025 AMSSA Conference, Catholic School Leadership, Community & Connection, Educational Leadership, Featured, Mercy Education, Santa Maria College, Spiritual Development in Schools, Student Spiritual Growth
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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