Faith Story and Witness – Connecting Staff to Our Mission
At Santa Maria College, faith is at the heart of our community. Inspired by Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, we encourage students and staff to live with compassion, hospitality, justice, service, and excellence. These values shape our daily interactions, guiding students to become confident, socially responsible young women.
As part of their induction, staff who started this year and mid year last year, participated in Faith Story and Witness, a program designed to deepen their understanding of the College’s faith history and mission.
Director of Mission, Michelle Carrick explains, “Faith Story and Witness helps staff appreciate the faith history of the school community, fostering a deeper connection to the College’s mission and values. It provides a Christ-centred focus and encourages staff to model Gospel values in their daily interactions with students and colleagues. The program is an important part of the College’s induction program as it encourages staff to contribute to the creation of a nurturing and faith-filled learning environment.”
During the session, staff explored key aspects of our Catholic tradition, including:
- The Life and faith of Catherine McAuley
- The power of storytelling in shaping our identity
- Gospel values and their role in daily life
- The Catholic school curriculum and its impact
- The legacy of Ursula Frayne, who founded the first Mercy school in Australia
A panel discussion featuring staff members Dianne Valentine, Derek Smith, Amanda Nenke, and Sally Nettleton provided real-life insights into Christian witness in a Catholic school. Their stories highlighted how faith is lived out through teaching, relationships, and service.
A Community of Faith and Support
Faith grows in a supportive and connected community. Santa Maria College provides a space where students and staff can explore their beliefs, strengthen their values, and develop a sense of purpose. Programs like Faith Story and Witness ensure that our Mercy tradition continues to inspire and guide us in all that we do.
Messages from the staff
“I enjoyed learning about the history of the College and Catherine McAuley’s story and how the values of the Mercy sisters reflect what we embody at Santa Maria College. It was also reassuring to learn about the steps to the accreditation process in Catholic Education.” Nik Rnjak, Maths Teacher
“I really enjoyed the Faith Story and Witness session. It was a great chance to hear different perspectives and reflect on how faith can shape people’s lives. Listening to personal stories was inspiring, and it reminded me how powerful shared experiences can be in bringing people together” Elvira Franich, Psychologist
“I really enjoyed learning about Catherine McAuley’s journey. I always knew she was an incredible person, but I now have a much deeper appreciation of her impact. The strength of her Faith is extremely inspiring. It was also great getting to know all the new staff.” Alicia Butt, Social Media Officer
“The Faith Story and Witness was a great induction to the school community. I learned a lot about the history of the school. Catherine McAuley’s incredible story and the Marcy Values. It was great to have lots of time to reflect on our values.” Sophie Zhou, Mathematics Teacher
- CatholicEducation, Faith, Featured, GospelValues, MercyTradition, StaffInduction
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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