From Perth to the Pilbara – Ruby Mavrick’s Teaching Journey
Moving 1,500 km away from home sounds like a massive leap, but for alumni, Ruby Mavrick (Class of 2018), it was the start of something pretty special.
Now based in Karratha, Ruby is living her dream as an early childhood teacher and embracing the regional lifestyle that comes with it.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” she admits. “But once I arrived, I got involved straight away, joined a few sports, met people through school and community events. It actually reminded me of being at Santa, where I signed up for just about everything!”
A Family of Educators
Teaching was always on Ruby’s radar. With both parents working in education, it was almost inevitable.
“Mum’s an early childhood teacher and watching her at work definitely sparked something in me. She made school exciting, hands-on, joyful and full of warmth.”
Ruby went on to study Early Childhood Education at Notre Dame, but there was a time when she considered taking a different path.
“I almost went into Outdoor Ed or Religious Ed, mainly because of my teachers at Santa. The Outdoor Ed camps in Years 11 and 12 were some of the best memories I have. They showed me how powerful learning outside the classroom could be.”
Life in the Pilbara
Fast forward to today, and Ruby’s settled into life up north, teaching during the week and making the most of the great outdoors on the weekends.
“There’s a strong sense of community here. Everyone supports each other, in the classroom, through church, on the netball court. It’s a really connected way of life.”
And yes, the scenery has been a bonus.
“Karratha isn’t just a mining town. There are stunning waterholes, nearby islands and incredible camping spots. Some weekends feel like a mini holiday!”
Lessons That Last
Ruby says her time at Santa Maria gave her the confidence to take a leap, and the tools to land on her feet.
“Santa taught me how to back myself. The service experiences were especially powerful. They helped me understand that helping others shouldn’t be an occasional thing, it should be part of who you are.”
She also left with strong friendships and a belief that she could thrive in new places. That belief made a big difference when it came time to move away from everything familiar.
Recognised for Her Impact
Ruby’s work in Karratha hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, her current principal recently reached out to Santa Maria to share just how impressed he is.
“I wanted to inform you of another inspirational woman working at the school I am lucky to be the principal of,” he wrote. “I would love to use Ruby as an example of the adventurous spirit, Mercy tradition and wide skill set Santa Maria College instils in its students.”
That kind of praise says it all.
Finding Her People
Ruby has built a solid support network in Karratha, many of whom are fellow teachers.
“I’ve made some of my closest friends here. We go camping, play water polo, and swim at the beach. It’s a really active, fun lifestyle, and we all look out for each other.”
Advice for Others?
“If you’re thinking about teaching in a regional town, do it,” she says. “You learn so much, not just about teaching but about yourself. It’s a chance to grow, give back and have an adventure while you’re at it.”
Ruby’s story is a great reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to some pretty incredible things. She brings energy, heart, and purpose to her classroom every day while living a life full of connection, nature, and new opportunities.
- alumni, AlumniSpotlight, CareerJourney, Featured, Pilbara, RegionalTeaching, RubyMavrick, SantaMariaCollege
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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