How Amanda Ended Up Right Back Where It All Began
When Amanda Huxtable (1997) stepped back into the Santa Maria College Drama studio, not as a student, but as a teacher, and now Head of Dance and Drama, she paused for a moment. The space looked different, but the feeling was the same: a sense of possibility, of creativity, of home.
“I remember standing there thinking, ‘This is where it all began for me,'” she says. “And now I get to help someone else discover what they love. That’s pretty special.”
As a student, Amanda dreamed of a life on stage. Today, she’s bringing that same spark of imagination into her classroom, nurturing confidence, creativity, and compassion in the next generation.
A Creative Start
“Teaching wasn’t the plan,” Amanda admits. “I wanted to act.” She studied Drama at ECU and WAAPA, and in 2000, took a year off to travel, perform and enjoy life. “It was such an exciting time. I made amazing friendships and learnt a lot about myself.”
Things shifted when she began directing children’s theatre. “I realised how much I loved working with young people and sharing my passion for the arts.” That spark led her back to university to study education.
The Teachers Who Shaped Her
Amanda credits her own Santa Maria teachers with influencing her journey. “Mr Hal Davies really encouraged me. He had such high standards, and I thrived on that challenge.” She also remembers Miss Covich, her early Drama teacher, and Mrs Chaffer, who later became a colleague.
“It’s surreal working alongside the people who once taught you,” she says. “But Santa’s staff community is so welcoming. That sense of belonging hasn’t changed.”
Why She Returned
When Amanda started teaching, Santa Maria’s values and strong Drama program stayed top of mind. “It felt right to come back. This place shaped me, and I wanted to be part of shaping others.”
Why the Performing Arts Matter
Amanda’s love for teaching Performing Arts is clear. “I think I have the best job in the school,” she laughs. “We get to play, imagine, and create every day. But more than that, we help students build empathy, curiosity and courage.”
She’s especially proud of the kinds of productions the College puts on. “We don’t just do light-hearted shows. We explore big themes, identity, justice, strong female leads. One parent told me, ‘It wouldn’t be a Santa production without some social issues!’ I love that.”
Life Outside the Spotlight
Outside school, Amanda spends her time with her lively four-year-old daughter, who already loves performing. She also has a deep connection to service, having spent 10 years volunteering with The School of St Yared in Ethiopia. “It’s a community I still care deeply about. One day, I’d love to share that part of my life with my daughter.”
Her Advice for Aspiring Artists
“If the arts bring you joy, follow that,” Amanda says. “People might tell you to choose something more ‘stable’, but if you love it, pursue it. Who wouldn’t want to make believe for a living?”
Amanda in Three Words?
Brave. Bold. Passionate.
And we couldn’t agree more.
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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.
From the President – May 2026
Santa Maria College alumni can look forward to several upcoming events in 2026. These include a joint alumni event with Aquinas College later in the year, a movie night at Windsor Theatre Nedlands in late July, and the Pleiades Meeting hosted at Santa Maria College in August. The update also encourages support for the College’s Winter Appeal.
Expression of Interest – Explore8 Guest Speakers 2026
Santa Maria College is inviting alumni to submit an expression of interest to speak in the 2026 Explore8 program. Explore8 is a real-world learning experience for Year 8 students focused on research, problem solving and innovation in response to community and global challenges. Guest speakers help students connect ideas to lived experience by sharing their career journeys, challenges and impact.
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