Jessica Pinto (2016) – Giving Back with Heart
For Santa Maria College past student Jessica Pinto, service has always been at the centre of everything she does. Since graduating in 2016, she has built a meaningful career in nursing while continuing to dedicate her time to volunteering both locally and overseas. From supporting vulnerable communities in Perth to leading public health initiatives in the Philippines, Jessica’s journey reflects compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to helping others.
Jessica credits much of that passion to her time at Santa Maria College.
“I truly believe that Santa Maria College shaped the woman I am today,” she said. “The College gave me so many opportunities and really empowered me to pursue and achieve my dreams in the workforce.”
Some of Jessica’s fondest memories were the many opportunities to volunteer and support others through initiatives such as St Patrick’s Kitchen, Red Cross Soup Patrol, and St Vincent de Paul.
“Those experiences left a lasting mark on me,” she shared.
Discovering the Joy of Volunteering
The impact of those early experiences extended far beyond school. Since graduating, Jessica has continued volunteering with organisations including Edmund Rice Camps, Homelessness We Care, and the Missionaries of Charity Outreach Program.
“The joy I felt after volunteering was truly priceless,” she said. “It felt so deeply fulfilling that it guided me toward a career in nursing, which is equally rewarding every single day.”
Jessica believes it is often the small acts of service that can have the greatest impact.
“Those early experiences showed me what it means to make an impact on someone’s life, even through the smallest acts of service; whether that is simply taking the time to talk to them, cooking for them, or assisting them in their daily needs.”
Building a Career in Nursing and Public Health
After graduating from Santa Maria College, Jessica studied Nursing at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 2019. She has since worked as a Registered Nurse at Fiona Stanley Hospital across Acute Surgical Care and the Emergency Department.
Working in a fast-paced tertiary hospital environment has helped her develop strong clinical skills, time management, and patient advocacy.
“What I enjoy most is the one-on-one connection with patients,” she said. “Being able to make someone’s hospital stay even a little more bearable during one of the most difficult moments of their life is something I find deeply meaningful.”
Alongside her nursing career, Jessica pursued a Master of Public Health through the University of Queensland, driven by a desire to create change beyond the hospital setting.
“For me, nursing and public health truly go hand in hand,” she explained. “Nursing gives you the clinical skills to care for individuals at the bedside, while public health equips you to understand and address the broader forces that shape a community’s health.”
Making an Impact Overseas
As part of her Master’s project, Jessica partnered with the Kadasig Aid and Development Organisation in Barili, Cebu, in the Philippines, delivering a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project across three villages.
Her work included educating local communities on clean water and sanitation, assessing local toilet and hygiene conditions, supporting a malnutrition clinic for children aged 6–11, and delivering adolescent health education sessions for teenagers.
“It was an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience on every level,” she reflected.
The experience further strengthened her passion for global health and serving communities in need.
Looking Ahead to New Opportunities
Through her volunteering experiences, Jessica says she has gained a greater appreciation for the opportunities in her own life and developed an even stronger desire to continue giving back.
“The most important thing volunteering has taught me is just how fortunate I am,” she said.
Now living in Broome, Jessica is excited to use both her nursing background and public health knowledge to support rural communities and is already planning another volunteer trip to the Philippines next year.
At the heart of Jessica’s journey is a genuine love of people.
“Connecting with others, understanding their stories, and being able to help has always come naturally to me,” she said. “That genuine love of people is what continues to drive me forward, both in my career and in my volunteer work.”
Jessica’s Advice to Current Students
Jessica encourages current Santa Maria students to take every opportunity to serve others while they are at school.
“There is so much opportunity out there to give back, and Santa Maria offers so many of those opportunities to get you started,” she said.
“Volunteering builds your character, your confidence, and your ability to connect with others — and it truly can shape the direction of your life.”
Jessica’s story is a powerful reflection of the values nurtured at Santa Maria College — compassion, courage, service, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. From volunteering as a student to supporting communities locally and overseas through nursing and public health, she continues to lead with empathy and purpose. Her story is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, and that a passion for serving others can shape not only a career, but an entire life.
- Alumni Spotlight, Catholic school alumni, Community Service, Featured, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Girls' Education Perth, global citizenship, nursing career, public health, Santa Maria College alumni, Volunteering
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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