Knowing Girls
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LATEST KNOWING GIRLS
The Women We Keep Close – Jennifer Oaten
Female role models for girls help shape identity, belonging and emotional wellbeing. This article explains that daughters learn not only...
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The Quiet That Changes Everything – Jennifer Oaten
Quiet time is essential for teenage girls because it supports mental processing, identity formation, and emotional wellbeing. Without constant stimulation...
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The Truth And Lies In Social Feeds
Social media misinformation affects teenagers because algorithms reward attention, emotion and repetition rather than truth. Parents can help by discussing...
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Why Family Meals Matter for Girls’ Wellbeing – Jennifer Oaten
Family meals can support girls’ wellbeing by strengthening connection, resilience and mental health. The article explains that shared meals are...
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Where The Outdoors Can Take Them – Jennifer Oaten
Outdoor education for girls helps build resilience, confidence and a stronger sense of belonging. This article explains that camp experiences...
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Why Girls Stop Playing Sport – Jennifer Oaten
Research shows many girls stop playing sport around age 15, often because of study pressure, body image concerns, and the...
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Why a Sense of Belonging at School Matters – Jennifer Oaten
Belonging shapes how a girl learns, connects and grows, and it often begins in the small moments of school life....
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Girls and Risk, The Conversation That We Need to Have – Jennifer Oaten
Why do girls sometimes avoid risk? Discover how Santa Maria’s wellbeing and emPOWER programs help students build confidence by tackling...
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What Good Teaching Really Looks Like – Jennifer Oaten
Step inside our classrooms and see how our teachers refine their craft so every girl is supported to think deeply...
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Why I Believe the Arts Will Define the Next Generation of Leaders – Jennifer Oaten
See how the arts are shaping creative, confident leaders at Santa Maria and why our new Cultural Centre matters.
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When the Research Catches Up to What Parents Already Know – Jennifer Oaten
New research confirms what many families already sense: delaying smartphones protects your daughter’s wellbeing, sleep and confidence. Discover why waiting...
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Reflecting on the Jubilee Year of Hope – Jennifer Oaten
From quiet acts of kindness to joyful community moments, discover how the spirit of hope shaped Santa Maria College in...
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The Girls We Have Not Met Yet – Jennifer Oaten
What we build today shapes the girls we haven’t met yet. Discover how Santa Maria College’s new Foundation and Take...
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What Your Teenager’s Negativity Is Really Telling You – Jennifer Oaten
Why is your daughter so negative lately? It might not be what you think. Discover how understanding her emotions and...
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Why Inclusion Matters for Mental Health – Jennifer Oaten
What does genuine inclusion look like, and why does it matter so much to our students' wellbeing? Jennifer Oaten unpacks...
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Preparing Your Child For High School – Jennifer Oaten
Starting high school is a big step,for students and parents alike! Principal Jennifer Oaten shares practical, reassuring advice to help...
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Career Decisions In An Uncertain World – Jennifer Oaten
My son graduated from school, chose engineering because he got the marks needed and his friends were doing it. 6...
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Farewelling The Class of 2025 – Jennifer Oaten
WWith pride and gratitude, we farewell the Class of 2025, young women who leave Santa Maria not just with achievements,...
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Supporting Your Daughter Through Final Exams – Jennifer Oaten
Final exams can feel overwhelming for students and parents. Discover thoughtful, practical ways to support your Year 12 daughter through...
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Mercy In Action On Mercy Day – Jennifer Oaten
Each year, Mercy Day holds a special place in the heart of Santa Maria College. It is more than a...
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Leadership of Santa Maria College – Jennifer Oaten
At Santa Maria, leadership is not about one person doing it all, it is about trust, collaboration, and creating the...
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The Precious Gift of Father-Daughter Relationships – Jennifer Oaten
This Father’s Day, we celebrate the powerful role fathers and mentors play in shaping confident, resilient young women. Discover how...
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Building AI Capability with Purpose -Jennifer Oaten
While others debated, we built. Discover how Santa Maria College is leading the way with a smart, values-driven AI strategy...
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Preparing for Change – Australia’s Social Media Restrictions – Jennifer Oaten
Australia’s new social media laws will change how teens connect online. Learn how families can prepare with empathy, resilience, and...
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Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders – Jennifer Oaten
What does it take to raise the next generation of bold, compassionate leaders? At Santa Maria College, our girls don’t...
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People Are Everything – Jennifer Oaten
At Santa Maria College, we believe the heart of a school is its people. From teachers who inspire to friends...
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What NAPLAN Really Tells Us – Jennifer Oaten
NAPLAN results are more than numbers—they are milestones in each student’s journey. Discover how Santa Maria students grow academically and...
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Why Handwriting Still Matters In A Digital World – Jennifer Oaten
As a mother, I remember the pride my children felt when they first wrote their names. That small yet significant...
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Raising Confident Girls – The Parents’ Role – Jennifer Oaten
Parent can be very influential when it comes to developing your daughter's body confidence. This is a must read blog...
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The Challenge of Responding to Teenagers – Jennifer Oaten
Is your teen suddenly emotional, reactive, or hard to read? You’re not alone. Learn why their brain is wired this...
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