Reflecting on a Vibrant Term 3 – Jennifer Oaten
As Term 3 draws to a close, I am once again amazed at the incredible growth and achievements of our students. It always fills me with pride to see just how much our community accomplishes in such a short time. From remarkable academic success to meaningful community engagement, our students continue to embrace every opportunity that aligns with the pillars of our strategic plan: Faith, Learning for Life, Social Innovation, Community Activations, and Financial Sustainability. While these highlights are just a handful of the wonderful things that have taken place this term, they are a reflection of the passion, talent, and commitment that make Santa Maria College such a special place.
Faith In Action
Faith remains a cornerstone of our community life. This term, Mercy Day 2024, brought our entire school community together in a powerful celebration of our shared faith and values. Through acts of compassion, justice, and service, we honoured the legacy of Catherine McAuley, reminding ourselves of the importance of living these values daily.
The Year 12 Retreat provided our Year 12 students with a meaningful space for self-reflection and spiritual growth. By exploring the theme of listening, our Year 12s deepened their understanding of empathy and reinforced their bonds with one another. Additionally, our participation in Purple Bra Day demonstrated our commitment to community service, raising awareness for breast cancer and exemplifying our mission to serve others with compassion.
Learning for Life
We believe in preparing our students not just for exams but for life. Our focus on academic excellence is deeply intertwined with our “Learning for Life” framework, which emphasises critical thinking, resilience, creativity, and collaboration.
This term, the Future 10 program gave students invaluable insights into future careers, fostering skills like problem-solving and adaptability. Through this program, students were encouraged to think about their future paths with confidence and clarity.
Our commitment to a well-rounded education was also evident in our celebration of the arts. Showcase 2024: A Celebration of Music highlighted our students’ diverse musical talents, promoting creativity and self-expression. Meanwhile, our participation in the IGSSA Dance Festival allowed students to shine through teamwork, discipline, and artistic collaboration, fostering a strong sense of community and confidence.
Another highlight of Term 3 was our achievements in sport, demonstrating the importance of teamwork, resilience, and determination. At the Athletics Carnival, records were broken, and students displayed exceptional sportsmanship and spirit. Our participation in the IGSSA Athletics 2024 further showcased the depth of talent and dedication within our College, reinforcing the role of sport in building leadership, perseverance, and a healthy sense of competition.
We continued to build real-world skills through hands-on experiences like the Try A Trade workshop, which allowed students to explore vocational opportunities, develop initiative, and enhance their practical skills. Academic success was further celebrated with events like the Semester 1 Achievers’ Club, recognising high-performing students and encouraging a culture of excellence and perseverance.
Our support for academic growth extends to our boarding students as well. The Empowering Academic Success in Boarding initiative ensures that boarders receive tailored support, helping them excel academically while enjoying a nurturing environment.
Social Innovation and Environmental Stewardship
We are committed to fostering a sense of social responsibility and environmental stewardship in our students. This term, our Year 10 students took part in a Coastal Sustainability exploration, gaining hands-on experience in environmental science and understanding the importance of protecting our natural resources.
Our Strive9 program empowered Year 9 students to become agents of social change, as they identified real-world issues and developed innovative solutions to address them. Through this initiative, students were encouraged to think critically about social challenges, collaborate in teams, and take responsibility for making a positive impact in their communities. Strive9 exemplifies Santa Maria College’s commitment to fostering leadership, creativity, and social responsibility, preparing our students to be proactive and compassionate citizens.
Community Activation
Community is at the heart of Santa Maria College. This term, we strengthened our community connections through several impactful initiatives. The Partnering with Parents in AI program illustrated our commitment to working together with parents to navigate the digital future, preparing our students for the technological advancements that will shape their careers.
Events such as the Father’s Day celebration and Grandparents & Grandfriends Day highlighted the importance of family connections and intergenerational relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and support within our school community.
Financial Sustainability and Future Growth
This term marked a significant milestone for Santa Maria College’s future. We proudly broke ground on our new Cultural Centre project, which will enhance our performing arts facilities. This development reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that we continue to offer an exceptional learning environment for our students.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for the final term of the year, we remain steadfast in our mission to create a nurturing and empowering environment for every student. We thank our students, parents, and staff for their unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. Together, we will continue to make Santa Maria a place of growth, faith, and excellence.
We invite everyone to stay connected with our community and celebrate the achievements that make Santa Maria College an exceptional place for young women to thrive.
- Academic Excellence, Achievements, Celebrating Growth, Community Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, Faith In Action, Featured, Social Innovation, Student Achievement
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 – October 2024
In the October edition of the Old Girls’ Association Blog, we feature alumni Mercy Award finalists Diann Black and Libby Wilkes, catch up with Gabby Blyth as Head of Admissions, and share exciting reunion news. Plus, get ready for the upcoming Golden Girls’ Luncheon, a celebration of those who graduated 50 years ago.
Elizabeth Wilkes – A Legacy of Leadership and Hospitality
Elizabeth Wilkes (1984) has been part of the Santa Maria College community for nearly 50 years. From her time as a student to her contributions to the Parent Network and College Advisory Council, Libby exemplifies leadership, service, and hospitality. As a Mercy Award finalist, she shares how this recognition resonates with her deeply held values.
Gabby Blyth – A Lifelong Connection to Santa Maria College
Gabby Blyth (Chaffer, 1999) returns to Santa Maria College as our new Head of Admissions. Her lifelong connection to the school, extensive career experience, and passion for community make her an incredible addition to our team. Discover Gabby’s inspiring journey from student to staff.
Weekly Wrap Up – Week 10, Term 3 2024
A Blend of Science, Art & Culture
