Staff Professional Learning Day Brings New Perspectives
The Santa Maria College campus buzzed on Monday, not with students, but with something just as inspiring – a Professional Learning Day for all staff that reminded us why lifelong learning matters. Appropriately themed ‘Perspectives’, the day was a rich opportunity to deepen cultural understanding, refine classroom practice, and explore the latest in educational technology.
Head of Professional Learning, Elizabeth de Byl, said the most powerful professional learning doesn’t just inform – it transforms. “At Santa Maria, we are committed to creating learning experiences for staff that are purposeful, inspiring and grounded in our shared values,” she said. “Professional learning days like this give us the space to reflect deeply, engage with new ideas, and grow together as a community. When our staff feel empowered and connected, that flows directly into the experiences we create for students. It’s about learning with both head and heart – for ourselves, for each other and for the future of our College.”
A Serene Start by the River
Basking in the beautiful autumn sunshine, staff gathered on the Terrace overlooking the Swan River, a tranquil setting to pause, reflect, and begin the day with purpose. The opening began with a Welcome to Country led by Ordained Minister Mitch Garlett. This respectful and heartfelt welcome reminded us of the deep connection between learning and place and our shared responsibility to honour the stories and traditions of the Whadjuk Noongar people.
Staff then dispersed to explore First Nations cultural experiences, each offering a unique lens into Australia’s oldest living cultures.
Options included:
- A walking trail along the Whadjuk dreaming trail of Jennalup, supported by Whadjuk Elder audio stories;
- A hands on First Nations food experience led by Home Economic Teacher, Lisa Balbi, highlighting how Aboriginal knowledge and culture can enrich the curriculum;
- A reflection on the Punmu Immersion experience, drawing on the power of shared stories in remote communities;
- And a bespoke online course, created in partnership with First Nations presenter Ruby-Jean Hindley, to boost cultural competency and awareness.
The experiences were a meaningful reminder of the importance of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across learning areas, a key cross-curriculum priority.
Deep Dive into Assessment & EdTech
Following a delicious First Nations-inspired morning tea (yes, the kangaroo sausage rolls were a hit!), staff engaged in a mix of sessions tailored to their professional goals.
- Teachers explored effective assessment design through the ‘Assessment for Deep Learning’ model, accessing digital resources and the latest research via the College’s PL Hub.
- ICT sessions helped staff build confidence with courses on NotebookLM for feedback and differentiation, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Express, GenAI Prompting and Critical Literacy in the Age of AI – all part of growing our digital fluency and preparing students for the future.
- Boarding staff had a dedicated tech workshop, focusing on the practical tools that make life in our residential community run smoothly.
This hands-on approach empowered everyone to select sessions that best met their development goals.
Reflecting, Connecting, Growing
The afternoon sessions brought teams together to reflect on the morning’s First Nations activities. Learning Areas discussed how to integrate cultural perspectives authentically into the curriculum. Operations staff shared how cultural appreciation can enhance school life beyond the classroom.
Why It Matters
This day was more than a schedule of events. It was a reflection of who we are and where we are going as a Mercy community:
- Respect and Cultural Understanding – rooted in our Mercy value of Justice.
- Collaboration and Reflection – showing our commitment to Excellence and Compassion.
- Digital Confidence and Creativity – supporting students through innovation and future-readiness.
At Santa Maria, we don’t just teach students to connect learning to life. We live that value as educators, too.
What's Next
Teachers and staff will now bring these learnings into their classrooms and teams, helping to shape learning environments that are inclusive, dynamic and full of purpose.
- CulturalCompetency, EdTech, Featured, FirstNationsEducation, ProfessionalLearning, SantaMariaCollege, StaffDevelopment, StaffGrowth
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.
