Faith
SANTA MARIA COLLEGE IS A CATHOLIC GIRLS SCHOOL WHOSE INSPIRATIONS ARE JESUS CHRIST, GOSPEL VALUES AND THE LIFE AND FAITH OF CATHERINE MCAULEY.
At Santa Maria College, all that we do is underpinned by a deep commitment to our Catholic faith.
We believe that each individual, every lived experience and a broad range of perspectives should be respected and cherished. This spirit of inclusion and our commitment to understanding drives the Santa Maria approach to educating and nurturing the women of the future.
The vision of Venerable Catherine McAuley led to the founding of the College in 1938. Since then, the traditions of her order, the Sisters of Mercy, have enabled Santa Maria girls to thrive at school and beyond.
Hospitality, Compassion, Justice, Service and Excellence are our guiding principles at Santa Maria College. We believe that our values reflect not only the principles of our faith, but the values wider society holds dear.
A practical partner to Religious Education, the Service Program teaches girls the value – to themselves and to others – of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Throughout their school journey, students are required to serve their families, their school and the broader community. Girls are asked to chronicle their service with a view to creating insights into the spiritual and psychological dimensions of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
A range of volunteering activities and groups enable our girls to become, as a reflection of their faith, well-rounded, caring and productive members of the community. Wherever an individual’s path might lead, the values instilled by engagement with this program never lose their relevance.
Faith At Santa Maria College
At Santa Maria College, all that we do is underpinned by a deep commitment to our Catholic faith. We believe that each individual, every lived experience and a broad range of perspectives should be respected and cherished. This spirit of inclusion and commitment to understanding drives our approach to educating and nurturing the women of the future.
The vision of Venerable Catherine McAuley led to the founding of the College in 1938. Since then, the traditions of her order, the Sisters of Mercy, have enabled Santa Maria girls to thrive at school and beyond.
As a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition, we provide contemporary opportunities for our community to connect with their faith.
Our Strategic Plan focuses on several key areas:
Ministry Team: We have a Ministry Team of staff and students to help guide and support the spiritual life of our community. The team coordinates liturgies, retreats, reflection days, and other faith events.
Relevant Programs: We continually review our faith programs to ensure they are engaging and meaningful for students, staff and families today. This may include updated retreat formats, real-world service opportunities, and integration of faith into learning.
Mercy Values: We live out our Mercy Values of Hospitality, Compassion, Justice, Service and Excellence, every day. Students and staff are constantly encouraged to reflect on these values and demonstrate them through their words and actions.
Staff Formation: We provide contemporary professional development opportunities for staff to continue developing their own faith and capacity to instil faith in our students.
Diversity: We embrace diversity in our community and make a particular effort to support vulnerable students, families, and community members through our faith in action.
Our goal is for staff and students to feel connected to their faith, empowered to live the Gospel message, and be part of a welcoming Catholic community that puts Mercy values into practice each day. We aim to nurture the spiritual lives of all our community members so they can enrich the world.
IF THE LOVE OF GOD REALLY REIGNS IN YOUR HEART, IT WILL QUICKLY SHOW ITSELF IN THE EXTERIOR
– CATHERINE MCAULEY