We are delighted that your child will be joining us in 2019 and we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you as a family. The next 6 years will be a major chapter in the life of your daughter and we are absolutely committed to making this period as special and purposeful as possible, maximising, where we can, the wellbeing and opportunities of all girls within our care. The journey we take with your daughter begins now.

Starting secondary school is big step for you and your daughter. It can be both challenging and exciting with mixed emotions ranging from excitement through to fear. There are many differences between primary schools and secondary colleges: the number of different subjects, rooms and teachers, the responsibility of taking different books and equipment to specialist classes and integrating with students from other schools. At Santa Maria College we are aware of these new challenges and are organised to make the transition as pleasant as possible.

At Santa Maria College we have a robust transition program to ensure all students have a successful move from primary to secondary school and to help students and parents minimize anxiety about the change. An extensive transition program ensures students are given many opportunities to visit the College and participate in a range of activities prior to commencing Year 7.

We want all students to get used to their new routines and school organisation with great ease; develop new friendships and improve their self-esteem and confidence. By providing a wide variety of subjects, we intend to extend their interest in school and school work. We aim to enrich students’ learning experience in secondary education by providing them with opportunities and challenges, along with the practical skills and knowledge to be confident and independent learners. We will ensure that students will have the tools and emotional resilience to manage this transition. We will make sure all students will continue to make academic progress, to achieve and to enjoy learning. As a result, students’ motivation, positive attitudes and self-image as learners are maintained and developed.

The Year 7 Transition Team works together to ensure all new students settle in happily. This team includes the Year 7 Year Village Leaders, Transition Coordinator, the Deputy Principals, the Year 7 Homeroom Teachers and the College Registrar.