Learning Faith

The Benedictine charism underpinned by Gospel values permeates all dimensions of College Life. This occurs through formal gatherings and celebration of liturgy and word and through informal daily interactions. Our Religious Education Curriculum and our Faith Development weave together to form students who have a contemporary understanding of their own spirituality and how this is enacted each day.

Learning and Teaching

Learning is driven by both the Victorian Curriculum and IB Framework for students in Year 7-10. Senior students can elect to follow a VCE pathway or a VCAL pathway with VET offered for all students.  The majority of students follow the VCE pathway with increasing success. Santa Maria is very pleased to see the progression in student ATAR scores and university entrants. In 2019, 96% of students entered tertiary education.

The learning program is designed collaboratively by staff with significant professional learning offered for all staff.

A dimension of wellbeing is the co-curricular program offered by the College. The majority of this program is available within the College (through the House Activities program) while interschool events are also integrated and encouraged. Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Social Justice, Debating and Public Speaking programs all engage with the wider community and students are encouraged to enhance their connections and to grow their skills and confidence. The College has over 15 musical groups and offers 18 sports throughout the year.

The College offers online reporting using SIMON/ PAM interface. This provides regular and ongoing feedback to support students learning and developing a fuller picture of the student learning profile.

Learning and Life

In allowing students to achieve their potential the College has a strong focus on the wellbeing of each student. This is both a proactive and a reactive approach where students' wellness is a key focus for all. Additionally, students who experience wellbeing challenges are nurtured and supported alongside their families.

The College wellbeing program is mapped developmentally and has a strong lens on contemporary issues facing young people. Addressing these issues and providing young women with the tools to manage their social and emotional health today and into the future is part of the work of the wellbeing team.

A dimension of the wellbeing program is the co-curricular offered by the College. This is offered within the College (through the House Activities program) and with other schools through Music, Performing Arts, Sport, Social Justice, Debating and Public Speaking students are encouraged to enhance their connections within the community and to grow their skills and confidence. The College has over 15 musical groups and offers 18 sports throughout the year.

Students are also required to attend camps while in the Year 7 and 8 Village and be part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of the wellbeing program. This challenges each student in areas of resilience and teamwork which pays dividends in the classroom.

The College wellbeing team is supported by expert staff with College Psychologists, Speech Therapy, Learning Diversity Leaders, Koorie Education Worker and the Cultural Advocate working collaboratively for students to flourish.

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