St Mary’s College is a fully integrated Reception to Year 12 school aiming to nurture a happy, healthy and confident community of students through Junior, Middle and Senior School studies. We are proud to offer a supportive learning environment and, as a Dominican school, we value the individual and a love of learning for all. Our goals are to provide personalised programs to maximise opportunities for success and respond to individual needs, assisting students in becoming independent learners.

We take a holistic approach to our student’s experience at St Mary’s, capturing the Reception to Year 12 nature of the school through the notion of smaller communities within the larger. Our teachers provide an inspiring and safe environment where our students can thrive as happy and positive young people who feel like they belong. We are inspired by the spirit of St Dominic and are always ready to encourage and guide our students in becoming curious, active and informed global citizens.

Reception to Year 6

St Mary’s Junior School is designed to meet the needs of our Reception to Year 6 students, delivering a relevant, contemporary and engaging curriculum that includes all the Learning Areas and Cross Curriculum Priorities. Units of work, underpinned by the General Capabilities, aim to assist students in living and working in our future world.

Our students are 21st century learners, so in Junior School, we introduce the cohort to the latest technology early in order to expand their knowledge and skillset for future studies. The students have access to classroom sets of iPads, an extensive range of digital resources from Reception to Year 4 and the BYOD program from Years 5 to 12.

Our innovative learning programs also introduces our Junior School students to Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama and STEM with Language studies beginning with Italian studies in Junior School and French studies in Middle School. Our students tackle Outdoor Ed camps from Year 3 with diversely located overnight experiences. The Susan Sullivan Library also contributes to engaging young students in literature and reading with teacher librarians working extensively with the Junior School and in English studies.

Our Junior School team is committed to creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment with a strong sense of family and community. Our Care Education program ensures that classroom teachers form strong relationships with the cohort to get the individual care and attention students deserve. The Director of Junior School oversees and manages the daily needs of the Care Education’s Care Group teachers, students, and parents. With our comprehensive education and care programs, we screen and pick up on any early difficulties students may be living with while studying.

St Mary’s primary objective is to empower our young women, specifically in their future pursuits. In Junior School, students are given an early chance to take part in a leadership team titled Mini Mary’s, who work on College-wide projects. We aim to have our students, no matter their sub-school, feel involved in our community and be prepared for further College studies and life beyond school education.

Year 7 to Year 10

St Mary’s Middle School is built to recognise all students and their diverse learning strategies. Our student-centred differentiated curriculum aims to reach all learners through various resources, teaching methodologies, and innovative technology. Our Middle School students are provided opportunities and experiences that aim to develop the whole person and build positive relationships with each other and our community.

Students in Middle School are part of a Care Group class facilitated by a Care Group teacher and supported by the year level coordinators and the Director of Middle School. Each Care Group community aims to support the students’ academic, pastoral and spiritual aspects. The spiritual growth of our students guided by the four Dominican pillars is prayer, study, community and service. The student’s engagement with Dominican Charism is evident through various leadership initiatives and engagement in the Care Education program and stillness moments.

Years 7 and 8 follow a core curriculum, incorporating a diverse range of learning areas underpinned by ACARA’s General Capabilities and Cross-Curricular Priorities. In Year 9, students continue to study the core curriculum with the additional opportunity to select elective subjects that suit their interests, abilities and future aspirations.

The Middle School connects families and the community via Parent Information Evenings and Student Information Sessions held throughout the year. These aim to assist students and their families in career and subject choices and education supporting social and emotional wellbeing.