STEP UP PROGRAM | This week, Year 10 enthusiastically engaged in the Step Up to Senior Studies program, a pivotal initiative designed to prepare them for the challenges of the upcoming Preliminary and HSC course. Captured in the photos, the girls showcased their active participation in a Studies of Religion taster lesson. A highlight of this session was an engaging activity where students were tasked with identifying a range of artifacts, monuments, and artworks inspired by various religious traditions and spiritualities. This activity aimed to underscore the profound impact of diverse religious expressions on art, culture, and history. Through this hands-on exploration, Year 10 not only gained valuable insights into the interconnectedness of faith and creativity, but also laid a solid foundation for their future academic pursuits in their senior studies.

WOOBAROO ADVENTURE | Last week our Year 10 Students conquered Wombaroo in the Southern Highlands. Students honed their collaborative skills and challenged themselves physically and mentally. From building rafts to hitting bullseyes in archery, soaring through the air on the flying fox, and swinging high on the giant swings, they had an amazing outdoor adventure.

VET AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED | St Mary’s is thrilled to shared the results from the Workplace Learning Illawarra Awards! We had 5 incredible students nominated across various frameworks, and the spotlight shines on these outstanding achievers: "Excellence in VET Award" recipients: Larissa Jovanoski (Hospitality – Kitchen Operations), Ellie Simmons (Hospitality – Kitchen Operations), Meja Rundback (Entertainment), Leila Thompson (Entertainment), Sophie Dooley (Business Services). In addition, two of our students took out “VET Student of the Year” for their framework! This is an outstanding achievement. Leila Thompson (Entertainment) and Sophie Dooley (Business Services) Over the past 4 years, St Mary’s has taken out the VET Student of the Year – Business Services and for the past 3 years has taken out VET Student of the Year – Entertainment so we are very proud of both Leila and Sophie for continuing our winning streak for these great achievements. We shouldn’t take for granted the success of our VET students at these external awards. They compete against students from both DET and CEO schools in the Illawarra and the competition is fierce! A big thank you to the VET team for their hard work in nominating, preparing, and supporting their VET students as without them, the girls would not be recognised in this way.