Established 1869 Enrolment 1000 - 1100 Colour(s) Navy Blue, Gold, White Founded 1869 | Principal Mrs Eileen Young Campus Suburban Phone +61 8 8216 5700 School type Catholic school | |
Website www.stmaryscoll.adl.catholic.edu.au Address 253 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia Motto Veritas (Latin for "Truth") Similar Christian Brothers college, St Aloysius College, St Peter’s College, Cabra Dominican College, Mary MacKillop College | ||
St Mary's College is a private, Catholic girls' school located within the "square mile" of the city of Adelaide, South Australia. Its current principal is Mrs Eileen Young, supported by Deputy Principals Mr. Corey Tavella and Ms Lorna Starrs.
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About the school
Approximately 800 girls attend the school in classes from Reception (age 5) to year 12 (age 17-18). The school offers a "Year 13" program for students who wish to obtain their Stage 2 SACE (Year 12) over two years.
The school has a reputation for excellence, with girls excelling at academia, the arts and sports. The music program is heavily renowned with a small group of students touring Caloundra, Queensland in 2007 and in 2009 a group of 30 girls and 5 teachers embarking on a historical connection tour of Ireland, in celebration of the 140 years St Mary's College has been opened.
The school has four sporting houses, in which the students are placed at the commencement of their enrolment at St Mary's. St Marys, St Dominics (the best team), St Catherines and St Thomas each compete in annual sports days and swimming carnivals.
St Mary's has a strong focus on sports and encourages participation from all attendees. The program aims to promote physical activity through sport and further develop other personal attributes, such as confidence and leadership. In the senior years, students who excel in volleyball and netball have the opportunity to participate in the respective programs, travelling interstate to compete in national tournaments. St Mary's is one of only seven Netball SA endorsed specialist schools.
St Mary's is also reputable in its focus on Social Justice. It supports many charities and selects year 11 students to attend pilgrimages annually. One is called the "Lands Trip", led by Mr Robert Napoli, Learning Area Co-Ordinator for Religious Education. The Lands Trip selects 6 - 8 girls to travel into the APY Lands, to visit an Aboriginal community and experience the literacy of the indigenous peoples of Australia. This pilgrimage started in 2008 and is renowned for being tough on the emotions and physical abilities of the students embarking this trip. The other pilgrimage is to Vietnam. In 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 St Mary's College and Christian Brothers College students' combined to participate in a Pilgrimage to Vietnam. The primary focus of the Pilgrimage is on giving service and working with orphaned, disabled children in the Phu My Orphanage in the Thi Nghe District, Saigon.
The Orphanage is operated by the Sisters of St Paul de Charters where they provide care for over 300 children. While at the Orphanage students participate in a range of activities and are immersed in the day-to-day operation of the Orphanage.
St Mary's College is a Catholic school which offers an education in the Dominican tradition.
Each year the College adopts a particular Dominican theme as its focus for College life. In 2008 the theme is 'The Power of Two Feet'. This provides direction and focus for the school community in prayer, reflection and celebration. The theme for 2010 is 'The Call To Listen'.
Philosophy
The school's motto is 'Veritas', meaning truth; it is only in the pursuit and acceptance of truth that we reach our full potential in the spiritual and secular aspects of our lives.
Campus
The campus also contains:
The school also shares campus with St Patricks Catholic Church and resides next to the Archbishops House on West Terrace. The school borders three streets. The front facing Franklin Street, the West Side fencing West Terrace, the back facing Grote Street and fences side street, Gray Street.