well being

Pastoral care is the top priority for all staff in Anne Symington House. Our role is to provide St Mary’s boarding students with opportunities to enjoy the many social, cultural and recreational aspects that our school has to offer. We provide an environment that allows our boarders to feel cared for, connected and engaged in a positive environment where they can thrive. I work closely with our boarding housemothers to support the day-to-day needs of our boarders, which can range from their health requirements and emotional needs to their social connections. I also collaborate with our Boarding Recreation Manager to develop an engaging recreation program for the girls, and I meet regularly with a peer-selected Boarders’ Council, which provides agency and a student voice regarding all matters in boarding. Most importantly, my team provides a valuable link between parents, students and the day school, as our boarding families navigate the move into a residential environment.

As St Mary’s Indigenous Student Coordinator, I am responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment for our Indigenous students. My primary role is to act as an approachable and readily accessible point of contact, who is available to discuss the girls’ wellbeing, academic progress and personal development. I meet with the girls on a regular basis to build a sense of identity within our Indigenous student cohort, plan group activities and projects, and create a safe space for the girls to raise any concerns that they might have. I also advise our teachers about how to best support our Indigenous students academically, and I facilitate professional learning activities to broaden our staff’s understanding of Indigenous culture and traditional practices.

As Associate Dean of Cocurriculum, I oversee, plan and evaluate all the Senior School’s cocurricular offerings and support the Dean of School Operations with the strategic development of our cocurricular opportunities. It is my strong belief that cocurricular activities play a critical role in the development of well-rounded students and are an essential component of a comprehensive and holistic education. They complement and enhance the academic curriculum and provide students with opportunities to develop a wide range of skills and competencies that are important for their personal, social and professional growth.

Associate Dean of Students (Years 7 to 9)

As Associate Dean of Students (Years 7 to 9), I am responsible for ensuring that our students feel safe, supported and known during their transition into the Senior School, while also making sure that they feel adequately prepared for the future demands of their schooling journey. I work closely with the Deputy Principal (Students and Wellbeing), Heads of Years 7, 8 and 9, Associate Dean of Students (Years 10 to 12), Psychology Services Team, Learning Support, boarding house and class teachers to ensure the care of our students. As a team, we provide opportunities for girls to participate in a range of activities, engage with guest speakers and learn practical skills to benefit their wellbeing. I am a strong advocate of cultivating a community and creating a sense of belonging in which every young person can thrive in an environment where they feel valued for their individuality.

Associate Dean of Students (Years 10 to 12)

Supporting the wellbeing and academic progress of our students who are readying themselves for life beyond school is my primary role as Associate Dean of Students (Years 10 to 12). I work in conjunction with the Heads of Years 10, 11 and 12 to help them develop and implement wellbeing programs and initiatives that are specific to each year group, and I liaise with the School’s Careers Advisor to offer the students guidance regarding their potential tertiary and professional pathways. I also work closely with the Deputy Principal (Students and Wellbeing), the Associate Dean of Wellbeing and Associate Dean of Students (Years 7 to 9) to implement whole school initiatives that support the holistic wellbeing of our students.

As a wellbeing leader in the Junior School, I have a personal passion for supporting the improvement of mental health, wellbeing and personal achievement for all students. In my role as Wellbeing Coordinator, I support the Deputy of Junior School (Pastoral Care) in providing leadership, overseeing student wellbeing and working to embed social-emotional learning pedagogies alongside evidencebased wellbeing and character strength programs. I also work closely with our Junior School psychologist to facilitate our Bonds and Bridges wellbeing sessions, which provide information on a variety of topics, foster parent engagement and enhance connection. What I enjoy most about my role is that it allows me to provide guidance and support to both students and staff, promoting positive wellbeing practices to enhance the overall wellbeing of our Junior School students.

The last few years of COVID-19 challenges have reminded me that we are meant to be part of a community, and of the vital importance we need to place on developing and strengthening our global connectedness and positive impact.

Our purpose at St Mary’s is to ‘engage hearts and ignite curious minds’, while championing the School’s values of courage, respect, aspiration, compassion and Integrity. It is within this context that I am so pleased to announce that St Mary’s regional, national and international study tours and exchange programs are about to relaunch in 2023.

I am particularly excited to advise that preparations are under way for the relaunch of our outstanding Year 10 International Exchange Program in 2023, which will see a number of St Mary’s students, by application, choose to study internationally for a period of five to six weeks at some outstanding schools around the globe. These exchanges are scheduled to take place in Semester 2.