2017

Amy Simpson, a student at St Mary's College from Year 8 to 12, loved the opportunities to travel. She participated in the Immersion Trip to Cambodia and the Gold Coast Netball Carnival. Her message to students is enjoy school while it lasts, and don't judge a book by its cover because everyone is different.

Amy built good study habits; and is at University studying Occupational Therapy. Amy was a quiet student but would always dance to Friday lunchtime music on the lawns. Amy went to Cambodia and saw all the kids without the opportunity for an education. She looks back and thanks her parents for how hard they worked to give her an amazing education. She realised how much it meant not only to her but her family how important an education is. St Mary's helped shape Amy into who she is today by preparing her for a balanced life at university.

Written by Katie Simpson (student)

Eloise Napoli entered St Mary's College in year 6 of 2011, with passions for playing the saxophone, athletics and social justice. She graduated in year 12 in 2017. In year 11, Eloise attended the Cambodia Pilgrimage trip where she made amazing connections with  people. In year 12 Eloise was selected to be Deputy Social Justice Captain. Eloise and the other Social Justice girls, glad wrapped Mr Batty's car and this was the craziest thing that Eloise did!

Advice from Eloise is to make most of all opportunities available and do what you find happiness in. Eloise is a strong, independent woman and stands up for herself and in what she believes in. St Mary's shaped Eloise's morals, values and made her who she is today. She is in university and is working on what she loves. Eloise is re-visiting Cambodia this year something she enjoyed in Year 11.

Written by Claudia Henschke (student)

Eliza Rogers started as a Year 7 student in 2012 and best explained her time at St Mary's College as an "experience to remember". Eliza loved events, such as sports carnivals. This is because "Everyone came together, and we were one". Throughout Eliza's time at SMC, she learnt to have respect for herself, and her peers. In her life today, Eliza has applied many of these life lessons such as the importance of outreach and personal responsibility.

Eliza explained, "In difficult times, the support I received from my friends helped me remember the importance of cherishing the moments with them". A funny memory Eliza shared was almost burning down the Food Tech kitchen and being so upset when she couldn't cook with her bestie. Eliza is so grateful for how the school has shaped her into the person she is and for all her amazing friends. She thanks St Mary's!

Co-Written by Georgina Scicluna and Felecia Maragkos (student)

In 2013 Ellen Martin started in Year 8. Throughout her schooling, she was focused on English and Writing. Ellen joined the first St Mary's College Writing Club, being shortlisted for her story in a Writing Competition. In Year 12 she won another writing competition! Since leaving school, she has continued her passion for writing.

Ellen has some great memories of school, including the always changing lunch 'hangout' areas around school. She recalls that group bonding time was a great future value for life and remembers her back stage roles at three School plays. She never understood why the teachers watched so closely, but by the end of Year 12 it was clear. Ella won the Ethos award, for her roles and achievements. Ellen feels SMC helped shaped her character and recalls asking for changes to the uniform, this meant she was able to be a Student Representative for future improvement.

Written by Georgia Fedele (student)

Tatjana was never involved in any musicals in Primary School, but she was at SMC. This was a very exciting experience. Tatjana believed school prepared her for later life because there were many great opportunities. For example, if you wanted to do Arts there was an excellent Art program and the same can be said for Science, Music and more. The Arts program was very valuable for Tatjana as she developed a passion for acting.

Tatjana believes she would not be the confident, social person she is today without SMC. She believes that SMC is a positive, friendly environment. She thinks that she is now more adventurous and that she experienced things that she would not have at another school. Tatjana believes that she has made a positive impact on others. She learnt that she should always fight for what she wants and stand up for what she believes in.

Written by Summa Arrizza (student)

Maria Labbozzetta spent the most critical years of her life at St Mary's, and looking back on that time now there are only joyful memories. The college has helped shaped Maria into the person she is today by instilling many life lessons, excellent advice, and many skills to take with her into later life. A lesson that the college taught was: "Always treat everyone with respect." Now, no matter where Maria goes, this will be the lesson that she will always remember.

One statement that Maria made was about the community of St Mary's: "There will never be a place on Earth that has the same welcoming, and heart-warming community like St Mary's. It will forever be my safe place." Maria is extremely grateful to have been a student at St Mary's and wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else. This school has made her a more mature, thankful person.

Written by Luisa Baldino (student)