In 2021, St Mary’s College students Heather F and Abby C took part in the Iga Warta Immersion trip, where they deeply connected with Adnyamathanha culture.

Inspired by this experience, they wanted to incorporate what they learned into the School’s Netball Academy program, including the creation of an Indigenous-inspired netball dress for the June Indigenous Netball Round. David, from the Warumungu people, guided the senior teams in storytelling through art. The students collaborated to create the St Mary's Netball Story, which became the design for the new netball dress.

Print and Netball Dress Meaning

Netball - the centre of our story. 
Four women - four women around the Netball represent our team leaders.
Seven people - around the outside of this circle represent the 7 players on a netball court and a link to our 7 Dominican Sisters.
Feet - the journey of people coming from many different places to join our Netball program. 
Emu and kangaroo prints - symbolise always looking forward, being positive and focusing on the future.
Ten stars - represent our ten netball teams this year.
Handprints - All students' handprints are on the board.
Sunflower - represents the coach
Hills - link with the Adelaide Hills and play netball carnivals in the Adelaide Hills.
Night - representing the ancestors and the link between the past.

The Indigenous Round, celebrating Reconciliation Week, was held on June 4 in the Veritas Gym against St Michael’s College and Mercedes College.

Every year, National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held from 27 May to 3 June, commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

This is an opportunity for us to learn, reflect, and heal by strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

In 2023, our Reconciliation Focus Group, consisting of student leaders from Year 5 to Year 12, embraced the NRW theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ by organising activities designed to spark meaningful conversations. The week began with a whole-school liturgy led by our friend of the community, David Booth, who reminded us of the importance of connection and our active role in reconciliation.

As part of the week, the group designed stickers for all students to promote ongoing dialogue and reflection. Students shared their commitments by participating in a school-wide banner project, responding to key questions posted around the school yard, and engaging in various curriculum-based activities. Additionally, our Year 5/6 Junior School choir participated in the NRW choir, singing the powerful anthem "From Little Things Big Things Grow."

Our school community remains committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation, working together to deepen and restore relationships.

“It has been empowering to collaborate with David and the younger students in developing a week of education and awareness, which we as young people are passionate about.” 

- Zenja Z, 2023 SRC Captain

As part of our WRAP (Wellbeing, Relationship, Agency, and Personal Responsibility) program, Year 8 students participated in a cultural learning experience through the Message Stick Project.

We welcomed back David Booth and his sons from Imbala Consultancy, who shared their extensive knowledge of Indigenous art and culture in collaboration with the students.

In Term 3, 2024, Year 8 students explored the cultural significance of Message Sticks, a traditional Indigenous symbol used for communication and storytelling. They had the opportunity to design their own Message Sticks, incorporating traditional Indigenous art symbols that resonate with their personal stories.

The hands-on nature of the project allowed students to engage deeply with the materials as they sanded and engraved locally sourced Jarrah sticks, using wood-burning pens to bring their unique designs to life.

This creative process fostered artistic expression and encouraged students to reflect on their personal narratives while gaining a deeper appreciation for Aboriginal culture. Each year, students will have the opportunity to update their Message Sticks, which they will receive at their graduation in 2028, symbolizing their growth and journey throughout their time at St Mary’s College.

The 2024 Women in STEM Breakfast, held annually, explored the theme "Indigenous Scientists are our First Scientists."

The event was an opportunity for students, Old Scholars, and STEM professionals to connect, share, and inspire the next generation of women in STEM.

Guest speakers on the day were Dr Giselle Rampersad, Dean (Education) in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University and Elisabeth Boyle, a wongi (wangkatha) woman in her final year of a Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour). Their stories were truly inspiring for all in attendance.

Year 12 STEM Coordinators, Chantal and Sirisha, did a fantastic job as MCs and Senior Food and Hospitality students catered a delicious breakfast using Indigenous-inspired ingredients. 

‘We are living, learning and playing on Kaurna Land’

In July 2024, St Mary’s took part in the Thriving People events, which provided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who attend CESA schools to come together to build relationships with one another and learn about their cultures and identities.

The focus was on learning new ways of exploring and expressing culture through contemporary and emerging art forms. Students had the opportunity to learn from a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and participate in dance, woodcarving, and painting using spray paint.

One of our students who attended said the best part was meeting other students from different cultural backgrounds and bonding over similar life experiences. They have stayed in contact with some of the connections they made from the day and have said they have talked about being excited to attend the event in future years.