St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School
St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School is a highly regarded independent day and boarding school located in Karrinyup, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Established in 1921, St Mary’s has built a reputation for academic excellence, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a strong focus on the development of well-rounded young women. With its Anglican foundation, the school emphasizes values such as integrity, respect, and compassion while fostering the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and emotional growth of its students.
History and Vision in St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School was founded in 1921 by Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to the Australian Parliament, and Archbishop C.O.L. Riley. The school was established to provide a high-quality education for girls in a supportive and Christian environment. Over the years, the school has grown in size and reputation, moving to its current 16-hectare campus in Karrinyup in 1961. The school has continued to uphold its founding principles of academic achievement and personal development, with a mission to inspire and empower young women to lead lives of purpose and meaning.
The school’s motto, "Our Strength Lies in Gentleness," reflects its commitment to nurturing girls’ growth in a caring and supportive environment. The school aims to develop confident, compassionate, and resilient young women who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Academic Excellence
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School is renowned for its academic rigor and consistently ranks among the top-performing schools in Western Australia. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum that caters to the diverse needs and interests of its students, encouraging academic curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
Curriculum: In the junior school (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6), St Mary’s provides a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy, and inquiry-based learning. The curriculum is designed to foster creativity, curiosity, and independence in young learners. In the senior school (Years 7 to 12), students follow a more specialized and rigorous curriculum that prepares them for tertiary education or other post-school pathways. Core subjects include English, mathematics, science, history, geography, and languages, along with a variety of elective options.
St Mary’s offers both the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programs for senior students. These academic pathways allow students to tailor their education to their strengths and interests, while preparing them for university study in Australia or abroad. The school’s consistently strong results in the ATAR exams reflect its commitment to academic excellence.
Support for Learning: St Mary’s is dedicated to supporting students at all levels of academic ability. The school offers a range of support services, including individual tutoring, extension programs for gifted students, and additional resources for students who require extra help. Teachers work closely with students to ensure they are achieving their full potential, and the school’s small class sizes allow for personalized attention.
STEM and Technology: St Mary’s places a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The school has modern facilities, including well-equipped science laboratories, and offers a wide range of STEM subjects, including robotics and coding. The integration of technology into the curriculum ensures that students are well-prepared for the digital world and can develop skills that will be valuable in future careers.
Extracurricular Opportunities in St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s offers a wide range of extracurricular activities that cater to the diverse interests and talents of its students. The school believes that participation in co-curricular activities is essential for the holistic development of young women and encourages students to explore new interests, develop leadership skills, and build lasting friendships.
Sport: St Mary’s has a strong sporting tradition and offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports, including athletics, swimming, netball, hockey, tennis, rowing, and basketball. The school’s sports program is designed to promote teamwork, physical fitness, and personal achievement. St Mary’s students regularly compete at state and national levels, and the school has a proud history of success in interschool competitions.
Performing Arts: The performing arts are an integral part of the St Mary’s experience, and the school offers a wide range of opportunities for students to participate in music, drama, and dance. The school’s music program is particularly renowned, with opportunities for students to participate in choirs, orchestras, and instrumental ensembles. Students are also encouraged to take part in drama productions, musicals, and dance performances, which foster creativity and confidence.
Clubs and Societies: St Mary’s offers a variety of clubs and societies that allow students to explore their interests and develop new skills. These include debating, public speaking, art, chess, coding, environmental sustainability, and more.
Outdoor Education: The school’s outdoor education program is designed to challenge students, build resilience, and foster a love of nature. Students have the opportunity to participate in camps, hiking trips, and other outdoor activities that encourage teamwork, self-reliance, and environmental stewardship.
Boarding at St Mary’s in St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School offers boarding facilities for students from Year 7 to Year 12. The boarding house, known as Anne Symington House, provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for students who live away from home. Boarders come from rural and remote areas of Western Australia, as well as from overseas, and the school prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community and belonging within the boarding house.
The boarding program at St Mary’s is designed to provide a "home away from home" experience, with a focus on academic support, personal development, and wellbeing. Boarding students have access to dedicated study spaces, tutors, and mentors who help them achieve their academic goals. The boarding house also offers a wide range of recreational and social activities, ensuring that students have a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing of its students, recognizing that emotional, mental, and spiritual health are key to academic success and personal development. The school’s pastoral care program is designed to provide students with the support they need to thrive, both academically and personally.
House System: The school operates a house system, with students divided into four houses: Lockett, Riley, Craigie, and Hackett. The house system fosters a sense of community and belonging, and students participate in house activities, competitions, and events throughout the year. The house system also provides opportunities for leadership and teamwork, with senior students taking on mentoring roles for younger students.
Counseling and Support Services: St Mary’s has a dedicated team of counselors and support staff who are available to assist students with any challenges they may face, whether personal, academic, or social. The school offers programs on mindfulness, stress management, and resilience, helping students develop coping strategies and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life: As an Anglican school, St Mary’s has a strong focus on spiritual development. The school chaplain provides guidance and support to students, and regular chapel services are held to encourage reflection, gratitude, and community spirit. Students of all faiths are welcomed and encouraged to explore their own beliefs and values in a supportive and respectful environment.
Community Engagement and Partnerships in St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s values its connection to the wider community and encourages students to engage in service learning and community outreach. The school believes that service to others is an important aspect of personal development and offers a range of opportunities for students to give back to their local and global communities.
Service Learning: St Mary’s students participate in a variety of service learning projects, both within the local community and internationally. These projects help students develop empathy, leadership skills, and a sense of social responsibility. The school partners with local charities and organizations to provide students with opportunities to volunteer and contribute to meaningful causes.
Global Partnerships: St Mary’s is part of a global network of Anglican schools and has established partnerships with schools in other countries. These partnerships provide opportunities for student exchanges, international study tours, and cultural immersion programs, helping students develop a global perspective and an understanding of different cultures.
Facilities and Resources in St Mary's Anglican Girls' School
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School boasts state-of-the-art facilities that support both academic learning and extracurricular activities. The school’s facilities include modern classrooms, science laboratories, art studios, music rooms, and a performing arts center. The school also has excellent sporting facilities, including a swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, and playing fields.
The school’s library and resource center is a hub for learning, offering students access to a wide range of books, digital resources, and research tools. The library also provides study spaces and support services for students working on assignments and projects.
Conclusion
St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School is a leading independent school in Western Australia, known for its academic excellence, diverse extracurricular opportunities, and strong focus on student wellbeing. The school provides a nurturing and supportive environment where girls are encouraged to achieve their full potential, both academically and personally. With its commitment to developing confident, compassionate, and resilient young women, St Mary’s continues to be a school of choice for families seeking a high-quality education for their daughters.
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