Santa Maria College

I would like to say a big thank you to all the wonderful, kind, helpful, supportive and dedicated staff at SMC, we’ve consistently experienced excellent pastoral care and fabulous support since transferring from another school at the start of year 9, combined with our daughter being surrounded by a cohort of very academically bright, well behaved, hardworking, self motivated students who value education and all want to do their best. My daughter has a lovely group of kind, supportive friends. Her ATAR results exceeded our expectations and have essentially given our daughter the opportunity to choose almost any course at any University. I don’t believe she would have scored nearly as well if she had remained at her previous school and we have greatly appreciated the experience of attending Santa Maria College.

I am staying anonymous for this review. This school is in serious need of help as bullying is extremely common with teachers and students bullying other students. There are few nice teachers at the school and there is fewer nice students but when bullying occurs (a extremely often thing) the school doesn't do anything except make the student think they are wrong and ignore issues that desperately need attention.

At the school I overheard one of the staff member call myself and another student the 'B-word' this is shocking as the staff member was saying this to another student and the staff member was very rude to me before that and has been many many times before.

The teachers don't listen when there is drama and issues at the school instead the staff members disregard it. The whole school is a traumatic experience just walking into the gate can bring anxiety as someone who is being heavily bullied and isn't being defended. I have lost all my friends, been heavily judged, my experience has been disregarded, teachers have been extremely unkind and I am even considering leaving this school due to how horribly contained this school is

My overall recommendation about this school is to not go unless you wish to have continuous anxiety and traumatic experiences for a very long time.

My Daughter, Quindisha Dingleton, has a rare genetic disorder called Degenerative Fingernail Syndrome, that causes her nails to turn algae green. Unfortunately, due to her condition and the fact she can't wear acrylics, she gets severely bullied by multiple students everyday and she has had enough! I am extremely disappointed with the school, something needs to be done immediately!

A very disappointment that I had to go there back in the 80s-90s that this teacher would constantly bully me, she called me and one of my friends really inappropriate names, and continue to harass us.
Clearly there are favourites in this school and this teacher just loved to give us smacks and humiliate us.
Clearly you need to fire her as soon as possible, this is not acceptable

I'm staying anonymous for this review. I graduated Santa Maria College in 2017 and reading through these reviews, it appears nothing has changed about the bullying. It is definitely rife. Extremely cliquey, rumour spreading and exclusion are exceptionally common within this school. Being a Roman Catholic establishment constantly preaching about mercy and compassion, it is ironically and severely lacking in this regard. I remember my experience clearly because the bullying was so, so bad. Nothing was done about the issue from upper management despite pleas.

Bullying from teachers is also prevalent. Don't get me wrong – there were some extremely lovely teachers that genuinely cared about the success of their students. However, unfortunately, many have clear favourites – some expressing their favouritism more-so than others. For example, my mathematics teacher would constantly pick on me for the most mundane of things. Apparently, raising my hand and saying "Sorry, I'm struggling with this question, could I have some clarification? " was considered rude because I didn't use my manners and say please. She would constantly belittle and berate me, all the while braiding another students' hair next to me. Great way to ensure a student doesn't ask for help next time. This was just one example of many.

I could go on and on, but I believe many of the reviews already outline the issues within this school well enough. Attending this place has honestly impacted my self-esteem and confidence even to this day. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

My daughter gets bullied by teachers for "having a moustache". She has a rare medical condition which causes rapid facial hair growth and the school is aware of this. They need to be more understanding of uncontrollable issues that not only my daughter, but many others have. Frankly I'm dissapointed.
Rhonda.

Its a shame that you can't select zero stars for a review. The statements on bullying from the other comments on here are very true with students leaving to other schools. The bullying can range from students and teachers. There are always clear favourites in the environment. You see its always the same students being featured in their cookie-cutter magazines. I'd say the toxic student culture here is very prominent and overload of course work, lack of extensions and unrealistic expectations. They also have unusual punishments in place unlike some other private schools I have spoken to. Usually if you forget to sign your planner other places will just tell you to get it signed. At this place you get a yard duty spending your lunch cleaning up rubbish is a bit extreme. Or the time you forget your sports uniform more then once it is a detention after school. Other places get you to write an apology letter or make you take a workshop on organising your skills. Don't even get me started on the ' reflection days'. Your child will come home with bundles of paper on ' values, finding your inner self, icebergs'. Have a look through them and yes they are important but very little was done in the early stages of Santa Maria on these reflection days about Career paths and giving students more practical opportunities like work experience. I'd say the hidden truth about this school is what makes it harmful to an individual. You see this school has a particular standard when it comes to sitting your final exams to graduate over the period of 2 years. They have a 'reputation' to uphold. Sure you might be on a passing grade for a class lets say in the 50s it is good enough to translate to get an ATAR and gain a pathway into university. Or furthermore set you up for an extra enabling program to pursue that pathway but NO. They have their 'own' criteria for subjects and if you don't have the marks in that subject you are denied access to do it usually criteria is set around 65% and more. I remember my meeting very well when it came to this process of pathways. They ripped into me and left me feeling like a failure, made me question my abilities with the question proposed ' university sometimes isn't for everybody'. The worst part about this was I believed them as I was thrown into the access pathway. The access pathway is only good if it has multiple pathways for the course you want to get into university like nursing for example. After leaving I still had my dream and enrolled into an adult college and passed my ATAR. The approach was different compared to this school and I managed to get help, good assistance and be in a good environment. All things which are important to learn. Nevertheless I passed everything and got into my dream course at university. If I had stuck to Santa Maria beliefs I would have never achieved my goals. Many parents noticed this sooner and took their kids out so they could have a go at sitting ATAR somewhere else. My advice to anyone reading this is don't let this place determine your potential. It only sets the boundaries but you can always push its limits.

This school is amazing. Me and my friend are going there in year 8. Im very excited and cannot wait to go. Hope to see you there!

Depends entirely on the teachers and unfortunately, some very uncaring teachers were elevated to managerial positions. I recall an incident where I was unable to swim in the carnival and this particular teacher (who was head of the science faculty) shouted at me in the classroom, full of girls, as to why I wasn't swimming. I told her my father had written a note, which she had in her hands, but she insisted I explain to everyone why I couldn't swim. Clearly, this was deliberately done to embarrass me. It was a breach of confidentiality and completely inappropriate.

The same teacher, on another occasion, shouted at both myself and a fellow student for leaving a TV at the rear of a classroom, when we'd been asked to leave it there by another teacher. I hoped she'd left the school but was informed a few years ago that she is still there. I can only imagine the number of girls she's hurt.

Conversely, there were some incredibly nice and compassionate teachers (English & history dept) but it's the unpleasant experiences that stay with you. I'd recommend political and legal studies especially, if it's anything like it was 10 years ago.

The school uniform changes (making wearing the blazer compulsory to formal occasions and only being allowed to wear the jumper under the blazer, plus now, the hats) I think are silly; introduced, we were told, after some parents had complained they didn't want to spend money on a blazer for it only to be worn once a year. The students are walking advertisements for the school, it might not bother you or your daughter, just be aware of it. You're also essentially required to do after-school activities.

Its a shame that you can't select zero stars for a review. The statements on bullying from the other comments on here are very true with students leaving to other schools. The bullying can range from students and teachers. There are always clear favourites in the environment. You see its always the same students being featured in their cookie-cutter magazines. I'd say the toxic student culture here is very prominent and overload of course work, lack of extensions and unrealistic expectations. They also have unusual punishments in place unlike some other private schools I have spoken to. Usually if you forget to sign your planner other places will just tell you to get it signed. At this place you get a yard duty spending your lunch cleaning up rubbish is a bit extreme. Or the time you forget your sports uniform more then once it is a detention after school. Other places get you to write an apology letter or make you take a workshop on organising your skills. Don't even get me started on the ' reflection days'. Your child will come home with bundles of paper on ' values, finding your inner self, icebergs'. Have a look through them and yes they are important but very little was done in the early stages of Santa Maria on these reflection days about Career paths and giving students more practical opportunities like work experience. I'd say the hidden truth about this school is what makes it harmful to an individual. You see this school has a particular standard when it comes to sitting your final exams to graduate over the period of 2 years. They have a 'reputation' to uphold. Sure you might be on a passing grade for a class lets say in the 50s it is good enough to translate to get an ATAR and gain a pathway into university. Or furthermore set you up for an extra enabling program to pursue that pathway but NO. They have their 'own' criteria for subjects and if you don't have the marks in that subject you are denied access to do it usually criteria is set around 65% and more. I remember my meeting very well when it came to this process of pathways. They ripped into me and left me feeling like a failure, made me question my abilities with the question proposed ' university sometimes isn't for everybody'. The worst part about this was I believed them as I was thrown into the access pathway. The access pathway is only good if it has multiple pathways for the course you want to get into university like nursing for example. After leaving I still had my dream and enrolled into an adult college and passed my ATAR. The approach was different compared to this school and I managed to get help, good assistance and be in a good environment. All things which are important to learn. Nevertheless I passed everything and got into my dream course at university. If I had stuck to Santa Maria beliefs I would have never achieved my goals. Many parents noticed this sooner and took their kids out so they could have a go at sitting ATAR somewhere else. My advice to anyone reading this is don't let this place determine your potential. It only sets the boundaries but you can always push its limits.

Depends entirely on the teachers and unfortunately, some very uncaring teachers were elevated to managerial positions. I recall an incident where I was unable to swim in the carnival and this particular teacher (who was head of the science faculty) shouted at me in the classroom, full of girls, as to why I wasn't swimming. I told her my father had written a note, which she had in her hands, but she insisted I explain to everyone why I couldn't swim. Clearly, this was deliberately done to embarrass me. It was a breach of confidentiality and completely inappropriate.

The same teacher, on another occasion, shouted at both myself and a fellow student for leaving a TV at the rear of a classroom, when we'd been asked to leave it there by another teacher. I hoped she'd left the school but was informed a few years ago that she is still there. I can only imagine the number of girls she's hurt.

Conversely, there were some incredibly nice and compassionate teachers (English & history dept) but it's the unpleasant experiences that stay with you. I'd recommend political and legal studies especially, if it's anything like it was 10 years ago.

The school uniform changes (making wearing the blazer compulsory to formal occasions and only being allowed to wear the jumper under the blazer, plus now, the hats) I think are silly; introduced, we were told, after some parents had complained they didn't want to spend money on a blazer for it only to be worn once a year. The students are walking advertisements for the school, it might not bother you or your daughter, just be aware of it. You're also essentially required to do after-school activities.

Dear Santa Maria college,

As a mercy, catholic girls school, I would expect full compassion and assistance to everyone in the school community. I do not see any compassion or support towards the parents of the college regarding financial, health or any type of support. An example being when someone I knew was going through hard times and medical problems, the school had no support in helping or assisting with payments. The school always says that we strive for excellence and compassion but this promise vanishes when things get tough and the school believes it's not their problem they just want the money.

Have a good day xx

I am very happy that I put my daughter Belinda despite I had to work hard up North. The teacher was very helpful and nurturing. During her stay at Sta. Maria, she learnt to be organise, ambitious and competitive. Belinda finished her Bachelor of Science, she travelled Canada and done Masteral degree on Bio - statistic. She's now 28 years old. She's still working hard towards her goal. To be a scientist one day. She is now working at one of government research in Canberra. All of this I owe to Sta. Maria. For sculpturing my daughter's future.

I have never been to the school Santa Maria, however I know of so many people that have pulled their children out of this school for various different reasons. One reason being that bullying in this school appears to be a large issue. Another being the ridiculous rules with wearing the school hat. I have heard so many story’s of people that go to this school and have been told off for not wearing their hats or blazers, even on hot days. This is just some of the outrageous rules that are in this school. I don’t mean for this to be too harsh, however I think the school needs to do something about the rules with the hats and blazers.

An awesome school.as parents of 2 daughters attending this school we couldn't be happier with the school, the quality of the teaching staff and holistic view of educating our daughters.

Our experiences with the school have been extremely positive and we have always been made to feel welcome. One daughter finished her journey two years ago, one has just begun. We admire the school's energy and direction that it has taken over the last few years and the pastoral care is amazing.

This is just a very quick review! My daughter started in Yr 5 this year 2018 and just loves the school. She has cousins who are both past and present students and their feedback helped us with our decision to send her. We feel very fortunate that our daughter is at this school.

The Principal, staff and parent community are caring, focused and put the students first in all they do and plan. A great school that builds the whole student and encourages each student to achieve her best.