Year 7
We encourage our Year 7 students to try new things, make new friends, learn new skills and find their voice in a supportive environment.
Our Year 7 program combines the excitement, creativity and individualised care associated with a primary school with the specialised facilities, academic rigour and cocurricular opportunities that our Senior School is renowned for. Our girls are given more independence as they begin their Senior School journey while retaining the pastoral care that a central classroom provides.
Year 7 Centre
Our Year 7 students benefit from learning in our purpose-built Year 7 Centre, which boasts seven classrooms, an IT laboratory, a science laboratory and a Learning Support classroom. Our Year 7 Centre is a sanctuary for our Year 7 students. They start each day with the same teacher and participate in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science with eight Year 7 teachers who rotate through the Centre’s classrooms. They then venture into the wider Senior School to work with specialist teachers in other subjects including Dance, Drama, Design Technologies, Digital Technology, Languages, Media, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies.
Year 7 is the perfect time for students to explore everything that St Mary’s has to offer. Our Year 7 learning program offers students a range of experiences so they can discover their interests, strengths and learning preferences. Year 7 students study the following subjects:
- Mathematics
- English
- Science
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Languages: Japanese, Italian, French, Language and Literacy (French)
- Digital Technology
- Design Technologies
- Media
- Physical and Health Education
- Outdoor Learning
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts: Music, Dance and Drama
- Religious Studies
Arts and Sport
Our students are encouraged to pursue their interests and develop their talents by participating in our vibrant arts and sports programs.
MUSIC
Our classroom music courses cover music literature, the history of music, music theory, music perception, music performance and techniques of composition, including melody writing and arranging for ensembles and harmony.
Year 7 students do three music classes per cycle for the duration of the year. Students who have not previously learnt an instrument are encouraged to do so through our Year 7 Beginner Band Program.
Instrument and voice lessons are given privately by specialist music teachers who visit the school each week. Lessons are 40 minutes in duration and are scheduled throughout the school day.
DANCE AND DRAMA
All Year 7 students participate in Dance and Drama classes via our Arts Alive course, which focuses on exploration, experimentation, key skills development and building self-confidence.
SPORT
In the Senior School, all students participate in a variety of individual and team sports, including:
| Athletics | Cricket | Handball | Soccer | Tennis |
| Australian Rules Football | Floorball | Hockey | Softball | Touch Rugby |
| Badminton | Fitness circuits | Netball | Swimming | Volleyball |
| Basketball | Gymnastics | Self-defence | Swimming rescue certificate | Water Polo |
Interhouse sporting events are also an important part of school life and all students participate in our Interhouse Swimming and Athletics Carnivals. Fun, enthusiastic participation and team spirit are the hallmarks of these events. Our students are also encouraged to compete in our Interhouse diving, cross country and gymnastics events.
St Mary’s is a member of the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA) interschool sports competition. Students are selected on merit at the start of each season from interhouse carnival results and/or trials.
Student wellbeing
We acknowledge that transitioning from primary to secondary school is significant. That is why we provide we provide comprehensive support to our students and their families.
Our Associate Dean of Students (Years 7 to 9) and Head of Year 7 provide overarching support to our teachers and are always available to discuss any concerns with parents and guardians. They are members of our broader Senior School Wellbeing Team, which is made up of our Deputy Principal (Students and Wellbeing), Associate Dean of Wellbeing, Heads of Year, Head of Boarding, Psychology Services team, Head of Learning Support, School Chaplain and Health Centre staff.
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St Mary’s is all about girls discovering their best. We want our students to be engrossed in the exploration of ideas, to be self-motivated and self-directed, to delight in trying something new and to contribute positively to the community.