2015 - OUR STORIES

ANNE-MARIE CLARK

Teacher Years at St Mary's College: 2002 - 2015

Anne-Marie Clark worked fulltime at St Mary's College for 13 years from 2002 as a teacher, counsellor and Deputy Principal of Wellbeing.
She explains that the 'positive education' environment of SMC allowed her to make mistakes and to learn from those.
Telling her story, Anne-Marie was most proud of starting the Big Sister program in 2003.

Anne-Marie Clark worked fulltime at St Mary's College for 13 years from 2002 as a teacher, counsellor and Deputy Principal of Wellbeing. She continues her connection with SMC today as a relief teacher. The college shaped Anne-Marie's life in several ways; however, its biggest impact was providing her experiences that helped her to grow and develop both as a person and a professional.
She explains that the 'positive education' environment of SMC allowed her to make mistakes and to learn from those; "it forced me to work hard, to build relationships with lots of different people, even people who don't see things the same way I see things". Telling her story, Anne-Marie was most proud of starting the Big Sister program in 2003. Whilst it has changed over the years the core of the program remains, providing a safe supportive environment something she always felt during her time at SMC.

SAFE SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

CHELSEA BROWN

Old Scholar Years at St Mary's College: 2011 - 2015

Chelsea showed great passion for netball and also participated in club netball.
Following her love of sport Chelsea became a house captain in year 12.
Chelsea mentioned year 9 as her favourite year as it was a year of growth, understanding and establishing solid friendships.

Chelsea commenced at the College in 2011 and expressed that one of her highlights was being involved in the school's netball program. Every year she travelled on a netball trip to the Gold Coast and New Zealand. Chelsea showed great passion for netball and also participated in club netball. Chelsea said, "nothing compared to playing netball for the college because the program was so welcoming and inclusive". Following her love of sport Chelsea became a house captain in year 12. It was obvious that Chelsea has always felt at home at St Mary's and this is evident as she currently coaches for the netball program.

Chelsea mentioned year 9 as her favourite year as it was a year of growth, understanding and establishing solid friendships. St Mary's College taught Chelsea lifelong lessons and shaped her into the loving person she is today. She is a proud old scholar of SMC.

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION

DANA SCOPACASA

Old Scholar Years at St Mary's College: 2003 - 2015

Dana Scopacasa said, the social justice aspect of the school had the biggest impact on her and taught her to bring those values into her life beyond school.
Apart from occasionally messing around, Dana took school seriously and worked really hard studying.
She also mentioned that she was very grateful for the life she had at St Mary's, and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Dana Scopacasa said, the social justice aspect of the school had the biggest impact on her and taught her to bring those values into her life beyond school. This helped her to realise how privileged and lucky she was to have a private education that helped to shape her future. When Dana was in year 5, she admits she was a trouble maker, especially the day she found potatoes and put them under her teacher's car, as well as pouring an 'Up and Go' on the windscreen. Apart from occasionally messing around, Dana took school seriously and worked really hard studying. She also mentioned that she was very grateful for the life she had at St Mary's, and she wouldn't trade it for anything. For Dana, year 12 was one of the most memorable years and when she had to close that chapter of her life, she was very emotional.

GRATEFUL

JASMINA JUKIC

Old Scholar Years at St Mary's College: 2010 - 2015

These years at St Mary's taught Jasmina to be resilient.
Jasmina has learnt that when you overcome hard times, it makes you stronger and helps you build skills that you may not have had before.
She remembers how her teachers at school displayed so much passion, enthusiasm and dedication to learning which inspired her to continue her dream to educate others.

Jasmina attended St Mary's College from year 7 and graduated year 12 in 2015. These years at St Mary's taught Jasmina to be resilient. Even when things became difficult or stressful, she knew it was important to push through, this is something she still does each day in her life outside of St Mary's. Jasmina has learnt that when you overcome hard times, it makes you stronger and helps you build skills that you may not have had before.

Jasmina remembers how everyone at St Mary's was welcoming when she first arrived in Adelaide, while she experienced a different world. Currently, Jasmina is in her final year at University studying to become a teacher, something Jasmina had wanted to do from an early age. She remembers how her teachers at school displayed so much passion, enthusiasm and dedication to learning which inspired her to continue her dream to educate others.

NOT A BARRIER

Josephine Koury

Old Scholar Years at St Mary's College: 2009 - 2015

Becoming Deputy School Captain, she learnt important life lessons: how to be strong and independent, she was taught discipline as well as confidence.
She felt her community was strong and highly supportive.
The message she wishes to share with all the students at St Mary's is: "make the most of every opportunity that you are given".

When Josephine Khoury started at St Mary's in 2009, she wanted to make a change. Becoming Deputy School Captain, she learnt important life lessons: how to be strong and independent, she was taught discipline as well as confidence.

While Josephine always had a passion for Social Justice she wanted to give back to society. She felt her community was strong and highly supportive.

The most exciting part of her six-year journey was the relief of finally finishing school, she still feels connected to the school because of her little sister being a current student.

During her schooling she claimed to be a "goody two shoes."
The message she wishes to share with all the students at St Mary's is: "make the most of every opportunity that you are given."
She is very grateful and fortunate for the education she had experienced.

EXPERIENCE

Megan Oxenham

Old Scholar Years at St Mary's College: 2011 - 2015

Megan Oxenham believes that, above all, her five years of secondary school at St Mary's College taught her to take more risks and be more confident in herself.
She was greatly involved in the performing arts aptitude and the school productions, including "Calamity Jane" and "Little Shop of Horrors".
Megan took every opportunity that she was presented with to express her creativity and would advise students not to be afraid of doing something because of fear of failure. Overall, St Mary's College played a significant role in her journey..

Megan Oxenham believes that, above all, her five years of secondary school at St Mary's College taught her to take more risks and be more confident in herself.
She was greatly involved in the performing arts aptitude and the school productions, including "Calamity Jane" and "Little Shop of Horrors". Her immersion in drama taught her how to combat her nerves.

As a student studying Film Making at Flinders University, public speaking confidently plays a huge role in her studies. As she is involved in a predominantly male industry, attending an all-girls high school throughout her most influential years allowed her to emerge into herself without the pressure to impress boys. Megan took every opportunity that she was presented with to express her creativity and would advise students not to be afraid of doing something because of fear of failure. Overall, St Mary's College played a significant role in her journey.

Lights, camera, ACTION!