Our college theme for 2015; Hope: For the Head, Heart and Soul has certainly been

imbued through the lived experiences of both the joys and some sorrows at Santa Maria this year. Enlivened by a sense of optimism and energy we have participated in many opportunities to learn more and be more. Engagement at school and in the community, both locally and globally has allowed for holistic growth and nurturing of the intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual being for our young women today.

It is with great pleasure I present to you an excerpt from my Farewell speech to the class of 2015, who now have joined you as past students of this fine College that is Santa Maria. May my sentiments of gratitude expressed to them also be words of encouragement and my deep admiration for you too.

As we gather this evening to acknowledge, thank and pay tribute to our departing Year 12 students – the Class of 2015 we do so with affection for these young women assembled before us. Much has happened since you began at Santa Maria in 2010. Not only have you grown and developed, so has the world in which we live.

Let’s think about this for a moment as we explore some changes in the world that has occurred in the past 6 years through the lens of technology.

When you were in Year 7 the iPhone that everybody desired was the iPhone 4 followed by a quick move to the iPhone 4S …with no stop sign on the horizon the evolution of the iPhone has continued as we now purchase: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus or an iPhone 6S. These phones have got smaller, bigger with increased functionality, lifespan and capacity and it goes on. We can’t leave home without them, unlike our landline phones of yesterday, as they have become more a necessity than a desire in this fast paced world we live…

Social media has also moved rapidly during your schooling with the introduction of Facebook whilst you were in Grade 2, followed by Twitter, and in Year 7 Instagram, with Snapchat to follow in your middle years at secondary school. The old apps, new apps, revised apps all add to a colourful world of information and new ways to gain knowledge…

I think by now my point has been made. It is true, we are living in a rapidly changing world in all aspects with “the latest”, “the newest”, “the how many likes” being flashed across screens in a very fast paced world. Our accumulation of knowledge is lessening, yet the demand to access the most current Meta data has heightened significantly.

Principal’s Report

How we learn, engage in the workplace, even meet people and live will continue to be transformed. The key for you as you leave Santa Maria is not to withdraw from the changing world we live… for change offers so much growth, opportunity, connection and imaginings for our world, but rather to anchor the person you are in the values and actions so delicately highlighted in the richness of Scripture. For it is the wisdom of Scripture that gives stability to life’s meaning in such a changing world.

Therefore live out the words etched in the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke “Go and do likewise” (10:37). Treat all with compassion, not just those you like. Work hard to establish and maintain just relationships, practices and systems. Make generosity in all its virtues a hallmark of your character and be gracious and humble in life never forgetting your gifts have been given to you by God. Become women who have the courage to listen with the ear of your heart and to be neighbour to all people, especially the poor, marginalised, disfigured and despised. For “to pour oil and wine over the wounds of humankind” as commanded by this parable, gives witness to healing, forgiveness and reconciliation… such actions that lead to the building of new horizons and life anew…

Be proud of your contribution to our College whether large or small, knowing that we have been truly blessed by your presence, your spirit, your passion for learning and love of life. Each of you has enriched and shaped the community during the past six years and we are so grateful.

As Christmas is upon us for another year, may you journey often to the Bethlehem of your heart and visit the one who offers you Hope. May you bring this Hope to your families, friends, community and into world.

Christmas blessings to you all.

Deborah M Barker, College Principal.

S.M.O.C.A. Newsletter 1.

Santa Maria Old Collegians’ Association

S.M.O.C.A.

Summer EditionDecember 2015

Volume 38

Engaging the community in partnership with the College and the Good Samaritan Inn through the You Can Do It program launched at Santa Maria by Dr Christine Dew, Hon Fiona Richardson, Prof Sue Dyson and Sr Michelle Reid sgs

College News

2. S.M.O.C.A. Newsletter

Santa Maria DayOn Santa Maria Day we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, which recognises the end of Mary’s life on earth and her return to God in heaven. This Feast Day adds a rich dimension to our school Mass and led us to the theme of “Mary, A Woman of Hope”. Mary is an important figure in our College as Santa Maria means Saint Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

In the morning we gathered as a school community to reflect on the numerous people and rituals that have, over the decades, enriched the tapestry of our 111 year old story. In fact, thousands and thousands of people have passed through our gates, each leaving with the hope they were charged with through what so many called the ‘Santa Spirit’. A spirit that is gifted to each of us by God, to do God’s work in our world.

During the Gathering Rite, students in Year’s 7 and 12, as the youngest and the oldest students in our community processed in carrying candles and encircled the community. This was symbolic of students who have just begun their journey, while others are preparing to journey beyond the school gates. This symbolic action reminded us of the cycle of life that moves and changes and how every person enriches our community.

During the mass we reflected on three significant women - strong and courageous women of “Hope” who form the foundations of our Santa Maria community, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Sr Clare Slattery and Sr Hiro Kageyama.

Excerpts from Mass

“My name is Mary. I grew up in a country town with a loving family. When I was 15 years old, a messenger from God asked me to be the mother of Jesus. When I heard this message I felt scared and uncertain. But as I thought about what was asked of me I found the courage within me to respond to this call.

As the months went by there were many things I did not understand, but I felt that I was not alone and that God was walking with me. My life was filled with joys and sorrows. The most difficult challenge I had to face was the day my son was beaten and put to death. I felt so helpless.”

I was born on September 20, 1900. The Good Samaritan Sisters taught me in primary school then I attended Santa Mara College in South Yarra. My name is Sr Clare Slattery, I was one of the first girls from a Catholic school to go to university. At university I felt God was calling me to be a Sister of the Good Samaritan. As a Sister I was very passionate about education and established a teacher training college, constantly working to encourage the Sisters to expand and deepen their own education so that they could be creative and informed teachers. Clare House is named in memory of me.

My country of birth is Japan. I became a Sister of the Good Samaritan and lived and worked in Japan for many years. In 1990, with other Japanese sisters we travelled to Bacolod city in the Philippines to work with the poor. This decision was due to the occupying Japanese army treating the Filipino people very cruelly during the 2nd World War. It was important to give hope to those suffering by working with people living in the slum areas and providing education for the children.

My wish is to continue to support those living in the slum areas and encourage students to continue their learning. I have grown to love the people I work with and hope to stay in the Philippines as long as I am able.

We love having the girls from Santa Maria College visit and work with us in the kindergarten. The money you raise each year on Santa Maria Day gives hope to so many people. I am Sister Hiro Kageyama.

The stories were very moving and gave the students the opportunity to reflect on the important place of courageous hope-filled women in society.

Another highlight of the day was having Good Samaritan Sisters with us at the mass and joining us after the mass for morning tea. The Year 12 Leaders escorted the sisters to morning tea. A wonderful image of what it means to be in community.

Past Students

S.M.O.C.A. Newsletter 3.

Class of 1965 50 Year Anniversary LunchOn Saturday, 22 August, 28 ‘old girls’ from the Class of 1965 attended a luncheon. The ladies came from interstate, country Victoria and Melbourne to celebrate 50 Years since leaving Santa Maria College. They reminisced over lunch and shared their memories. Some of the ladies commented on the celebrations:

‘It was great. It was so nice to see so many faces from the past. I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the day.’

‘It was fascinating to hear everyone’s story since they left school. I was really surprised and impressed with the number of us who are still working. I wasn’t expecting it to be so high. Just shows what a good education and some determination can do for a girl.’

‘We have turned out a very diverse range of experiences but it was great to see people being happy after all the eventfulness.’

‘It was interesting to hear all the girls tell their stories and how life has benefitted them. We don’t think deeply as we travel along, but a quick summation can reveal why we are who we are. It was great.’

‘I was so impressed by how much all of us Santa girls had done in our lives and thought of how the nuns would have been proud of us because ‘going out and doing something useful with your life’ was the refrain I remember most from them. It was also gratifying to see how happy and positive everyone was and is about their lives. This was a day to cherish.’

‘I am grateful Santa has devoted resources to keeping the old contact lines open, it is much appreciated. Now that my next generation will be part of the school community I hope this newest group will understand how fantastic it is to keep those links going.’

Milestone for Panthers Netball TeamAs 1975 started and a group of Santa girls commencing their first year beyond the Separation Street Gates, decided to put together the Panthers netball team; a way of maintaining contact as their lives took various paths. What started as an idea of weekly gatherings has become a long standing tradition that in 2015 celebrates 40 years of friendship and sport.

Through marriages, births, deaths, careers, travel and life the Panthers have played, never missing a season in the

forty years that have passed since they began. In 2015, four remaining Panthers come to Parkville each Monday night and revel in a lifelong friendship anchored in sport. Lining up on ladies a third their age, they retain the glint of young, agile netballers with the know-how of women who earnt their stripes on the courts in Northcote.

With no sign of retirement, the 40th anniversary marks a milestone but certainly not the end of this long standing team of Santa girls and Anne, Annemarie, Brenda and Marg play with youthful enthusiasm with each passing season.

4. S.M.O.C.A. Newsletter

Anne Volp (nee Leeder) Died on 18th January 2015 aged 64, after a long battle with cancer. She left Santa Maria in 1966. Her mother Marie Leeder (Cugley) attended Santa in the 1930 as did her four sisters Margaret (1964), Catherine (1972), Susan (1980) and Diane (1981).

All past students and staff are warmly invited to the Annual Reunion on Sunday 28 February 2016. In 2016 we celebrate the following milestone reunions:

Class of 1956 – 60 YearsClass of 1966 – 50 Years

Class of 1976 – 40 YearsClass of 1986 – 30 Years

Class of 1991 – 25 YearsClass of 1996 – 20 YearsClass of 2006 – 10 Years

Welcome Liturgy in the Chapel.

Afternoon tea will be provided in the Benedictine Centre Gathering Space.

College tours and photo opportunities will be available throughout the afternoon.

If you have contact with past students who may be interested in attending the Reunion celebration, please advise them to forward their details to the College so that an invitation can be distributed.

Please note that an RSVP is not required for this event.

If you have any further enquiries regarding the Reunion, please phone the College on 9489 7644.

Please note the Office will close on Friday, 18 December 2015 and re-open on Monday, 18 January 2016.

ValeMary Ellen Norden (nee Marsland, Niall) Passed away on 19 June 2015 aged 96 years. Mary attended Santa Maria in 1932 in South Yarra. In her words: “I was fourteen and I was sub-intermediate as it was called in those days. That was in South Yarra when they had a lovely old house. Then we moved to Northcote in 1933. In 1934 I finished school.” Having only five sons, the Marian tradition was carried on by her granddaughter, Corinne Niall, who attended Santa Maria until 2001.

Dear Past Student,You are cordially invited to the

Santa Maria College2016 Annual Reunion

~ A celebration for past students from all year groups ~

Sunday, 28 February 20162:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Santa Maria College