In a rapidly changing world, one thing that remains constant is the importance of faith. As we embark on our journey through life, faith serves as a guiding light, providing us with strength, solace, and purpose.

We understand that navigating faith in the modern world can be both exciting and challenging, and that's why we're here to have an open and honest conversation about it.

In this episode, we sit down with Year 12 students, Adele and Sascha, as well as Melissa Trolio, who is Director of Mission at Santa Maria College. 
 
We delve into various aspects of faith – exploring how it intertwines with our daily lives, shapes our beliefs, and empowers us to face the uncertainties of the future. From the struggles to the moments of profound connection, we'll be sharing our stories and insights. 

No matter what your background or beliefs may be, this episode aims to foster an environment of understanding and respect. Together, we'll explore the questions, doubts, and joys that come with embracing and nurturing our faith.

Whether you're just starting to explore your faith or have been on this path for years, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Jones, a remarkable senior embryologist who graduated from the College in 2006. 

Kristen's journey has led her to Concept Fertility and Day Hospital, where she supports couples seeking assistance with conception. She also runs "I Like My Eggs Fertilised", an online education page empowering patients with knowledge about fertility and assisted reproduction. 

Kristen shares her heart-warming story, inspiring us with her dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. Join us as we explore the world of empowering fertility and gain valuable insights into reproductive medicine. 

We first came across Tracey Anthony's name through "The Kindness Challenge", run by Santa Maria College alumni Catherine Kolomyjec (Burgess, Class of 1987). Our immediate first thought was, we must have Tracey come and talk on the podcast!

Back in 2003, Tracey completed her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and rapidly began building a name for herself due to her work with teens in the refugee community. Just six years into her career, Tracey was awarded Australian Teacher of the Year, recognising her ability to build relationships with students, their families and communities, and helping students bridge the cultural gap they faced.

Today, Tracey integrates her 17 years of teaching experience with meditation and mindfulness training, and offers professional coaching for not only teens, but also young adults AND parents.

In this episode, we talk about Tracey's previous involvement in "The Kindness Challenge" here at Santa Maria, the benefits of mindful practices, her business Trackydak Co, navigating change in today's society, some of the common problems faced by teenage girls, and more. There is something for everyone to learn in this episode. 

It is safe to say that Lucy is one of the strongest advocates for social justice, particularly youth-based justice and advocacy. She has dedicated her entire career to working with young people in different spaces internationally. From kids in prison, to homeless street children, to young victims of human trafficking, Lucy has worked with youth from very marginalised, diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. 

In this episode, we cover Lucy's tertiary education journey, explore her key roles and career milestones post university, look at some of the of the advantages of volunteering, reflect on Lucy's student experience at Santa Maria College, and address her plans for the future. 

Ever since she was little, Nicola knew she wanted to have a career that helped improve outcomes for cancer patients. This stemmed from some of her close family and friends being diagnosed with cancer. 

Fast forward to today, and Nicola is in the final stages of completing her PhD in the field of cancer immunology at the National Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD), based at the University of Western Australia. Her research is focussed on improving a new cancer therapy called immunotherapy. 

In this episode, we cover all things from Nicola's tertiary education journey, to the representation of women in STEM fields, to the benefits of completing a PhD, strategies in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, how Santa Maria College influenced her career pathway, and more. 

Silvia was one of those students you always knew would go on to do some incredible things. Upon graduating from the College, she certainly wasted no time.

Just shy of 18 years old, Silvia packed her bags and headed for Sydney, where she completed a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of New South Wales. 

She spent 17+ years at Qantas Airways working across seven different roles (yes, you read that correctly). She designed several new aircraft interiors and travelled the world, working with the likes of Boeing and Airbus. She even looked after Qantas' Domestic Airports and worked on expanding the Perth Airport to support the mining boom back in 2010. 
 
After many years of climbing the corporate and consultancy ladder, Silvia decided that it was time to drive change and make a difference in another industry, and so completed her Master of Teaching (Secondary). She is now an Engineering Studies, Science and Mathematics educator and has never been happier. 

This episode covers studying, university, career pathways, social innovation, challenging gender norms, and more. We'd definitely recommend tuning into this one!   

Since graduating from Santa Maria College, Nicole has undoubtedly made a name for herself in WA. With a background in law and regional economic development, Nicole currently works with the government and private sector to develop long-term infrastructure plants to secure our cities' future prosperity and liveability. 

She is the founder and director of Lockwood Advisory, which has been in operation for almost a decade. She is the chairperson of Infrastructure WA, Airbridge, and the Malka Foundation, which supports young entrepreneurs by teaching and developing entrepreneurial skills and mindset. She is also a Board Member of NBN Australia, Chief Executive Women, WA Association for Mental Health and the Green Building Council of Australia. 

Nicole's experiences throughout her career have positioned her in a network of influential individuals in both industry and government. Through these networks, she identifies opportunities to connect and create economic opportunities that stimulate investment and achieve buoyant industry and community outcomes.

What better way to start 2023 than to sit down with the College's Principal, Jennifer Oaten? 

In this episode, we dive deep into Jen's experience as an educator, look at her greatest strengths as a leader, and reflect upon her time as a Santa Maria College boarder. Jen also explores some of the benefits of single-sex education, touching on what separates Santa Maria from other all-girls schools. To finish off, Jen addresses her goals for the 2023 school year and her vision for the future. 

This episode is worth a listen, whether you're new to the Santa Maria community or just looking to learn about what being a Principal entails. 

A double-page spread in this year’s Catherine magazine just wasn’t enough for our next guest, so we had to sit down with her and pick her brains. Julia Kay, along with her husband Jordy, launched Great Wrap, a completely compostable cling wrap, back in 2019. Since hitting the market, Julia has achieved great (see what we did there?) success. She was named 2022 Young Victorian of the Year, and Great Wrap was recognised as number 6 in the ‘Most Innovative Asia-Pacific Companies’ for 2022. 

In this episode, we’re also joined by Old Girls’ Association President, Gemma Varone, who happened to be in the same Homeroom as Julia throughout her high school years! The banter between the two of them is just priceless. Start-ups, career pathways, recycling, the future of compostable materials, and the successful habits of entrepreneurs, are just some of the exciting topics covered in this episode. You don’t want to miss this one. 

You've probably heard the name Catherine Kolomyjec before, and if you haven't, you've certainly come to the right place. With 40-plus years of community work under her belt, it's no surprise that Catherine is our first guest to appear on the podcast. 

In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane, diving into Catherine's time as a Santa Maria College student, all the way through to her work overseas as a refugee coordinator, and the co-founding of her Perth-based charity, Soul Gestures. 

Catherine has held a special relationship with the College over the years. She continues to visit our students, inspiring them to engage in acts of kindness that bring positivity to their community. 

We hope you enjoy this episode!