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Santa Maria College

Australia, Perth

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$7,728 - 17,727
Ages 10 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1300
Type Girls School, Girls School (boarding)
Opened 1938
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum
Taught languages French, Italian
Typical class size 24
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Santa Maria College is a Catholic day and boarding college for girls in Years 5–12, located in Attadale. The school teaches the Australian Curriculum aligned to WA standards, with core learning areas Religion, English, Mathematics, Science and HaSS, plus electives and co-curricular programs. In Years 7–10, four Science electives extend STEM study, while Connecting Learning to Life and the emPOWER program develop life skills and leadership. The IGNITE Gifted & Talented program (Years 5–8) provides project‑based enrichment, with elective access in Year 8. The college houses the Djinda Theatre (642 seats), Trocaire Studio, Kaarlak Studio and Catherine Courtyard in its Cultural Centre, plus a renovated Chapel and dedicated science labs (Superlab). Arts and music spaces support creative study, and outdoor areas complement learning for Years 5–6. Mercy heritage underpins Hospitality, Compassion, Justice, Service and Excellence, with Transformative Learning Partnerships linking students to industry and community partners and a service ethos.

18 Stoneham Road, Attadale, WA 6156, Australia

Vibes and Culture
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The Essentials

Santa Maria College has 1,300 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
Attadale, Western Australia. The College is located at 18 Stoneham Road, Attadale WA 6156. Postal address: Locked Bag 1, Melville WA 6956.

Stages
Years 5-12.

Type
Catholic day and boarding college for girls (Years 5-12).

Additional learning support
Learning Enrichment teachers provide literacy and numeracy support within the classroom and in small groups. The Enrichment Centre provides support to students from Years 5–12.

Country affiliation
Australia

Religious affiliation
Catholic

School day structure
The day consists of six periods with Homeroom each morning, alternating between Week A and Week B timetables.

Bus service
Students may ride or walk, catch Transperth buses, use Santa Maria private chartered buses, or be dropped off by their parents.
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees

Annual tuition at Santa Maria College ranges from AUD 7,728 to AUD 17,727 for 2026/27.

Application and enrolment fees
- Application for Admission (GST inclusive): AUD 150 — non‑refundable and payable on submission of the application form.
- Enrolment Confirming Fee: AUD 2,000 — non‑refundable and non‑transferable, payable within two weeks of acceptance to secure the place.

Tuition fees and compulsory annual charges by year group (annual amounts)
- Year 5: Tuition Fee AUD 6,603; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 275; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 7,728.
- Year 6: Tuition Fee AUD 6,603; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 775; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 8,228.
- Year 7: Tuition Fee AUD 15,299; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 1,200; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 17,349.
- Year 8: Tuition Fee AUD 15,299; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 565; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 16,714.
- Year 9: Tuition Fee AUD 15,299; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 1,578; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 17,727.
- Year 10: Tuition Fee AUD 15,635; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 489; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 16,974.
- Year 11: Tuition Fee AUD 15,898; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 265; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 17,013.
- Year 12: Tuition Fee AUD 15,898; Digital Learning Levy AUD 790; Curriculum & Resource Fee AUD 565; Parent Council Levy (per family) AUD 60; TOTAL AUD 17,313.
- Compulsory Facilities & Grounds Levy (per family): AUD 1,950 (applied in addition to the totals above). This levy is not tax deductible.

Per‑term fee amounts (calculation)
- The per‑term amount shown below is calculated by dividing the annual TOTAL by four, consistent with a four‑term school year used in Western Australia. These per‑term figures are a calculated guide rather than listed instalment invoices.
- Year 5 per term (calculated): AUD 1,932.00.
- Year 6 per term (calculated): AUD 2,057.00.
- Year 7 per term (calculated): AUD 4,337.25.
- Year 8 per term (calculated): AUD 4,178.50.
- Year 9 per term (calculated): AUD 4,431.75.
- Year 10 per term (calculated): AUD 4,243.50.
- Year 11 per term (calculated): AUD 4,253.25.
- Year 12 per term (calculated): AUD 4,328.25.

Boarding fees (where applicable)
- Annual boarding fee: AUD 30,434 per boarding student (applies to the boarding programme as published). Boarding fees are calculated on a whole‑year basis.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment Option 1 — Annual payment in advance: full payment required by 20 February 2026. A 3% discount applies to the tuition fee component only for families who pay in full by that date (bursary recipients are not eligible for this discount). Payments may be made via the College Direct Debit Scheme, by providing credit card details for automatic processing on 20 February 2026, or by cash, cheque, or direct deposit into the College bank account.
- Payment Option 2 — Three instalments: payments due on 18 February, 18 May and 18 August 2026. Payments may be made via direct debit, credit card (automatic processing) or by cash, cheque, or direct deposit.
- Payment Option 3 — Nine equal monthly instalments: commencing 20 February 2026 and processed monthly to 20 October 2026. Option 3 payments can only be made via the College Direct Debit Scheme or by providing credit card details for automatic processing.
- Payment Option 4 — Eighteen equal fortnightly instalments: commencing 13 February 2026 and processed fortnightly to 9 October 2026. Option 4 payments can only be made via the College Direct Debit Scheme or by providing credit card details.
- Accepted credit cards: Mastercard and Visa only.
- Special fee payment arrangements can be made in advance with the College Finance Office. Split billing between two parents/guardians is available with signed written authorisation returned by the specified date.

Other costs and optional charges
- Subject and curriculum fees: the Curriculum & Resource Levy covers many incidental charges; subject‑specific fees (for example, Design & Technology workshop, Outdoor Education, Marine Studies) are listed for particular year groups and, where charged, are generally non‑refundable after subjects commence. Examples include: Year 9 Outdoor Education AUD 200; Marine Studies AUD 90; Year 12 Outdoor Education AUD 700; other subject‑related charges vary by subject and year.
- Music tuition: private instrumental lessons incur additional fees; details and costs are available from the Music Department. Optional excursions and tours (e.g., Canberra trip, language tours, drama tours) are charged separately. Students are not eligible to participate in optional excursions unless tuition and compulsory charges are fully paid or payments are up to date.
- Parent Council Levy: AUD 60 per family (annual).
- Compulsory Facilities & Grounds Levy: AUD 1,950 per family (annual, not tax deductible).

Sibling discounts and financial assistance
- Sibling discount on the tuition component only: 10% reduction for the second sibling and 20% reduction for the third and subsequent siblings (conditions apply; to receive the 20% reduction all siblings must be enrolled in senior school). All other fees and charges remain payable in full. The College offers the Catherine McAuley Bursary and Financial Hardship Concessions for eligible families; bursaries and concessions apply to the tuition component only and have separate application requirements and deadlines.

Withdrawal and refund information
- Application fee (AUD 150) and Enrolment Confirming Fee (AUD 2,000) are non‑refundable.
- Day students: written notice of withdrawal to the Principal requires a full term's notice. If a full term's notice is not provided, one‑third of the current annual tuition fee will be charged in lieu of notice. All remaining levies remain payable in full.
- Boarding students: boarding fees are calculated on a whole‑year basis. Withdrawal from the boarding house during the year requires a full semester's written notice. If due notice is not provided, full annual boarding fees will be charged in lieu of notice. All remaining levies remain payable in full. There is no pro‑rata adjustment for students enrolling or leaving part way through the year.

Consequences of unpaid fees and insurance
- The College may take legal action to recover unpaid fees; any recovery costs (including debt collection and solicitor fees) will be charged to the family account. Continuance of enrolment cannot be guaranteed while fees remain outstanding unless an alternative arrangement is agreed with the Principal.
- Student Care Insurance: students are covered by Catholic Church Insurance Student Care Insurance with limited cover; families are advised to check personal health and property insurance arrangements.

Payment methods
- Direct Debit via the College Direct Debit Scheme (required for some instalment options).
- Credit card (Mastercard and Visa only) when authorised for automatic processing on scheduled payment dates.
- Cash, cheque, or direct deposit into the College bank account (available for certain payment options).

(Amounts and terms presented above reflect the College's published 2026 fees, charges and business arrangements.)
Academics

Santa Maria College teaches Australian Curriculum for students aged 10 to 18.

Curriculum
Curriculum is aligned with the Western Australian curriculum. Core learning areas are Religion, English, Mathematics, Science and HaSS (Humanities and Social Sciences), complemented by electives and co‑curricular activities. Years 7–10 offer four Science electives. Connecting Learning to Life guides learning, and the emPOWER program teaches life skills and leadership. IGNITE provides enrichment for Gifted and Talented students in Years 5–8 (withdrawal in Years 5–7, elective in Year 8). Learning Enrichment supports literacy and numeracy, and Curriculum Handbooks are available for Years 5–6, 7–9, 10, and 11–12.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class sizes are 24–25 in Years 5–6, 22–24 in Years 7–9, and fewer than 24 in most senior classes.

Exam Results
In 2024, Year 12 comprised 190 students: ATAR pathway 129 students (68%), ACCESS (VET) 46 students (25%), UniReady 15 students (8%). Median ATAR 87.8; Highest ATAR 98.95; ATAR 95+ 21%; ATAR 90+ 40%; ATAR 80–90 34.8%; ATAR 70–80 13.9%; ATAR less than 70 11.6%. 65 Awards; Certificates of Excellence 5; Certificates of Distinction 21; Certificates of Merit 39. NAPLAN 2024 results were above national averages with 100% participation.

Higher Education Progression
ATAR pathway to university remains common; in 2024 Year 12 breakdown was ATAR 68%, ACCESS (VET) 25%, UniReady 8%. Median ATAR 87.8; Highest ATAR 98.95. The College provides pathways to university via ATAR, ACCESS (VET), UniReady and UniPath.

Gifted and Talented
IGNITE is Santa Maria College's enrichment program for Gifted and Talented students in Years 5–8. In Years 5–7 IGNITE is offered through a withdrawal program and in Year 8 as an elective, with units focused on creative work, high‑order thinking and problem‑solving, including STEM and creative arts.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the Application for Enrolment. Applications for enrolment can be submitted at any time, and families are encouraged to apply early to improve the chance of securing a place. The enrolment process is online and begins by registering with an email address and submitting the form, with a non-refundable fee of $150. 2. Understand how offers are prioritised. Offers are made according to the Enrolment Policy priorities when applications exceed available places. Priority is given to children and families who support the Catholic Mission of the College, current or previously enrolled students, alumni, or staff members, children of families who have supported Catholic Education, and children who value the all-girls environment. 3. Prepare for interviews. Interviews for Year 5 occur one year before starting, and for Year 7 three years before commencement; entry at other year levels may be considered if places are available. The Parish Priest Reference Form can be downloaded and forwarded to your Parish Priest or Church Minister, but this recommendation is not mandatory. 4. Complete enrolment steps and access resources. To complete your enrolment, register and submit the online application; after submission, use the Parent Dashboard to access or update the application. Families may book a campus tour and request an enrolment pack for additional information. 5. Contact for personalised support. For questions or personalised support, the Admissions team is the first point of contact; contact details are provided for assistance.

Scholarships
The Catherine McAuley Bursary provides financial assistance to families of current students who require help and hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card. Bursaries and Concession are not continuous and require annual reapplication if further assistance is needed, with a meeting with the Business Manager required before assessment. Bursaries close on 1 April of the current year and are not available for Years 5, 6, 7, or in the first year at the College. Financial Hardship Concession is available for short-term fee relief and also requires annual reapplication if needed.
School Events
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