Pillars program

Unique to St Mary’s College, the Senior School Pillars program is designed to engage students in opportunities for experiential learning that extend beyond the traditional classroom environment.

The program, which is underpinned by Martin Seligman’s PERMAH framework and Positive Education principles, is aimed at helping students in Years 7-10 build their confidence, emotional intelligence and resilience – important life skills that young people need to thrive in today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing world.

Students participate in a variety of experiences throughout the year based on their year level, including a rotation of House group activities, overnight camps, wilderness and aeronautical adventures, alpine and river journeys, and artist retreats, where the focus is on connecting with self and peers, community, land and nature, respect of culture and the importance of spirituality.

The following guiding questions support the program’s delivery in the Senior School:

• Year 7: Who am I?
• Year 8: Who am I in the SMC community?
• Year 9: Who could I be in the local community?
• Year 10: Who could I be in the world?