Norena+Mendiolea+-+SMMC

St Margaret Mary’s College St Margaret Mary’s College is a secondary school for girls that was established by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of Saint Benedict. The charism of the Good Samaritan Sisters reflects the gospel vision of their founder, Archbishop John Bede Polding, and the key values of Benedictine practice. At St Margaret Mary’s, the “lens through which to view the Gospel” (Brien and Hack, 2005) has been shaped not only by the heritage of the Good Samaritan Sisters but by a key foundational story, that of the parable of the Good Samaritan. As a College, we are also able to draw inspiration from aspects of the life of our namesake, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, who is known especially for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our school community is therefore able to draw on a charism which provides a “story to enter; language to speak; group to which to belong; way to pray; work to undertake; face of God to see.” (Marachel, 2000, as cited in Brien and Hack, 2005)

Charism at work in a school provides a framework to guide and link four key dimensions: the Administrative, Pastoral Care, Curriculum and Religious Dimensions. Charism influences and overlays these dimensions and this is exemplified in our College in a variety of ways.