Cocurricular Opportunities – Years 3 to 6
Our Years 3 to 6 students enjoy an extensive range of cocurricular opportunities and experiences which encourages them to pursue their passions and showcase their talents. We are committed to inspiring self-assured, tenacious and mindful young women who embrace opportunities, discover their voice and strive for personal excellence.
Clubs and Activities
We pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of cocurricular clubs and activities that foster the holistic development of our students. Many of the clubs are led by our dedicated teachers, who are deeply invested in nurturing our students’ talents and passions. Additionally, we collaborate with trusted external companies to offer specialised programs, ensuring a well-rounded experience that encourages skill-building and personal growth beyond the classroom. We review our cocurricular offerings each term but below is a snapshot of some of our recent offerings.
Art Club
This club provides a relaxed, creative space for our Years 5 and 6 students to explore and experiment with a variety of art forms. This elective is more craft-focused than the students’ regular art lessons. The girls learn skills and techniques such as jewellery-making, textiles, sewing, journalling, card-making, resin and marbling.
Code Camp
Code Camp, which is held at the School during the holidays, provides our students with an opportunity to develop their coding skills.
Learn to Surf
We make the most of our proximity to Trigg Beach by offering before-school surfing lessons to our Year 6 students in Terms 1 and 4. This program develops the girls’ fundamental surf skills and water safety. Wetsuits and surfboards are provided, as is transport to and from school.
Drama Club
Coordinated by Expression Drama Studio, this activity helps students develop their confidence, creativity and communication skills. Through imaginative drama activities, children develop vocabulary, social skills and a love of performance in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
Happy Mandarin
This program aims to help students gradually master the basic application of Mandarin in a relaxed and pleasant learning environment, solve practical problems in daily life and understand relevant Chinese culture.
STEM Camp
STEM Camp is held at the School during the holidays and offers safe, fun and educational activities for kids aged 8 to 13.
Mindfulness and Yoga Club
This club helps students strengthen the mind–body connection, building awareness of how thoughts influence feelings, behaviour and learning. Students will engage in gentle yoga, mindfulness practices, creative art, reflective writing and nature-based activities to support focus and emotional regulation.
Academic Programs
Our teachers also offer a variety of academic clubs throughout the year:
- Homework Club
- Maths Skill Development
- Reading Buddies
Music
Music is an integral part of daily life at St Mary’s, and we encourage our Years 3 to 6 students to participate in a variety of music offerings that provide them with opportunities to connect, share, develop and perform. Through these opportunities, students develop musical talents and essential life skills such as teamwork and discipline while experiencing the transformative power of music to enhance emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to instil a lifelong love for music in our students, ensuring they benefit from its joy and enriching experiences.
As part of our Music Making program, all Junior School students learn a String or Concert Band instrument from one of our specialist peripatetic music teachers as part of the curriculum.
Strings
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Concert Band
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Euphonium, Tuba
Orchestral Percussion: Tuned Percussion, Timpani, Concert Drums, Auxiliary Percussion
Individual lessons are also offered through the music department on: Piano (classical, jazz, contemporary), Music Theory, Voice and Composition.
Outside of our Music Making program, we encourage students to join a cocurricular ensemble as soon as they are ready. Being a member of a music ensemble provides a unique opportunity to develop self-confidence, collaborative skills, self-discipline and organisational skills.
It also leads to improved socio-emotional wellbeing and increased enjoyment of learning and playing a musical instrument, all the while providing students with opportunities to connect, share, develop and perform.
CHOIRS
- Years 3 and 4: Hummingbirds.
- Year 5: Skylarks.
- Year 6: Nightingales.
STRINGS
- Giocoso Group: For beginner string musicians.
- Academy Strings: For students who have been learning a string instrument.
- Chamber Strings: This invitation-only ensemble is for advanced string musicians.
BANDS
- Junior Concert Band: For all Concert Band Musicians
Sport
Providing an inclusive and dynamic cocurricular sport program that caters to our students’ interests and abilities is a top priority at St Mary’s. Our commitment extends beyond competition; it’s about fostering holistic growth. Through a blend of competitive and non-competitive settings, we aim to cultivate skills that transcend the field and nurture resilience, teamwork and leadership. By engaging in sports, our students not only stay active but also learn invaluable life lessons, including perseverance and sportsmanship.
Interhouse Sport
Swimming
We host an annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival for Years 4 to 6 and a Swimming Showcase for Years 1 to 3. In Years 4 to 6, all students are trialled, ranked and entered into events that best match their swimming ability.
Cross Country
All students from Years 3 to 6 are expected to participate in our Interhouse Cross Country event. Each cohort showcases its running abilities over distances that are appropriate for its age group.
Athletics
Field events are taught and recorded in Physical Education lessons and contribute to Interhouse Athletics Carnival results.
The official Interhouse Athletics Carnival is held over two consecutive days, featuring track events and team games. In the lead-up to the carnival, all students are trialled, ranked and entered into events that best suit their ability.
Interschool competitions
St Mary’s is affiliated with the Junior Independent Girls’ Schools Sporting Association (JIGSSA) of WA, which facilitates a variety of sporting competitions throughout the year. The emphasis of JIGSSA’s competitions is participation and friendly competition. Year group pennants are awarded at some JIGSSA events.
Term 1
- Years 4 to 6 Swimming Carnival (selected team members only).
- Year 4 Summer Games (multi-sport day).
- Year 6 Summer Games (multi-sport day).
Term 2
- Years 3 to 6 JIGSSA Cross Country Carnival (selected team members only).
- Year 5 Winter Games (Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Soccer).
- Year 6 Winter Games (Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Soccer).
Term 3
- Years 3 to 4 Winter Games (multi-sport day)
Term 4
- Years 4 to 6 Athletics Carnival (selected team members only).
- Years 3 Summer Games (multi-sport day).
- Year 5 Summer Games (multi-sport day).
Recreational Sport
The following activities utilise St Mary’s resources. The before- and after-school programs are delivered by external providers, and fees do apply. While a selection of recent offerings is highlighted below, activities may vary as we review the agreements each term.
Learn to Surf
We make the most of St Mary’s proximity to Trigg Beach by offering before-school surfing lessons to our Year 6 students in Terms 1 and 4. This program develops the girls’ fundamental surf skills and water safety. Wetsuits and surfboards are provided, as is transport to and from school.
Kidz’nSport
Kidz’nSport offers a year-long program for our Pre-primary to Year 4 students that focuses on developing skills, fitness and self-confidence.
Core Fit Kids
Core Fit Kids is an acro fitness program that delivers dance and fitness sessions that give students the skills to build their strength, flexibility and fitness in a fun, encouraging and non-competitive environment.
Redhage Basketball
This Term 2 program teaches children the fundamental skills required to play basketball in a fun and supportive setting.
Scarborough Tennis Club
Following the Hot Shots Tennis Program, this club develops tennis-specific skills through hand–eye coordination activities, providing each child with a strong foundation in a fun and accessible way.
Community Clubs
We are delighted to support several sports clubs that benefit our students and others in our local community.
St Mary’s Swim School offers a comprehensive Learn to Swim program for 5- to 16-year-olds in our heated outdoor 50-metre pool.
North Coast Swim Club provides competitive training for girls, boys and adults. Expert coaches provide tailored programs. The club is affiliated with Swimming WA.
St Mary’s Netball Club competes in the Perth Netball Association’s winter competition. The club fields junior and senior teams. Teams are graded by external graders.
