An Open Invitation in Our Centenary Year

It is not unusual for me to be asked by someone if they can come to work at Sancta. The woman who asked me most recently said, ‘It just feels like a special place to work.’

I have found myself thinking a lot about that comment.

There is something very special happening at Sancta that is difficult to fully explain (even to myself), but somehow easy to feel. Maybe it is in the way students look after each other, their care for the buildings as though it is their own home, or the positive energy they have?

We had a mini-emergency here last week with a blocked down pipe causing water to enter the building in all the wrong places. Before staff were even aware of the problem, a big group of students was already rescuing pictures off walls, moving furniture out of harm’s way, unplugging electrical items and generally preventing a lot of damage. The few whose bedrooms were affected were understanding, patient and accommodating in the days that followed while clean-up efforts were completed.

In another example… You may have seen our great success in the recent Palladian Dance competition and seen footage of the exuberant and supportive Sancta crowd (my ears are still ringing). But you may not know that level of support is often present for sporting campaigns we don’t win, competitions that we don’t place in.

We have an extraordinary bunch of young people here in the College, and it is indeed a very special place to work.

We have been fortunate in recent years to expand our scholarship program to include the opportunity of Sancta to some who may never otherwise have dreamed a place like Sancta could be for them.

This year, 42 students are receiving scholarships to be at Sancta, most of whom are young women from regional and rural communities across NSW. Our scholarship students are thriving and are making remarkable contributions to the culture and community of Sancta as it continues to evolve. We know that the impact of our scholarships does not just affect the young woman upon whom it is bestowed, but often her family, and even the community she calls home.

Over the past five years, we have become more intentional in our approach to scholarships. Some of our scholarships are fully funded by our alumni and friends, while others are topped up by Sancta. In every case, we aim to ensure our scholarships are of sufficient size to open the door for students who would otherwise struggle to access the opportunities that College life can provide. We believe that a scholarship of $10,000 per year makes the difference between being able to study at Sancta and not. It still requires recipients to work, and families to contribute what they can, but it is enough to make that difference.

As a community-built institution, we believe strongly in being accountable to our alumni, donors and supporters. We want people to see the impact of this work firsthand, to meet the students whose lives are being shaped by these opportunities, and to understand the kind of community their generosity helps make possible.

One of the most meaningful ways to do this is through our annual Scholars and Donors Luncheon, which brings together current scholarship recipients, past beneficiaries, donors, alumni and friends of the College.

In this Centenary year especially, I would love to extend an invitation more widely to alumni and friends of Sancta who may be interested in learning more about scholarships, student support and the future of giving at the College to join me.

This invitation is extended warmly and without expectation. If you have ever been curious about this work, I simply hope you will come along and experience firsthand the ‘something special’ happening at Sancta this year.

In the meantime, please accept my warmest wishes for a wonderful winter.

Fiona Hastings
Principal