It’s not just our impressive academic record that makes St Mary’s an amazing school. Through a variety of sports, art, drama and musical programmes, we help build our girls’ character holistically.
Mr Jonathan Manley
Executive Principal
Overview
We offer a holistic educational offering that’s customised to meet every girls’ needs during the vital years of her schooling and life
At St Mary’s we understand that in order for your daughter to thrive and excel, her school career should be comprised of activities that add to the overall well-being of her life. We believe that achieving her personal best, is a combination of work and play in a caring and nurturing environment.
We are proud to have had a 100% Matric pass rate for the past four decades.
At St Mary’s we offer a variety of subject choices that best suit the girls in the various phases of their school life. These subjects are led by our experienced teachers who are focused on giving the attention to her and motivating her to achieve her personal best.Subjects offered:Computer (ICT)
Religious Education
Drama
School Readiness
Media
Music
Theme lessons
Physical Education
Time 2 Read
2 Large Verandahs
Fairy Garden
Beningfield Library
Mud Kitchen
Block Construction Area
Fantasy Area
Cognitive Room
Fantasy Area
Creative Area
Jungle Gym
Cycle Track
Kitchenette (For baking activities)
Theme Room
Sand Pit
Fantasy play area
Afrikaans
isiZulu
Arts
Life Orientation
Drama
Mathematics
English
Music
Handwriting
Physical Education
ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
Religious Education
Thinking Skills
Afrikaans
Arts
Drama
English
Handwriting
ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
isiZulu
Life Orientation
Mathematics
Music
Natural Sciences
Physical Education
Religious Education
Social Sciences/Integrated Studies
Chaplain’s Lesson
Consumer Studies
Dramatic Arts
EMS (Economic Management Studies)
English
First Additional Language - Afrikaans or isiZulu
Geography
History
IT (Information Technology)
Library
Life Orientation
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Media Skills
Music
Natural Sciences
Physical Sciences
Grade 8 - Thrilling Thursday
Visual Arts
Grade 9 - iWoza Wednesday
Coding/Robotics and Design
isiZulu Culture
Green Chemistry
Biomimicry
Life Skills
Art
Face to Face EQ
Sustainable Consumption
A music module
Designing more in the Makerspace
Business Studies/Entrepreneurial module
Life Orientation
Accounting
Advanced Programme English (additional subject)
Advanced Programme Maths (additional subject)
Afrikaans
Business Studies
Computer Applications Technology
Consumer Studies
Dramatic Arts
English
Geography
Global Perspectives (Compulsory subject for Grade 10 - Cambridge IGSCE subject)
History
isiZulu
Information Technology
Life Orientation
Life Science
Mathematics
Mathematical Literacy
Music
Physical Sciences
Visual Arts
Over the past 5 years, we have had 54 girls representing South Africa and 294 representing KZN in their chosen sport. There have also been 38 girls selected for Provincial or SA colours in cultural pursuits.
Sport is an important part of St Mary’s culture. From Junior Primary to High School, we encourage our girls to lead a balanced life and participate in the various sports offered. It’s a chance for them to build relationships with others and have fun at the same time.Sports offered:Athletics
Cross Country
Gymnastics (For Grade R and Grade 1)*
Hockey
Karate Club*
Madsen Hockey Academy*
Netball
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Athletics
Rounders
Badminton
Soccer
Cross Country
Softball
Diving
Squash
Hockey
Swimming
Indoor Hockey
Tennis
Netball
Waterpolo
Action Netball
Athletics
Netball
Badminton
Soccer and soccer skills
Basketball
Cross Country
Diving
Swimming
Equestrian (Official School Sport)
Tennis
Hockey
Indoor Hockey
Squash
Waterpolo
Karate - paid for extra with an external Karate Club
Boot Camp
Cumba
Run Strong
HR Workout
Stretch & Tone
Skip Set
Shape
Kettle Bells & Bands
Strength & Conditioning
Step
Biokinetics
Injury Assessment
Functional Strength and Conditioning
Physiotherapy
High Performance Conditioning
There are various clubs and societies which allow our girls to express themselves in an environment that suits them.
Creativity and freedom of expression is at the heart of our extensive range of clubs and societies offered at St Mary’s.Clubs and societiesArt
Ballet, Modern, and Hip-Hop dance*
Choir
Drama
Music
Art
Ballet*
Choir
Dance*
Drama
Junior African Music Ensemble (JAME)
Music
Marimbas (Grade 6 and Grade 7 only)
Orchestra
Recorder Group
African Music Ensemble
Jazz Band
Ballet**
Marimba Band
Modern Dance, Hip Hop and Contemporary**
Art Projects like ceramics
Orchestra
Choir
Photography Club
President’s Award*
Christian Fellowship
Saxophone Ensemble
Confirmation
String Group
Debating
Saints Who Serve
SMILE
Eco-School Club
Flute Group
Toastmasters
School Production
Inter house plays, singing and dancing
Social Awareness
Technology Club
International Exchange*
SOAR (Saints on Air Radio)
Regular Service Opportunities
Outreach Opportunities
Worship Team
**These are paid-for extras and do not meet the requirements for school awards
Types of facilities
Creativity Centre
Opened in 2000, the Creativity Centre, or CC as our girls call it, is designed to enhance our girls‘ education through research and creativity. This unique and inviting centre is beautifully decorated with interesting murals, mosaics and brightly coloured walls, and includes an open foyer, small amphitheatre, open-plan science lab and art area, as well as a sizeable kitchenette.
SMART Centre
We are proud to offer our girls the benefit of our SMART Centre (St Mary‘s Accelerated Remedial and Therapy Centre). Academic gaps are identified and addressed, and our highly qualified and experienced remedial teachers and therapists offer expert support to our girls and their parents.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Meyer: ameyer@stmarysdsg.co.za
Primary School Library
With an impressive collection of over 14 000 items, including fiction and non-fiction books, charts, posters, DVDs, audiobooks and games, the Primary School Library provides ample resources for the eager and enquiring mind.
Learning Resource Centre
This spacious 3-story building offers a host of facilities to our girls, including the High School Library, IT Department, Counselling, classrooms, lecture theatre, Beanbag Room, Maker space with 3D Laser Printer, and learning areas equipped with high-speed broadband, Apple TVs and mobile learning devices.
Sports Hall
Since its creation in 1999 our Sports Hall has set the scene for sporting excellence across all ages and disciplines. With two squash courts, an indoor hockey arena, netball courts, four badminton courts, a dedicated dance studio, an upstairs gymnastics area and ample space for a variety of additional indoor sporting disciplines, the popularity and practicality of our Sports Hall continues to grow.
Swimming Pool
We are fortunate enough to offer our girls two excellent swimming pools. The Primary School pool is heated and has 6 x 25-yard lanes with anti-ripple lane ropes, and also includes a diving board. Our state-of-the-art High School pool provides the ultimate in aquatics training with 12 x 25-metre lanes with anti-ripple lane ropes and professional starting blocks. This pool caters for swimming, waterpolo, and underwater hockey.
Tennis/Netball Courts
With 7 hard courts, we are able to offer our girls the use of 5 dedicated tennis courts and 2 netball courts.
Astroturf
Our world-class full-field water-based Astroturf can be set-up as 2 x 8-a-side fields and can also be converted to 4 x 6-a-side fields.
Grass Fields
Our full-sized grass fields are used for athletics, softball, soccer, netball, cross-country, Physical Education lessons and rounders.
Chapel
Built in 1939, our beautiful Chapel seats 320 girls and is often hired by members of the Guild of St Mary‘s Old Girls for weddings.
Amphitheatre
Seating 500 people, our world-class, all-weather venue is used for High School assemblies, play productions and musical and cultural evenings.
Drama Studio
The High School Drama Studio seats between 180 and 200 guests. With its state-of-the-art lighting and versatile space offering, it is used for a variety of events and shows.
Music
St Mary‘s Soundscapes, as our Music Department is known, is a vibrant and energetic learning and practice space. As one of the first schools to have its own recording studio, we provide a host of opportunities to those girls keen on the magic of music. The Sabine Wing, our teaching and practice facility, consists of 22 teaching venues that are all sound-proof and available for hire to the wider St Mary‘s community.
School Hall
The School Hall is rich in heritage and memories. Today, it seats 350 pupils and has excellent lighting and sound equipment. It is used for a number of events such as formal dances, exam venue, interhouse cultural events, plays, and external productions and performances.
Uniform Shop
The Blues Uniform Shop is open 5 days a week from Mon – Thurs 07:00-15:30, Fri 07:00 – 14:45 during school terms. Parents are welcome to pop in to buy selected items or to make an appointment for personal assistance in preparing their daughter for the school year. The Blues carries the full range of school and sporting uniforms, as well as school and book bags.
Contact details:
Mrs Liesel Schirmer – The Blues Manager.
031 764 2412
theblues@stmarysdsg.co.za
Sanatorium
Manned by a professional day nurse from Mon – Thurs 07:00-15:30, Fri 07:00 – 14:45, and by a professional night nurse after hours, our 5-bed Sanatorium (San) provides assistance in the event that any of our girls injure themselves or feel unwell. The nurses in the San oversee all sporting events, carry out yearly checks on our girls, and also arrange professional first aid training for staff members that require it.
School Bus
We offer a daily morning bus service from Hillcrest and Westville to St Mary’s for pupils who live locally. We also offer a bus service from Ballito every Monday morning to bring Boarders back to school for the week.
If you are interested in your daughter catching the bus then please contact Mrs Natalie Sokhela on admin@stmarysdsg.co.za for the relevant forms.
Aftercare
Catering for both junior and senior primary girls, our Saint Kids aftercare programme provides a warm and caring environment for our girls. Our attentive and thoughtful staff members ensure there is a balance between work and play – giving our girls the opportunity to have fun and ensuring their homework is completed. Contact your phase secretary if you wish to enrol your daughter.
School life
Quick FAQ
How many activities are on offer?
We have a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer for our girls.
Is sport compulsory?
Yes it is, however if a pupil is doing another physical activity at a high level (between four to five times a week) then it will be considered as her sport.
What leadership opportunities are available?
There are many particularly in High School. All matric girls have an opportunity for a leadership role. These include Captains of Sport, Heads of Houses, Heads of School, Heads of Boarding as well as various mentor roles and other areas of responsibility throughout the school.
How are injuries handled?
We have a full-time trained nurse on campus who attends to injuries and will call a doctor or ambulance if there is a serious injury. All our sports staff and many of our teachers have done a first aid course. We also have a Physiotherapist and a Biokineticist on campus.
My daughter is not sporty. What other activities are available?
We have many lifestyle sports on offer including Cumba (Zumba), Big Ball classes, walking club, social jogging, tennis and many more.