St Mary’s Cathedral College is set to pivot in an exciting new direction next year as it prepares to embrace an innovative liberal arts approach from 2023.
The college, which is the oldest school in the Sydney Archdiocese, will continue to build on its reputation for outstanding holistic education by developing a new way of learning that will help students better realise their potential.
A liberal arts approach will encourage students to think more critically about the way they learn and empower them to be more passionate and energetic about their education.
With the announcement of Kerrie McDiarmid as new Principal of the college from 2023, it promises to be a transformative and exciting period for St Mary’s.
Classical wisdoms, contemporary learning
David Bulmer, Specialist: Liberal Arts at Sydney Catholic Schools, said the college’s focus on a liberal arts education will aim to reimagine the future of the school in terms of its possibilities.
“With a liberal arts approach, what we’re really trying to do is give students the courage to think big, and the responsibility to think in a way which will make a difference in society” – David Bulmer
“One of the hallmarks of liberal arts classroom is questioning – students willingly inquiring into the why, and the how of their learning,” Mr Bulmer said.
“In many ways students today are drowning in information, but are starving for deep skill and wisdom in both processing and understanding this information.
“A liberal arts classroom is one that reflects critical thinking through questioning, moral reasoning and is building lifelong virtues that lead to character formation,” Mr Bulmer added.
A unique position in the Sydney landscape
With its charisms, traditions and renowned co-curricular offerings, St Mary’s Cathedral College is seen as an ideal setting for a liberal arts model.
“The location of the school lends itself to a liberal arts teaching in terms of the access to opportunities, both in and around the city,” Mr Bulmer said.
“The new approach will offer many cross curriculum opportunities in learning but also the capacity to connect authentically with the real world that is on the doorstep of the College” – David Bulmer
“The museums, the art galleries, the Conservatorium, the businesses – these will be the classrooms outside the classroom.”
Christ centred learning
In shifting to a liberal arts approach, the college will maintain its Christ centred education where students come to know Christ through learning.
Kerrie McDiarmid, incoming Principal at St Mary’s Cathedral College, said a liberal arts education will complement the college’s mission.
“The cornerstone of our educational mission is the synthesis of faith, culture and life,” Mrs McDiarmid said.
“It builds a learning community passionate about achieving deep inquiry and intellectual rigour that ultimately leads to strong character development.”
“In a Catholic context, these skills and thinking dispositions value add and transform the human person which underpin the overall purpose of a Catholic education” – Kerrie McDiarmid
Mrs McDiarmid said the college hopes to prepare students for life beyond their schooling years by equipping them with the tools to excel in a constantly changing world.
“The liberal arts moves students beyond surface learning, getting through the content or covering the course,” she said.
“It is a learning focus that allows students to apply their in school learning to real and authentic situations as independent, creative and critical learners.”