St Marys Senior High School is an academically comprehensive school. There seems to be a misconception that it is a partially selective school due to the fact that they consider applicants on a selective basis, as opposed to regular comprehensive schools, who generally accept any applicant, making entry into SMSHS slightly more difficult/demanding than regular comprehensive schools, i.e. applicants to SMSHS are not necessarily guaranteed an offer. Because of this, the concept of a selective stream does not apply here.
As suggested in the Expression of Interest form, you could focus on the following:
- your previous schooling - for example, past academic and non-academic achievements
- your goals for year 11 and year 12, for example, interest in participating in school life, including sports, arts and leadership.
- your goals beyond year 12 - for example, your future career/tertiary study plans
Additionally, priority will be given to applicants who can show evidence of a positive attitude and commitment to learning.
It is not necessary to have achieved high marks in your previous schooling (although from a practical perspective, favourable results can supplement your application), but you should try to show that you have the commitment to learning and study habits required that will allow you to take advantage of the special opportunities that St Marys Senior High School offers.
I attended SMSHS in 2018-2019. Being a senior school that strictly caters to Stage 6 (year 11 and year 12) students, the school fosters a young adult independent learning environment (which is the reason that commitment to learning is an important SMSHS student characteristic). Based on the notion of young adult, students address teachers by their first name. Additionally, while there is a uniform, students are not required to wear it (except when instructed by the school). They can wear whatever they wish, as long as it matches the school's dress code, comprised of the following colours:
- black
- white
- green
- grey
- yellow
From an academic perspective, while not to the extent of selective schools, several students have achieved favourable results (including 99+ ATARs). If you wish to achieve favourable results and provided you are willing to commit and persevere throughout this independent learner journey, you can definitely achieve favourable results at SMSHS.
I hope this helps!