Finding Your Daughter's Passion

I cannot emphasise enough how important it is for our girls to find something they are passionate about!

Growing up, I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to follow my interests, whether that meant spending hours at the beach, teaching my siblings, or joining netball, basketball or tennis groups. These experiences taught me that passion isn’t just about doing what you love; it is about finding what makes you feel alive and then pursuing it with everything you’ve got. With curiosity and determination, I learned that trying new things was critical and that anything is possible if we are prepared to be vulnerable.

I want your daughters to feel that same sense of possibility. At Santa Maria, we encourage every girl to explore, experiment, and discover what makes her heart sing. Whether it is a love for music, a fascination with science, or a passion for sport, dance or reading, education should be a journey of self-discovery, not just a path to grades. Together, we can help your daughters find the things that light them up and make them believe they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.

Real-Life Stories to Inspire Passion

Clare Perrott: Keeping Her Passion for Music Alive

Clare discovered her love for music while she was at Santa Maria and has kept it alive ever since. Music became her source of joy and confidence, something that helped her balance school life and find her own voice. Her story is a great reminder that not every passion has to fit a conventional career path. It is about finding what brings you joy. Read Clare’s full story here.

Deanna McBride: Pursuing a Passion for Neonatal Nutrition

Deanna’s journey into neonatal nutrition started in her school years and eventually shaped her entire career. She combined a love for science with a desire to help others — showing that a passion can often come from wanting to make a real difference in the world. It is a great example of how talking to your daughter about what causes or fields they feel drawn to can help them find their path. Learn more about Deanna’s journey here.

Lana: Earning a Technology Scholarship Through Passion

Lana’s enthusiasm for technology led her to win a scholarship, and it all began with a spark of interest she decided to pursue. Her story shows us the value of stepping into modern fields like technology, even when they might seem like unconventional choices. Encouraging your daughter to explore areas like STEM can open up new opportunities and build confidence. Discover Lana’s inspiring story here.

Tayla Pauley: Breaking Barriers in Heavy Diesel Mechanics Tayla discovered her passion for heavy machinery after starting her career in agricultural science. Following a year at university, she took a gap year to work on a mine site, which led to her apprenticeship in heavy diesel mechanics with Komatsu. Tayla’s journey highlights her determination to succeed in a male-dominated field, where she continues to grow and encourage more women to enter trades. Her story shows that with confidence and persistence, any dream is within reach. Read Tayla’s full story here.

How You Can Help Your Daughter Find Her Passion

After reading about Clare, Deanna, Lana and Tayla, it is clear that passion can lead to incredible journeys. As parents, you have such an important role in helping your daughters find out what lights them up. Here are some ideas to help you support them:

• Encourage Exploration: Offer a variety of activities and experiences without pressure to excel. Let them find their own way.
• Listen and Observe: Notice what makes your daughter excited and ask open-ended questions about it.
• Create a Supportive Environment: Celebrate all of her interests, big or small. Confidence grows when she feels her choices are valued.
• Model Passion: Share your own hobbies or passions, and show that finding what you love takes time.
• Foster a Growth Mindset: Help her see challenges as opportunities and praise the effort she puts in, not just the end result.
• Allow for Downtime: Make sure she has some space to explore her thoughts and interests without a packed schedule.
• Be Open to Change: Support her as her passions evolve — what excites her now might change, and that is okay.
• Connect with Role Models: Introduce her to people who can inspire her in areas she is interested in.
• Encourage Collaboration: Support her involvement in groups or clubs where she can find like-minded peers.
• Keep it Fun: Remember, this is about joy and discovery. Celebrate the small wins along the way!

Final Thoughts

Helping your daughter find her passion is an ongoing journey — and it starts with a conversation, a little bit of curiosity, and a whole lot of support. So why not start today? Ask her what excites her most or try a new activity together. You never know where it might lead for you or your daughter!