The St Mary’s DSG Debutantes’ Programme isn’t just about raising funds for charity — it’s about shaping future leaders.

Through real-world experiences like working in restaurants this term, our young women have developed key skills in entrepreneurship, event planning, time management, leadership, teamwork, and social responsibility.

From serving tables to prepping meals in the kitchen, these students embraced every challenge — and made their families and school incredibly proud!

#Debutantes2025 #SkillsForLife #StMarysDSG #GivingBack #LeadershipInAction

Odyssey - From books to burgers and bills: our evening shift at Roco Mamas

(Written by Buhle)

It all began at 16:40 when we all arrived, waiting anxiously outside the restaurant seeing the many unfamiliar faces of people entering who were suddenly interested in a meal at Roco mamas on the evening we were there to serve. We were allocated our stations, and some practiced their waitressing voices, some ensured their cooking skills were in check and others crammed the many buttons of the cash register. As the evening continued, the pressure began to rise. From the creation of incorrect drinks, shortages in dishes and speeding to deliver a long-awaited order to a hungry customer. After what felt like an eternity, our shift sadly came to an end but we all quickly headed home to get a chance to raise and rest our feet.

Despite going with the intention of gaining work experience and the goal to receive and thus raise enough money for charity, we managed to form new memories as a class. Memories we can laugh over and cherish. This opportunity reaffirmed the value and importance of teamwork, teaching us that we need to work together and communicate efficiently and effectively to bring joy to someone else. It also taught us the importance of time and how managing it will allow you to serve customers promptly. We also learnt the value of emotional intelligence. How we need to adjust our mannerisms according to how a customer feels while still maintaining respect. Lastly, we learnt professionalism. How we need to maintain a free-spirited environment whilst still upholding and integrating our school values with those of the restaurant.

Lumina – Tutto Vino

(Written by: Nikitia)

This year, as chairperson of the Lumina Debs group, I had the opportunity to help lead one of our most successful fundraising events: a Wine and Dine evening held at the Italian Club. Planning an event like this came with its challenges, but seeing it all come to life was genuinely rewarding. From setting up the space to making sure everyone knew their roles, it was all about keeping things organised and still having fun along the way. It was also a chance for our Grade 10 Lumina Debs group to step up in a leading and impactful way.

Six of us volunteered to waitress on the night. Between serving meals, clearing tables and selling raffle tickets, we quickly learned how to think on our feet and support each other under pressure. The teamwork that night was effortless, not because it was easy, but because everyone cared. We weren’t just working an event, we were raising funds for a cause bigger than ourselves. Charity is a huge part of what makes Debs so meaningful to us. Giving back, even in small ways, reminds us why we do what we do.

One of the most special moments was after the event, when us waitresses got to sign our names in chalk on the brick wall of the restaurant (a tradition at the venue). Among the signatures of all the guests, we left our own small mark, proud of what we had achieved together for the Debutantes initiative. It was a small gesture, but standing there together, adding our names to that wall, felt like a quiet celebration of what we had accomplished as a team.