St Catherine's School

Nurturing children through the critical formative years means surrounding them with a learning environment rich in experience and opportunity and a pastoral atmosphere of individual care and attention. At St Catherine's the Core Values of this School with its more than 110 years fine history, permeate every classroom, teaching area and the playground. Close partnerships between the School and home are well endorsed through constant communication between families and staff and opportunities for parents to be involved in activities. In order to motivate, guide and inspire students to embrace learning as exciting and life long, the Early Learning Centre and Barbreck Staff work assiduously to provide stimulating learning programs, rich in a strong skill base and promoting deep understanding through well directed inquiry. Each teaching moment, every program offered and every opportunity is based in purpose.

The Reggio Emilia approach in the ELC and the Primary Years Program synchronise to provide children with an atmosphere in which curiosity, inquiry and investigation are applauded and supported by strong teaching programs. Skills are directly taught and form the critical underpinning agent for inquiry and understanding in order for it to be of the highest level.

Reggio Emilia and the PYP, permit the critical need for Schools to be flexible and adaptable in a World which requires the management of change and demands quick and speedy responses.

Ever present is the knowledge of the galloping nature of communication. The focus in the ELC and Barbreck is to provide skills and attitudes which will promote excellence of personal endeavour. Verbal negotiation and the use of technology are viewed as vital life skills. Thinking and motivated learners move through a well constructed curriculum blend which involve key skills and concepts and sophisticated levels of inquiry.

The Primary Years are a crucial stage in terms of building the foundations for life-long and independent learning. Throughout the seven years in the Junior School we observe, facilitate and encourage our girls as they grow towards independence. The Early Learning Centre nurture all the young learners so carefully and tenderly. It is an exciting process and as professionals, we are in privileged positions to observe the growth.

Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities, Technology, Physical Education, Languages other than English (French) and the Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama) are taught by enthusiastic and dedicated Staff. The program is enriched by Religious Education, with a strong focus on Information Technology and a broad range of co-curricular activities including Dance, Sport, Gymnastics, Art and Instrumental Music. St Catherine's is regarded as an excellent place of learning which is taught in a creative and innovative way. A well-structured Outdoor Education program operates from Year 3.

A supportive, positive and challenging environment, where each girl can be extended and nurtured towards personal excellence are underpinning agents which identify this School. Our small classes, together with input from our Individual Differences Coordinator and various small group activities, help to cater for the individual needs of our students. We provide a comprehensive program for both the support and extension of our students, depending on the individual needs. Progress is monitored regularly through a range of assessment tools including testing, projects, rubrics and portfolios. Our students also enjoy a range of learning and assessment tasks that involve creative, design and multi-media skills as part of the presentation stage. Our goal is to ensure that all students learn to be their best within a setting that encourages a high level of engagement, understanding, collaboration and reflection.

Student led Conferences are being held this year. These will enable our learners to articulate their learning and to enjoy strengthening their oral speaking skills. Very significant changes have taken place in the teaching profession and St Catherine's is at the forefront of a very exciting pursuit which encourages teachers to consistently engage in discussions about the way children now learn and how we as educators can shape effective and current programs. Professional dialogue is focused upon the ways in which we can constantly improve our curriculum delivery.

As educators and parents we can feel proud as our students grow in their understanding of themselves and knowledge of their community and the world beyond. Our learners develop new skills, and greater confidence and resilience and move from being early concrete learners to become more abstract, creative, constructivist and analytical in their thinking. We embrace the whole child and celebrate her development from childhood to early adolescence, knowing that the endeavour has been to prepare for the challenges beyond her primary setting. Learners are seen as individuals yet our team spirit and pride in what we do is also well identified when we say with pride……..”we belong to the St Catherine's community of thinking, inquiring, articulate and confident learners”.

Welcome