“I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.” — Venus Williams

Co-curricular Programs at St Catherine’s School provide opportunities and experiences to enhance the development of the whole child, complementing skills learned in the classroom and nurturing lifelong learners. Each opportunity and program provide a different environment for our girls to thrive, by empowering and nurturing independent globally responsive students who approach all endeavours with empathy, integrity, commitment and determination.

Whilst Term 2 has started with a change of environment, with our girls engaging in the Learn@Home Program, the St Catherine’s School Co-curricular Team worked tirelessly to ensure our Co-curricular Programs and opportunities are accessible from home. With the State Government restrictions on what we can and can’t do, our programs look a little different. With the use of the School Portal and Microsoft Teams each program has been able to facilitate a virtual opportunity for our students to be engaged.

As we navigate our way through the third week of the Learn@Home Program, we have noted our girls’ independence and motivation in engaging in our Co-curricular Programs remotely. Whilst there is considerable benefit in being a part of a group with a shared purpose and working with others, in real time to achieve an outcome, our virtual programs have shown that our girls are self-motivated and managing their own training from home. I have seen this in action in Viva Voci, the Year 9-12 Choir each Wednesday where the Choir Director Ms Juliana Kay manages the rehearsal by providing different stimulus and modes of learning in partnership with our Accompanist Kate Denmead, all occurring from different locations in Melbourne. I have joined the St Catherine’s School Running Club on Strava, where we have been able to create a club where our girls are connecting and providing ‘kudos’ to each other for their various runs and training sessions. This drive and motivation of our girls to continue to be an active part of the programs we offer has been significant, reflecting their enjoyment, interaction and engagement.

Some major changes in the accessibility in the co-curricular programs are outlined below:

• Debating will be virtual for internal competition, and external competition will be through the DAV. Training will also be virtual.
• Public Speaking will be facilitated through a combination of internal and external virtual competitions.
• Music Rehearsals for choirs and ensembles are operating virtually, in the usually rehearsal times.
• Sports training has become virtual with programs and ideas available on the Sport@Home Tile. GSV competitions have been suspended for Term 2.
• Performing Arts has utilised Microsoft Teams to rehearse for the musical ‘Freaky Friday’.
• Clubs are still operating during the Learn@Home Program, and students are encouraged to contact the teacher leading this club to join the virtual Club online.

The Co-curricular Programs and schedules are available by clicking the following links:

Senior School

Junior School

I encourage your daughter to become familiar with the Co-curricular@Home tile available in both the Senior School and Junior School Learn@Home tiles on the School Portal. Updates for programs and links for Clubs will be provided in the relevant tiles.

With young girls at home, and with their usual weekly commitments and opportunities for engagement not occurring at the moment, I thought I might share some insights and ideas about how to stay motivated, engaged and active while our girls and boys are Learning@Home.

Our children are most likely adapting to the restrictions, and I have provided some suggestions on managing the Learn@Home Program:

Routine

Whilst our days look different, the structure of the school day has provided our girls with purpose and much needed connection with their peers. A routine is very important and may look quite different from what we are used to. Our children will benefit from planned activities and exercise. We encourage creating a weekly routine with their co-curricular activities mapped out, and then placing regular exercise, walks and leisure time into the spaces where it works well for your children.

Stay Connected

Staying connected with friends during the Learn@Home Program is much needed by our girls. They are connecting at school in classes, and these social connections are important. Going for a walk at lunch time and talking with a friend on the phone, is a great way to manage the connection and the active part of our day. As our Principal, Mrs Michelle Carroll suggested in Week 1, find a Study Buddy who you can work with online. Mr Racina has also suggested a Training Buddy which may assist with motivation.

Engage in our Co-curricular Programs

With so many options available for our Junior School and Senior School girls in the Co-curricular Program, we encourage your daughters to continue in these activities as they normally would. It is also a great time to learn something new, or join a club that is active during lunchtime. If your daughter has any questions relating to how they can become involved, please email me gpeele@stcatherines.net.au.

Keep Active

Staying active helps us process the days events, boost energy levels and improve our mood. Being active could mean walking the dog, going for a bike ride, jogging, yoga or a strength workout at home. There are some great suggestions which have been created by Mr Nick Racina, Head of Sport, on the Sport@Home Page. These suggestions for sports training at home include innovative Cross Country Training video sessions created by Mr Aiden Debernardi, Head of Track and Field, Cross Country. Whilst these sessions are created for Senior School girls, they are appropriate for students in Years 5-12. View here.

Our Rowing Program has developed a virtual ergo session twice a week. If your daughter is a rower in Year 9-12, and has access to a Concept 2 Ergo, these sessions are a great way to stay connected, keep active and gain some technical feedback.

Spending time as a family, together afterschool/work and on the weekend, enjoying activities such as bike riding and walking are ways to engage the whole family and encourage your children to talk. There is nothing like a walk and talk, to engage and listen to your children and how their day or week has transpired.

Set a goal

“I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.” — Venus Williams

The mindset of Venus Williams is not in reference to COIVID 19, but establishes a good strategy for overcoming challenges. COVID 19 is set to be the major challenge of our generation. Setting achievable goals and working towards these, offers the opportunity to create the platform for achievement and challenge.

We will get back to normal at some stage, although there will be a new norm. What this looks like right now is somewhat confusing, although Socrates encourages us to see “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates

In the Senior School, we have created Wednesday afternoon, Blue Spirit time. This time has been created to engage the Years 7-12 girls in community and engaging activities either by House or Year level. On Wednesday last week, the Year 12 Student Executive, including Sophie Boyce, Alexandra Shergold, Chloe Rodgers, Claire Hayne, Isabella McDonald and Serena Sitch designed a Scavenger Hunt in Houses. This activity connected each House Group and Year level with a shred goal, with the girls providing photos of the items and adding to the House Items. I thank these girls for taking the initiative to create this event. I have provided some photos for your interest.