St Catherine's School

Katherine Graham (ELC)

What do you love about the ELC?
I love doing puzzles; I could do them over and over again! I like playing with my friends and also listening to stories.

What sorts of activities have you been doing in the Waterlily Room this year?
I've been doing lots of drawing and painting and sticking things together. In Perceptual Motor Program (PMP), we have been running around and swinging on ropes and going upside down; that's really fun! I've also been practising writing my name because we have to sign our name when we come into the Waterlily Room. Sometimes we also have a turn on the computer.

Tell me about working with Artist in Residence, Kristin Miller.
Kristin has been teaching us lots and lots about clay. We make bowls and butterflies out of clay. It's really fun because the clay feels all slimy in your hands!

Have you enjoyed watching the big pool construction outside the ELC?
Yes! I've seen the big, big hole and lots of workers and big machines. I like swimming so it will be fun having a pool.

Are you excited to begin Prep next year?
I can't wait to go to the School where all the big girls go next year. I'm excited about making new friends and I think I will learn lots of new words.

Samantha Osborn (Year 3)

What do you love about School?
I love learning new things every day and trying hard on the work that I am not sure on. I really like the friends that I have around me and the activities that we can do at St Catherine's are always really fun. I also love that St Catherine's is such a nice, clean school!

What have you been learning to do this year?
I have been learning multiplication and cursive writing. We have researched inventors and inventions and have completed investigations about Regional Victoria and Energy. I have discovered that lightning is a form of energy and that there are hot springs in the Mornington Peninsula. I'm looking forward to starting Bodyworks this term, where we will be learning all about the human body.

What would you like to achieve by the end of 2010?
I want to know all of my times tables and division! I would also like to get better at the piano and recorder.

What co-curricular activities do you like participating in?
I enjoy music, art and sport. I like to get messy in art and paint and draw. I like to train for sporting House events and play energy games. Last term I really loved learning to Hip Hop dance. It was a lot of fun learning the Hip Hop moves from the instructor, even though some were hard!

Do you learn a language?
Yes we learn French. We have learnt a French song and at the moment we are learning some pronouns. We also talk about France – I know that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris, there are many street cafes in France and the River Seine passes underneath 37 bridges in Paris.

Emily Kwan (Year 7)

What do you love about St Catherine's?
I love the people here; I've met some really nice friends. I also really like the new St Catherine's Café!

How have you found the transition from Year 6 to Senior School?
I came to St Catherine's this year from China. So not only have I had to get used to secondary school but a whole new country, culture and language. It's been difficult but all the teachers have been so helpful in helping me to settle in. The girls are also very welcoming so I've really enjoyed my time so far. The Boarding House feels so much like home.

What co-curricular activities have you been involved in this year?
I'm playing Badminton this term and I've also played netball. I was involved in the African drumming at the Gala Concert. It's really enjoyable having so much to do outside of normal classes. In China, there was no after school sport, you just study from morning until night!

Would you consider yourself 'globally connected'?
I am Malaysian and have spent most of my life in Malaysia but in my final years of primary school I lived in China with my parents. It was great to be able to experience a different culture and environment and it made me really excited about coming to Australia to begin my schooling. I speak Malay, Chinese and now English. I am also learning Japanese as part of my classes in Year 7. I feel globally connected having already connected with three places in the world!

How do you keep in touch with your parents?
My parents live in China and we use the internet to communicate and we're always talking via Skype.

Charlotte Wyles (Year 11)

What do you love about St Catherine’s?
I love that it’s a small school so you to get to know everyone. I also love all the co-curricular opportunities on offer here – we can be involved in all aspects of the School.

How have you found the transition to VCE so far?
It has been a really big change from Year 10! The workload and intensity of the classes has really increased. I am doing VCE Units 3 & 4 Geography this year, so we’re all focused about working towards the end of year exam. I’ve really enjoyed being integrated with the Year 12s.   

What co-curricular activities have you been involved in this year?
I participate in lots of music activities; I’m involved in all the vocal ensembles. I’m a member of the Snowsports Team so I’ve been travelling to the snow most weekends this term. I also participate in a Girls Sport Victoria (GSV) sport each term. These activities really help to break up the weekly load of school work.  

What does the term ‘globally connected’ mean to you?
To me, ‘globally connected’ means that you have an awareness of the wider world, not just the small environment that we live in. I think it is important to be mindful of the situations that other countries are in and where Australia fits within that. I think if we develop an understanding of different countries and cultures, then we will develop our tolerance and acceptance.

Do you learn a language?
I study Japanese because I think that learning another language helps me to connect with the global community. Although a lot of people throughout the world speak English, I think it is beneficial to be able to communicate in another language and it opens doors for employment. Last year, I went on the Japanese Language Study Tour. I’ve never been to Japan before so it was really great to immerse myself in the language and test what I had learnt in class. It definitely enhanced my language skills.