Alliance Francaise Berthe Mouchette Competition Finalists

On Sunday 6 August, nine talented St Catherine’s students participated in the finals of the Berthe Mouchette poetry competition for students from Years 3 to 8. Their achievement is considerable, given that this Statewide competition attracts 13,000 participants annually.

The poems selected this year were all written by women poets, and our young women rose to the challenge to speak with perfect intonation and pronunciation. Recitation may be considered by some as an old-fashioned learning activity. Yet the opportunity to master one’s oracy, to speak in another language before an examiner and to risk take are important challenges to offer our young women. We congratulate the following finalists:

Year 6

• Ava Colosimo
• Emma Gregory
• Audrey Kyriakou

Year 7

• Emma Froomes
• Charlotte Myer
• Angela Yu
• Sarah Pratt

Year 8

• Clementine Newton-Brown
• Molly Robertson

Arrival of French Exchange Students

We are delighted to have welcomed this term Choé Demuth and Anne-Claire Cathelinaud from Cours Fénélon in Toulouse. They have fitted seamlessly into life at St Catherine’s and speak highly of how friendly and welcoming they find Australians to be. They are hosted by the Porter and the Steven families, whose daughters Lucy Porter (Year 11) and Sarah Steven (Year 11) will be travelling to Provence this December. Chloé and Anne-Claire shared with students on Monday their thoughts on the value of their experience. Chloe says:

“I recommend exchange and in fact, to me it’s essential! It’s a great life experience, and seems to me very important to finally practise the language learned all these years on the benches of the school! It is concrete and it is a unique experience, especially when you have the chance to stay with a superb host family like mine!”

New Subject: The Way of the Dragon

Those parents who attended the recent Subject Information Evening would be aware of a new Elective offering for students undertaking Years 9 or 10 in 2018. This Interdisciplinary subject features History, ICT, Politics, Economics and Geography. While Chinese language complements this subject, it is not a requirement that students are studying the Chinese language. This offers students the opportunity to understand more about China, its’ history, culture and perspectives. Further information about the Elective is found on mystcatherines.

Japanese Sister School Visit

Preparations are well underway for the arrival of students and staff from Shukutoko High School on the 24 August. Twelve students will participate in classes becoming familiar with Melbourne through a series of excursions. Thank you in advance to the families who are hosting our Japanese sisters.