Thank you to Parents and PFA

The Junior School Information Evening was a busy event and we thank all those parents who were able to attend. We trust that by sitting in your daughter’s classroom (Years 1 to 6 parents) and hearing about the routines of a new Year level and some of the plans for 2018, you gained insights into your daughter’s School year ahead. Communication between home and School is essential for effective student learning and achievement.

To the PFA, who always ensure activities and events held – especially for parents, afford a very warm welcome to all. They are well known for their wonderful work and we thank them heartily, acknowledging that they generously give their time. Each one is already a very busy person.

A Great Start to the Year

It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and engagement of all the girls as we begin the new School year. All the girls have settled well into the new year, enjoying their classes, getting to know their teachers and making the most of all that is already on offer.

Below are some quotes from the girls about what they have enjoyed so far…

Seeing my friends and meeting my teacher (Alexa Sowerby, Year 3)

Everything! (Olivia Grasso, Year 3)

I felt a bit nervous, but mostly excited! (Joy Lovegrove, Year 1)

I was really happy because starting School means I am growing and I can take my grandma on a holiday (Serena Ma, Year 1)

I was very excited because I am going to learn new things in Year 1 (Giselle Armstrong, Year 1)

I was very excited on the first day because I was going to see my friends again and be in a new classroom (Portia Carosa-Koziora, Year 1)

It feels very different being back at School when we had so many days off but I am getting used to it (Camilla Thomas, Year 1)

I felt excited and nervous about leading the School and being involved in lots of fundraising. I was nervous about growing up and being in the Senior School soon (Lilla Barrington, Year 6)

I was excited to see my friends, especially my new teacher. I was so happy to be at School again and be a Year 6 St Catherine’s girl (Hannah Wong, Year 6)

I was so excited but nervous, it was like a new experience just around the corner waiting for me (Kiera O’Hara, Year 6)

I felt extremely nervous right before the first day of School but on the day I didn’t feel nervous anymore, I felt excited (Tszki (Lily) Zhang, Year 6)

I was excited to take on my Year 6 leader role and to take on my last year of Barbreck. I was also looking forward to making new friends and seeing my old friends (Sophie Dreaver, Year 6)

Year 6 2018 off to a Grand Start!

Year 6 students play an absolutely vital role in the Junior School. Their need to ensure responsible actions in both deed and word and to be the best role models possible, is viewed very seriously by students and strongly emphasised by staff.

The Year 6 students spend a deal of time learning about ways in which to lead positively and to present well as the leaders of the Junior School. They are capable and competent individuals and are advised and encouraged to meet the obligations well.

A presentation ceremony for Year 6 leadership badges and several specific responsibility badges will be held at assembly on Tuesday 20 February 8.50am to 9.40am. All Year 6 parents and others are warmly invited to attend. It is an important occasion and marks a significant time in their educational journey as they move towards completing Junior School.

An indication of the intent of the 2018 Year 6 students was well illustrated at the first assembly for 2018 when several Year 6 students read the thoughts of their own and some published readings of positive thought.

The two Junior School Captains Georgia Hennessy and Charlotte Upton, commenced the year with thoughtful and heartfelt indepth comments.

An example of the intent can be seen in the following snippets from the speeches:

Georgia Hennessy: As Year 6 leaders…we will be kind, helpful and respectful and live up to our responsibility of being school leaders. We will demonstrate all the qualities with pride. Empathy, perseverance, integrity and curiosity and make it evident for future Year 6 leaders as to what is a great role model.

Charlotte Upton: St Catherine’s girls are respectful. They respect their teachers, their friends, the surroundings and themselves. They know when it is time to settle down and when it is time to have fun. They also want to work with their teachers so that they can learn and grow mentally and overcome the things that they find tricky.

Congratulations 2017 Year 6  Barbreck Awards

At the conclusion of each year, a small number of awards are announced for Year 6 students who have demonstrated an excellence in sustained and quantifiable ways, as well as an evident desire to achieve well through perseverance and enjoying challenge.

Congratulations to the following students:

General Excellence:  Freya Cantwell and Ava Colosimo

English:  Mannuo (Maggie) Zhu

Mathematics:  Livia Gowrie

Endeavour Awards:  Isla Forsyth, Milla Naylor, Julia Kent and Flora Du

Music:  Emma Gregory

Sport:  Sienna Darcy