Update from the Head of Year 9

Early in Term 3, the Year 9 girls completed an anonymous and confidential resilience survey that was developed by the Resilient Youth organisation. The survey examined the girls’ use of technology, community belonging, healthy body and mind, and social skills. During level period in Term 4, some of the positive results of the survey will be highlighted to the girls, as well as some areas the girls may need to improve on. The girls will have the opportunity to reflect on their behaviours and habits and consider different strategies and techniques to deal with some of the daily pressures and challenges.

In the first week of Term 4, the Year 9 girls were able to relive their Heyington to Highlands experience with National Fiji Day being celebrated on Wednesday 10 October. The girls were able to wear their Fijian ‘sulus’ at lunchtime and share some Fijian snacks while raising money that will go towards the villages that hosted them this year. It was pleasing to see so many girls take part and eat their Fijian snacks on the floor (Fiji style) in their village groups. It was also lovely to see some of the girls singing along to the Fijian songs they were taught, which they still remember! A thank you to Alessia Tzelepis, Eleni (Ellen) Papastergiadis and Chloe Joubert who in consultation with myself coordinated this whole school event. It was a great success.

Finally, this term the girls will be finalising their Leadership Diploma. Some students will immerse themselves in external community service programs or GSV Sports, while others will be completing the Digital Citizenship component of the Diploma that requires them to undertake a technology free challenge, as well as reflect on their use of technology. At the completion of the Diploma, the girls will each have a short interview with me, their Head of Year, to discuss their experiences and their year. This is a discussion I look forward to at the end of each year. We strongly encourage the students to complete this two year Diploma. It not only provides them with plenty of reflective opportunities on their goals and Year 9 experiences they have been involved with, but also the opportunity to qualify for a leadership position in their senior years at St Catherine’s.

Ms Fiona Ganino-Day, Head of Year 9 and Psychology Teacher