Beginning in Barbreck

Having worked as an educator for more than 40 years, I have witnessed firsthand the essential role the primary years of education play in establishing the groundwork for all subsequent learning endeavours in a student’s senior years of education. 

At St Catherine’s School our girls in Barbreck not only receive a contemporary and robust academic program but also receive the benefits of continuity and scaffolding into St Catherine’s School’s outstanding Senior School Academic Program. 

Barbreck’s foundation is meticulously crafted through a combination of teacher expertise, high-quality educational programs, dedicated support for each girl, personalised learning initiatives, empowerment to express their voices and foster confidence and self-esteem, the cultivation of sisterhood, and avenues for girls to pursue their passions and excel in the arts, music, and sports. These components are intentionally designed to construct a foundation that bestows advantages for our Barbreck girls when entering Year 7 and beyond. 

St Catherine’s Gradual Release of Responsibility Model.

At Barbreck, we recruit top-tier teachers – individuals with experience and knowledge in the specialised field of primary teaching. Their proficiency in understanding how children learn, determining each child’s instructional level, and devising programs tailored to that level ensures our girls make optimal progress. Our Barbreck Teaching Model (I do, We do, You do), coupled with instruction in complex reasoning skills and a diverse array of thinking strategies, equips our girls to tackle tasks demanding the application of intricate skills. 

Establishing high standards for learning and instilling strong values enables Barbreck girls to achieve to an exemplary standard, demonstrating adept social and leadership skills and cultivating a growth mindset. 

Our girls display confidence in themselves and their abilities, approaching challenges with determination. This self-assuredness is nurtured during their time at Barbreck and proves advantageous for them upon entering Senior School. 

Our Pastoral Care and Ambassador Programs are purposefully tailored for our girls, instilling a sense of belonging, kindness, resilience, and collaboration, resulting in a sisterhood where every girl knows and looks out for each other. These bonds extend beyond Barbreck and seamlessly transition into the Senior School and beyond. As Barbreck girls move into Year 7, they do so with the reassurance of knowing many peers in the Year levels above them, creating a support network that looks out for their wellbeing. 

Class of 2023 graduate, Miss Zara Peele commenced at St Catherine’s in the Early Learning Centre when she was three. “The 15 years I spent as a St Catherine’s student were amazing. I was surrounded by such a supportive environment my whole life and built strong connections with students and staff. The time I was there meant I had the opportunity, support, and confidence to try everything, including Sport, Music, Drama and Debating,” Zara shares. Later this year, Zara will commence at Northeastern University, Boston studying Health Science and continuing her rowing pursuits. 

St Catherine’s Prep to Year 12 academic approach means programs developed in Barbreck seamlessly extend into the Senior School so our students commence their high school years with academic confidence and a knowledge base that has fully prepared them for the rigours of Years 7 to 12.