It has been a pleasure to welcome students back to School this week.

I always look forward to greeting many parents at our Year Level Morning Teas and at the Heyington School gates during the afternoon. It was wonderful to hear the excited chatter as our girls returned to their Senior School classrooms, the Boarding House and sporting fields throughout week. Our Junior School girls commenced the final chapter for our much loved Barbreck building and the ELC boys and girls returned with wonderful the enthusiasm of three and four year old children. 

I encourage all our students, from the very start of the School year, to seize all opportunities – both in the classroom and our extensive co-curricular programs.

I would particularly like to welcome new families to St Catherine’s School and I invite all our community members to join me in extending a very warm welcome to these families as they become part of our School community this year. A formal welcome will be extended to all at the Years 7 to 12 Parent Information Evening on Thursday 8 February commencing at 6.30pm, immediately followed by the Welcome Function hosted by the Parents’ and Friends Auxiliary. The Barbreck Parent Information and Welcome Function will be held on Thursday 15 February, commencing at 6.00pm. All parents are warmly encouraged to attend. 

This week, I enjoyed spending time with our Year 12 cohort at their Residential Leadership Conference at Ormond College in the University of Melbourne. Their conference focused on developing an understanding of leadership, preparing them all for their forthcoming year.

At the Year 12 Leaders Induction Assembly, held on Wednesday Morning, the Year 12 girls all received their Senior Badges to mark a new chapter in their lives. This ceremony, along with the days spent at Ormond College were filled with the familiar warmth, generosity and spirit of St Catherine’s that showcases our School culture and has motivated our Year 12 cohort immensely.

During my Assembly address, I shared a small segment of the speech of recently announced 2018 Australian of the Year, Professor Michelle Simmons, a professor of Quantum Physics at UNSW. In her speech, Professor Simmons encouraged Australians, in particular young Australians, to “defy their expectations” going on to share the four mantras of which she lives her life: To do “what is hard and accept the challenges as they are presented, to place high expectations on oneself, to take risks that are both calculated and courageous, and importantly to do something that matters.” 

Professor Simmons ‘life mantra’ reflects one of courage. It is this virtue that I would like the Year 12 cohort, and all our St Catherine’s girls, to embrace in 2018. Courage can be defined as the ability to keep going when challenged, to be hopeful and confident in one’s decisions. Courage is also upholding your personal values and demonstrating this each and every day. Professor Simmons’ full speech can be watched here.

I look forward to watching the Year 12 girls flourish in their roles as student leaders of the School. Their enthusiasm, willingness and quiet confidence is already evident. Importantly, our role as educators, and as parents and guardians is to encourage their bravery and inspire these girls for the year ahead! 

In 2018, we also welcome new staff members to our School. Further details are available here. 

Over the coming weeks, we also look forward to the family news of staff who have commenced Maternity Leave this year Ms Lilly Dusting and Ms Ingrid Hildebrand and congratulate Mrs Katrina Davey and her husband on the safe arrival of a baby girl last week. I also wish Mrs Sandra Allen the very best for her Long Service Leave in Semester One.

We are delighted to welcome the return of Barbreck teacher, Ms Sue Cooke from Long Service Leave and Drama teacher, Miss Tessa Dunstan from her Maternity Leave.  

During the holiday break, Miss Sandra Lenon, ELC Teacher and Mr Glen Robins, French Teacher tendered their resignations to take up positions at other schools. We thank them for their fine contribution during 2017 and wish them well in the future. 

I also congratulate Mr Tim Collins commencing this year in his new role as Head of Music, Mrs Melissa Braddy, Year 11 Head of Year, Mrs Tracey McCallum, Acting Head of Humanities and VCE Coordinator, Miss Kristy Forrest in her new role as Pedagogy Coach and Miss Alyssa Flint, Barbreck STEM Teacher. 

Best wishes for the new School year.