In keeping with the tradition set in 2015, the School Co-Captains have led the Year 12 cohort in deciding the word that will inspire the St Catherine’s Senior School students in 2019. Their chosen word ‘One’ invites the girls to approach all aspects of school life with a sense of unity, friendship, connection and purpose. Co-Captains Kavina Kalaichelvam and Georgina Cottrill launched the new word in last week’s Senior School Assembly.

Kavina and Georgina explained to the students in Years 7 to 12 that “the concept of this year’s word was constructed around the celebration of who they are as a St Catherine’s girl, what they dream of, and what they represent.” Kavina said, “We want everyone to be able to walk through the gates and know that they are a member of something so much larger than themselves, a community that will embrace you and everything you stand for with open arms.” She told the girls that “One is a reminder that whether you have been at the School for eight weeks or eight years, you are valued, loved and all the more capable of anything you want to be.”

Georgina pointed out that “One is not just a word, nor is it a motto, it is a quiet yet resounding pledge to yourself and each other. A promise to the girl sitting next to you that you understand she is an entirely powerful individual on her own.” She asked the girls to “imagine how if it just takes one ‘high-five’ to begin a friendship, one person to make a difference, then how much we can celebrate and achieve as a School.”

As part of the announcement of this year’s word, Kavina and Georgina extended a challenge to one student to show ‘the power of one’. Ciara Jenkins (Year 9) was the lucky door prize winner who was selected by the co-captains as the ‘Chosen One’. Ciara was set the challenge of having every student initial a mascot bear and the captains also launched a competition to name the bear.

The school leaders concluded by reminding the students that “This year we are one big, amalgam of blue-ribboned miracles who all somehow ended up at 17 Heyington Place at the same time to be part of something great.”

We look forward to seeing the girls enjoying the ‘shared sense of us’ that this year’s word represents as research has found that ‘identification with one’s school predicted engagement and that a sense of belonging to a school has a significant influence on student wellbeing; including increased happiness, self-esteem, and improved social and coping skills.’[1]

Whilst celebrating individual accomplishments and endeavours, it is also important to share a common goal and identity, simultaneously embodying the shared values of the School as ‘one’.

 

[1] Haslam SA, (et al), The New Psychology of Leadership, Identity, Influence and Power (London 2010).

Ms Merran O'Connor, Deputy Principal: Student Wellbeing