This term has proven to be a momentous time for our teaching staff, students and for their families. Stories of the Covid-19 lockdown will be retold over many years, remembered as an unprecedented and unique time in our history.

Whilst the term has sadly restricted many of the girls participating in their much-loved Co-curricular activities, it was pleasing to hear three of our students have successfully qualified for the Finals of the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV) Public Speaking competitions. Across Semester One, over 750 students participated in the DAV Junior, Intermediate and Senior (virtual) Public Speaking competitions across Melbourne, with students submitting videos of themselves delivering their speeches.

I wish to congratulate: Nadia Mohamed and Rhea Werner – Junior Division and Annabelle Green – Intermediate Division. Thank you also to the staff assisting the girls: Ms Gillian Hosking, Ms Merran O’Connor, Ms Linda Morgan and Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator, Ms Mary-Anne Keratiotis who coordinated the Public Speaking Co-curricular activity. It was also pleasing that the Debating Association of Victoria persisted to recreate virtual competitions for students across the State of Victoria. One of the few organisations that successfully undertook activities during the Covid-19 period.

Next term, we are hopeful of the resumption of many other Co-curricular activities. It is currently proposed that GSV sporting competitions will re-commence in Week 5. Considerable work is being undertaken to enable a level of participation in the Victorian Interschools Snowsports Competitions at Mt Buller and H2O Swimming, Aussie Aths and Waverly Gymnastics will also re-open classes.

Victorian schools await further instructions and detailed risk mitigation strategies specifically related to participating in choir and playing wind instruments in their Ensemble groups. In recent weeks, NSW schools have received approval to recommence these specific musical activities despite remaining a highly contentious issue.

I enjoyed listening from my office in Sherren House the first rehearsals of the Years 7 and 8 Play – Two weeks with the Queen. Eager to partake in their first rehearsal, the happy and delightful sounds from the Ballroom reflected their youthful excitement and enthusiasm with re-engaging in the ‘other stuff’ that makes up a normal routine of life.

Whilst St Catherine’s has been applauded for ensuring a comprehensive and thorough continuation of our academic learning programs, I remain concerned about the loss of the other activities. Across the globe, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant losing significant things: lives, jobs and health. It has also deprived a generation of children from their camps, sports and activities that are part of the normal things of growing up.

Rob Dalton, Sport Australia Chief recently commented the ‘impact of the pandemic on community sport has gone largely unreported amid the financial plight of professional competitions, postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and the delayed starts to AFL matches’.

According to the latest AusPlay survey published by Sport Australia, swimming, soccer and gymnastics are the three most popular participation sports for children under the age of 15, with 3.1 million children participating in at least one of these the last financial year.

For children who play sports such as a weekly Saturday netball, soccer or footy games, the Covid-19 shutdown has resulted in a reduced level of engagement and disruption to the routine of normal lives.

Over the course of term break, parents are encouraged to discuss with their daughters their re-engagement in Co-curricular activities, for many providing structure to households and bringing much joy and friendship, in conjunction, with the improved benefits to mental health.

Publication of Semester 1 Academic Transcript

The publication of the Semester 1 Academic Transcript will occur at the end of the first week back in Term 3. The transcript will include end of semester grades including exam results for all subjects studied by students, along with a well-being statement. Comments on individual assessment tasks, exam and test results can be found as usual on the Portal. In a normal term we would publish the transcript in the first week of the upcoming break. Term 2 has certainly not been a normal term due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Our wonderful and extremely professional team of teachers have been working overtime throughout Term 2 in the delivery of outstanding teaching during this most challenging of times. Consequently we are allowing a little more time to collate all assessment data and encourage our dedicated staff to enjoy a well-deserved break. An email will be sent at the end of the first week in Term 3 when the Academic transcript will be available for viewing.

After such a turbulent period, I hope the three-week holiday will provide an opportunity for our St Catherine’s girls and their families to enjoy a change of pace, and despite the domestic travel restrictions, families look to support local tourism.

As I reminded the girls at School Assembly on Wednesday, instead of focussing on their ‘to do’ list, I want them over the break to focus on their ‘to be’ list. Be happy, be calm, be loving, be healthy and be awesome. Most notably, I congratulate our School Captains, Alexandra Shergold and Sophie Boyce and Barbreck Captains, Elodie Scott-Elliott and Giselle Upton for their presence and leadership of the student body. The Blue Ribbon Spirit afternoons every Wednesday and the enjoyable collection of ‘How to….” clips on Friday provided a sense of collective spirit and unity.

I wish all St Catherine’s families an enjoyable and relaxing mid-year break and look forward to seeing the students when they return in Term 3 on Tuesday 14 July.

Source: Chip Le Grand, SMH 19.4.2020 Sports fear exodus of COVID kids.