The Year 9 students have returned to School in Term 2 following a restful and enjoyable two-week break, with Easter in the middle and gorgeous Autumn weather.  

This term we welcomed back Jiayi (Lucia) Tian from China and Arabella Richardson who spent Term 1 in an international school in Verbier, Switzerland. 

We also welcome two students from Ascham School (Sydney) who are participating in a domestic exchange with Sophie Farrer and Rachel Carton. Although the exchange girls are currently in Year 10, they are enjoying their experiences at St Catherine’s School across the two-Year levels.  

Global Exchange

We farewelled Ella Derbyshire and Matilda Talbot-Gibson in the first week of the term. The girls are participating in the Global Exchange Program and are attending the Shawnigan Lake School in Canada.  

The co-educational independent boarding school is located on Vancouver Island in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada. We look forward to hearing more about their experiences upon their return. 

Student Insight: Lily Fogarty – Sailor Extraordinaire!

Congratulations to Lily Fogarty on her Sailing adventures recently. Below, Lily provides a summary of her sailing journey and what she has learnt from the sport: 

This year has been very busy for me in terms of my sailing commitments.  

At the beginning of the year, I started on a high, placing first in the Flinders Yacht Club (FYC) Junior Championships, sailing for my Club, the Pacers, alongside my crew Mischa Englisch, from Elwood College.  

There was a total of four races, competitive amongst the Juniors at the Club. During summer I began to train in the 420 class once again with my skipper Olivia Cameron, from Toorak College in Mount Eliza, ready for the Victorian 420 State Championships in mid-March, held at Davey’s Bay Yacht Club in Mount Eliza.  

During the event, there were three days of racing, including time waiting around for the wind and heaps of fun! After the long weekend of racing, Liv and I placed second overall and the first all-women crew. This was an exciting result for both of us as we had only begun sailing together in the 420 a few months prior and were fresh to the class.  

A couple of weekends after the States, Liv and I had the privilege of being coached by Harrison Chapman, who crewed the boat that won the 420 Nationals in 2021. Over the course of the two days with Harrison, we built and developed our skills in sailing in light winds and the key factors that keep the boat moving when there is little wind. We are grateful that he gave up his time and offered to give us some tips and tricks to improve our skills in the 420.  

Around a month ago, my Pacer crew, Mischa and I, raced our last race for the season in the Flinders Yacht Club Championships, which are against all the competitive adults and juniors at the Club. Overall, we placed first, racing 18 races in total over the February, March, and April months. This win took a lot of commitment and focus to make sure we turned up to every race and to also place well in each race.  

During the Easter break, Liv and I went to Williamstown for the Victorian Youth Championships in the 420 class which included two days of coaching, and four days of racing. Youth sailors from all over Australia turned up. During the first day of racing, we placed second overall, with beautiful light winds and warm weather. The next few days ranged from zero to 33 knots of wind. At the end of the Regatta, we ended up being the first Victorian 420 of the fleet.  

This coming weekend, I am taking part in the Victorian 420 camp at Flinders Yacht Club where we will be coached by Laura Thompson and Harrison Chapman, in a fleet of 11 boats. I am looking forward to camping with my friends and getting out on the water, sailing, and learning heaps of new skills, but most importantly learning about teamwork, resilience, and commitment. 

Yarra Trams Presentation

With the return to onsite learning and increased road traffic, safe travel to and from School has become an important issue.  

The Year 9 students listened to a presentation from Yarra Trams and watched safety videos explaining the importance of safe travel on public transport.  

There was a particular focus on ‘tram travel’ as many of our students travel to and from home via a tram. This presentation highlighted the importance of travelling safely. 

Year 9 Camp Program Term 3

The students received a presentation on Year 9 camp options for Term 3 and are currently preparing to make their selections for what will be an exciting camp experience. Further information will be provided closer to Term 3. 

The Term Ahead

During the term we have much to look forward to as a Year level. The students will experience a production called The Hurting Game, which is a funny and engaging live performance that provides strategies for resilience, help-seeking, online safety, and positive relationships. 

They will continue to work on their Leadership Diploma and Duke of Edinburgh Programs as well as embarking on a Resilience Wellbeing Program in House Tutor Groups.  

Year 9 Critical Conversations

St Catherine’s Critical Conversations Program for Year 9 continues to extend the girls’ critical thinking skills.

The Geography 9 program is continuing to be well received by all of the students in the Year level. In Term 1 the focus was on developing key geographical skills and language through the study of biomes and food security.

In Term 2, the focus moves to students learning about economic and human development with a specific focus on the ways in which people live and work throughout the world.

The students have been undertaking individual research, analysing and synthesing data. Their learning within these areas then culminates in critical conversations.

To read more about St Catherine’s Critical Conversations Year 9 program please click here and enjoy the reflections from some of our participants.