St Catherine’s School is thrilled to announce it has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Australian Education Awards for 2023 in two categories.

St Catherine’s innovative Teaching and Learning Framework along with its Teaching for Thinking Agenda have received national recognition for outstanding contributions to education.

Ranked as the number one girls school in Victoria for two consecutive years, St Catherine’s continues to excel across its academic, co-curricular and wellbeing programs.

Principal, Michelle Carroll says the nominations are a wonderful recognition of the exemplary staff working at St Catherine’s and our extraordinary girls.

“Both Programs receiving recognition emphasise the importance of providing our students with authentic opportunities to contribute to their own learning. The Programs support our educators, students, and parents to build a positive and inclusive learning environment through explicit teaching, evidence informed practices and active participation of the whole School community,” shares Michelle.

The Innovation in Curriculum Design nomination recognises St Catherine’s Teaching and Learning Framework, developed in 2022. The Framework includes a learning continuum prioritising eight learner competencies that reflect the skills required for the 21^st century.

“This Framework provides every student with the strongest foundation possible for them to reach their aspirations in learning and in life. Influenced by current pedagogies and evidence that demonstrates the strong association between wellbeing and learning,” explains Mrs Ceri Lloyd, Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning.

The Best Professional Learning Program nomination highlights the School’s Teaching for Thinking Agenda, an innovative, evidence-based program that encourages high-level teacher reflection on the quality of student thinking, learning competencies and dispositions.

“Our Teaching for Thinking Agenda has had a significant impact on the teaching and learning culture of our School. The Agenda leverages from the expertise of our staff and continually builds teacher skill levels and shared practice across the School. The strength of our staff knowledge has seen five of our staff members accepted into the Victorian Government Teaching Excellence Program in 2023,” comments Miss Kristy Forrest, Head of Professional Practice at St Catherine’s School.

In 2022, St Catherine’s School was also a finalist in the Australian Education Awards in two categories, highlighting the School’s continued capacity to deliver innovative and forward-thinking educational programs for its students.

The Australian Education Awards showcase top performing schools for their outstanding achievements and transformative work, creating profound differences in the lives of young students across Australia.

Award winners will be announced in August 2023.