At St Catherine’s School, the importance of Student Voice is not just a concept, but a reality that is actively embraced through various activities and initiatives.  

This semester has seen the consolidation of a range of student-led activities and initiatives, along with the introduction of VOICE (Voice, Ownership, Inclusion, Compassion, Empowerment, Strength) sessions on Friday afternoons.  

Our six Student Executive members, Ava Colosimo, Flora Du, Freya Cantwell, Diya Kayick, Lucia Tabbagh and Jemima Wilcox, play a crucial role in shaping the school’s culture. Their regular meetings involve planning and developing the segments and running sheet for weekly assemblies, discussing ideas for the Student Representative Council (SRC), and addressing other School-related matters. This collaborative effort ensures that student ideas, celebrations and concerns are recognised and acted upon daily.  

Student-led assemblies have been a feature of Monday mornings for the last three years. These efforts demonstrate the commitment of students to making assemblies engaging and informative for the entire School community. Each week has a theme or central idea at its core, such as Harmony Day, ANZAC Day, Environment Assembly or Humanities Assembly, to name but a few. The Student Executive, alongside various Captains organise the content, including guest speakers, to make assemblies relevant, educational, and entertaining for everyone in attendance.  

Our student newspaper, The Stentorian (meaning: of a person’s voice, loud and powerful), is another avenue where students express their thoughts, ideas, and creativity.  

The editors and contributors work diligently to produce a high-quality publication that reports on national and world events, as well as School events and achievements, and includes illustrations, movie, and book recommendations, and even horoscopes. By promoting the newspaper through the School’s communication channels, students have the opportunity to share their voice with the wider community.  

To foster inclusivity and engagement among students, regular Student VOICE sessions now run on Friday afternoons. These sessions are planned and organised by the Student Executive, House Captains and Co-Curricular Captains, alongside other student leaders.  

Their collaborative efforts ensure that a variety of activities are offered – such as a ‘Junk Kouture’ recycled fashion show, House Spelling Bee and Hide and Seek, Indigenous Tabloid Games, Community Service initiatives, and many others. These sessions allow for students in different Year levels to work towards a common goal.  

The Leadership Diploma program is designed to develop students’ leadership skills and encourage active participation in the School community.  

Students in Years 9 and 10 undertake various leadership activities, to set goals and reflect on their experiences in co-curricular pursuits, camps, and community service. The Leadership Diploma Program is unique to St Catherine’s School and empowers students to take ownership of their personal and leadership growth.  

Year 10 students have the option to embark on a Dark Blue Leadership Diploma, which is a small group-based community service initiative run within the School to support a charity of their choosing.  

In 2023, Year 10 students have already run fund and awareness raising campaigns across both the Junior and Senior School in service of Very Special Kids, St Kilda Mums, Daffodil Day, The Pyjama Foundation, Do it for Dolly and The Humane Society.  

The Student Representative Council (SRC) serves as a platform for students in Years 7 to 12 to voice their ideas and concerns.  

Regular meetings are held and chaired by the Student Executive, providing an opportunity for student-led discussions and the presentation of areas of improvement and activities that are inclusive and aligned with the School’s values.  

The Charter and planning documents outline the purpose and goals of the SRC, while the ongoing involvement of students strengthens the impact of their collective voice.  

This year, along with some more pragmatic areas of attention, the SRC planned a celebration of Harmony Day with a Cultural Dress Day. Students were invited to wear items of cultural significance from their countries of heritage and had the opportunity to attend traditional cultural dance workshops.  

These activities and initiatives highlight the dedication and commitment of students in making their voices heard. Through their active involvement in the Student VOICE Program, our students actively shape their educational experiences and contribute to the development of a vibrant and inclusive School community.  

The first semester has shown us that when students are given the opportunity to express their voices, they become catalysts for positive change, inspiring others and shaping the future of our School.