As we embark on another exciting year at St Catherine’s, I want to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to our Senior Years students and their families. This is a time of growth, opportunity, and achievement, and I am confident that 2025 will be a year filled with success, personal development, and lasting memories for us all. 

At St Catherine’s, we are incredibly fortunate to have a strong, supportive network in place to guide our students through their Senior Years. Our dedicated wellbeing team is here to ensure that each student feels heard, valued, and empowered to reach her full potential. A special mention goes to our Heads of Year—Kelly Brady (Year 10), Clint Blennerhassett (Year 11), and Vicky Spanos (Year 12)—whose unwavering leadership and encouragement are at the heart of the Senior Years experience. 

We are also pleased to welcome back Georgina Speak, our Senior Years Clinical Psychologist, who plays an important role in providing additional support for our students. Georgina offers a safe and trusted space where our girls can seek guidance when needed, further strengthening our commitment to their wellbeing. 

The Senior Years kicked off with an inspiring opportunity for our Year 11 and 12 students. They attended a transformative two-day leadership retreat at Iluka Retreat and Ormond College, where they strengthened their leadership skills, forged lasting connections, and united as a team. This experience has laid a powerful foundation for a year centred on integrity, empathy, and shared values. We are excited to see how our student leaders will inspire their peers, creating a supportive and positive atmosphere throughout the school that encourages everyone to be the best versions of themselves. 

Adding to the excitement of 2025, we are thrilled to welcome Natalie Charles as our new Principal. Her introduction to our Year 12 students at the annual Year 12 breakfast was both inspiring and motivating. She spoke with warmth and wisdom, encouraging our girls to embrace the challenges and opportunities of their final year with confidence and determination. 

To our Senior Years students—embrace this journey ahead. Know that you are surrounded by a community that believes in you, will celebrate your successes, and support you through challenges. Whether it is your teachers, peers, or our wellbeing team, you are never alone in this journey. 

Let us make 2025 a year of growth, resilience, and celebration. I look forward to seeing all that you will achieve, and I am here to support, guide, and encourage you every step of the way.