Nurturing the ‘women of the future’
St Catherine’s School combines academic excellence with a commitment to bring out the best in each girl, writes Andy Bishop.
This year, St Catherine’s School celebrates its 120th anniversary. Principal Michelle Carroll says: “Since our foundation we have remained committed to empowering and nurturing independent and globally responsive young women, enabling them to approach all their endeavours with confidence, wisdom and integrity.
‘‘While boys may enrol in the Early Learning Centre, St Catherine’s remains a girls’ only school from prep to year 12. St Catherine’s is an exceptional school with an outstanding and long tradition of academic excellence and engaging co- curricular programs.
‘‘A St Catherine’s education recognises the individual strengths and needs of every student, seeking to draw out the very best in every girl. Educating and caring for girls is our area of expertise.
‘‘Confident in the strength of our academic traditions, the school embraces the challenges of the future to support our girls to grow in confidence and self-worth,’’ says Mrs Carroll.This year, the Toorak school will run open mornings on March 17, April 28, June 9, August 25 and October 20.
“St Catherine’s School open mornings are provided every term to ensure prospective students and their families have multiple opportunities to visit our school and enjoy the many and varied academic and co- curricular activities available throughout our school year,” says Mrs Carroll.
“Our open mornings are available to families interested in all levels of our school, from our Early Learning Centre – catering for boys and girls in our engaging three and four-year-old programs
– to our junior and senior schools for girls in prep to year 12.
“We are proud to provide student-led tours in both our junior and senior schools, providing families with the chance to meet our current students and ask questions about life at St Catherine’s School.”
By holding open mornings during class times, the school hopes to “ensure prospective families receive an authentic day-in-the-life St Catherine’s experience”.
‘‘While boys may enrol in the Early Learning Centre, St Catherine’s remains a girls’ only school from prep to year 12. St Catherine’s is an exceptional school with an outstanding and long tradition of academic excellence and engaging co- curricular programs.
‘‘A St Catherine’s education recognises the individual strengths and needs of every student, seeking to draw out the very best in every girl. Educating and caring for girls is our area of expertise.
‘‘Confident in the strength of our academic traditions, the school embraces the challenges of the future to support our girls to grow in confidence and self-worth,’’ says Mrs Carroll.This year, the Toorak school will run open mornings on March 17, April 28, June 9, August 25 and October 20.
“St Catherine’s School open mornings are provided every term to ensure prospective students and their families have multiple opportunities to visit our school and enjoy the many and varied academic and co- curricular activities available throughout our school year,” says Mrs Carroll.
“Our open mornings are available to families interested in all levels of our school, from our Early Learning Centre – catering for boys and girls in our engaging three and four-year-old programs
– to our junior and senior schools for girls in prep to year 12.
“We are proud to provide student-led tours in both our junior and senior schools, providing families with the chance to meet our current students and ask questions about life at St Catherine’s School.”
By holding open mornings during class times, the school hopes to “ensure prospective families receive an authentic day-in-the-life St Catherine’s experience”.
Prospective families are given school information as well as meeting the principal, the school’s registrar Ms Amanda Bennett and other relevant teaching staff. Families are then guided through the campus by current students, with the option of a further question-and-answer session to conclude the morning.
St Catherine’s also provides private tours of the campus at a time convenient for families. Daughters are also welcome to attend. “It is rewarding to hear stories from our current students about the level of ownership they take in their educational journey,” says Mrs Carroll. “Many of our students researched schools and collaborated with their parents on making the decision to attend St Catherine’s School including attending our open mornings.”
Mrs Carroll hopes those who visit will see that the school “creates an enriching learning environment focusing strongly on the development of the whole person’’.
‘‘We encourage all our students to believe in their potential, achieve their aspirations and become confident and resilient ‘women of the future’.”
St Catherine’s also provides private tours of the campus at a time convenient for families. Daughters are also welcome to attend. “It is rewarding to hear stories from our current students about the level of ownership they take in their educational journey,” says Mrs Carroll. “Many of our students researched schools and collaborated with their parents on making the decision to attend St Catherine’s School including attending our open mornings.”
Mrs Carroll hopes those who visit will see that the school “creates an enriching learning environment focusing strongly on the development of the whole person’’.
‘‘We encourage all our students to believe in their potential, achieve their aspirations and become confident and resilient ‘women of the future’.”
