Angela Yu
2022 School Co-Captain  

What have been the highlights of your time at St Catherine’s?  

A lot of activities and experiences have been highlights. However, consistent highlights throughout my time at St Catherine’s are the moments in classes when everyone is laughing together because someone, a teacher, or a student, has said something funny. These have brought my classes closer together because no matter how stressed or ambitious we are for academic results, the fact that we’re able to enjoy a laugh together reminds us that we’re in it together. 

What co-curricular activities were you involved in?  

Over my time in the Senior School, I’ve tried a range of different activities, from GSV Sport and Drama to Rowing, Music, Debating and Public Speaking. I have also been part of several clubs, including Writers’ Club, Cultural Diversity Club, Outdoor Ed Club, GSA, and Human Rights Club. Contributing to The Stentorian student newspaper this year has also been a highlight amongst my co-curricular activities. 

What were your favourite subjects?  

It is very difficult to pick one! For all my subjects, there were times when I loved them and hated them, but in the end, I’ve enjoyed studying them all, even the compulsory ones.  

This year, I studied English, French, Literature and Specialist Mathematics. I think each of them have their specialties, and I was lucky to be part of quite close-knit and congenial classes. I also have to mention Latin, which I studied last year, because it has helped me form more solid ideas about what I want to pursue in the future. 

What do you plan to study post School? 

Classics, as part of an Arts degree. 

What led you to selecting this career pathway? 

I still haven’t decided on a career per se. I’m lucky that I don’t have to make the decision yet. To be honest, no career particularly interests me yet, so I’ve looked back on my academic journey and pinpointed what I enjoyed most, which was Languages, as well as History, Literature, and Philosophy. Classics seemed like the right fit since it encompasses all these areas! 

How has St Catherine’s assisted you in making your study and career choices? 

Throughout my Senior School years, I’ve always felt supported by the Careers Office, especially when it came to subject selections each year. I remember that in the first year when I had to do subject selections, our Careers Practitioner was very patient in explaining the entire process from Year 9 through to VCE to my mum and me. I think that this attention to clarifying each step of the way has continued from then on, so that I’ve had the freedom and confidence to pursue what I wanted to do. 

Where do you hope to study?  

I am hoping to go overseas, or to the University of Melbourne. 

What do you see yourself doing in five years’ time?  

I will probably still be studying… I’m excited to do deeper research into the Classics. 

How do you believe St Catherine’s and your teachers have helped you reach your goals?  

In terms of my studying and also participation in co-curricular activities, I don’t think anyone has ever given me a definite ‘no,’ or completely dismissed my ideas.  

No matter how ambitious or perhaps idealistic I was, I’ve always been encouraged to believe that there is a way to the goals I set for myself. 

In this way, I’ve been able to chase after my ambitions and reach some of them, because St Catherine’s has always endorsed the ‘can-do’ attitude and stretches me outside of my comfort zone. 

In 2022, the Year 12 theme was Emerge. What does this mean to you?  

For me, Emerge was very much an optimistic reaction to the life events that we had lived through together as a Year level.  

Emerging out of the lockdowns at the end of last year, I felt hesitant going to School every day and getting back into the rhythm of life in person. 

So, in my mind, Emerge has become a sound of strength and determination – to keep your head up, in a way, and to do what needs to be done, or even to aspire beyond the sometimes tediousness of human life. 

What advice would you provide to future Year 12 students?  

Get into a good schedule from the beginning. I know that for Mathematics, doing a bit of practice a day is crucial. I wish I had done the same more consistently for all my subjects.  

There will be times when everyone falls into a slump, and no one has motivation. I don’t really have a cure for that, but that’s what surprised me the most, because I had always thought that I would be able to focus all my energy on Year 12 for the whole year. I guess just recognise it and try to get yourself out of it as soon as possible, but also don’t overwhelm yourself with guilt because that did not make me feel any better.