Class of 2022: Sarah Pratt

Sarah Pratt 
Community Service Captain 

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

As I have been at St Catherine’s’ since 3-year-old kinder it is incredibly difficult for me to pick just a few highlights from my time at St Catherine’s. I have made so many incredible life-long friends and had amazing opportunities over the course of the 15 years I have been at the School.  

However, a few of the special highlights that I have had the opportunity to be a part of were definitely the Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. We hiked for eight days and climbed the highest mountain in Victoria, Mt Bogong. This was both the most challenging and amazing experience of my life as we camped in the snow, saw the most amazing night skies, and pushed ourselves harder than ever before.  

Going on the Heyington to Highlands trip to Fiji in Year 9 was also such a surreal experience for me. I stayed in a small village called Navanga where we were taught about the locals’ experiences and went into the schools to teach the children. It was such an amazing experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

What co-curricular activities were you involved in? 

Throughout my schooling I never had just one hobby which I was extremely talented at and which I focused all my time on. As a result of this, throughout my schooling I really tried to immerse myself in as many activities as possible. Whether this was singing in one of the School choirs and taking singing lessons, or participating in every GSV Sport such as Softball, Hockey, Soccer, or Basketball over the years.  

Another passion of mine was Community Service which followed me through high school until Year 12 where I was able to become Community Service captain. I loved participating in the Red Cross Door Knock and 40hr-Famine.  

What were your favourite subjects? 

My favourite subjects throughout school really changed over the years. However, I grew to love the Humanities Subjects, including Legal Studies and Global politics which I picked up for VCE. My favourite subject in Year 12 was Health and Human Development which I developed a passion for when completing it as one of my VCE subjects. I also completed Criminology out of school at Deakin as an accelerate subject which I loved doing, as it gave me a taste of university life and I am very interested in criminal behaviour and law. 

What do you plan to study post School? 

After school, I plan to do an Arts degree where I can refine and pick which Humanities subject I would like to pursue in the future, as I love all of them equally. I have chosen not to go straight into a distinct major as I want to explore the option of Law, Politics, and Criminology before selecting my final career path. 

What led you to selecting this career pathway? 

I always had a feeling that I wanted to do an Arts degree as my subjects throughout school were so diverse and I loved so many things. As I continued into my final years, I learned how passionate I was about different Humanities subjects and how indecisive I was about choosing just one to pursue after school. This is why I decided doing an Arts degree is a great pathway for me, as it allows me freedom to choose many different pathways and take my time to figure out the right one for me. 

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

St Catherine’s has been an amazing assistance in my career choices as it has challenged me to consider all the possibilities of my future and not rule any out because I believe it is too hard or I can’t do it. It has forced me to always put my absolute all into everything. 

Where do you hope to study? 

I have been accepted into early offers at Australian National University (ANU) next year which is an amazing opportunity. I am waiting to hear back on whether I get into Melbourne University next year so I will be choosing between either one of them. 

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

I see myself finished with my Arts degree and either in another specific degree, such as International Studies or maybe even pursuing a further career in Criminology.  

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

The teachers at St Catherine’s have been constant mentors, always giving me the right amount of push to follow my instincts, as well as support if things are overwhelming. This has allowed me to reach for goals I didn’t even believe were possible such as my early acceptance into ANU. 

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

To me, this theme meant breaking out of the shell that COVID built around me and aiming high. It meant becoming the person you want to be in this world and initiating the change that you want to see in your own life as well as the life around you. 

What advice would you provide to future Year 12 students? 

Take in every single moment of Year 12 because pretty soon you will be running out those Gates, preparing for exams and after that your entire high school journey is done. Go to those early morning trainings for Soccer, even though it is raining, because you will miss those bus rides back to School, perform in that concert that you were always too scared to perform in and try your best. 

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