Life at St Catherine’s: Jemima Wilcox
Class of 2023

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

For me, my highlights have always centred around my participation in co-curricular activities.  

When I look for a key moment, it is hard to go pass the victory at Henley Royal Regatta in 2022. It still shocks me that we were able to achieve such a huge task, as a small row program and school. In the Rowing Program, the girls and coaches became family – connections that I know will extend far beyond schooling.  

Another highlight has been through Public Speaking and Debating – this group of us, has formed such a tight-knit community, and it’s been incredible to watch us all develop from Year 7 to now in recent times, where we have been able to excel and place highly in numerous competitions.   

Finally, my time in the Boarding House. These girls, across numerous Year levels, have become my sisters. Being a boarder is such a different experience – but I couldn’t recommend it more highly. The after-dinner conversations around the couches, where girls from all Year levels would come to sit and talk, are the small moments that really have accumulated and amounted to being some of my favourite times.   

What co-curricular activities or clubs were you involved in? What did you learn from these?  

I have participated in so much sport throughout my time here. I have tried Swimming, Tennis, Water Polo, Basketball, Soccer, Athletics, Hockey, Softball, and most notably, Rowing. I think sport has shaped so much of who I am – I’ve learned how to work hard, to focus on a goal, to perform under pressure and under fatigue, to keep showing up even on days you don’t want to, and how to be resilient. Most importantly, it’s really just showed me how much I love sport, competition, and being active with friends.   

I also participated heavily in Public Speaking and Debating. I look at the girls I have debated with, and the success we have all had, then compare it to our Year 7 selves – it is crazy how much we improved!  

 I think the two biggest things it has taught me are to have confidence, and how to have an agile mind. In Years 7 and 8, you write our entire speeches and present them staring at your cue cards, scared to even stumble on a single word – but I’ve learned that most of the time, if you make a solid argument, and present it like it’s the most logical, and accurate point ever made, then most of the time, it will take you far. It ss fine if you stumble on a word occasionally – as it is about having confidence and thinking in lateral directions. I feel like that has been my biggest takeaway.   

What were your favourite subjects?  

Physics and Global Politics.  

I loved Global Politics so much – I think it really resonated with me as it is so current and nuanced with what is currently occurring in the world. I’ve always enjoyed reading the news and knowing about what’s happening in the world around us – so I feel like it’s just an extension of this. Also, I think it’s provided me with the frameworks for understanding the way in which states, organisations, and other actors work and unpack their motives behind doing so, which I feel is an imperative skill today. Finally, Mr Gilby is a phenomenal teacher – it is so evident he is so passionate about what he teaches, and his conversational approach within the small-classroom setting I think has been key to the classroom dynamic.  

I always loved Physics – from Year 9 it had always been my favourite science. I just love how broad the subject is – from what we conventionally think physics is about such as motion, to the larger more complex theories surrounding special relativity and the basics of quantum. It’s a class I look forward to attending, and I think Ms Haysom has a lot of passion for the subject which has really transpired into our classroom dynamic and the girls.    

How do you handle challenges or setbacks in your academic pursuits?  

For me personally, I think sport has really shaped the way I have responded to challenges and setbacks. In sport it is a given that at some point something isn’t going to go your way – I’ve missed out on teams, underperformed in games, and gotten too many injuries – but every time if you hold your head high, with dignity, and  if you keep showing up, keep working hard, keep asking for feedback, and keep putting in the extra hours – you will get places.   

I think it is these lessons that should be mirrored in every task you undertake – including study and school. We are so incredibly lucky at St Cath’s to have such amazing teachers who really do care about every individual student. Each of my teachers has taken time and effort to make sure that they’re available for meetings to go through things I have found challenging.   

Mrs Morgan, our Head of Year has been absolutely phenomenal in really making sure each and every one of us feels supported and helped us through our challenges and setbacks.    

What do you plan to study post School?  

I’m not quite sure yet – but I am looking to combining my passion for STEM subjects with politics/ global studies.   

Where do you hope to study?  

I am looking at going over to the US, or interstate.   

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

The passion our teachers have for their respective subjects is honestly so inspiring. I think when a teacher really loves what they do, it rubs off on their students. They always encourage questions, make time to have meetings with students and provide numerous resources to ensure we all have the capacity to thrive.  

Additionally, Rowing at St Catherine’s provided me with so many opportunities to reach my goals. It has opened the door to some of the best universities around the world. 

Moreover, the support of the Boarding House has been phenomenal. Having the girls, the mistresses, as well as Sue, provided me with such a strong network of people I could turn to.     

What are your short-term and long-term career goals after graduating from school?  

In the short term, I’m looking to travel – I am really keen on working over summer then possibly heading overseas to go on a gap year – but once again, I’m still not certain on what exactly what or where I want to study yet, so we shall see.    

I also will continue to train and row; I think I’ll just see where it takes me – I enjoy training hard and performing at high levels.    

What skills or knowledge have you gained during your education that you believe will be valuable in your future career?  

I think Global Politics is very relevant to whatever field I seek to study – I think having an awareness about what is happening in the world around you, and being able to analyse these, then find ways to find resolutions – no matter what industry or field you are in – is imperative to our modern, and globalised world.    

I also think the skills you learn during VCE – to switch off, to focus for long periods of time on set tasks, to resist the temptation to pick up your phone, and how to balance school, sport and co-curriculars, work for whatever you do, are imperative skills for life.  

How do you envision using your education to make a positive impact on your community or society at large?  

I am not really sure yet – but I also think that’s the beauty of it. I am looking at using my knowledge and interest in global politics and applying it to somewhere in the STEM field. I hope one day this may help someone, somewhere – but I guess we will just have to wait and see.   

In 2023, the Year 12 theme was ‘Conquer.’ What does this mean to you?
To me, it means to face everything head-on – tackle it, find a way to solve it, give it your all, and keep going when it gets tough.    

What advice would you provide to future Year 12 students?  

I know everyone says it – but I didn’t believe it either – but Year 12 is genuinely the best year of your schooling. I would say to keep active, stay involved in co-curricular, study hard, and enjoy your last year with your friends!