UPDATE FOR FUTURE PARENTS
Welcome to our latest edition of Inside Intelligence. Last year saw our GCSE and A Level students sit exams and formal assessments. Despite the pressures that exams inevitably bring, we have been continually impressed by the resilience and determination demonstrated by our girls, not only in the classroom and exam hall, but in their commitment to activities beyond. Whether that has been on the lacrosse pitches helping St Catherine’s become County Champions, or within the Anniversary Halls performing in Drama and Musical productions such as Wendy & Peter Pan, or taking part in concerts with renowned musicians such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. They have taken every opportunity afforded to them and whilst doing so have achieved outstanding results and University destinations of which they can be justly proud. Please refer to our results overleaf.
We warmly invite you to come and visit us if you have not already done so. Please contact us at admissions@stcatherines.info to book onto one of our Open Events, or to arrange an individual tour.
I’m in my second year at Nottingham University. The Association has been invaluable to me. They helped me connect with alumnae when I was choosing universities and degree courses, I’ve attended a university social gathering which they arranged, and I have been to a couple of London Network events, for and supported by, younger alumnae which have been both useful and interesting. It is so lovely still to feel connected to St Catherine’s and it is always great to catch up with other alumnae and former staff.
Millie Francis, Alumna,
Year of 2021
THE UNIQUE ST CAT’S EXPERIENCE: SCHOOL AND BEYOND
We were delighted by the recent ISI Report, published in March 2024 which awarded St Catherine’s two significant strengths, one of which was for our comprehensive, inspiring and highly successful careers programme and alumnae network. Girls can connect with a network of over 8,500 former and current parents, staff and alumnae. This network is a powerful tool that is actively utilised to benefit the current girls with access to ‘Uni Buddies’ and extensive career connections, mentoring and guidance. This achievement was then reinforced when St Catherine’s was selected as the winner of the School House Awards 2024 in the Alumnae Relationships category. This award was a testament to all our global community of alumnae and friends who give so generously of their time and energy in support of St Catherine’s. We are incredibly proud to have been recognised by such a leading voice in independent education.
Tuesday 4th February 2025
Wednesday 19th March 2025
Friday 20th June 2025*
*Prospective Families Interactive Event
Please visit our website for more information on key admission dates: stcatherines.info/admissions/openevents
To book a place of any of these dates, please complete our online booking form at stcatherines.info/admissions/open-events or contact the Senior Registrar: Clare Woodgates | 01483 899609 | admissions@stcatherines.info
A LEVEL AND GCSE RESULTS
At A Level 61% of grades were A-A*. With 28 subjects at A Level, we design a bespoke timeable for every girl, enabling her to specialise in the subjects that inspire and interest her. 89% of our girls have realised their hopes and aspirations, reaching their first-choice universities. Please refer to stcatherines.info/welcome/destination-of-leavers for a complete breakdown.
At GCSE 84% of grades awarded were 9-7.
A Level
DESTINATION OF LEAVERS 2024
NON RUSSELL GROUP
The destinations illustrate how aspirational our girls are, and the breadth of interests they have. Alongside our Oxbridge successes, over 72% of our students have now started at Russell Group universities including Bath, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Nottingham, St Andrews, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and University College, London, to read subjects including Anthropology, Applied Medical Sciences, Architecture, Natural Sciences, Economics, Biological Sciences, Geography, Medical Sciences, Law, Politics & Modern Languages, and Veterinary Science. A number of our girls have also secured places at overseas universities including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for Global Business and the University of Western Australia for Finance.
STARTING SENIOR SCHOOL FREE FROM GENDER STEREOTYPES
Changing schools is a time for fresh starts and new friendships, but we recognise it can seem both exciting and daunting at the same time. We give all the girls a helping hand to settle in, mixing classes with new girls and those from our own Prep School, providing a ‘shadow’ scheme with a girl in the year above, and helping every girl ‘belong’ by assigning her to one of our six Houses. A ‘Fun Day’ at St Catherine’s before School begins helps bond the year group and form early friendships. With tutors keeping a watchful eye on the ‘newbies’, you can feel confident that girls find their feet remarkably quickly.
Here at St Catherine’s girls are free to study whichever subjects interest them, free from the notion of gender stereotypes. Within the classroom at St Catherine’s 67% of the Sixth Form study Maths, Further Maths or STEM subjects, a statistic which ‘bucks’ the national trend for girls within the coeducational system.
The School’s greatest strength is the sense of confidence it imbues in its pupils. St Catherine’s girls leave the School with a sense that there is nothing they cannot do or achieve if they put their mind to it. Whether in sport, studies, music or drama they are taught to aim high and believe in themselves.
Mrs Thompson, Past parent
I felt surrounded by lots of activities as I walked around, such as tennis, girls playing on the grass, hearing music practice. There was a great, friendly buzz. It is a vibrant, high quality and friendly school. Very proficient and dedicated teachers, attention to detail, excellent facilities, beautiful surroundings, well led with a sense that hard work and fun are not mutually exclusive.
Mr Harris-Dibben, Current parent
Beautiful surroundings, it is an absolute joy and will be sure to reflect on the girls’ mental health and happiness in School. I value St Cat’s for its kindness and understanding, alongside my daughter’s learning and sport, for encouraging excellence without extreme pressure.
Mrs Pollock, Current parent
Girls have an identity, an empowered sense of being but not an arrogant approach. The girls are so supportive of each other it creates an environment where they give it a go; the pastoral care is second to none.
Mr Webster, Current parent
WELCOME TO THE HEAD DESIGNATE EMMA WATSON
Emma Watson, the current Head of Berkhamsted Girls, is an exceptional fit for St Catherine’s and will be an inspiring leader of our staff and girls. She has been chosen for her exciting vision for the future, her commitment to build on the strong foundations already in place, and her strong alignment to St Catherine’s values. Emma brings with her a wealth of knowledge of independent day and boarding settings, from co-educational and single sex sectors, and has worked at schools such as Stowe, Harrow and Wycombe Abbey. Her personal academic record is exemplary with a 1st Class BEng in Aerospace Engineering, and an MBA with Distinction. Emma was promoted from Deputy Head (Pupil Wellbeing) and Deputy Head (Sixth Form) at Berkhamsted to be the Head Teacher of Berkhamsted Girls in 2022.
Commenting on her appointment, Emma said ‘With a passion for all-girls education, I am inspired by the supportive and ambitious culture that nurtures and develops each individual’s talent, confidence and potential - both within the classroom and through the exceptional breadth of opportunities beyond it. I feel privileged to have been chosen to lead and develop the rounded and futurefocused education your daughter receives at St Catherine’s, and in doing so, to shape confident, creative and compassionate young women who will be the leaders of the future.’
TANZANIA EXPEDITION
From U4 (Year 9) our girls are encouraged to begin their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award journey by completing their Bronze Award in Year 10 which for many culminates in the completion of their Gold Award in the Lower Sixth. We are extremely proud of the fact that last year 64% of our girls in U4 (Year 9) to U6 (Year 13) took part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme! Participation in this scheme gives the girls confidence to pursue activities and adventures that they may otherwise not have attempted. By way of example, last summer a group of L6 (Year 12) students travelled to Tanzania as part of an expedition organised with True Adventure, working with the charity BetterLives who assist families, schools and children in disadvantaged rural communities to help achieve sustainable living.
Our students helped at TZ Maendeleo Primary School which has 967 students but only 11 teachers and is severely lacking in resources with no access to modern teaching methods. The project involved working with the school to provide daily school breakfasts and to assist with the student-led school garden clubs to grow organic vegetables and bananas. Our girls were warmly welcomed and couldn’t wait to get started on their work in the garden. From digging 3-foot-deep holes to planting banana trees, using machetes to chop leaves to make compost, and painting the toilets, the girl’s enthusiasm never wavered. During their time at the school the girls formed special bonds with the children they worked with despite the language barrier and were presented with a certificate of achievement from the local government before they left. An honour indeed.
There was also time for the girls to head off to the Amani Nature reserve, a rainforest containing an abundance of wildlife and waterfalls, and if reports are to be believed lots of hills and ants! They were also fortunate to see some slightly larger animals as they headed out on safari, spotting zebra, ostriches, baboons, elephants, giraffe, cheetahs, and lions. What an absolutely wonderful experience for everyone involved.
WENDY AND PETER PAN PRODUCTION
In October, we were thrilled to see our Year 7 to 9 production of Wendy and Peter Pan take centre stage in the Auditorium. Over three shows, the audiences were transported to Neverland in an adventure full of magic, fun and just a little bit of fairy dust. The production involved 70 cast members and 25 stage crew. In this contemporary Ella Hickson adaptation, Wendy is placed centre stage, and the audience is introduced to her youngest brother, Tom, who tragically dies. Although there is a central theme of grief, this is balanced with touches of humour. Other memorable characters such as Tink and Smee are portrayed in a light we are perhaps not used to seeing. The power of women is evident in the production as they come together rather than vying for male attention. This is wonderfully demonstrated when Tink, Tiger Lily and Wendy finally align and Wendy announces, ‘Okay, all right - here’s what’s going to happen - we’re going to be a team. We’re going to go to that pirate ship and we’re going to kick some pirate - bum - and I - I will be Captain.’ Wendy’s words provide a wonderful reflection of the attitude of all our St Catherine’s girls. Being part of a girls’ only school, they are free of gender stereotypes and have the self-belief that they are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to.
From the moment girls start in U3 (Year 7) they are provided with the opportunity to become part of one of over 100 extracurricular clubs on offer. From Dog Club and Polygot Club to Business Enterprise there is truly something for everyone, and if there isn’t, girls are encouraged to suggest clubs which may be appealing to others and to help set them up. With such involvement and enthusiasm, we were therefore very proud to announce that Amelie won the ‘Business for Good Award’ at the 2024 Business Tycoon Challenge. Amelie set up her company, Resailbags during Entrepreneur Club, an extra-curricular club at St Catherine’s, where teams of budding entrepreneurs took part in this national competition. Amelie created tote bags, wash bags and dog-treat bags from disused sails, which she sourced from her local sailing club. She was presented with her award by Peter Jones CBE who set up this challenge as part of the Peter Jones Foundation. Amelie had to create a business plan, sell her products and then produce an evaluation report. She was invited to the final event at Canary Wharf where she also displayed and sold her products. Well done, Amelie. What an achievement!
BUSINESS TYCOON CHALLENGE 2024 U20
Our philosophy at St Catherine’s is, ‘Sport for life and for all’. We are one of the top girls’ schools for sport based on our placings in a number of national competitions i.e., lacrosse, netball, rounders, cross country, gymnastics, equestrian, athletics, swimming, sailing, cricket and tennis. Through sport, our girls learn focus, gain confidence, show leadership and are inspired. 75% of 12-year-olds compete in extra-curricular sport. 80% of girls 11 to 18 represent their school in a team. We frequently field A-G teams for Netball in years 7-9 and over 60 teams are coached weekly.
It is therefore unsurprising that during the summer, as the U20 Lacrosse World Championships took place in Hong Kong, St Catherine’s was proudly represented across all levels of the competition, with pupils, staff, and alumnae alike making their mark on the tournament. Captain of the host nation was alumna Anbie Chan (2022), playing alongside current student Sophie (Year 10), who earned ‘Most Valuable Player’ honours in the opening game. Team England included both current and former students, including Grace (Year 12), Honor Ashby (2023), Sienna Richardson (2023) and Grace Davison (2022). Leading Team England as head coach was our own, Vic Alexander, who guided the team to a commendable 6th place finish. For Team Italy, current Acting Head of Lacrosse, Tash Dale (2019) served as head coach, leading her team to an impressive 8th place overall. Alumna Olivia Williams (2024) represented Team Wales, securing a 7th place finish, while fellow alumna Sophie Hanna (2023) played for Team Scotland, who placed 17th. It was an unforgettable experience, showcasing St Catherine’s presence across so many different facets of the competition and celebrating the School’s deep ties to the sport of lacrosse. Congratulations to all those who were involved.