Nurturing Lifelong Learners

St Catherine’s School Co-curricular Programs offer opportunities and experiences to enhance the development of the whole individual, complementing skills learned in the classroom and nurturing lifelong learners.

This year presented students, families and staff with challenges not envisaged. Whilst no one could have predicted a year like 2020, we all adapted and continued to engage in the Co-curricular programs virtually, utilising recorded sessions, in real time rehearsals and coaching sessions. Our girls opened up their homes to become rehearsal and training spaces. Utilising technology and resources within their homes, they continued learning; rezoning living rooms, studies and garages to allow for Co-curricular activities to flourish. These months offered opportunities for families to reconnect and slow down. Performing Arts and Music paved the way for online rehearsals, with Choirs, Music Ensembles and Freaky Friday rehearsals. All students demonstrated versatility in continuing their work with the Specialists teachers in learning new repertoires and rehearsing. Mr Collins and Ms Cher were pivotal in designing these opportunities and working closely with Music staff. “While singing at home in my room, I had time to think about how St Catherine’s girls are handling isolation in the Music@Home Program. We were grateful to continue to have rehearsals and were so impressed at how enthusiastic and motivated everyone was despite everything going on around them.” – Indiana Wilde

Our Sports@Home Program provided many opportunities for activity in real time with groups or connecting virtually. With 81 members logging and posting their activities in the School’s Running Club in Strava, the Club offered girls the opportunity to share and acknowledge the efforts of those

Nurturing Lifelong Learners

around them. These included anything from running, rowing ergos, strength training, bike rides and walks. Within the Virtual Running Club, Head Coach of Athletics, Mr Aidan Debernardi developed training videos to deliver the Cross Country and Athletics Training Programs. These videos were well accessed by students and staff alike. The Sports Department, led by Head of Sport, Mr Nick Racina, also created virtual skill-based training sessions in Hockey, Netball and AFL for our girls to develop and strengthen their skills in the Sport@Home program. “I enjoyed participating in the Ergos@Home Program. It was a great opportunity to stay involved with rowing and maintain some fitness. Being able to do these sessions as a group through Microsoft Teams helped to motivate me as opposed to doing them on my own. It was great to be active in the morning before online classes.” – Claire Gray The Debating and Public Speaking Programs shifted easily to the online space, allowing for training and

internal debates. Ms Mary-Anne Keratiotis and Ms Coolican Dewhurst worked with the teams to continue to develop their skills and adjudicate prior to the DAV Debating shifting to Interschool debates online. Supported by a team of teachers, our Speakers continued to prepare their Speeches for external and internal competitions. Our Mooting teams, prepared for their internal Moot, planned to be at Bond University in May, ably led by Mr John Novak, who coached and developed their mooting skills. Our House and Clubs Program continued using our online platform, with House Cross Country being completed by over 300 Senior School students who completed a 2km or 4km run close to home, with Langley Templeton winning the virtual event. During the Learn@Home period, we were reminded of the deep connections between current, past and future St Catherine’s School families, friends and staff. The School Community is a place of strength and guidance, particularly in times of need and challenge. Our girls are fortunate to have the building blocks of a bright future, with the significant opportunities available to them at our School.

Mrs Gina Peele Director of Student Programs