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St Catherine’s News Autumn 2024
THE DIRECTION OF Academic care embodies a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering not only intellectual development but also the emotional and social aspects of our students' lives.
Above: Mrs Alison Cassidy, Director of Senior Years; Right: Ms Freda Armstrong, Director of Middle Years.
At St Catherine's, we firmly believe outstanding academic achievement is intertwined with a culture of academic care that is aligned to our 2024 Wellbeing Framework. This contemporary framework focuses on the key dispositions of cognitive, social, and emotional learning, physical health and wellness, digital literacy, student voice, community, and student pathways. Overseeing Years 7 to 9, Director of Middle Years, Ms Freda Armstrong says academic care for this age group focusses on belonging, participating, familiarity and encouragement to assist students to articulate their passions.
“In Year 7 we work hard to instill a strong sense of belonging to the St Catherine’s culture and community for our girls. From this foundation students are actively encouraged to participate in a wide variety of co-curricular activities to complement their academic pursuits and create a broader school experience for each girl,” Freda explains. “As students progress through Years 8 and 9 and their horizons are widened, we work with them to articulate their passions and lean into them in more meaningful ways. Many of our teachers and House tutors teach across these Year levels providing consistency of expectations which creates a sense of calm and familiarity for the girls to feel known and heard.”
“We also work in close partnership with families during Years 7 to 9 to create a secure and well-informed foundation for what lies ahead in the Senior Years. When our students reach Years 11 and 12 the decisions they make for their future paths have been supported by years of encouragement and nurturing from our School community as a whole.” Director of Senior Years, Alison Cassidy says motivation and engagement are key ingredients for success in Years 10 to 12. “When students sense genuine care from their educators and school community, they are inspired to invest themselves wholeheartedly in their academic pursuits.