Year 11 mentor group

Year 11 is a year for new starts – new subjects, new teachers and a preliminary HSC. Despite the academic intensity, we found great unity, determination, perseverance and a whole lot of fun. We became key leaders within the school after attending the Women in Leadership conference, and a Year 11 leadership training day. We also had a driver safety day and some sporting prowess on the table tennis court.

In Term 3, we participated in a leadership training day, ahead of becoming both official and non-official leaders of the school. We started the day with an African drumming session that helped us connect and celebrate the bond we have as a cohort. We were visited by The Posify Group, who spoke about the benefits of developing meaning and purpose to achieving our academic, social and leadership dreams. Their slogan, ‘Find Your Why’ got us thinking about what can motivate us to reach our potential. A highlight was discussing fond memories of school and our ideas for the future, as we stepped into the shoes of our Year 7 selves to understand the role of senior students in supporting the younger years. Mrs Clancy, Dr Townsend and Rev Koch also talked about leadership in the Bible, the school and the community, reminding us that the heart of leading is serving. With all this in mind, we left the workshop feeling inspired, touched and ready to make an impact as the new leaders of the school.

Isabella Plaisted

This year saw the introduction of the new literary magazine, Myriad. An initiative of Year 11 students, the wonderful magazine is full of short stories, poetry, artworks and more. Here is an artwork from Leena Song.

Week 3 of Term 4 saw us at the traditional St Catherine’s retreat. We enthusiastically boarded the bus and ventured out of the eastern suburbs to the serene beaches of Collaroy. As soon as we arrived we enjoyed engaging seminars on nutrition, how to utilise our food for maximum energy, and the importance of sleep –particularly useful for our looming Year 12 exams. We participated in a range of team building and critical thinking activities that were challenging and thoroughly enjoyable. We then competed against the teachers in a game of bull rush, which was hilarious and boosted morale and positivity. We retreated to the grand hall for an intense trivia competition, where things got a bit heated, then finished the day with a memorable dance to ABBA’s Dancing Queen. The next day was more heartfelt and captivating, with the motivational speaker Glen Gerreyn providing enough inspiration to last our entire Year 12 journey. Glen asked girls to stand up and share their personal dreams, which was highly emotional and moving. A visit from St Catherine’s Old Girls followed, providing their wisdom and advice on how to approach and tackle the looming HSC.