Strong foundations to Make Girls Amazing

Our passionate Head of Junior School shares her exciting vision for the year ahead, and how she is continuing to develop our leading curriculum

While Felecia Tomich, affectionately known to colleagues as Fe, is now in her second year as Head of Junior School, her involvement with the College goes back decades.

It was inspiring to chat with her about her what she brings to the role and how her experience has contributed to her leadership, and a collective vision for the Junior School curriculum.

Full circle

Rather poignantly, Fe’s very first job after teacher’s training college was here at St Cuthbert’s.

“I had my final teaching placement at St Cuthbert’s as a student teacher and then taught for a few years in a Year 4 class, so coming back felt a little like returning home,” she says.

After these early years, Fe decided to spread her wings. She headed to the UK, where she first worked with young children who required high-needs learning support. This ignited a life-long passion for supporting diverse learning needs.

“I love that there’s so much scope in education,” says Fe. “There are so many ways to spark a child’s interest. And it’s not just about academic learning either.”

Fe has taught various age groups across both Junior and Senior levels and was also a ‘Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour’ for the Ministry of Education. She has a Masters Degree in Special Education from Massey University and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Educational Psychology.

Previous to her current position, Fe looked after our Pōhutukawa

Learning Centre for Years 0-9, working closely with our teachers, dedicated to supporting diverse learning needs throughout the College.

As she looks to the year ahead, it’s clear that her background in diverse learning and experience teaching around the world, are great assets.

She is inspired and excited about working with her Junior School Lead team on developing the Junior School version of the whole College strategic vision that focuses on both curriculum and pastoral development.

Exciting plans ahead

There are plenty of people, programmes and activities that delight Fe about leading the Junior School – and a few focus areas for her and the team.

Firstly, she loves that there is a rich culture of interage learning. “Older girls do classroom visits with the younger girls and provide homework support at After School Care, run next to them in cross country, and support our other events,” says Fe. “It’s another layer of positive role modelling that enhances their learning and confidence in a very unique way.”

Strengthening Junior and Senior School ties is a key objective, as well as easing the transition for students as they leave Year 6, and head into their senior years. “I want to take full advantage of being part of a Year 0-13 College - it’s a huge benefit for the girls,” she emphasises.

The Junior School Lead team have relished the opportunity to work with the Head of Subject Faculty members and teachers from the Senior School, to collaborate on our Knowledge Rich Curriculum using the Rata CDC model. Fe is also proud that Senior School teachers are teaching subjects such as French, science, art and performing arts to our Junior School students.

“All of this cross-pollination between the two sites of the College feeds into, and enriches, our curriculum,” says Fe.

Fe is inspired by her Junior School Lead team and teachers, and their passionate investment in students. She uses the example of how they have embraced the work done on the ‘science of reading’ to enhance literacy.

“I’m excited about the Structured Literacy Programme. We’re already seeing the enhanced learning outcomes from all the amazing professional development in which our teachers are involved,” she says.

The ‘STRETCH’ programme is another example of what Fe sees as the ‘St Cuthbert’s difference’, where there’s a focus on science, technology, engineering and maths. “We want to grow creators and innovators. It is critical that we offer opportunities for our girls at a young age, to feel empowered and excited in these realms.”

STRETCH introduces things like the Nano Girl programme, Little Robots, and practical art sessions, weaving maths and science into fun and engaging learning tasks.

Fe believes this is having a hugely positive effect on the girls’ confidence and future direction. She also says that the work being done in the Apple Distinguished School programme, Digital Citizenship, online safety programme, and technical literacy, is also offering tremendous opportunities for students to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Fe reinforces that all this great work is reinforced by the insightful research the Lead team is doing, such as looking into the latest science of maths, that is also enriching our classroom practice.

A culture of care at St Cuthbert’s

This fresh approach to the curriculum sits alongside a strong pastoral foundation, that is grounded in the same core value system the College has upheld for generations.

“At the end of the day, care permeates everything we do here at St Cuthbert’s,” Fe says. “I’m just so impressed with the ‘By Love Serve’ philosophy, and the strong sense of community here. The teachers and girls never cease to inspire and amaze me with their caring and attentive approach,” she adds.

Fe believes that to prepare our students best for the future we must focus on every dimension of their growth and development, providing them with incredible opportunities to discover their full potential.

“I think my overarching vision is to continue to provide our girls with the ultimate foundation to springboard into Senior School with confidence, and a zest for learning,” says Fe.

“Everything we do sits within our wider St Cuthbert’s Strategic Vision, of delivering a holistic curriculum that will challenge our students. This is anchored in values, education and pastoral care that will enable them to approach the future with optimism and determination.”