St Catherine's 2020 Vision

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ST C AT H ER I N E’S SC HO OL

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CHARTER

As a leading girls’ school in Australia, St Catherine’s is committed to nurturing and empowering independent and globally responsive young women, enabling them to approach all their endeavours with confidence, wisdom and integrity.

VA L U E S

integrity : curiosity : perseverance : empathy

‘A St Catherine’s student approaches her dealings with all others with absolute and unwavering integrity. She approaches both her work and the world around her with a sense of curiosity. She will always persevere, even when the path ahead seems challenging. She displays genuine empathy at all times.’

This vision statement is a reflection of the shared passion for the future of this exceptional school, and for generations of St Catherine’s girls to come. With the dedicated involvement of the St Catherine’s community, the 2020 Vision provides a blueprint for the next five years and, most significantly, articulates and defines the strategic priorities within the educational landscape of the School and the continued reinvigoration of our campus and learning spaces.

Mrs Clare Cannon St Catherine’s School Council, Chair

Since 1896, St Catherine’s School has established a fine tradition of educating generations of remarkable women. Today, the School combines a proud history with contemporary thinking and a commitment to quality education to nurture confident, capable and healthy young women.

Our core values of Integrity, Curiosity, Perseverance and Empathy are the foundation of our educational programs. At St Catherine’s, we aspire to create a rich learning environment that enables young women to thrive and lead in a global society through their dedication to academic achievement, personal integrity and community responsibility.

As a non-denominational Christian school, with boarding for rural and international students, St Catherine’s offers an encouraging environment that enables students to develop a passion for learning and scholarship, alongside the opportunity to participate in an extensive range of co-curricular activities. Students are supported to broaden their horizons through involvement in a rich tapestry of national and global experiences and to strengthen their sense of purpose within the world through an understanding of community service.

St Catherine’s School is proudly a member of the Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia. We know that single-sex education for the Junior and Senior School years offers girls the greatest opportunity to develop self-worth, leadership and confidence. Our learning environment is tailored to the needs and interests of girls.

A recent review of single-sex studies concluded that all-girls’ schools were more frequently associated with higher career aspirations, improved test scores and better learning climates. In other words, girls in girls’ schools are encouraged to believe they are smart and are rewarded for acting on that belief.

The conversations are just different; the talk of what is possible is just different. Studies have shown that girls in single-sex schools are more likely to have: • High occupational status in terms of acquiring leadership roles; • A stronger sense of capability, positive attitude and increased engagement in mathematics and science courses; • Higher achievement test scores; • A decrease in stereotypical views; • More student-teacher interaction and increased focus on class work.

As Principal, I am often asked to describe the very essence of St Catherine’s School. Most noteworthy are the authentic learning experiences and quality of teaching provided by our professional and dedicated staff. Their expertise and warmth ensures the provision of a stimulating, tailored and future-focused education, for which St Catherine’s is nationally renowned, defining the School as a leader in girls’ wellbeing and academic achievement.

At the heart of an engaged, dynamic and inclusive community, St Catherine’s School nurtures young women, who are bold and creative, independent and resilient, and who are intellectually and spiritually prepared to contribute to a greater good and an enriching life within and beyond school.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Michelle Carroll Principal

“To be gentle in manner, responsible and unselfish and courageous in their outlook.”

Ruth Langley and Flora Templeton, Co-principals, St Catherine’s School, Toorak, 1920

INTEGRITY

learn : achieve : aspire

INTENT

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS

St Catherine’s School builds on its rich history as an exceptional girls’ school by providing an outstanding and dynamic academic program that is personalised, progressive and contemporary; one that guides, challenges and inspires students to achieve.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Implementing a teaching and learning framework that informs the development of learning environments and pedagogical approaches; Executing a whole-school approach and the implementation of an effective literacy and numeracy program;

Undertaking a comprehensive and systematic approach to data inquiry and learning analytics; Incorporating the principles and research underpinning the use of technology in teaching and learning environments;

Achieving a strong alignment of curriculum delivery with the priorities of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA); Fostering a culture of curriculum innovation through the development of a responsive and flexible learning community informed by research and reflection.

lead : nurture : f lourish

INTENT

STUDENT WELLBEING

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STUDENT WELLBEING

With a dedication to girls’ education, St Catherine’s School provides an enriching and vibrant Student Wellbeing Program that includes an engaging Outdoor Education curriculum and House Program.

The Wellbeing Program encourages positive relationships, a commitment to life-long learning and the development of leadership skills, resilience, spirituality and social responsibility.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Educating girls with a philosophy of academic care and personal wellbeing underpinning our approach and celebration of all achievements; Delivering a comprehensive girls’ wellbeing program that ensures a safe school environment and fosters good health, citizenship, active leadership and social responsibility in our students;

Strengthening the spiritual wellbeing of our students, and their understanding and acceptance of our multi-faith society, through a clearly articulated ethical framework, while fostering the Christian values of the School; Maintaining a boarding house environment that is both academically supportive and a warm, friendly home for girls; Providing a comprehensive Junior School and Senior School Outdoor Education

curriculum that supports and enhances the Student Wellbeing Program; Encouraging a culture of philanthropy and understanding of social justice and community service in our students; Facilitating the ongoing development of an inclusive House Program, which invites involvement, connection, competition and cross-age friendships to flourish.

“Every girl needs something that is designed with her in mind. Her strengths. Her dreams.

Her talents.”

Trudy Hall, President of the Board Trustees, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, USA, 2014

CURIOSITY

encourage : inspire : enrich

INTENT

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

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CO-CUR RICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Students are invited to extend their knowledge and skills in the arts, sporting and cultural pursuits through a wealth of co-curricular experiences. The opportunity to participate in national and international Exchanges and Study Tours enables girls to enrich their learning and to develop a greater understanding and awareness of service programs.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Providing an integrated service program for students to participate in local community service projects and to engage in experiences of volunteering abroad that aim to develop initiative, empathy and compassion; Strengthening our national and global School Exchange Programs and increasing opportunities to travel internationally on guided Study Tours;

Offering extensive sporting programs to increase participation, competition performance and elite pathways, and raising the level of physical health and wellbeing of all St Catherine’s students; Providing quality opportunities in Music and Drama to enhance theatrical participation and recital opportunities within the Performing Arts programs;

Delivering a broad range of opportunities and extensions to further enhance the Debating, Public Speaking, Academic Honours and Cultural programs.

collegial : innovative : collaborative

INTENT

OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AND GENERAL STAFF

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OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AND GENER AL STAFF

St Catherine’s School enhances student learning experiences through the employment of exceptional staff. The School is committed to ensuring effective recruitment and the development of dedicated and well-qualified educators who are passionate about the field of education, girls’ wellbeing and advances in technology and educational practice.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Strengthening and enhancing teachers’ understanding of pedagogy; The recruitment, development and retention of high quality, dedicated educators and general staff;

Encouraging and enabling teachers to be leaders in their selected fields of expertise within the wider educational sector; Embracing the capacity of teachers and School leaders to be active mentors and inspirational role-models for students and fellow colleagues.

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence.�

Abigail Adams, First Lady of the United States, 1780

PERSEVERANCE

communicate : participate : connect

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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COMMUNIT Y ENGAGEMENT

St Catherine’s School fosters an all-inclusive culture of engagement with members of our community and strives to effectively invest and develop strategic partnerships to strengthen and enhance opportunities for our students.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Creating a sense of belonging to the St Catherine’s School community fostering engagement with the parent body through active support of Parents’ and Friends’ Association and Auxiliaries;

Encouraging a spirit of philanthropy within the School community to support the ongoing development of authentic experiences and opportunities for St Catherine’s students;

Collaborating with St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association, building trusted and respected relationships with our Old Girls to create and enhance life-long connections with the School;

Enhancing the School’s academic reputation through strategic partnerships and collaboration with educational and corporate institutions in the local and global sectors;

Implementing a comprehensive marketing and communication plan to effectively engage and inform members of the School and wider communities; Ensuring St Catherine’s displays, as a school, good citizenship within our local community and embraces the multi-faith nature of society in Melbourne; Providing a supportive and effective School Council and Council Sub-Committees to ensure the outstanding governance of the School.

facilitate : resource : invest

INTENT

SECURE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

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SECURE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

St Catherine’s builds on its rich history and foundation as an exceptional girls’ school by providing a strong financial future through sound management of finances and resources, and a philanthropic culture within the School community.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

Ensuring strong management and utilisation of financial resources and income to effectively underpin the educational needs of the School; Prudent financial management through a mindful and wise approach to the capital investment and development of the School;

Facilitating an efficient and comprehensive admissions process; Establishing a strong philanthropic culture within the School community to support the ongoing development of the School campus and purchase of educational equipment;

Effective development of the St Catherine’s Risk Management Framework to support operational processes.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.�

Mahatma Ghandi

EMPATHY

sustainable : contemporar y : historical

INTENT

LEARNING SPACES

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LEARNING SPACES

St Catherine’s School is committed to the continued development of modern educational spaces that are innovative in design and respectful to sustainable building practices and our heritage properties.

ST CATHERINE’S IS COMMITTED TO:

The continued creation of an aesthetically pleasing environment that fosters School pride and optimal learning for students; The re-development of the St Catherine’s Junior School to foster the education, growth and creativity of young minds;

Providing state-of-the-art learning spaces to support the Performing Arts and Sporting programs; The ongoing refurbishment and improvement of staff work spaces to foster collaboration and collegiality;

Ensuring the future development of the campus reflects the School’s commitment to green spaces and sustainable building practices.

“If you do things well, do them better.

Be daring, be first, be different, be just.�

Dame Anita Roddick

NIL MAGNUM NISI BONUM

WWW.STCATHERINES.NET.AU 17 Heyington Place, Toorak Victoria, Australia 3142 T +61 3 9822 1285 E info@stcatherines.net.au CRICOS 00574F ABN 90 004 251 816