Tidings
Upcoming Events
Dear Parents and Carers,
Mid-term update! We have had an extremely busy and community oriented first 5 weeks of the Term 3.
Week 1
Community assembly run by our Captains; Mamma Mia! – Our amazing musical Week 2 & 3 Awards Ceremonies
Week 4 St Clare’s Day
Week 5 Book Week
Each of these events requires the input of teachers and support staff, often unseen and unrecognised, to ensure that the planning, organisation, risk assessment and final delivery result in an overwhelmingly positive experience for our students. These events also allow our Student Leadership Team and other student leaders across the College to experience and contribute to the behind the scenes logistics and delivery of exciting and engaging events. The positivity of our girls at these, and other smaller scale community and sports events, has been joyful to watch and exemplify St Clare’s spirit active in our Year of Community. Our upcoming events include Year 9 Camp – Urban Challenge, Student Leadership 2025 interviews, Community Council Forum (Focus: 60th Anniversary Celebrations), Community Council Trivia Night (tickets selling fast!).
In our Year of Community, Term 2, we celebrated students who received top numbers of Brava Awards from teachers. These were for exemplary work, assisting others, contributing to the community and for various expressions of positivity. We also invited students to provide Brava Awards for teachers and over 600 awards were given. It is wonderful to see the girls recognising the support and efforts of individual teachers.
In Term 3, we would like to extend to parents the opportunity to recognise staff contributions to community and support of students. If you would like to pass on thanks, please consider a Brava Award via our Staff Bravas – Parent and Carer Nomination page.
A note: World Teachers’ Day is Friday 25 October.
Through our Houses, there has been ongoing conversation that being part of a community means being part of a team and wearing the appropriate uniform. Students have been repeatedly reminded that they can have black puffer jackets (outside the building), NO puffer vests and students in Years 7-10 must have the uniform St Clare’s maroon back pack. From next week, we will be having a uniform blitz on these items. If the issue is not rectified, the item will be confiscated and returned to a parent at a mutually agreeable time.
We appreciate the partnerships we have with parents in supporting the academic and personal growth of our over 900 young people. Sometimes, individuals make poor choices and there can be some concern expressed by others about what is being done to deal with the situation. We know that adolescent brains are a mess of hormones and rewiring neurons and our focus is on guiding girls to make better choices, despite these and other personal challenges. We adhere to all Catholic Education policies and our St Clare’s processes. If you are interested in reviewing our key documents, our Positive Behaviour Personal Best Policy is on our Website; this outline the behaviour expected of students and the types of consequences that can be expected by students and parents if behaviours are not appropriate. The Behavioural Support Policy from Catholic Education underpins our processes and also details more significant interventions.
I look forward to meeting with you at one of our upcoming events.
Ann Cleary Principal
Discover St Clare’s College for your Senior Years!
Did you know St Clare’s is now accepting enrolments for the senior years?
If you know someone who is currently in Year 10 in another school, and they are exploring options for senior years, please recommend they contact St Clare’s. We tailor subject offerings based on student preferences. Whether they’re interested in Accredited or Tertiary Courses, we have something relevant for everyone.
From the Desk of the AP
Senior Years and Leadership
The leadership process for our College leaders of 2025 has commenced!
Recently a Leadership Assembly was held where a question was discussed among Year 12 students, “As your time concludes at St Clare’s, would you change anything?” many among the cohort answered, “I wish I got involved more.” Included in this, was the wish that they had put their hand up for a leadership position.
Our Seniors are our best ambassadors, rolemodels and leaders regardless if they are part of the Student Leadership team. But, all students are encouraged to put themselves forward and even if they are unsuccessful they can take comfort in the knowledge that they gave it a go.
In 2025, part of welcoming Year 11s into their new roles at the College, will be a 2 day overnight Year 11 Nexus. The Nexus will allow students to build an identity as a year group, be prepared for the academic needs of senior studies and investigate the expectations of being leaders in their PC class and House. This will replace the previous Retreat Day at Outward Bound.
St Clare’s Day
It was great to be involved in my first St Clare’s Day. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by both staff and students was a great reflection of the St Clare’s community. Thank you to all the Heads of House who lead their Pastoral Care teams and students in providing such a wide variety of activities on the day. A special thank you to the Year 12 Captains who organised and ran the St Clare’s Talent afternoon. It was great to see the students singing and dancing, especially the Year 12 “Smurfs” finale a fantastic end, to a great St Clare’s Day.
College Captains
The Captains are as always busy. Our Sustainability Captain Jess is welcoming Spring by implementing a House based Scarecrow Challenge. With each House designing its own scarecrow from recycled materials based on House colours. Georgia the Social Justice Captain has organised a Vintage Clothes Day at the College. The Day encouraged students to visit second hand clothes shops such as Vinnies and reuse rather than buy new clothes.
Uniform
Students have been reminded that only black puffer jackets are acceptable at school and not the black puffer vest. Students are also reminded that they are required to have a College School bag with the exception of Year 11 and 12. Year 11, 2025 will be expected to have a College school bag so students are reminded not to give their school bags away at the end of Year 10.
Mark Chifley Assistant Principal - Mission and Culture
St Clare’s Day!
On Friday 16 August our STCC Community gathered together to celebrate the Feast Day of our Patron Saint - St Clare of Assisi.
This important day commenced with a special Mass in our College Hall. The Mass was the focal point and highlight of this celebratory day for our STCC community. Together we reflected on the message of Jesus and the way in which St Clare and her legacy have contributed to the culture and nature of our College. Our Music Ministry students beautifully led us through a number of hymns and musical pieces.
At the conclusion of Mass we recognised one student from each of our 8 Houses that seeks to follow the teachings of St Clare and walk in her footsteps.
Congratulations to:
- Georgia (Alinda)
- Abby (Japara)
- Isobel (Kipara)
- Anna (Makara)
- Georgina (Ulamina)
- Ava (Wareen)
- Brigid (Wibalu)
- Olivia (Wirana)
The College would like to thank Father Alex for leading our beautiful Mass. And to our students, staff and families for joining us in celebrating this incredible community.
Following our beautiful Mass, students and staff were invited to gather together on the College grounds to share food, participate in games, dance, sing, celebrate each other’s talents, fundraise for our Charities and dress up in our 2024 theme: Animations!
Thank you to all who participated and made St Clare’s Day such a special and memorable one.
The winners of the Talent Show were:
3rd Place:
Wibalu, for their contemporary dance style and humour! A special shoutout to Mr Freeman’s breakdancing.
2nd Place:
Wareen, congratulations to Hayley for her vocal skills and crowd engagement.
1st place:
Year 12, for their coordinated year level Smurfs performance!
Book Week
Book Week was absolutely magical last week!
Our amazing Learning Commons staff really went the extra chapter. They sprinkled magical decorations all around our learning spaces, turning the SDLC into a storybook wonderland. From Book Week Trivia, crafts, potions, cake and bubbles the week was a delight for our students. A shoutout to all students who were involved in the activities and also to those that entered the cake making competition.
Thank you to our wonderful Learning Commons team for always sparking the joy of reading to our STCC community.
Craft Fridays Craft Fridays
Craft Fridays are a fun and creative way to kick off the weekend! Every Friday, we gather to work on themed craft projects inspired by upcoming holidays, events, or special occasions. Whether you ' re a crafting pro or a complete beginner, Craft Fridays are open to everyone. It's the perfect opportunity to express your creativity, learn new skills, and make something unique — all while connecting with other students who share your creativity. Craft Fridays are a great way to make friends and unwind after a long week.
Join us for some Friday fun!
Science Week
We have had a jam packed few weeks with many celebrations occurring across the College. Last week our Science Faculty had a number of activities for Science Week.
Monday: Day 1 of Science Week - the escape room! Teams worked together to solve problems relating to the theme of ‘species survival.’ Congratulations to our winners Elaine, Abigaile, Demi and Regine.
Monday: Year 11 and 12 Senior Earth and Environment students travelled to Geoscience Australia for the Hazards and Disasters Day.
Tuesday: Students tested their knowledge with a fun round of Science Trivia.
Wednesday: A documentary on Sustainable Fishing could be viewed in the San Damiano Learning Commons campfire.
Thursday: Students participated in an excursion to The Great Hall of Parliament House for the GSG STEM Expo. The expo showcased the diversity of careers available within the departments, agencies, and regulators that make up the Government Scientists Group (GSG).
Students had the opportunity to interact with scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians, and researchers working within government to solve some of Australia’s biggest challenges. They even got to meet and speak with Australia’s newest STEM ambassador – astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
WAATI Exchange
WAATI Intercultura Italian Exchange program
Between the late June and the mid-August of this year I had the best experience of my life! I was lucky to have been hosted by an Australian family for two months and to have lived a perfect and full Aussie life.
Thanks to the Intercultura volunteers and the teachers that made all this big project work, I can say without any regret that I have had the most wonderful time of my life. It was a long trip to arrive in Australia from Italy, but when I arrived at the airport I was exhausted, carrying my suitcases and trying to stay calm and positive (even if I was feeling a storm of emotions inside me, and I wasn’t sure of my English), I saw my family with big smiles and posters that was just there waiting for me, and I immediately realised that everything was perfect and that my experience was beginning!
In the family we were six including me. I had three beautiful sisters; Lauren, Caitlin and Evie, that I had a lot of fun with! And two great and welcoming parents that had shown me kindness and love even if it was a new experience for them too. They brought me not only around Canberra but also in Sydney and in Melbourne! We have also been to two football matches and to a lot of museums and art galleries, and they also taught me about Australian culture, which I have loved!
They made me feel part of the family and a real Australian, and that was incredible!
At school it was great too: there were so many differences I could spot in the College from my Italian school culture, and it was amazing to discover all of them!
The teachers at St Clare’s were welcoming and made sure I felt included in every lesson, but the best part was surely getting to know new friends! I was so happy to see people smiling and talking to me in the corridors, in the library and in class! But the best thing was that I felt part of the friend group of my sister Lauren and I have to say that these girls are stunning both inside and outside! I had the funniest lunches with them and I knew I could count on them if I had any problems.
But after all of this, a special thank you is for my sister Lauren. She really was there for me in every situation and it’s amazing that I had the opportunity to know her and to share my life with her.
I strongly recommend to do an exchange experience like this if you can, because it really changes your perspectives!
Chiara Nicoletti Italian Exchange Student 2024
During the summer holidays 2023-2024 I had the opportunity to participate in a two-month stay abroad in Australia, organized by the associations of Intercultura and WAATI. I decided to go for this experience to improve my language skills but above all to interact with a new culture and meet new people. Leaving for such an experience is not easy; you leave a life behind to start one again, with a new family, school, friends and city.
Over the past two months I have been hosted by a truly fantastic Australian family in Canberra, consisting of host parents, Deb and Travis, a host sister, Liv, and a host brother, Callum.
The host family in these experiences really makes a difference and I can say that they have done it very well; they were always very engaging, kind and helpful with me.
I also had the opportunity to travel a lot with them, visiting Sydney and some of the eastern beaches of the island. Getting to see the beautiful landscapes of Australia.
I met a lot of new people, all very willing to interact and talk with me even though apparently, I was a “stranger”.
About a month after my arrival, I was lucky enough to interact with a new school system very different from the Italian one. There is no better or worse, just different.
The thing that impressed me most is the student-teacher relationship; teachers interact much more with students, helping and listening to them even in times of personal difficulties as well as those at school.
It was a magnificent experience; it was, is and will be forever the best of my life.
If you have the opportunity to make these experiences I really recommend it, as you learn to open your mind to a new culture and heart to new people.
Sara Ghisolfi Italian Exchange Student 2024
Snowsports
Huge congratulations to our amazing Snowsports team! We are so excited to announce that we are the ACT Secondary Girls’ School Champions once again this year! All 12 racers that competed were phenomenal. The teams dedication and hard work truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their collective achievements! A massive thank you to our incredible teachers Carolyn Batch and Sarah Sheldrick for their unwavering support and guidance. And to all the families and parents—your encouragement and support made this all possible.
Congratulations to:
Year 12: Addison Isabella and Annika
Year 11: Jorja and Meisha
Year 10: Zara
Year 9: Scarlett and Tahlia
Year 8: Sylvia and Laila
Year 7: London and Aliyah
Two of our students also received medals for Third place.
Congratulations:
London Year 7 Div 3 in the Snowboard GS
Laila Year 8 Div 3 in the Alpine GS
Crazy Good Tech Challenge
The Crazy Good Tech Challenge in Canberra!
Students from St Clare’s College visited IBM Australia to create innovative solutions for living well with technology. The Crazy Good Tech Challenge (CGTC), a collaboration between IBM and Crazy Ideas College (CIC), provided a platform for our students to voice their ideas on tech topics that truly matter.
Our students participated in this design sprint to generate bold and inspired ideas along with over 1000 students nation-wide as part of the Challenge.
During the 1-day accelerated design sprint at each school, students worked in small teams to tackle four key questions:
1. How do we use tech to boost learning and skills?
2. How do we help people stay safe online?
3. How do we help people build healthy habits for using phones and other technology?
4. How might we show up as the best version of ourselves online?
The students met with staff from IBM who shared their experiences working in the tech field, from learning about how artificial intelligence is programmed to different strategies to ensure the online world is a positive and safe place.
Guided through a process of exploration, idea generation, prototyping, testing, and promoting their concepts, our students showcased their creativity and ingenuity. Four winning ideas will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges, including Kate Kirwin from She Codes, Rosie Thomas OAM from Project Rocket, Janet Searle from CSIRO, and Jade Moffat from IBM.
Kieran Murrihy, Founding Director at Crazy Ideas College, highlighted the importance of the challenge: “We all benefit when we unlock the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and optimism of young people. By engaging them in conversations about technology, we harness their wisdom and creativity to solve complex tech challenges. The Crazy Good Tech Challenge will generate solutions to help us all live with and use tech well.”
We are proud of our students’ participation and look forward to seeing the innovative ideas they’ve developed posted on CICBeyond.com. Schools from across WA, QLD, ACT, and VIC are also participating in this incredible Challenge, creating a wave of creativity and innovation across Australia.
Stay tuned for more updates on the winning ideas and how our students continue to shine in the world of tech!
Juliette Major Assistant Principal - Staff Support and Development
In the Classroom
Year 11 YLead
On Friday 9 August, we were lucky enough to have Cealè from YLead join us in a fun filled day of Leadership. As a cohort, we danced our hearts out, gave shoutouts to very special people, we found both our stomach and heart passions, and we worked together as a team to complete a challenge in a crazy 7.8 seconds. We showed our gratitude for one another, acknowledged our history, and reflected on what we want our legacy to be. Our Ylead day brought our cohort much closer and created many new memories as we start the journey through our final year together.
Bonnie
Year 11 Student
St Clare’s was honoured to be invited to the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla as part of their 60th Anniversary Celebrations. It was a real privilege for the students to have a tour of the facility and be part of the official ceremony.
We were lucky enough to meet with the staff from the Embassy of the United States of America as we arrived. They were delighted to meet the students and to ask them what they love about space. We were able to watch the DSN43 radio telescope move to capture signals from Voyager II and then see the signals from the Control Room in our behind-the-scenes tour. The students met with staff who have worked for the DSN for over 30 years and heard about what they do to monitor spacecraft orbiting Mars as well as the Voyager Projects.
The students attended the 60th anniversary ceremony and were presented with gifts from the DSN tracking station and NASA. After that they met with Kevin Coggin from NASA and the representatives from the Australian Space Agency and the Embassy of Spain.
The students have been invited back for a personalised tour of the radio telescopes.
Juliette Major Assistant Principal - Staff Support and Development
Tim Fisher Oration
A number of our students participated in a student forum with a guest speaker before attending the Tim Fisher Oration in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
In the Classroom
Sustainability Team Adventure
The STCC Sustainability Team explored Sustainability in action through an excursion out to the Cotter Dam.
Following the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail, students walked a loop trail that runs along the Cotter River and through the surrounding natural environment. The area was filled with yellow-tailed black cockatoos which glided above the group as they walked the track.
The trail is lined with stories of Canberra’s water history, providing students and community groups the opportunity to learn about the environmental, engineering, suitability and water supply aspects of the Cotter Dam enlargement project, as well as the Indigenous and European heritage values of the area. The trail also includes a 16-meter wide, amphitheater style viewing platform which provided direct views of the Cotter Dam.
Students journeyed on to the Arboretum and explored a number of sustainability projects and gardens.
Interested in joining the Sustainability Team and being part of excursions like this?! Come along to a club meeting! All are welcome! Meetings are every Tuesday in W204 or speak to Sustainability Club Captain Jessica.
Floriade
This year Floriade is celebrating its 37th year with the theme Art in Bloom. Our Year 10 dance classes have been exploring the meaning of this theme through the unit It’s Showtime. The students will represent the College by performing a student choreographed dance piece on Stage 88 as part of Floriade.
The photos show one class workshopping the idea of individual flowers coming together to form a bouquet. This concept has been explored using contemporary dance to communicate meaning through movement. The piece is choreographed by students Stella Woods and Emily McCoy.
All students in the Year 10 Dance classes have contributed by making decisions as a team as well as collaborating to create this piece. Each student has played a part in the performance process, whether it’s through hair and makeup, set and props, costume, promotion, music, or directing.
The students are looking forward to showcasing their talents as a team to an audience at Floriade. To see this performance, along with Year 11, Year 12 dance classes, and the Dance Ensemble, make sure you come to Stage 88 on the 17th September at 1:10 -1:40pm.
Charlotte Hunt Year 10 Student
Secondary Schools Table Tennis Tournament
Congratulations to students from our College’s Parra Table Tennis team who competed in their first ever competition on Tuesday 6 August. The teams had been training every Monday at ACT table tennis to build up their confidence and skill in the sport. The day was a huge success as the girls played 3 group matches and all 3 teams finished 3rd in their group. The MVP of the day went to Sophia who won 4 out of the 6 of her games, a very impressive achievement. Congratulations to all who competed.
Joshua Freeman Inclusion Support Teacher
French corner: Senior French
Aussie slang lesson for our Italian exchange student.
As part of a semester unit called “Diverse Perspectives”, Senior French students learn a variety of language registers, including SMS abbreviations and French argot (slang).
After four weeks of active participation and cross-cultural comments and observations, we treated our Italian exchange student, Sara, to an Aussie slang learning lesson finished by some French-flavoured tucker.
Sara’s favourite Aussie slang were no worries and arvo. We thank Sara for joining our French class and we reckon she’s awright!
Catherine Verscheure Leader of Learning - Languages
Careers VET NEWS
University Open Days
All students from Years 10-12 are encouraged to take advantage of the university open days coming up in September. Check out each university website for details:
UC Open Day – Saturday 14 September
ACU Open Day – Saturday 14 September
CIT Open Day – Friday 13 September 12-6pm
Event program: cit.edu.au/openday
Location: All CIT campuses (Bruce, Fyshwick, Gungahlin, Reid and Tuggeranong)
Trish Brown Leader of Learning Careers and Future Pathways
Key UAC Dates – Attention Year 12
16 Sep 2024 11.59pmSRS applications close
30 Sep 2024 11.59pmEarly bird application deadline
1 Nov 2024 11.59pmSRS change of preference deadline
8 Nov 2024 7.30amFirst SRS offers released
18 Dec 2024 9.00amATAR release
18 Dec 2024 11.59pmChange of preference deadline
23 Dec 2024 7.30amDecember Round 2 offers released
St Clare’s Work Experience Week –The Canberra Hospital
Congratulations to the six students who successfully completed work experience as part of the ACT Health program last week. Jessica Cooper (Y12), Lily Richards (Y12), Lovleen Toor (Y12), Briana Van der Plaat (Y12), Erin Miles (Y11) and Kiara Mangu (Y11) all learnt much from their experiences in the hospital setting. The student feedback was also very positive.
For example, Kiara was mentored by a registered nurse in Ward 11B (Acute Care of the Elderly). During her placement, Kiara shadowed multiple different health care professions (medical, nursing, physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy and pharmacy). Each staff member Kiara came in contact with gave her very positive feedback. Kiara was described as incredibly driven, engaged and professional. She was exposed to a ward dedicated to the care of elderly which can be confronting for someone with no previous experience. Despite meeting some of the most vulnerable patients, Kiara reportedly treated them all with respect, integrity and most importantly kindness. This was impressive feedback that is sure to shape Kiara’s future pathway journey.
Career Chat Tuesday
Career Chat Tuesday runs each Tuesday lunchtime in the Campfire space from 1pm. Our most recent guest speaker was Jacob Ratcliffe, an ACT Paramedic. Jacob gave an in-depth and informative talk about life as a paramedic, concluding with a tour of an ambulance van. A huge thank you to Jacob for giving up his precious time. More exciting talks are to come, including guest speakers about the Public Service School Leavers Program, Architecture and Law.
University Offers – Attention Year 12
ANU and UC Early Offers are set to be released to students on Thursday 5 September. See Mrs Brown if you have questions or concerns about this.
Student Highlight
Congratulations to Ella Year 12 as she has been accepted into the University of Hawaii on a 4 year Division 1 full scholarship for Basketball. This is an amazing opportunity for Ella!
STCC Soccer
Our Year 9/10 team took to the football field in a spectacular fashion against a challenging pool. All of the games were close and the first 2 games resulted in draws against Mackillop and CGGS. Following these draws we took on Alfred Deakin and came away with a 2-0 win with some phenomenal goals. After the pool rounds, we were tied first place so a coin flip was used to decide first and second. We successfully called the coin toss and placed top of our pool. Our semi showed some more dominance as we won 3-1 which set us up for the GF. The grand final started off by going down 2-0 in the first half. This was swiftly followed by some follow up goals close to the final whistle. This brought forward penalties which allowed our team to show off their skills in the goal square. We won the grand final by scoring all 5 of our elimination penalties. This was a fantastic day and the students came away with a great result. The team will now be attending the ACT finals in a couple weeks.
Sam Lewis
Food Technology/ PDHPE Teacher
Acting Alinda Head of House (0.2 - Tuesdays)
A massive congratulations to our Year 7/8 soccer team who along with their Year 9/10 counterparts competed in the Southside Schools Football Competition.
The students fought hard all day and went through the Semi-Finals with only conceding 1 goal. They then won a nerve-racking penalty shootout to go to the Grand final match.
Falling short by 1 goal in the final match saw the team still make it to the ACT finals. It was a fantastic day out for all involved.
Joshua Freeman
Inclusive Education Teacher
Community Council
Upcoming Events!
Community Council Forum
Tuesday 10 September 6pm – 7.30pm
The main topic for discussion will include plans for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the College in 2025.
We’re putting the “FUN” in Fundraising! Join the STCC Community Council for our inaugural community engagement event.
The evening will:
* give you a chance to be involved in the school
* test your trivia knowledge
* offer the opportunity to win prizes galore
Friday 20 September at 6:30pm St Clare’s College Hall
Tickets: Can be purchased here!
General Ticket - $15
STCC Student Ticket - $10
Grab a group of 8 friends - $100
The Community Council is currently seeking donations for prizes and sponsorships. Donation items include:
• Sweet treats - chocolates, specialty jams etc
• Pamper items - bath bombs, beauty creams, gift packs
• Movie or gift vouchers
• Bottles of wine, any kind
• Candles
• Scarves, cozy socks
• Or anything you think someone would enjoy finding in a deluxe lucky dip
• All new items only please.
For any businesses who would like to donate goods or services for our raffle or silent auction on the night, we’ll be very happy to display their logo at the event and give you a shout out on our socials.
To donate, sponsor or to get involved contact the STCC Community Council: community.council@stcc.act.edu.au
Community Council
About
You’re invited to join our St Clare’s Community and celebrate the warmer weather and the new term with us. This event is a wonderful opportunity to sample the impressive talents of our Hospitality Students as they serve delicious house-made canapes, mocktails, and desserts.
Come ready to mingle, enjoy the company, and perhaps engage in some friendly competition with our lawn games. Tickets will sell out fast. Don’t miss out on this special occasion!
Date Wednesday 16 October 2024 5:45 PM - 8:00 PM
Location
STCC Chiara Centre & Clare Lawn
1 McMillan Cres, Griffith ACT 2603
Tickets
Can be purchased here.
Keiraley O’Connor Class of 2016
Keiraley commenced at St Clare’s College in Year 7, excited for the opportunities ahead of her. She joined the Snowsports team in 2011 and developed an instant fervour for ski racing! Unfortunately, in 2014 Keiraley sustained an almost career ending skiing injury. Despite the challenges, she worked tirelessly to be able to continue with Snowsports and was proudly College Snowsports Captain in 2015 and 2016.
Thinking a career in Snowsports was over, she pursued her passion for science. She studied a Bachelor of Medical Science/Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney. She maintained her connection with ski racing, continuing training and competing at the University Games in Snowsports.
In 2022, Keiraley returned to ski racing – this time as a guide on the Australian Paralympic Alpine Team. During her 3 seasons on the team, she guided a visually impaired ski racer to win the Women’s National VI titles in New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America. Keiraley is now using her passion and skills to increase accessibility in Snowsports and guiding junior athletes with Paralympic aspirations.
The most important lesson I learned from the Snowsports team was the power of inclusion in sport. Unlike every other sports team I was a part of, the Snowsports teams’ main priority wasn’t winning, but inclusion. Mrs Batch worked tirelessly to ensure the team was accessible and welcoming of all abilities. She supported every individual to reach their full potential, whether that was the opportunity to be part of a team, develop their leadership qualities or pursue athletic excellence. There was room for everyone on the team.
I am always proud to tell people I am a St Clare’s girl, but never more so than on the snow. Within the Snowsports community, the St Clare’s team is renowned and admired for their sportsmanship, dedication, perseverance and generosity.
I am incredibly thankful for the College’s continued support of the Snowsports team and to Mrs Batch, who has dedicated 20 years to building the team into what it is. I wouldn’t be the skier or person I am today without my time at St Clare’s.
Contributions are greatly welcomed from past students. Send 300 words plus a current image to media@stcc.act.edu.au