St Catherine’s School is a dynamic and supportive day and boarding school for girls from Kindergarten to Year 12. The school offers a broad, challenging and vibrant education designed to unlock the unique potential of every girl. It is Australia’s oldest Anglican girls’ school and one of its most forward thinking. It is not selective but students achieve at high academic levels.
Boarding: The boarding facilities at St Catherine’s can cater for up to 70 students. Boarding has been at the heart of the school since its inception in 1856 with both international and regional students being cared for by a dedicated live-in staff.
The Positive psychology underpinning an innovative pastoral care program enables St Catherine’s students to build resilience by identifying and exploring their individual key strengths and attributes. A combination of research-based practice, excellent facilities and integration of the principles of positive psychology supports each student’s learning path. With ‘Academic Challenge’ and ‘Academic Care’ being the twin pillars of St Catherine’s approach, students build a network of rich relationships which support them through their studies and into the future.
During Year 7 students study English, mathematics, science, history, technology, visual arts, PDHPE (personal development, health and physical education), Biblical studies, French or Chinese, Latin and music. Japanese and Spanish are available from Year 8 and further electives from Year 9 including drama, design & technology, food technology and commerce.
In Years 11 and 12, students choose from a wider range of subjects to prepare for the Higher School Certificate and many are available at extension levels.
Co-curricular: Study is complemented by strong co-curricular programs in sport, music, performing arts and service education. The range of experiences on offer at St Catherine’s provide many avenues for students to experience intellectual, emotional and social development and to increase a sense of connectedness with the community and to the world at large. The specialised camp programs present all students with the opportunity to push their own personal boundaries in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Sport: The sports results at St Catherine’s are outstanding and rank the school in the top five of the 27 schools that form the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA). Acknowledging the importance of sport to a well-rounded education, 22 sports programs are on offer. Olympic-standard coaches prepare players for competition at all levels. St Catherine’s has achieved particular success with water polo, rowing, rhythmic gymnastics, and tennis. Other popular sport choices include surfing, snow sports, cross country and netball.
Music: St Catherine’s has a reputation for excellence in music study. More than 25 ensembles including orchestra, choir, bands, string ensembles and chamber ensembles are available to join. Students have the chance to perform at major school events, civic and cultural events, musicals and on overseas tours. The school is engaged in a unique program with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and has a resident composer. The music facilities include dedicated rehearsal rooms, practice studios, a band room, computer lab and recording studio as well as music practice and teaching areas.
Languages: Students at St Catherine’s have opportunities to take up immersive cultural and language exchanges. The school offers a structured, five-week cultural exchange program for Year 9 girls to the UK and to Argentina. In Years 10 and 11, girls can take part in exchanges to Germany, France, Japan or Spain to enhance their foreign language study and cultural appreciation. The school offers music, history and service education trips to both Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. These cultural and language exchange opportunities allow students to grow in awareness and share ideas with their peers internationally.