We focus on developing student leadership skills through formal and informal leadership opportunities. We recognise that leadership skills developed in primary school can lay the foundation for future leadership opportunities and supporting general life skills.
Our Year 5 and 6 students participate in a variety of 'Learning Labs' throughout their Senior Years. These labs aim to develop student leadership, which in turn enhances a positive school culture and harmonious learning environment.
The following labs promote student creativity, problem solving and teamwork capability:
The podcasting lab is held in both Year 5 (Level 1) and Year 6 (Level 2).
In Year 5, students work on producing their own interview podcast where they develop an engaging and eye-catching topic, learn how to write professional interview questions, become masters of storytelling and record their podcast in a professional podcasting studio.
Year 6's work towards their Level 2 badge and expand their podcasting skills by developing a ChatCast episode, based in the FM Radio style of live announcing. They receive help from learning improv comedians and radio announcers such as Hamish Blake, Keegan-Michael Key and Tin Fey. All episodes are uploaded to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts at the end of the term.
Industry based STEM project
The Year 5 & 6 students participate in an Inquiry-Based STEM project, which is designed in partnership with an industry expert. It provides an authentic learning opportunity for the students, by presenting the students with a real-world problem to solve. The problem requires the students to combine their knowledge and skills to research in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The students interact with industry experts and a real-life, local context.
Global Connections / Language Lab
The Global Connections/Language Lab will involve students participating in two different expositions on alternate years. The first exposition will be based on the learning unit "Languages from other countries" to celebrate global connections. The students will choose a country and focus on core language and cultural traditions which will then be presented at an exposition.
The second exposition will be based on the learning unit "Italian food and the traditional Italian dinner". In this unit, the students will earn about the Italian meal structure and the types of food that are included in every course. They will conclude this unit with a dinner evening where they will prepare an Italian 3 course dinner for their parents.
$20 Boss is a program that provides a practical way of supporting students to learn, identify and talk about the skills they're building. $20 Boss supports students to solve a real problem and helps them better understand their relationship with money. They create a product or business using $20 over the term, developing their enterprise skills. At the inaugural market, businesses are in full swing, with stalls selling items, offering services and providing memorable experience for all.
Every second year St Catherine's holds a musical featuring the Year 5 and 6 students. To date we have produced performances of Beauty and the Beast, Matilda and Into the Woods. Every part of the musical is driven by the students. They perform in it, assist with the direction and choreography, design and make the sets and props and assist with the stage management and technical aspects of the production such as sound. The musicals are fully staged with sound, lights, costumes and sets. Every student in Year 5 and 6 participates in the musical whether it be on stage or backstage. The sense of teamwork and accomplishment that the students receive from working together to stage and produce the musical is immense.
