Virtual School

Following official Government guidance at the end of March, St Catherine’s closed the school temporarily; however, our Virtual School was soon up and running, allowing our pupils to continue their education with remote learning, pastoral support, extra-curricular activities and assemblies operating as usual.

We have continued to follow Government guidelines closely and have since been delighted to re-open sections of the School, beginning with Nursery, Year 1 and 6 on 1 June and Year 10 and 12 from 15 June. Our Virtual School continues to operate fully for all of our pupils who are learning from home and this page will allow you see the achievements of our pupils over the course of this period.

Headmistress’ Summer Term Assembly

Prep and Senior School Reopening

St Catherine’s was pleased on Monday to welcome back our first group of Year 10 students for a day of academic mentoring with their subject teachers and pastoral support from their Form Tutor, the Chaplain and the Independent Listener. On Tuesday the Year 12 students returned to school for face-to-face time with their teachers and tutors.

Following Government guidelines to begin a phased return of primary pupils to schools from 1 June, St Catherine’s was delighted to welcome back pupils from Nursery, Year 1 and Year 6 from 1 June.

Since the initial announcement, the School has responded to Government advice regarding site safety, social distancing and hygiene, and conducted a full and thorough review. All decisions about rooming, access to the site and the management of the school day have been made to ensure the health and safety of all staff and pupils.

Please see our videos from Mrs Marsh, Head of Prep, which show to parents and pupils the measures put in place to keep our site safe for all:

History – Year 7

PE Challenges

Food and Nutrition Lessons

Pre A Level and University courses for our students

During the second half of the Summer term, we are launching a new initiative for Year 11 and Year 13. As they will have finished their GCSE and A level courses, we are offering Year 11 girls the chance to take part in pre A level classes, and the Year 13 girls are being offered pre University classes.

Departments have been working hard to ensure that the girls will be able to enjoy stimulating lessons about their academic passions. These lessons will include discussions, project work and guidance in reading around the subject. We are confident that the girls will find these classes to be both enjoyable and academically enriching and ensure they are able to hit the ground running as soon as they are back in the classroom!

Extra-Curricular Provision

Our extra-curricular provision is continuing as usual for the girls with some new additions to our usual programme. See below for some of the updates that our teachers are regularly posting for pupils:

Creative Writing Club

I am delighted to announce that Creative Writing Club will be continuing this term, and that we have two very exciting competitions coming up – one for short stories and one for poetry. The intention is that this will operate very much like a writers’ salon, with contributors posting their ideas and drafts in the classroom for others to read and discuss. I shall also suggest creative writing exercises, post links to video clips, and the details of further competitions and challenges as I find them. Come join in the fun!

House Science Competition:

It has been great to see some entries coming in already, but there is still time for yours! Details of the competition are on the slides posted in this classroom.

Earlybird Yoga is back via Google Meet

Just because we can’t currently go to the theatre doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the vast array of productions available at the moment! We will be watching one production per week by a certain time, and then having a Google Doc based discussion about various aspects of the production including acting, costume, set, and use of tech, amongst other things.

St Catherine’s Theatre Society

Just because we can’t currently go to the theatre doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the vast array of productions available at the moment! We will be watching one production per week and then having a Google Doc based discussion about various aspects of the production including acting, costume, set, and use of tech, amongst other things.

Calling all filmmakers!

We are launching a short film project, open to anyone from Year 7 upwards. Get creative: make a short film (lasting no more than ten minutes) about anything you like. It can be a comedy, a tragedy, horror, sci fi – it’s entirely up to you!

Prep Newsletter – May 2020

Senior Newsletter – May 2020

I just wanted to send my heartfelt thanks to the school. [Year 4 parent]

Thanks for continuing your important work. [Year 9 parent]

Just a short email to say that the online learning that has been set up is working extremely well and I think a vital link for the girls in these difficult times. Not only is it keeping the girls focused it is also a vital social link and good for their morale. [Year 11 parent]

I would just like to say how unbelievably impressed we have been with the school’s tackling of the last few weeks and how hard the staff have worked not only to switch the schooling away from the premises but also in maintaining everyone’s spirits under such tiring and emotional circumstances. I cannot tell you the difference it has made. [Year 5 parent]

I think the school has done an amazing job with the online teaching – many thanks to you and the rest of the staff for all the hard work you’re clearly doing. It was a near-seamless transition!

[Year 7 parent]

A Guide to Healthy Eating in Lockdown

I think the school has done an amazing job with the online teaching – many thanks to you and the rest of the staff for all the hard work you’re clearly doing. It was a near- seamless transition!

Year 8 Parent

I just wanted to say a big thumbs up to the entire St Catherine’s staff. What you have achieved is beyond what I think we could have expected with such short notice. Basically, you are running a school virtually, effectively. Not words but deeds.

Thank you for leading the school through this challenging period and supporting key worker children. [Year 13 parent]

As a family we just wanted to send you great big Thank You! The structure you have given to the class has really helped making the home learning achievable. [Year 4 parent]

The school performance is a result of impressive leadership and planning, combined with the hard work and positive approach of the most dedicated teachers and support staff. [Year 11 parent]