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Welcome to St Catherine's Catholic School for Girls
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St Catherine’s is a comprehensive school which has
proved to be consistently high performing enabling
students of all abilities to fulfil their potential and
achieve at the highest academic standards.
The ethos of the school based upon the gospel values
ensures we are a caring and supportive community
which nurtures the girls as they grow into confident,
independent and responsible young women with a
commitment to their faith.
Our specialism in the Media Arts encourages
and facilitates a creative and vibrant approach to
learning and teaching.
The staff work enthusiastically
to provide an extensive range of enriching
experiences for the students, as learning outside the
classroom is very much valued and encouraged.
It
is essential for their personal development and their
enjoyment of school life.
Working in partnership with parents is a vital
component to future success and I believe that the
quality of co-operation and communication between
school and home has a significant impact on the
students’ performance.
Patricia M Slonecki – Head teacher |
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“The chapel holds relaxing
meditation sessions at break times.
This is a great opportunity to build a strong relationship with God.”
Yr 8 Student
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Learning to Love Learning |
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We aim for our students to enjoy the experience of
learning so that they will become lifelong learners.
We keep learning and teaching at the core of all
that we do and continually work with our teachers in
order to provide high quality teaching throughout
the school.
The school has benefited enormously over the past
years from significant financial investment which has
provided opportunity for rebuilding and refurbishment
across the estate.
The facilities throughout are now
excellent with superb specialist facilities in science,
ICT, design technology and the Arts.
The large, light and airy Chapel is the spiritual
core of the school and the centre of its liturgical
life.
The Chapel is in constant use from early
morning till the end of the day for mass, prayer and
meditation.
Students and staff gather together in a
variety of ways, individually, with friends or in form or
class groups.
The school now offers a modern approach
to learning and teaching in high quality
accommodation.
We recognise the importance
of providing a safe and secure environment for
the students and staff.
We hope that St Catherine’s is
a place where we come daily to work together in a
clean, efficient and well organised community.
Our Patron
St Catherine’s was founded
in 1953 by the La Sainte Union
sisters. They took their mission
from their founder, Father
Jean Debrabant.
Its most essential purpose is
to provide a rich soil in which
Catholic women |
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“Only in a profoundly Christian-based education did
I see any hope for society.” |
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Father Jean
Debrabant |
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Our Patron |
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St Catherine’s was founded
in 1953 by the La Sainte Union
sisters.
They took their mission
from their founder, Father
Jean Debrabant.
Its most essential purpose is
to provide a rich soil in which
Catholic women can grow in faith, investigating
it, learning about it, testing it, practicing it and
celebrating it.
St Catherine was a woman who cared for the
sick and who loved learning. She was a leader,
persuading the Pope to return from exile in Avignon
to come back to his proper place as Head of the
Church in Rome and she was a person who fought
for Truth.
She is a great role model for our students. |
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“A vibrant and welcoming school,
where staff are devoted to
making a difference to the lives of all girls at the school.’’ |
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Teacher |
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Learning for Life
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I think it’s marvelous that our teachers are willing
to give up Saturday mornings to help students
get up to date with their course work.’’ |
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Yr 10 Student |
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Learning Opportunities Beyond the Classroom |
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At St Catherine’s, we believe that learning
does not only take place in the classroom.
We
encourage and promote all activities as we see
the personal development of our students as
important as their academic development
and helps the girls to enjoy life in school more
and a time when they learn about themselves.
Whatever your daughter’s interests she will find the
opportunity to develop and use her talents
as part of our enrichment programme.
Our students enjoy a wide variety of activities.
These include competitive team sports,
drama productions, musical concerts, and
public speaking competitions.
There are trips to the theatre, museums, art galleries,
ballet, opera and sporting events.
We offer all our students at least one opportunity
each year to focus on their spiritual development,
the current programme includes the following
possibilities depending on year group; a mission
day in school, day retreat to Aylesford or a
residential retreat to Whitstable or Kitbury.
There are other residential journeys to France, Spain
and of course the annual Ski trip. |
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Specialised Learning |
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St Catherine’s is a specialist Arts College, specialising
in Media, Drama and English.
This status enables
us to make St Catherine’s a centre for the arts in the
local community.
As well as having the very best teaching in these
subjects and providing a range of courses in them,
we use them to promote excellent learning across
the curriculum.
There are a number of enrichment activities
which take place in Drama and Media as well as
productions involving students from all year groups.
Drama is used as a tool across the curriculum to
enliven lessons and as a successful strategy to
support learning.
Media techniques and associated resources
are used similarly but also to support the teachers
themselves to reflect on their own practice in
the classroom.
We work closely with our partner schools and groups
and believe the events contribute positively to the
local community.
Recently we have arranged
a local carnival and a circus which were both
successful and great fun for everyone. |
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“Our media arts specialism
has meant the development of media classrooms,
resources and endless ways of enhancing our curriculum.”
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Specialist school coordinator |
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“Our daughter loves coming to school and is eager to learn, thanks to the
environment and culture through
the work of the staff".
”Chair of Parent Association
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“As a maths and reading mentor,
not only do I help teach Yr 7 students but
a bond of friendship is created between us.”
Peer Mentor Yr 11 Studen
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Learning for Everyone |
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St Catherine’s is a school that cares for the
individual student.
We recognise and celebrate the
differences that naturally exist in our community.
As a multi ethnic school we seek to prepare students
to take their place in a diverse society.
Throughout
all aspects of school life we create conditions where
girls from wide-ranging backgrounds and cultures
can work harmoniously with respect for one another.
Working in partnership with parents and ensuring
referrals to appropriate services are key to offering
the right support and guidance for our students.
The pastoral team of Form Tutor, Personal Learning
Coordinator and Year Leader ensure that the whole
child is monitored and effectively supported.
We are very fortunate to have a Chaplain who
is also a fully trained counselor and students
are able to speak to her as they wish as well as
students being referred to her by staff. Issues which
may require intervention include, exam stress,
bereavement, health concerns and dealing with
friendship issues.
A number of Year 10 students are trained to act
as peer mentors for younger students.
This is a
very effective strategy as many of our girls are the
perfect role model and good communicators. |
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Download our prospectus here |
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Download our additional information booklet here |
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Download the Examination Results 2008 here |
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