Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

Environment and spaces, whether in reference to the natural world that surrounds us, or the environments in which we work, play and pursue our interests in life, are crucial to our levels of happiness and sense of inner wellness. Our School is committed to ensuring the spaces in which learning occurs are deeply considered and the opening of our newest learning precinct demonstrates that. Across the School, we have spaces where students and staff can sit, engage in conversation, read or write quietly, contemplate and just be. In the fast-paced world, this is indeed a gift. And so, The Alexandria, in its beauty and expansiveness, becomes a place of inner contemplation, respite and stillness.  

This year, so much of our focus has been on the wellbeing of students and staff and this focus will continue as we move into a new stage and new year in 2027. We are constantly reviewing and refining our wellbeing programs and approaches to reflect student needs and societal change. Our work in every aspect of student wellbeing is embedded in the School’s commitment to the education of girls and the development of the individual student in terms of intellect, relationship and character. 

I am happy to report that as we work to deepen our expertise in the wellbeing sphere, we are refining our spaces and the structure of the Senior School Wellbeing team at St Catherine’s, specifically the Heads of Year role. As such, from 2027, instead of the Head of Year moving up with their cohort each year, staff will instead remain anchored to a single year level, building deep, lasting expertise in the particular developmental stage of that age group. Over time, this means each year level is guided by a specialist, someone who has seen hundreds of girls move through that exact stage of adolescence, and who can draw on their accumulated learning, insight and expertise to support them via a more intentional suite of programs and offerings. This will give our girls a more consistent, more expert layer of care at exactly the moments they need it most.  

There are exciting times ahead for the whole School community and we, the Wellbeing team at St Catherine’s School, are thrilled to be on this journey with your daughter. 

Ms Vasiliki Spanos

Deputy Principal – Student and Staff Wellbeing