In a Snapshot
•    A progressive and innovative approach to education;
•    Outstanding VCE results;
•    Comprehensive educational extension and support programs;
•    A non-denominational Christian school with strong values;
•    Inclusive size allowing for greater opportunities;
•    Focused on achieving the personal and academic best of each individual student;
•    Close community with approximately 700 students;
•    Situated close to the city, in picturesque surrounds.

Outstanding VCE Results

Whilst our students are enjoying creative and active school days, we never lose sight of the importance of academic achievement. The past five years nearly 8% of our Year 12 students have achieved an ATAR/ENTER of above 99, nearly 31% have achieved an ATAR/ENTER of above 95 and 53% have achieved above 90. Compared with a State average of 20%, approximately 77% of our students achieve an ATAR/ENTER of 80 or higher (average St Catherine’s School VCE results, 2006-2010).

Inclusive size, greater opportunities

Our extensive range of subjects and activities are comparable with many larger schools and yet our size means that nobody is overlooked. Our inclusive classes enable teachers to know your daughter personally and help her to identify her talents, abilities and develop her learning style. Across all levels, our teachers encourage students to develop critical, creative and higher order thinking, preparing them for the rapidly changing world. St Catherine’s offers a broad range of VCE subjects, university enhancement and VET programs, giving every girl the opportunity to succeed.

Special Features

Reggio Emilia philosophy in the Early Learning Centre, St Catherine’s Model in the Junior School, Leading Extension and Support program, Independent Learning Classes, ESL, St Catherine’s Leadership Diploma, Beyond Boundaries Outdoor Education Program. Extensive co-curricular program including various sports, music and performing arts, debating, environment, student committees and community service opportunities.

Further Information

For information on our School Tours: http://www.stcatherines.net.au/visit-our-school

For detailed fee information: http://www.stcatherines.net.au/admissions

For a Calendar of upcoming events: http://www.stcatherines.net.au/calendar

At St Catherine’s it is not just the best or most proficient who participate. Every girl is involved, and it is our team spirit, dedication and inspiring teaching that sees our students consistently rise to outstanding results.

All our students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the array of co-curricular activities on offer, from educational travel, Debating, Writers and Art Club to Sport, St Catherine’s Aquatic Swimming Club, outdoor education and our wide selection of Music performance groups.

Boarding at St Catherine’s School gives girls the opportunity to achieve a balanced education in a safe and comfortable living environment. We talk of our Boarding House, Illawarra, as a home because this is the atmosphere we strive to achieve; a place where our students feel supported academically, socially and emotionally.

The National Trust listed Boarding House, Illawarra, combines the wonderful charm and design features of a 19th Century mansion with the technological needs of the modern generation. Our boarders’ bedrooms have great character, each containing a fireplace, personal wardrobe with lockable draw, pinboard, chest of drawers and access to wireless internet. Illawarra also has a number of large rooms, including a Prep Room, Dining Room and two Lounge Rooms, allowing our students individual space outside of their bedrooms. 

At St Catherine’s School each boarder is an individual and one of the key tasks of our boarding staff is to understand the particular needs of each boarder. Chosen for their caring attitudes and warm personalities, our boarding staff are involved in the daily pastoral care of our boarders and play a key role in supporting their academic progress. 

The beginning of each school year brings its own challenges and whether you have arrived from a different country or moved from a rural area, boarding is a new experience for everyone. At St Catherine’s, orientation activities are organised to enable all boarders to get to know each other and they are encouraged to involve themselves in all aspects of the co-curricular life of the School. When girls return to Illawarra after school, year levels are forgotten because they are all just part of the St Catherine’s boarding family.

Public transport to and from School is easy with a five minute walk to either tram or train services and eight minute walk to the closest bus stop (Toorak Road). The Number 8 tram runs along Toorak Road which intersects with Heyington Place, and at the other end of the street the train station (Heyington, part of the Glen Waverly line) is five minute walk in the opposite direction.

In addition, the School operates two private buses for students living in Williamstown, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park and St Kilda (Williamstown Service) and Brighton, North Brighton, Caulfield South and Armadale (Brighton Service). The Service also picks up at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in the morning. For all private bus service enquiries please phone 03 9828 3047.

• St Catherine’s School leads the way for girls’ education in Australia. Through exceptional educational opportunities, we prepare our students to become globally responsive women of the future.
  Scholarships provide learning and life opportunities that benefit not only the recipients themselves but provide great value to our School community.

  Scholarship available

  Academic Excellence
  Year 7 Dr Sylvia Walton AO Award for Academic Excellence
  General Excellence Scholarships
  VCE Excellence
  Music Scholarships
  Boarding Scholarships
  St Catherine's Athlete Development Academy Sports Scholarship

• Applications open: October 

• • Applications close – February 

  • Scholarship testing date – February 

• Visit www.stcatherines.net.au/admissions/scholarships/

For further enquiries on Scholarships please contact our Admissions Office.

A sense of belonging is crucial for students’ wellbeing as it fosters a supportive, connected, and inclusive environment. When students feel connected and valued within their school community, it enhances their overall sense of purpose and contributes significantly to their emotional and psychological resilience.

It is this culture of academic care that drives our School’s academic excellence. Our VCE results sit comfortably inside the top 10 schools in Victoria and have done so for many years. In 2023, we achieved a median ATAR of 93.4, the highest in our School’s 128-year history.

To learn more about St Catherine's Academic Excellence click here.

Our School motto, ‘Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum’ meaning, ‘nothing is great unless it is good’ is upheld by many of our exceptional Old Girls. The Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum (NMNB) project embraces the motto and recognises some of the amazing achievements of past students of the School. The list includes women from Academia, the Arts, Philanthropy, Medicine, Law, Business, Entrepreneurship and Sport.

Meet our Nil Magnum nisi Bonim women

At the heart of our engaged, dynamic and inclusive community, St Catherine’s School nurtures young women, to be bold and creative, independent and resilient, and who are intellectually and spiritually prepared to contribute to a greater good and an enriching life both within and beyond School.

As Interim Principal, I am often asked to describe the essence of St Catherine’s School. Most noteworthy are the authentic learning experiences and quality of teaching provided by our professional and dedicated staff. Their expertise and warmth ensures the provision of a stimulating, tailored and future-focused education, for which St Catherine’s is internationally renowned defining the School as a leader in girls’ wellbeing and academic achievement.

Established in 1896, our reputation as a leader in girls’ education, for well over a century, is based on our readiness to embrace innovation. Our goals are in keeping with our founders’ original aim to prepare students for life; not only through education but also empowering girls to take ownership of their learning through active participation and engagement in School academic and co-curricular programs.

St Catherine’s School accepts girls from Prep to Year 12 and is centrally located in Toorak, Melbourne, Australia. We also welcome three and four year old girls and boys into our Early Learning Centre.

As a non-denominational Christian school, with boarding for rural and international girls, ourcommunity of students, staff, families and past students is actively involved in the life of the School.

To know and value each of our students St Catherine’s maintains small Year levels and class numbers. Our size, along with our one campus advantage ensures all our students – from our youngest in Early Learning Centre to our VCE students – learn in one central and encouraging community.

We enjoy a reputation for academic excellence, a supportive community, an outstanding co-curricular program, exceptional teachers, fine facilities and established alumnae networks and yet we believe our greatest achievement is the quality of character which students of St Catherine’s exhibit.

When your daughter joins St Catherine’s she will tread the same floorboards as generations of remarkable women before her. Like them, she will discover her own path to a meaningful career and a full and relevant life.

Please take the time to browse our website and I encourage you to visit our School.

Please contact our Registrar to organise an appointment to view the grounds or book for an Open Morning. I look forward to meeting your family.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Robert Marshall
Interim Principal