Physical Education
Physical Education at St Catherine’s is an important and well-regarded aspect of school life. Physical Education does not only help girls to develop their talents, but also to promote a healthy lifestyle, but the values of commitment, resilience, discipline, dedication, teamwork, leadership, challenge, respect, perseverance, balance and time management, friendships and memories are all developed over time.
Our aims:
- To involve all girls in physical activity in order to develop a knowledge and understanding of a variety of sports.
- To create an environment where the girls will enjoy participation in physical activity and so foster a desire for activity in leisure.
- To assist the girls in the development and maintenance of an appropriate level of fitness.
- The sports included in the curriculum are Lacrosse, Netball, Swimming, Gymnastics, Health Related Fitness, Cross-Country, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics.
- We also offer a wider range of activities in the 5th and 6th form as well as GCSE, AS and A level.
Staff List
Mrs Nancy Moore - Director of Sport
email: nancy.moore@stcatherines.info
Nancy completed BA Hons in Sport and Human Movement Studies at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. She then went onto her PGCE at the University of Southampton. Nancy joined St Catherine’s in September 2000. In the past she has been involved in tutoring as part of Merriman House but now focuses on being the Director of Sport at St Catherine's specialising in the individual sports, as well as teaching A-Level PE and being the Australian Exchange Co-ordinator. Outside school, Nancy spends her time with her two children, competing in triathlons and loves skiing and travelling.
Miss Emily Gray, Head of Lacrosse
email: emily.gray@stcatherines.info
Emily completed a BSc in Sports Science with Management at Loughborough University. She then went on to complete her GTP at Berkhamsted School, where she then worked for 6 years. She has represented England since she was 14, playing in an U19 World Cup, winning a bronze medal in 2007, 2 x Senior World Cups and 2 x European Champions winning 2 gold medals. Emily continues to play for Senior England and has aspirations of achieving more in her England career. In her own time she enjoys spending time with her friends, travelling and socialising.
Mrs Natalie Hailey, Head of Netball
email: natalie.hailey@stcatherines.info
Natalie studied Sport and Physical Education (BSc Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire whilst playing Superleague netball for Loughborough Lightning and Hertfordshire Mavericks alongside the English Universities Team. Natalie has been a Level 2 netball coach since 2008 and started her teaching career at St Catherine’s 11 years ago. She has been teaching internationally for the past 8 years in both Dubai and Singapore; enjoying playing and work with the Singapore National team. Alongside teaching, she lives in boarding with her husband and two young children. They enjoy leading physically active lives and going on plenty of adventures together, a lot of which involve sport!
Miss Georgia Calverley, Netball specialist
email: georgia.calverley@stcatherines.info
Georgia graduated as Top Scholar with a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation majoring in Health, Physical Education and Coaching from Auckland University of Technology. She then completed a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education Teaching, specialising in Physical Education and Health. Georgia is a Level 1 CrossFit trainer and has competed in numerous Regional and National-level CrossFit competitions in New Zealand, taking out podium placings. She has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for the past four years, coached secondary school netball since 2015, instructed swimming to children and adults and played netball since the age of 5. Georgia is a resident member of staff and is often seen participating in activities within the boarding houses. In Georgia’s free time she enjoys exploring different cities in England and training for her next competition.
Mrs Lorraine Kowalewska, Netball specialist
email: lorraine.kowalewska@stcatherines.info
Lorraine studied Primary Education with Physical Education at Roehampton University. She has also been a level 2 netball coach since 2012 and is in the process of completing her Level 3 netball coaching qualification. She has coached netball for over ten years and coaches the U16 age group for the Superleague Franchise Surrey Storm based at Surrey Sports Park. Her sporting highlight was playing in the Fast Five Netball tournament in 2018 at Copper Box in London with Sharni Layton in her team (she is an amazing defender and ex-international Australian GK). Alongside teaching she is the assistant 6th Form Boarding Housemistress and her husband and daughters live with her in boarding. They all really enjoy the community feel, particularly making use of the amazing facilities at school.
Miss Krystyna Sawicki, Netball specialist
email: krystyna.sawicki@stcatherines.info
Krystyna completed her BSc (Hons) in Physical Education in the Secondary Years at the University of Chichester. Whilst at University Krystyna captained the 1st Netball Team as well as being selected for the English Universities Team in 2018, where she was given the opportunity to play alongside current England and Superleague players. Krystyna currently plays for the Downs Regional Netball team with the hope to advance to the Premier League team. Alongside netball, Krystyna regularly goes to the gym and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Mrs Jennifer Thompson, Netball specialist
email: jennifer.thompson@stcatherines.info
Jennie studied Sport and Physical Education (BSc Hons) at the University of Birmingham whilst playing netball for Birmingham University. Jennie was Netball Club Captain for two years whilst at Birmingham, before joining Loughborough University to complete for PGCE. She continued to play for Loughborough University. Jennie has been a Level 2 netball coach since 2007 and started her teaching career at Mill Hill School. Jennie was Head of Department at Tiffin Girls’ School for 6 years prior to joining St. Catherine’s’. Jennie continued playing and coached regional one netball for a number of years and gained her level B umpiring qualification as well. She became a mentor for beginner umpires in Middlesex for a number of years. She is also a GCSE examiner for GCSE PE. In her spare time Jennie loves all things active. She has completed two London Marathon with her best time 3 hours 43 minutes. Jennie loves to spend time with her family and friends.
Mrs Proscovia Peace, Netball specialist
email: proscovia.peace@stcatherines.info
Proscovia is currently undertaking a level 2 netball coaching certificate from England Netball. She completed a graduate certificate in Business Research from University of sunshine coast, MSC Marketing from Loughborough university,
BBA from Uganda Christian University and Diploma in Development Studies. She is currently a professional Uganda netball player for surrey storm Vitality Netball super league team and current captain for Uganda national team.
She started her professional career with Vitality Netball super league team Loughborough lightning and moved over to the Suncorp super netball league in Australia and played for sunshine coast Lightning. Internationally she captained the Uganda commonwealth team to Birmingham 2022 and Gold Coast Australia 2018, Captained Uganda national netball team that won 2013 Netball Singapore Nations Cup , 2017 African Netball Championship and Netball world cup captain 2015 and 2019.
Miss Tamsyn White, Netball specialist
email: tamsyn.white@stcatherines.info
Tamsyn studied Physical Education and Teaching with QTS at University of Chichester. St Catherine’s is her first school in which she has taught, joining in September 2012. Tamsyn played netball for her University 1st Team throughout her degree and currently plays for Sussex NRG in the Regional League and the un-defeated Staff Netball Team! In her spare time, Tamsyn enjoys snowboarding, travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Mrs Vic Alexander - Lacrosse specialist
email: vic.alexander@stcatherines.info
Vic studied Physical Education and Mathematics at the University of Brighton (Chelsea PE College). St Catherine's is her third school in which she has taught, joining in September 2001. She represented England in lacrosse for over ten years; her career highlight was playing in the World Cup in 2001 where the team achieved a bronze medal. Vic has also run three London marathons achieving a PB in 2012 of 3:49. Vic is very competitive and loves winning! She is still involved in lacrosse, tennis, running and netball. She also enjoys reading, socialising and spending time with humorous people!! Vic is also Head of Sixth Form Boarding.
Miss Emilie Chandler, Lacrosse Specialist
email: emilie.chandler@stcatherines.info
Emilie studied a BA Hons in Physical Education at Leeds Beckett University. Emilie has represented England Lacrosse since the age of 15 as a goalkeeper, where she was on the U19 set up for 3 years before moving to the Senior England Squad where she is still currently involved. She also represented Great Britain at the World Games in 2017 where they narrowly missed out on a bronze medal. Emilie is a resident member of staff who is regularly seen in all boarding houses. Outside of school, Emilie enjoys staying active, going on holidays and spending time with family and friends.
Miss Colleen Owen, Lacrosse Specialist
email: colleen.owen@stcatherines.info
Colleen joined the PE staff after spending two seasons as the assistant coach for the University of Lynchburg lacrosse team in Lynchburg, Virginia. A 2016 graduate of Liberty University, she was a three-year member of the varsity lacrosse team. At Liberty, she completed a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. The Smithtown, New York native earned her first master's degree in education from Durham University in 2017 and her second master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from The University of Lynchburg in 2019.
Miss Arabella Pearson, Lacrosse Specialist
email: arabella.pearson@stcatherines.info
Arie completed a BSc in Sports Coaching and Science at Loughborough University and completed her ITT at St Catherine’s and is currently in her NQT year. During Arie’s time at Loughborough she played Lacrosse for the women’s 1st team and represented Wales at the 2015 U19 World Cup. Arie is a St Cats Alumna who also spent her gap year in the PE Department so knows the school very well! Outside of School and Lacrosse Arie enjoys running, traveling and spending time with her friends.
Mr Alan Mezzetti, Tennis Coach
email: alan.mezzetti@stcatherines.info
Alan completed a BA Hons in Sport and Leisure Management at New Buckinghamshire University. Holding a level 4 LTA coaching qualification, he then spent eight years at the The Harbour Club Chelsea, running the tennis programme for 1000 juniors and 500 adults, alongside coordinating a team of 25 tennis pros and delivering coaching himself. Having spent a further six at the LTA in a range of roles, he has spent the last few years coaching both at Cranleigh senior school and Longacre preparatory school. Outside of tennis, Alan holds a level 3 personal training qualification, an FA coaching qualification and coaches three football teams at Cranleigh Youth Football Club. Beyond work, he loves time spent with his wife and three children, either just in the local area or heading to the beach on holiday, to try to improve his surfing!
Miss Joanna Paish, Individual Sports Specialist
email: joanna.paish@stcatherines.info
Jo studied Physical Education with QTS at the University of Brighton (Chelsea PE College). She joined St Catherine’s in 2018 and is enjoying working with such a diverse team of staff. Jo loves to represent the schools individual sporting athletes as well as the team sports including: Gymnastics, Trampolining, Cross-Country, Golf and Swimming. Jo is also the Assistant Boarding Housemistress for Symes. In the summer of 2021 Jo walked the length of the River Thames in 8 days with her twin sister to raise money for charity. Jo also enjoys reading, watching movies and traveling, having recently completed the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
Mrs Emily McWilliam, Swimming Specialist
email: emily.mcwilliam@stcatherines.info
Emily studied a BA Hons in secondary Physical Education with qualified teacher status at the University of Chichester. She enjoys all sports both team and individual, but has a particular interest in swimming. Emily is an active member of the English schools swimming association South East region. She organises local and regional galas, as well as coaching the school teams in the competitions. She is also the team manager for the South East team, coaching the top swimmers from the region against the rest of the country. Emily loves to spend time with her family but can also be found enjoying the Guildford Flames ice hockey team, swimming, tennis, skiing, The Duke of Edinburgh award as a leader/assessor and travelling.
Miss Gayle Vickers, Swimming Specialist
Gayle coaches swimming to all Senior girls and also the Prep School swimming squads. She studied music at the University of Warwick (BA QTS) while also taking her Personal Training examinations up to Level 3 and full swimming coaching qualifications. In her spare time she loves walking Guincho her very needy cockapoo, learning the drums and playing her trumpet in the school jazz band! Some of her sporting highlights include: Lacrosse: representing England U18, U21, and Senior level in Lacrosse for over 12 years and received a Junior and Full Cap. Triathlon: Since 2010 representing GB in her age group in Triathlon at the European and World Championships and also in the 70.3 Ironman World Championships. In 2014 she was British Champion for her age group in the Sprint distance, was 5th in the European Championships in Austria (2014) and also Geneva (2015). In the World Championships in New Zealand and London gained a top 10 placing. Gladiators : In 2008, I competed in the television version of Gladiators; selected to be a contestant out of over 80,000 people and reaching the semi-finals of the show.
Mrs Helen Harkness, Gym & Dance Specialist
Helen is also the Boarding Housemistress of Symes House.
email: helen.harkness@stcatherines.info
Helen completed her BEd Hons in Physical Education at Chichester University (previously West Sussex Institute of Higher Education). Prior to joining St Catherine’s she was a Head of Department teaching both PE and GCSE Dance, before moving her career into pastoral management. Helen has a duly role at St Catherine’s along side PE teaching she lives on site and runs the Year 9 Boarding House. She has a passion for skiing and running and enjoys watching and taking part in musical theatre and dance. Helen loves recreational sport and the simple joy of being involved.
Curriculum - AS/A Level
Examination Board: OCR
Why study Physical Education?
Studying PE gives you an insight into all theoretical concepts of the sport you play. It covers the physiology, psychology, biomechanics and sociology aspects of sport and provides an in depth understanding of how to improve your own, and others’, performance. It is a well-respected subject, combining positively with other Science and Arts A Levels.
Course Content
AS: Focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the body, exercise physiology, biomechanics, including technology in sport, how the mind interprets and develops sports skills, the teaching and learning of skills, the social issues in sport such as drugs etc. and a look at other countries in comparison with the UK, in achieving excellence. The Practical looks at your skill in one sport and evaluating and assessing others’ performance for improvement.
A Level: Extends knowledge within applied anatomy and physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, skill acquisition, sports psychology, sport and society, contemporary issues in physical activity and sport. The Practical focuses on performance or coaching, demonstrating skill and tactical awareness in competitive situations in one sport, as well as evaluating and assessing others’ performance for improvement.
Assessment
- AS: 2 x 1hour 15min written paper (70%), practical (30%)
- A Level: 1 x 2 hour written paper, 2 x 1 hour written paper (70%), practical (30%)
Coursework Requirements:
- AS - Practical assessment in one sport + EAPI
- A-Level - Practical assessment in one sport + EAPI
Curriculum - GCSE
Examination Board: AQA
GCSE Topics:
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Anatomy & Physiology
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Movement analysis
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Individual Differences
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The Demands of Performance
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Fatigue/Stress
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Injury
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The difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise
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Characteristics and benefits of leisure and recreation
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Health, fitness and a healthy active lifestyle
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Training
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Aspects of training
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Diet
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Psychology
For June 2021, the GCSE practical option will be for two sports only.