Introducing Catalyst

Inspiring Curiosity | Igniting Confidence | Extending Learning

At Walford, we believe that every student holds limitless potential. Catalyst, our Junior School Enrichment, Extension and Challenge Program, is designed to spark curiosity, inspire challenge, and empower each girl to become a confident, independent thinker. Through inquiry-based learning, deep conceptual understanding, and authentic, real-world connections, Catalyst nurtures a love of learning that extends far beyond the classroom.

By ensuring that each girl’s interests, strengths and potential is known across all curriculum areas, we tailor opportunities to meet their needs and celebrate each student’s unique talents to foster a learning environment where curiosity is encouraged and excellence is inspired.

Strengthened by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), Catalyst supports enrichment, extension and challenge through inquiry, creativity, and student agency.  Opportunities are extended beyond the PYP to support a range of possibilities and opportunities for your daughter, as her strengths and potential is known and seen.

Cataylst opportunities may be experienced through open invitation, selective participation, audition or individual pathways, depending on the offering.

What does Enrichment, Extension and Challenge look like in the Junior School?

In the classroom

• In-class differentiation: Through targeted challenge, choice, and personalised support, students are encouraged to think deeply, solve complex problems, and develop confidence as independent learners.
• Inquiry through the PYP: Students explore real-world questions and develop agency, curiosity, and critical thinking.
• Mathematics acceleration and enrichment: Small-group enrichment experiences enable students to engage with mathematics at a deeper level, encouraging a genuine enjoyment of challenge and discovery. Additional dedicated sessions are run by Junior and Secondary School mathematics specialists.

Academic challenges and competitions

• da Vinci Decathlon: Academic team challenge competition across ten disciplines.
• APSMO Olympiads and Maths Explorer: Programs designed to enhance mathematical reasoning.
• Australian Mathematics Trust Competitions: Including AMC, CAT, and AIO challenges.
• ICAS Competitions: Writing, English, Science, Spelling, Mathematics, and Digital Technologies.
• National Writing Competitions: SAETA and Whitlam Institute “What Matters?”
• Oliphant Science Awards: A statewide competition encouraging creativity and innovation in science.
• Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee: culminating in the national finals.
• IPSHA Poetry Recital: Expression and performance.
• IPSHA Junior Orator: Builds confidence and persuasive communication.
• Robocup: A competition designed to challenge girls design, coding and STEM skills.
• SADA Debating Competition: Engaging debates for Years 5 and 6.
• Playberry Laser Literacy Program: Multisensory language study.
• Tournament of Minds (TOM): Collaborative problem-solving in STEM, Language and Literature, and The Arts.
• Chess: Competitions open to Years 3 to 6, with opportunities for younger girls by invitation.

Service, leadership, clubs and committees

• Young Engineers LEGO® Robotics Club: Hands-on exploration of engineering and coding.
• Students In Action (SIA) Club: Leadership and collaboration platform, open to all Junior School students to bring ideas along to a weekly forum with the Head of the Junior School.
• RAP Committee: Contributing to Walford’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Year 5 Service and Leadership Program: Builds understanding of leadership qualities.
• Year 6 Compass Award: A nationally recognised program promoting initiative and community service
• Thinkers Club: A precursor to TOM, providing group challenges, problem solving, critical thinking and higher order thinking skills.
• Exrternal leadership opportunities: Collaborations with boys' and co-ed schools for events such as R U OK? Day, Rex J Lipman Fellows Program presentations, and the Kindness Convention.

The arts and athletics

• Junior School Musical/Junior School Showcase: Biennial productions on alternate years, fostering creativity and teamwork.
• Music Ensembles: Band, orchestra, and strings opportunities for all, with advanced pathways.
• Sapsasa representative sports: District, state and national-level opportunities.
• High Performance Athlete Academy (HPAA): For students demonstrating exceptional sporting potential.

Mrs Cathie Egarr
Head of Junior School

For more information, we encourage you to visit our Walford Junior School to discuss options for your daughter.