Over the course of the past few weeks the Music Department have presented a colourful collection of performances showcasing the talents of students in both Barbreck and the Senior School. The Junior School Choral Concert revealed the significant developmental learning phase that occurs between the early and middle years of Junior School. The Langley Choir, formed with our Years 3 and 4 girls, provided one of those ‘sit up and listen moments’ on Tuesday morning. I was in awe of their composure, melody and the eloquent grasp of the complexity of the songs the girls so confidently performed. Like many parents and friends, it was a delight to be in the audience. I also enjoyed the depth of talent and enthusiasm of the Years 5 and 6 Choirs and of course, the Prep to Year 2 Choir provided an insight into the important role of Music across the Foundation years.

Students are drawn into the unique mix of group identity and personal accomplishment offered by the experience of playing music with others in an ensemble. Students soon learn the nature of hard work as they strive to make the group sound better through the collective and individual efforts of each musician. A learning process they can carry over into their other curriculum areas. The Concerto Concert, the Years 7 and 8 Music Evening and Band Night, all performed in recent weeks, reflect the School’s commitment to ensuring girls have the opportunity to learn Music as part of their academic and co-curricular programs.

There has been a great deal of interest among researchers in the effects of Music education on brain development. Music education is shown to activate many locations in the brain that are identified also with other types of activity. Music activity has an integrative effect on the brain and causes brain development that benefits the whole person. Researcher Sarah Wilson says: “Music primes the brain for learning.” Read the full research article on benefits of Music to the brain here.

With competing interests for their time, our girls’ commitment to their Music mastery is not without careful prioritising. I congratulate all the music performers over the past three weeks and encourage their continued pursuit of Music as they enter their Senior years of schooling. Most notably, the Senior students, many studying Music as a VCE subject performed with expertise and proficiency at the Concerto Concert on Wednesday evening of this week. Year 12 student, Greta Chen’s performance on the marimba was heartfelt and, at times, mesmerising as she moved gracefully across the large instrument. Year 12 student, Stephanie Hird, recipient of the Shelmerdine Scholarship, played the Postiglione violin gifted to the School by Ms Lindy Shelmerdine (‘80). This particular violin was crafted in Italy by Vincenzo Postiglione in 1870 and is considered to be an absolute treasure for its tonal qualities, great depth and evenness across the registers. Stephanie’s performance of Méditation (Thaïs) by French composer Jules Massenet was captivating for the audience.

Year 9 student, Sophie Turnbull, recipient of the Lloyd Violin Scholarship, also performed a challenging piece, Violin Concerto op. 7, 3rd Movement Seitz with absolute precision.

The Lloyd violin is of French origin and it bears the label of Ch.J.B. Colin-Mezin, dated 1902 in Paris. The violin was generously donated to the School in 2014 by Mrs Sue Hayes, mother of the late Mrs Danielle Lloyd (‘83) who was a boarding student at St Catherine’s School, Captain of Music in Year 12 and later a much revered Violin teacher. To place the most beautiful instruments into the hands of our very best students provides an inspiring opportunity in which to study Music. The School is very appreciative of Ms Lindy Shelmerdine and Mrs Sue Hayes for their generous donations to the Music Department.

Staff News
Congratulations
Ms Elizabeth Ryan, our Year 8 Dean, has accepted a 12 month teaching appointment at The Archer School in Los Angeles. As one of our Sister Exchange Schools in the USA, we look to continue to foster a partnership with The Archer School in strengthening the educational benefits of students and staff.

Ms Ryan will commence her appointment in August next Term after completing a handover with Ms Kanako Yokouchi, the incoming Year 8 Acting Dean. Mrs Yokouchi has enjoyed experience working in student wellbeing roles for Year 10 and Year 12 cohorts in a previous school and looks forward to working in partnership with our Year 8 parents and leading the Wellbeing program, in particular their interstate exchange in Term 4.

In her role as Director of Student Wellbeing, Ms Merran O’Connor, works closely with all the Senior School Deans and is an integral component of providing a network of support for the girls. In this case, the continuity of care for our Year 8 students will be maintained fully. I know you will join me in congratulating Elizabeth. We will miss her poise, thoughtfulness and calm composure. We know her capacity as a teacher will be strengthened by her experience at The Archer School when she returns next year.

Farewell
Following a dedicated and highly committed teaching career, we farewell Mr Owen Hughes this week after 17 years of service at St Catherine’s. As both the Deputy Head of the Junior School and a Year 5 teacher, Mr Hughes is well regarded by his colleagues for his professional approach and high level of organisation, in particular, the annual development and administration of the Junior School timetable. Over many years, Mr Hughes has displayed great loyalty, dedication and commitment to the School and to our students. I would like to acknowledge his exemplary contribution to all aspects of School life and on behalf of the School community, I wish Mr Hughes well in retirement and many years of enjoyment on the golf course.

London Calling…

London ticket page

Over the course of the mid-year break, I am looking forward to traveling to London to attend the St Catherine’s School Reunion hosted by St Catherine’s Old Girls Association. The event will be held on Tuesday 21 June in the central London gallery of St Catherine’s Old Girl and Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum recipient Rebecca Hossack (‘72).

After studying at Christie’s and working at the Guggenheim Museum in Venice, Rebecca set up her own gallery, Rebecca Hossack Gallery, in central London in March 1988. She now has two galleries in London and one in New York City exhibiting work across the broad spectrum of Contemporary Art. Rebecca has established a reputation for her ground-breaking exhibitions of non-Western art. The Rebecca Hossack Gallery was the first gallery in Europe to exhibit Australian Aboriginal paintings and continues to promote Aboriginal art with its annual ‘Songlines’ exhibitions. We are appreciative of Rebecca’s generosity in hosting the Reunion next Tuesday evening and I encourage St Catherine’s family and community members to visit the galleries whilst travelling.

I am also looking forward to visiting our three exchange schools in England next week. Six of our Year 9 students have enjoyed Term 2 studying at one of the following schools: St Catherine’s School, Bramley, St George’s School, Ascot or Queenswood School, Hertfordshire.

Queen’s Birthday Honour for Old Girl
Congratulations to St Catherine’s alumnae Samantha Baillieu (Myer ’78) who was awarded an AM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this week. The honour was in recognition of Samantha’s significant service to the community through support for charitable initiatives, animal welfare and to rural and regional renewal.

End of Semester 1
I wish all the St Catherine’s families an enjoyable and relaxing mid-year break and look forward to seeing the students return for Term 3 on Tuesday 12 July.

Mrs Michelle Carroll