Connectedness: noun 

a feeling of belonging to or having affinity with a particular person or group. 

“it’s about partnering, trust, and connectedness” 

A question I am often asked about St Catherine’s from people outside of our School is in regard to our culture. What is the community like? How would you describe the student experience? Is the school friendly?  

The quick, and perhaps superficial response is that our School community is warm, friendly, and caring. However, this doesn’t really describe what St Catherine’s is, who we are and what we value. The real explanation requires a more detailed and nuanced response. 

I experience our culture every day and feel it deeply, as do our students, parents, past families, and past students. But what is it that defines us?  

Earlier this term I wrote in the Blue Ribbon (Issue 518, 16 February) about the importance of traditions, values, and rituals for our students. We have many of these important events and characteristics which define what we do as a school, but we need to look deeper to gain a better understanding.  

A few recent events have crystalised why I love St Catherine’s so much and feel so connected to the School. Last weekend I travelled to Hong Kong to connect with past students, and families past, current and prospective. We held a function at the Hong Kong Ladies’ Recreation Club, graciously hosted by Mrs Isabelle Richardson (Gavin ’70).  

During the afternoon, as I spoke with various guests, it was obvious the genuine affection and camaraderie in the room. There was laughter and a cacophony of conversation for two solid hours where some of the people who had never met each other previously, were connected by our School.  

We recently had a weekend of SCOGA reunions at St Catherine’s. Commencing on Friday 1 March, there was a luncheon for pre-1964 graduates hosted by the President of SCOGA, Ms Anna Foley (‘92). The sheer delight of all present was palpable. Despite their more senior years, in the pre-1964 girls you could clearly see the sparkle in their eyes as they recounted their school days and rekindled friendships made all those years ago.  

Later that same day and then all day Saturday, there were reunions enmasse for Old Girls as recent as five years ago, through to the 1964 graduates of St Catherine’s School. All up about 350 past students gathered to connect once more. 

Strong connections can be somewhat intangible, but we know it when we see it. The most significant event this past term in our School community was the passing of former Head of Boarding, Mrs Sue Collister. The connectedness of the School was apparent to all. This week I received the following email from the Collister Family. 

The Collister Family would like to thank everyone in the St Catherine’s School community who attended the funeral service at St John’s for Sue Collister and for the many kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts, and tributes for Sue. Words cannot aptly describe our appreciation.   

The Family were deeply touched by the outpouring of love and affection for Sue and the respect in which she was held by so many people including staff, students, and parents alike. Sue was a special friend, colleague, mentor, and constant support to many who worked with her over her 40 years as a teacher and Head of Boarding at St Catherine’s. Sue’s passion and love for teaching inspired and helped guide many young girls with their education.   

The Family are proud of the achievements and impact Sue had at St Catherine’s and the legacy she has left, and she will be deeply missed.   

Marc, Matthew, Andrew, Rachel, and Emma   

I commenced this Blue Ribbon with the definition of connectedness. The words from the Collister Family are an absolute embodiment of the connectedness we all feel at St Catherine’s. It’s a feeling of belonging to, or having affinity with, a particular person or group…“it’s about partnering, trust, and connectedness.”   

That’s who we are at St Catherine’s.