Our Year 2 class has been busy with their HASS studies. The unit of work ‘Our past and present connections to people and places,’ has taken the girls on a historical journey of St Catherine’s School. 

We started our learning journey with a sketch of Sherren House from outside. The girls thoroughly enjoyed this, analysing, and focusing on details they had never noticed before. Observing the size and age of Sherren House. 

Ms Sue Cooke (’70) visiting Year 2

We continued our investigations with a visit from Ms Sue Cooke (‘70). Sue attended St Catherine’s as a day girl. Sue’s Mother, Mrs Helen Cooke (Chambers ‘45), was an Old Girl as well, and Vice-Captain of the School in 1945.  

Sue’s Mother’s, Aunt by marriage, Nancy Chambers (Lay ‘23) was also a past student who attended St Catherine’s at Williams Road, before it moved to Heyington Place. After completing an Arts degree at Melbourne University, Sue became a primary teacher, working for the Education Department and Geelong College. She then returned to Melbourne, accepting a position as Prep teacher in Barbreck. She remained teaching at St Catherine’s for 37 years. 

Sue was well equipped to share her vast knowledge of our School and its history with us. From old uniforms to pictures, and many stories, our girls were given a clear insight to days past at St Catherine’s. Sue proudly remains a blue-ribbon girl.  

Our first building tour was of Sherren House, built in 1858. The tour was kindly conducted by our Archivist Ms Melissa Campbell. Melissa showed us the grand old rooms and discussed their prior use and function. Immersing themselves in the rich history of St Catherine’s School, the girls delved into the archives, uncovering tales of the old uniforms that once adorned the corridors. Comparing them to the sleek designs of today, they reflected on the evolution of tradition and fashion, bridging the gap between the past and the present. 

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the spaces and seeing where their mothers may have boarded when they were younger. The staircase was a highlight with its height and grandeur leading from the grand entrance Hall. The Dining Hall and the painted portraits in ornate frames of the past Head Mistresses was a highlight after learning about these remarkable people and how they helped St Catherine’s to be the school it is today. 

Year 2 returned to class and studied the School Crest and its origins. Learning the meaning of the Latin words ‘Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum – Nothing is Great unless it is Good.’ The girls enjoyed exploring the buildings and the grounds of St Catherine’s to hunt for the School Crest. They were amazed to find it displayed on doormats, the main gates, the School bus, etched on windows, on their uniform and more. Along the way we were able to use the QR codes of the Heritage Trail to find out more about our School and its history. 

Upstairs in Illawarra, our Boarding House

Illawarra, the ornate National Trust listed Boarding House was our next School building to explore. The tour of the Boarding House was led by Ms Claire van Boxel, our Head of Boarding. It was interesting to hear the history of this grand house and to be able to compare it to Sherren House. To see where the boarders live now, in contrast to the verandas of Sherren House, where the boarders once slept.  

Through their History studies of St Catherine’s School, the Year 2 girls have developed an immense pride and deeper connection to their School. They are Blue Ribbon Girls!