Staff Arrangements

At the commencement of Term 2, Mrs Alana Moor, Head of Junior School and ELC, will enjoy four weeks of much deserved Long Service Leave. During this time, Mrs Moor will travel to Central Australia to visit the School of the Air, to learn of Indigenous education programs and enjoy some professional learning opportunities around learning motivations. During this period, Mr Owen Hughes will step into the role as Acting Head of Junior School, ably supported by Mrs Victoria Baldacchino (Administration) and Mrs Glenda Lingard (Education and Pastoral Care). Ms Sarah Bethune will step into the role as Acting Head of ELC. We wish Mrs Moor a wonderful holiday full of many and varied educational experiences; she truly exemplifies the lifelong learner.

At the close of this Term we also farewell Mrs Janine Hanrahan. Many of our Music students over a number of years, and flutists in particular, have excelled under the expertise of Mrs Hanrahan. Her gentle and reassuring nature has enabled girls to play with confidence at both Barbreck and Senior School concerts. We wish her well as she undertakes the leadership of her family business.

We also farewell our Director of Business, Mrs Geraldine Ilott, after 10 years of service to the School. During this time, her contribution to the School through extensive renovation and development of the Marigold Sports & Aquatic Centre, the extension of the Early Learning Centre and the Senior School Renewal, has been most noteworthy. Her professional knowledge and experience has been greatly appreciated as the Secretary to the School Council and her involvement in the School Finance Sub-Committee, the Building and Property Sub-Committee and the School Foundation has been outstanding. Her good humour and gentle nature has been greatly appreciated by all of her work colleagues and the School wishes her well in the future.

The School is in the final stages of recruiting for a new Director of Business and in the interim, Mr David Temple, previously from Melbourne Grammar School, will step into the role as Acting Director of Business. Mr Temple will be well known to a number of families at St Catherine’s School and is highly regarded as one of the leading Business Managers in the independent sector over a number of years. The School warmly welcomes Mr Temple to St Catherine’s and greatly appreciates his expertise and strong guidance over the coming months.

Rowing Triumph – History Making

This past week, St Catherine’s School celebrated two historical accomplishments at the Australian National Rowing Championships held in Penrith, NSW. Most fitting for our 120th year.

In the first ever National Sprint Championships held over 500ms, our Boynton Crew recorded the first ever national medal to be awarded to a St Catherine’s School Second VIII+. This broke the drought since 2009, for St Catherine’s School crew’s medalling at the Australian National Rowing Championships.

Congratulations to all crew members of The Boynton:
Coach by Sarah Banting and Ben Burger
Cox: Georgia Bickford
Rowers: Bridget Lieberman, Danae Barbayannis, Eliza O’Donnell, India Watson, Georgina Cheale, Georgia Deacon, Sarah Fenton and Julia Rossi.

And for the first time in history, St Catherine’s School are the National Champions of the Schoolgirl Coxed VIII+ of Australia, winning the trophy named the Sydney Cup. This win has been a great triumph for this diligent and very composed crew. Throughout the week, the crew rowing in The Geraldine Illott had their best efforts on display. The girls prepared themselves confidently and were ready to race mentally, physically, technically and tactically. Their superb race start enabled an early lead which they held for the full two kilometre race. It was a thrilling victory watched by many in the grandstand at Penrith as well as on a livestream broadcast to members of our community back in Melbourne.

Thank you to our parents, who have been an amazing support for the girls, Year 11 Dean, Miss Jeanette Gunn, Year 12 Dean, Mrs Gina Peele and all teachers for their academic care of the girls during this busy training schedule.

Congratulations to all the crew members of the Geraldine Ilott:
Coached by Will Bernard and John Saunders
Cox: Adelaide Cester
Rowers: Annie Anezakis, Georgie Gleeson, Sasha Christian, Elsa Robertson, Gretel Newton-Brown, Lulu Gibson, Alexandra Stopp and Frances Curtis.

Easter Holidays

Over the course of the Easter holidays, we have School tours in Italy, France and Fiji and exchange students will travel to Tower Hill School, in Delaware. I wish all girls travelling a safe and educationally enjoyable journey.

At the Easer Services this week, I asked our girls to enjoy joining together to celebrate this important time of the year. At Easter, we celebrate new life as symbolised by the Easter egg, a time for freshness, growth and thanksgiving. Easter is a time to reflect upon all for which we can be grateful and all that we can do in joyous service of others – friends, families and our community. It is a time to reflect on our values and it is a timely reminder to live our lives by showing empathy and care for others.

Easter is also a time to reflect on the true nature of giving. I believe ‘true giving’ comes from the same place as our deepest happiness. They are curiously intertwined. There is something genuinely satisfying in witnessing children find an Easter egg – to unwrap this gift – and respond with happiness; the warmth of their smile.

And whilst at Easter, we give eggs to our loved ones, a very special form of giving also takes place with small, personal acts of kindness. Very often it is not eggs, money or belongings people need, it is – a kind word, a compliment, a smile.

Over the Easter holidays, I encourage everyone to be appreciative for our many blessings and to nurture the art of giving to others.

I wish you a relaxing and enjoyable holiday, and trust you will take the opportunity to thank those around you for all they do.