Gala Concert

The St Catherine’s Gala Concert at the Melbourne Recital last week was a brilliant showcase of our talented musicians across Years 4 to 12. The audience members enjoyed the well-themed ‘Fact or Fiction’ performances ranging from the superb solo pieces of our VCE Music students, Jessica Devlin (Percussion), Lucy Glover (Cello), Hannah Otto (Flute) and Phoebe Edwards (Voice), through to the massed Choirs involving all students in the Senior School and the youthful enthusiasm of Years 4, 5 and 6 Barbreck students performing a James Bond Medley.

I enjoyed watching throughout the evening the various ages and stages of each of the musical performances, with the Barbreck students eagerly awaiting their turn to perform on stage as well. The Epstein Singers, made up of our Barbreck students and led by Mrs Lyn Henshall, provided an insight into the Junior School introduction of music education at St Catherine’s. I was impressed by the girls’ precision and confidence when performing When She Loved me and The Lachlan Tigers. The Massed Strings, performing Overture for Strings, ably led by Mrs Lisa Cook ensured an opportunity for girls as young as 10 years to sit alongside Year 12 students in the one orchestra. A wonderful team effort!

The very positive role modelling provided by our Senior School girls enabled an understanding of the journey of music education, and a demonstration of the result of hours of rehearsal, both privately and within ensembles and, most notably, the expertise that can then be achieved with practice.  It was also a wonderful experience for the girls to perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre, a world class venue enabling their talents to be truly uplifted by the acoustics of the Hall.

I was also delighted to see a ‘full house’ for the girls performing, such an exhilarating experience for the girls looking out from the stage. Thank you to the whole community for supporting this event. Congratulations to Head of Music, Mrs Jenny Mathers, Deputy Head of Music, Mr Tim Collins, Head of Performing Art, Mr James Brown and Coordinator of Junior School Music, Mrs Melissa Dods for their leadership and inspiration in creating such a wonderful evening of Music for the School community.

Junior School Development Update

It was with much delight that the School Council’s Building and Property Committee were provided an opportunity for our first site visit to the emerging new Junior School, rapidly taking shape along Heyington Place. With the ground level concrete pour now complete, I felt reassured that just the required helmet and fluoro vest was needed, no gumboots were necessary! In the coming week, the form work for the first story will take shape and the concrete pour for this level is scheduled to commence on Friday. A roof in November!

This coming Tuesday, Junior School parents are invited to attend a third floor viewing from the Barbreck Library, whilst enjoying an early morning English Breakfast tea or freshly brewed coffee, prior to attending Barbreck Assembly. During the Assembly, I will take an opportunity to unveil the landscape architects plans for The Village Green, including a superbly designed play and sports precinct. Securely enclosed within the school campus, The Village Green will feature a perimeter jogging track, strength and agility play equipment, a vegetable garden and quieter reflection spaces.

Despite the wet weather this week, the Junior School redevelopment remains on schedule for a June 2018 handover.