Nobody knows the value of giving hope than Foundation Board member and current parent, Damien Grinsell.

As a leader in microsurgical cancer reconstruction, medical volunteer and pioneer in teaching microsurgery to Nepalese surgeons in Kathmandu, Damien’s work is all about repairing bodies and rebuilding lives. He is passionate about offering opportunity where it has been devoid.

Damien talks in this video about the critical nature of setting up the St Catherine’s Hardship Fund for future generations, and as one of the School’s strongest and most positive responses to current disruptions.

Until now, many of us have led very sheltered lives and hardship was not a lived experience.

As the world faces significant challenges in addressing the immediate and longer-term effects of the pandemic, the commitment of our St Catherine’s community in supporting families to continue to receive a St Catherine’s education should provide us all with a great sense of hope.

Damien encourages each of us – current and past parents and grandparents, Old Girls and current students, past and existing staff, as well as future parents, to give what we can.

Damien asks, in particular, that current parents consider giving back some or all of the fee discount provided as part of last term’s school fees. Parents can do this via our Giving Day portal or simply by contacting the Advancement Office about your donation.

On Wednesday 5 August, our entire community will have the opportunity to participate in the St Catherine’s Inaugural Giving Day. Every dollar raised over 24 hours will be tripled by the support of a group of generous community members who have already made pledges to the Hardship Fund.

The Hardship Fund will remain the legacy of this time, providing new and existing families with hardship support well into the future.

Join Damien and his family in helping to educate girls and women, as in his words, “the best means to bring equity and hope in our society”