“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
Nelson Mandela

It has been a pleasure to greet students at the Heyington Gates this week with the joy of learning on campus still etched in the memories of the girls following the past two years. Their smiles, enthusiasm and warm greetings for friends and teachers were clearly visible.

Commencing on Monday, our Year 12 students embarked on their leadership journey, firstly welcoming the Year 7 Cohort into the Senior School, assisting them with their school bags filled with new books and the necessity of (many) colour-coded folders. It was so uplifting to see the bright, young faces of our Year 7 girls, feel their straightforward, uninhibited pre-teen energy and their pride in now being members of the Senior School.

The Year 12 cohort then travelled to Trinity College, at the University of Melbourne for their two-day Leadership Retreat. I enjoyed listening to the Opening Address by 2017 School Captain, Mackenzie Leyden, who returned to St Catherine’s to share her post-school leadership reflections.

Mackenzie openly admitted to her somewhat stark recognition of the gender differences upon commencing tertiary life, as she navigated the coordination of various college-based activities, tutorial discussions and her now evolving professional life. Mackenzie proposed that in having a ‘seat at the table’ she did not need to have the loudest voice nor the strongest opinions for her leadership to have an impact. Today, she purposefully leans into the skills, her strength and self-awareness, that she honed as a Year 12 girl at St Catherine’s, to actively participate and influence. Mackenzie has returned to university this year to commence Honours, majoring in politics and communication. I look forward to watching her journey over the coming years.

The first week of each school-year is always a time that provides me with a distinct feeling of humility as I ponder the significant history of St Catherine’s School, as each student commences her new journey for the year ahead, I reflect on the many girls who have come before them, their stories now all entwined within the rich tapestry of St Catherine’s.

Schools are remarkable places. It is interesting that despite the academic workload, students seem to love their Senior years as the best of all, and love retelling, with more and more embellishment as the time moves on, the hilarious stories of school adventures, or the seriously awkward mid-adolescent moments.

Despite the excitement of finally being the Seniors on campus, some may wonder in less certain moments if they are up to it all, and can be fearful they are not. Indeed, there will be ‘wobbly’ moments of self-doubt and self-consciousness, but I know with confidence, that the girls are always capable, and with the support of their parents and School walking beside them, they can achieve so much.

As teachers we understand the precious gift entrusted to us, not only the gift and responsibility of educating young women, but also wisely preparing them for their futures. We recognise and appreciate this role as our contribution to the soul of society, so eloquently articulated by Nelson Mandela in the quote above.

As I look around St Catherine’s this week, and watch the young women entrusted into our care commence their journeys, like that of the thousands of alumnae before them, I see their hard work and caring, courageous determination.

Our young learners taking their first steps into formal education in our Early Learning Centre, our Barbreck girls enthusiastically discovering their unique passions and interests, and our Senior students, emerging as young women eagerly awaiting their chance to step into the world around them, they are all so perfectly capable of being the soul of society as they are already the heartbeat of our School community.

2022 Student Leaders

Parent Information Sessions & PFA Welcome Evening

All Senior School parents are invited to attend the Information Sessions and PFA hosted Welcome Evening on Thursday 10 February.

The Information Sessions have been staggered across the evening to enable a COVID-Safe environment. Following two quiet years on campus, we look forward to welcoming many parents back to School on this evening.

Light refreshments will be hosted by the PFA following each Information Session around the Sherren House Fountain.

Vale

Baillieu (Bails) Myer AC

It was with sadness that I learned of the recent passing of Baillieu (Bails) Myer.

Bails was a leading philanthropist and Patron of the Arts through his involvement with the Sidney Myer Fund, the Myer Foundation and the Yulgilbar Foundation, as well as active involvement with community enterprises like The Salvation Army and the Rural Education Program.

As an astute businessman, a leading philanthropist and patron of the arts, the loss of Bails will resonate deeply throughout the wider community. A truly remarkable man whose ethos in life was to improve the lives of those less fortunate in our society. He will be greatly missed.

Bails is the grandfather of Charlotte Myer in Year 12 and brother to St Catherine’s Patron, Lady Southey AC. Like many in the Myer family, they are generationally connected to the School and have supported the School philanthropically for many, many years.

Bails was a loving family man, leaving behind his wife Sarah, three children, Rupert, Sidney and Samantha, many devoted grandchildren and extended family.

St Catherine’s School has valued its association with Bails and the Myer family over many years.

We offer our deepest sympathy to the family.

Vale

Julie Johns

It is with much sadness that I inform you of the passing of a former member of St Catherine’s School staff, Julie Johns. Julie is the mother of our Head of Boarding, Mrs Sue Collister.

Julie was a long serving staff member at St Catherine’s, commencing in 1978 and retiring in 1999. She was the Head of English for 20 years (1980-1999). Julie also held the roles of VCE Coordinator, Year 12 Coordinator and Magazine Coordinator and was a founding staff member of Davis House. Our Old Girls speak so fondly of her influence and impact as a teacher.

Sue’s family connection with the School started in 1978 and continues to this day. It has been, and continues to be, such an important part of their lives.

A highly respected member of the School staff, Julie is fondly remembered by those who worked with her.

Julie was a loving mother to Jenny, Sue and Kath and their respective spouses, and a devoted grandmother to her ten grandchildren.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and her family at this sad time.