2022 School Co-Captains’
Term 2 Final Assembly
Address

Madeline: There used to be a quote in the window of Ms Van der Poel’s Office in the Library that read “there are many ways to the top of the mountain, but the view from the top is always the same.” 

For the first couple of years of Senior School, this quote always baffled me. I’d rack my brain trying to work out what its underlying meaning was because initially it seemed almost demotivating.  

In Years 7, 8 and 9, every time I read that quote, I thought it was saying that “the view” was average and nothing special, but as I got a couple more years under my belt, I realised that it wasn’t about the “view from the top of the mountain”, it was about the journey to the top.  

At the start of this year, Angela and I came to you with a proposition – to EMERGE. Whether it be to your goals, or out of difficult circumstances or towards the best version of yourself. Now, six months down the track, we are all on our own journey. Emergence is happening all around us.  

Six months ago, we embarked on the mountain that is 2022. And I am proud to say that so far, not only is the view from the halfway point pretty nice, but more importantly – the journey with everyone has been such a good time. We have made mistakes, learnt lessons, been bold, and gained new experiences – and we are only halfway!  

Quite seriously, this semester has been historical. The introduction of the first student run newspaper at St Catherine’s – The Stentorian – is a testament to this. Their creativity and hard work have not gone unnoticed by the School community, so could we please give The Stentorian’s editors – Angela, Ciara, and Lara – along with their team of incredibly talented young women, a round of applause.  

As we’ve moved up the mountain of 2022 so far, we have all been fortunate enough to witness the incredible emergence of the Environment Club and their initiatives this year, led by environment captain Arabella (Ari) Llewelyn. From the introduction of compost bins and empty pen bins around the School, to the first ever St Catherine’s recycling market, the journey of Ari and the Environment Club this semester, and their successful initiatives, should inspire everyone to be bold and pursue and share their passions.  

Angela: Sports-wise, we have achieved so much this term alone, with our Senior Hockey team now the GSV Premiers, crushing the other team with an 11-0 win in the Grand Final. We also had members of the Cross-Country Team place in the top ten for their respective Divisions, our Senior Water Polo Team got to finals and came third overall in GSV. So many of you went and supported the Senior AFL Team at the annual Huntingtower/Heyington Shield. Even though the days are getting darker and colder, it is amazing to see that the St Cath’s spirit is not dying down at all! Special shoutout to Chloe Handbury and Adelaide Lempriere, who, back in May, represented our School at the Interschool Show Jumping! 

 As a group, we really have so many diverse talents. This term, we also had the much-acclaimed Senior School musical, Urinetown, which I know Maddie and I still cannot get over, as well as Jazz Night, where everyone looked and performed like stars, the Years 7 and 8 Concert, and the Senior Recital. We also had several students compete in the Speech and Drama section of the Eisteddfod by the Bay, delivering poetry, script excerpts and self-devised scenes. These events are the accumulation of hours and hours of practice, an end point on the journey of a piece or script. Like Maddie was saying about the mountain, all of us have already climbed various mountains this term, emerging from dedication and determination to triumph. 

Madeline: It is truly incredible to step back and realise how much we have all achieved in just the first half of the year. We’re not at the top of the big mountain yet – in fact, we’ve still got a fair way to go – but can you see what I mean about the journey? The small wins. The growth. Everything that happens along the way. This is what truly counts.  

Angela: Congratulations on an inspiring first semester. Please, everyone – yes, Year 12s this includes you – take lots of time these holidays to rejuvenate and relax, because our journey is not over. There is still plenty of emerging to be done. 

Now, girls, as you leave School on Thursday afternoon, you will hear The Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine ring through the halls. We thought this would be a good last song of the term, because we know you’ve had tests, and maybe some stress, assignments, deadlines, exams even, these last couple of weeks. But those days are over for now. So, enjoy the term break, give yourself a huge pat on the back and get ready for another extraordinary semester!