This will be our final Blue Ribbon for 2022. What a wonderful year it has been. 

To close the year, this week we have enjoyed the celebration of the Year 6 Graduation, the vibrancy of our annual House Arts Festival and the choral contributions at the Church Services for both our Barbreck Junior School and the Senior School.  

The Year 6 Graduation, held on Monday evening, provided an opportunity for our Year 6 Cohort to gather with their family to mark their momentous occasion – graduating from Barbreck. During the evening I spoke to parents on the “important moments in time that pass so quickly: the first day of Prep, Year 6 Graduation, Year 12 Valedictory. As a parent, one must settle deeply into the moment and imprint the snapshots and the feelings of these moments in your memory. Take in the still junior school faces of your daughters, remember how you feel as they will be young women before you realise.”  

2022 Babreck Captains, Clara Barry and Holly Farrer

During the Graduation evening, Barbreck Captains Clara Barry and Holly Farrer delivered personal speeches, sharing their memories as Barbreck girls with such eloquence, expression, and confidence. They beautifully captured the admiration of everyone in the room and drew us into the journey of a Barbreck girl today. Their transformation as Barbreck girls, so ready to step forward into their senior years was so visible and I was in awe of their presentation, and that of all the Year 6 students. I look forward to welcoming our Year 6 girls at the Senior School end of St Catherine’s Walk next year, and watching them grow into the strong, capable, and gifted graduates of St Catherine’s in the year 2028. I know they will be. 

We have celebrated a remarkable year at St Catherine’s commencing with the outstanding VCE results of our Class of 2021, placing St Catherine’s as the number one girls school in Victoria. We are home to the fastest schoolgirl rowing crew in the world, and our cast and crew of the Senior School production Urinetown received a nomination and four commendations from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria.

In addition, our Snowsports Teams were crowned State Champions in both the Junior and Senior Schools, and our Barbreck girls are National Champions as well. We have won more GSV finals than ever before, most notably our Senior Hockey Team are GSV Champions and our A Grade Debating Team 2 reached the finals of the DAV Schools Competition. I have certainly appreciated the opportunity to once again hear our School filled with student laughter, chatter, and activity.  

Next week, I will communicate the VCE achievements of our Year 12 Class of 2022 and celebrate the future pathways of these remarkable young women beyond the Heyington Gates. 

Over the summer holidays, the second phase of the re-development of the Dorothy Pizzey Centre will commence with the refurbishment of the Sports Hall ready for re-opening in Term 2. Undoubtedly, the inclusion of The Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre in our School this year has been profound. The flexibility of this performing arts space is simply tremendous. On Monday evening, we transformed the Theatre into a sit-down dining venue for 160 guests, by Tuesday morning, the sprung floor was used for choreography for House Arts dance routines. During the year, we sat comfortably in the tiered seating for 180 people to watch performing arts musicals, plays and the Concerto Concert. I am confident the development of a new Sports Centre, inclusive of a Strength and Conditioning Fitness Studio and Little Gym for PMP programs for our ELC children to Year 2 girls will match the stunning finish of the Theatre.  

This year, it has been a privilege to witness the growth and development of each St Catherine’s girl and child in our ELC. I trust all students have experienced the opportunities to discover their individual passions, interests, and talents in the classroom, whether online or on campus. In my role, I am acutely aware of providing each student with a network of support and care as they navigate their way through their adolescent years, their tween years, and their childhood years. The significance of establishing a strong community to support our students can never be underestimated. Through our careful guidance and nurturing of all students, our School remains steady and strong in its mission. 

At this time, I acknowledge our teaching staff for their wisdom, dedication and passion for teaching, and our General staff for their continued support of the School. Their inspiration, encouragement and energy enable all our students to flourish.  

I thank the members of School Council, particularly our Chair of Council, Ms Jane Hodder, for her leadership and support throughout 2022. We are a community with active parents and past students who volunteer considerable time and effort into our School. I very much appreciate all members of our School community for their generous support of St Catherine’s this year, and I look forward to 2023 with much enthusiasm and eagerness.  

I wish everyone in St Catherine’s School’s community a relaxing and joyous Christmas celebration. It is an opportunity when friends and family can spend precious time together.

Merry Christmas.