At the heart of St Catherine’s School is a community dedicated to fostering, strengthening and enhancing opportunities for our students. An integral part of this community are our Year Level Parent Representatives who provide an invaluable communication channel between School and home. This week we celebrate and thank Year 7 Parent Representative, Dr Diane Hu, mother of Xinyi (Isabel) Yang.

What Year level are you a Parent Representative for?  

Year 7  

What inspired you to volunteer for this role?  

To better support St Catherine’s girls like my daughter through their transition across different languages, cultures, and school systems.  

I hope my 17-year teaching experience across China and Australia can help these girls more quickly adjust here and bring their potential to full play.  

Why is volunteering important to you?  

Volunteering is important for us to better understand and live in the world around us.  

What do you believe a St Catherine’s education provides your daughter(s)?  

Compassion, respect and understanding.  

Outside of your Class Rep role, what are other interests/work you have?  

I work at the University of Melbourne as an educator and researcher, as well as in its China engagement.  

Would you like to share something about yourself to our community – a special skill, your favourite book, meal, movie? Or an inspiring quote?  

I am a huge music and sports fan. I was an Australian Studies scholar in China for 15 years but still find there is so much to learn about Australia every day.