I warmly welcome community members to the commencement of Term 2, particularly, many new families starting this term. I trust the Easter holiday has been a time of relaxation, enjoyment, and laughter. 

ANZAC Day

This week, our Senior School students acknowledged ANZAC Day by welcoming guest speaker, Warrant Officer, Nicole Stephens to our annual service.  

Nicole has been a member of the Australian Defence Force for 28 years and has served in both Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. During her Assembly Address Nicole shared poignant stories of her relatives who have also served in the ADF. Her career and dedication to armed services in Australia was indeed impressive, combining her work with post-graduate study for her Master’s in Logistics.  

ANZAC Day is an opportunity for younger generations to hear the stories of sacrifice and perseverance, as we take the time to remember and honour all those who have served for Australia.  

During our Assembly, I shared the story of St Catherine’s Old Girl, Mrs Masha Engmann (Klatchko ‘36) who was a student at the School in the 1930s; Masha graduated in 1936 from
St Catherine’s School.  

Masha was only 16 years old when her Mother passed away in Melbourne, resulting in Masha joining her Father, an oral surgeon stationed in Shanghai, China at the time. Masha’s Father had previously served with the ANZACs in both Egypt and Gallipoli.  

It was 1937, merely a few months after finishing school when Masha visited her father in China. At this time, the Second Sino-Japanese War commenced between China and Japan. This was two years before the start of World War II.  

Sadly, Masha was captured and held in a Japanese Prison Camp in China for four years, as she refused to renounce or abandon her Australian citizenship. It is difficult to imagine the living conditions at this time for a 16-year-old girl, who just graduated from St Catherine’s in beautiful Toorak, to have found herself, a couple of months later, in a prison camp where she remained for four years. 

When Masha was finally released from the prison camp, she went on to marry an Air Force Navigator, and moved to San Francisco happily having two sons. Masha passed away in 2007. 

I was greatly moved when Masha’s eldest son, Douglas, reached out to me from San Francisco only three weeks ago, and purchased a seat in our new Sports Centre during our Annual Giving Day. Douglas wanted his dear Mother’s name, and her story, to be remembered. Masha’s story is a poignant reminder to bring to one’s mind an awareness of the great sacrifices made and selflessness by so many people during past conflicts. 

On ANZAC Day, we remember and share the stories of all Australians and those who fought, lost their lives, and sacrificed so much during the trauma of war. With this we also remember Masha – who spent four years in a prison camp because she refused to abandon her Australian citizenship.  

Campus Update

Last week, I enjoyed the 90th birthday celebration of St Catherine’s Past Principal, Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM, with former Chair of Council, Mrs Clare Cannon (’77) and past Head of Junior School, Miss Anne Smith also accompanying me. I took this opportunity to share the phased re-development of the Dorothy Pizzey Centre which is currently underway.  

The Sports Centre is nearing completion, with our opening Assembly scheduled for Monday 15 May and use of the facility, excitedly from this date forward.  

Further to the works on campus, the additional rectification of water proofing along the external side of the northern wall of this building has resulted in the need to decommission St Catherine’s House. This will now include the demolition of this building during Term 2. Further information regarding specific dates will be provided by our Director of Business, Mrs Rebecca Brodie, in the coming weeks. 

Whilst St Catherine’s House was not in the best condition, it was a home for many Music staff, and provided a good mixture of different sized spaces for teaching and was nicely located at the front of the School. The connections with the House are significant for our long-term staff and it was previously home to Miss Pizzey during her tenure as Principal. The House holds many fond memories, entertained many hilarious and engaging discussions for our Music staff and was a place of such fine teaching and commitment to student learning. 

I take this opportunity to share my appreciation for Head of Music, Mr Nick Grunden, who is working to ensure all individual Music lessons, normally scheduled in this building, have a new home, albeit temporarily. The exciting part of this campus news is the opportunity a cleared parcel of land provides our School. 

Vale – Mrs Jane Torii

Over the course of the holidays, I received the very sad news of the passing of former Head of Languages, Mrs Jane Torii.  

Jane was the recipient of St Catherine’s School’s Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award in 2015. This Award was announced upon her retirement, after dedicating 22 years of service to the School. During this time, Jane was renowned for her encouragement, understanding and support to all her students.  

Jane was held in high regard by her colleagues for her leadership, gentle patience, and her willing contributions to our School. Jane travelled with students on Language Study Tours numerous times over her 22 years.  

Jane’s unexpected passing will come as very sad news to many staff members who worked with her for a long period of time and for many past students whom she inspired with a love of speaking French.  

As a School community we extend our condolences to Jane’s family.

Staff Update

This term, we welcome the return of Mr Tom Crebbin, Ms Georgina Stride, Ms Tamara Andrews and Ms Vasiliki Spanos who have enjoyed their Leave in Term 1.  

As per the communications last term to parents, the following staff will be enjoying their Long Service Leave in Term 2: Mrs Jenny De Nardis, Miss Megan Vu, Ms Asuko Okumura, Ms Mary-Anne Keratiotis and Ms Vanessa Jackson-McRae (two weeks only). 

I also welcome this week new St Catherine’s staff members who will be replacing the staff whilst on LSL: Ms Genevieve Taberner in the Science and Mathematics Faculties, Mr John Snell in the Science Faculty, and Ms Ruby Gilson will be commencing as the Art Technician. 

Commencing in additional roles, Ms Vasiliki Spanos will commence as the Head of Year 10, Ms Gillian Hosking and Mrs Lisa Gionfriddo will share the role as Acting Heads of English and Ms Michie Yamada will be teaching Japanese classes.