It is with a deep sense of gratitude and nostalgia that I write in The Blue Ribbon today following the announcement of my departure from St Catherine’s School by our Chair of School Council, Ms Jane Hodder.  

The privilege of leading St Catherine’s School has been both an honour and a joy. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support and commitment of the entire School community.  

Together, I believe we have developed a culture of excellence, compassion, and inclusivity that I am immensely proud of.  

My decision to step into the next phase of my professional career comes with a sense of fulfilment, knowing that our collective efforts have contributed to the growth and development of every St Catherine’s student today, and graduate over the past 10 years.  

I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this community. I look forward to witnessing the continued success and achievements of this remarkable School. 

Celebrating our Class of 2023

Across the first two weeks of Term 4, our Year 12 girls have enjoyed celebrating their journey as St Catherine’s School girls. Such events have included the VCE Art Show, Valedictory Church Service, and their Final Assembly, in addition to attending their final subject lessons and working in close partnerships with teachers through practice exams and the feedback process currently underway.  

Year 12, 2023 Final Assembly

The Valedictory Dinner on Tuesday evening provided our Year 12 graduating class an opportunity to celebrate the power of shared experience, the value of friendship, of achievements made and the excitement that lies ahead. Since January this year, our School Co-Captains, Flora Du and Ava Colosimo, together with the Year 12 Cohort, have ensured for all, an encompassing and united School spirit. This tells a story about the graduating class of 2023 where kindness, cohesiveness, and being together exemplify their approach to leadership this year. 

As a Cohort, the girls find themselves at a unique intersection of time — a moment that calls for reflection of the past, yet a celebration and sense of optimism for what comes next. Life, like a series of interconnected moments, is punctuated by special occasions that define us, shape our memories, and bring us together as a community. 

In our fast-paced lives, it is crucial to pause and recognise the significance of these special moments. Whether it is academic achievements, athletic victories, artistic triumphs, or personal milestones, each of these instances contributes to the rich tapestry of their collective journey. 

Many of the girls will remember the angst of exams, the late-night study sessions that led to success, the victories on the playing field that taught them the value of teamwork, the artistic creations that sparked their imagination, and the personal milestones that led them to believe in who they are – their self-belief. In celebrating these moments, we not only acknowledge their individual accomplishments but also the strengthening bonds that unite us as a School community. 

I hope the girls remember the small moments too. Sharing a conversation with a Year 9 friend about her new electives or offering advice to an overwhelmed Year 7 student. Collectively as a Year 12 Cohort, they share their wisdom and experiences, not just for the past few months, but throughout the years they have spent at St Catherine’s. 

As a Year 12 in 2023, at some point, they have all touched the lives of a blue-ribbon girl, be it a word of advice or a quick smile. I believe there was a girl sitting in our Final Assembly on Monday who was a little bit happier, a little bit smarter, or a little more fearless because of a Year 12 who graduated this week.  

In my capacity as Principal, I find myself contemplating the enduring impressions that our students will retain from their academic journey. Will the 263 days confined by Melbourne’s COVID lockdown fade into obscurity, or will they leave an indelible mark on their recollections? As adults, we acknowledge that this experience has significantly influenced our trajectories, with the imminent commencement of tertiary studies heralding a return to online learning and the prospect of a predominantly hybrid professional landscape. 

I wonder whether the hallowed halls of our School will emerge as the last bastion where these young minds truly feel a sense of belonging, engaging in face-to-face interactions throughout the entirety of the academic week.  

Long after the girls have dashed through the Heyington Gates this week, I encourage them to find some time to think about the friendships forged in the classrooms, the laughter shared during lunch breaks, and the collaborative spirit that fuelled group projects. These are the moments that have not only shaped their academic journey but also laid the foundations for the lifelong connections they have as St Catherine’s girls.