Over the weekend, St Catherine’s Old Girls Association (SCOGA) welcomed over 300 Old Girls back through the Heyington Gates, providing them with the perfect opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories together. We brought together pre-1970 graduates, milestone cohorts, and House Captains for a fun-filled series of events, celebrating the timeless bond that unites them all.

Evie Joseph, a proud 4th generation St Catherine’s girl, shared a heartfelt letter from her classmate Nina Calvert, a 4th generation St Catherine’s girl. Nina’s inspiring words launched our ‘Golden Pen Pals’ initiative, a letter exchange between current Year 7 students and graduates from pre-1970, an initiative sparking conversations and building meaningful connections across generations.

Across the two days, Principal Natalie Charles addressed the multiple generations of St Catherine’s women. She shared with them that on Foundation Day, she was gifted a light blue pot filled with soil from the School’s original site in Castlemaine by President of SCOGA, Anna Foley. It now sits on the mantel piece in the Principal’s study as a constant reminder of our genesis story and roots. SCOGA also gifted Natalie 14 golden gleam roses, acknowledging her as the 14th Principal of St Catherine’s, a significant moment in the relationship between Natalie and the wider St Catherine’s community.

Whether it’s been 5 years or 55 since graduation, one thing is clear: the connections among our Old Girls remain as strong as ever. This enduring sense of community is the cornerstone of St Catherine’s School.