It is a pleasure and a privilege to be writing to you from Sherren House, having just completed my first “formal” week as Principal of this great School. Like me, you each have your own story of how you came to be a member of the St Catherine’s school community and I have been fortunate to hear these stories over the last couple of days. Some have come from half a world away to be here – China, Japan, Taiwan, England and Buffalo immediately come to mind; for others from cities like Euroa, Shepparton, Wagga and Benalla it has been a day’s drive. For some it has been six years in Barbreck and a short stroll up St Catherine’s Walk whilst for others, last Monday was their first time through those majestic Heyington Gates – the “handsomest gates in the metropolis”! 

Wherever you have come from, and whatever your story, you have made such an impression on me in a very short space of time, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the warmth of your welcome. And it made me think of a book I read over a decade ago, written by Mr Tony Little, ex-Headmaster of Eton and entitled, An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Education. Eton, was founded by King Henry VI in 1440 and lies just across the river Thames from the pretty Berkshire town of Windsor; most famous for its royal castle. The School boasts 19 Prime Ministers amongst its alumni; flagship facilities and outstanding academic results. But Mr. Little’s advice to parents when looking to decide on a school for their children was to ignore the prospectus (where such illustrious highlights would be listed) and instead to take a walk through the school grounds where they were to make the following observations.  

Is the school’s culture founded on relationships? Is eye contact good when you walk around the grounds? Are people smiling? Do teachers greet each other readily and warmly?  

According to Mr Little, what really matters in a school when you take away the structures and systems and rules that give a necessary shape to communal lives are the people and the quality of their relationships. Beyond exceptional results, sweeping green playing fields and famous alumni, he was encouraging parents above all, to pay attention to the nature of the community.  

And of course, that had me thinking about this community and what it has revealed of itself, without necessarily saying a word over the last week.  

And the first thing that came to mind was the energy that has charged through the school like a river upon the return of our students from holidays; 

The genuine pride and delight with which the Year 12 girls received their blue jumpers on their Leadership Retreat at Ormond College, and the way their teachers were quietly moved to tears by the moment; 

The time-honoured tradition of older girls carrying the bags and books of younger ones on the first day back; 

The love parents have for the school, reflected in their record attendance at breakfasts and morning teas over the last couple of days – they want their children to have the best start possible and know that the partnership between home and school is central to this. 

The clear affection, respect and care the girls have for their teachers and their teachers for them (a teacher new to the Senior School found herself presented with a not insignificant cake on the occasion of her birthday last week, having been their teacher for a mere three days!) 

The exceptional collective efforts of the Heyington Club to ensure the success of the inaugural St Catherine’s Regatta on Saturday – an event which exceeded all expectations. 

The number of named buildings throughout the campus which speaks to trust and engagement and a powerful sense of community – there are a lot of people across many decades who care deeply about St Catherine’s.  

The generosity of SCOGA in gifting me a light blue pot filled to bursting with soil sourced from our original school site in Castlemaine. 

The maturity and manners shown by the Preps on their fourth day of school when I went down to read to them and the lovely manner with which they greeted me and carefully listened along to the story… 

In short, it is clear to me that one of the greatest strengths of this great school, lies in the quality of the relationships that are actively nurtured on a daily basis by all who walk (or have walked) through the Heyington Gates, and this is both a responsibility and a privilege as the Year 7s know only too well, from their Induction and Oath, last week.  

And I will spend the rest of my time here, watching, listening and learning so that I too, can nurture and protect the spirit of the gold and blue. 

Nil magnum nisi bonum