ST CATHERINE’S SCHOOL MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / 2024
CELEBRATING OLD GIRLS
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / WELCOME
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To our many new beginnings
Our school’s purpose is to develop young women of character and intellect dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to the world, and our alumni at St Catherine’s are an important part of this mission.
It has been exciting to welcome many Old Girls back to campus to share their stories. They inspire our current students with their passion and drive as they journey through the complexities of balancing their careers with relationships and family. The highlight of the year has been the Jane Barker Luncheon where those who have graduated 50 years ago or more gather to share memories with current students and each other. Favourite teachers are remembered as are the Boarding House pranks and early morning cold swims. The conversations flowed easily and the bond of friendships shone brightly. This year, we shared the Indigenous Scholarship program with our alumni, who are very supportive of the initiative. This program, coupled with the Faith Patterson Scholarship, provide opportunities for girls to attend St Catherine’s who otherwise may not have been able to. Following this event, the Old Girls’ Union donated a handsome sum to the Faith Patterson Scholarship. Our Foundation Day celebration was held on 4 March with a special assembly held for all students from Kindy through to Year 12. Our speakers were from a third generation family who shared their journey over six decades of connection with the school. Mrs Charne Hamer (STC1965), showed photos and spoke of life at school in the 1950s and 1960s after her father helped build part of the school. Her daughter, Mrs Brooke Copland (Hickman, STC1994), followed with stories about her time at St Catherine’s as she introduced her
daughter, Stella C, who is in Year 8. We are proud to have multi-generational families connected to St Catherine’s. The Old Girls presence at the Magnolia Fair was much appreciated. This event helps bond our community, and the involvement of our alumni is cherished by all who attend. Their delicious Devonshire tea and scones were served in the Magnolia Room, which became a popular place to relax and shelter from the rainy weather. It was wonderful to have their support and contribution for this community event. This year, we held an inspiring careers night where over 15 Old Girls came to talk to students about their careers in business and finance, health and medicine, STEM design, media, international studies and the arts. Parents and their daughters learned of new possibilities and career paths and the skills required to succeed. The evening was an excellent networking opportunity and we thank the alumni who came to share the event with our older students. We are thankful for those who have gone before us at St Catherine’s. As the oldest Anglican girls’ school in Australia, we are blessed with a rich history of graduates and their families. We are keen to connect with Old Girls and past parents to continue building our community. The relationships we share should be preserved and celebrated as we move forward. As we build on our past parent communications and activities, we hope you will join us for some upcoming events.
Mrs Judith Poole Headmistress
4 MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / JANE BARKER LUNCHEON
A LUNCH FOR THE AGES Now in its 12th year, the Jane Barker Luncheon
FAMILY TIES
a part of the school,” she said. Linda also fondly remembered participating in Clubs and Choirs, a beloved St Catherine’s tradition that began in 1963. She recalled being the conductor for her house in her final year of school where they performed Cabaret , which was one of her favourite St Cath’s memories. She was delighted to learn that this event, run by the girls and for the girls, continues to this day. But what resonated with her most was St Cath’s passion for girls’ education. “The school had a real zeal for women’s education. You took it for granted at the time but other schools weren’t like that. All of us left St Catherine’s thinking we could do anything. It was such a gift,” she said. As per tradition, our Year 4 students acted as ushers on the day, welcoming our alumni at the gates before guiding them into the Multi-purpose Hall for lunch. The Year 4 girls could barely contain their excitement chatting with our alumni, bursting with questions about Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (STC1943) and swimming lessons at Bronte Baths. One student was fascinated by the prospect of one day attending this luncheon herself, where she hoped hot dogs would be on the menu. The Year 4 students also kindly helped present our Magnolia pins to the Class of 1974, to officially welcome them into the Jane Barker Luncheon for the first time. We can’t wait to catch up with everyone again at next year’s event!
“The stories you tell keep our mission alive.” This was how Headmistress Judith Poole began her address to alumni at this year’s luncheon, where we welcomed back over 70 alumni from the Classes of 1954 to 1974. As our alumni settled in for lunch, the stories of St Catherine’s began to flow, aided by a series of special interviews by our Year 9 students. The girls, all daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls, interviewed alumni about their time at school. It was especially fascinating to hear about their favourite teachers, including Ms Ruprecht, Ms Stephens and Ms Parker. Josephine Hanney (Makim, STC1968) was one of many to share that she had loved being a boarder. “In the boarding school, you were all staying together so you were more family than even family because you saw each other through the thick and the thin. I loved being a boarder,” she said. Lucy Churchill (Boddington, STC1974) remembered starting her first day of school feeling like a fish out of water because she wasn’t in proper uniform. At the time, St Catherine’s was in the process of changing their uniforms, so Lucy had to make do with her old Claremont attire. But all nerves about being dressed differently vanished when she was reunited with a childhood friend, Margaret Gardiner (STC1974) who made her feel at home. Linda D’Bras (STC1974) also recalled being put at ease when she started St Catherine’s after moving from Singapore. “The amazing thing was the way the girls included me and went out of their way to make me feel welcomes back our alumni who graduated from St Catherine’s School 50 years ago or more.
Jeannette Collins Pope (STC1974) was thrilled to attend this year’s event with her beloved granddaughter Coco L (Year 9). Jeannette said it was “one of the most special days of my life,” and felt blessed that Coco was studying at St Cath’s just as she had done 50 years ago. “In a sense, she has given me the chance to relieve my school days all over again. I have watched her grow and flourish here and I am sure she is in the right place, just like I was.” For Coco, it was a priceless opportunity to hear about her grandmother’s school days. “It was really nice to learn about all her special experiences from her time here and how they were similar to mine,” she said.
SCAN FOR THEIR STORY Want to see more of this
PART OF HER STORY
wonderful event? Scan to view more.
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / 2024
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6 MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / OLD GIRL STAFF
NO PLACE LIKE HOME Each year, girls continue to return to us as staff. Let’s hear from just a few Old Girls who have returned to St Cath’s.
Angeliki Caredes (Macarounas, STC1997) Junior School Teacher | Stage 2 Leader 1997
St Catherine’s was always the place Angeliki wanted to work. Aside from her fond memories of performing in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, she also admired our teaching philosophy. During her university years, she even visited the school to learn about innovative teaching practices in the Junior School. “I still pinch myself that I am lucky enough to work here! I beam with pride when I see my students embracing being a St Cath’s girl,” Angeliki said.
2013
Stephanie Fraser (Ng, STC2013) Assistant Chaplain | Biblical Studies
When Stephanie returned to St Catherine’s to join the chaplaincy team, she found herself teaching in the same classrooms where she had once been a student. She even worked alongside some of her former teachers. “There’s something nice about the familiarity of that,” she said. “I loved my teachers at school and am so aware of the ways they shaped me. There is something really lovely about being back and being part of something that helped me in so many ways.”
“ There is something special about being a St Cath’s girl. It’s like an unspoken bond that we all have.
2001
Elke Thackeray (Sutcliffe, STC2001) Enrolments Coordinator Elke never imagined working at St Catherine’s, but she feels fortunate to be able to share the school’s legacy with the next generation. Elke enjoys explaining to prospective families the impact St Cath’s has had on her. “We are more than just a school. The experiences you have here follow you throughout life,” she said, adding that the “lifelong friendships, opportunities and networks”, she gained by being part of the St Cath’s community, have completely changed her life.
Elke Thackeray (Sutcliffe, STC2001)
57 YEARS AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE
“ I loved boarding as a student and try to replicate that positive experience with our boarders now.
2019
Nicolette Walker (STC2019)
As a former student, past parent and current staff member, Evangeline Galettis OAM has an unparalleled connection to life at St Catherine’s. Evangeline came to St Catherine’s as a student for her final years of schooling, leaving as a member of the Class of 1969. She was immediately welcomed by the girls in her year, who invited her to sit with them at lunchtime. “They showed me around the school and were very, very caring,” Evangeline recalled. “The friends that I have today are the friends that I met on that very first day.” In 1973, Evangeline became an OGU Committee member, eventually serving as OGU Treasurer, Vice President and President. After training as a teacher, she returned to St Catherine’s as a staff member, teaching in the Junior School from 1988 while her three daughters Anastaisa (STC1993), Helene (STC1997) and Katherine (STC2001) attended the school. In 1996, Evangeline took on her current role as the School Archivist and established the School Museum. She is passionate about sharing our history with current students, alumni and the wider community. In her six-decade association with the school, Evangeline has observed changes in curriculum, facilities and uniforms. “We’ve moved with the times, and that is a really wonderful thing. But there is one thing that has never changed – we are still the same, caring inclusive school.”
Nicolette Walker (STC2019) Boarding House Coordinator
What was meant to be a tutoring job after graduation quickly turned into a full-time live-in role in the Boarding House – and Nicolette couldn’t be happier. “I can’t imagine working in another school, working in another place without the knowledge and experience I have from being a girl here,” she said. A boarder during her time at school, Nicolette feels uniquely positioned to assist our current boarding students. She is passionate about building a strong
boarding community. “In boarding, I love that everyone comes from so many different areas, but we are all here working together to better ourselves in our own ways.”
2018
Sienna White (STC2018) Aquatic Services Reception Coordinator One of Sienna’s favourite memories from St Cath’s is the cherished IGSA Swimming Carnival tradition where the team captain presents each swimmer with a flower. “It brings everyone together, but I didn’t think it happened anymore,” she said. However, when Sienna joined our Aquatics team in 2022 with the opening of the new Performing Arts & Aquatic Centre, she was thrilled to see the tradition alive and well. “When I saw the girls with their flowers at the IGSA Carnival, I couldn’t believe it! It’s really cool that they still do this every single year,” she added.
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MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / 2024
Above from left to right: Charne Hamer (STC1965), Brooke Copland (Hickman, STC1994) and Stella C (Year 8).
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / GENERATIONS
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PASSING ON THE TORCH
Charne Hamer (STC1965), Brooke Copland (Hickman, STC1994) and Stella C (Year 8) have carried the St Cath’s spirit over three generations.
In the early 1950s, a Sydney builder took a job at a school overlooking the water in Waverley. What was meant to be a couple of months’ work ended up reshaping the future of his entire family. He fell in love with the school and quickly enrolled his daughter
“I felt very nervous that everyone would have forged new friendships and moved on,” Brooke said, “but I remember coming in and seeing a lot of familiar faces. They welcomed me back, and I knew it was all going to be OK very quickly.” Brooke has remained close friends with many of those girls who welcomed her back. “I still compete every Saturday swimming with one of the girls I swam with at school. It’s been 40 years,” she explained, adding that she feels incredibly lucky to still have her school friends in her life. These lifelong friendships are part of the reason Brooke decided to send her own daughter Stella to school at St Catherine’s in 2023. Incredibly, Stella and Brooke actually shared the same art teacher, Mrs Israel, despite attending the school nearly 30 years apart. As Brooke said: “My old classrooms have become Stella’s new classrooms. She’s making new friendships in the same places that I did. Stella is now writing her own St Catherine’s story.”
Charne in the Kindergarten class. She remembers her time at St Catherine’s as being full of joy. “Each year, I was more grateful that I had the opportunity to come to school here because I realised how special it was,” Charne said. When Charne grew up and had a daughter of her own, Brooke, there was no question where she was going to school. Charne recalls feeling nervous about bringing young Brooke into school for an entrance interview with Miss Faith Patterson, Headmistress. “The problem was that she was the same headmistress I had at school. I had sat in that office a few times as a student,” Charne said, “but Brooke was accepted to the school so everything must have been OK.” Brooke attended St Catherine’s for a short time before the family relocated to Queensland. But in Brooke’s final years of schooling, they returned to life at St Catherine’s.
SCAN FOR THEIR STORY Want to hear more of this wonderful family story? Scan to watch the interview.
1965
In 1965, St Catherine’s students enjoyed many of the activities that still happen today. Barker had a successful year winning Clubs and Choirs, the Athletics Carnival and Physical Culture (PC), while Bronte won the Swimming Carnival. A special event took place on Saturday 25 September when the school welcomed alumni and acclaimed soprano, Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (STC1943), to a garden party held in her honour.
PART OF HER STORY
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MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / GENERATIONS
WALK IN MY SHOES
Breakspear (Cardamis, STC1998) aptly said: “The school’s values have remained constant in nurturing girls into truly independent, strong women. That has never changed.” We are already looking forward to bringing our generations together again at Back to St Cath’s Day on Saturday 7 September. afternoon picnic as we celebrate the past, current and future girls of St Cath’s. “ My Mum and my Aunt also went to school here. Growing up, I was told so many stories about St Cath’s that it felt like the school was part of me already. I felt like I already belonged at St Cath’s, even though I only started in Year 7.
have been honoured to see countless families choose to educate successive generations of their daughters with us. Our generational families are a living part of our history, with their stories illustrating the profound impact St Catherine’s has had on so many lives. As Community Relations Manager, Mrs Meagan Sharpe (Mclachlan, STC2003) says: “Through our generations, we continue to nurture and build our strong community of women and help to continue the legacies, traditions and stories of St Cath’s, which have been passed on from the women before us.” Each year, we bring our generational families together to foster connections and share stories. At this year’s afternoon tea, it was inspiring to hear a wide range of experiences spanning generations. From riding the tram to school and playing with toys in Mrs Seally’s class to covertly picking flowers from the magnolia tree, St Catherine’s has been part of so many special stories. But what resonated most was the enduring constants of life at St Cath’s. Regardless of their graduation year, our alumni spoke about lifelong friendships and the sense of belonging to a sisterhood, celebrating academic and sporting triumphs together and steadfastly supporting each other through challenging times. As alumni and current parent Nicola
On Foundation Day, we were delighted to welcome our generational families to afternoon tea on the Cloisters Lawn.
In the soft autumn sunshine, our generational families gathered on the historic Cloisters Lawn to celebrate 168 years of St Catherine’s for Foundation Day. Since our inception, we have been a school for families. This began with some of our earliest students, the Gunther sisters, who arrived at our newly founded school overlooking the ocean back in 1856. As they were welcomed into the fold at St Catherine’s, little did the sisters know that they were beginning a legacy that would continue for over a century and a half. Since then, we
Georgia B (Year 9)
“ The school’s values have remained constant in nurturing girls into truly independent women.
Nicola Breakspear (Cardamis, STC1998)
Above from left to right: Lyndall Stewart (STC1989), Hannah Collins (STC2020), Helen Deegan (STC1985) and Juliet Grant (STC1986).
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / CAREERS
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MAKING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
For four St Cath’s alumni, a seed planted by their Geography teachers grew into a career path that ultimately brought them back together. “What on earth is that?” was Helen Deegan’s (STC1985) response when her Geography teacher, Mrs Murphy, suggested she consider studying town planning. As a Year 12 student, Helen was determined to go to university but unsure of what to study. However, Mrs Murphy’s suggestion stuck with her, and at her first university open day, Helen headed straight for the town planning faculty. “As I listened to them talk, it just started to make sense. I had found my niche, and I don’t think I would have ever done that without Mrs Murphy. St Catherine’s made me a better person and gave me a life I never would have had at another school. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone to St Cath’s. I would have been on a very different journey,” Helen said. Thanks to Mrs Murphy and St Cath’s, Helen found her place in the world. She had happily settled into her town planning course at the University of New South Wales, when she was joined by a fellow St Cath’s alumni, Juliet Grant (STC1986). Juliet had also been in Mrs Murphy’s Geography class and had developed a love for the subject. “She was the most amazing, passionate teacher and educator. She empowered us and inspired us to do better,” Juliet recalled. So when Mrs Murphy suggested town planning, Juliet immediately took her advice. “There was never any doubt — if you wanted to go to university, you could. The school environment nurtured you to be able to do that.” Remarkably, over 20 years after Helen and
lunchtime and taught me to read until I caught up with everyone else. Without that nurturing from Ms Halliday, my life would have looked very different,” she said. Her sentiments were echoed by Lyndall Stewart (STC1989), who recalled joining the school on a scholarship in Year 7 and immediately feeling encouraged academically by her teachers. “It’s always been a very nurturing environment that pushed me to achieve the best I possibly could. I don’t know where I would have ended up if I hadn’t been there.” But Lyndall ended up exactly where she was meant to be, working with the three other St Cath’s girls. Juliet was the first to join Gyde Consulting team, and six years ago, she was thrilled to welcome Helen into the fold. Lyndall followed shortly after, having worked with Helen as part of the St Catherine’s Foundation. When Gyde needed someone to support their board, “I knew her diligence would be a good match, and she was the best candidate,” Helen added. Hannah joined the team during her placement year at university. “We’re always excited when we come across student town planners from St Cath’s.”
Juliet graduated, another St Cath’s alumni, Hannah Collins (STC2020), joined them in the field of town planning. Although Mrs Murphy had long retired, it was another Geography teacher who guided her there. “I actually discovered town planning through my Year 12 Geography teacher, Mrs. Herbert,” Hannah explained. “She suggested I try planning because I had no idea what I wanted to do. I gave it a go, and now I’m loving it.” Unsurprisingly, the three women are passionate about encouraging the next generation of St Cath’s students to consider a career in urban and town planning. “It’s a profession that adds value to our communities. It isn’t just sitting behind a desk; it offers great variety and diversity,” Helen said. “If any current students are interested, we’re always happy to have a chat with a St Cath’s girl.” Although Helen, Juliet and Hannah left St Cath’s years apart, their memories of the school are strikingly similar — a place that encouraged them to do their best. For Juliet, one memory stands out from her early days at St Cath’s. “When I started in Year 1, I couldn’t read, and everyone else could. So, my teacher, Ms Halliday, sat with me under a tree at
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ATTENDING ST CATH’S PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING EVENTS? Scan the QR code to register or email events@stcaths.nsw.edu.au.
CAREERS START HERE
GIANT SHOULDERS TO STAND ON
St Cath’s girls old and new had a wonderful time sharing stories and learning from each other at this year’s Jane Barker Luncheon. At this year’s luncheon, students from Year 9, themselves the daughters and granddaughters of Old Girls, had the opportunity to interview our alumni about their time at school. This incredible learning experience brought the past to life for the girls, as our alumni shared memories of everything from maypole dancing on our birthday to finding a shark in the Bronte Baths and taking ballroom dancing lessons with boys from local schools. For Ellie M (Year 9), these stories had a personal connection, as many of the Old Girls attended school with her great aunt, Sarah: “My favourite thing was hearing all the stories about her. She used to sneak out to see her now-husband and was a bit of a troublemaker. Considering the fact that she is now so polite and sensible, it was a bit of a surprise.” Our Year 9 students left the event feeling grateful to our alumni for sharing their stories and with a renewed appreciation for our long history.
Each year, we host a series of Career Conversations sessions where our current Year 12 students learn from our returning alumni.
offering networking advice for university. The discussions are frank and realistic, allowing students to gain valuable insights from women who have been in their shoes. “The Career Conversations events are a great opportunity for our alumni to come back to St Cath’s and connect with our current students,” Mrs Meagan Sharpe (Mclachlan, STC2003), Community Relations Manager, said. She noted the consistently positive response from both alumni and current students after each event. “It is incredible that our alumni get to play a role in helping our Year 12s begin to plan what their lives post-St Cath’s will look like,” she added. Our Tertiary Adviser, Ms Ramona Lobo, has seen this firsthand. “These sessions let our Year 12 students hear directly from recent graduates, making the advice more relatable and impactful. Students get great ideas about potential jobs, learn how career paths can change and can ask about the challenges and steps needed to reach their career goals,” she said.
Over the years, generations of our girls have brought positive change to the world with empathy, humility and drive. As our current Year 12 students prepare to join this legacy, our Careers Conversations sessions offer them a glimpse into their futures. Each session, themed around a specific industry or career, invites recently graduated alumni to share their personal and professional journeys, helping students plan for life beyond their final year of school. During these sessions, our alumni act as mentors, answering questions, recommending programs to apply for and
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / CAREERS
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Elisabeth Cola (STC2019)
“ I’m not sure I would have had the same opportunities in my career if I didn’t go to school at St Cath’s.
From Orchestra to Softball, Elisabeth immersed herself in as many cocurricular activities as possible during the seven years she spent with us. Through these programs, she discovered numerous passions and hobbies that continue to enrich her life. They also helped Elisabeth build “skills in developing solutions and problem-solving”, which she continues to use in her career. Elisabeth now works in the technology industry after receiving a Co-op Program Scholarship to study software engineering at The University of NSW. She feels especially proud to be able to apply the skills she learned at school to help people transform their businesses using technology.
2017
Harriet Hedger (STC2017)
2019
Joanne Liu (STC2017)
Joanne didn’t set out to find success working in the finance industry. Yet that’s exactly where she is now, working for a management consultancy firm, and she couldn’t be happier. Joanne credits St Catherine’s with giving her the self-belief and drive to succeed in a highly- competitive industry. “I feel really grateful that I went to a school that instilled in me the kind of confidence to back myself,” she said. She also mentioned the friendships she made at St Catherine’s have been an invaluable support network for her in her career and that she couldn’t imagine life without her precious school friends.
Harriet Hedger (STC2017)
Harriet loved doing Legal Studies during her time as a student at St Catherine’s but felt that a career as a lawyer wasn’t the right path for her. But then her class did a unit on criminology and all of the pieces fell into place. Here was a career that would allow her to explore her passion for the law in an active way, helping to shape the future of criminal justice. Harriet spent four years at university studying criminology, including an honours year where she did a thesis on prison officers working in youth detention. Harriet was then accepted into a government graduate program before moving into a role in justice. She now works in criminal justice policy reform for the ACT Government. “I work as a policy offer helping the government decide what they want to do and which policies they want to run in the areas of justice,” she explained, adding that, “I’m not sure I would have had the same opportunities in my career if I didn’t go to school at St Cath’s. It showed me what was possible.”
“ I feel really grateful that I went to a school that instilled in me the kind of confidence to back myself.
2017
Joanne Liu (STC2017)
SCAN TO SHARE YOUR JOURNEY St Cath’s is looking for Old Girls who wish to inspire the next generation of professional’s at one of our Year 12 career talks.
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / STCOGU
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THERE’S A LOT TO BE PROUD OF
The St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Union (OGU) was first established in 1898. Apart from a brief period of seven years after World War I, the Union has been operating continuously since 1924.
some historical interest such as sports banners, honour boards and the magnolia tree panels in the new building. Additionally, OGU have recently donated money to the Scholarship Fund and the Building Fund. The Old Girls’ Union holds an end-of-year function around St Catherine’s Day each year and assists the Old Girls Year Representatives and the school to organise reunions throughout the year for individual year groups. The OGU also host the Devonshire Tea at the Magnolia Fair – which is always a great place for Old Girls and other fairgoers to sit and catch up over a cup of tea and freshly baked scones (particularly popular this year with the weather conditions). We have an active committee who work hard all of this happen, and this year was a resounding success, selling over 300 afternoon teas on the day. The OGU also has a representative on the School Council and the Foundation. They are important members of these committees as they offer a different perspective to each of these organisations – a knowledge of the history of how the school has operated in the past as well as a deep understanding of the alumni community and what matters to them. There have been many wonderful Old Girls who have generously given their time and expertise to the running of the OGU over more than 100 years ensuring that the Union will continue to grow with future generations.
Its purpose, as stated in the amended Constitution of 1938, is “To provide means whereby past pupils … may be brought together for the purposes of mutual friendship and to foster any movements social or otherwise for the benefit of the school.” The current objectives of the OGU are still similar today: to keep Old Girls in touch with the school and with each other, to maintain the traditions of the school and its heritage and to organise social functions such as reunions pertaining to the welfare of the Union and its members. The OGU hold social events during the year as a way of connecting our Old Girls from various years and also to assist in fundraising. In 2023, we took a theatre party to Tina the Musical and a ‘Sip and Paint’ art class – both of which were lots of fun. This year, a small group went to see Death of a Salesman and we have a cooking class and another theatre party to Sister Act planned later in the year. The money that is raised from these activities is used to purchase items for the school, generally with
SCAN FOR THE OGU EXECUTIVE In March 2024, the OGU confirmed their executive committee at their AGM.
EVENTS Throughout the year there are several opportunities for our alumni to come together and celebrate. Whether it’s your class reunion, attending our guest speakers’ sessions at the International Women’s Day and Old Girls Career Luncheons, celebrating generational families or joining us for the 10 Years Out and Under social evening, we would love to see you. For more information, email us at alumni@stcatherines.nsw.edu.au.
2024 Class Reunions
2025 Old Girls Events
10 Years Out and Under Saturday 29 March Evening on the lawn Old Girls Careers Lunch Friday 1 August Lunch and talk in the MPH Back to St Cath’s Day Saturday 6 September Afternoon on the lawn
Five Year Reunion Saturday 12 October 10 Year Reunion Friday 8 November 30 Year Reunion Saturday 16 November 40 Year Reunion Saturday 23 November
Jane Barker Luncheon Tuesday 4 March 50 year+ celebration International Women’s Day Luncheon Friday 7 March Lunch and talk in the MPH
OGU AGM & Chapel Saturday 1 March
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MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / CAREERS
MAGNOLIA MAGAZINE / VALETE
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VALETE St Catherine’s School extends its sincere sympathies to the families of our Old Girls and staff who have passed away.
Dorothy Pollard (Lyons, STC1963) We were sad to hear of the passing of Dorothy Pollard (nee Lyons). Dorothy was a keen member of the school Athletics team and was Prefect in 1963. Dorothy was the daughter of Old Girl Marjorie Inman (STC1927) and a valued member of the OGU. Bottom left photo: 1963 prefects (4th on left)
Ann Smith (Riley, STC1953) Ann Smith’s daughter Megan informed us of the death of her mother in October 2023. Ann was a student at St Catherine’s from 1949 to 1953. During this time, she was a keen sportswoman and was particularly proud to be Casterton House Captain. Anne valued her time at the school and made many connections which she maintained throughout her life. She always spoke of her time at St Catherine’s with great pride and fondness. Ann cherished her relationships with friends and family, always prioritising her role as wife to Arthur, mother to five children, grandmother to eleven grandchildren and friend to many. With thanks to Ann’s daughter Megan for her contribution to this tribute. Photo supplied from family.
Helen Lumby (STC1970) Helen Lumby was Prefect and Captain of Bronte House in 1970. Helen was a keen swimmer and her father Mr N Lumby acted as Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for construction of the original swimming pool which opened in 1971. Always known for her kindness and care, Helen will be missed and we extend our condolences to Helen’s sister Rita McWilliam (STC1965). Photo: Wendy Clark, Rita McWilliam and Helen Lumby at the 150th Anniversary Celebration Dinner hosted by the OGU. Our St Catherine’s community further extends its condolences to the families of these Old Girls. Carole Imrie (Young, STC1955) Patricia Cassidy (Goodsir, STC1952) Catherine Danzey (STC1980) Phyllis Ridley (Heggaton, STC1948)
Wendy Foster (Clark, STC1965) During her years as a boarder at St Catherine’s, Wendy forged invaluable friendships with her classmates that lasted until her death in February 2024. Appointed as the OGU year rep, Wendy kept in touch with her peers and maintained her strong association with the school, often hosting and welcoming staff when they would visit Gunnedah for AgQuip Field Days. A Prefect in 1965, Wendy and her fellow prefects recreated their group photo with former Headmistress Miss Patterson at the Class of 1965’s 35th reunion in 2000. Top photo: 1965 prefects and bottom photo: 2000 recreation (Wendy, far right).
St Catherine’s School www.stcatherines.nsw.edu.au stcaths@stcaths.nsw.edu.au 26 Albion Street Waverley NSW 2024 Australia
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