ST CATHERINE’S OLD GIRLS’ UNION 21
Community and connection
St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Union
At the Jane Barker Luncheon, there was an exciting update about the Jane Barker Hall, writes Old Girls’ Union President, Mrs Cathy Ridge (Ward, STC1983).
At the Luncheon, over 60 Old Girls watched a video and heard from Headmistress Ms Deb Magill about the plans to transform the Jane
having her at our theatre parties and functions, and I think for Anne this was an important way of keeping in contact with St Cath’s, a place that meant so much to her for a large part of her life. There were many St Cath’s teachers and Old Girls who attended Anne’s funeral, and more than 100 people connected to St Cath’s (past and present staff, Old Girls, and parents of girls that Anne taught) came to a memorial service at the school conducted by our previous Chaplain. Rev Kimberley Sawyer. It was a beautiful tribute to Anne and the effect that Anne had – not just on learning but also on the lives of the girls she taught and the teachers she taught with. This year, we were also saddened by the passing of some very loved teachers at St Cath’s. When we share this sad news with our Old Girls network, we always receive lots of responses from Old Girls sharing their memories and the impact these staff had on the girls they taught. Miss Anne Ruprecht taught History and Geography at St Catherine’s from 1956-1973. Many Old Girls remember her as firm and slightly formidable but also kind and caring, and someone who believed in the potential of every student. Mrs Ivy Luscombe taught Home Economics from 1962 to 1982 and played an instrumental role in the design of the new Home Science centre in 1977. Her daughters Betty, Desley and granddaughter Catherine also attended St Cath’s. She continued to live in Waverley after retiring and lived to 103!! Mrs Luscombe had very particular rules around her cooking and safety in the kitchen that many girls still remember today. “Hot toffee coming through” has been mentioned fondly by many, and I am still using Mrs Luscombe’s Caramel Slice recipe after 40 years, which is always a hit at family functions and Old Girls events. Looking ahead As we head towards the end of the School’s 170th Anniversary, we hope that many Old Girls will be able to make either the Magnolia Fair and Back to St Cath’s Day on Saturday 5 September or the Old Girls end-of- year function which will be High Tea at Vaucluse House on Saturday 14 November.
Barker Hall into a new Senior School Research Centre. This was the first look at what the new library might look like, and all the Old Girls in attendance were amazed at how beautiful the new space was and recognised this as a great way to re-use a building that was remembered fondly as the centre of the school for so many years. After lunch, I reminisced with the Old Girls about the importance of the Jane Barker Hall to the school and its variety of uses over the last 60 years. Morning assemblies, PE classes, choir practices and exams were the regular uses during the school days. After hours, the hall was also busy with P&F functions, school plays, Clubs and Choirs evenings and, at the end of each year, Speech Day. The Jane Barker Hall was at the heart of the school. School Archivist, Mrs Evangeline Galettis OAM (Barris, STC1969), then spoke about the fundraising campaign in 1958 for the Hall. Old Girls and parents joined with Miss Patterson and the school community to raise the money required to build what was an architecturally significant building at the time. We then presented Deb with a donation of $10,000 from the Old Girls’ Union towards the project. At the AGM the following day, the Old Girls’ Union announced we would continue our donations to the Faith Patterson Scholarship with a gift of another $5,000. The Old Girls’ Union are committed to assisting the Faith Patterson Scholarship, which provides tuition for girls who would otherwise not have been able to attend St Catherine’s, as specified in the endowment. Remembering cherished teachers In September last year, we heard the very sad news that Anne Robinson, who had been a member of staff in the Junior School for more than 35 years (as a teacher and Deputy Head of the Junior School), had passed away. She was a very special teacher – someone who girls will always remember. After her retirement, Anne joined the Old Girls’ Union as an honorary member. We loved
Mrs Cathy Ridge (Ward, STC1983) Old Girls’ Union President
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