6 GENERATIONS
As always, we were delighted to welcome our generational families to afternoon tea on the Cloisters Lawn for Foundation Day. This year’s gathering felt particularly special as we came together to mark 170 years of St Catherine’s. CELEBRATING WITH OUR GENERATIONS
“ I had such happy times
Back in 1996, St Catherine’s looked a little different as Sneha Balakrishnan (STC2001) stood on the lawn looking up at a towering metal structure as students and staff prepared for the school’s 140th anniversary photograph. At the time, she could not have imagined that years later her own daughter would stand in the very same place, preparing to be part of another milestone photograph as St Catherine’s celebrates 170 years in 2026. “My daughter’s experience today is obviously a little different,” Sneha said, “but it’s so special that she is here for a major milestone, just as I was. I had such happy times at St Cath’s, and it means a lot to be able to give my daughter that same opportunity.” Sneha was not alone in having experienced a previous milestone celebration at St Cath’s. Anna Durbin (Confos, STC1989) recalled being at the school when the 1978
time capsule was created. “I also remember that for the fête that year, my mum collected all these big biscuit tins. She must have had a hundred of them. She painted them all maroon and then carefully painted the crest on each one in gold. She was an amazing artist. I can still picture them lined up around the house, and me trudging past saying, ‘God, Mum, what are you doing?’” While Anna won’t be volunteering to paint biscuit tins at this year’s Magnolia Fair, she is thrilled that her family will once again be part of a milestone celebration at St Cath’s, with her daughter Mariska now in Year 10. “It’s just so exciting,” she said. “There’s one word that always comes to mind when I think about this school: joy. There’s so much fun here, and I’m so glad my daughter gets to be part of that.” Anna also shared her hopes for the next 170 years of the school, adding that “I feel
at St Cath’s, and it means a lot to be able to give my daughter that same opportunity.
Sneha Balakrishnan (STC2001)
like I’m looking into the future when I stand here and see all the possibilities for our girls. So much has changed and developed since my time at the school, and I can only see that continuing.” But while the school will no doubt continue to evolve, some things will always endure, as David Adkins (STC1988) aptly reflected: “Buildings will come and go, but the spirit of this school will remain and be passed on.”
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