Final Eucharist in Performing Arts Centre

College News

Foundation student reflects on 'end of an era'

ON 20 May 2010, 17 years since she attended her first Eucharist in the Performing Arts Centre as a Foundation student of the College, Sonia Johnson (nee Reed) reminisced as the final College Eucharist was held in the PA Centre. This time she was attending as a member of the All Saints' Board of Management and Old Saints' Committee.

"I remember the first Eucharist held in the PA Centre when I was in Year 10. The building seemed so big and cold at the time, we were lucky to fill half of the centre with students, teachers and parents/' Sonia said. "My most vivid memory is singing my favourite hymn, For All The Saints. Reverend Mclntyre would ask us to sing loudly so he could hear us, and my fellow students would look at me as I sang loud and proud/' she said. As a student, Sonia not only attended Eucharists in the PA Centre, but also Assemblies, Examinations, Art Exhibitions, Drama performances, Dance and Sports events, as well as her Graduation Dinner.

For Sonia, the most notable difference between the first and final Eucharists held in the PA Centre, was the number of people sitting on seats. "Sure, the number of students, teachers and parents had increased by hundreds, but that seemed to be where it ended/' Sonia said. "It felt like time hadn't changed as Father Braden stood up and asked us to sing loudly so he could hear For All The Saints in the PA Centre for the last time." Feeling right 'at home' with her favourite song, Sonia once again sang loud and proud, and the students standing nearby looked across at her. "Much to my horror, time does change things! The words to my favourite song had been altered/' Sonia said.

That aside, Sonia felt honoured to attend the first and final Eucharists held in the Performing Arts Centre. "It is sad to see the end of an era, but exciting to be part of a new one as the College Eucharists and Assemblies move into the newly constructed Indoor Sports Centre."

Sonio Johnson (nee Reed)

Foundation student; 1981 Student Executive Council; 1985 Former Students' Association/ Old Saints' Committee; 2002 - present Board Member; 2007 - present