Issue 105
Julie Jorritsma
Coming ‘home’ This year marked my return to my alma mater, the school that helped shape me into the woman that I am today; where green became part of my colour scheme for life and where I learned that to be a fearless female is admired and encouraged. I returned not as an interested alumna but as the Head of Senior School. I graduated in 1996, after eight happy years at the School. Encouraged by my parents, particularly my mum, who was determined to give my sister and I a good education, we thrived on being inspired, challenged and given the freedom to be ourselves. My dad ran the Hot Dog stall at the Fete every year, and I was so proud of him for doing that; parent commitment is integral to making the school community come alive.
My experience at CGGS was life-forming, it provided me with the foundation of who I am today. My parents were excellent parents and gave me the solid base of manners, values and ethics, which were complemented by the education I received at CCGS (CCEGGS in those days). The opportunities afforded to students at CGGS are fantastic and they have only improved since I was a student at the School. Being a girl at an all-girls school allowed me to be myself and go through the awkward challenges of adolescence without the added pressure of being around boys. In classrooms, it allows for your voice to be heard, where girls step forward and not backwards to allow for the often dominant voices of the boys. An all-girls school allows girls to be the leaders, thrive amongst the sisterhood and to 27
graduate as part of a special collection of women who are always united by their green hearts! I was a netballer and it is probably how most girls of my era would remember me. I was happiest in a green pleated skirt and playing my heart out on a netball court. I played softball in summer but winter was my favourite sport season. Off the sport courts, my friends remember me in the drama productions and always in the fashion parades, including MCing the Textiles Department Fashion Parade, when I was in Year 12. You can see the fruits of my labour in the formal photo included in this article, I made the dress and the bolero (including the hand beading).
