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CELEBRATION SERVICE Barbreck Village Green Thursday 4 February 2021
1901 CARLOTTA HAWKES (’11)
Please stand.
Processional Music Isabelle Musson (Year 12) 2021 School Pianist Please be seated.
Welcome to Country Murrundindi The Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people
Welcome Mrs Michelle Carroll Principal
1953 PLANTING OF THE JUBILEE TREE AT SHERREN HOUSE
History – Sherren House Clementine Newton-Brown (Year 12) – School Co-Captain Daughter of Jane Newton-Brown (Forsyth ’88)
To understand your history is to understand who you are and why. Sherren House was first built in 1858, over 160 years ago. It was described as “one of the finest homes in the Southern hemisphere”. Imagine how grand it must have seemed in 1858 and even more so when its grand entrance gates were built in 1890, the same Heyington gates that welcome us to the Senior School every day. Its first owner, Henry Dauglish, named his impressive new home ‘Beaulieu’, because of its fine views across the Yarra to the hills beyond. Its third owner, Lachlan Mackinnon renamed it ‘Kilbride’ after his birthplace on the Isle of Skye and it was renovated to incorporate the ballroom. In 1922, the School acquired Kilbride through the efforts of its Co-Principals – Ruth Langley and Flora Templeton, and the building has been the centre-piece of the School ever since. In 1968, St Catherine’s renamed it ‘Sherren House’ in recognition of Ruby Sherren. ‘Shen’ (as she was known) had come to the School in Ruth Langley’s time, in 1923, to be matron of the boarders, some of whom were then as young as four years old. She served as Matron from 1923-1946, rising at 5am each day and spending all Sunday in the steam laundry. Sherren House has wrapped its arms around our students for nearly 100 years and has become more than just a name to us. In her 2015 Speech Night address, the St Catherine’s School Captain, Nicola Sitch referred to Sherren House in describing the strength of tradition in our school. She talked of “the hand marks on the walls. The way Sherren House creaks under the weight of 7000 girls past and present. The knowledge that, for almost 120 years, St Catherine’s students have sat together and wondered about the future... our stories are as much a part of its build as the glass and brick. In 10, 20, 30 years’ time, girls will walk through its halls and feel these memories, as we do when we step into the Boarding House or Wintergarden... We will remember that life changing conversation, or teacher and how empowered and loved we felt here.” Sherren House will always be that to us.
1953 ATHLETICS (TOP)
Please stand.
The Ode All – led by: Holly McGlaughlin Choral Music Captain
Sophie Williams Drama Captain
Olivia Grasso Junior School Music Co-Captain
Tiffany Shen Junior School Music Co-Captain
We celebrate our golden past and our future just beginning. Stand and unite, reach for the stars, all our dreams will be fulfilling. Friends we value, those who last, friends from many nations. Leaders we choose, guidance we follow, the future’s in our hands. There is one thread that binds us all, a thread of gold and blue. Spun with creed and spirit true of faith, hope and love. We are not saintly but full of heart, St Catherine’s wheel does us unite. We stand by truth, and aim not to fail in the challenges of life. As we pursue our hopes and dreams on the path that lies before us. Our future’s bright, we’ll reach new heights with St Catherine’s as our guide. Words and Music: H Lovass, E Ng, B Valmorbida and St Catherine’s Year 12 Class of 1996 Please be seated.
1970 ST CATHERINE’S JUNIOR SCHOOL BARBRECK
History – Barbreck Chloe Nash (Year 6) – Junior School Co-Captain Like Sherren House, Barbreck is a much loved building which has been a key part of the heartbeat of our School and a core part of our School community. Barbreck was purchased by the School in 1948 and has gone through two major incarnations since then – in 1972 and in 2017-2018. Built in 1887, the original owner’s grandmother in Scotland was the inspiration for its unusual name. Barbreck is Gaelic for ‘speckled hilltop’, from ‘barr’ meaning hilltop and ‘breac’ meaning ‘speckled’. That it was neither speckled nor on a hilltop didn’t seem to matter. It was overwhelmingly red brick, just like its neighbour Illawarra built two years before it, now our boarding school. Its grand entrance gates were where our Barbreck gates are now, with a small gatehouse. The Anne Smith Avenue that leads up to Barbreck from our current gates today is much straighter than the curved driveway that adorned Barbreck then. The original family sold Barbreck to St Catherine’s in 1948, to hold the kindergarten and Grades 1 and 2. It quickly grew to hold the other primary school year groups. Claudia Driver (Year 6) – Junior School Co-Captain By the early 1970s, Barbreck was more than just tired. It needed a rebuild. At the time, a painting in Sherren House by the artist G F Watts, a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was sent to be cleaned. It was found to be highly valuable. It was taken to London, where it was auctioned bringing a huge price. The proceeds were used to fund the building of the new Barbreck. As there was money left over, the School decided to purchase a new vibrant artwork to hang in Barbreck – a tapestry named ‘The Third Day of the Creation’, one of a very limited number of repeats permitted of the series ‘The Seven Days of the Creation’ which was presented by Australia to the John F Kennedy Memorial in the United States. It still hangs in the school to this day. By 2017-2018, an upgrade of Barbreck was again well overdue so a new Junior School was built on the site and the second Barbreck was demolished. Our memories as young people leave an indelible mark. That’s what Barbreck is to those who travelled through its corridors – a warm embrace, a familiar smell, a comforting reassurance. Our 2015 School Captain described Barbreck as much as she did Sherren House with her insightful words: “Our current Barbreck girls and parents transitioned to the new building and know how empowered and loved they feel there. They are building new memories, forged in the new Barbreck; and our past Barbreck girls and parents remember and reflect on their times in their Barbreck, knowing how empowered and loved they felt there.” Barbreck has been very much part of the property’s history for over 130 years and a heartbeat of our School’s history for over 70 years. Long may that remain.
Music for Reflection Coco Butterfield (Year 9) ‘Chanson De Matin’ By Edward Elgar Accompanied by Kate Denmead
1942 WARBURTON CAMPUS
History – Warburton Campus (1942) Lucy Campbell (Year 12) – School Co-Captain Daughter of Amelia Campbell (Osborn ’86)
Each year, the Warburton Citizenship Award is given to a student in each level from Years 7-11 who demonstrate courtesy, consideration and loyalty and reflect high values and enthusiasm for academic work and co-curricular involvement. The naming of this award recognises a special time in our School’s history, with its evacuation from Toorak to Warburton during World War II. With the war coming closer to Australia in 1942, the Toorak site of the School was taken over by the Australian Government. The School was required to vacate within a fortnight to become a training base for the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force. The WAAAF was the first and largest of the wartime Australian women’s services. St Catherine’s was one of a number of Melbourne Schools – Merton Hall and Melbourne Grammar among them – to be requisitioned for military use. On 4 March 1942, after a final Assembly in Sherren House, St Catherine’s students and staff marched down the hill past Barbreck to Heyington Station to take a train to Warburton, where they were evacuated to its Chalet in the forests and gullies of the Dandenong Ranges (described in brochures at the time as ‘the Switzerland of Australia’). The Air force had been using the Warburton Chalet as a rest and recreation centre so it was an exchange of sorts. It was a three hour train ride for 280 students and a long walk from Warburton Station to the Chalet, where they remained for eight months. Lady Marigold Southey, whose name adorns the St Catherine’s Sports and Aquatic Centre and who was a Patron and President of the School Foundation for many years, was one of those students. The girls loved being there. There was some normality – for example, form plays, visits by sports teams from Fintona, Lauriston, Firbank and Merton Hall, confirmations at the Warburton Anglican Church and student groups raising money for worthy causes. It had a deep impact on everyone who was there. It was an emotional time fifty years later (in 1992) when 125 Old Girls and surviving staff met at what remained of the Chalet to celebrate the anniversary. They could all vividly remember the experience as if it was today: “the swedes grown in the Chalet grounds, the sticky buns for afternoon tea, the squares of pink and green blancmange, the midnight feasts of Violet Crumbles and Hillier’s chocolates left by visiting parents, the rooster that woke one dormitory each morning, the craze for catching tadpoles, newborn lambs in the paddock nearby, visits to the Fruit Salad Farm up the gully, cold winter mornings, the soft mists...” The experience was to have a lasting effect upon the ethos of St Catherine’s as a School. With the predominantly day school transforming overnight into a country boarding school with a sense of adventure and ‘we’re all in this together’, a strong bond developed between all the year groups (including senior and junior girls), as they adjusted to the new world they now lived. This deep bond has endured all these years. Perhaps this was the genesis of the strong bonds that continue to form amongst St Catherine’s students to this day across year groups.
1981 STUDENTS USING THE COMMODORE PET COMPUTER (TOP)
The Collect Let us pray.
Sophie Gorton (Year 12) Daughter of Sandra Gorton (Court ’84) Granddaughter of Anne Court (Lowry ’58) and Sue Gorton (King ’59) Great Granddaughter of Lynette Lowry (Walkley ’34)
God of eternity, in your Son Jesus Christ you redeemed all of human history and called your church to proclaim the Good News of his death and resurrection to the ends of the earth and to the end of the age: pour out your Spirit afresh upon the community of our School, St Catherine’s, with grace to remember and rejoice in your blessings in the past and courage to trust your power to shape our future, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All – Amen.
Music for Reflection By Sarah Pratt (Year 11) Granddaughter of Jill Stansfield (Cannon ’66)
Charlotte Myer (Year 11) Daughter of Annabel Myer (Plummer ’82)
1946 THE CLOCKTOWER
History – Clocktower Chrissy Ryan (Graham ’79) President SCOGA
St Catherine’s Old Girls’ Association was established in 1921 by a group of past students and staff wanting to keep in touch. It has flourished ever since and celebrates its own 100 year anniversary this year. SCOGA has worked tirelessly to provide Fellowships and Prizes, career guidance and networks for Old Girls in many industries and professions, as well as mentoring opportunities. SCOGA also organises regional, interstate and international chapters, and recognises and honours the achievements of past students of the School through its Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum program. SCOGA has also contributed enormously to School facilities over the years, including The Hands’ bronze sculpture by Old Girl Lisa Roet, maintaining the Drawing Room at Sherren House, donating Barbreck playgrounds and Red Steps, restoring the famous Elaine Haxton mural in the Senior School, contributing to the Sport & Aquatic Centre and the new Barbreck building. One of the earliest contributions of SCOGA was the donation of the Clocktower and Middle School Quadrangle, as Australia emerged from the Great Depression in 1934. It was officially opened on St Catherine’s Day in 1934. Those who have read the plaques on the Clocktower will know that they acknowledge two things. Firstly, that it was built as a memorial to our Principal Ruth Langley and secondly that a further plaque was erected just over 10 years later in memory of an Old Girl who died in active service during World War II. Ruth Langley became Principal of the School at the age of 25 and served from 1903 to 1933. It was Ruth Langley who introduced the motto – Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum – nothing is great unless good. It was she who moved St Catherine’s from Castlemaine to Toorak in 1919, to join with Miss Flora Templeton’s boarding school. Ruth Langley took not just the students, motto, crest and uniform of her School to Toorak but also her vision to create an education of enormous breadth, covering a wide array of academic and co-curricular opportunities. With the Great Depression in Australia in the early 1930s came many challenges for schools and Ruth Langley faced these head on. By early 1933, this had taken its toll and she became unwell. Despite her best efforts, she never recovered, dying in December of that year. Her example, leadership and achievement was an inspiration to generations of St Catherine’s girls. The Old Girls’ Association wanted to create a memorial for her and the Clocktower was built and dedicated to her memory for that purpose. In 1945, a further memorial was added to the Clocktower, this time in memory of Old Girl Jenny Walker, who died in active service in World War II. A hospital ship on which she was serving with 11 other nurses was torpedoed off the Queensland coast as it steamed toward Port Moresby. It was a clear night and the ship’s lights were ablaze, the three large Red Crosses on her sides clearly visible. The torpedo hit an oil fuel tank and the ship sank in three minutes with 268 lives lost. Thankfully, Jenny was the only St Catherine’s Old Girl lost in the war, with over 40 Old Girls serving. It was never in doubt that SCOGA would wish to remember Jenny in this way and Ruth Langley would have strongly approved. Whilst we all pass through our schools as students and parents, our friendships, links and memories are never lost which SCOGA works to ensure. To understand your history is to understand who you are and why.
1924 LUCILE BELL (STEPHENS ’32)
Please stand.
Hymn All – led by: Holly McGlaughlin Choral Music Captain
Sophie Williams Drama Captain
Lord, behold us with Thy blessing Once again assembled here; Onward be our footsteps pressing In Thy love, and faith, and fear; Still protect us By Thy presence ever near. For Thy mercy we adore Thee, For this rest upon our way; Lord, again we bow before Thee, Speed our labours day by day; Mind and spirit With Thy choicest gifts array. Henry James Buckoll MA Please be seated.
The Ministry of the Word The First Reading Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Adelaide Mitchell (Year 11) Daughter of Katie Mitchell (Krauss ’90) Granddaughter of Prudence Krauss (Spinney ’68) Great Granddaughter to Margaret Spinney (’42)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Hear the word of the Lord. All – Thanks be to God.
1923 SCENE FROM THE PERFORMANCE DANCE GREEK FRIEZE (LEFT)
The Prayers Ms Kate Barber (’96) Deputy Chair of the St Catherine’s School Council
Let us pray, Saying, “Lord for your goodness over the years, We give you thanks and praise.” God of all time, We remember with thanksgiving those who founded our School, naming it after the blessed St Catherine; and establishing it as a place of learning for girls; for founders, for leaders, teachers, and Old Girls of the past; Lord, for your goodness over the years, All – We give you thanks and praise. Ms Debbie Thompson Faculty Head of Health and Physical Education 34 Years of service at St Catherine’s School
God of grace, you give to your people the spirit of creativity, and make us eager to learn and discover; we pray with thanksgiving for teachers past and present, for all who used their gifts and skills to impart to us, and to those who have gone before us, the light of knowledge, and the gift of learning. Lord, for your goodness over the years, All – We give you thanks and praise. Mrs Samantha Wood President of Parents’ and Friends’ Association
God of love, you call your people to live together in community, and sent your Son Jesus into the world, to teach us how to love you and one another; we pray with great thanksgiving for the community of St Catherine’s School, for teachers, parents, old girls and their families, down through the years, and today; and for the joy and strength we have in the ties that bind us to each other, and to our School. Lord, for your goodness over the years, All – We give you thanks and praise.
1993 SCIENCE AT ST CATHERINE’S
The Prayers (CON’D) Eliza McCurdy (Year 8) Daughter of Nicolle McCurdy (Austin ’88) Granddaughter of Lisa Nicoll-Cooke (Nicoll ’63) Great Granddaughter of Marjory Nicoll (Sharp ’35)
God of the future, We pray for our School, St Catherine’s, for its current leaders, both staff and students, for our Principal Mrs Michelle Carroll, and for the School Council and its Chair, Ms Jane Hodder as we celebrate the past, guide us into the future, and make us worthy of the very best, from those who have gone before us, and of one another. Lord, for your goodness over the years, All – We give you thanks and praise. Sara Zayontz (Year 12) Daughter of Anna Zayontz (Davis ’87)
Being made one in the Spirit, and one in the faith; we pray as our Saviour Christ has taught us to do All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1937 SCHOOL CAPTAIN LILLIAN SIMPSON (STEVENSON ’37) AND GAMES CAPTAIN JEAN CAMPBELL (DALRYMPLE ’37)
Music for Reflection Provided by Emma Gregory (Year 10) ‘Regrets and Resolutions’ by Gary Schocker Accompanied by Kate Denmead
St Catherine’s School Bell – Gift of Class of 2020 Sophie Boyce (Class of 2020) Alexandra Shergold (Class of 2020) Daughter of Holly Shergold (Tinsley ’89) Granddaughter of Margaret James (’61)
Annabel Calvert (Year 8) Daughter of Fleur McKay (’94) Granddaughter of Sarah Baillieu (’68) Great Granddaughter of Margaret Cox (’35)
Camilla Thomas (Year 4) Daughter of Julia Hammon (’00) Granddaughter of Barbara Boynton (’73) Great Granddaughter of Jill Warnock (’46)
Cutting of the Cake Mrs Michelle Carroll Principal
Henrietta Switowski (Prep) Daughter of Georgina Switowski (Hinton ’99)
Lily Jamieson (Prep) Daughter of Emily Jamieson (Stephen-Daly ’98) Please stand.
Sing Happy Birthday All Please be seated.
Blessing The Reverend Keiron Jones St John’s Anglican Church Please stand.
Recessional Music Isabelle Musson (Year 12) 2021 School Pianist
17 Heyington Place Toorak VIC 3142 Telephone +61 3 9822 1285 Email info@stcatherines.net.au www.stcatherines.net.au CRICOS 00574F ABN 90 004 251 816