ST CATHERINE’S
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ST CATHERINE'S SCHOOL FOUNDATION
PARENTS’ AND FRIENDS' ASSOCIATION
In 2021, we welcomed new Foundation members and Foundation Board members – current parents, Ronald and Fleur Calvert (McKay ’94) and Paul and Nina Aberdeen (Kirby ’94). We also welcomed new Foundation Members – current parents, Damon and Janene Krongold, Brianna (Nan) Zhou and Tony Shu, along with Past Parents, Emma and Nick Young, Old Girl Associate Professor Anne Brooks AM (’70) and Old Girl and Past Parent, Diana Brélaz (Deutgen ’44).
The PFA’s primary role is to build and maintain a sense of community, reinforcing the links between St Catherine’s, students, teachers, parents and wider School community. Our secondary role is to fundraise for the benefit of the School – to enhance the environment, learning and wellbeing of our students.
We also welcomed new Jeanie Hood Society Patrons – Jamie and Rebecca Gray, who have for many years shared in St Catherine’s vision of developing confident, capable and healthy young women of the future, through the delivery of exceptional education. We are thankful that Jamie and Rebecca have committed the lead gift to kick-start St Catherine’s Black Box Theatre Campaign. With this gift, the School can welcome Jamie and Rebecca into our top donor tier, as Jeanie Hood Society Patrons, an esteemed group of eight families to date. In the Her Ties campaign, we asked our Old Girls to join together to impact the lives of young women in whose hands lie our future. In particular, young women from regional, rural and remote Australia who may not have access to exceptional education. We thank all donors to this campaign, especially Old Girl and SCOGA Nil Magnum Nisi Bonum recipient, Associate Professor Anne Brooks AM (’70), and Old Girl and Past Parent, Diana Brélaz (Deutgen ’44), who gave leading gifts to establish this Fund. Diana made her gift on the occasion of her 95th birthday, and at the same time became a Foundation Member, proving it is never too late to join. For the 251 donors who supported the St Catherine’s Hardship Fund this year, particularly on our second Giving Day in August, we are deeply grateful. A total of $216,341 was raised on Giving Day, and through the generosity of our matching donors, combined with our efforts from 2020, the total raised for the Hardship Fund to date is $1.4 million. Established in 2020, this Fund enables the School to assist current families facing changes in their circumstances, and also new families who would otherwise not be able to send their daughters to St Catherine’s, due to financial challenges. The St Catherine’s School Foundation now comprises 591 members, generations of families who have given for a myriad of reasons, but who are all connected to the intelligence of the heart. Thank you for your ongoing support of St Catherine’s School. Mrs Sally Joubert Chair, St Catherine’s School Foundation
We host a range of entertaining and significant community events, providing opportunities for families to bond over shared experiences. Unfortunately, similar to last year, many of our events were affected by COVID lockdowns and restrictions. This year, our welcome event for all parents from the ELC, Junior and Senior Schools was cancelled. Our Year level cocktail parties were held, except for that of Year 12, with a lockdown unfortunately preventing that from going ahead. The Twilight Picnic for all Junior School and ELC 4YO families was held in March on the Village Green, reinstating a much loved annual event, last held in 2016, prior to the Barbreck redevelopment. We were pleased to hold our Mother’s Day stall and breakfast once again but were prevented from holding these events for Father’s Day. Our reintroduced Fathers’ Drinks night was also cancelled. At the time of writing, although the Ruth Langley Luncheon has been postponed twice, we are looking forward to hosting this signature event in December, along with a St Catherine’s Christmas Celebration for Junior School and ELC Families. This year, the PFA made its first payment towards our new pledge of $25,000 over three years for St Catherine’s Black Box Theatre. Our donation will fund the blackout curtains which will be essential for performances and presentations in the Theatre. Integral to our fundraising is the PFA Second Hand Uniform Shop. Now in its fifth year of operation, it continues to provide an exceptional service for our community and a welcoming window to the School for new parents. Thank you to Tamsin Greig for her stewardship as Uniform Shop Coordinator over the past two years and to the volunteers who have worked alongside her. To all parents, please consider volunteering in the Uniform Shop, becoming a class representative or joining an auxiliary – you will make friends and enjoy the experience. I am pleased to have served as PFA President for the past two years and thank each member of the PFA Committee, as well as all the PFA Class Representatives, for their ideas, enthusiasm and hard work during this second disrupted and unusual year. MRS SAMANTHA WOOD President Parents’ and Friends’ Association President
