Foundation

Celebrating the Opening of

THE JAMIE AND REBECCA GRAY THEATRE

The completion of a new building or learning space is always exciting, and our much-anticipated Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre has not disappointed. The new Theatre provides an outstanding professional venue for our Performing Arts program, ensuring a specialised learning space that complements the professionalism and standard of performances of our students. On Thursday 19 May, the performing arts space was officially opened by the Hon. Julie Bishop, who declared the bespoke theatre open and announced its new name in honour of our leading gift benefactors, Jamie and Rebecca Gray and in recognition of the Gray Family’s philanthropic leadership, and their family’s deep connection to our School. As two of the School’s Patrons, Jamie and Rebecca are both passionate advocates for educational excellence and artistic development. They are avid supporters of scholarship opportunities in girls’ education and long-standing supporters of the St Catherine’s Building Fund. They have seen the development of several major capital projects from inception.

During the official opening, 170 guests, including Foundation Members and BRAVA Wall donors enjoyed outstanding performances from our Music and Drama students and the cast of Urinetown, our first Senior School production in the new Theatre. Instrumental Music Captain, Catherine Chen also delighted all in attendance with her solo piano piece. Ms Bishop provided our guests with wonderful insights into her time as Australian Foreign Minister and the value she places on education, commenting, “I am at St Catherine’s this evening for my very strong belief in the transforming power of education, particularly girls’ education. Empowering girls and women through education, can bring immense benefits; economic and social to communities around the world.” Ms Bishop also beautifully articulated the importance of giving, “my immense respect for those in our community who are donors, supporters, benefactors, and philanthropists and whose efforts ensure institutions, such as St Catherine’s, continue to deliver first-class, quality education to generation after generation of young girls over its 126-year history.” On behalf of the students who gain so much from St Catherine’s philanthropic community, thank you to Jamie and Rebecca Gray, and the amazing cast of donors who so generously supported this important project. Your ongoing support for the School and the St Catherine’s School Foundation is much appreciated. BRAVA!

SECURING HER FUTURE

ST CATHERINE’S CIRCLE

St Catherine’s Circle honours and recognises, during their lifetime, those who have remembered St Catherine’s School in their Will. St Catherine’s owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the many women and men who have bequeathed funds and property to our School. One of the greatest contributions you can make to empower future generations of St Catherine’s girls is the gift of education. A gift in your Will acknowledges the importance St Catherine’s School has played in your life. This year, we were thrilled to re-introduce the St Catherine’s Circle Lunch held on Friday 7 October in the Sherren House Drawing Room. The Lunch afforded a special opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of St Catherine’s Circle Members and celebrate the positive impact our community of donors has on our School. We are also planning to host lunches on the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas in 2023 and look forward to sharing more information and dates with you in the coming months. If you would like to join us for future St Catherine’s Circle lunches, or require more information regarding the bequest process, please contact Ms Kathy Hines for a confidential discussion. Email kahines@stcatherines.net.au or phone +61 3 9828 3032.

St Catherine’s Sports Centre

Following the successful completion of The Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre, the next stage of the redevelopment of the Dorothy Pizzey Centre is on the starting blocks. Our new Sports Centre will provide a contemporary indoor sports court, a dedicated High-Performance Training Studio for strength and conditioning, inclusive of a fit-for-purpose ergometer training area, and a Little Gym, housing our PMP (Perceptual Motor Program) and Tumbling programs for our younger students. SHE IS STRONG also articulates our commitment to a St Catherine’s Athlete Development Academy, dedicated to extending both the sporting and academic capabilities of our female athletes to ensure every St Catherine’s student reaches her personal potential in sport. Through your support we will transform the Dorothy Pizzey Centre into a dedicated high-performance fitness studio and sporting centre that extends the athletic capabilities of our girls. Over the next 12 months, our aim is to raise $1 million towards the total cost for the re-imagined Sports Centre. Every gift has an impact. However, lead gifts place the redevelopment on the starting blocks without supplementary income required from the School. I look forward to working with our generous community to help realise this exciting and important new learning space. For more information on how you can become involved in this essential building project, please contact Ms Kathy Hines, Advancement Manager on 03 9828 3032 or email kahines@stcatherines.net.au