Following in their Footsteps

Following in their Footsteps

“Our daughters are now being taught the importance of strength, nutrition, and mental health. The Athlete Development Academy and the new Strength and Conditioning Studio at St Catherine’s are terrific testaments to the importance the School places on empowering the whole person,” shares Melissa. “However, what hasn’t changed is the dedication and commitment of the staff and parents. The St Cath’s School spirit remains unchanged.”

There is a mutual inspiration shared between these mothers and their daughters. They have not only passed down their love for sports but also the values of dedication, resilience, and teamwork. It is a bond forged through their shared experiences on and off the field.

“Playing sport is fun but it is also about working hard to achieve results which is true for all things in life, so it’s a great way to teach this lesson at a young age,” Ms Claire Simm (‘97), mother of Charlotte and Lucinda Morris shares. “Charlotte and I have loved training together and have entered fun runs together. Going to watch the girls’ netball on the weekends has also been a lovely, shared experience.”

“I always look forward to strategising pre-race and analysing post-race with Mum, through her experiences in swimming she offers good advice,” shares Coco Lutz, daughter of Mrs Rebecca Lutz (Paranthoiene ’97). For Rebecca it was very special to hear that Coco was appointed Swimming Captain in Year 6, “as that was a role I also had at School.”

In sports, where victory and defeat are inevitable, these women offer their daughters valuable perspectives on winning and losing and how to gracefully handle disappointment. “I have past experience to reflect on and share with Alice, which hopefully helps to fuel the wins and cushion the losses for her,” shares Mrs Fiona Dobbin (Goldstraw ’90), mother of Alice Dobbin, Year 9. Ms Melissa Sweetland (‘86), mother of Lily (Year 12) and Annabel (Year 10) agrees, “Playing sport helps our girls learn how to win and lose, yet still be friends afterwards, it builds resilience, shows the importance of routine, commitment, and hard work.”

As they watch their daughters play and train at St Catherine’s, they are filled with a nostalgic sense of pride. While the facilities have improved, and the coaching is expert, they all agree the St Catherine’s School spirit remains the same.

These mothers exemplify a deep commitment to their daughters and their daughters’ interests. “I love having mum cheering me on, she is always my biggest supporter,” Year 7, Ruby Cashmore says about her Mum, Mrs Lucy Cashmore (Olsen ’97). This sentiment is reciprocated by Lucy who has found cheering for Ruby and Poppy (Year 9) a wonderful tribute to her own parents, “Cheering for the girls has brought back lots of memories of my own time rowing and my parents doing the same all those year ago. I have always been my girls’ biggest cheerleader.”

Their unwavering support is a beautiful exhibition of love, reinforcing the importance of staying active, keeping fit, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout life. These stories are testaments to the enduring legacy of sportswomanship at St Catherine’s, and a celebration of the special bond between mothers and daughters.

A handful of St Catherine’s graduates have come together to share their memories of being young sports competitors and the joy they now find in watching their daughters compete for their School too.

Lucy Cashmore (Olsen ‘97) (third from the right), mother of Poppy and Ruby Cashmore

Lily Taylor, daughter of Melissa Sweetland (’86)

Annabel Taylor, daughter of Melissa Sweetland (’86)

Alice Dobbin, daughter of Fiona Dobbin (Goldstraw ‘90)