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7th September 2008
After a long wet August, it was no surprise to find that Old Girls’ Day was a showery day! But the cool weather did nothing to dampen the warmth of the welcome as St Catherine’s played host to over 100 returning Old Girls and their families.
The day commenced with Holy Communion in Chapel. Evelyn Tinker (the Jennifer Bate Organ Scholar) had earlier rehearsed a Choir of Old Girls, former and current staff and current pupils who had gathered to sing during the OG Day Service - at which Evelyn was also the Organist.
Chapel was well attended and Canon Colin Tickner delivered a thought provoking address on the theme of ‘Love’. A collection was taken in aid of EnKI (the Education Kenya International Fund), a charity founded by Old Girl Rakhee Dodhia and supported by the Old Girls’ Committee (see page 10 for details of the student currently being sponsored through secondary eduation).
Coffee in the Dining Room was a lively affair with many Old Girls and former staff meeting up for the first time in years and, in some cases, introducing children and partners. For a good number of our guests it was their first return to School since leaving and there was great enthusiasm for touring the site, revisiting old haunts and admiring recent additions and improvements - particularly in Boarding!
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Alistair White, Head of Design & Technology, led an oversubscribed session in the John Palmer Centre where Old Girls and their families were thrilled to make their own St Catherine’s Clocks under his guidance. This proved a very popular option which we shall certainly offer again in future.
At 12.30pm a large and appreciative audience enjoyed a Music Recital from current pupils Sarah David (soprano), Mimi Whitehouse (clarinet) and Evelyn Tinker (organ). Many thanks to the girls and Geoffrey Field, Director of Music, for his support on the day. We have received many complimentary letters congratulating the girls on the standard of their music making.
Meanwhile, in an action packed day, the swimming pool was enjoyed by a large group of young children and Dads who had great fun splashing around while Mum was otherwise occupied!
Another highlight was the annual lacrosse match between the Old Girls XII and the current School First Team. The School’s victory last year may have led some to believe the result would be a foregone conclusion but the Old Girls quickly disproved this theory with a resounding win of 9-4. Mrs Phillips was delighted to present the Cup to Jackie Mills, the OG Squad Manager, without whom the Match would not happen. Jackie’s work both on the OG Committee and in raising the OG lacrosse team each year is greatly appreciated.
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During pre-Lunch drinks we shared the Dining Room with the new U3s whose Fun Day BBQ had been forced inside by the unpredictable weather. It was remarkable to have our ‘newest’ new girls enjoying lunch in the same room as so many of their St Catherine’s predecessors - one of whom had joined the School in 1927 and remembers the opening of Speech Hall.
Andrew Price and his catering team provided a splendid roast lunch and the Dining Room rang to the sound of happy conversation. When coffee was served, the Association Director said a few words before Mrs Phillips gave a presentation about the structure and purpose of the proposed new buildings. Head of PE, Vic Alexander, fresh from refereeing the lacrosse match(!), was able to talk about the vision for sport, health and exercise generally at St Catherine’s. Many of the Old Girls were particularly pleased to hear that the proposed new sports building will provide opportunities for all pupils to find something within the exercise field they will enjoy.
We have received many delightful letters and emails of thanks following this very happy occasion. We should like to thank all the Old Girls and everyone at St Catherine’s who contributed to the success of the day.
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