Old Girls Network
Reunion for the years 1959 – 2005 – 7th June, 2009
School Reunion 7th June 2009
On Sunday 7th June, 150 old girls and staff returned to St Catherine’s for a reunion event. They had attended the school between the years of 1934 and 2005 and the oldest member was a hundred years old. All very much enjoyed the day, which started with an address from Sister Paula and was followed by tours of the present and former school site along the river. The day ended with afternoon tea in the Hall and a Mass celebrated by Father Ulick Loring.
Mr J Skidmore
Director of Studies
On Sunday 25th January 2009, St. Catherine’s School held a School Reunion for pupils for the years 1980 ~ 1987. Over forty girls returned for a very nostalgic visit. A tour was arranged of their old site (waterside ~ now St James’ School) through the ‘Pope’s Grotto’ which the girls, used to ‘run through with the lights switched off!’ The girls then went on a tour of our present site, looking at their old classrooms, science labs and, of course the, swimming pool.
There was much laughter at photographs and memorabilia from our archives. These included whole school photos, production programmes and old school uniform. One ‘old girl’ actually had a full uniform which still fitted her! The girls were delighted to see an old video film of their production of ‘Annie’. Father David Forrester celebrated our Reunion Mass with the theme of ‘Love and Friendship’; this was followed by afternoon tea.
All the girls were very pleased and excited to meet up after some 25 years and are now looking forward to our next reunion.
If you were a past pupil of St. Catherine’s School and would like further details of our School Reunions, please contact Chantal Goldburn on 020 8891 2898 x 232 or email cgoldburn@stcatherineschool.co.uk.
School Reunion
by
Justine Etheridge(now Walmsley)
School reunions. What to expect? The strange fascination of meeting people you haven’t seen in 25 years and walking around a site that seemed so much larger when you were 11. An odd way to spend a Sunday afternoon, perhaps? On the other hand, for me, my school reunion reflected the pleasure I had of being a child entering St Catherine’s for the first time. Not only did walking through the school gates deliver a flood of memories, but the work that Chantal Goldburn, Sister Paula and the team had performed to provide memorabilia reflecting our time there, further reinforced the growing sense that I really had so enjoyed my time at St Catherine’s. Better collect the badge with my name on it – after all I think I have really changed in 25 years. However, the first person I saw was a great friend back then and she, Emma Cuzner recognised me in an instant. Apparently I’ve not changed a bit and 25 years of catching up was delivered at excitable high speed. And then a moment to treasure, I got to meet my old Headmistress and I produced the prayer book she had given me all those years ago when I left.
Next we toured the school and more memories – the Grotto (very scary back in the old days), science labs, classrooms, the swimming pool. The sights, sounds and smells hit me and I felt like I was just back after a week’s half term. I was also delighted to hear about the new development plans for the school and the re-introduction of the 6th form after a 20 year absence.
The tour was over and it was back to the school hall for a celebratory Mass and a fantastic afternoon tea, which had been laid on for us. Sister Paula thanked us all for attending, but frankly, this is my opportunity to thank St Catherine’s for inviting me, nothing can beat a School Reunion – meeting old friends, laughing at our photos and reliving our misdemeanours and adventures in the school we all attended. Just a brilliant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
