On Wednesday 10 March, the St Catherine’s PFA hosted our Twilight Picnic for all Junior School and ELC 4YO families, on the Barbreck Village Green, reinstating a much loved annual event, last held in 2016, prior to the Junior School Barbreck redevelopment. Families provided a gold coin donation on entry to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal.

After a few rainy autumn-like days, the evening of the event gave us a final taste of summer with no rain, blue skies and warm temperatures, with 263 parents, students and siblings attending. Families were able to gather together, around year-level tables, enjoying connecting in person once again with each other and with their children’s teachers, enjoying BYO drinks and food.

Children played in the playground and delighted in a Teddy Bears’ Parade on the steps of the Village Green, having dressed their bears in a birthday theme, to celebrate St Catherine’s 125 Year Anniversary. Senior School Captains Clementine (Cece) Newton-Brown and Lucy Campbell judged the best dressed bear in each year level, and then wandered around and mingled with the Junior School girls. After the formalities were over, there were quite a few impromptu singing and dancing performances by many of the Junior School students, who obviously enjoyed a stage and an audience!

On the night, the PFA also ran a sausage sizzle and sold soft drinks and ice cream which raised $1300. Along with other fundraising initiatives throughout the year, these funds allow the PFA to donate to the School to support projects which enhance the girls’ educational opportunities and their working environment.

The PFA would like to acknowledge and thank Roxanne and Paul Ktenevos for donating gelati from LICKt, their Ashburton gelataria and to Coles Supermarkets for donating the bread and sausages. We would also like to thank the Senior School boarders Jemima Wilcox, Annabelle Green and Yidan (Chloe) Su who so confidently manned the BBQ.

Thank you to those on the PFA who helped either in the lead up to the event or on the night, namely Catering Coordinator Mrs Sophia Colosimo, Treasurer Mr Kevin D’Souza and committee members Mrs Maggie Rodski and Mrs Roxanne Ktenavos. Thanks to both Ms Meredith Taylor from the Advancement Office and to Head of Junior School, Ms Karen McArdle for the significant assistance they provided in organising most of the logistics for this wonderful evening.