I have enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, students, and family members this week as we return to School for Term 3. 

My highlight this week was our vibrant Senior School Assembly on Tuesday, that included the attendance of our bright and bubbly Barbreck girls, together with our Senior students, and teachers. We delighted in applauding our First VIII Rowing Crew for their tremendous win at the Henley Royal Regatta, a Crew now recognised as the fastest schoolgirl crew in the world. 

The audience were keenly interested to hear of the stories behind this history making win, particularly, listening to the voice recording of the final 20 seconds of the race by the Cox, Summer Balla-Kellet…an almost unrecognisable voice from the Summer we know!

The Crew commenced their 6.00am pre-season training sessions during the Melbourne winter lockdown last year on ergos via MS Teams, whilst located at home. Witnessing their journey has certainly provided our students with a stunning lesson on perseverance and growth – realising that how we commence an activity does not always dictate the final outcome. It is evident that with determination, collegiality, strategy, and the guidance of key people, we can change our trajectory forever.  

With a 12-week training period between winning at the Nationals in April, and competing at Henley in June, coaches Miss Brigette Carlile and Mr John Saunders, decided to re-build the stroke technique of the Crew through disciplined and repetitive drills completed at every on-water session. This culminated in the ‘aggressive’ stroke that was frequently commented on by the English commentators at the Henley Regatta “the Melbourne Crew has a very, very aggressive style, this is a style you don’t see from many men’s eights, let alone a women’s eight.” One wonders about the commentators’ reflections – women rowing aggressively?  

Commencing in 1839, the Henley Royal Regatta is steeped in tradition. It is a significant annual event for the London Season – the (very) English social season. The strict dress code, observed by our Crew wearing long dresses and blazers at the trophy presentation, provided a colourful backdrop and a brilliant display of how old rules and traditions survive in modern days and perhaps, in an effort to keep the history of the Henley Regatta alive. 

Housed together in Henley for two weeks, the nine girls and two coaches found a rhythm to their day that was respectful of each other as they navigated the chores of laundry, dietary differences and the highs and lows of such an emotional week – captured in a true and unique team experience. The girls drew inspiration from the 97 drawings gifted to them by our Barbreck girls on departure, with the pictures adorning the walls of their Henley home. The social media and mobile phone bans also left a few parents in awe of the pseudo-parenting by John and Brigette. Their care for each other was intentional and refined through weeks of deliberate team building conversations undertaken in Term 2, and despite the close living quarters, I was so proud to hear of the poise, grace, and humility in which the girls conducted themselves throughout their tour in the UK. 

Inspirational posters were gifted to the Crew from our Barbreck girls.

Inspirational posters were gifted to the Crew from our Barbreck girls.

Indeed, the Henley Regatta winning experience has united and inspired the St Catherine’s community. And for every student, a lesson in dedication, striving for one’s goals, believing in oneself and the collective effort of a team is visible for us all.  

 Our pride in this achievement abounds.