For only the 14th time in our school’s long history, St Catherine’s formally welcomed a new Headmistress on Tuesday 18 February 2025. Although traditionally held at the Cathedral, on this occasion, The Induction Service of Headmistress Ms Deb Magill was held at the school to ensure that all students were able to take part, with minimal disruption to their learning.
There was a great sense of excitement amongst the girls at the prospect of taking part in this historic occasion. As Head Girl and Master of Ceremonies, Samantha D (Year 12) shared, “It was a privilege to take part in Ms Magill’s induction. I thoroughly enjoyed leading the presentation of the school symbols; watching Ms Magill be officially accepted into all areas of school life with the gifting of the symbols from both students and teachers alike, such as a Junior School teddy bear and an embroidered boarder’s dressing gown. The assembly was beautifully organised and executed by the school community, and it was very special for me to be able to play this important role in such a momentous and historical occasion.”
It was Ms Magill’s intention for our students to feel a sense of ownership over the event. Although the service was formal, with special guests from churches, schools and educational organisations across NSW in attendance, students were involved in every aspect of the event. From acting as the master of ceremonies, to providing musical accompaniment and presenting symbols of the school, our girls were front and centre throughout the entire service. As Ms Magill said during her address, “To our girls – you are why I am here – to lead and to serve. I could not be more honoured to do so.”
Unlike many St Cath’s events in recent years, the sun was shining brightly for Ms Magill’s induction, with special guests arriving early for a brief morning tea in the Magnolia Room and on the Cloisters Lawn. Before long, it was time to process into the Jo Karaolis Sports Centre for the service, with the entire school from Kindergarten to Year 12 in attendance. It was also incredibly special to have past St Catherine’s staff, including Headmistress Ms Jo Karaolis herself, Ms Anne Johnstone and Sarah Guy in attendance, as well as representatives from the School Council, St Catherine’s Foundation, Old Girls’ Union and Parents’ and Friends Association. It truly felt as though the past, present and future of St Catherine’s was gathered together in celebration.
To our girls – you are why I am here – to lead and to serve. I could not be more honoured to do so.
Headmistress Ms Deb Magill
The service began with a powerful Welcome to Country from Bidjigal, Gadigal and Gweagal Elder, Ms Theresa Ardler, who we are blessed to have as part of our school community. Wearing her possum skin cloak, Ms Ardler first blew a Djarli (conch shell) to call on her ancestors of this Country before welcoming Ms Magill, and our school community, to the Country, Waters and Sky of the Bidjigal and Gadigal people. She concluded her Welcome with the Djarli once again to tell her ancestors to welcome Ms Magill to this place.
From there, after a beautiful rendition of the School Hymn, Immortal, Invisible, we heard from Chair of School Council, Ms Danusia Cameron, who spoke beautifully about the importance of the occasion. “The induction of a Headmistress is an important moment in our school’s long and storied history. It’s a solemn event – with public promises and commitments; it’s also an event of joy and celebration, with beautiful music and infused with the warmth of our community,” she shared.
Before long, it was time for the formal induction, which was conducted, following tradition, by The Archbishop of Sydney, The Most Reverend Kaniska Raffel. A huge cheer rang out as Ms Magill was officially instituted as the Headmistress of St Catherine’s School. Then, Ms Magill was presented with a series of School Symbols, including a Teddy Bear from the Junior School, a monogrammed dressing gown from the Boarding House, a magnolia pin from our alumni, the keys to the school from our longest-serving staff member, Dr Shantha Bose, and our mission statement, presented by members of the School Council.
There were also beautiful performances by our Senior Choir and Senior Orchestra, including a particularly significant piece, The Peace of God. Ms Magill first heard the song performed at a college at Oxford, and as she said during her address, felt that it perfectly encapsulates what she wants for St Catherine’s. “It comes down to this – that St Catherine’s and our St Catherine’s community be a place of Peace – not passive, in fact, the opposite, but a place of peace which passes all understanding.”
Prayers of peace and wisdom were then given by various members of the school community, including President of the P&F, Mrs Jane McCrory, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Senior School, Mrs Karen Merrick, and Year 6 student, Esther Lord. The entire service then joined in The Lord’s Prayer followed by the Senior Choir leading a beautiful rendition of the hymn, In Christ Alone. The historic morning concluded with a morning tea for guests and staff, and commemorative St Cath’s cupcakes for all students. Overall, it was a wonderful day of celebration for the entire school community.
