As Carol Johnston (STC1972) climbed the stairs into Jane Barker Hall, she felt emotion well up in her chest. “I thought this could be the last time I walk up these stairs,” she shared. “It was such a special place, so it is a little sad to say goodbye. But I’m also excited for the girls now to have such a wonderful new space.”

This year’s Jane Barker Luncheon, celebrating alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more, had an extra special element. The event began in Jane Barker Hall so that our alumni could enjoy one final performance there before the space is refurbished into a brand new Senior Library later this year. Old Girls enjoyed performances from the K–2 Choir and a preview from the upcoming Senior School musical, Mamma Mia!, before our Headmistress, Ms Magill, shared some details about the future of the Jane Barker Hall. “The plans look absolutely gorgeous,” Carol added. “Jane Barker Hall was a really special place for us, and I’m already looking forward to coming back to see the new space.”

Being back here brings back so many different memories.

Carol Johnston (STC1972)

The Hall, as the girls used to call it, holds many memories for our Old Girls. “We used to line up here every single day,” Susan Hannan (STC1974) recalled. “We’d come in, and classical music would be playing. We had to stand when Miss Patterson entered, and we couldn’t sit down until she invited us to. Then it was prayers and morning announcements. In the senior years, you were allowed to sit on the balcony cushions. I remember when I finally got to sit up there, I felt so grown up.”

Carol also remembers lining up in the Hall each day for morning assembly, as well as performing in House Choir events there. “I distinctly remember standing on the choir risers in front of the stage and singing with all the other girls in Barker,” she said.

Of course, Jane Barker Hall isn’t the only place on campus filled with memories. After the performances, alumni walked across campus to enjoy lunch together in the MPH. “We walked past the tennis courts, where I remember learning to play tennis with Mr Ferguson,” Carol shared. “Being back here brings back so many different memories.”

For Carol, the day was especially emotional. She had been hoping to attend the luncheon for several years but had not been able to make the trip from interstate. “I wanted to see the school in all its glory,” she said. “So when I found out the school was celebrating 170 years this year, I knew I really needed to make the effort to be here. I’m so glad I did. I walked in and saw two girls from my year group, and it almost brought tears to my eyes to see them again.”

The Jane Barker Luncheon is not only special for our alumni. Our current Year 4 students also play an important role, acting as ushers for the event. The girls take their responsibilities seriously, spending time speaking with each Old Girl and showing them around the school. As Lilah D (Year 4) shared, the girls especially enjoy learning about “what the Old Girls’ time was like at school,” adding that “it sounds like things were really different to what we do at St Cath’s now.”

Her classmate, Lucette B (Year 4), was particularly fascinated by one story she heard. “One lady told me that when she was at school, they used to measure the length of their dresses with a ruler,” she said. “The dress had to reach their knees, or they got in trouble. I’d seen that in books before, but I didn’t think it actually happened in real life. I was pretty surprised.”