Reflections

From classrooms to cricket fields

From her earliest days as a schoolgirl cricketer, Ms Clare Haysom, Year 12 Physics teacher, has maintained a lifelong connection to the game, which remains a defining part of her life. 

What began as a love of the game has evolved into mentoring and elite officiating. Alongside assisting with St Catherine's Junior GSV cricket program (when she isn't teaching physics and science), she has spent the past four years on Cricket Victoria’s State Umpiring Panel, gaining invaluable experience officiating at high levels of the sport.

Her expertise has also been recognised nationally through appointments with Cricket Australia, including prestigious fixtures such as the Governor-General’s XI. This summer marks her fourth season officiating in the Women’s Big Bash League, which means you may catch her on screens in your living rooms!

Clare attended Admiralty House for the Governor-General's XI match held in Sydney on 15 October. 

'My favourite part of the house were artworks on the walls of the first floor. One beautiful piece was depicting Waratah Bay in Victoria, which so happens to be my favourite camping spot. Of course, the view from the lawn of Sydney is spectacular.'

Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC Governor General of Australia gave a speech to the group about the history of the Governor General's game, her passion for women's sport and the importance of mentorship for young athletes, and athletes who may be thinking of their next steps outside of sport. 

'I had the opportunity to talk with Her Excellency about my own experiences in officiating sport, in my work as a teacher at St Catherine's and the importance of having role models and mentors in supporting young women.'

'The Sydney rain made the Governor General's game very challenging, and I am proud of myself in being able to face that challenge head on and continue performing at a high standard.' 

The Governor General was wearing a matching pantsuit at the game with a T-shirt underneath that stated, 'It's women's cricket' (with the word women's crossed out). 

'The Australian players were gushing about how iconic Her Excellency is (and I agree).'

At the game's conclusion, Clare was presented with a medallion and a card.

Gala Evening 

It was a delightful occasion for the St Catherine's Gala Evening on Saturday 10 October, signifying 130 years of St Catherine’s School and the unveiling of The Alexandria. 

Guests arrived in their sharpest attire and were greeted by outstanding vocals from our Year 12 singers. Held in the Qian Wintergarden, speeches from our Chair of School Council, Mrs Nina Aberdeen (Kirby ’94) and Principal, Ms Natalie Charles set the tone for the evening with a sense of connection, pride and sheer delight for the magnificent building to officially become the host for many celebrations and performances to come.  

Throughout The Alexandria, performances unfolded across its many spaces, transforming the precinct into a vibrant celebration of the arts, from Old girl mezzo-soprano Juel Riggall (Flemming ’97) to the jazz trio of The Wacky Creative and the lively dance floor led by DJ Tanzer. The catering and styling also added a flavour of elegance to the evening. 

As Ms Charles noted to her guests, ‘Buildings like this don’t happen by accident. It happens because a community decides its girls deserve extraordinary spaces and then supports that decision with generosity and belief. Watching you move through the rooms, filling them with conversation, music and dancing, brought the vision to life and we’re grateful for the spirit of community that was on display.’