MORE than 100 St Mary’s DSG Old Girls’ journeyed back to their alma mater over the weekend to celebrate the schools’ annual Old Girls’ Day and special reunions with their classmates.
Women from the matric years of 2003, 1993, 1983, 1973, 1963 and even 1943 celebrating 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70 years out of school enjoyed a fabulous KwaZulu-Natal winter day together, reminiscing and reconnecting. Despite many of them not having seen each other for a decade or more it was as if the hands of time had turned back for a day.
The day began with a moving chapel service presided over by school chaplin, Gill Padoa. There were emotional tributes for Old Girls who had passed away and the beautiful school choir performance and school hymn created memories for everyone there.
Robyn Sandy gave a talk on the St Mary’s Foundation Trust, which aims to build a sustainable fund that will ultimately support a variety of bursaries to deserving girls who would not otherwise be able to attend the school.
The Old Girls then enjoyed a fabulous high tea complete with champagne and decadent cakes generously donated by Chateau Gateaux in Hillcrest. Old Girls’ Guild Chairlady Derry Jurgensen, thanked the Old Girls’ committee and said, “a day like this doesn’t happen without a team of dedicated women who continue to serve their school”.
St Mary’s DSG and the Old Girls’ Guild were honoured to have hosted this group of amazing women from across South Africa and abroad, who took time out of their busy lives to revisit their school years and their school friends and who are such an important part of the fabric of this long-standing, world class Durban school. A special mention must be made Mrs Ann Hotchkiss (1943, pictured) who celebrated a wonderful milestone of 70 years out of school.
For details on how you can become a part of the legacy of the St Mary’s Foundation Trust please contact Foundation Administrator, Mrs Julia Cooke on jcooke@stmarysdsg.co.za.
