16 September 2019
From Friday 13 to Saturday 14 September, the Alumni Reunion Weekend saw over 100 alumni who graduated from 1949-53, 1959-63, 1969, 1979, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2014 and 2018 reunited with former classmates and teachers. Alumni travelled from around Australia and events included Alumni v Student sport matches, a cocktail party in the School’s Digital Technology Hub and a delicious high tea.
The first event was a breakfast on Friday morning in the Senior School Library, where the Alumni Association offered Year 12 girls the opportunity to thank a significant person who has supported them during their time at Fahan.
The hotly-contested Alumni v Student netball and hockey matches took place over lunch. The teams were cheered on by students from around the School who were drawn to the oval with the promise of lively competition, BBQ and music. In the end, the students were victorious in the hockey and, amidst a little controversy, the netball match was deemed a draw.
Following the trophy presentation, returning Alumni were invited on a tour of the School led by Principal, Penny Curran-Peters, with a highlight being a visit to the newly opened Archives.
A cocktail party that evening brought more than 80 former Fahan girls back to the School and guests enjoyed drinks and scrumptious canapés from Peppermint Ridge Catering, that was served by Year 11 students.
The high tea, held at Seagrass in Sandy Bay the next day, included a fascinating Q&A session with long-serving staff member, Mr John Williamson, former Head Girl from 2014, Phoebe McCulloch and 1989 leaver, Sophie Underwood.
“We had an amazing tour of the School and reflected how lovely it would be to be a student at Fahan now. It has been such a wonderful few days of smiles, laughter and chatter,” said Mrs Jan Ford (née McCulloch) and Mrs Susan Freund (née Nicholls), Class of 1962.
“Our Fahan friends are constant, no matter how long it has been; we just pick up where we left off. Catching up with classmates requires no effort at all, just a natural transition that makes 40 years feel like 40 minutes. We just slotted right back into 1979 and discovered we are never too old to be mischievous!” commented leavers from the Class of 1979.
“I used muscle groups that have not awakened since 1989. ‘Winning’ the netball is a career highlight and seeing familiar and such wonderful smiling faces and reminiscing over this reunion weekend has been a life highlight. I am, and always will be, a Fahan girl,” said Catherine Matterson, Class of 1989.
“I have really enjoyed recognising the familiar faces from the different generations of girls here over this weekend and rediscovering old friendships. It is so lovely to celebrate the successes of all the girls and seeing so much joy in the room as people catch up,” said Merryn Allen, Class of 2014.
Alumni Association President, Caroline Burbury, said, “What a wonderful weekend! Each year we look forward to the opportunity to watch alumni from across so many years catch up and rekindle old friendships and this year was no different.”
“The Fahan School Alumni Association committee members have worked tirelessly with the School to host another successful Alumni Reunion Weekend. The passion and enthusiasm that our returning alumni have for their school is heartwarming to witness. What it is to be a Fahan girl and the values they hold true remain strong across the ages.” said Fahan Principal, Penny Curran-Peters.
