Guests of Honour at the Girls’ School

Once a year, our Girls’ School students get to turn the tables. For one morning they are the hosts, welcoming a grandparent into their school day, pouring the tea or coffee, and making sure their guest is looked after.

Several hundred grandparents made their way to Shore Road for Grandparents Day, and the campus felt fuller for it. The morning opened with a special assembly MC’d by Head Girl Christine Cooney and Deputy Head Girl Irene Wendt-Latu. Grandparents got a front-row view of school life through performances from Vox Box, Chamber Ensemble and the Orchestra, poems from our Year 3s, and Hip Hop.

With every grandparent in the room, Principal Marianne Duston took an opportunity to honour them. She shared memories of time with her own nana and grandma, then brought it back to the girls in front of her. “You play an incredibly important part in your granddaughter’s life; the time you spend with her will always be remembered.”

The pairs spent the rest of the morning together, grandchildren showing off their classroom work and grandparents getting the guided tour. Morning tea was laid on for the guests, with home baking and plenty of tea and coffee.

The best of Grandparents Day happens in the small moments. A wave across the room that says, “I’m excited to see you,” and a long hug at the door when it’s time to go. We are grateful that so many of our girls have generational support behind them as they continue to grow.