Girls' School Mother and Daughter High Tea

With memories of Mother’s Day still lingering, last week the Girls’ School hosted their annual Mother and Daughter High Tea. Now in its 4th year, the afternoon dedicated to honouring the women and their mentoring role in the girls’ lives was once again a hugely popular event!

To accommodate the visiting mums, nanas, grandmas, aunties and special ladies, the event was held offsite in the JC Chalmers Hall at the Boys’ School. The venue was decorated beautifully by a team from Parents and Friends and the tables were laden with tasty afternoon fare, including Saint Kentigern branded cupcakes made by food technology students at the College. As the girls took their seats, they were excited to find gifts of craft activities and a jar of brownie ingredients to take home and bake.

Principal of the Girls’ School, Dr Sandra Hastie warmly welcomed all the guests and expressed how special it was to have her own surprise guest joining the occasion - her own mum, Mrs Mavis Kirkland! Mrs Sue Nash, Director of the Preschool, had secretly arranged to bring her to tea -  her first visit out of her rest home in two years!

Head Girl, Emerald Bendall read out a fitting poem devoted to mothers and all that they do, which was followed by an accomplished cello performance from Year 8 student, Sharon Hung who played a piece by Bach. Explaining the history of afternoon tea, Dr Hastie said that the British tradition is believed to come from Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th century. In subsequent years the names ‘Low Tea’ and ‘High Tea’ derived from the height of the tables on which the meals were served. 

Before High Tea was served, Dr Hastie shared with the guests a clip she found on YouTube. ‘The Mum Song’- what a mum says in 24 hours condensed into two minutes and sung to the William Tell Overture, was a humorous reminder to all mums that they are not alone! 

We give our grateful thanks to Mrs Kim Gear and the Parents and Friends Association team of volunteers for their organisation of the event, to College Food Technology teacher, Mrs Susanna Pattison and Year 13 College student, Shana Du Toit for their work producing the cupcakes. Our thanks also to Vittoria Coffee, Illumina Soy Candles and the Old Collegians Association for their generous support.