President’s column

The OGL Committee (L to R) – Tania Fairgray, Annabel French, Penny Tucker, Emma Cleary, Melanie Eady, Jenny Spillane and Kimberley Sumner.

It’s fair to say that 2020 has been a year like no other and I’m sure most of us will be looking forward to bidding it farewell. Like me, many on the Dio Old Girls’ League Committee are also mothers of current Dio girls. As such, I wanted to let you know how proud you, as Dio Old Girls, should be of your old school this year of all years.

The Diocesan senior management and staff have shown resilience, adaptability and flexibility above and beyond what they surely thought would ever be expected of them. At 9pm on Tuesday 11 August, we all watched as Auckland was given less than 24 hours’ notice of the impending Level 3 lockdown. While I immediately wondered if we had enough pet food in the house, not once did I worry about my daughter’s education over the following few weeks. I had the highest confidence that we would receive timely, clear communication about the plans for the days and weeks ahead, and that the girls would be fully supported with their education. It was a confidence that had grown out of the School’s tireless performance during Lockdown 1.0 – and not once was I given cause to question it during Lockdown 2.0.

As parents, we’ve received regular communications that have been clear, informative and human, showing concern for the welfare of all the girls and their families above everything else. At the same time, the girls were guided through their online learning by teachers who appeared to seamlessly adapt to the new forum. I have no doubt many felt a bit like ducks – paddling like mad underneath the water while presenting a calm presence to their classes. A huge bouquet goes to Heather McRae and all the staff. It has not been Dio as you would remember it, but it is a Dio that you can be no less proud of.

I’m hopeful that, as you receive this publication in November, many of you will remembering fun Founders’ Weekend celebrations. Like so many, the League has been bereft of celebrations this year, with all events coinciding with the COVID-19 restrictions and so having to be cancelled. We feel for all our members this year, much like we do for all the current Year 13 girls who have been forced to miss many things that make their final year at school so special. It’s our fervent hope that we will be able to host them all at the Graduation Ball in December and welcome them to the Dio Old Girls’ community in the manner that they deserve… and with that, we will hang our Christmas decorations and look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2021.

“It has not been Dio as you would remember it, but it is a Dio that you can be no less proud of.”

Ut Serviamus.