Veri ty Vol.24 December 2013
It starts with just us... The annual Arts Festival Concert once again highlighted the array of talent at Loreto College. • A year of memories
• The Mary’s Mount Centre: Taking Shape
• Graduation Mass
2013 Year of Justice Justice prayer written by Loreto Australia Year 12 Captains 2013 Loving God, In this year of Justice, may the strength of Your love become alive within us. As we grow in harmony with You and Your creation, may we love ourselves as You love us. Give us the courage to open our eyes and respond with compassion to the injustices that surround us. Grant us the wisdom to discern right from wrong and enable us to make a difference. Guide us to use our blessed gifts to empower the powerless and give a voice to the voiceless. Lord, let Justice help us see the world without assumptions and expectations. Allow us to love the world we see. Amen
Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 2
Contents Principal’s Message
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It starts with just us… 6 The annual Arts Festival Concert once again highlighted the array of talent at Loreto College. College Council Report
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A year of memories 11 College Co-Captains Aimee O’Brien and Matilda Seery reminisce about their 12 months as College leaders Graduation Mass 12 A night of tradition and accomplishment, Graduation Mass is a night that our graduating class anticipates all year. Father Justin Driscoll shares his homily with us. Just Briefly: College News
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Taking shape 18 It was only apt that during what is the busiest term for our Arts Faculty, the biggest piece of art Loreto College Ballarat has conceived began to develop before our eyes. Past Pupils
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Archives
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Definitely a Loreto... boy?
It is Loreto’s reputation for the education of girls that makes the gathering of past pupils held on Friday 22 November all the more interesting. That’s because we weren’t welcoming back Loreto girls, we were welcoming back Loreto boys... More page 22
Editor’s note Community connections Cover Picture: Madelyn Rothe (Year 8) performing at Arts Festival Editor: Mr Matt Hustwaite Photography: Mr Matt Hustwaite, Mr David Torrington, Ms Catherine Baker, Mr Lachlan Bence Design: Mud Group Pty Ltd Contributions to Verity can be sent to: Loreto College Development Office 1600 Sturt Street Ballarat VIC 3350 T 03 5329 6100 E development@loreto.vic.edu.au
As the holiday season draws near, the spirit of giving in the air really makes you notice our community’s generosity. As you’ll see in this edition, whether it be through generous financial gifts to The Mary’s Mount Centre or the time and wisdom given by Father Justin Driscoll at Graduation Mass, the connections we have with our Loreto community are wide ranging. Another wonderful gift that we’ve highlighted in this edition is the gift of wonderful memories and the stories that our past pupils share with us. The ‘Golden Girls’ and ‘Old Boys’ of Loreto certainly provide some great reading material and we invite you to get in touch with us to share your stories. From the team here at Verity and everyone at Loreto College Ballarat, we wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
From the Principal
Ms Judith Potter
Another glorious year has flown swiftly by. The old adage that ‘time flies when you are having fun’ points to a year that had much to enjoy, appreciate and celebrate. Within the busyness of a school year I have been motivated and energised by the enthusiasm and dynamic Loreto spirit of our students, the deep commitment and dedication of our staff, the generosity of spirit of Council, Council Committees, the Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committees and all parent volunteers and the ever-present encouragement from the Loreto Sisters. Within the busyness of a school year I have been motivated and energised by the enthusiasm and dynamic Loreto spirit of our students, the deep commitment and dedication of our staff, the generosity of spirit of Council, Council Committees, the Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committees and all parent volunteers and the ever-present encouragement from the Loreto Sisters. As I look back over the 2013 school year, in my mind’s eye I see a diversity of colourful photos, each providing insight into just one moment in time for Loreto College. These images depict our students and staff working individually and collectively within and beyond our grounds, Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 4
including countries across the world. Mother Gonzaga Barry wrote of the importance of imprinting images in our memories in her advice to students to “ … become collectors of many memory pictures …”. These then provide future pleasure in reminiscing. Students who have cheerfully embraced a diversity of the opportunities on offer, always doing their best and encouraging peers to do likewise, will have created a very rich memory bank of photos. Time certainly never stands still at Loreto College. In 2013, ongoing review and reflection has continued to inform all aspects of our practice. Staff have worked diligently, individually and collectively, to provide a holistic education; an education underpinned by the gospel values, a recognition of the uniqueness of each student and the encouragement to each to strive for personal excellence. It is our joy to witness the individual achievements of our students and we celebrate the diversity of their pathways. Our students, supported by our staff, have time and again demonstrated their faith in action through their endeavours to respond to issues of injustice with a heart filled with compassion and a mind processing issues and planning activities which will make a difference. The leadership of the 2013 Senate has been a leadership of service, a leadership wherein the focus has not been on themselves but on what they can do for the good of our community and for the good of the broader community. They have led with commitment, energy and felicity. They have supported us in understanding what justice calls us to be through their initiative of the justice banner and badge, which has provided us with a daily reminder of our social responsibility. In word and action, our 2013 College Co-Captains Aimee O’Brien and Matilda Seery, have modeled an
Our students, supported by our staff, have time and again demonstrated their faith in action through their endeavours to respond to issues of injustice with a heart filled with compassion and a mind processing issues and planning activities which will make a difference.
appreciation of the inherent dignity of each individual. We have been blessed with many fine leaders across Years 7-12, each generously sharing their gifts and their time. I extend an appreciative ‘thank you’ to all parent volunteers, including all who have generously served in our Café, Uniform Shop, Music and Rowing Support Groups and all who have assisted with, and supported, College events. After years of planning, 2013 has marked the commencement of the building of the long anticipated Mary’s Mount Centre. The building of a facility such as this is seen by all. There are other types of building to be recalled as we look back upon 2013, building which is not so easily seen. Here I am referring to the ‘building’ of well-being and learning programs that support students in their endeavours to be the best they can be. The diversity and depth of the education offered at Loreto College would not be possible without a very committed and generous-hearted team of staff, with much of their work never appearing in the published photos as it is not in the public forum. On behalf of our community I extend our gratitude to each member of staff for their commitment to the provision of a rich, broad, diverse and dynamic education which demands of each student that she work towards being the best that she can be across all areas of her Loreto education. Many staff work directly with our students whilst the work of others behind the scenes partners the work of teachers. I also extend an appreciative ‘thank-you’ to Mrs Anna Casey (PA), and the members of the Leadership Team: Mr Pat O’Shea (Deputy Principal), Mrs Tricia Cosgriff (Deputy Principal), Mr Jeff Primmer (Business Manager), Mrs Mary Dow (Daily Organiser), Ms Linda McDonald (Response to Intervention Co-ordinator) and Mr Peter Rix (Director of Faith and Mission). I pay tribute to three members of staff - Mrs Wendi Cowell, Mrs Bev Firth, and Ms Julie Martin - who will retire after a steadfast service to Loreto education which has spanned across the 20th and 21st Centuries. Mrs Wendi Cowell retires after 18 years dedicated service and Mrs Bev Firth and Ms Julie Martin retire after an extraordinary 28 years dedicated service. Mrs Cowell’s encouragement, nurturing and challenging of students to be the best they could be is admirable. Mrs Bev Firth’s commitment to Loreto College in administration and reception and willingness to assist with that ‘extra’ task has been appreciated as has her willingness to take on different duties when the need arose. The time, thought and planning given to the farewell to Ms Julie Martin by Mornane House provides an insight into a well-loved teacher, one who has engaged and inspired countless students. Ms Martin has made a strong contribution not only to the learning and well-being of students which is at the heart of our school, but also to the wellbeing and care of her colleagues. She has shown
herself to be a wise leader when holding a position of leadership. We express our deep gratitude to Mrs Cowell, Mrs Firth and Ms Martin. I extend our appreciation to Ms Lisa Fraser (College Counsellor) for her insightful support and guidance in promoting the wellbeing of our students, to Ayano Kusado for her generous contribution to supporting students and staff in the Japanese Department this year, to Miss Bridget Campbell (Sports Trainee) and Miss Georgia Leaney (Learning Support Trainee) whom we will also farewell at the end of the 2013 school year, and also to Miss Laura Gilchrist (Learning Support Trainee) whom we will farewell early in 2014. These three members of the Class of 2012 made a smooth transition from student to staff member and I commend each on their enthusiasm and their strong contribution. Working with vision, a generous heart and a deep commitment throughout the year have been the members of the College Council, Council Committees and the Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Ballarat and Melbourne Committees. I express my gratitude to Mr Shane Carey (Chair of Council), Mrs Geraldine Frantz (Deputy Chair of Council and Chair of Property Committee), Mrs Maria Myers AO (Chair of Development Committee and Patron of the Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal), Ms Naomi Eddy (Chair, Finance & Audit Committee), Mrs Jill Fenwick and Ms Jan Stephen (Co-Chairs, Melbourne Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committee), Mr Peter and Mrs Carmel Flynn (Co-Chairs, Ballarat Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committee) and all members of Council, Council Committees and the Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committees. I thank Mr Shane Carey for his unstinting service to Loreto College and a leadership of Council that is centred on valuing the uniqueness of each of our students. After many years’ dedicated service to the Loreto College Council and Council Committees, Sr Denise Desmarchelier ibvm will step down from the College Council at the end of 2013. Her wisdom, fine mind, deep knowledge of education and generous heart will be greatly missed. We are blessed that she walked with us. We are indebted to the Loreto Sisters for their strong support and encouragement in all aspects of life at Loreto College. We extend a heart-felt ‘thank you’. And, now, we close the final pages on a glorious year and look with great anticipation to the promise of the 2014 school year. www.loreto.vic.edu.au
It starts with just us... The annual Arts Festival Concert once again highlighted the array of talent at Loreto College.
Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 6
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
The result of many hours of hard work by both students and teachers, this year’s concert was performed to a sold out audience at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts and featured a wide array of talents. Throughout our 138 year history, the performing arts has enjoyed a rich tradition within the Loreto College community. Indeed, the abiding love of music held by Mother Stanislaus Mulhall fostered the performing arts not just at Loreto but in Ballarat itself, establishing the first Loreto Mary’s Mount Orchestra. We continued this tradition of celebrating the Performing Arts at Loreto College in September with our annual Arts Festival Concert. The Arts Festival is a wonderful example of many staff and students within our community generously sharing their time, expertise and talents, ensuring a delightful evening of music, drama and dance. From our youngest performers in Year 7, through to our Year 12 students, each person shone! The result of many hours of hard work by both students and teachers, this year’s concert was performed to a sold out audience at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts and featured a wide array of talents. Performances included classical ballet, stand-up comedy, rousing choirs and energetic bands. Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 8
The Loreto Arts Festival began to take shape late in Term 2 as the Arts Captains introduced their songs to their Houses. After weeks of rehearsals the House Choir concerts revealed that this year’s Choir winners were Mulhall House in the senior competition with their rendition of the classic song Lean on Me and Mornane House in the junior competition with their performance of Oh Happy Day.
The hotly contested House trophies this year went to the following recipients. Overall Arts Festival Trophy Mornane Senior House Choir Mulhall Junior House Choir Mornane
Highest Level of Participation (Junior) Barry and Mornane Highest Level of Participation (Senior) Mulhall We thank all who were involved and in particular the following student leaders.
Barry Anna Todd (Senior Arts Captain), Ellen Hogbin (Vice Captain), Sarah Wood (Year 10 Assistant), Maddy Veal (Junior Arts Captain)
Mornane Clara BettioSandlant (Senior Arts Captain), Georgina Fuller (Vice Captain), Rose Murphy (Year 10 Assistant), Bethany McKee (Junior Arts Captain)
Mulhall Molly Wheatland (Senior Arts Captain), Kate Brandenburg (Vice Captain), Elise Karslake (Year 10 Assistant), Gabrielle Middleton (Junior Arts Captain)
Ward Esther Crowley (Senior Arts Captain), Eloise Lund (Vice Captain), Laura Vincent (Year 10 Assistant), Emmisyn Gale (Junior Arts Captain)
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
College Council Our College Council chair Shane Carey reflects on an exciting year gone by. 2013 has been an exciting year at Loreto College Ballarat, as we reap the rewards of much planning that has occurred in previous years. As a College Council, we are proud to help provide Loreto with a great platform to build on in the future. Governance and the associated due diligence of the College is an ever present responsibility of Council and its Committees and is one that we take very seriously. This year we have seen the continued transition to our new uniform, a change that will become complete next year, as well as the opening of the Loreto Archives Centre. I felt especially proud at the Blessing of the Site Ceremony for the Mary’s Mount Centre. I did not feel proud for any individual contribution of my own, but for the dedication and commitment of everyone in our College community finally coming to the fore as we begin construction. Our community’s generosity continues to assist and enrich the College by helping us to build and provide opportunities for the next generation. After many years of discussion and planning, it has been exciting to finally see the new centre come to life before our eyes.
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I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Sr Yvonne Lamerand ibvm and Sr Denise Desmarchelier ibvm. Sr Yvonne returned to Sydney earlier this year after three years as the Mary’s Mount Community Leader. She was a valued member of the College Council and its Council Review and Property Committees. We extend a whole-hearted ‘thank you’ for her wise counsel, support, encouragement, sharing of wisdom and prayers. Sr Denise’s service to the Loreto College Council and Council Committees has been an extensive and committed one, standing as an exemplar to one and all. Sr Denise’s deep knowledge of governance and all that this entails, her wisdom, steadfast service, clarity of thought and explanations and broad knowledge of education have greatly contributed to the deliberations of Council. I extend our deep appreciation to Srs Yvonne and Denise. Much of the hard work of Council is undertaken at the Committee level. On behalf of the College family, I would like to thank everyone who contributes to managing the many and varied aspects of running this school.
Particularly, I would like to thank my fellow Council members, the members of our Council Review, Development, Finance & Audit, Property and Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committees who do invaluable work, and finally Ms Judith Potter, her Leadership Team and all of the Loreto College staff. College Council Mr Shane Carey (Chair), Mrs Geraldine Frantz (Deputy Chair), Sr Denise Desmarchelier ibvm, Mr Shane Dodd, Mr Chris Dunlop, Ms Naomi Eddy, Mrs Trudi Kannourakis, Mr Matt McCabe and Mrs Maria Myers AO. Ex Officio: Ms Judith Potter (Principal) and Mr Jeff Primmer (Business Manager). Finance & Audit Committee Ms Naomi Eddy (Chair), Mr Simon Cornwell, Mr Stephen McArdle, Mr Matt McCabe, Ms Cathy Oakley, Mr Peter O’Connell, Mr Richard Robinson, Ms Judith Potter (Principal) and Mr Jeff Primmer (Business Manager) Property Committee Mrs Geraldine Frantz (Chair), Sr Denise Desmarchelier ibvm, Mr Shane Dodd, Mr Chris Dunlop, Mrs Carmel Flynn, Ms Min Myers, Ms Judith Potter, Mr Jeff Primmer and Mr Gerard Viccars (Finance Officer). Development Committee Mrs Maria Myers AO (Chair), Miss Meg Barry (President, Loreto Past Pupils’Association), Mrs Trudi Kannourakis, Sr Margaret Sculley ibvm, Ms Jan Stephen, Mrs Jane Valpied, Ms Judith Potter
(Principal), Mr Pat O’Shea (Deputy Principal, Pastoral & Organisation) and Ms Kerry Foss (Fundraising and Community Relations Manager). Melbourne Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committee: Mrs Jill Fenwick (Co-Chair), Ms Jan Stephen (Co-Chair), Mrs Maria Myers AO (Patron), Ms Elizabeth Delahunty, Ms Liz Burns, Ms Mary Williams, Ms Marilyn Bell, Mrs Helen O’Brien, Mrs Ana McCardel, Ms Louise Mogg, Mrs Ann Nathan, Mr Shane Carey, Ms Judith Potter and Ms Kerry Foss. Ballarat Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal Committee: Mr Peter Flynn (Co-Chair), Mrs Carmel Flynn (Co-Chair), Mr Shane Carey, Dr Charlie Flynn, Mr Peter Kerwan, Mr Ross Gay, Ms Belinda Playsted, Ms Jane Valpied, Mr Dean Stevens, Ms Judith Potter, Mr Jeff Primmer and Ms Kerry Foss.
Our community’s generosity continues to assist and enrich the College by helping us to build and provide opportunities for the next generation. After many years of discussion and planning, it has been exciting to finally see the new centre come to life before our eyes.
A year of memories College Co-Captains Aimee O’Brien and Matilda Seery reminisce about their 12 months as College leaders
2013 has gone so quickly, but we managed to fit in a lot of events and make a lot of memories. We kicked off our leadership as a Senate by organising a Melbourne Cup race with teachers riding hobby horses, almost a year ago now, drawing a big crowd out onto the oval. The Year 7 Movie Night was a lot of fun. Despite many technical difficulties and a move to the Theatrette, everyone had a fabulous night. The weeks leading up to GB Day were as hectic as can be, but it all paid off when the school was gathered in the GBC with smiles on their faces, watching girls from across all year levels, and even some teachers, show off their talent. It was a lot of fun organising both the Breast Cancer Netball Match and the Prostate Cancer Hockey Match with the St Pat’s Student Council to raise awareness and funds for two very worthy causes, and with our Loreto girls winning both games (with a little help in the netball match!) Term 3 was packed full of activities, with Footy Colours Day raising money for a girls’ school in Malawi, and a Senate visit to the Loreto Sisters on Webster St. Term 4 came around very quickly and Celebration Day was a brilliant end to a fantastic year, with many girls in the Class of 2013 performing for the school in a concert. Graduation Dinner was filled with fantastic speeches and many deserving awards among the girls. Everyone was so excited to receive their Graduation rings. Graduation Mass came all too quickly and what a special night it was. It has been a wonderful year but even though it is over, we will always be Loreto girls! www.loreto.vic.edu.au
Graduati Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 12
A night of tradition and accomplishment, Graduation Mass is a night that our graduating class anticipates all year. Father Justin Driscoll shares his homily with us.
ion Mass www.loreto.vic.edu.au
We must not underestimate the value and power of the education that Loreto has provided these young women to be transformed and to transform the world in which we live – we pray that God who has begun the good work in you will bring it to completion. I read recently of Peter Hosking’s review of a documentary called Girl Rising. It described the struggles of nine girls from a variety of developing countries and it gives us a perspective on why we identify so many of our day to day challenges as ‘first world problems’. Several well-known actors helped with the narration. The following statistics from the film give pause for reflection: in the world today, there are 33 million fewer girls than boys in primary school. Sixty-six million girls are out of school globally. If India enrolled 1% more girls in secondary school, its GDP would rise by $5.5 billion. A girl with an extra year of education can earn 20% more as an adult. Girls with eight years of education are four times less likely to be married as children. Fourteen million girls under 18 will be married this year – that’s 13 girls in the last 30 seconds. In a single year, an estimated 150 million girls are victims of sexual violence. A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five years. Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school. As well as describing distressing patterns of discrimination and abuse, Hosking notes that the documentary highlighted the positive effect that education has on the well-being of girls, families and communities. Loreto schools know well the importance of educating girls in transforming lives. This is a key priority of their work.
Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 14
In so many ways, the education of this graduating class from Loreto College in 2013 has been a journey together. Parents are the primary educators of your children and your personal knowledge of, and affection for, your children is an essential contribution to a genuine partnership that exists in our community. Loreto schools are built on a spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola which Mary Ward adopted and Mother Gonzaga Barry and her companions brought to Australia, firstly here to Ballarat in 1875. We are part of this tradition which includes some key themes. Finding God in all things We seek to be attentive to the active, loving and creative presence of God who is continually being revealed to us. Formation of the whole person We focus on the intellectual, affective and moral to develop a sense of self-worth and of one’s place in the world. Being for others We want to show love in deeds and to serve others generously. Engaging with the wider world We aim to be aware of the challenges of our time. Encouraging excellence We want to be distinguished for our academic, co-curricular and pastoral provision through which we encourage a bountiful development of gifts for others.
Co-operating in the mission of Christ We want to witness Christ’s presence in the world, to find and form a Christian community serving the needs of the world. As a result of such an education at Loreto, we might ask what graduate outcomes we strive for that might be evident in these young women into the future? Being intellectually competent In education today there is an abundance of information, so we need to nurture the imagination to discern what is really important. There is a pluralism of choices so we need to foster discerning hearts and minds to make good decisions. This means asking the deeper questions. Value formation is terribly important here. Academic proficiency covers a curriculum and gets good exam marks but a particular score never defines a life. We are defined by how we use our wisdom for others. Being open to growth involves a willingness to appreciate our gifts and to test our talents. Our achievements are not so much about personal success but how we contribute to the community. Growth involves the formation of the whole person. Being religious We live in a culture where religion is often marginalised. A Loreto education would like to place the religious instinct at the centre of what it means to be fully human. If we can form the inner person to be sensitive to God and foster the capacity to reflect, to ponder deeply, to be humble and to take personal
responsibility then we can change situations in extraordinary ways. We believe the person of Jesus frees us to be our truest selves. We want to encourage this search for meaning and the relationship with God and the Church that it involves. Being committed to justice We hope our students may be equipped and motivated to be agents of social change. Today we seek to be aware of the global nature of social issues such as human rights, the dignity of the person, sustainability, the forced movement of people et alia. An emphasis on service and social justice is central to a Loreto education. Being loving This is perhaps the essential educational outcome. If people feel valued and loved, then this will help their relationships have integrity and authenticity. We hope they will show self-sacrifice in their interactions with others. We recognise the wisdom of the saying ‘the heart of education is education of the heart.’ We must not underestimate the value and power of the education that Loreto has provided these young women to be transformed and to transform the world in which we live – we pray that God, who has begun the good work in you, will bring it to completion. By Father Justin Driscoll
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
Just Briefly
Catch up on snippets of news from around the College
Victorian Philosothon Mr Peter Foord The following girls competed in the Victorian Philosothon in Melbourne on Wednesday 16 October: Fabienne Blythe, Winter Greet, Courtney Norton, Rhiannon Howard, Clare Hogbin, Kelsey Wilson, Leteisha Rinaldi and Meaghan Boatman. Paige Haddon and Victoria Doyle came as observers with Paige being asked by the organisers to assist with the running of the evening. All the girls did a wonderful job at contributing to four half hour, philosophical ‘communities of inquiry’. The topics for the evening were:
Junior Mulhall doing it for the kids Mr Matt Hustwaite The students of Junior Mulhall House presented the K.I.D.S. Foundation with a $660.65 cheque in November to support the Foundation’s amazing work with kids and health promotion. The K.I.D.S. Foundation was established in1993 and is an acronym for Kids In Dangerous Situations. It exists to try to redress the startling childhood injury statistics in Australia. The funds were raised from the Mulhall Mini-Carnival held in October. Susie Spratling, Julie Schmock and Catherine Pitson from the K.I.D.S. Foundation were presented with the cheque by Junior Mulhall Captain Remie McMaster (Year 8), Sophie Smith (Year 7) and Georgia Collier (Year 7). Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 16
• Is the tin man human? • Could nature have rights? • What is poverty? • Should we be fighting for a philosophical education? For two of the discussions the girls were with other students in their age group. For the remaining two, they were in mixed groups ranging from Year 8 to 11. All of our girls contributed some wonderfully thoughtful and insightful questions and comments and often prompted the discussion to go deeper or change course. Although it was a competition, the primary value in the evening was the respectful, thoughtful and community oriented discussion on weighty and important questions. It was a privilege to be there and watch so many of our students participate in this important endeavour. Well done to the girls involved.
Loreto College Sports Awards Mrs Megan Poulton Our annual Sports Awards Night was an opportunity to recognise the wonderful achievements of our students throughout the year. We were able to thank our coaches and umpires and commend our excellence in sport and our history making performances for 2013. The Year Level Sports Awards recognised the efforts of girls that have shown an outstanding level of commitment to our sports program. The recipients for this year were: Year 7 Sportswoman Award Sophie Van de Heuval Year 8 Sportswoman Award Isabel Fraser Year 9 Sportswoman Award Cleo Anderson and Lucy Wheatland Year 10 Sportswoman Award Ella Catterson, Lucy Flynn and Lauren Murphy Year 11 Sportswoman Award Tayla Dower-Cook and Stephanie Mundy Year 12 Sportswoman Award Ella Pipkorn and Annie Poulton Two Year 12 students were recognised by the Sport and PE department with the Senior Sport Award and the Pierre De Coubertin Medal. Both girls have been involved heavily in our sport program from Year 7 and we take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication and achievements in sport whilst at Loreto College. Senior Sport Award Annie Poulton Pierre De Coubertin Ella Pipkorn
The leaders of tomorrow Mr Pat O’Shea In September we held our annual Leadership Assembly. We use this assembly each year to thank the Senate of 2013 for their work over the last year and to formally welcome our new Senate for 2014. The leadership of the 2013 Senate has been a leadership of service, a leadership wherein the focus has not been on themselves but on what they can do for the good of our community and for the good of the broader community. They have led with commitment, energy and felicity. The incoming Senate are a wonderful group of students who will no doubt carry on the great work of the Senate that preceded them. We congratulate the newly appointed 2014 Senate and look forward with great anticipation as to the direction they will set in 2014. College Co-Captains: Katie Baxter & Megan Campbell Senate Members: Madeline Cosgriff, Sophie Lewis, Millicent Martin, Georgia Wren, Astha Kattel (House Captain: Barry), Bonnie Evers (House Captain: Mornane), Gabrielle Mathieson (House Captain: Mulhall), Laura McKenzie (House Captain: Ward).
Loreto - Kelaston Partnership
Body Image Awareness Week
Mr Matt Hustwaite
Mr Matt Hustwaite
There were bright smiles on the faces of the elderly residents of the Kelaston aged care facility during Term 4 as our talented performing artists held the first of many concerts to be held at the facility.
During Term 3, Year 11 student Kate Flynn took it upon herself to enlist the support of the Senate and other students to run ‘Body Image Awareness Week’. Through a range of activities, the week saw $1058 raised for the Butterfly Foundation. The Butterfly Foundation represents all people affected by eating disorders and negative body image – a person with the illness, their family and their friends. As a leading national voice in supporting their needs, Butterfly highlights the realities of seeking treatment for recovery, and advocates for improved services from both government and independent sources. This is a very important message to modern students and it is pleasing that students themselves are driving the conversation. One of the mysteries of modern societies is how much stress adolescents find themselves under, when much of this pressure is not really necessary at all. We thank Kate and all of the students involved in ‘Body Image Awareness Week’.
The Music Support Group of Loreto College, which initiated this partnership, received a $5000 grant from Aged Care Services Australia Group (ACSAG) to support this. The funds raised will go towards much needed musical instruments for the College. Loreto College Fundraising and Community Relations Manager Kerry Foss said ‘it’s about giving back to the community and we think this is a good way of doing that.’ ACSAG CEO Julie Reed agreed, saying that the residents clearly benefited from the performances.
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
Taking shape Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 18
It was only apt that during what is the busiest term for our Arts Faculty, one of the biggest works of art Loreto College Ballarat has conceived since the Chapel began to develop before our eyes. Whilst our talented performing artists dazzled us on stage at the Arts Festival and our inspiring visual artists exhibited their creations, construction began on The Mary’s Mount Centre. Our College community gathered together on 12 September as Bishop Paul Bird cssr blessed the construction site and turned the first spade of soil with Sister Margaret Sculley ibvm, member of the Loreto Provincial Council. “It’s not just blessing the soil but the construction workers who will work here as well as the students who will perform here or use the facility,” Bishop Bird said. “Blessing recognises that everything is a gift from God ... even though things may seem earthly, there’s a spiritual element to everything.” Term 4 has seen construction progress smoothly, with the ground levelled and the beginnings of what will be the theatre’s orchestra pit start to take shape. The vantage points of the upstairs art room and the Year 9 classrooms have become popular viewing points for those eager to see The Mary’s Mount Centre come to life.
Excitement swept the College during Terms 3 and 4 as construction of The Mary’s Mount Centre began with gusto.
An exciting stage of the project happened in late November, when the interior walls of the auditorium were put up. Business Manager Mr Jeff Primmer explained that there was quite a bit of logistical work involved in this stage. “Along with the many large trucks needing to use Sturt Street to enter with the panels, we also had to relocate classes from rooms that are adjacent to the site,” he said. Not only have the construction workers of SJ Weir’s been hard at work, but so have many staff, alumni and parents who have been working on The Mary’s Mount Centre Capital Appeal. It was with much excitement that we launched our seats campaign in September at the Arts Festival, and the seat dedications available have proved to be popular. “Dedications can be made in honour of a friend or family member, or simply to celebrate your love of the arts and so far we’ve seen many different dedications,” said Fundraising and Community Relations Manager Ms Kerry Foss. “Loreto family members have made dedications to their daughters, mothers and in honour of Loreto Sisters. These will be a long lasting legacy with engraved plaques affixed to the back of the seats.” You still have the opportunity to reserve your place in history by making a personalised seat dedication. They are $500 each and can be made online by visiting www. marysmountcentre.com.au. For further information, call the Loreto College Development Office on (03) 5329 6137.
www.loreto.vic.edu.au
PastPupils
From the Association President - Meg Barry It was a privilege to be there to share Over the last two months of this year a number of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships. It was past pupils have reconnected with the current heartening to welcome a number of past pupils memories, school community. Two groups of our senior past who have not attended this evening before. stories and pupils have gathered in the Loreto Archives much laughter Preliminary preparations for Loreto Federation in as these Loreto Centre where they looked at old school 2015 are well underway with a diverse planning photographs and other memorabilia. It was a girls from the group of past pupils discussing ideas for the 1930s to the privilege to be there to share memories, stories programme, challenging speakers and topics to 1950s and much laughter as these Loreto girls from the interest all age groups. recognised 1930s to the 1950s recognised themselves, their themselves, old school friends and long disappeared Sunday 23 February 2014 is the date set for the their old school buildings. The laughter and stories continued as Annual General Reunion and A.G.M. We hope friends and they enjoyed afternoon tea in what will always be that this date will be more suitable that the long known to them as “the front parlour”. Thank you traditional May weekend. Please RSVP to the disappeared to the Year 7 and 8 students who were gracious Development Office when details are finalised. buildings. The hostesses and told of the life of a Loreto laughter and Another year is almost over as we farewell the schoolgirl in 2013, with a range of opportunities stories school leavers of 2013. We wish them happiness as open to them. continued as they enter the exciting and challenging post-school they enjoyed The annual Mass of Remembrance was celebrated world. May they be true to the Loreto values which afternoon tea in in the Chapel recently when we recalled memories we share as past pupils. At this Christmas season what will of all members of the Loreto family who have when we are surrounded by peace and joy, let us always be known to them entered eternal life. Over light refreshments in the not forget the ill, the aging, the lonely and the Loreto Café there was the usual happy as “the front grieving members of the wider Loreto family and atmosphere as news of families and distant parlour” know that the greatest gifts we can offer are our friends were shared. A special guest was Year 8 student, Madelyn Rothe, a talented ballet dancer and one of the recipients of our Association’s Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 20
time and our presence.
2014
Reunions
Next year we will be welcoming back Loreto girls for their 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 year reunions. The dates are as follows.
Class of 1964 Saturday 22 February, 2014. 11am at Loreto College followed by lunch at the Boatshed Restaurant.
Class of 1974 Saturday 22 March, 2014. 11am at Loreto College followed by lunch at Sails on the Lake.
A reunion for our ‘Golden Girls. The months of October and November saw our historic Parlour come to life as we welcomed past pupils from the 1930s, 40s and 50s, affectionately known as our ‘Golden Girls’, back to the College for afternoon teas. It was wonderful to see the ladies enjoying themselves and to hear the stories from their days as students at Loreto College. It was also special to be able to welcome some of our current students, as they got a glimpse into school life from a bygone era.
Class of 1984 Saturday 22 February, 2014. 5:30pm at Loreto College followed by dinner at Table 48.
Class of 1994 Saturday 22 March, 2014. 4:00pm at Loreto College followed by dinner at Table 48.
Class of 2004 Saturday 22 February, 2014. 3:00pm at Loreto College followed by a cocktail party at Golden City. Invitations have been sent out, but if you have not received one or know of someone else who has missed out, please contact the Development Office via email at development@loreto.vic.edu.au
Sharing wonderful stories Recently, Ms Catherine Baker (Community Relations Officer) and Ms Robin Scott (Loreto Province Archivist) travelled to Melbourne to spend an afternoon documenting some of the fascinating stories about Loreto College in its earlier years. Meeting with Mary Fleming, Mary Allen and Roma Laghi, they heard stories of life as boarders in the 1930s. In the next edition of Verity, we will be bringing you a feature story on these ladies and their lives as Loreto girls.
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Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 22
Definitely a Loreto... boy? It is a quirky part of our 138 year history, but yes, Loreto College Ballarat once had male students. And these ‘Loreto Boys’ are taking their turn to get together again.
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Everyone is proud to be a Loreto boy.
Loreto College Ballarat has a fine reputation for the education of young women of influence, one that spans the entire 138 year history of the College. It is this reputation that makes the gathering of past pupils held on Friday 22 November all the more interesting. That’s because we weren’t welcoming back Loreto girls, we were welcoming back Loreto boys.
editor Paul Bongiorno, who recently celebrated 25 years as a member of the Canberra Press Gallery, is one who came through our gates. Talking to the College via Twitter, Paul said that he certainly is a Loreto boy, having come here from Kindergarten to Grade 2 at Loreto Convent Dawson Street from 1949 to 1952. Cardinal George Pell is also a Loreto boy.
It is a quirky part of our history, but yes, Loreto College Ballarat once had male students. From our inception in 1875 up until 1973, boys could attend our College from kindergarten to Grade 3.
Andrew Byrne is a former councillor with the City of Ballarat and has been a partner of prominent local law firm BJT Legal since 1985. He started at Loreto 51 years ago, with all of his six sisters and one brother also attending the school.
Loreto Province Archivist Robin Scott said boys were not permitted to attend later than that, with nuns not teaching boys beyond their first communion.
“My daughter goes to Loreto, and at a welcoming function they asked if anyone went to Loreto,” he said.
“Boys first attended the Sturt Street campus in 1945 after moving from the Dawson Street campus, which is now Quest Apartments,” she said.
“I put up my hand and everyone looked at me like I was odd, because few people know that boys went to Loreto.”
“The Loreto Archives Centre was the primary school from the 1960s, the room where many boys and girls attending through that time were taught.”
Andrew recalled that one of the sisters who taught him didn’t like boys and girls to be near each other.
It turns out that many successful men, both locally and further abroad, are part of this exclusive ‘club’. Network Ten’s National Affairs Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 24
“Boys sat on one side of the class and girls sat on the other and you weren’t allowed to interact,” he said.
My daughter goes to Loreto, and at a welcoming function they asked if anyone went to Loreto... I put up my hand and everyone looked at me like I was odd, because few people know that boys went to Loreto.
Stories like Andrew’s were flowing freely at the ‘Old Boys’ reunion on Friday 22 November. We welcomed over 30 Loreto boys back to the College after searching through archival records and spreading the word in the local media. Community Relations Officer, Ms Catherine Baker, said she heard in her first week at the school that boys used to attend, and thought it was their turn to have a reunion. “It started with just one name but many of the past pupils were still connected, having moved on to similar schools in the region following their time at Loreto College,” she said.
“Everyone is proud to be a ‘Loreto boy.” Slowly going through the register, we are constantly coming across families that attended the school. But we are still searching. If you know of any Loreto boys, perhaps your brother, cousin or even yourself, we encourage you to get them to contact the Development Office at Loreto College on (03) 5329 6100 or via email to development@loreto. vic.edu.au.
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Archives College Archivist Michael Taffe wraps up another year spent with our history. By Mr Michael Taffe, Loreto College Archivist Once again 2013 has proven to be an exciting and busy year in the archives. Having moved into our state-of-the-art archives centre, we had the space to work with three great volunteers, Mrs Elizabeth Frost, Camille Milne and Kerri Glenton, who brought Loreto Ballarat’s media print records up to 1996. They have also helped organise many previously miscellaneous photographs into retrievable and dated images, even if subjects are not always named. Over the final term I have also had the pleasure of working with Alina Hamilton, a Monash Information Knowledge Management (Archives & Library) post-graduate student, working on placement. With the assistance of Mr Michael Walsh in the Library, Alina has made our archival items relating to the Great War now available on the student resource link, ready for student access in 2014. Apart from the early 20th century donations, we now have twenty-five small collections donated to the College forming part of our archive and helping to fill in the Loreto Ballarat story. The photos accompanying this article are from the many small private collections donated to the archive over recent years, for which we are most grateful. The end of the year witnessed the wonderful Graduation Mass and ceremony for our Year 12 students. The above image of Jubilarians on 8 November 1962 shows the connection of today’s Verity Vol. 24 December 2013 Pg 26
graduating class with those of the past. Keeping to end-of-year celebrations, another private donation is of the VCE High Achievers 1998 photo with Sr Cynthia Wright, IBVM. Also in November we celebrated the first ever reunion of ‘old boys’. Again the archival records provided a key to identifying and connecting with several of these men. The success of this gathering is featured in this edition of Verity on page 22. The 1970 image of the Hill family shows Mark Hill wearing his Loreto cap in 1970. Canvassing those who attended the gathering, it seems that these caps were only adopted for two or three years. As this image is the only record we have of a Loreto cap. We would love to hear from anyone who has one! The souvenirs from the Great War featuring on our student link as well as those donated images reproduced here again highlight the importance of private donations to the archive from the wider Loreto community. The archive is not about hanging on to the past. It is about preserving the best of the past for the benefit of future generations. It is exciting for us to be able to use items donated in 1917, 1923, 2008, 2012 and 2013 for our students to use as research and learning tools. Trusting you all have a safe and happy Christmas from all at the Archives.
Clockwise: Jubilarians, 8.12.1962 Hill children, 1970, Mark Hill with Loreto cap. Loreto VCE 1998 High Achievers.
Also in November we celebrated the first ever reunion of ‘old boys’. Again the archival records provided a key to identifying and connecting with several of these men.
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