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Farewelling our Captains of School
Sally Bertoncello and Eliza Galimberti
There is a unique beauty in a Loreto Toorak student. Due to an education of both mind and heart, they are people of intelligence and compassion who have both the knowledge and the drive to imprint their positive mark on this world. A Loreto education is a blessing, one that provides us with the confidence that we can embrace life’s inevitable challenges with enthusiasm and courage.
In this Loreto Year of Felicity, the challenges presented by the continuous shifts from onsite to remote learning only emphasised the importance of finding joy in our own individual passions and celebrating this happiness with one another. This was shown in a myriad of ways including welcoming each other at the school gates, rejoicing in one another’s skills at our Loreto Toorak’s Got Talent show and through the strong school spirit revealed at every House event.
During times of remote learning, we have been completely taken aback by the students’ unconditional support for one another, despite not being together in a physical sense. Through the staff’s benevolence, in culmination with their efforts to provide a wide range of fun online activities available to unite the whole school, we collectively proved the Loreto spirit stretches beyond the Clendon Road gate and into the homes of every Loreto Toorak student. To be a part of this nurturing community is something for which we are eternally grateful.
As women with a Loreto education, we have the unique opportunity to recognise our true potential, a strength that is incredibly important for all women to possess. It has instilled within us the values of Justice, Sincerity, Verity, Felicity and Freedom and confidence in the words of Mary Ward that “women, in time, will do great things.” We look forward to applying these teachings to the world beyond the sea of white ribbons.
As Captains of School, it has been a blessing to explore the work of Mary Ward International Australia in a deeper sense. As Loreto people, we belong to a global community that encourages generosity of spirit and empowerment of all women. We are particularly thankful for the students’ compassion during our Feast Day Part B, whereby funds were raised to assist in the Landing Pad project for our Loreto sisters in Kolkata, India.
To the Class of 2021, we are absolutely honoured to represent you. We have spent our VCE experience being flexible in lockdown periods, yet every time we reunite together, there exists an overwhelming sense of love and support. Your optimism, pragmatism and general zest for life is admirable and we cannot wait to see the incredible things you each achieve. We are wishing you the best of luck and are unbelievably grateful for all the felicitous moments shared during our time together.
It has been an absolute privilege to lead this wonderful school, something we are sincerely grateful for. We will deeply miss every aspect of Loreto Toorak. Yet as we embark in this new chapter of our lives, we know that the teachings and values of this school and the unwavering support of the wider community will be with us every step of the way.
