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LIFE
LOR Cruci Dum Spiro Fido 1
LORETO LIFE 2021
WE CELEBRATE 2021, THE YEAR OF FELICITY.
LORETO LIFE 2021
Cruci Dum Spiro Fido
Contents
ISSUE 2 - CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY AT LORETO NORMANHURST From our Principal
2
From our Chair
3
From our School Captains
4
Women for our Times
6
Primary Snapshot
18
Boarding Snapshot
20
Staff Snapshot
22
Unleash the...
24
Learning from Home
26
Year in Review
28
Connection to Place
34
From the Archives
44
From our Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement
48
Awards and Donors
50
From the President of our Ex-Students’ Association
51
Staying Connected
52
Reunions from Afar
54
2021 Events
58
Alumnae News
60
From the President of our Parent Association
62
Connect with Us
64
6
Women for our Times
28
Year in Review
34
Connection to Place LORETO LIFE 2021
Contents 1
“Our call as Loreto people is to actively navigate change by recognising its transformative potential and embracing it with joy.” AS EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS IN A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH CYCLES AND SEASONS.
MS MARINA UGONOTTI PRINCIPAL
Every school year has its terms and its holidays; its winter and summer sports; its assessment blocks and its celebrations. As people of conscious Catholic faith, we are also guided by the Church calendar which distinguishes periods of contemplation, anticipation and festivity. Rather than simply letting the passage of these seasons carry us along to December, our call as Loreto people is to actively navigate change by recognising its transformative potential and embracing it with joy, gratitude and vision. In 2021, when the contrast between our terms and seasons was as stark as ever and our routines overturned, this approach became particularly critical. Like every school year, 2021 commenced with a season of anticipation and newness. We were buoyed by the optimism of the Year 12 student leaders’ motto, ‘Here comes the sun, Loreto 2021.’ Setting new goals across our FACE Curriculum, students and staff alike knuckled down to focus on learning and revelled in special events like Loreto Day and Music Festival. What followed was an unexpected season of quiet and solitude as we entered an extended lockdown. For some, remote learning provided peace and calm, and for others uncertainty and loneliness. We drew strength from the legacy of our foundress, Mary Ward, who faced her own time of isolation and doubt when she was imprisoned for her radical insistence on female involvement in the Church.
Just as Mary Ward wrote letters to remain connected to her companions, we too emphasised community and togetherness through our LN Community Olympics, IN-SPIRO Day, Tutor Group trivia and Boarding cohort virtual parties. The return to onsite learning proved a season of wonderful gratitude and felicity. It was a delight to observe students on that first day back as they greeted their friends, decorated the quad with chalk flowers and motivational messages, and shared what they were grateful for on tiny cardboard ‘Normo’ girls which were then placed around the grounds. Finally, as the school year concluded and we entered Advent, our community embraced a season of hope and renewal. We looked once more to the future; we met new Loreto families at virtual Orientation Days, launched the first phase of our Master Plan upon approval of our SSDA and planned for the 2022 celebrations of Loreto Normanhurst’s 125th anniversary. Inspired by our Ignatian tradition of mindful reflection, we also took stock in all we had achieved throughout the year. The beauty of the seasonal nature of the school year is that, when we look back, we can see evidence that we are constantly on the move. We can signpost our growth as people of service, spirituality, curiosity and compassion. As you peruse these pages, I invite you to relish in the many and varied experiences, relationships and changes that have characterised Loreto Normanhurst in 2021. I hope this issue of Loreto Life will illuminate to you our community’s collective and resolute felicity amid ever-changing seasons.
From our Principal LORETO LIFE 2021
From our Principal 2
From our Chair AS ONE YEAR ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS, WE ARE PROVIDED A SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BACK AND EVALUATE THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE.
Accordingly, in preparation for writing this article, I revisited my 2020 Chair’s Report. My first thought was that in reality little had changed; the impacts of COVID-19 certainly continued to be felt in 2021. However, upon further reflection I realised I was wrong. The resilience that students, staff and wider school community have shown this year has been inspirational. There is much to be celebrated in terms of what we have achieved and endured, and how we have grown as a result.
They were a credit to themselves, their families and the School. These women showed a level of maturity and formation beyond their years. All commented on how their time at ‘Normo’ had prepared them for life after school. This was just one example of many throughout the year that demonstrated how effective the FACE Curriculum is and how proficient the School is in implementing it. COVID-19 may have disrupted many of the milestones enjoyed by students, such as the Far North Queensland Experience, the fullness of the Year 12 graduation and the opportunity to represent the School in various extra-curricular events. Nevertheless, it has been the simple coming together as a community that has given us all strength.
After an extended period involving significant consultation with all stakeholders, our Master Plan received conditional State Significant Development Approval. This is a key milestone in the building of the new Boarding School. The School will need to raise funds to commence the build, but more on that in 2022.
For some time now, the School Board has been focused on the mental health and wellbeing of this school community. It is an area that needs more open discussion as the impacts can be devastating. We have allocated more resources due to our concerns and will continue to ensure the School is well-resourced to support its community.
We have continued to expand the Primary School, which will have three streams in Years 5 and 6 commencing in 2022. This is an indication of the demand for the quality education, in the Mary Ward and Ignatian traditions, for which Loreto Normanhurst is known.
I would like to thank the School Board, Board sub-committees, the Leadership team and all staff for their commitment over the year. This year we have achieved a great deal and further prepared the School for the next stage of its development.
I have always been impressed with the way Normanhurst has celebrated the achievements and successes of our students in whatever forum they are involved. This continued throughout the year albeit in some alternate, innovative styles.
On behalf of the School Board, I would also like to thank our Principal, Ms Marina Ugonotti, for her dedication, professionalism and, above all, her leadership; we are a better school community for it.
I was privileged, for instance, to be an audience participant in an uplifting virtual Seeking Truth seminar with recent ex-students discussing their experiences since leaving school.
MR ANDREW QUOYLE CHAIR OF THE LORETO NORMANHURST SCHOOL BOARD
I sincerely hope that 2022 will be a more ‘normal’ year for Loreto Normanhurst. Equipped with pride in all we have accomplished and gained in 2021, may we approach the changes, challenges and successes to come with resilience and gratitude!
“It has been the simple coming together as a community that has given us all strength.”
LORETO LIFE 2021
From our Chair 3
From our School Captains LORETO LIFE 2021
From our School Captains 4
WHEN WE THINK BACK TO OUR ORIENTATION DAY IN 2016, SITTING QUIETLY IN THE CURRAN THEATRE AMID AN AIR OF EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION, WE ARE FILLED WITH IMMENSE PRIDE; PRIDE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WOMEN WE HAVE ALL BECOME.
What has become apparent is the power of our school community to stay connected despite physical distance. From hosting our very own Community Olympics to celebrating RUOK? Day with a bake-off, the weeks spent off-site highlighted the strength and love present within our Normo family.
Under the care and guidance of our Loreto education, the Class of 2021 has shown great strength of character and resilience, approaching unprecedented challenges with open minds and trust in each other, alongside our teachers and community. With Felicity as our overarching value, we have seen the power of seeking positivity and joy in times of hardship.
As we move to life beyond Year 12, we know the importance of kindness and of speaking our truth, of standing up for ourselves and for others. We will always remember the remarkable teachers and staff who supported us along the way and who contributed generously to our experiences and memories of Loreto. The special bonds we have formed with each other and the unique gifts that only a Loreto education can bring have shaped us into young women of Mary Ward, as “seekers of truth and doers of justice.”
The Class of 2021 has been incredibly adaptable and united in their endeavours. From reinventing Loreto Day 2020 and teaching the school song ‘Cruci’ in Auslan, to celebrating our unique community on Harmony Day and holding successful Bursary events, we have encouraged each and every Normo girl to do their best. Whether we were cheering along at sporting carnivals, singing at the top of our lungs at Music Festival, or engaging in class discussions on Zoom during online learning, Normo girls have displayed the core of what it means to be felicitous.
GRACE GILLIES & LILLIAN DEAN SCHOOL CAPTAIN & SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN 2020-21
School and Boarding Captains
Over the past 12 months, our Student Council has worked diligently with passion and grit to ignite a joyful spirit within the broader school community. In light of the unusual challenges of 2020-21, our motto, “Here Comes the Sun, Loreto 2021,” epitomised the importance of adopting an optimistic attitude, even when we were challenged.
School Captain
Grace Gillies
School Vice Captain
Lillian Dean
Boarder Captain
Annabelle Kingston
Boarder Vice Captain
Sophia Whittaker
House Captains Aston
Yasmin Say
Barry
Eliza Haire
Kendall
Lily Hudson
Kuring-gai
Sabrina Haaf
Maye
Thea Whittaker
Mornane
Lucy Findlay
Mulhall
Tiana Paul
Ward
Jordyn Richards
Extra-Curricular Captains Academic Activities
Sophie Earle
Creative Arts
Chanelle Kong
Liturgy
Anne-Maree Swanson
Social Justice
Molly Haymen
Communications/SRC
Annika Shankar
Ecology
Leila Mangos
Music
Vivien Li
Sport
Abby Feurtado
LORETO LIFE 2021
From our School Captains 5
In the words of Mary Ward, as Loreto people we are called to be “seekers of truth and doers of justice” and “women who will come to do much.” But what does it mean to be a
‘woman for our times’?
We asked students and alumnae how they live out conscious faith, independent thinking, service, creativity, grit and voice — the graduate attributes of our Strategic Plan 2023.
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R OUR TIMES FO
CONSCIOUS FAITH M O ECREATIVITY W N GRIT INDEPENDENT THINKING SERVICE VOICE CONSCIOUS FAITH CREATIVITY GRIT INDEPENDENT 9
Kyarah Bouchahine, Year 11 At Loreto, our community is brought together and strengthened by faith. At the core of our school is the strong foundation of Ignatian spirituality, a spirituality that recognises God as an active part of our everyday lives. As women living in our times, we are enlightened to live with empathy, gentle strength and with our values never wavering. To me, being a woman for our times means being empowered to create change. Mary Ward was a fearless woman who always held her morals close to her. Similarly, as women of today, we should remain true to ourselves while being adaptable and compassionate. We have been given a voice, louder than ever, and we should use our voice not to overpower those we disagree with, but to purposefully engage in conversation to drive change and success. Danielle Fairthorne (Jacquet, ’05) The experience of spirituality at Loreto is one of deep connection with God, meaningful relationships with others and a respectful connection to the environment. As a community, we celebrate each other and aid those who need it, and are reminded to live with generosity and high spirits.
As graduates of Loreto, we are challenged to live a life reflective of the faith that was modelled to us as part of the Loreto Normanhurst community. This calls me to live an active faith life that inspires my actions, words, relationships and decision-making. This is a faith that is witnessed through who I am as a person. Loreto challenged us to live encouraged by Jesus’ message of love which has been made real to us in the Gospels, and demonstrated to us in the examples of Mary Ward, Mother Gonzaga Barry and their contemporaries. In this way, as LN graduates, we are invited to become living examples of humility, integrity, justice and joy in this world. Danielle Fairthorne has been a teacher of Religious Education in Sydney and Melbourne for more than 10 years, after extensive study in Arts, Religious Education and Learning Diversity. Danielle has also been a member of her local Parish Pastoral Council and leader of numerous student and youth groups, including at World Youth Day in 2013 and 2016 and Australian Catholic Youth Festivals. In 2020, Danielle was called to be a delegate at the Australian Catholic Church’s Plenary Council for 2021-2022. Danielle is currently a Boarding Head of House at Kincoppal Rose Bay and in 2022, will be the Head of Religious Education.
Danielle Fairthorne with Sr Carmel Crameri RSJ after the Celebration of Opening School Mass
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CO
“Being a woman for our times means being empowered to create change.”
ONSCIOUS FAITH Gentle strength, empathetic, reflective
LORETO LIFE 2021
Women for our Times 9
INDEPEND THINK Curious, critical enquirer, synthesiser
Molly Hanly, Year 10 In an age of constant misinformation, pushed through social media and selfproclaimed ‘experts’, the ability to be an independent and critical thinker has become both more difficult and more important. To me, independent thinking means relying on your own innate intelligence, reasoning, knowledge and experience to make judgements. It means having the confidence to stand by your values and opinions, while at the same time acknowledging when you are wrong. The most important part of being an independent thinker is being able to question your own beliefs or why you assume something to be true, whether it be a belief passed through parents, peers, media or society in general. I think the only way we can truly progress as a society is through questioning and critiquing these beliefs. As Loreto women, we are given the unique opportunity and privilege of having the space and the tools to think independently and critically, something that we must use to make the change that we want to see in the world.
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Dr Virginia Small (’77) One of the lasting lessons the Loreto Sisters taught me was that there are ‘uncomfortable’ truths, and that our ultimate call would be to bear witness to independent thinking – in whatever way that appears. It is confronting to academic writers and scholars when research may not necessarily match received narratives and popular values; we are in an era where independent thinking has to be courageous because it can be discouraged, or ignored. A bookmark quoting Mary Ward, given to me by one of the Sisters for my birthday in Year 7, resonates: “love and speak the truth at all times”. It really is the ultimate, timeless test.
Dr Virginia Small is a Visiting Fellow in the School of Business at UNSW ADFA Canberra, a writer and an author. She has worked at the ABC for over 18 years in a variety of broadcasting roles including as an economics journalist and producer and presenter of a high-rating business program on Radio National. Virginia has a doctoral degree in communications, a master’s in professional communication and a master’s in literature. Her recent book, Strangling Aunty: Perilous Times for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, assesses the institutional future of the ABC by looking at how it has dealt with changing political and media environments since its launch in 1932.
DENT KING Mia Khoudair, Year 7 Being a woman today means having a strong sense of identity, being confident and surrounding yourself with a female support system that encourages you to be your best self. It means striving for our goals even in the face of the difficulties we may encounter along the way. True service is done because you would like to help and not because you are required to. This year, I made ten men’s toiletry packs for St Vincent de Paul society. I was surprised to discover that there were so many people who were unable to afford these items. I also made 23 snack packs which were filled with snacks and juice for vulnerable families and individuals. I observed and have learnt that there are people suffering in our community and I wanted to do something about it. Genevieve Jacobs AM (Ryan, ‘84)
Service is integral to my life, a legacy of my bush childhood and my years at Loreto. Both created a deep sense that community is built by using our individual gifts and talents for the good of all. Each gift is distinctive and each has value, and as the Gospel of Luke says, “To whom much is given, much will be required”. As a journalist and communicator, I can give voice to people from regional and rural Australia, and speak for those who are often silenced.
I use my skills to tease out stories and ideas, to bring people together and to create equal opportunities across the community, forming relationships of trust so that we can all be heard.
Genevieve Jacobs is the Group Editor for Region Media, Australia’s fastest growing digital news platform. Previously, she was the Mornings presenter for ABC Radio Canberra and has been a regional journalist for many years. Genevieve chairs the ACT arts minister’s Creative Advisory Council and co-chaired the inaugural ACT Reconciliation Council. She sits on the boards of the ACT’s Cultural Facilities Corporation and chairs the Canberra International Music Festival. She is also a director of the Conflict Resolution Service and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. She was made an AM in the Australia Day honours list for her service to public broadcasting and the community.
Leader, responsive, advocate
SERVICE LORETO LIFE 2021
Women for our Times
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“EVEN N MUST CO STRIVE T WORTH, RESILIEN THESE T EXACTL US STRO FOR OUR LORETO LIFE 2021
Maria Regina Angelorum 14
NOW, WOMEN ONTINUOUSLY TO PROVE OUR , STRENGTH AND NCE. I BELIEVE TRAITS ARE LY WHAT MAKE ONG WOMEN R TIMES.” IVANA ANTONY YEAR 9
LORETO LIFE 2021
Cruci Dum Spiro Fido 15
CREATIVIT Expressive, imaginative, risk-taking Darcie Byrne, Year 8 Creativity gives me the ability to express my thought processes and ideas through different forms of art. I have selected Art as an elective subject for Year 9. I look forward to learning about different applications and using different mediums than I have had the opportunity to use before. My artwork was inspired by the Sydney anti-lockdown protests in August. I was angered by the mistreatment of the police and their horses, so I made this artwork for the Art in Lockdown competition. The Loreto value of ‘Justice’ was a big one for this painting, as it directly calls out the wrongdoing of one person. Mary Ward was passionate about freedom, and while the protests were about freedom, they were not respectful or helpful – which is what Mary Ward strived to be. I love how Loreto encourages people to stand up for what is right but go about it in a respectful way. I enjoy the freedom that we get at Loreto to choose between different media. While my painting was in watercolour. I quite enjoy other forms of art as well. I also enjoy Drama very much, as it offers a more physical outlet for creativity.
Rachel Antony, Year 6 Creativity to me means that you do things your own way. You use a concept and make it your own. It means you think uniquely and outside the box to create new things. All the Loreto values have important meanings, however the value that has the most impact on me is ‘felicity.’ Felicity means to always be happy and to always look at the positive. To me, it means that there are always two sides to a story and we should try to always see the positive side. At Loreto, art involves creating something using different techniques or visuals. My artwork was inspired by the anticipation caused by lockdown. We don’t usually sit, looking out the window to hear what’s going to happen next. But in lockdown, everyone wanted to know what was going to happen, so the waiting aspect of lockdown inspired my artwork.
Rachel and Darcie entered artworks in the Community Bank Turramurra and Lindfield Art in Lockdown competition, and were both selected for the Community Choice Awards.
“I love how Loreto encourages people to stand up for what is right but go about it in a respectful way.”
LORETO LIFE 2021
Women for our Times 14
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“Creativity is a fundamental human compulsion... inspired by the wonders of our universe.”
Coty Farquhar (Hahn, ’80) Creativity is a reflection of our personality, our tastes, our power of observation, our own cultural upbringing and our talent for originality. Creativity is a fundamental human compulsion to invent or to compose. Creativity is inspired by the wonders of our universe. When you are in the right state of heart and soul, just like magic you can tap into the endless flow of universal creative energy and resources and inspiration comes straight to you. The most wonderful gift I have been given in my life is to create and live a creative life. I don’t know how to live any other way.
Coty Farquhar is a creative and artistic director, visual decorator, award-winning costume designer and photographic stylist. Coty carries with her more than 40 years working in magazines, styling and design and is the founder of Styling Magazine Australia. Coty’s career began within the Vogue Australia stable of magazines, then as Fashion Editor & Beauty Editor of New Woman Magazine, Murdoch Magazines. Coty lives in Bowral with her husband, cabinetmaker and antique restorer, Andrew Farquhar, and their two children who both run their own creative businesses.
LORETO LIFE 2021
Women for our Times 15
GRIT
Agile, resilient, adaptable Scarlett Butterfield, Year 11 At Loreto, especially through sport and extra-curricular, we are given immense opportunity to develop ‘grit.’ To me, grit means to never give up and, even when you’re losing by five points or you have eight assignments due the next day, to keep going no matter what. Loreto sport has allowed me to foster grit from Year 7, by being involved in various teams with varying abilities. You build grit both individually and collectively by working with a team to play the best you can. As I got older and more opportunities arose, extra-curricular activities have been a massive test of this grit, such as my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Adventurous Journey. This was a test both physically and mentally. Hiking the Great North Walk with a 16-kilogram backpack with everything I needed for a week was extremely tiring and by the end of it my legs felt like noodles. However, it was the grit that Loreto had modelled to me over my years here that mentally allowed me to continue till the finish.
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Tahli Moore (’12) Playing sport at the local, state, international and professional stages, grit is what gets you through the tough parts. Grit is the ability to dig deep and remember why you play. Some would compare sport to insanity, as you repeat the same task over and over expecting a different result. However, if you have the passion and grit to learn from mistakes, take on tough criticism and overcome injury, you really can come out on top. Not only do you achieve sporting greatness, but that drive stays with you into your career and life beyond.
Tahli Moore first played softball as a 6 year-old and has since played for NSW and for the Australian and Great British National teams. Tahli played and studied at James Madison University, Virginia, USA for four years, going on to complete her Masters and coach in Malta. Tahli has played in numerous countries including the Netherlands, Malta, Japan, Canada, USA, UK and Italy. Tahli studied Geographic Science and Environmental Management and has taken her passion for sustainability into the construction industry where she works as an Environmental Advisor.
VOICE
Gentle strength, empathetic, reflective Ivana Antony, Year 9 To be a ‘woman for our times’ is to represent women and girls around the world who are unable to voice their opinions or achieve their ideas themselves. Even now, women must continuously strive to prove our worth, strength and resilience. I believe these traits are exactly what make us strong women for our times. The two Loreto values that have influenced my life most significantly are ‘justice’ and ‘sincerity.’ Justice has taught me that you must stand up for what you believe in, and sincerity has taught me to do so with grace, dignity and honesty. Having a voice means voicing my opinion so it can make a difference to the situation. In today’s world where people are encouraged to speak their mind, we must be mindful that it always needs to be done in a respectful manner, ensuring the message is clear. As school students, we should take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way as a learning tool, in order to broaden our mind to new things in life. We can speak up at inter-school events, participate in national events and support worthy causes that will benefit from our ‘voices.’
Gian Ellis-Gannell (’20) To paraphrase playwright Sam Shepard, as a young, Catholic woman, ‘voice’ is something that exists in the spaces between my words. It is using the education I have been given to engage in community issues, so that I might bring forward marginalised experiences passionately and resolutely. To explain what this definitively involves is hard in an increasingly complex world, however, I embody this value by utilising platforms to express myself, and thus to be the change I want to see.
Gian Ellis-Gannell is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies as a Dalyell Scholar at the University of Sydney. She is a First Year Representative for the USYD Politics Society, Communications Officer for the USYD Society of Asian Studies, Mentorship Program leader and reporter for Honi Soit. She has been instrumental in organising the student-run Government and International Relations Symposium. Gian is also an IBVM Youth Advocate, representing Loreto at the 2021 Commission on the Status of Women.
Someone wise once said “if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”. My hope for the future is that no woman ever goes without a good education.
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AT THE END OF TERM 4, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING OUR YEAR 6 STUDENTS PRESENT CLEVER BIOGRAPHICAL RIDDLES SUMMARISING RESEARCH THEY HAD DONE ABOUT A ‘WOMAN OF EMINENCE.’ With poise, confidence and a sense of humour, the girls conveyed to their classmates the stories of female figures who have made significant contributions to science, sport, the Arts and social justice. We encountered Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart and even a particular literary favourite of mine, Jane Austen. These presentations all but coincided with the Year 6 Graduation, our Final Assembly and our Primary Awards Ceremony. As we celebrated the year and reflected on the growth, achievements and contributions of our students to the Primary School, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between our girls and these eminent women. They share many similar qualities, including resilience, confidence, compassion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and, most notably, an incredible sense of what it is to be a leader.
Indeed, at several points throughout 2021 I have been struck by the mature leadership of our girls. They proved their mettle as advocates and educators during the Public Speaking competition and our many social justice initiatives including Project Compassion. They showcased their endurance and teamwork in our LN Community Olympics challenges, Tour de Loreto challenge and our Swimming and Cross Country carnivals. They shared their commitment to community-building, family and friends at the Fathers’ Day Bake-Off, school camps and every day in our physical and virtual classrooms, where they worked collaboratively and innovatively. Our girls see models of strong female leadership not just in women of fame and history, but also in each other. They build each other up and have an acute awareness of the capacity and responsibility of girls to enact change in our world and to support each other. As one student said in her Year 6 leadership pledge at the start of 2021, “I strive to always be a role model in the Primary School. I promise to always display good manners, initiative, integrity, and pride. I promise to make fair decisions and never be a barrier to anyone.”
Another student told me in a campfire conversation at our Great Aussie Bush camp that her parents wanted her to come to Loreto so that she can work hard and have choices and also learn how to become a strong lady. She told me that there are many types of ladies that you can become; she would like to be a lady who is confident and helps others. I cannot wait to witness the young ladies our Primary students will grow into. I am certain that there are future women of eminence in Year 5 and 6. I leave you with an excerpt written by some of our Primary leaders about the Loreto Justice Network webinar they attended to mark the UN Day of the Girl. The full article was published in the Loreto Networker, and is a glimpse of the measure, intelligence and awareness of others our students demonstrate every day in Primary.
MRS MARYANNE DWYER
PRIMARY SNAPSHOT
HEAD OF PRIMARY
YOUNG WOMEN OF EMINENCE LORETO LIFE 2021
Primary Snapshot 18
DAY OF THE GIRL We came together as followers of Mary Ward to learn about the injustices that girls in today’s world face. Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA) has worked tirelessly with dedication and effort to improve the lives and futures of girls all over the world. We were so shocked and deeply devastated at the troubles women across the world go through, but were even more surprised about what the younger girls face. It was truly upsetting to hear the stories about what young girls go through during their lifetime from the true words of individual survivors.
In Timor Leste, girls spend hours walking to school over the mountains. They only spend half the day at school because of the challenge of not having quick transport. We felt very guilty as we are so fortunate in Australia and we reflected on how important it is to appreciate the smaller things. We wish we could do more to help these disadvantaged and marginalised girls. Amelia Moyes, Annie Goodall, Lara Vuckovic & Portia Rowland-Stefanic, Year 6 Students
It is so hard to hear about the diligent working girls in the brick fields of India. It’s just not right that young girls spend hours working because their families are desperate. We are so lucky we can enjoy life and our valuable childhood without having the burden of hard work to pay for our survival.
LORETO LIFE 2021
Primary Snapshot 19
NATIONAL BOARDING WEEK Penni-Rose Collins, Year 8 National Boarding Week was full of so many fun activities like painting rocks and decorating cookies. Loreto boarders are called the ‘Pink Ladies,’ and during the week we wore pink ribbons in our hair at school. Tessa and I were very excited when we won the Pink Lady run. It was a tight race to the finish but with no doubt it was a tie between us both. During the week, we also did a donut eating challenge. Tessa is not even in my house, but I had never seen anyone eat a donut so fast before in my life! To me, the best thing about being a Normo boarder is the community. I have become so close with the boarders in my year, and I cannot imagine what it would be like without them. I love getting to know new people, even in different years. I have made so many memories and that’s just in the two years I have been here. I love being a Loreto boarder and I cannot wait for the next National Boarding Week!
OUR NEW BOARDING HOUSES Camaraderie and spirit were well and truly evident during our Community Weekend in Term 2 when we introduced the names of our two Boarding Houses, Babthorpe and Wigmore. Babthorpe is named after Barbara Babthorpe (1592-1654), a cousin and close companion of Mary Ward and the woman who would go on to lead the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) after Mary Ward’s death. Winefrid Wigmore (1585-1657) was one of the five original companions to join Mary as she set off for Europe. She was a skilled writer, and assisted in caring for Mary Ward’s health as she grew ill.
It was exciting to present the history of these two women to the girls and see their eyes light up as they realised which House they were in. The rest of the year saw us further develop the House structure and share in many House initiatives, events and competitions.
MRS JENELLE MINTO & MRS ISABELLE ASQUITH HEADS OF HOUSE BOARDING
Tessa Haire, Year 8 National Boarding Week was a huge highlight of the year! We started the week off with a bang, running 1 kilometre around the school and of course dressing up in as much pink as possible. Penni and I crossed the line together and were the lucky winners, alternating who showcased the trophy on their bedside table every couple of weeks. During the week, I also found out how quickly I could vacuum up a single donut during the ‘donut on a string’ competition, which encouraged each boarder to put on their competitive hat and barrack for their Boarding House at the top of their lungs. Boarding Week helped us to embrace and celebrate the exciting opportunity of being a boarder. It really brought out the true spirit of the Loreto boarders and this tight knit community. High expectations have been set for next year’s Boarding Week and I am so excited to see what is in store for us.
BOARDING SNAPSHOT LORETO LIFE 2021
Boarding Snapshot
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OUR BOARDERS IN REMOTE LEARNING HEADING INTO A PERIOD OF LOCKDOWN IN TERMS 3 AND 4 MEANT OUR BOARDERS RETURNED HOME. SISTERS SOPHIE AND ALLIE GAVE US THEIR INSIGHT INTO WHAT REMOTE LEARNING LOOKED LIKE FROM THEIR MERINO STUD IN CENTRAL NSW, IN A VIDEO YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KATE KOVACS!
Sophie – A fun fact about us being back home on the farm during remote learning is that we got to help Dad do some lamb marking or mustering. Allie – Being a boarder is special to me because every day I can come back into the Boarding House and if I’ve had a rough day, I can talk to my mates about it or if I’ve had a good day I can still talk to them!
Our congratulations to Mrs Kate Kovacs, Director of Boarding, who in early 2022 will celebrate 30 years of service to Loreto Normanhurst. It is with immense gratitude for her contributions to LN Boarding, and with recognition of the impact she has made on the lives of many Loreto boarders, that we mark this special milestone with Kate.
Sophie – I just love being a part of such a great community – they’re like family to me. You get to meet people from all over Australia. The best thing about being at home for remote learning, was that every day when I finished school I got to go and ride my horse.
We also share our thanks and appreciation to Mrs Joanne Hallinan, Dean of Boarding, for 20 years of service to the Loreto Normanhurst community.
Allie – And my highlight was finishing school and then going to play with the puppies!
SOPHIE & ALLIE MACLEAN YEAR 7 & 9 BOARDERS
LORETO LIFE 2021
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CELEBRATION OF SERVICE IN TERM 4, WE CONGRATULATED LONGSERVING MEMBERS OF STAFF AT OUR CELEBRATION OF SERVICE EVENING, GIVING THANKS FOR ALL THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL IN 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 AND EVEN AN INCREDIBLE 30 YEARS AT LORETO NORMANHURST.
5 Years’ Service Michelle Andrews, Isabelle Asquith, Marie Bugge, Jason Currao, Ambreen Ghazala, Karyn MacQuillan, Jennifer Skelly, Rosanne Timmins, Andrea Turner, Jessica Willis, Senika Wilkinson, Elizabeth Williams, Katerina Beroukas, Matthew Ellis, Rachel Herkes, Mitchell Hughes, Michele Mannes, Wendy Mildon, Samuel Napper, Anthony Tassone, Catherine Wall, Amber Williams. 10 Years’ Service Sarah Ashton, Emma Hughes, Alexandra Kolding, Jacquie McCann, Gavin Pisani, Robyn Roffey, Anna-lea Russo, Stefania Thomsett, Joanne Kachel, Katrina Smith. 15 Years’ Service Roslyn Halmy, Sally Loccisano, Grace Paraino, Laura Bryan, Bernadette O’Dwyer, Rayda Spataro. 20 Years’ Service Joanne Hallinan, Carol Osborne. 25 Years’ Service Mary Anne De Mattia
INTRODUCING OUR DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE WHAT A START TO MY JOURNEY AT LORETO NORMANHURST. I joined as the Director of People and Culture in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and integrated into the community online – not an easy task when ‘people’ is your role. My experience spans more than 20 years in HR roles across various industries, organisations and countries. The Education sector is relatively new for me and I am looking forward in 2022 to expanding my connections, applying my HR experience and implementing a People and Culture Plan in support of the School’s Strategic Plan 2023. I continue to be in awe of the community spirit and inspired by the students and staff. Thank you for such a warm welcome.
30 Years’ Service Kate Kovacs
Mrs Diana Zihlmann, Director of People and Culture
STAFF SNAPSHOT LORETO LIFE 2021
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A WORD FROM OUR STAFF A WHOLE TERM OF REMOTE LEARNING TRANSFORMED THE WAY WE THOUGHT ABOUT EDUCATION IN 2021. IN THIS ‘STAFF SNAPSHOT,’ SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS CONSIDER HOW THEIR DISCIPLINES HAVE BEEN SHAPED BY COVID-19 AND IN TURN CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY’S RESPONSE TO CRISIS AND CHANGE. WE INVITE YOU TO EXPLORE THEIR FEATURE ARTICLES AND OTHERS IN FULL VIA THE NEWS PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.
The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of examining history amidst instability and unfolding trauma. Many fields working at the coalface of COVID-19 have drawn on history and historians to provide guidance and meaning during the pandemic. There has also been a clear sense of solidarity encouraged between history and other disciplines which have sought to collectively share their knowledge and find innovative solutions for the present and future. Mr Marco Scali, Head of History
The pandemic resulted in restricted participation in music performance activities, however the need for music and musicians has never been greater. Music was used as a coping mechanism for many, whether it was to relieve stress, for personal expression or to form social connections, and it continues to be used for these purposes even as we emerge from lockdowns. As we look towards 2022, we are encouraged to seek opportunities to be engaged in music, whether it is to promote wellbeing, benefit learning, strengthen connections with others or just for enjoyment.
What has become clear from our shared experiences of the past two years is that there needs to be more awareness of popular science and increased encouragement of a trusted scientific culture throughout society. Scientific inquiry skills are not the exclusive purview of those involved directly in the field, but are for people from every walk of life. At school, we teach our students to critically analyse secondary data and develop scientific literacy. Mrs Simone Bryant, Head of Science
Ms Sarah Ashton, Acting Head of Music
LORETO LIFE 2021
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UNLE UNLEASH THE...
SPORTSWOMAN Your sporting hero: Giorgio Chiellini, fullback for Juventus and the Italian National team (and also the captain). As a leader he is strong and courageous, and as a person he is humble and selfless.
Why you love playing sport: I have a passion for football. I love the feeling of pride in belonging to my team, the consistent support from teammates and coaches, and the connections I make with people in the football community. Sometimes it’s hard and there are definitely challenges. But I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere if I didn’t love every minute of it.
Jennifer Fairbairn, Year 10
SCIENTIST Favourite book about Science: Stephen Hawking’s final book Brief Answers to Big Questions. This book explores the nature of time and the strange behaviour of particles, but ultimately focuses on existence. The true wonder of this book is how Stephen Hawking answered bigscale questions without disregarding other beliefs.
Your personal football highlight: When I was selected to play for the NSW CIS team at the Primary Schools State Championship. We played nine games over three days. Our training and games were intense. I scored twice at the tournament and our team finished second.
Your role model in Science: Rosalind Franklin. Franklin was a chemist whose work contributed to our understanding of the structure of carbon, DNA, and helical and spherical viruses. She was a woman passionate about science at a time when females were not encouraged to explore such subjects. She valued hard work and persistence and demonstrated incredible resilience – these attributes are what I most admire. Why Science and Agriculture are important to you: These subjects capture my attention and spark my passion. My favourite thing about Science and Agriculture is learning a concept then using this knowledge to explain the world around me, from the smallest things to the biggest.
Gabriella Connell, Year 6
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EASH JOURNALIST Favourite film: Currently, it is Promising Young Woman. My enduring classics are Casablanca, Raging Bull, About Time, and Gallipoli. I think I watched Strictly Ballroom twenty times in lockdown. Evidently, I’m indecisive on the topic. Favourite journalist: Michael Rezendes, who won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for his work with The Boston Globe. He has profound insight into the nature of journalism itself in a post-truth media industry. Favourite Mary Word (School Newspaper) feature: I love reading and watching the works of our Primary girls, as they are essentially the ones who shape the future of the paper. Their ‘Social Justice Interview’ video really stands out as my favourite display of their eagerness, passion and ability. I also see the first ‘Teacher Friends’ episode as both fun and important because it gave our editing team the confidence to try new formats and styles, which served us well throughout the year.
Isobel Chambers, Year 12
Maybel Hooper, Year 5
MUSICIAN Favourite musical: At the moment it is Frozen, because I just saw it earlier this year and there were amazing special effects. But I also have a soft spot for Matilda. Favourite song: I like so many songs. I love musical theatre songs because you can belt out a big note, but I also like softer pop songs like Arcade. Why you love performing: I love performing because it’s exciting, fun and I feel like I accomplished something great afterwards.
“These subjects capture my attention and spark my passion.” Jennifer Fairbairn, Year 10 25
LEARNING
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YEAR IN REVIEW
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A big part of the Music Festival is the celebration of camaraderie and House spirit. What is now known as the Spirit Trophy, awarded to Mulhall House in 2021, was originally named after Margaret Evans (’76). For the full story of the trophy’s history, you may like to read ‘How a winning essay and a trumpeting angel became our Music Festival Spirit Cup’ on the News page of the Normo Network. Enjoy this excerpt from Margaret’s sister, Tritia Evans (’72), reflecting on the 2021 event.
I was lucky enough to go to the Loreto Normanhurst Music Festival at the ICC, the first I’d been to since leaving Normanhurst in 1972. What an amazing night on June 18, and for so many reasons. Apart from the night being so entertaining and professional, I was deeply impressed by how the event was student-led and by how much thought and passion they put into their performances and presentations. While there, I recognised the trumpeting angel trophy from almost 50 years ago and told my friends the story of how it was originally called the Margaret Evans Music Trophy. Inevitably things change and, although the trophy no longer carries Margaret’s name, the theme of the story is timeless.
Music Festival, a highlight of the school year, is a testament to the investment the school makes in our holistic education. It is an experience one can only truly comprehend if they have witnessed it firsthand; it is a night of pure celebration and amazing musical abilities. I don’t know of any other school that invests so inclusively in its students, with every single girl performing in a student-led choir in front of thousands of people. As Mornane House Conductor for 2021, I knew I had my work cut out for me battling COVID-19 restrictions. COVID rehearsals consisted of masks, social distancing, and sometimes bringing the keyboard outdoors. This made the first weeks of rehearsals in Term 4 2020 extraordinarily hard, especially since I couldn’t tell if any mouths were moving! Although it took a while for all of us to get into the swing of it, we eventually found our rhythm. With the help of our amazing accompanist Catherine Sun (Year 8), Mornane was able to learn High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco very quickly.
Tritia Evans (‘72)
My main goal was to enable my fellow Mornanians to have fun and enjoy their time onstage. On the night, the smiles on their faces were evidence that every girl enjoyed themselves. I have never been so proud of the way Mornane came together, with a special thanks to Mrs Prees, our Head of House. Overall, the night was my favourite memory of my time at Loreto (so far) and winning Best Conductor and Best Choir was just an added bonus. MADELEINE CAMPBELL YEAR 11 MORNANE HOUSE CONDUCTOR 2021
Music Festival LORETO LIFE 2021
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Loreto Day
Loreto Day is a day to celebrate our strong Loreto and Mary Ward heritage. It is also a great opportunity for the entire school community to gather together and raise money for a cause linked to the work of the IBVM and Mary Ward International Australia. For Loreto Day 2021, Year 11 voted for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to be our cause. FGM is an invasive procedure performed on young girls for non-medical reasons. It is a violation of women’s fundamental human rights and can be fatal or have long-term consequences. We decided as a year group that this was a cause we wanted to fight against in order to protect our fellow women.
“My highlight of the day was the concert, because we hadn’t had one for 2 years and it was such a good way to end the day.” - Abi, Year 11.
LORETO LIFE 2021
With help from guest speaker Dr Ngatho Mugo (NSW Health) and the School’s support, we were able to effectively raise awareness about this cause. Through our fundraising efforts, we collected around $39,000 which was then donated in effort to stop FGM. One highlight of the day was the concert, where we watched many Loreto girls perform. The stalls were also a lot of fun to run, with the Barry hot chips and disco stalls generating the biggest profit. Overall, Loreto day was a success. We are sure every girl enjoyed themselves but most importantly we were able to create a positive impact toward the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation.
LORETO DAY AWARENESS RAISING TEAM YEAR 11
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In 2021, our Ecology Captain, Leila Mangos, and Social Justice Captain, Molly Haymen, worked to coordinate a school-wide initiative to bring ecology and social justice to the forefront of our minds. Green Team spent a lunchtime brainstorming different ideas of what such an event could look like, and this would come later to fruition in the Justice Fete. In the weeks leading up to the event the amount of planning and preparation was astronomical. Ms Clancy’s office was overflowing with clothing donations meticulously organised by groups of girls in order to make the clothes swap as successful as possible. The making of ecologically friendly items to be sold was truly a matter of collaboration. We hand made baking jars in the food tech rooms, recycled fabric to make scrunchies and had a selection of incredible homemade
candles from a member of the school’s Facilities team. Not to mention Ms Clancy’s and Mrs Cranfield’s incredible work from behind the scenes! After all that hard work, the Justice Fete could not have been more positively received by the whole school community. Everyone including teachers, maintenance staff and students supported us on the day. The event unified Green Team and JPIC’s individual values and put them to use toward a common cause, and this sense of purpose encompassed the whole school. It was a truly electric feeling.
ELLA HORNEMAN & AUDREY KHA YEAR 11
Justice Fete LORETO LIFE 2021
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LN Community Olympics The Loreto Normanhurst Community Olympics provided a great way to get everyone involved and spark a bit of healthy competition between the Houses and Tutor Groups. Online learning could at times be draining, so the Community Olympics created something for everyone to look forward to. There were 24 challenges that each Tutor Group could complete, and Kendall 4 made it our mission from the start to be named the winners! Each Tutor Time, we would always check up on what each girl had completed and share ideas about the best way to complete each challenge. Our favourite challenge was called ‘Whack Job,’ because it was the most challenging one which no other Tutor Group submitted. Kendall 4 was determined and even our amazing Tutor, Mrs Dowers, gave it a go! Finally, before we knew it the Community Olympics had finished, and it was time for the Closing Ceremony. When they announced that Kendall 4 had won, we were all ecstatic, as this announcement only heightened the fantastic experience we had already had!
The best part of participating in the Community Olympics was the fact that it was going on at the same time as the real Tokyo Olympic Games. This meant that we could see our favourite athletes competing at the same time as us completing all of the challenges – sometimes we would even complete some challenges while watching the Tokyo Olympic Games! Ultimately, we had a super positive experience and being a part of the winning Tutor Group is something that we will brag about for years to come!
ZARA WARLAND & FELICITY ORMAN YEAR 11
LORETO LIFE 2021
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INSPIRED BY THE ADVICE OF LORETO TOORAK FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES OF MELBOURNE LOCKDOWNS, OUR PASTORAL TEAM LED STUDENTS AND STAFF IN A POP-UP WELLBEING DAY, COMPLETE WITH RECOMMENDED THEMED ACTIVITIES.
After adapting to the routine of online learning for five weeks, we were all becoming a little tired, disengaged and restless. Then along came the announcement of IN-SPIRO Day. We were all thankful for the opportunity to spend one whole day away from our screens and schoolwork to relax, complete a range of outdoor and creative activities of our choice, and recharge. No two IN-SPIRO days would look the same; I did some chores for my parents, washed my dog, gardened, kicked the AFL ball around with my sister, baked cookies, played UNO, watched The Sound of Music, and taught my dog new tricks. As I spent time in the garden, planting seedlings and tending to the dry shrubbery, my heart and mind were at peace. I was reminded of God’s joyful spirit and filled with gratitude for nature’s gifts. IN-SPIRO Day was a reminder for us all to become appreciative, present and grounded, and to allow ourselves to become hopeful and energised for the future. We will take all the learnings from this last half year, ready to face the challenges of the next.
MAYA DIAS YEAR 8
IN-SPIRO Day LORETO LIFE 2021
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Our Loreto Normanhurst community boasts connections with boarders from rural towns, alumnae living interstate, and Loreto sisters living out Mary Ward’s vision overseas, just to name a few. Despite distance, diversity and even recent periods of remote learning, we share a close relationship to these grounds and its people, and have done so for nearly 125 years since our 1897 foundation. Members of our community reflect on their connection to the special place of Loreto Normanhurst from their unique perspectives.
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Acknowledgement of Country EACH YEAR, LORETO NORMANHURST DEVELOPS IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES HAVE TO COUNTRY, AND LEARNS MORE ABOUT THE RICHNESS AND TRUTHS OF THE LAND ON WHICH OUR SCHOOL IS SITUATED. IN 2021, WE UPDATED OUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY IN CONSULTATION WITH INDIGENOUS ELDERS OF THE GURINGAI LAND AND OTHER IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
We pay our respect to this ancient Land that breathed life 300 million years ago. A Land that extends from the ridgeline of the Blue Mountains across the soft sandstone plateau to the coast into the ocean. These ridgelines are the water catchment areas. It’s where the rain hits first and flows down into our rivers and creeks, rejuvenating the earth and filling waterholes and hanging swamps. A Land kissed by rainbows and home to the tall Blue Gums. We acknowledge this Land as mother to possums, lyrebirds, the laughing kookaburra, the tawny frogmouth and brush turkey. We recognise the deep cultural and spiritual connection of this Land to the peoples of this Country. We honour Elders, those past, present and emerging. We pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our community.
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To work hard and play hard is to be a Normo boarder. To scream ‘Dancing Queen’ down the M2 is to be a Normo boarder. To support your mates through thick and thin is to be a Normo boarder. There’s nothing else like it. It is the people; it is the place.
ELIZABETH HEILMAN YEAR 10 BOARDER
It was at the end of Term 4, when the Year 10 boarding cohort was doing ‘Just Dance’ in the Mary Ward Centre with the widest smiles and loudest laughs, that I knew I was home. Once you join the Loreto community, you’re loved without judgement, you’re supported with compassion and you’re valued like a sister. Excitement and energy fill the Loreto grounds, the school and the dorms. The girls and staff make this place so special; a place where you can reach your full potential and thrive with joy and compassion in your heart. So, when they say it’s a home away from home, it’s true - it truly is home, just with an extra 180 sisters.
The Loreto Boarder
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The Archivist For 124 years, Normo girls have walked through our heritage gates, sat together on the Oak Tree Lawn and gathered in the Reception Room. The enduring features of our grounds and buildings provide a beautiful connection between our past, present and future.
The sense of belonging and the memories forged here are potent and lifelong, as our alumnae can attest. A simple visit to the Chapel, the art rooms or the Deirdre Rofe Centre is enough to trigger a myriad of stories and nostalgia for their time at Loreto Normanhurst.
We know that Normo represents a ‘home away from home’ for our boarders. In the early decades when most students were boarders, girls returned home only once each year across the summer break. Other holidays were spent exploring the bush and caves, picnicking, sending postcards and playing tennis and basketball on the courts. For the Loreto Sisters, this was the place where they lived and worked; the small cemetery in the Normanhurst bush was established for sisters who passed away while serving our School.
We know we are blessed to care for this land that has been so lovingly handed down to us. Boarders and day girls still eat, play and learn in many of the same spaces as decades of alumnae did. Our School will continue to preserve and enhance our grounds and buildings so that future generations can belong to this place as we do.
For our girls, this school is a place of triumph and challenge, of felicity and resilience, where friendships are forged and enduring interests and talents are developed.
MS RACHEL VAUGHAN RECORDS MANAGER
LORETO LIFE 2021
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Loreto Normanhurst has always been a special place for me. Although I have friends all over the world and from many parts of my life, I am still very close to friends I made in Year 7 and there is nothing like that conversational shorthand that goes back to childhood. I remember the art rooms especially. We took the ‘studio’ system of teaching for granted at the time, but looking back I realise this was the source of the unique, relaxed and creative atmosphere. ‘Private art’ on Thursday nights was an outstanding memory for me, when we worked after school in studio groups of a range of ages – this was a collegiate form of learning, but it didn’t feel deliberate or heavy handed. The Loreto Normanhurst community is so important to me that I trusted it with my precious 12 year old daughter, all the way from Hong Kong! That day we left her and flew back home was momentous, but hearing Dr. Leoni Degenhardt [LN Principal 1994-2008] left me feeling very confident and this was borne out every step of the way for the next 6 years. And it was the whole community who supported us; living overseas, we relied on day parents and other boarders and when we came back, we were able to return some of that hospitality and care for their daughters. It was particularly memorable to leave campus after my daughter had packed up her room in Mary Ward Wing for the last time and we said our goodbyes. I was hit by a palpable ‘circle of life’ feeling – it was the end of that generation for me at Loreto.
CATRIONA QUINN CLASS OF 1982
The Alumna and Former Parent LORETO LIFE 2021
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The Loreto Sister After 124 years, the Loreto Sisters are no longer resident at Normanhurst, but the connection is by no means severed. The tradition, spirituality and service of generations of Loreto sisters, their colleagues and friends are embedded in the very fabric of Loreto Normanhurst. In a few words, what can one say about a school, an educational vision and a community so full of life and energy? It is impossible to imagine Normanhurst without the boarders, arriving from distant parts of NSW and making up a significant community within the school. The Indigenous boarders giving the gift of their culture and experience. Boarders, sometimes homesick or overwhelmed, receiving solace and comfort from Sr Kevin Maye who served in the Boarders’ Dining Room for over 50 years. And that care being replicated today by the wonderful Boarding School staff. Music and Art – from the earliest days to the present HSC students represented in ARTEXPRESS and ENCORE – have been central to the life of the school. Generations of students were inspired by Mother Evangeline who was still teaching art into her 80s. Who can forget the memorable music festivals, or the concerts, following a tradition hallowed by Mother Lua and Sr Deirdre Browne? Where else would you find a school where every girl sings and the choir competition is as important as any sporting event?
Perhaps what stands out above all is the commitment to a gospel-based faith grounded in those singular Mary Ward values of freedom, justice, sincerity, verity and felicity. The response is often found in a compassionate, intelligent spirit of social justice. A spirit not just characterised by the fun and money-raising activities of Loreto Day, but by the everyday reminders of what it is to be of service to others and why this is necessary. The dedicated service of those Irish sisters who came to Normanhurst 124 years ago is replicated time and time again by equally dedicated staff and by the engagement of students in caring for the earth, advocating for asylum seekers, and asking the hard questions about life as it is lived. In a time of much suffering, a great deal of social unease and change, such a school cannot do anything other than inspire hope for the future.
SR LIBBY ROGERSON IBVM CLASS OF 1961
“In a few words, what can one say about a school, an educational vision and a community so full of life and energy?” LORETO LIFE 2021
Connection to Place 40
A place is always imbued with the spirits and stories of those who have walked its corridors. The grounds of Loreto Normanhurst boast almost 125 years’ worth of this history and tradition. But a place can also envision the future. There are many generations of Loreto girls who are yet to play sport on the oval, gather in the chapel, learn in the classrooms and laugh in the gardens. Our Master Plan 2047 envisions Loreto Normanhurst as a place of learning and living that fosters a strong, diverse community and grows young women who are ‘compassionate warriors.’ We were delighted upon the recent approval of our State Significant Development Application and the commencement of Phase One of construction to update our spaces and surroundings. Over the next 12 months, we will finalise preparations for our Boarding School building project. Our vision for the new Boarding School is a lively home away from home that sets the stage for the rhythms of boarding life and emphasises community. We look forward to sharing updates about our Master Plan with you as it progresses in 2022 and beyond.
Our Master Plan 2047 LORETO LIFE 2021
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ELIZABETH HEILMAN YEAR 10
“ONC “ONCE LORETO LORETO YOU’RE YOU’RE LO WITHOU JUDGE YOU’RE SUP WITH C YOU’RE COMPASSIO A SISTE VALUED
LORETO LIFE 2021
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CE YOU JOIN THE YOU JOIN THE O OCOMMUNITY, COMMUNITY, EOVED LOVED WITHOUT UT JUDGEMENT, EMENT, YOU’RE E SUPPORTED PPORTED WITH COMPASSION AND EON VALUED LIKE AND YOU’RE ER.” LIKE A SISTER.” LORETO LIFE 2021
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FROM THE ARCHIVES LORETO LIFE 2021
Maria Regina Angelorum
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The Jubilarians WERE YOU A SCHOOL JUBILARIAN? DO YOU REMEMBER SEEING GIRLS IN FLOWER CROWNS AT LN?
Each year, our School hosts a special function to celebrate our ‘golden jubilarians,’ alumnae who graduated 50 years prior. An earlier practice of honouring ‘jubilarians’ recognised graduates who had commenced and finished their secondary education with Loreto Normanhurst. The tradition was introduced as early as 1917. In that year, two pupils – Dorrie Burke and Dorothea Coffee – were recognised as jubilarians by our early records. At the time of their departure from Loreto Normanhurst, Dorrie and Dorothea had attended the School for eight and five consecutive years, respectively. As the practice entered the 1920s, special evenings were organised for jubilarians at the end of the year. On these occasions, close family members and friends were invited to join the jubilarians as they enjoyed a dinner together with the Loreto Sisters and entertainment put on by their classmates. In this era, there were generally one to four pupils in each Leaving Class who merited the special title. The requisite number of years for jubilarian status changed over time. Many alumnae recall seven years of consecutive enrolment as the magic number during their own time at Loreto. However, as we’ve seen, the earliest jubilarians were recognised for just five years of enrolment. Some girls were acknowledged if their schooling had been shared between Loreto Normanhurst and Kirribilli. The evolving cohort structures – from ‘Divisions’ to ‘Forms’ and then to ‘Years’ – and the differing ages for leaving school may have had some influence upon these changes.
How the occasion was celebrated also evolved over time. Sometimes marked on a distinct ‘Jubilee Day’ or as part of ‘Loreto Day’, jubilarians were typically adorned with a beautiful crown of flowers. Some girls seem to have received a special gift from the Sisters (typically a Loreto Manual), and the festivities often involved a concert or cake to honour the lucky few. Other years, photographs of jubilarians show them wearing the Children of Mary cloaks with their crowns. Although jubilarian numbers increased within cohorts, by the 1980s this celebration was no longer practised. With the re-opening of the Teresa Ball Primary Centre in 2015, many students from the Class of 2021 would have attended Loreto Normanhurst for seven years. Although there were no flower crowns to be seen, there was plenty a flower petal released during one of our newer traditions, known by Normo girls as the Dove Ceremony.
MS RACHEL VAUGHAN RECORDS MANAGER
This story first appeared on our Normo Network online community hub. If you are an alumna or former parent, we invite you to visit the Normo Network for more news stories and features from our Archives.
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LORETO LIFE 2021
Flashback Friday loretonh
We’re lucky at Loreto Normanhurst to have a treasure trove of archival material at our fingertips. From photos of our earliest students to fun facts from generations past (did you know that the first LN student publication was called Stuff and Nonsense?), we were thrilled to share some of these gems with our community via social media throughout the year. Enjoy this sample of #FlashbackFriday posts!
loretonh loretonh When Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott made history this year at Wimbledon, on #FlashbackFriday we celebrated the tennis champions of our own history books. Our tennis courts were built soon after our foundation, around the 1900s or 1910s. Our first photographic glimpse of an LN tennis player comes from 1916, during WWI. Do any of our community members remember a tennis or sporting highlight from their time at LN?
loretonh loretonh To end the week that began with International Women’s Day and our Women of Influence Evening at LN, we celebrated the women who have had an incredible influence on our community as leaders and members of the IBVM. These include Sr Libby Rogerson (‘61), who has held positions on IBVM General Council, at Mary Ward International and more, and is heavily involved in social justice work; Sr Deirdre Rofe who began her term as a muchloved principal at only 27 and later served as Australian Provincial; and Sr Diaan Stuart, who was appointed as LN Principal in 1981 and was a founding member of Loreto Mission in Timor Leste.
loretonh loretonh We have a long tradition of student leadership at Loreto Normanhurst. In fact, when we announced our incoming School Captain and Vice Captain for 2021-2022 earlier this year, we also marked a 100 years of School Captains at LN! Our first ever Head Girl was Mary Campbell, in 1921. In some of these photos you will notice the School Captain’s cross.
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Our Class of 1967 were the first to sit for the HSC, with previous graduates completing the Leaving Certificate. There have also been a few changes to the library since then! loretonh We’re lucky to have had incredible teachers through time at LN, whose collective impact extends beyond the classroom and continues long after Normo girls leave our school. Our first teachers were the Loreto Sisters, who taught all aspects of the curricula themselves. By the 1920’s, the Sisters welcomed ‘Visiting Masters’ to teach more specialised subjects for a term or for one-off guest lectures. Do you remember a teacher who had an influence on you?
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loretonh What do you remember about horse riding at LN? The first records of equestrian sport at LN appear in the 1930’s, when horse riding was introduced as an elective class. Each year, a visiting teacher would be arranged to teach a small group of students how to ride. To this day, many of our students shine at equestrian events.
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loretonh This year we experienced a period of remote learning which was full of FACE Online, Zoom classes, virtual assemblies, midday prayer videos, our online Health and Wellbeing Program and more. We’re grateful for the technology that allowed us to stay connected and continue from home with our holistic education model. We thought you’d enjoy seeing what technology looked like at LN in years gone by! Alumnae, can you remember what you used computers and AV equipment for at school?
loretonh Did you have a favourite study spot on campus? Where did you sit your exams? Our library and study spaces are always full of focus and collaboration, whether for Year 10 SPRINT Week, Write a Book in a Day or recently, HSC exam study. Our Class of 1967 were the first to sit for the HSC, with previous graduates completing the Leaving Certificate. There have also been a few changes to the library since then!
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We invite you to follow us on social media to interact with this content and more. We welcome community submissions of photos, stories, memories or other donations to our Archives. Feel free to leave a comment on our social media, share a photo or piece of news on the Normo Network, or get in touch with our Archivist at archives@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.
LORETO LIFE 2021
Cruci Dum Spiro Fido loretonh What do you remember about horse
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“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has”. - Margaret Mead MS LIANE GIULIANO DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
I WROTE THIS QUOTE IN THE THANK YOU CARDS WE GAVE TO OUR YEAR 12 BURSARY COMMITTEE AS THEY GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL.
It was important to acknowledge their efforts in raising the profile of bursaries across the school and their challenge to all the year groups that came before them in supporting bursary students. It is also my privilege to acknowledge the generosity of the Ex-Students’ Association and the Parent Association for their tireless work in engaging the community and raising funds for the benefit of the School.
Follow this QR Code to explore and sign up to the Normo Network
As much as 2021 proved to be another year of unexpected disruption, it has also been a year of building community and relishing in what unites us as Loreto people. The great privilege of our work in the Community Engagement team is witnessing up close the strength of connection and the generosity of our community even at times of crisis or uncertainty. HOW OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTED IN 2021
By now, we are well-versed at navigating periods of physical separation. From Zoom events to a bespoke jigsaw puzzle, our community found unique ways to keep in contact throughout 2021.
We were lucky to commence the year with some events in person, including a Welcome Cocktail event, our Mother Daughter Eucharist, Mother Daughter Lunch (attended by over 600 people) and our Alumnae/Current Parent Morning Tea where we celebrated generations of Loreto women at our school. Loreto Lunch and Lyrics It was heart-warming to gather on a cold May morning for our Loreto Lunch & Lyrics. Our Golden Jubilarians (alumnae who left the school 50 or more years ago) assembled back in the chapel to watch our talented HSC Music students perform, and then enjoyed a lunch and presentation for the Class of 1971 who newly attained their ‘Golden Jubilarian’ status. It was wonderful to meet in person and hear the stories of life at Loreto in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Women of Influence We were honoured to welcome back Catherine Livingstone (‘72), Natasha Luschwitz (’98) and Hattie Dalton (’90) to share their insight and experience at our Women of Influence Evening. We were delighted to partner with our Careers team to welcome back panellists from the Class of 2016 to share their post-school stories with Year 12, and with our Director of Faith and Identity on the virtual Seeking Truth seminars. We thank all involved for the wisdom shared and time given. Normo Network We were very proud to unveil the Normo Network, our online hub designed for alumnae and former parents, which has been received with resounding enthusiasm. Since launching in April, we have welcomed over 700 new members, shared news and event updates, promoted several businesses and launched our Shop selling special merchandise and gifts. If you haven’t yet joined, and are an alumna or former parent, I invite you to sign up via www.normonetwork. loretonh.nsw.edu.au and encourage you to explore the following pages to read more about Normo Network features. Whilst locked content is exclusively for alumnae and former parents, all of our community are welcome to visit the website and advertise their business or read stories on our alumnae achievements.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LORETO LIFE 2021
Community Engagement
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HOW OUR COMMUNITY GAVE BACK IN 2021
We were pleased to form our Philanthropy Advisory Group this year and to create our Philanthropy and Community Engagement Strategy, knowing as we did that these important strategic steps will support the future of Loreto Normanhurst and the education of young women. We also established our 1897 Society for those community members who honour Loreto Normanhurst by leaving a bequest or gift in their Will.
2021 IN NUMBERS $223, 215
We have seen so many members of our community come forward as custodians of our legacy and caretakers of the future of Loreto Normanhurst this year by donating to our various initiatives. On behalf of the School, I thank you all for your generosity and wish to convey to you how far-reaching an impact your contributions make. Our particular fundraising focus in 2021 was our Bursary program, which offers a Loreto education to families in necessitous circumstances. A special mention to the Class of 1983, for winning the inaugural Alumnae Year Group Challenge, our Year 12 Student Bursary Committee for their creativity and passion, our Ex-Students’ Association for their steadfast support, and to every single member of our community who purchased a raffle ticket, attended an event, or contributed to our Annual Giving campaign. Thanks to these combined efforts, we raised over $220,000 for our Bursary (Welfare) Fund, more than doubling the amount raised in 2020 and securing a Loreto Normanhurst education for the 19 students currently on bursaries.
Our vision of educating women at Loreto Normanhurst and giving them a home away from home has never waivered over the last 125 years. I invite you all to join us in celebrating and honouring our history and building our future.
Raised for the Building Fund, a decrease from $192,000 raised in 2020.
ALUMNAE YEAR GROUP CHALLENGE
$27,000
27
Matched by the Ex-Students’ Association
Year Groups reached the $1,000 target
$4,750
Raised by Class of 2021
$5, 140
Raised by the winning Year Group, Class of 1983
$76,692 Total raised
PARTICIPATION RATE
We also made leaps and bounds with the development of our new Boarding School. Our gratitude to those who contributed to our Building Fund, particularly those families that consistently add a donation to their school fees through the Voluntary Building Fund. Your generosity and foresight assisted in raising $135,000 this year. With our State Significant Development Plan now approved and the first phase of construction for our Master Plan commencing, we are excited to be on the cusp of our first major building work since the Gonzaga Barry Building. I take this opportunity to introduce to you Lana Huntley, who joined our Community Engagement team in the new role of Donor Care Manager. Lana is a wonderful addition to our team, and I know many of you will have the pleasure of meeting her in the months to come.
$133, 946
Raised for the Bursary (Welfare) Fund, an increase from $95,000 raised in 2020.
Alumnae participation increased from 2020 to 2021 by
113% DONATIONS BY EVENT
$5,025 Women of Influence
$19, 267 Mother Daughter Lunch
$22, 555 Sportsmen’s Lunch
$895
Mothers’ Weekend Away
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Community Engagement 49
AWARDS AND DONORS FARRELL FAMILY FOUNDATION SAMANTHA MAR SCHOLARSHIP
BURGETT AWARD Angela Burgett attended Loreto Normanhurst as a boarder from Taree, graduating in 1998. She is particularly remembered for her academic excellence and as an accompanist for the boarder choir at Music Festival. After graduating, Angela completed a degree in nursing and then in medicine, specialising in Emergency Medicine and Paediatrics.
Samantha Mar attended Loreto Normanhurst from 1988 to 1993 and is remembered as a disciplined student and academic achiever who was heavily involved in all facets of school life. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Psychology, Samantha pursued a successful business career in London. Samantha passed away in London in 2003, aged 27.
The perpetual Burgett Award is donated by Angela’s parents, Les and Louise Burgett, and was inaugurated in 2001. It is presented to a Year 11 boarder who demonstrates high academic achievement and significant contribution to the life of the community. In 2021, the Burgett Award was received by Miriam McNair.
JOHANNA ROACH MEMORIAL SHIELD Jo Roach is remembered to the Loreto Normanhurst community for her friendliness, joyfulness and for her enjoyment of the Arts.
Samantha is honoured by the generosity of the Farrell Family Foundation, which has offered a perpetual scholarship in her name since 2005. Since then, four students have been the recipients of this scholarship. It is offered every six years to a student entering Year 7 for whom a Loreto education would not otherwise be possible and who demonstrates leadership, a joyful and generous spirit and engagement in community, just as Samantha did.
Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer during her childhood, Jo passed away while in Year 8 at Loreto Normanhurst. The Johanna Roach Memorial Shield was established to commemorate Jo’s life by her Loreto cohort upon their graduation in 1998. It is presented annually to a Year 8 student who exhibits kindness, generosity, and creative flair.
We welcome applications for the Samantha Mar Scholarship for a student entering Year 7 in 2023. For more information or to apply before 8 April 2022, visit the Bursaries and Scholarships page on our website.
The 2021 recipient of the Johanna Roach Memorial Shield was Tessa Haire.
THE DONATION OF AN AWARD OR SCHOLARSHIP CAN HONOUR THE LEGACY OF SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS, RECOGNISE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CURRENT STUDENTS, AND FORGE INTER-GENERATIONAL CONNECTIONS WITHIN OUR VAST LORETO NETWORK.
SCHOLARSHIP FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS In 2021, the Farrell Family Foundation extended their generous advocacy for the education of young women at Loreto Normanhurst by establishing the Farrell Family Foundation Scholarship for Indigenous Students. This commitment supports the School’s partnership with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation which benefits all of our students and community.
We deeply appreciate those families and community members who support our current students with these acknowledgements. If you would like to donate an award in honour of a family member, please contact Ms Liane Giuliano, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement at lgiuliano@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.
We gratefully acknowledge the Farrell Family Foundation for this significant contribution.
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FROM THE PRESIDENT OF OUR EX-STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
GREETINGS TO ALL ALUMNAE! 2021 HAS BEEN MY FIRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT OF THE LORETO NORMANHURST EX-STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION.
For those I am yet to meet, I left Normanhurst in 1989 as Sam Ward. I currently have a daughter, Franziska, in Year 9 at Normanhurst and in my work life I am an academic in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. This has been a pivotal year in the history of the Association. For one, 2021 signalled the Association’s move into the digital space with the birth of the Normo Network, which facilitates digital connectedness and fosters Loreto spirit. The Association’s philanthropic activity focused on the Alumnae Year Group Challenge initiated by the Class of 2021 in support of the Bursary (Welfare) Fund. Upon learning of the Year Group Challenge, the Committee decided to show support by matching the first $1,000 raised by any year group with $1,000 from the Association. 27 Year Groups raised $1,000 or more, and as a result the ExStudents Association contributed $27,000 in matched funding. My sincere thanks to the entire alumnae community for their generosity to bursaries, capital works and other fundraising activities. 2021 has seen an outstanding increase in alumnae contributions to fundraising, with alumnae contributing 35% of total funds raised at Loreto Normanhurst. The Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Liane Giuliano, and her staff continue to strengthen engagement with all sectors of the community. My sincere thanks go to Liane and the Community Engagement Team for their continuous support and for the range of wonderful events that they organise for alumnae. I also acknowledge Marina Ugonotti’s leadership of the whole community in 2021. Marina has displayed the type of compassionate, steady and masterful leadership that will inspire the next
generation of Loreto women to do great things. In the few windows of time where gatherings were allowed, some lovely events were held in conjunction with the School. These included the Loreto Lunch & Lyrics celebration for Golden Jubilarians, the Music Festival and the Alumnae and Current Parent Morning Tea which was a special moment of connection with my own daughter that I will cherish. Normanhurst and Kirribilli alumnae gathered for the highly anticipated annual Theatre Party, where we enjoyed the exceptional musical Come from Away and raised more than $3000 for Mary Ward International Australia. Thanks to Patsy Shannon and Ruth Tighe for their organisation of this event. Other events, such as the Year 12 Ex-Students’ Morning Tea, were transformed online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Women of Influence Evening was held as a virtual and in-person hybrid event, attended by more than 330 guests and raising $5025 for the Bursary. We concluded an eventful year with our Annual General Meeting. Hayley Mein (’00) was elected Secretary of the Committee and Penny Graham (’84) was elected as a Committee member. I Iook forward to working with them both in 2022. Cathy Gray (most recently Secretary of the Committee) and Sue Bensley retired this year, and I offer them my deepest gratitude for their many years of work on behalf of the Association. At the AGM, members voted to support the proposal that the Ex-Students’ Association encourage its members towards personal and communal reflection on the Uluru Statement from the Heart. I hope that this formal encouragement catalyses even greater consideration of how the Association, in our numbers and our Loreto Spirit, can continue towards reconciliation with First Nations peoples.
SAM WEGNER (WARD, ‘89) EX-STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
“My sincere thanks to the entire alumnae community for their generosity to bursaries, capital works and other fundraising activities. 2021 has seen an outstanding increase in alumnae contributions to fundraising, with alumnae contributing 35% of total funds raised at Loreto Normanhurst.”
I look forward to continuing success for the Association and a return to joyful gatherings of alumnae in 2022.
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Notes from a Pandemic WE ASKED SEVERAL OF OUR ALUMNAE TO REFLECT ON THE PAST TWO YEARS AND WERE DELIGHTED TO HEAR OF THE MANY ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS THEY’VE BEEN MAKING IN THEIR DIFFERENT FIELDS. WE THANK THEM FOR SHARING THESE INSIGHTS WHICH PROVED A DELIGHTFUL WAY TO CONNECT FROM AFAR. VISIT THE NEWS PAGE ON THE NORMO NETWORK TO READ THEIR ‘NOTES FROM A PANDEMIC’ IN FULL!
Isabella Greenhalgh (‘20)
Dr Hanneke Chudleigh (‘99)
Studying a combined B. of Science and B. of Laws at the University of Sydney
BSc (Med) MBBS (Hons) FRACGP Dip Paeds
Sadly, on the last day of my Semester 1 exams, the announcement was made that Sydney would be going into lockdown. This ultimately meant the end of oncampus university for this year. It has certainly been challenging to do Zoom tutorials and lectures for such an extended period, but I think the hardest part was the loss of the social element that is such an important part of the university experience. Despite this, there have been positives; it has been easier to pace the online work for myself, and virtual events like trivia have been a fun experience. I’ll certainly never forget the unique experiences of 2021.
A Loreto education taught me the importance of service and contributing to society. I wanted my children to be able to reflect in fifty years and know I used my skills and knowledge to help in the pandemic. I started working as a General Practitioner at the vaccination hubs at two major Sydney Hospitals. Every day I am rewarded knowing that I am providing protection to an individual, a family and the wider population. As I look around at my colleagues and at health and community leaders, I am proud to be serving alongside them in this pandemic.
Isobel Cahill (‘14)
Cathy Sertori (‘84)
Founder and florist at La Petite Fleuriste
Head of Patient Advocacy & Affordability Director at AstraZeneca
Photo: Clancy Paine COVID-19 gave me the time to think about how I wanted to put more effort into my floristry, so I started selling a few bunches of cotton to buyers in Sydney. I called my business La Petite Fleuriste as a nod to the five years I spent in France as a teenager with my family. This year has been a big one for La Petite Fleuriste. I’ve hosted workshops and created floral designs for weddings as well as made hundreds of bouquets to be delivered all around the local area. I am also studying nursing full time through Charles Sturt University and working casually at the Dubbo Base Hospital. There is a lot of juggling, but I have been so grateful that during the latest lockdowns, I have been living in Central West NSW. I love living on a farm and feel like I’m in a COVID free bubble!
LORETO LIFE 2021
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted healthcare, and cancer is no exception. Consultation with a Global Patient Advisory Board raised that an advocacy campaign was needed to address the challenges associated with COVID-19 and cancer care. We collaborated with patient advocacy leaders and patients to co-design the concept of “New Normal, Same Cancer.” The Conversation Series was the evolution of the campaign, launching in December 2020. In this powerful video series, people with cancer, their carers, and healthcare professionals talk openly about their experiences and share the calls to action that every Australian should hear.
Staying Connected 52
Alumnae Year Group Challenge We are thrilled to announce that the Class of 1983 are the winners of our inaugural Alumnae Year Group Challenge, having raised $5,140! The Year Group Challenge was posed by the Year 12 Student Bursary Committee of the Class of 2021 in support of our Bursary Program which provides a Loreto education to families in necessitous circumstances. Overall, 36 year groups took part, with 27 year groups reaching the $1,000 target. A special thank you to the Ex-Students’ Association for their generosity in providing $27,000 in matched funding. This means that, with your help, we raised a grand total of $76,692 for bursaries for current and future Loreto girls. Class of 1975 We would like to acknowledge the Class of 1975 for not only raising $1,800, but also for pledging to support an Indigenous student for the six years of their education. This is an incredible example of a how a small number of alumnae, contributing a relatively small amount each year for six years, can offer a student the monumental gift of an education.
If you would like to discuss how you can ‘pay a Loreto Normanhurst education forward,’ please contact Liane Giuliano at lgiuliano@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.
Normo Network Early this year, we were thrilled to bring you the Normo Network, an interactive online platform for our community of alumnae and former parents. Features of the Normo Network include a News section, a Reunions and Events calendar, a Shop with LN merchandise, groups to join, messaging and connecting functions, a Business Directory to promote your business, mentoring and volunteering opportunities, and a Giving page for donations to our Bursary Program
or Building Fund. Users can also ‘share’ their own news stories or submit photos and memories from their time at Loreto. We love hearing from our community, so this function is our favourite! We encourage alumnae to register for the Normo Network. While some areas of the website are exclusive to logged-in users, we invite all members of our community to explore the Normo Network at normonetwork.loretonh.nsw.edu.au
STAYING CONNECTED LORETO LIFE 2021
Staying Connected
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REUNION WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER FOR THESE SPECIAL MILESTONES, BUT THEY’RE CERTAINLY WORTH CELEBRATING! WE WISH OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE GRADUATING CLASSES MARKING IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING IN PERSON SOON, BUT UNTIL THEN HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
CLASS OF 1951 PREFECTS C DUFFY, J CAMERON, D GIBBS, D MADDEN, M BLAKE, DARKY THE DOG
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NS CLASS OF 1951
CLASS OF 1961
CLASS OF 1971
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CLASS OF 1981
CLASS OF 1991
CLASS OF 2001
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CLASS OF 2011
CLASS OF 2016
LORETO LIFE 2021
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CITY COUNTRY MOTHERS’ WEEKEND AWAY WE THANK ALL THOSE WHO JOINED US, WHETHER VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON, FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR. DESPITE RESTRICTIONS, THIS ‘YEAR OF FELICITY’ TRULY WAS FULL OF JOY AND A SENSE OF TOGETHERNESS.
YEAR 12 CAREERS DAY MOTHER DAUGHTER LUNCH
LUNCH AND LYRICS
PRINCIPAL’S COUNTRY ROAD TRIP
LUNCH AND LYRICS PRINCIPAL’S COUNTRY ROAD TRIP
YEAR 12 MOTHERS’ WEEKEND PRIMARY MOTHERS’ MORNING NORMO SPORTSMEN’S LUNCH
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EVENTS
ALUMNAE CURRENT PARENT MORNING TEA
WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
CITY COUNTRY MOTHERS’ WEEKEND AWAY NORMANHURST KIRRIBILLI MORNING TEA
NORMO SPORTSMEN’S LUNCH
MOTHER DAUGHTER LUNCH
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LUMNAE NEW
ACHIEVEMENTS SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS A VERY HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING TREASURED ALUMNAE: Beryle Barton (Slingo, ‘36) who celebrated her centenary in April Bobbie Reilly (Baker-Becket, ’39) who celebrated her centenary in August
ENGAGEMENTS
2021 SAW SEVERAL OF OUR ALUMNAE SHINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE! CHEERED ON WITH ENTHUSIASM BY THEIR NORMO SUPPORTERS BACK HOME, WE WISH SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO: Jessica Cerro a.k.a. Montaigne (’13), who represented Australia at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest with her song Technicolour. Liz Clay (’12), who represented Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games in 100-metre Hurdles. Ellen Roberts (’09), who represented Australia at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games with the Aussie Spirit softball team.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ALUMNAE AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS:
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ALUMNAE AND THEIR PARTNERS UPON NEWS OF THEIR ENGAGEMENT:
Sr Deirdre Browne IBVM, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to community as a religious sister, and through music, education and the liturgical arts.
Angelique Nelis (’16) and Patrick O’Farrell
Kate Eastman SC (’84) for her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to law, human rights and to professional organisations.
Gabrielle Sutherland (’12) and Henry Courts, son of Kate Courts (Lander, ’87) and brother of Emma Courts (’17)
Genevieve Jacobs (’84) for her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to broadcast media and community. Harriet O’Malley (’85) who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her service to Australia-France relations. Natasha Luschwitz (’98) who was awarded a Public Service Medal for her work in response to the 2019-2020 bushfires and during COVID-19. Karen Robinson (’86) who in May was appointed as a Judge to the District Court of NSW, after numerous years as a Barrister and then Magistrate in Local and District Courts. Angelique Nelis (’16) who was selected as one of Australia’s Top 100 Future Leaders for 2021, named by the Australian Financial Review and GradConnection.
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BIRTHS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ALUMNAE AND THEIR PARTNERS UPON THE BIRTHS OF THEIR BABIES: Annabelle Kennedy (Buckley, ‘08) and her partner, on the birth of Daisy. Anna Stroud (Brzeska, ’05) and Lloyd Stroud on the birth of Oliver James Stroud (pictured).
WE OFFER OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY: The family of Josephine Lonergan AM DCSG The family of Alison Lyons (’61) The family of Sr Noni Mitchell IBVM The family of Sr Chris Neil IBVM The family of Joyce Swinton The family of Henriette Bladiniere (‘46) Mary Brauer (Kirribilli, ‘45), Margaret Polden (nee Brauer, Kirribilli, ‘36), Antonia Rowland (‘88), Giselle Rowland-Stefanic (Normanhurst, Year 9) and Portia Rowland-Stefanic (Normanhurst, Year 6), on the death of their sister, mother and grandmother, Noni Rowland (Brauer, Kirribilli, ’46) Alison Reaburn (Butler, ‘78), Lynette McManus (Butler, ‘80), Rosalind George (Butler, ‘82), Marcelle Chandler (Butler, ‘86), Michelle Butler (Ryan, ‘86), Jacqui Butler (‘06), Danielle McManus (‘08), Rachel Butler (‘10), Rebecca George (‘14) and Millie George (‘17), on the death of their mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, Geraldine Therese Butler.
VALE Cruci Dum Spiro Fido
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LORETO LIFE 2021
The pandemic has brought unprecedented disruption to education. On behalf of the Parent Association of Loreto (PAL), I thank Marina Ugonotti and the wonderful staff of Loreto for ensuring that through these uncertain times our daughters have been well supported and encouraged. The teachers have always maintained a positive energy and found new ways to engage their students, especially during off-site learning. We acknowledge that teachers have faced many challenges and have been under enormous pressure during this time. We appreciate and thank the staff of Loreto Normanhurst. COVID-19 restrictions prevented PAL from hosting most of our events. A few events were able to go ahead. The inaugural Sportsmen’s Lunch was a huge success. Funds raised at this event went to the Bursary program. Tickets to this lunch sold out within days. The Committee, headed by Preston Foster and Paul Timmins, are already planning for the event to be bigger and better in 2022. Over 160 mums travelled to Wagga in May for a fabulous weekend hosted by the Boarder Riverina Committee. The hosts and the people of Wagga welcomed our mums in true country style, so warm and friendly. Weekends like this are often the start of many lifelong friendships and certainly contribute to the spirit of the LN parent community. The LN Cookbook Project is under way. The cookbook will not only have delicious recipes but will reflect the rich history and community spirit of Loreto. It will give an insight into our community – through recipes, stories, images and photos over generations.
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF OUR PARENT ASSOCIATION
The book will be published in 2022. Thank you to all those who have already contributed recipes and stories, and to the Cookbook Committee headed by Sarah Aviani and Kathleen Kelleher.
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JANE DALTON PAL PRESIDENT
This year there was limited opportunity for PAL to raise funds. PAL ran two raffles this year. One was our annual Tuition Raffle and the second a raffle in which first prize was a trip to Qualia on Hamilton Island. We thank the generosity of the Loreto families in supporting these raffles. Year 12 – we congratulate you on how, over the past two years, you have faced your challenges with such perseverance and resilience. We wish you all the best in the HSC and life beyond. To the Year 12 parents who have their last daughter leaving Loreto this year – thank you for your support and assistance over the years. You will always be a part of the Loreto family and we hope you will remain in touch. Thank you to the Community Engagement team for their ongoing support of PAL. Special mention goes to Lauren Kirkby, the Community Engagement and Events Manager and our main point of contact with the school, as well as Liane Guiliano, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement. Lauren and Liane are a wonderful source of information and we thank them for being flexible and adaptable. Thank you to the many parents who were involved with PAL this year. We are grateful for your assistance throughout the year. Many parents have come forward to be involved in PAL in 2022. We look forward to collaborating and bringing the families and community together. PAL is excited moving into 2022 as work and life are moving towards a more familiar normal.
“We look forward to collaborating and bringing families and the community together. PAL is excited moving into 2022.”
SAVE THE DATE OUR 2022 CALENDAR IS ALREADY SHAPING UP TO BE ONE FULL OF CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY. POP THESE DATES IN YOUR DIARY AND WE’LL SEE YOU THERE!
CONNECT WITH US
125 Years of Loreto Normanhurst The 28th of February 2022 marks 125 years since the laying of the foundation stone in 1897 and the opening of Loreto Normanhurst as a boarding school for country girls. This important anniversary will be celebrated with a succession of special events, including a commemoration mass, LN Cookbook and more. Keep a look out via email or social media for details.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/loretonh/ INSTAGRAM @loretonh TWITTER @loretonh
Open Day 2022 – Saturday 19 March 2022 All members of our community are invited to attend our 2022 Open Day for a glimpse into life at Loreto Normanhurst. Register to attend on our website at www.loretonh.nsw.edu.au.
LINKEDIN https://au.linkedin.com/school/loretonormanhurst/
LORETO WEBSITE www.loretonh.nsw.edu.au
Principal’s Country Road Trips Families and friends of Loreto Normanhurst – past, current and prospective – are invited to gather with Ms Marina Ugonotti, our Principal, and Mrs Kate Kovacs, our Director of Boarding, across our Principal’s Country Road Trip series. Dates are as follows:
Visit the website for all information about life at Loreto Normanhurst. NORMO NETWORK www.normonetwork.loretonh.nsw.edu.au Visit this online community hub designed for LN alumnae and former parents.
Newcastle & Mid North Coast – Friday 1 April to Sunday 3 April 2022 Capital and Central West regions – Wednesday 25 May to Sunday 29 May 2022 Tamworth, Moree & Gunnedah – Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 July 2022
STAY CONNECTED
Spring Fair 2022 – Sunday 30 October 2022 This year’s Spring Fair is set to be an extra special one! Delayed due to COVID-19 and marking our 125th anniversary, we look forward to a Spring Fair bigger and better than ever before.
We would love to hear from you. Please note that contributions are subject to consideration by the editorial team.
If you have any news you wold like to share with the Loreto community, please email: news@loretonh.nsw.edu.au
STAY IN CONTACT Please ensure you update your contact details with us so we can keep in contact. Please email: communityengagement@loretonh.nsw.edu.au to update your details
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Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved with the Loreto Normanhurst community as we celebrate our 125th year of educating ‘Compassionate Warriors’.
www.loretonh.nsw.edu.au LORETO LIFE 2021
Cruci Dum Spiro Fido 67
Be seekers of truth and doers of justice. - MARY WARD (1585 - 1645)
LORETO LIFE 2021
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