Boarding Snapshot

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!

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.

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

BOARDING SNAPSHOT

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.

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!

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.

Allie – And my highlight was finishing school and then going to play with the puppies!

SOPHIE & ALLIE MACLEAN

YEAR 7 & 9 BOARDERS

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATE KOVACS!

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.

We also share our thanks and appreciation to Mrs Joanne Hallinan, Dean of Boarding, for 20 years of service to the Loreto Normanhurst community.