From our Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

MS LIANE GIULIANO

DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

2021 IN NUMBERS

$223, 215

Raised for the Bursary (Welfare) Fund, an increase from $95,000 raised in 2020.

$133, 946

Raised for the Building Fund, a decrease from $192,000 raised in 2020.

ALUMNAE YEAR GROUP CHALLENGE 27

Year Groups reached the $1,000 target

$27,000

Matched by the Ex-Students’ Association

$4,750

Raised by Class of 2021

$5, 140

Raised by the winning Year Group, Class of 1983

$76,692

Total raised

PARTICIPATION RATE

Alumnae participation increased from 2020 to 2021 by 113%

DONATIONS BY EVENT

$5,025

Women of Influence

$22, 555

Sportsmen’s Lunch

$19, 267

Mother Daughter Lunch

$895

Mothers’ Weekend Away