From the Parent Association President

“2020 has certainly changed the way we learn and work.” FROM THE PARENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

2020 has certainly changed the way we learn and work, and this has been true of our Parent Association.

PAL started the year strong with a successful Open Day, thanks to the numerous volunteers who signed up to assist on the day. Year groups were allocated to run the stalls and our merchandise stall was a triumph, with our Loreto Parent caps selling very well. We were also able to host a wonderful Welcome Cocktail Party to launch the year; it was lovely to meet our new parents as well as catch up with familiar faces. Our focus shifted, of course, when COVID-19 prevented us from hosting many of our typical events. PAL were mindful that many families in our community were doing it very tough, facing hardship and challenges caused by the uncertainty of the pandemic and the economy. While most fundraisers were put on hold, we were pleased to have held our recent Annual Tuition Raffle for current families with the prize of $15,000 towards the 2021 tuition fees.

The Executive Committee had also planned in 2020 to build the parent community at a year group level, and although gatherings were unable to proceed, we are grateful for the efforts of our Year Parent Representative network. A special mention goes to our Year 12 Parent Reps in their final year. To those of you who are leaving Loreto this year, thank you for all of your support and assistance over your time at Loreto. You will always be part of the Loreto family and we hope you will remain in touch.

On behalf of PAL, I would like to thank Ms Marina Ugonotti and the wonderful staff at Loreto Normanhurst for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The School, at all times, made it a priority to protect the safety and wellbeing of our girls, while providing them with excellent online learning programs and support. They cultivated a sense of togetherness even though the girls were not physically together. In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, we were delighted to provide Loretocoloured cupcakes to staff as a token of our gratitude for this strong leadership and guidance. Thank you also to the Community Engagement Office for their ongoing support of PAL. PAL are excited to work with the new Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Ms Liane Giuliano, who will be our main point of contact with the School.

We are grateful also to the PAL Committee for their tireless work throughout the year and look forward to collaborating with those who have volunteered for the committee in 2021. We hope the new year offers PAL more opportunities to bring our families and community together.

MRS JANE DALTON

PRESIDENT, PARENT ASSOCIATION OF LORETO