Maye

FROM OUR MAYE HOUSE CAPTAIN

I will forever be grateful for the immense opportunities provided to me at Loreto Normanhurst. While this unprecedented year has crafted many ups and downs, it has been my amazing Maye House who have all rallied together to provide one another with our infectious spirit. We were very fortunate to finally be in person and put our hard work into action at our annual Music Festival, one of our most greatly anticipated events of the year at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. The two terms of rehearsals really paid off for Maye House, as we sang harmoniously with smiles plastered on all our faces and the incredible Chloe Lee conducting us effortlessly. From rehearsing twice a week on the Oak Tree Lawn with masks, to finally performing onstage in front of thousands, our felicitous Maye spirit shone through highlighting our House motto, “Hearts and Hands United”.

It is no doubt that Term 3 for the whole Loreto community looked very different this year. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it has taught us to be adaptable and resilient.

In order to motivate everyone from home, lots of fun activities were started in Maye such as ‘Maye Lockdown Cookbook,’ ‘A day in the life of a Year 12 student,’ and other tutor group competitions including who could wear the craziest hat, who had the most creative backdrop and even fun scavenger hunts. These small initiatives enabled the spirit of Maye to continue throughout our strenuous four-month lockdown. While COVID-19 has significantly disrupted Year 12 and our studies, Maye House has undoubtedly provided us with a huge support system and helped to alleviate some stress of our HSC.

I am immensely appreciative of the whole Maye community for their ongoing leadership over the past year. Each Maye girl across all year groups has shown how leadership is not defined by a badge that you wear, but rather the qualities that you instil. This attitude has really demonstrated the willingness of everyone in Maye to help each other build a strong, tight-knit community. Being the 2020-21 Captain for Maye House has truly been an incredible experience and has made my last two years of school so special. A very special thank you to all the advisors, tutors and assistant tutors in Maye House, who have constantly provided Maye with support over the course of this very unprecedented year. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Mrs Lam, who has worked continuously behind the scenes and has provided guidance to every individual in Maye. It truly is bittersweet to say goodbye to my beloved House, as it’s a community that has been my family for the past 6 years. I wish Chloe Lee, the incoming Maye Captain for 2022 all the very best, as she navigates the role and

leads the House, embodying our Maye spirit. As I leave for the next chapter of my life, I will make sure to cherish every single moment that I spent at Loreto. As every Maye girl has been told time and time again; “Once a Maye girl, always a Maye girl.”

Thea Whittaker Maye House Captain