6 minute read
To Sir With Loreto Love
Words by Roger Morris and Judy-Ann Quilliam
Mother Gonzaga Barry wrote, “Let your thoughts, principles, words, and acts be elevated to whatever is true, noble and really beautiful because nothing is beautiful that is not true... If people took half the pains to improve themselves that they take to be like other people, whose manners and ways they affect, the world would be a much better for having many more original and genuine types of nobility...” (Eucalyptus Blossoms,17 March, 1892).
How proud Mother Gonzaga Barry would be of our noble Loreto College living legend, Mr Roger Morris, who celebrates 40 years of service to Loreto College. Mr Morris’s unwavering gentlemanly manner evokes the sincerest level of respect, gratitude and admiration from both colleagues, students and families alike.
His influence on students is such that, at any class reunion from the past 40 years, there is always the question, “Is Mr Morris still here?” which is inevitably followed by a regaling of fond memories about Mr Morris, ‘Roger,’ ‘Rog,’ or sometimes ‘Sir.’
Mr Morris first joined Loreto College in 1982 as a new teaching graduate. Young Roger Morris was newly married, and he and his wife (Sally) desperately wanted to stay in Ballarat. On the recommendation of Fr George Pell (Cardinal Pell), who was Head of Aquinas College (ACU) at the time, Roger went along to meet Sr Bernadette Ziesing, Head of Loreto Marys Mount and Sr Claire Gardiner, Administrator of Loreto Dawson St for a potential teaching position at Loreto Dawson St. Roger fondly recalls, “They were wonderful women, very steeped in Loreto traditions and seeking to provide young women with a good education.”
Young Roger was subsequently employed, and his teaching career flourished at Dawson St under the inspirational mentorship of his colleagues, in particular Maureen Fithall, Philo Bruty, Denise Elliott, Maureen Scarff and Evelyn Barber. He was the first male teacher on the staff and taught RE, English and Humanities and a short period teaching Drama before eventually becoming Head of Dawson St Campus. Mr Morris remained Head of Dawson St and enjoyed the great sense of community until the consolidation of all Loreto students from Year 7 – 12 on the Mary’s Mount site in 2007.
Mr Roger Morris in 2022
Mr Morris recalls the period of consolidation to the Mary’s Mount campus as being an interesting time, as the pride and spirit of Dawson St was deeply entrenched, however, the celebrations for the physical transition went on for days and he has enjoyed seeing the sense of Loreto House spirit thrive in all students and year levels together. He is also grateful that some of the precious artifacts from Dawson St were transferred to Mary’s Mount such as the chair from the Chapel, the key from the Sacristy and the leadlight from the Dawson St entrance that is now beautifully featured in the Mary’s Mount Centre.
Throughout his career, Mr Morris has performed the many and varied roles of Year 7 Coordinator, Year 11 Coordinator, Year 12 Coordinator, Head of Dawson St Campus and relished the opportunity for a brief cameo role in the Michelle Payne movie, Ride Like A Girl! He has also worked under seven different Principals and Heads of School including, Sr Bernadette Zeising, Sr Margaret Mary Flynn (Head of Dawson St), Diaan Stuart, Maureen Burke, Anne Fry, Judith Potter and now Michelle Brodrick. He has seen each become a unique Principal for her time, all active in promoting the education of girls and deep appreciation for all that is Loreto College, and in keeping with Mary Ward’s vision, each providing an education congruent with the times.
Mr Morris has also seen many things come and go over the past 40 years, however there are some long term traditions at Loreto College that he hopes will never change. These include the Graduation Ceremony and Graduation Mass.
Without hesitation, Mr Morris’s favourite place at Loreto College is the Chapel. “The history, the sheer sacrifices people made for it, the time and energy that Mother Gonzaga Barry invested in seeing it completed, and the ongoing restoration and care for it. It should always be held in the highest regard for much more than just its architectural beauty, it is pure feminine influence.”
On reflection about what he has liked the most about his time thus far at Loreto College, Mr Morris shared he truly loved his time as Head of Dawson Street and the special privilege of teaching Year 7 students starting secondary school. Also the honour, responsibility and pure joy of coordinating Year 12 students and the sheer delight of having worked with so many different students and staff.
Above: Mr Roger Morris (Back Row Centre) and the teaching staff at Loreto College Dawson Street Campus (with a few familiar faces still on staff)
Mr Morris is renowned for the original and genuine deep and lasting rapport he develops with students, staff and families. He humbly relates this to simply being able to recognise the sheer dignity and beauty in each person.
When asked about the Loreto influence on his own life, Mr Morris humbly shares that 40 years at Loreto College has made him a more sensitive, aware and considerate person. Whatever anyone’s circumstances, background and talents may be, it has been a great privilege to share in the delight, enthusiasm, passion, energy and diversity that literally thousands of students and hundreds of colleagues have brought to his life. “It has been life giving to me!”
Mr Morris firmly believes that there is still a place for explicit old fashioned teaching, even though technology has added to our tool kit. When asked for any words of advice for new staff to Loreto College, his words of wisdom are simple:1. Get to know our history, significant figures and traditions2. Be kind to themselves and others3. Recognise the individual beauty in each student
Pictured left: Mr Roger Morris on the Year 10 Central Australia trip in 2005, together with current staff members Mr Ian Stowe and Ms Kate Landry.
As for the future of Loreto College, of course Mr Morris can visualise a bronze statue of Sir Roger Morris featured prominently in the grounds of the College. He also hopes we maintain the balance of contemporary relevant education with the traditional practices Loreto College is known and loved for, and one day he would like to see a Mornane Centre, as we do not yet have a special place named in the honour of Mother Stanislaus Mornane (Mornane House).
As for the next 40 years, right now it’s back to work for our much loved Sir Roger Morris! From all of us at Loreto College, “When we say off you go, we don’t mean off you go, we mean stay here and off you go!”
