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Loreto
Chronicle
Timor Leste Immersion
Volume 30 No.2 November 2015
From the Principal And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings. (Meister Eckhart) Last November, I wrote of our eager anticipation of commencing a new chapter in Loreto Coorparoo’s story. With the arrival of the Year 7’s in 2015, the College has expanded from five to six year levels; 700 to 800 students; 70 to 80 teachers; and from 620 to over 700 families. As this period of significant change and growth draws to an end, I am filled with a sense of delight and gratitude for the year that has been. The new students, families, staff and facilities have each greatly enhanced the fabric of our community. Threads of the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ have woven together beautifully to create a ‘new’ Loreto; the same in so many essential ways but yet different in important ways that add richness and diversity. We have sought ways to welcome and to demonstrate what it means to be ‘Loreto’ with the aim that all new members of our community quickly feel that they can call Loreto ‘home’. I thank new parents and students for their affirmations: “Loreto has been superb and so supportive. It has been a good year. Thank you.” (Parent) “We are extremely impressed with all aspects and grateful for the support and open communication.” (Parent) “I love all the time we get to spend with our ‘Big Sisters’.” (Student) “The teachers were very welcoming. They settled us in well within each subject.” (Student) The success of this year is the result of many years of planning as well as the complete professionalism of the Loreto staff, the wonderful example of the student leaders and the support of the wider community. I especially commend to you the excellent leadership of Mrs Anna Nielson and Mrs Jan Kearney, Coordinators of Years 7 and 8 respectively, whose contribution this year has been outstanding. I offer my sincere thanks to all who have contributed to the success of 2015. Having now begun this new chapter, we look forward with confidence to a bigger and brighter future for Loreto. Mrs Cheryl Hamilton
O
ver the September holidays, 12 students and two staff from Loreto College Coorparoo embarked on the school’s first ever pilgrimage to Timor Leste. Preparation for this trip began a year in advance with regular meetings led by Mr Kieran Donnelly and Catholic Mission Representative, Mr Bill Owens. In these sessions, our travelling group learned about the culture and history of Timor Leste and prepared both mentally and spiritually for our journey. After all of this preparation, staff and students finally left for Timor on 21 September with Catholic Mission Facilitator, Mr Mark Smith. The first stop on our Immersion experience was at the Dominican Orphanage in Dili. Here, we had our first taste of the Timorese culture. Being exposed to abject poverty first hand was initially a shock, but significantly altered all our viewpoints and made us appreciate our own situations. Whilst in Dili, we visited the Resistance Museum and Santa Cruz Cemetery where our knowledge of Timor’s history was expanded, enlightening us about the struggles the Timorese people have endured. The majority of our time in Dili was spent bonding with the children at the Orphanage and creating memories that we will never forget. Our second destination on the trip was Baucau, a four hour drive from Dili. Our main reason for visiting Baucau was to witness the work of the Loreto sisters working in Gari-uai, just outside of the town centre. The pre-school they have
established is painted ‘Loreto’ blue, and houses over 40 children aged 3 to 6 years. The group spent two days with the Sisters and children of Loreto, and through that time the group were able to create memories that will be cherished forever. Sisters Diaan, Margie, Francine and Natalie are incredibly selfless in their work and we were privileged to witness the noble acts being undertaken. Through discussion at lunch with the Sisters, we established various ways to perpetuate a connection between Loreto Gari-uai and Loreto Coorparoo. Indeed, an outstanding moment from our time at Loreto was when the two groups from neighbouring countries came together to sing ‘Cruci Dum Spiro Fido’. There were tingles felt up the spines of all who were there! Our last few nights were spent in a small town called Laleia. Our sleeping quarters were in the Capuchin Friary, where we were fortunate to fall asleep to the sound of priests singing hymns. Whilst in Laleia, we played with the children in the pre-school, formed friendships with some of the older boys and girls, and immersed ourselves in the community. The biggest highlight for all of us was our last night in Laleia when the community was celebrating the Feast of Our Lady, which included a cultural procession before Mass and dancing with the townspeople under the blood moon. An integral component of the trip was the continued journaling and reflection that took place. Every night a different girl prepared and delivered a prayer and reflection on the day. This was incredibly Front Row (L-R) Lauren Effeney, Mikayla Papantoniou, Grea Effeney, Laura Schenk, Lauren Michael, Anna King, Ms Emma Beach. Back Row (L-R) Mrs Diane Hansen, Gabrielle Beiers, Lily Devine, Kate Duffy, Nicola Tracey, Kate O’Sullivan, Erin Littler, Mr Mark Smith
Be seekers of truth and doers of justice