SHARING OUR FAITH

SISTER GENEVIEVE DAVEY IBVM 1928-2022

Sr Genevieve Davey ibvm was a muchloved member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary community and a familiar figure around the Loreto Kirribilli campus which she made her home for more than 30 years.

Sr Genevieve had a presence, with a formidable list of achievements that belied her diminutive stature and mild, gracious manner.

Born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1928, Genevieve - or Mary Cecily as she was known then - was the tenth of 11 children to parents William and Kathleen Davey. Education was of prime importance to her parents and Genevieve first attended St. Joseph’s parish school, run by Loreto nuns, and afterwards Loreto College.

After school, Genevieve embarked on teacher training, and, deciding to enter religious life, joined the Loreto Sisters as a novice in 1946. She made her First Vows in 1948, taking the religious name of Genevieve with the motto 'The love of Christ urges me on'.

Thus began her vocation as an educator and pastoral carer which spanned more than half a century.

In that time, Sr Genevieve completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Educational Administration, was Principal of St. Joseph’s in Ballarat and Loreto College Portland, and was instrumental in the establishment of the ecumenical, co-educational secondary school Christian Community College (now Bayview College). Sr Genevieve was keen to promote the study of Science at Loreto schools and introduced a new program in Biology at Mandeville Hall in the 1960s. While at Portland in the 1980s, Sr Genevieve arranged housing, furniture, food and clothing for the wave of Vietnamese refugees who arrived by boat after the Vietnam war. During her time in Brisbane, Sr Genevieve helped create a volunteer school for disadvantaged students, a project she embraced with her usual gusto, achieving heartening results.

In 1992, the centenary year of the Loreto sisters coming to Sydney, Sr Genevieve curated the centenary display at Loreto Kirribilli and took on the role as Archivist as a result. She combined this with pastoral work with the frail and elderly in the inner city suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo.

Sr Genevieve was a true Mary Ward woman, a seeker of truth and a doer of justice, giving ‘something more than ordinary’ in her long and faith-filled life.

The love of Christ urges me on.

Sharing Our Faith

Ms Alison Brent 1960-2022

The school community gathered on 28 April 2022 for a Memorial Mass to celebrate the life of Alison Brent, who was an extraordinary woman and a true Mary Ward leader. More than 500 students, staff and families gathered in Centenary Hall for a faith-filled Mass led by Fr Richard Leonard SJ, to honour the contribution Alison made as Head of Junior School for 14 years. "Alison’s positive, caring nature was a gift to the thousands of students in the Junior and Senior school who benefited from her exceptional leadership. She led the Junior School with love, prioritising the students’ spiritual and personal wellbeing and their overall success as learners. Every child was important to Alison, and she had an amazing capacity to know every child’s name.

"In recent years it has been her amazing strength of character, her courage and her resilience which have been an inspiration to us all - an extraordinary woman, and a true Mary Ward leader."

Anna Dickinson Principal

“Alison loved being around people... her gift was her ability to make everyone know that they are special. It was in the way she looked at you when she spoke, her listening eyes, the way she moved around the corridors, the sound of her shoes, her laugh, the winks, the positivity...

“Alison, you may not be with us, but you will never be forgotten by each of us in our own way. Thank you for bringing so much joy, magic and, of course, your special smile and sparkle into our world.”

Linda Walburn Assistant Head of Junior School

Sharing Our Faith

Grant me O Lord the freedom to refer all to you - for only in your gift realised and returned are we made fully free. MARY WARD

2022 - OUR YEAR OF FREEDOM OF SPIRIT

Each year we focus on a value, bringing it to life through prayer, word, symbol and action. This year Loreto Schools around Australia will focus on the value of Freedom of Spirit. Quoting from the Loreto Schools of Australia Mission statement:

“The qualities of freedom, justice and sincerity are at the core of Mary Ward’s spirit. Her most profound understanding of freedom was grounded in her sense of personal relationship with God, her belief that each one of us, in our ordinary experiences of life, has access to God’s loving care. This is the truth that sets us free. It is an inner freedom, accepting of self, open to others and trusting in life.”

YEAR OF FREEDOM LAUNCH

The Senior School Student Executive introduced the Year of Freedom of Spirit at a special Launch Assembly in the Hall, with an entertaining ‘Search for Freedom’ video followed by the unveiling of the Freedom Flame, symbolised by a campfire. “Each flame of the campfire is unique, representing the unique qualities of the Loreto community, and the way we come together to create something aweinspiring,” explained First Councillor Audrey Soo. “The campfire is a reminder of the generosity and warmth we have to offer to each other both in and out of the school grounds,” added Gemma Chittendon. School Captain Greta Perrignon told the assembled students and staff, “In this year of Freedom, we want to ignite all of our inner flames, so that we can see every single person in this school shine.” to be hiding in many different places before he was found, Captain Olivia Massey explained, “Freedom of spirit is really daring yourself to try new things and find your inner sparkle.”

The Junior School Captains launched their Year of Freedom with a new mascot, Frankie the Freedom Frog, at a special Friday Assembly. After a long search for Frankie, who seemed Vice Captain Amelie Elias added, “Frankie is here to remind us that in the Year of Freedom we must be like frogs, and take those leaps of faith, and bounce back.”

Sharing Our Faith

OPENING SCHOOL MASS

Our K-12 Opening School Mass symbolised the official commencement of the school year. It was wonderful to once again gather as a school community in prayer, worship and celebration. Celebrant Fr Nico Lariosa SJ blessed our new Freedom of Spirit Candle and reflected on the words of the Gospel, 'the truth will set you free'.

IGNATIAN INTERSCHOOL FORUM

Our students joined their peers from St Aloysius' College and Saint Ignatius' College Riverview at the Ignatian Interschool Forum to engage in meaningful discussion relevant to young people today, through the lens of Ignatian spirituality. The Year 11 students spent the afternoon in conversation on the topic of solidarity. There were some deeply touching personal stories of solidarity shared.

MARY WARD WOMEN FOR 60 YEARS

Starting at Loreto Kirribilli in the same class in the Junior School, Sr Helen Maguire ibvm and Sr Margaret Honner ibvm joined the Loreto Sisters together 60 years ago in May 1962. They have lived and worked across Australia and overseas, often together. In the 1980s Helen and Margaret were together again as Principals of the Kirribilli Junior and Senior Schools respectively. This was a great time of joy, reconnecting with old friends, some of them parents in the school (now grandparents of current students)! The sisters reflected, "We are proud of the way our school continues the Mary Ward spirit and very proud of the fine young Loreto women we meet and connect with today. For all that has been, thanks.”

Sharing Our Faith

CRAZY HAIR DAY

Witty, wild and wonderful hairstyles were the order of the day at the Junior School Crazy Hair Day! This fundraising event was organised by the students to assist flood-impacted communities in New South Wales.

FLOOD FUNDRAISER SPELLING BEES

In response to the devastation of the March floods, the Senior School Student Executive organised a Student vs Teachers Spelling Bee to raise funds for the affected communities. This epic spelling battle was followed by a similar contest in the Junior School, with young spelling wizards battling it out with the Junior School staff in a contest that included tongue-twisters like 'discombobulate' and 'onomatopoeia'!

PANCAKE TUESDAY

In a Shrove Tuesday tradition, our Senior School Leaders organised the annual Pancake Sale, donning food preparation masks and gloves and serving hundreds of helpings of pancakes, with jam, maple syrup and whipped cream! Funds raised went to 2022 Project Compassion.

UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

JPIC Human Rights Councillors Danielle Butt, Lucinda Mann and Raphaela Walker joined students from St Aloysius' College to attend the United Nations International Women's Day lunch together. The theme of the lunch was 'Changing Climates: Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow'. The theme recognises the contribution of women and girls around the world who are working to change the climate of gender inequality and build a sustainable future. “This is a theme that resonated with us,” explained Raphaela, “and validates our efforts of striving for a sustainable future within our school.”

Sharing Our Faith

FIRST EUCHARIST

Pope Francis describes First Eucharist as ‘the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Jesus’. Students of Years 3 & 4 received their First Eucharist in December 2021 at St Mary’s Church in North Sydney, at a special celebration that the girls and their families will cherish and remember. Thank you to Father Ramesh Richards SJ, who celebrated Mass, the parents of the first communicants and their teachers for supporting and preparing the girls.

YEAR 7 FAMILY MASS

After weeks of rain, bright Autumn sunshine greeted our Year 7 students and their families as they attended Mass together in our beautiful Chapel. Afterwards, parents enjoyed a social morning tea in the Rose Garden. Fr Nico Lariosa SJ celebrated this Mass for us, with prayerful participation and joyful singing by all present.

Sharing Our Faith

MARY WARD CONNECT

Each year, Year 10 students from our Australian Loreto schools are involved in the Mary Ward Connect program run by the Loreto Schools of Australia Committee (LSAC). This year, students were fortunate to hear from some remarkable members of the Mary Ward network globally, provincially, and nationally. The keynote speakers included Sr Noelle Corscadden ibvm, Dr Elaine McDonald and students from Ireland, Sr Pat Hanvey ibvm (Zambia), Sr Patricia McLaughlin (Peru) as well as Clare Wood and Susannah Wallman (WA). These inspiring Mary Ward women leaders spoke about the experience of education for girls in various parts of the world and how this education leads to the transformation of whole communities.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Staff and students marked the first day of Lent with reflection, prayer and the distribution of ashes during our Ash Wednesday Liturgies, while launching Project Compassion with the theme “For all Future Generations”. Through Project Compassion, Caritas partners with people in the Asia-Pacific to develop their independence and support the human dignity of every person.

ARCHBISHOP’S LUNCH

Our School Leaders attended a lunch hosted by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP at St Mary's Cathedral House, where students from Catholic schools around Sydney were asked to explore how we can continue to grow the local church, under the topic 'Community Life as a Young Catholic'.

SR JWAN KADA LUNCHTIME TALK

To mark International Women's Day, students gathered to hear inspirational speaker Sr Jwan Kada discuss the plight of women and girls in the Middle East. Jwan Kada is a novice with the IBVM (Loreto Sisters), and has a particular interest and experience in ministry with young people, especially in prisons.

Jwan was born in Baghdad, and came to Australia as a refugee with her mother and young siblings when she was 11 years old. She is passionate about social justice, and believes that to create any systematic change, our young people need to feel love, belonging and kinship. Jwan is a highly accomplished educator with an MA in Arts Theology, MA in Education (Student Wellbeing), and is currently completing her MA in Theological Studies.

Sharing Our Faith

HOLY WEEK LITURGIES

In the last week of term, our Junior and Senior students held Holy Week Liturgies, following Jesus’s journey from his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the washing of the feet, the Last Supper and the events of Good Friday.

For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son. JOHN 3:16

Head of the Junior School, Mrs Sharon Portlock commended the girls on their reverence, care and dramatisation of this very special story and tradition of our faith. “In the classrooms the girls have been reflecting on the importance of each stage of the last days of Jesus, and how we can relate this event to our world today. The student’s artworks and the written reflections have captured the importance of this story in so many different ways.”

The Senior School Holy Week Liturgy was a time of prayer and reflection, with members of the Performing Arts team, musicians, choir and student leaders creating a beautiful ceremony, in preparation for Holy Week.

FATHER DAUGHTER MASS

More than 750 K-12 students, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, fatherly figures and staff attended our annual Father Daughter Mass, a wonderful liturgical event celebrated by Fr Ramesh Richards SJ. We were blessed to have families back on school grounds, participating in the faith life of their daughters, and enjoying a barbeque brunch supplied by Year 8 Class Parents. Thank you to Poppy Rohanna and her father Mark for inspiring us all with their father and daughter address.