THE PRINCIPAL

MRS ANNA DICKINSON

Term 3 commenced commemorating the day Mother Gonzaga Barry and her nine companions disembarked from their ship at Port Melbourne on 19 July 1875. This commemoration is known as ‘Landing Day’ for Loreto institutions and community in Australia. Mother Gonzaga Barry and her companions left Rathfarnham, near Dublin, on 20 May. The day after landing, they travelled by train to Ballarat to begin the first Loreto foundation in Australia. The task they were undertaking must have been daunting. It required courage and conviction, camaraderie and creativity, providing us with a treasured legacy which all our Loreto schools sustain and foster. Mother Gonzaga and her companions demonstrated a wonderful spirit of generosity in leaving the life they knew for a vision they believed in. Their generosity resulted in the gift of Loreto education here in Australia. Our graduates of the past, the present and the future are the beneficiaries of this gift.

In so many ways we attempt to live out the legacy of Mother Gonzaga and Mary Ward. We may not suffer the deprivations and challenges of those early Loreto Sisters, but we share many of their desires and attributes. We are blessed to continue what they began, with deep awareness of the richness of our spirited tradition - a tradition of generosity and gratitude.

The spirit is so abundant at Loreto Kirribilli and exercised in a myriad of ways, some obvious, some less so.

One of the absolute highlights of our year is our May Day celebration. Many former students tell me that it is one of their fondest memories of their school days. Our celebrations include our May Day Procession, Liturgy, concert and fundraising activities for Mary Ward International. This day evokes the importance of bringing joy to the lives of others through our efforts and love. On this very special day in our Loreto calendar, our school community raised very significant funds for Mary Ward International to support and sustain the community in Kolkata and Timor Leste. The explosion of delight when the students were told the amount we had raised, reinforced that they are very aware that their education has a higher purpose - the blessing of making a positive difference in the world.

Our students’ involvement in a wide range of causes is admirable, contributing their time, energy and commitment to raise funds for those in need. Examples this term include support of the Red Shield Appeal, the

activities of National Reconciliation Week, promotion of Laudato Si’ and environmental stewardship, Refugee Week, engagement in the Verity Immersion experience, support for the people of Ukraine and so much more.

Our parents model generosity to their daughters as well, in so many ways. They support the school through their involvement and attendance at sporting carnivals, Mother Daughter and Father Daughter activities, transporting their daughters to the many activities in which they are engaged, supporting May Day by working on the stalls, involvement in the many and varied P&F activities, participating in various Board and sub-committee meetings and volunteering in the Canteen. The last is a simple example but telling. We have well over one hundred parents who volunteer at the school canteen. In a society which is time-poor, such generosity is rare and does not go unnoticed.

While I hesitate to raise the subject of finance, the giving nature of our parent body is another demonstration of generosity. The wonderful facilities our students enjoy and which support their learning are greatly enhanced by the support of the parent body. Our magnificent new Innovation Centre, Spiritus, is a tribute to the generosity of so many parents and other members of the wider school community through their contributions to our Capital Campaign. The donations have been made in the context of each family’s capacity and each has been appreciated because each adds to the quality of education for our students. We will occupy Spiritus this term as a result of the generosity of our donors and those involved in the management of our building project. I extend my profound thanks to each.

During the holiday period the school was a hive of activity, within and beyond the school gates, because of the generosity of staff offering our students additional opportunities. I know our students and parents greatly appreciate the ‘something more’ that our staff voluntarily contribute to our students and express this gratitude readily. Over the holiday period, 26 Year 11 students engaged in a Verity Immersion program in Arnhem Land, 124 students attended the Snow Sports Camp in the first week of the holidays and our Year 12 students were offered additional classes for practical and a range of non-practical courses. The students expressed their deep appreciation for these classes and also their gratitude for the feedback they received for essays and test responses they submitted during the holiday period. This gratitude in turn builds generosity and is evidenced in the many ways described above.

Our ex-students also continue to generously support our school community with their engagement as volunteer mentors through the LK Connect program and also by raising much needed funds for the ExStudent Bursary Program. Please read Celia Sheldon’s article, in this edition of Spirit. Our ex-students also play an invaluable role as volunteers on our Board and Subcommittees. The expertise they offer, as well as their passion and commitment to the sustainability of our school, is another treasured gift that we deeply appreciate.

Those early Loreto sisters, under the guidance and leadership of Mother Gonzaga Barry, generously committed their lives so that we can enjoy the privilege of a Loreto education for women here in Australia. I thank and commend those who continue that spirit of generosity, which means so much to our students.