Community
Creating Community From the Engagement Office
School Cocktail Party The evening of Friday 14 February brought a deluge of biblical proportions to Toorak. However, this did not deter the 1000 plus Loreto Toorak parents who braved the inclement weather to attend the 2020 opening Cocktail Party. Winifred Square, the Crescent Theatre and the Gallery of the Mandeville Centre were packed to overflowing by the throng.
Although somewhat constrained in space by the rain, there was a general air of positivity and celebration in the crowd as parents connected and networked, some for the very first time, some at the end of their Loreto Toorak school journey. There were many compliments to our Sodexo staff for the excellent canapés produced in generous quantities from our brand new Café Mandeville kitchen. Parents were treated to a video preview of the new St George’s development, including a virtual walk-through delivered by the magic of technology.
Lunar New Year Celebrations School families from a variety of cultural backgrounds gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Rat on the evening of Friday 21 February. Guests gathered for dumplings and bao buns under Winifred Square. Lion dancers abruptly hurtled out of the Mandeville Centre; the delight in this noisy, colourful performance was evident of the faces of adults and children alike, even if some had their fingers in their ears against the clanging cymbals and beating drums! Dinner was served in the Crescent Theatre which was transformed into a wonderland of lanterns, parasols and decorations in red and gold. Grace was said in Chinese, Vietnamese and English. We were particularly honoured to have Sr Trish Franklin ibvm AO, recite Grace in Vietnamese. A presentation was made to Sr Trish who celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Profession. The food was excellent with a variety of Asian dishes, including ginger barramundi and the ever-popular beef with blackbean. Custard tarts and fortune cookies completed the menu.
Oration Series: International Women’s Day A large group of parents, students and staff, undaunted by the early start, packed the Lecture Theatre for the annual International Women’s Day Oration on the morning of Friday 6 March. Fortified by coffee and a delicious breakfast-in-a-box, the audience was inspired and entertained in equal measure by the presentation given by alumna Mary Muirhead OAM BVSc. Mary addressed the International Women’s Day theme #EachForEqual by describing her work with the Learning for Life Autism Centre, a not-for-profit organisation she set up to help children with autism achieve their full potential. She touched her listeners with her belief in enabling every child to thrive in their uniqueness and diversity. 44
