We are Ecology-centred

“ALL OF US CAN COOPERATE AS INSTRUMENTS OF GOD FOR THE CARE OF CREATION, EACH ACCORDING TO HIS OR HER OWN CULTURE, EXPERIENCE, INVOLVEMENTS AND TALENTS.” – POPE FRANCIS, LAUDATO SI’

A UNIFIED RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Undoubtedly, one of the biggest challenges facing our modern era is that of climate change, and the devastating consequences that it entails. Just as generations before us faced nuclear disaster, so too does our own ‘Doomsday Clock’ strike two minutes to midnight again in 2019, a result of “global climate disruption”.

And yet, instead of making social and political strides, we often seem paralysed when taking action against, or even discussing, climate change.

Why? There is a tremendous fear of climate change; fundamentally, it will change our way of living. In late 2018 we witnessed a catastrophic beginning to the bush fire season, something which the Bureau of Meteorology has linked directly to climate change.

Despite this immense, and often well justified, fear of an unknown future, Mary Ward calls us to “act… solely from love” just as “we are called by God”.

Such a concept is reflected in our ethical duty as Christians to “work… and take care of” God’s creation (Genesis 2:15); action, both individual and group, is paramount in changing our world’s climate narrative.

Sustainable living must rest at the heart of our individual lives, to “take nothing for your journey” (Luke 9:1) and endeavour to “walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8) through simple acts of changing our diets to include ethically sourced options, or choosing greener travel in order to reduce our climate footprints.

However, the greatest impact we can all make on the global climate is through unified people power. As consumer consciousness rises, so do ethical practices among companies – the 2019 Ethical Fashion Report from Baptist World Aid found that 61% more companies are investing in sustainable materials and practices.

Political consciousness, too, is integral to our response to climate change, and can lead to incredible outcomes. No clearer example of this is New Zealand, who passed their Landmark Zero Carbon Bill, in order to “deliver signs of action” on climate change by reducing emissions.

Beyond merely voting, robust discussions can help foster awareness of all facets of climate change, aspiring to create social and systematic change that values our environment and our future beyond the short term. As women of strong faith, we must ensure our “conversation shall at all times be such that all who hear it may derive profit,” (Mary Ward).

Despite a sense of hopelessness, it is clear that steps are being taken – in September, 300,000 students marched for climate action, inspired by the likes of activist Greta Thunberg, revealing the true power of a united community in generating action.

Despite any fear, it remains true that “humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home,” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si’).

ISABELLA LARKIN Social Justice Captain 2018-2019

GREEN TEAM INITIATIVES 2018–19 “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax Across the school, students embrace our ecology-centred pathway with commitment, innovation and dedication. The Green Team offers a safe community of like-minded young people who are all keen to bring about change and keep the momentum going and work together to make many impactful ecological changes, both within Loreto Normanhurst and the wider community.

Some of their initiatives are listed below: • Ethical Christmas stall • Environmental Speakers • Enviroweek • Loreto Day ethically printed t-shirts and ribbons • Introduction of Green Team Junior

Team • Low-bake, no-bake Stall • Snug as a Bug in a Rug Day • 1 Million Women Love Earth Festival • Green Team Breakfast • Sustainability Stall.

The Primary School's Frangipani Fair

THE PRIMARY SCHOOL FRANGIPANI FAIR AUGMENTS FORMAL EDUCATION BY INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURIAL THINKING AND BUILDING INNOVATION CAPACITY, A GROWTH MINDSET AND CRITICAL 21ST CENTURY SKILLS.

The girls are taught important business frameworks and how to work collaboratively to strengthen and support their ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.

“We all have the duty to do good.” – Pope Francis

Working in teams, the 2019 Frangipani Fair saw lots of budding business owners show off their newfound skills. Students designed, developed and commercialised their concepts to be product-ready with the Frangipani Fair providing a space where they had the opportunity to tangibly sell their wares.

The girls planned many ways to draw customers to their stalls, impressing everyone with their planning and organisational skills together with strong team work to reach the term long goal of a market day.

The market stalls ranged from beeswax wraps by ‘Bee Happy’, ice-cream sundaes by ‘Sundaes are better than Mondays’, Bowling and Wheel of Fortune by ‘Bowl for Fortune’, nachos by ‘Mumma’s Mexican’ and Terrariums by ‘Wild Things’.

The benefits of this program are far reaching and have taught the girls some valuable lessons that will hold them in good stead for life. The monies raised from the market day went towards ‘Carrie’s Beanies 4 Brain Cancer’ the charity raising money for vital brain cancer research.

Thank you to the students, staff, parents and the Loreto community for attending and supporting this worthycause.

MRS MARYANNE DWYER Head of Primary

Local and Overseas Loreto Connections

OUR PRINCIPAL, MS UGONOTTI, TOGETHER WITH MRS KATE KOVACS, DIRECTOR OF BOARDING, EMBARKED ON A THREE-PART PRINCIPAL’S COUNTRY ROAD TRIP TRAVELLING FROM COUNTRY TO COAST, THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL RIVERINA, CENTRAL, FAR WEST AND NORTH WEST NSW, AND THE NORTH COAST TO MEET WITH CURRENT, PAST AND FUTURE FAMILIES, EX-STUDENTS AND FRIENDS OF LORETO NORMANHURST.

It was particularly important for Ms Ugonotti, in her first year as Principal, to have an opportunity to visit some of the areas that are home for our country boarders and their families and it was wonderful to be embraced by their warm hospitality. The stories about the drought and the conversations with families in country areas of NSW became immediately more real and the tenacity of those living and working in rural and remote areas was humbling to witness.

The Country Road Trips included visits to family farms, primary schools and towns in regional NSW. The Ex-Students’ Association hosted a wonderful lunch in Dubbo which was a lovely afternoon to meet and catch up with some of our ex-student’s from that area.

We are all aware of the drought conditions being faced across NSW and the bushfire crisis. Loreto Normanhurst has a very proud tradition of country boarding, with over 80% of our boarders coming from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW and we are committed to this tradition continuing. The school is doing all it can to assist families in these hard times and the impact of the drought in NSW needs our collective response. Ifyou have not yet taken the opportunity to contribute to Annual Giving, I encourage you to contribute whatever you can by supporting the school’s Bursary Welfare Fund which offers financial assistance to families in necessitous circumstances. Through this fund, and the support of the Loreto Normanhurst community, these families can access the opportunity of a Loreto education. For more information visit our website at www.loretonh.nsw.edu. au/our-community/development/annualgiving-2019/

— Upcoming tours in 2020 —

Country Family Lunches ~

In 2020, we will again be visiting regional NSW to meet with current, past and future families, ex-students and friends of Loreto Normanhurst. Please join us at one or more of the following events. We look forward to visiting our country families in 2020.

SUNDAY 17 MAY 2020 11am – 3pm, Armatree Hotel Merrigal Street, Armatree

SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2020 11am – 3pm, The Sir George 320 Riverside Drive, Jugiong

SUNDAY 26 JULY 2020 11am – 3pm, Crossroads Hotel 170 Maitland Street, Narrabri

For enquiries and to RSVP email: countrytrips@loretonh.nsw.edu.au

COUNTRY FAMILY LUNCHES 2020

PRINCIPAL'S OVERSEAS TRIP 2020

Principal’s Overseas Trip ~

SATURDAY 8 TO SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2020 Calling our alumni and past families in Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong – Loreto Normanhurst is coming to a city near you in 2020! We would love to hear from our exstudents, as well as past families and friends of Loreto, who are currently living in these parts of the world. Further details to follow. For enquiries please email: countrytrips@loretonh.nsw.edu.au

Reflections On Boarding

OUR 2018-19 BOARDER CAPTAINS HAIL FROM COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, BUT THEY TELL US HOW BOARDING AT LORETO NORMANHURST HAS INSTILLED THE SAME VALUES AND INTEGRITY, SHAPING THEM INTO THE WOMEN THEY ARE TODAY.

2019 has been an incredible year filled with many fond memories for the boarders here at Normo. Throughout the year, the boarders have participated in many exciting events such as Commitment Weekend, Main Event, Pink Lady Cruise, themed dinners and community weekends. It is during such activities that we come together and celebrate what it means to be a Loreto ‘Pink Lady’.

One of the main challenges that Suzuki, Boarder Vice-Captain, the Boarder Council and I encountered throughout the year, was trying to introduce new and exciting events and initiatives into boarding, whilst honouring the traditions of the past. However, we soon learnt that it was okay to be different in how we organised events, and that the enjoyment of the girls was our main priority.

Through the process of our graduation events, I was able to reflect a lot about my time within the Loreto boarding community. Although finding the transition moving away from home challenging at first, I soon adjusted and came to appreciate the uniquely wonderful community of girls that make up our boarders.

I am so grateful for all the opportunities that I have been provided throughout my time at Loreto, that I would not have had access to in my hometown. The relationships that I have formed with girls in boarding, across all year levels, is something which I will always value and look back upon fondly. The boarding community truly transformed to become like a family to me, supporting me through all of the highs and lows of my high school years, and for this I am extremely appreciative.

Overall, words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards my time spent at Loreto Normanhurst, and I was honoured to be given the privilege to lead the boarding school during my final year.

ELLA ANDERSON Boarder Captain 2018-2019

In 2016, my family and I made a lifechanging decision for me to move to Sydney from Hong Kong, to become a boarder at Loreto Normanhurst. As a naïve girl in Year 9, I didn’t know what it would be like to live with lots of other girls. I didn’t have a clue who I was then, let alone who I would want to be in the future.

Living away from home and apart from my family was never easy. It was a completely new concept for me, especially coming from Hong Kong, a country where boarding at school isn’t really even a ‘thing’. However, the warm and welcoming nature of Normo girls and staff allowed me to quickly adapt to a foreign culture and environment. Loreto opened up a lot of experiences which I would not have had access to in my home country. Furthermore, I was exposed to many aspects of leadership here at Normo, which prompted my desire to step up as a leader and serve the boarding community.

Taking on the role as Boarder ViceCaptain was one of my greatest experiences, despite how daunting it seemed initially. I was a very shy girl who constantly had self-doubt. I began to question everything I did and wondered if I was doing the right thing all the time. But this role was so good in pushing me beyond my comfort zone, as well as teaching me to believe in myself. We organised some really big boarding events and so much time and effort was put into the process, but the end result was often so rewarding.

A lot of the opportunities I had as Boarder Vice-Captain, together with my close partnership with Ella, allowed me to learn what it means to be a good leader. Looking back now, some of the best memories of Year 12 have stemmed from my leadership of the Boarding School.

My time in boarding has been filled with countless fond memories, as well as the support and love of all the girls and staff. Boarding at Loreto has taught me to be passionate, that there is always a place for you and that you are never alone. Loreto has also taught me how to grow with confidence, to embrace challenges, and to live life with integrity, which has helped me to become the strong and independent woman I am today.

SUZUKI YUN Boarder Vice-Captain 2018-2019