From our Captains

PHILLIPA STUDDERT, SCHOOL CAPTAIN & MARIA TREACY, SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN

2019-2020

AT THE CORE OF LEADERSHIP IS SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES AND TO LIFT OTHER PEOPLE UP WHEN THEY ARE DOWN.

Never has this been as relevant to a Year 12 cohort as it has in 2020. When given the privilege of representing Loreto Normanhurst as School Captain and Vice Captain for 2019/2020, we never could have anticipated what our time in leadership would present us. In this year of Verity, and in the year of COVID-19, the theme “strengthened by the truth, we live with courage and purpose” has guided everyone in the community. Going into lockdown and learning remotely brought with it lots of initial uncertainty. Staff and students alike had to quickly change the way they approached learning. Despite spending time in isolation at home, the Loreto spirit remained strong. Videos about the ‘perks of online school’, virtual tutor group competitions and Zoom choir rehearsals provided staff and students with a much-needed laugh, while reminding us of the strength of our community. Throughout this year, we’ve learnt that building a strong community isn’t necessarily about holding big gatherings, but rather forming genuine relationships on an everyday level. We realised that looking out for those around us was more important than ever, as everyone responded differently to COVID-19 and to being in lockdown. Our ‘Girls by Girls’ theme was the perfect motto. The virtual Music Festival epitomised the enthusiasm and perseverance of Normo girls, as everyone put their fears of recording themselves singing aside to produce an amazing sound for their House. The livestreamed ‘Queen of the Track’ race with the school mascot Ellen (LN) jumping at the finish line was another example of how the school was able to adapt, with cheering heard around the classrooms.

The Class of 2020 has undoubtedly faced more challenges than we had expected this year. As we continue to confront these challenges while we plan our futures, we must remember that this rapidly changing world is exactly what our Loreto education has prepared us for. What makes this school so special is that girls are not told to be perfect, but their flawed, yet amazing selves. One of our teachers in Year 9 said that “practice makes progress, not perfect”, a motto that has stuck with us. Whether we realise it or not, our double periods of Integrated Learning, our time spent giving advice in tutor group, and our teamwork on the sports fields have all prepared us for life beyond the Loreto gates. We would like to acknowledge all the staff and students who have worked tirelessly to support Year 12 and the entire school community over this year. The Class of 2020, alongside the rest of the world, doesn’t know what tomorrow holds. We have no doubt, however, that equipped with our strong Loreto spirit and values, we will be able to overcome any obstacles in the future.

STUDENT COUNCIL 2019-2020

School Captain School Vice Captain Phillipa Studdert Maria Treacy

BOARDING SCHOOL Boarding Captain Boarding Vice Captain Isabella Price Eliza Harley

HOUSE CAPTAINS Aston: Molly Carter Barry: Emma Davies Kendall: Lily Martin Kuring-gai: Nicola Sherwood Maye: Bernice O’Brien Mornane: Madeline Playford Mulhall: Abby Hartshorne Ward: Mia Circosta

BOARDER COUNCILLORS Sophie Ainsworth Pollyanna Canty Lara Ciesiolka Bridie Cooksey Kate Finlayson Brahnie Mitchell

EXTRA-CURRICULAR CAPTAINS Academic Activities Communications/SRC Creative Arts Liturgy Music Performing Arts Social Justice Subject Sport Maanya Maini Jaya Reddy Ruihuan Liu Sarah Scott Sophie Andreou Gabriella Sposari Luka Swain Greta Kraszula