2020 Yearbook

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Gerard Dalbosco CHAIR OF THE BOARD

We will never forget the year of 2020. We commenced the year looking forward to a new and innovative timetable and a significant new building project. It was going to be a busy year and we were both optimistic and energised at the thought of all that lay ahead.

The challenges that then emerged with COVID-19 caused the year to play out in a very different way. We now look back on the year, disappointed at the things we missed, but emboldened by what the School has achieved, due to the amazing strength of the Loreto Toorak community.

I thank all parents for their amazing support of the School and its staff over the course of 2020. Our parent community remains strong and supportive and this was evident in many ways during the year, perhaps no more so via the many families that elected not to take up fee concessions that were offered. This enabled us to support families that required it and not increase fees for 2021; and for that the Board is very grateful.

I congratulate our students for their resilience, their acceptance of and engagement in different learning models, and their extraordinary participation in programs. As always, our students showed their Loreto quality in doing their best and achieving much in doing so. I know that their teachers are extremely proud of them.

Anticipating a fresh start in 2021, we are already planning to return to a more normal school life for families and students, albeit with some changed operations. We have learned a lot this year and some of the changes that had to be made, ‘the silver linings,’ will certainly be retained.

The Board recently released the next iteration of the School’s Strategic Plan, Strategy 2025. Developed by the Board, in conjunction with the Leadership Team, Strategy 2025 outlines the School’s vision and strategic priorities for the next five years. It has been formulated to enable the School to continue to perform at the level of excellence that we have come to expect from Loreto Toorak, and in doing so, deliver the best outcomes for students, staff, and the broader Loreto community. We are looking forward to working hard around its implementation in 2021.

The new St George’s building, which will deliver stateof-the-art classrooms and learning spaces for our junior secondary year levels, as well as offices, a lecture space for the use of the whole school and more underground parking, has progressed on time and within budget throughout the year. When students and parents return to School following the Christmas break, the construction itself will be visible,

giving a real idea of what the building will look like when completed. Excitement will certainly build over 2021 and we can hardly wait until the building is ready to be occupied in 2022.

We were very excited this year to be informed of an incredibly generous bequest from the estate of Margaret Tutton, in memory of her sister Betty Ryan (Tutton). Betty attended Loreto Toorak in the 1920s and married a NSW grazier, John Ryan, who was killed overseas while serving in World War II. The Loreto community provided great support to Betty and her family at the time. Betty passed away in 2003 but Sr Ruth Winship ibvm remained a great friend to the family and her ongoing kindness inspired Margaret to leave a bequest to Loreto Toorak in honour of her sister, Betty. We expect to receive the bequest of over $3.5million by the end of the year. It will be a wonderful addition to our Give a Girl a Dream fund and will support a Loreto education for many, for many years to come. A big thank you to Peter Walsh, a fantastic Loreto Toorak supporter, for his assistance with this bequest and to Dr Stevens and Ms Judy Reid and Mrs Louise McNamara for their advocacy and ongoing focus on our bequest program, which goes from strength to strength.

My sincere thanks to all parents who served as members of the various committees, working parties, focus groups, clubs, and associations this year. I acknowledge the contribution of all volunteers and express the gratitude of the Board for all that has been contributed. Much of the success enjoyed by the School is due to the work and support of these groups and committees.

I acknowledge, in particular, our Board of Directors and members of our Board Sub-Committees, who bring great commitment and capability to our School. This year, even more was asked of them and they have made an enormous contribution. I thank: Deputy Chairman and Chair of Property, Peter Higgins; Chair of Finance, Louis Chiam and Chair of Risk and Compliance, Annette Wiltshire; and Directors of the Board, Bede Noonan, Sylvia Walton, Lesley Gillespie and Kate Collins.

Words seem inadequate in expressing our appreciation to Loreto Toorak Staff this year. Strategy 2025 states that our staff are the most valuable resource within the School,

2025 STRATEGIC PLAN

and this was demonstrated repeatedly in 2020. In a time of great uncertainty and in very trying circumstances, our staff worked incredibly hard, were extraordinarily innovative in their ability to adapt to remote learning and always had the wellbeing our students foremost in their minds. Together with the Board, I offer our sincere thanks for the contribution that they made in what was a very difficult year.

I offer congratulations to our Deputy Principal - Director of Studies, Ms Samantha Jensen, who leaves to commence her appointment as Principal of Mt Alvernia College Brisbane. In her leadership of curriculum, Ms Jensen has inspired best practice in all facets of teaching and learning and the ever-improving outcomes for students at all levels, and particularly VCE, is a credit to her. We have been fortunate to have been so well led by Ms Jensen in this area, and on behalf of the Board, I thank her for her significant contribution to the School over many years and wish her all the best as she returns to her home state of Queensland.

Each year, this report provides me with the opportunity to thank our Principal, Dr Susan Stevens. Tested this year, like no other, Dr Stevens, supported superbly by her Leadership Team, has once again led the School with distinction. On behalf of the Board, I offer my thanks to Dr Stevens for her continued, outstanding leadership and commitment to the

School. 2021 heralds Dr Stevens’ final year as our Principal and we look forward to her continued leadership of our wonderful school, together with the opportunity to celebrate the significant contribution that Dr Stevens has made and the legacy that she will leave.

We are delighted that Ms Angela O’Dwyer, our Executive Deputy Principal, will succeed Dr Stevens as our new Principal in 2022. Since joining Loreto Toorak in 2017, Ms O’Dwyer has contributed significantly to the progression of student development across our academic, pastoral, co-curricular and spiritual programs. She is passionate about working in a school environment that is committed to providing programs that support positive student outcomes and has demonstrated a commitment to the provision of exceptional education for all young women, with an emphasis on strong values, high expectation, creativity, and academic challenge.

The Board will work very closely with Dr Stevens and Ms O’Dwyer over the course of 2021 to ensure a smooth leadership transition. It will be an important year for us all, as we to work together to support this exciting change.

In closing, I wish all families a peaceful, joy-filled, and safe Christmas; we look forward with hope, optimism, and enthusiasm to sharing a more normal 2021 with you.

leadership TEAM

PRINCIPAL

Dr Susan Stevens

PhD, MEd (EdAdmin), MMus, AMusA, GradDip (AdolHeal&Welf), GDipTheol, FACE, MACEA, MAICD

EXECUTIVE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Angela O’Dwyer

BA (Melb), GradDipEd (Sec) (ACU), MEd (EdMgt) (Melb), ARI, MACEL

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - STUDIES

Samantha Jensen

CertIVTAA, BA (Hons UQ) MTeach (QUT) MEdLead (ACU), MAICD , MACEL

DIRECTOR OF RATHFARNHAM & ELC

Catherine Maimone Crowhurst

BA, BTeach, GCertEN, MEd(Math) (ACU)

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - STAFF

Séamus Scorgie

BSc, BA(Hons), GradDipEd(Sec), MA (Monash), MEd(EdMgt) (Melb), GradCertCathSt, GradCertMgmtNFP, MBA(Exec) (ACU), MACE

DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS

Kate Guggenheimer

BArts (FineArt) (RMIT), ProfCertAdolCouns (Monash), GDipEd, MEd (EdMgt) (Melb)

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Teagan Collins

BPhysEd (Sec) (Deakin), MEd (EdMgt) (Melb), ProfCertEd(PosEd) (Melb)

BUSINESS MANAGER

Tim Rowler

BCom, GradDipMgmtNFP, MBA (Exec)

Dr Susan Stevens PRINCIPAL

With pleasure and joy, and a great sense of pride for all that has been achieved, managed and learned throughout this year, I present the following summative operational report.

Executive

2020 has been a year that has challenged us in many ways; however, like our foundress Mary Ward along with Mother Gonzaga Barry, despite obstacles, we have been resolute in staying true to our Loreto vision and sense of mission.

This year at Loreto Toorak, throughout the periods of uncertainty and intermittent remote learning, as a school, we have remained committed to the provision of an exceptional education; with an emphasis on strong values, high expectation, creativity and academic challenge. To ensure the progression of student development, we reimagined our vision for academic, pastoral, co-curricular and spiritual programs.

Applying latest research and developments in digital technology, we created a positive culture of challenge and support, focused on continuous improvement and developing best practice. Strongly influenced by the work of Martin Seligman’s Positive Psychology and Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset, we supported an educational approach that focused on the synergy between wellbeing programs and learning strategies; one that fostered positive emotions and resilience, genuine engagement and a sense of meaning and accomplishment.

Aware that the development of such characteristics is scaffolded by an holistic approach to education, we continued to provide co-curricular programs that catered for diverse abilities and encouraged development of the whole person. Throughout the year, despite the geography of being either on or off campus, our students embraced program opportunities in a more adaptive and creative manner. Who would have thought you could run a rowing or swimming program without water!

Importantly, we provided these opportunities within a context of a faith-based education, where students were immersed in the values of Verity, Justice, Felicity, Sincerity and Freedom, and were encouraged to find God in the ordinary experience of human life.

Overcoming the constraints of remote learning, we created formative spaces for students to experience prayer, liturgy

and scripture. Retreat Days were designed to have a more personal, ‘at home’ focus and social justice programs, such as Friday Night School tutoring, continued in an online format.

Like Mary Ward, we are educating young women in a time of great change and uncertainty, when education is being reimagined. The fallout from COVID-19 has disturbed all sectors of society, especially in our education systems. We have moved through the disruption phase and are now managing the transition. The next stage will be to reflect and reimagine learning and education. This pandemic has magnified the question of what kind of learning is required beyond 2020. There will be new pedagogies for deep learning, amplified by technology that will have an indispensable impact on learning. The concept of challenging has now transformed to exciting.

Teaching & Learning

At a few points throughout 2020, we spoke to our Academic Staff of our transition to remote learning as akin to ‘building the plane while flying it’. With the invaluable support of our wonderful IT team and Digital Learning Leaders, we undertook the remarkable process of training over 150 Academic Staff in only a couple of days to teach classes using the Microsoft Teams platform. It was here in the virtual classrooms of 2020 that learning, and teaching continued to flourish. Together, as co-learners in our new technological landscape students and teachers continued to maintain high levels of curiosity, inquiry, understanding and mastery of skills.

A comprehensive evaluation of the silver linings for both the Academic Staff and for our students has been undertaken, and we look forward to implementing some of these takeaways into our forthcoming programs and pedagogies moving forward. Of notable mention has been the ability to video record expositions of explicit teaching allowing for ongoing review and revisitation of concepts for students. Further opportunities for differentiation in the classroom and for a greater customisation of student learning was also facilitated effectively through the new technologies, as was

the ability for subjects to draw on a wide variety of guest speakers and experts locally, nationally and globally to share in the classroom experience.

Our extensive library of educational videos, including science experiments that were conducted on-site by our wonderful Science Lab Technicians, now exist for future student and staff reference. Other collateral benefits of the year have included a brand new Loreto Toorak Virtual Gallery for our Faculty of Arts and the establishment of our very own student led publishing agency, Loreto Toorak Press, which will have its full launch at the commencement of 2021.

Following the success of our Loreto Academy Summer Program in January, further opportunities were offered to our students in our “An Audience with….” series, including Australian actor Simon Burke AO and author Emily Brewin. Our Plato’s Cave Philosophy and Learning Unboxed experiences were further complemented with opportunities hosted by the Mandeville Learning Centre in our very own Human Library. In a year of limited physical connections, our intellectual reach spanned nationally and globally.

The academic year saw the addition of three new Year 10 elective studies; Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Media and Introduction to Literature. These additions to the comprehensive suite of Year 10 elective subjects have responded effectively to ongoing student interest, coupled with preparatory skills for VCE studies.

A truly spectacular team of Mandeville Mentors worked tirelessly with our students, offering further assistance, motivation and inspiration to our Years 5-12 students each afternoon from 4.00pm – 7.00pm. In the creative spirit of the year, our Mentors offered a full suite of seminars to not only support student learning, but with aspirational edge and zest. The development of targeted student seminars and resources on How to Gain the Competitive Edge; VCE Skills That Make a Difference was greatly appreciated by our senior students and aspirants.

As educators in 2020, we have had the opportunity to carefully scrutinise our teaching practice and to find new ways to convey concepts, engage with students, customise

their learning and provide feedback. Necessity has certainly been the mother of invention in this case, but it has really been so much more. This year, for students and teachers alike, our learning community has been strengthened. It has provided the teachers with a sense of greater collective efficacy and students with a greater sense of independence in their learning. A winning combination.

Students

Excitedly, at the commencement of the year, we welcomed our students back to school with a very hot day, a big hole in the ground and a new timetable. As always, we were curious as to what 2020 would behold. Our students always demonstrate a positive mindset, grit and resilience, but little did we know then that these attributes would be called upon in abundance this year.

This year our students have spent more time learning remotely at home than they have on-site and this has posed significant and unique challenges for our students. More than ever, the wellbeing of our students has been of paramount concern and our main focus this year. As we suddenly were thrust into remote learning, programs and processes were swiftly implemented to ensure our students remained connected and cared for. We are extremely proud of the tenacity, commitment and the resourcefulness our students demonstrated throughout this time. Whilst this experience provided many challenges, overall it enabled the girls to learn more about themselves, recognise their strengths, and discover their preferred learning style.

During Pastoral sessions, the main focus was on supporting the girls’ mental and physical health. Recognising that connection was a significant element that was more challenging during remote learning, the aim was to enhance individual relationships and keep our girls involved in the myriad of activities and Programs still on offer, albeit remotely. Each year level created exciting and innovative ways to keep the students connected. Growing plants from seeds, movie nights, online quizzes, talent competitions, bake offs, dress up days and animal visits to name but a few events; there was never a dull moment online. A deep

connection was made with students and their Mentor Teachers through ongoing and frequent pastoral chats and wellbeing phone calls home.

We frequently speak of the ‘attitude of gratitude’ as Mother Gonzaga Barry instilled in her students long ago; throughout this year our students have been encouraged to look for opportunities in their academic and co-curricular pursuits, their connections and relationships to identify not only ‘what went well’ but also what it is they are grateful for each day. Upon their return to school, students were encouraged to remember the ‘silver linings’ they discovered through this time of remote learning, qualities they may have uncovered about themselves and about learning in another context. Remote learning had many positives and it is important that we view this experience, acknowledging this time, through a positive lens.

Perhaps the most exciting time of the year was welcoming our students back on-site in Term 4. We were so thrilled to have the classrooms and corridors alive again with the sounds of learning and laughter. This experience of remote learning has certainly prepared many students to be more independent learners and has given many students a greater appreciation of the value of learning and being at school

In this history making year, we are grateful to our students for their energy and their gratitude and we thank our staff for their care of each and every student. We also acknowledge and recognise our parent community for their ongoing support of and commitment to our wonderful school.

Programs

This year has seen both excellence and participation through Programs at Loreto Toorak. Whilst it was not the year we had planned for, it created many inspired opportunities for our community. From the captivating performance of Lord of the Flies to virtual Astronomy, Humanities Club and Loreto Academy, we could never have imagined Programs would take this virtual turn. We certainly realised our potential through the many online platforms. From virtual Celebrations of Sport, Debating and Public Speaking, Gymnastics and Aerobics and Rowing, to the endless Strava activities, we observed, celebrated and made the most of 2020.

Programs at Loreto Toorak are imperative to the development of the whole child and integral to a Loreto education, aligned with our Ignatian spirituality. Whilst lock-down provided many challenges, it opened doors to for Inspiro pop-up days, mindfulness and social justice opportunities as well as a whole school wellbeing initiative in Up and Active. These Programs worked to further support holistic student development, providing an opportunity for and staff and students to extend their arms, minds and hearts; one of many of silver linings of our time spent connected off campus.

Prior to realising the effects of COVID-19, the year started strongly for our Rowing squad at Lake Barrington with a clean sweep in all schoolgirl events at the Tasmania State Pennant Regatta. Success continued at the Victorian Junior State Championships, finishing second in the overall medal tally. At Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta, our rowers had the most wins of any school. An outstanding season despite many setbacks. Another remarkable performance saw our Triathlon team become defending premiers of the GSV

Carnival and the Swimming and Diving Teams both won their Preliminary Carnivals.

Throughout lock-down it was pleasing to see so many students remaining active in all Program domains, including through Musical Theatre Club, Charlotte’s Web Design Group, Debating, Public Speaking, GSV Pilates, Strength and Conditioning and team training sessions. A sincere reflection of this was the GSV Virtual Cross-Country Championship, where Loreto Toorak achieved the highest number of students participating out of 24 schools.

Across all domains, our students adapted seamlessly to different performance environments with outstanding concerts evidenced throughout the entire year. Music weekly performances continued with many celebrated events such as the Oak Parlour Recitals and the Singers’ Soiree, bringing the joy and light of music to our lounge rooms. Our debaters continued their excellence and we saw growing interest in the UN Youth Organisation events, which widened our students’ interest in a myriad of global issues. We also saw outstanding student success in competitions such as the National History Challenge.

The ability for our students to continue online in 2020 only strengthened their camaraderie and felicity, evident in the support they continued to show one another. Our Loreto Aquatic and Gymnastics Clubs had continued success in and out of the water, which saw many athletes qualify for Nationals. Our Senior Aerobics squad continued their energetic performances in lock-down with outstanding State Team Trial results and a second place in the Gymnastics Victoria Lockdown Challenge.

In the face of adversity, we saw exceptional leadership from our senior students and I congratulate our Program Leaders in their respective portfolios for 2020. Loreto Toorak is known for our Programs within the community, due to our dedicated and passionate staff that are experts in their fields. We celebrate our staff for their repeated efforts this year, providing outstanding learning opportunities for each and every child at Loreto Toorak. Looking to the future, we are excited at the prospect of taking forward our silver linings and creating enriching Programs that continue to promote participation and excellence across every domain.

Rathfarnham

The year 2020 required people around the world to develop 21st Century competencies such as mental agility, adaptability, critical and innovative thinking in order to respond to the rapid and incumbent demands of a changing global landscape. The School was acutely aware that our Loreto Toorak community; parents, staff and students, were also dealing with, and feeling the impact of, these changes in their daily lives.

When the impact of COVID-19 required our community to work off-site, the School responded by changing the way in which it delivered learning to our students, Preparatory to Year 12. Given the parameters of learning from home, including the age of our Rathfarnham students and our desire to continue providing our girls with rich, meaningful and interactive learning opportunities, it was necessary to develop new knowledge, skills and competencies, during the course of this off-campus time.

Consistency, predictability, stability and connectivity were pivotal in ensuring remote learning was delivered to Preparatory to Year 6 students, through the Microsoft

Teams platform. As such, Rathfarnham continued to deliver the curriculum according to the school timetable. Students engaged with their teachers, for both core and specialist subjects, during their normal six period day. Video conferencing allowed students to see and speak with their teachers and peers each lesson. The format of lessons consisted of instructional teaching, interactive opportunities and independent activities, with students returning to the meeting at the end of a lesson for ‘share time’.

In order to achieve optimal learning through the use of technology, teachers learnt a new set of digital skills and applications that were then taught to students, through the interactive technology. Whilst the lesson format allowed for students and teachers to interact in a way that closely

Felicity Fun Days were implemented. This program provided a variety of physical activities, craft, cooking, reading and game playing for the girls to engage in during the nontimetabled day.

Rathfarnham teachers reimagined the format and delivery of a number of calendared events this year, enabling them to still go ahead. Among these were the Rathfarnham Assemblies, hosted by our Year 6 Leaders, Mother, Father and Specials Friends’ Mornings, and even our Rathfarnham Music Recitals, all of which continued using a remote delivery. In addition to these calendared events, students also enjoyed a recreated STEM Week, that included a virtual incursion, and an Art & Active Day, celebrated in lieu of our sports carnival.

mirrored the on-site experience, the need for time away from the screen, for students to complete independent work, was also necessary.

This process challenged educators to rethink and reconstruct how they delivered learning to primary age children, with varying learning needs and levels of dependence on adult support. Teachers worked collaboratively, drawing on the expertise of educators both within the school and globally, to use platforms and techniques to best meet the needs of all learners. Working with dedication, tenacity and professionalism, teachers reframed the delivery of curriculum, whilst continuing to provide pastoral support for their students.

Whilst routine and consistency were important to assist the Rathfarnham students during such extraordinary, unpredictable and unprecedented times, careful balancing of pastoral and academic needs of the girls were critical factors in decision-making during remote learning.

Small group social sessions were organised online, during the classroom program, to help facilitate peer interactions and connections. Periodic breaks in the structured timetable during remote learning also added elements of fun, engagement and important screen-free days. To this end,

During the periods when we returned to campus, time was spent reestablishing important connections with the girls and assisting them in renewing old friendships, fostering new ones, settling back into routines and expectations, as well as embedding appropriate health and safety practices. Whilst on campus, reformatting of events was still required. In Term 4 we were able to enjoy Book Week, Wellbeing Workshop activities and, for our Preparatory students, a slightly delayed celebration of 100 Days of Prep. We concluded the year with our Year 6 Thanksgiving celebration and our reimagined digital delivery of Carols in the Glade renamed this year as, Rathfarnham 2020 Christmas Collection.

This year we embarked on a new and unchartered landscape. Full credit is given to our Rathfarnham students, who although young, demonstrated qualities of adaptability, flexibility, enthusiasm and a growth mindset, to navigate unexpected and unpredictable circumstances. They embraced the challenge, working positively and cooperatively with their teachers, peers and parents to achieve their best.

Staff

Loreto Toorak seeks to be recognised as the leading school in Australia and consequently as one of the leading schools in the world. A key element of this aim is to provide our students with the highest standard of facilities possible, which is exemplified by the quality of the Mandeville Centre. The next phase of the School’s continuous renewal program commenced late in 2019 with the redevelopment of the St George’s Building. This project will provide our Years 7, 8 and 9 students with the same standard of classrooms and informal learning spaces found in the Mandeville Centre as well as upgrading our Clendon Road Student Reception and St Joseph’s Courtyards and seeing the addition of three additional courtyards for all of our students. 2020 saw the excavation of the three basement levels, which was able to continue unabated during Melbourne Stage 3 and 4 restrictions, and which, in addition to the three floors above ground, will provide six floors of added space including dedicated floors to our Years 7, 8 & 9 students with formal and informal learning spaces as well as communal gathering areas for each year level. This year has also seen the construction of the first two levels of basement, with the third level due for completion prior to the return of students for the 2021 school year and the project itself on target for completion prior to the commencement of the 2022 school year.

Providing our students with quality teachers is even more important than physical facilities. The School is incredibly proud of the exemplary standard of staff at Loreto Toorak, which was typified by how quickly they adapted this year to the online delivery of lessons through Microsoft Teams. It is a testament to the professionalism and adaptability of our staff that they were able to navigate their way through the 2020 academic year so seamlessly.

Throughout this year our staff have not only continued to develop their teaching practice within the classroom, but also through formal study, with over one third of our staff already holding qualifications at Masters level or higher, and others continuing to work towards additional qualifications including PhDs, MBAs and Masters of Educational Leadership and Student Wellbeing. A significant proportion

of our Academic Staff also work on the committees of the VCAA, form part on of VCE examination panels, act as members of committees reviewing VCE study designs and work as NAPLAN and VCE assessors with assessors in every faculty across the school.

Community

Our foundress, Mary Ward, “had an incredible gift of being able to imagine and risk to begin something other than what had always been”. Never has this been more necessary than during this pandemic year of 2020, in continuing to provide opportunities for the community to be engaged with the School. In a year during which we have largely been unable to engage with our community face-to-face, we have had to view 2020 as an opportunity for taking new paths rather than as an obstacle to what we have always done.

Loreto Toorak is proud of the innovative and creative ways we have managed to keep our community engaged and supported through this year. Every new family and Year 7 family has been personally telephoned to welcome them to Loreto Toorak, or to acknowledge their secondary school commencement, and enquire on their wellbeing. We have also reminded all current families of our Loreto Support program, which provides support to families in need.

Our alumnae have been emailed, telephoned and, in the case of our Pearls aged 90+, personally visited and provided with a small care package and handwritten card prepared by our Year 6 students.

Cooking videos, showcasing some of the beautiful recipes in our Loreto cookbooks and craft video, showcasing some of the creative craft activities in our Mandeville Christmas book, have been well-received by our Rathfarnham students and have assisted them in their Felicity Fun Day activities and during the school holidays.

We were fortunate to celebrate International Women’s Day just prior to lockdown. Centred around the theme #eachforequal, guest speaker Mary Muirhead OAM (1980) spoke about the Learning for Life Autism Centre

she established, and of which she is the Director, helping children with autism achieve their full potential. This was to be the last of our face-to-face events.

Fortunately, technology has enabled alumnae from far and wide to participate in school events, albeit virtually. Some have assisted with our virtual Careers Seminar, recording videos of their career journey to share with our students. Others have been part of our Human Library, offering students the opportunity to chat with them online. Professor Catherine Bennett (1978) Chair in Epidemiology, Deakin University, recorded an interview regarding her thoughts on COVID-19.

Our community Instagram page was launched and has very quickly developed a respectable number of followers. This is a relevant way of keeping our community, particularly our alumnae, abreast of current school news and wider alumnae news.

Our annual Preparatory Parents’ Dinner became an online wine and cheese evening with attendees hearing from our Principal, Director of Rathfarnham and guest alumna. Following the formal part of the evening, guests were then able to chat with each other in online rooms.

Our annual Past Pupils’ Association Mass was held virtually enabling many more people to join us as we celebrated the gift of our wonderful community and remembered those who have died throughout the year.

Whilst not a year for fundraising, we continued to be blessed with donations from many of our supporters and the realisation of a significant bequest from the estate of Margaret Tutton in memory of her sister, Jean Elizabeth (Betty) Ryan (Tutton, 1930). These donations have helped build our Give a Girl a Dream Fund to nearly $10 million. Distributions from this Fund will commence once our target of $20 million is reached.

The inclusiveness and support of our Loreto Toorak community is a key strength of our school and has been very much in evidence during this year. We look forward to 2021 and an anticipated return to a more normal calendar of events.

Summation

It has been a year of challenge, difference, adaptability and hard work. It has been a significant year.

At year’s end, we look back and we look forward. We reflect and remember – then we look forward with great hope. In anticipation for all that 2021 will bring, we have planned for a year of community and joy – it will be the Loreto Year of Felicity, and wonderfully so.

I thank all who have contributed so meaningfully to our School this year: Chairman of the Board Gerard Dalbosco, Directors of the Board, members of the standing committees of the Board, members of School Associations, Clubs and groups, our wonderful and committed staff, and in particular the Leadership Team with whom I work so closely. I thank all parents for your support this year – never has there been a year of greater partnership, close and supportive, demonstrating so well the shared vision for our Loreto Toorak students so often referred to in our rhetoric.

This year and on behalf of the entire school community of Loreto Toorak, I wish to acknowledge and thank someone who has been both significant and influential in the educational journey and personal formation of every Loreto student, Deputy Principal Director of Studies, Ms Samantha Jensen. Over the years in her leadership of curriculum, Ms Jensen has worked and supported both students and staff tirelessly, seen and unseen. Her steering of all things related to student learning, individual improvements, the solving of problems encountered in the learning of many, her rejoicing in all achievements both great and small, has been a gift to Loreto Toorak of great magnitude. Under Ms Jensen’s academic leadership, many courses of studies have been introduced into elective streams, offering our students ever greater opportunities for a breadth and depth of educational experience. The flourishing of Loreto Academy and it’s promotion of the love of learning, her leadership of professional reading and discussion groups, Cicero’s Circle, and Plato’s platform, her re-imagining stages and structures for the teaching of languages, mathematics, the arts and humanities, has been inspiring. Importantly, the care that has been given to each student at various and frequent times over a decade, and all years prior, is reflected in Ms Jensen’s pride of Loreto Toorak scholars of every age. Ms Jensen will be missed at the swim meets, on the river and sporting grounds, in the audience for theatre and music performances, and as an interested attendee at debates. Although she will leave, her influence will most certainly endure. How fortunate and blessed is Mt Alvernia College Brisbane to have secured Ms Jensen as their Principal next year. Ms Jensen is looking forward to returning to her home state of Queensland, and to her family who live there. She goes with our immense gratitude for everything she has contributed so generously and graciously to our School. On behalf of the community of Loreto Toorak, we thank Deputy Principal Director of Studies, Ms Samantha Jensen, and warmly congratulate her as we bid farewell.

I wish all families a safe and blessed Christmas-tide. May God bless you all.

Sincerely

Dr Susan Stevens

school councillors & LEADERS

CAPTAINS OF SCHOOL

Mia O’Callaghan Francesca Zappia

What a year! 2020; a year that none of us would have expected. At the start of the year, our biggest concern as Captains of School was maintaining a cohesive school spirit with the new school timetable. Yet, little did we know that we would be thrust into the midst of leadership online.

At the start of the year, with great enthusiasm and optimism, we eagerly embarked upon our roles, ready to influence the Loreto community with our Verity theme; “ignite our light, let truth unite”. Having rarely thought much about Verity before, we were ready to passionately promote the ideas of being authentic and true to the rest of the student body. Verity was exemplified in our wonderful Performing Arts Festival where our senior students put on a night to remember for our entire Loreto Toorak community.

However, Verity has taken on a completely new meaning in the context of our current climate. On Sunday 15 March 2020, Loreto Toorak students were informed of our first transition to online learning and we quickly realised that Microsoft Teams would become our new best friend. Initially anticipating an interesting and trivial two-week quarantine experience, only looking back now we can we realise and appreciate the fact that Loreto Toorak girls have conducted most of their lessons online this year. Although initially disappointing, the challenges of the remote learning experience only encouraged us as Captains of School to work even harder to bolster school spirit. Our semi-frequent production of Keeping up with the Councillors episodes became our new platform to interact and engage with the girls at home. For the Councillors, it offered them the opportunity to demonstrate and share their tips and tricks of surviving quarantine life, and for the students, it offered some light relief and was a vehicle through which they could connect with the School Leaders.

Although we deeply missed our friends and certainly would have preferred a year trapped in the atrium of the Mandeville Centre rather than our bedrooms, our year at home has undoubtedly uncovered our resilience. This year has provided different challenges for everyone, but embracing a positive outlook, we can say that our circumstances have left us with lifelong skills that we can draw on in future years. It has deepened our sense of gratitude, particularly for the smallest instances of human connection.

Whilst we have been told many times what a disappointing year it is to be Captains of School, we politely disagree with this statement. Leadership is not all about everything running smoothly; true leadership is about maintaining perseverance and flexibility even when confronted with challenges, like a global pandemic. Yet, we would not have made it through this time without the support of all our teachers. We would particularly like to thank Dr Stevens, Ms O’Dwyer, Mrs Guggenheimer, Mrs Jaensch and of course our wonderful Councillors for their continuous encouragement throughout this year.

Finally, to the Class of 2020, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours and despite not being together in person this year, we remind each and every one of you that once a Loreto girl, is always a Loreto girl.

COUNCILLORS

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCILLORS

Bridgette Casey & Anneka Davys ENVIRONMENT COUNCILLORS

Elenoire Faiola & Millicent Walker SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCILLORS

Sophia Banadinovich & Ruby Richardson ELC-YEAR 6 LIAISON COUNCILLORS

Yasmin Fuller & Tess Kelliher LITURGY COUNCILLORS

Natalie Catalfamo & Grace Lambos WELLBEING COUNCILLORS

PASTORAL COUNCILLORS

YEAR 7

COUNCILLORS

Zoe Dobbin & Amy Quinlan

YEAR 9

YEAR 8 COUNCILLORS

Alessandra Negline & Mercedes Purcell

COUNCILLORS

Katerina Bitzios & Holly Searby

YEAR 11

COUNCILLORS

Isabella Caleo & Marietta Stents

YEAR 10 COUNCILLORS

Laura Ellingworth & Kasie Wang

HOUSE COUNCILLORS

HOUSE COUNCILLORS MORNANE

Melia Anastasopoulos & Mackenzie Howard

HOUSE COUNCILLORS BARRY

Alexandra Desmond & Anastasia Purcell

HOUSE COUNCILLORS WARD

Riley Burns & Tess Langton

HOUSE COUNCILLORS MULHALL

Lucinda Brown & Giulia Massimini

COUNCILLORS

MUSIC

CAPTAIN

Serena Su

Alessandra Negline PUBLIC SPEAKING CAPTAIN

Kasie Wang MUSIC CAPTAIN

Ella Mitsch SENIOR CHORISTER

Marietta Stents SENIOR CHORISTER Leader: Loreto Sympohony Orchestra

SYMPHONIC BAND

Laura Ellingworth STAGE BAND

SCHOOL PIANIST

PROGRAMS

performing ARTS FESTIVAL

Thursday 20 February 2020

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Overall Winner - Ward

House Leaders: Riley Burns, Tess Langton

Choral - Ward

Leaders: Elizabeth Ives, Ashlea Rigney

Choreography - Mulhall

Leaders: Isabella Cortez, Sarah Costa, Grace Strong, McKenzie Venus

Design - Ward

Leaders: Amelie Edwards, Tia Fargher, Indi Japp, Clotilde Latour, Charlee Martin, Chloe Sinclair, Elizabeth Sutton

Drama - Mulhall

Leaders: Paige Kokoras, Eliza Simpson

Instrumental - Barry

Leader: Sophie Nguyen

Production - Mornane

Leaders: Carli Kendall, Athena Yin

barry PAF LEADERS

BARRY’S LOST ISLAND

The controversial news reporter, John Barry, accompanied by his beloved kids, Abbie and Liam, are having a boat day when they are swept up by a storm and are transported to a highly polluted and island, MorWardHall. They witness the first-hand effects of human pollution on the environment and animals.

The island, known for its cleanliness and picturesque views, is deteriorating in front of their eyes and this comes to the realisation of the main characters. It urges them to bring the current issue of pollution to the world’s attention and make an essential change.

mornane PAF LEADERS

MORNANE’S PRISON ESCAPE

Inside the harsh confines of Mornane Women’s Correctional Prison are three prisoners, desperate to see the light of day outside the isolating prison. The three prisoners are Rosalind, who is a wrongly convicted prisoner that is eager to be freed; Penelope, the ditsy and materialistic blonde; and Axel, a brute mother desperate to return to her children. Together these three prisoners establish a plan to escape, with the help of the other convicts stuck in the prison.

Occurring at the same time, the new guard, Viola, has arrived at the prison, catching the attention of the male guards. She is the first female guard at the prison, so is faced with misogyny and patronising attitudes from the other male guards. Whilst the prisoners are escaping, Viola is also escaping the sexism that surrounds her with the help of the head of the ASIO, Leia. Can the characters escape from their enclosing environments?

mulhall PAF LEADERS

INSIDE MULHALL’S TELEVISION

Set in a dystopian world, the government have slowly taken away the world’s freedom, abolishing televisions, newspapers and anything else they deem a threat to society. Two scientists are assigned to demolish an old 60’s television which accidentally leads to them discover a series of television shows from the 1960s. These shows lead them to rediscover themselves and the world which they realise may not be what it seems...

ward PAF LEADERS

WARD’S MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR

From F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby to The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, from extravagant parties to suffragette movements, from jazz clubs to Wall Street, Ward brings you a celebration of 100 years since the roaring twenties as the narrator navigates their memory of 1920 in an attempt to solve the mysterious disappearance of Winifred J Ward. The narrator investigates the testimonies of all the suspects to try to get to the bottom of what really happened the night Winnie went missing. In order to solve this case before our time on stage is up, it is vital you pay attention to what is happening on stage, especially the narrator.

VCE SOLOISTS’ CONCERT

performing ARTS

LORD OF THE FLIES SPRING RADIO PLAY

CAST

ONE

CAST TWO

CELEBRATION OF ROWING

INDIVIDUAL SPORTS CAPTAINS

Athletics

Snowsports

pop-up days & ART EXHIBITIONS

RAINBOW DAY

RATHFARNHAM ART EXHIBITION

CRAZY HAIR DAY

ART & ACTIVE DAY

HOUSE ACTIVITIES

INSPIRO POP UP DAYS

student LIFE

Hannah Mountford

Pre-Prep Teacher (Term 1)

EARLY LEARNING

Kathleen Brohier Head of St Peter’s ELC

Melissa Willis

Pre-Prep Teacher (Terms 2-4)

Candice Fitzpatrick

Emily Trenchard

Kinder Teacher

Allison Leeds

Kinder Associate Teacher

Pre-Prep Associate Teacher

Anna Smith Specialist Teacher

Anne Marie Kemp

Pre-Prep Associate Teacher & Additional Assistant

Anita Panopoulos

Additional Assistant

ST PETER’S ELC

KINDERGARTEN

PRE-PREPARATORY

PREPARATORY

Kathryn Tucker

Preparatory Teacher

PREPARATORY

Joanna Mead

Year 1 Teacher

YEAR1

YEAR2

Marcus van Denham

Year 2 Teacher

Year 3 Blue

Year 3 Gold

YEAR3

Year 3 Gold

YEAR 3

YEAR 3 BLUE

YEAR 3 GOLD

Year 4 Blue

YEAR4

Year 4 Gold

YEAR 4

YEAR 4 BLUE

Row 3: Pippa Leishman, Sybilla Earle, Alexandria Stormont, Olivia Elstoft, Harper Barons, Amelie Lloyd

YEAR 4 GOLD

Row 3: Anabel Marburg, Bianca Karagounis, Lucy Righetti, Georgia Baillie, Beatriz Jerusalem, Chloe Fay-Francazio, Livian Gomes

Row 2: Aerin Hannah, Madeleine Ballantyne, Liesl Stegehuis, Tessa Gibson, Claudia McCarthy, Georgia Galante, Vivienne Owen, Claudia Cunningham

Row 1: Genevieve Le, Ashar Macauley, Eliza Pain, Annabelle Hallam, Emily Sommerville, Emily Zhang, Addison Lung

Being able to spend time with my family a lot more.

– Emily Zhang

The first remote learning I was thinking it will be hard but then I can be more independent.

– Pippa Leishman

Remote learning from Mt Buller for all of Term 3 and learning to XC Ski and Snowboard.

– Anabel Marburg

I got better at using the computer and saw my family more.

– Tessa Gibson

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I got to spend lots of time with my family.

– Olivia Murphy

During remote learning I have learned to be more independent and this has helped me throughout COVID-19 .

– Beatriz Jerusalem

I really loved doing Crazy Hair Day and talking to my friends and having so much fun and I found out that my relationships are really close.

– Maya Buckley

Lockdown was hard to be looking at a screen and not be able to see your friends and teachers in person.

– Alexa Bortoli

I spent more time with my family.

– Amelie Lloyd

I liked that I could still see everyone even though it was online.

– Eliza Pain

I loved Fathers’ Day because it was a very fun day with my family!

–

Charlotte Cannon

I rode my bike and skated at lunch time.

– Eliza Pain

My highlight from lockdown was getting to still see friends because if school was out we wouldn’t be able to see each other.

Being at home with my family.

– Sybilla Earle

I loved coming to class every morning and hearing the stories about how COVID affected something. I loved listening to it and I love thinking what it would be like if COVID was not here. It would be so much different.

– Livian Gomes

– Addison Lung

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I enjoyed the Art and Active Day activities. Also bring your pet to school mornings!

– Claudia McCarthy

I really like the underfloor heating in the study.

– Georgia Galante

Emily Russell

Year 5 Blue

Claire Appleyard

Year 5 Gold

YEAR5

Victoria Kinross

Year 5 Green

Sonia Francazio

Year 5 Red

YEAR 5

YEAR 5 BLUE

YEAR 5 GOLD

Row 3: Freya Thomas-Leech, Alexia Kritikides, Emerald Petherbridge, Molly Moon, Olivia Maidment, Olivia Allen, Eliza Dodd

YEAR 5

YEAR 5 GREEN

YEAR 5 RED

Getting to eat yummy lunches like toasties.

– Lola Collinson

Iso was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be with my family all the time, but we still continued to learn and to connect with my friends a new way. I’m grateful to God for giving me a strong family foundation as my mum, dad and brother made this time happy for us all.

– Georgia Kyranakis

Talking to my friends on Facetime and still being able to talk and stay connected.

– Lily Partridge

A highlight for me during remote learning was our really fun Art and Active Day! It was so much fun. Mulhall won and my team (Mornane) came 3rd!

– Celeste Avallone

I really enjoyed the Rainbow and Crazy Hair Day. It was fun to feel like we were all doing something together again. My parents helped me organise my makeup and costumes!

– Arabella Burns

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

Getting more sleep which is making me taller.

– Amelia Giudice

Being outdoors and spending time with my family.

– Molly Moon

Spending more time with my family and getting more sleep.

– Daisy Connell

My highlight of remote learning was bumping into my friend at the local shops. It is nice to see someone you know. I also enjoyed baking.

– Alana Grossi

Bike riding with my dad.

I enjoyed reading and making lego!

– Sara Peluso

Share your favourite activity that you enjoyed doing to look after your health and wellbeing during the lockdown?

I loved and still do learning

Michael Svarc

Year 6 Blue

Elizabeth Blackie

Year 6 Green

Year 6 Gold

Joanne Foley Year 6 Red

YEAR6

Year 6 Gold

YEAR 6

YEAR 6 BLUE

YEAR 6 GOLD

YEAR 6

YEAR 6 GREEN

YEAR 6 RED

year 6 LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

YEAR 6 LEADERS

ARTS COUNCIL

HEALTH AND FITNESS COUNCIL

YEAR 6 LEADERS

INNOVATIVE LEARNING COUNCIL

POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT COUNCIL

YEAR 6 LEADERS

SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL

SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL

My favourite thing to do at school during iso was when we were allowed to work in small groups on difficult projects.

– Luca McComas

Definitely getting my pet turtle and learning how to feed and care for it. I also loved showing it to my friends and family over Facetime.

– Hannah Nankervis

I enjoyed when we sang happy birthday remotely and it sounded really glitchy and terrible. I also have loved being able to eat my lunch outside with my dog.

– Olivia Webster

I loved going for walks around my block to look after my health and wellbeing.

– Annabelle Vu

A highlight of lockdown would be cooking and baking. My favourite thing that we baked so far would be Rocky Roads.

– Caitlin Ooi

A highlight experience of lockdown was being able to call my friends all the time so we could stay in touch since we weren’t allowed to visit anyone.

– Mia Calleja

One of the highlights of lockdown has been spending time with my family, playing board games, talking and sometimes just reading in the same room together.

– Isabella Fonzi

I enjoyed spending the extra time with my family while in lockdown. I have also enjoyed being able to walk around the neighbourhood, see the gardens, take some photos and enjoy watching the family of ducks that joined us!

– Charlotte Beruschi

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

One of the highlights during lockdown was definitely being able to spend more time with my family. Sometimes, for lunch I played some games with my sister, and I was allowed to help her with her work if she needed anything.

– Katerina Atsis

I enjoyed sitting outside in my backyard and doing some of my classes there instead of my usual desk area.

– Sophia Lemin

Reading and drawing made me forget what was happening in reality and enter my own world.

– Lydia Zhu

My best highlight was when it was my birthday and we had so much fun in English class with Miss Russel putting crazy backgrounds on and everything.

– Josie Grave

The hard part about lockdown was keeping up with all of my school work and not being able to see my friends.

– Madeleine Caruso

It was challenging using Microsoft Teams at first, because we had never used it before. Also we got barely any notice before we went into remote learning for the first time, and it was kind of a rollercoaster.

– Samantha Yan

The thing I found the most hard was when I found out all the things that I would miss out on. And the fact that I have looked to forward to Year 6 for seven years and now it will not really feel like a speacial year.

– Zara Poletti

Describe something you found challenging or difficult in your experience of remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I didn’t mind homeschooling, but it was hard because not all my friends live near me. It has also been hard not being able to see any of my extended family on both sides.

– Greta Hardwick

One of the hardest parts was not learning face to face. It can get hard to learn topics you have not learnt through a computer. Lunch time was not as fun without my friends but we still kept in touch. It was also really weird just talking to a computer all term but we all got through it.

– Isabella Peluso

I found it tricky to be away from my friends and family for all that time and I also found it tricky to stay positive.

– Isabella Murphy

Leila Koren

Year 7 Blue

Megan Oliver Head of Year 7

YEAR7

Olivia Stott

Ella Kee

Year 7 Gold

Felicity Ferdinands

Year 7 Red (Terms 2-4) Yvonne Karfakis

Year 7 Silver

Year 7 Green

Assistant Head of Year 7

Claire Haughey

Year 7 White

Holly Lilley

Year 7 Red (Term 1)

YEAR 7

YEAR 7 BLUE

YEAR 7 GOLD

YEAR 7

YEAR 7 GREEN

YEAR 7 RED

YEAR 7

YEAR 7 SILVER

YEAR 7 WHITE

Row 3: Lauren Brayshaw, Sophie Elstoft, Lucy Nichol, Evelyn Boyle, Carla Pertile, Bethany Leung, Mara Cui, Isobel Humphery-Smith, Sarah Vozzo

Row 2: Grace Popplewell, Ellie Bird, Scarlett Spry, Sascha Cullen, Madeleine Johnston, Audrey James, Yvette Sadler, Elizabeth Warrington, Zara Dinelli

Rosemary

Isla

Lucy Vandeligt,

Sleeping in and exercising more throughout the day in my breaks.

Exercising, sleeping in and eating during class. Also going in my pool.

The highlight of remote learning for me was when people started turning on their cameras because I got to see all my classmates and it felt nice! I also really enjoyed Facetiming my best friends during lockdown.

– Madeleine Coyne

My highlight was getting to explore new and useful platforms online and also seeing how supportive my friends and teachers are.

– Alessia Morello

Share

a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

A highlight of remote learning were the Inspiro Pop Up Days. I enjyoyed these days as they gave us a break from the computer and our busy school lives. I got to do the things that I love and spend more time with the people that I love.

A highlight of my experience in lockdown was finding new ways to enjoy and make memories with my friends, even if it was still online. I’ve also spent a lot more time with my family and my dog Kayla.

– Lauren Onions

Looking back in 10 years time, I think that the most important thing that kept me going during this time of COVID-19 was the video calls and talks with my friends and family.

– Felicia Du

Keeping in touch with friends, I’ve learnt to appreciate the smaller things in life and that you have to look after your mental health.

– Madeleine Coyne

I learnt that life is a rollercoaster as there are ups and downs and that we can get through anything. If we can get through a pandemic we can get through anything else. We are strong.

– Alessia Morello

Looking back in 10 years time, I think the most important thing I learnt during this time of COVID-19 would have been independence and time management.

– Eleanor Yip

Looking

back in 10 years time, what do you think will be the most important thing you learnt or the thing that sustained you during this time of COVID-19?

One thing that i would have learnt from this experience is to persevere. This period is very hard for everyone, and the pressure is on, but I learnt how to deal with it and move on, persevere.

– Gabriella Michael

I think one skill that I will take out of lockdown and remote learning is my use of independence. I also learnt a lot about myself during this difficult time.

– Luciana Di Scala

One memory or thought that I’d remember is the importance of family and friends. Spending time making memories and having fun with friends, because you can only know how much you miss them when you don’t have them.

– Lauren Onions

I should keep working and appreciate my friends and family.

–

Miranda Glenane

Positivity and remembering that everyone is going through the same thing.

– Scarlett Barnes

Tyla Bracken

Year 8 Blue

Assistant Head of Year 8

YEAR8

Rachael Littore Head of Year 8

Caterina Chng

Year 8 Gold

Louise Crowe

Year 8 Red

Keellee Scarff

Year 8 Green

Basil Letts

Year 8 Silver

Aimee Shattock

Year 8 White

YEAR

8

YEAR 8 BLUE

YEAR 8 GOLD

8

YEAR 8 GREEN

YEAR 8 RED

YEAR

8

YEAR 8 SILVER

YEAR 8 WHITE

I love going outside to play some basketball with my dad!!

– Olivia Carroll

Running. This is because I found it very meditative and it kept me fit.

– Neve O’Callaghan

Being able to go outside on walks more and being able to spend more time with my dog.

– Gretal Rohan

Going on walks with my friends and watching Disney +.

– Zara Stretton

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I learned about the importance of staying up to date with my work.

– Elle Barty

During lockdown I have been doing many puzzles, they are a way for me to focus on things other than school and the world around me.

– Hannah Bienert

Baking. I love to bake meringues, cakes, macarons - pretty much everything. It helps me relax. I also love to run so I did that often too.

– Lucy Marsh

I have enjoyed running and trying out different workouts and different plans to follow during the week. It’s so easy to keep on top of things and it keeps your mental and physical health heading in the right direction.

– Sophie Walker

I think it’ll be important to remember what a good friend Sophia was to me. She truly helped me through this time because she’s basically a legend.

– Sophia Hannebery

Something that I think I will learn in this time is how to try to manage a feeling of uncertainty of the future. As I have no idea what is ahead of me, I am doing my best to focus on what I can do now to keep myself and others happy and optimistic, while trying to not worry too much about what may lie in the future.

– Clare Tuckwell

I think the most important thing I learnt throughout COVID-19 was just how important it is to stay in connect with friends and family. I also think one of the most important things I learnt throughout COVID-19 was how much more organised I am when I am playing sports.

– Annabelle Bamford

Always be careful of what you are touching in public or in general and always wash your hands after going out, even if you haven’t touched anything. Germs can easily spread and it is important to keep them off you.

– Emilia Hardwick

I have learnt that mental health is so important and that it is so easy to diminish you mental health. So doing those things that keep your mind happy and healthy are extremely important.

– Ruby Salisbury

Looking

back in 10 years time, what do you think will be the most important thing

you

learnt or the thing

that

sustained you during this time of COVID-19?

I learnt change comes with positives.

– Georgina Babatzanis

Your relationships are really important and you might come across a bad one but you just gotta know when it’s time to stop and go with the people who make you feel better about yourself.

– Zara Perry

To be yourself. When I was at school physically, I was scared to be who I was and of what people thought, but now I know that the only way I can feel happy is to act like myself.

– Elizabeth Cassidy

To not take things for granted such as club and school sport because you don’t realise how much you need/love it until you no longer have it.

– Evie Hart

Sara Aziz

Year 9 Blue

Kym Maclean

Head of Year 9

YEAR9

Pamela Escobar

Year 9 Red

Eric Friedman

Year 9 Gold

Mark Gabriele

Assistant Head of Year 9 Isabella Webster

Year 9 Silver

Year 9 Green (Terms 3 & 4)

Daniela Stefani

Caitlin Brennan

Year 9 White

Year 9 Green (Terms 1 & 2)

YEAR 9

YEAR 9 BLUE

YEAR 9 GOLD

Row 3: Lauren Ch’ng, Madeleine Kennedy, Arabella Mitchell, Magdalena D’Amico, Madeline Coulthard, Rose Longhurst, Charlotte Collins

Row 2: Charli Sandwith, Emily Pangrazio, Emma Guthrie, Genevieve Byrne, Hayley O’Callaghan, Ruby Simpfendorfer, Stephanie Baré, Isabel Mellor, Ria Srivastava, Kiana Theeuwen

Row 1: Olivia Bridges, Zara Fargher, Allison Simonsz, Amelia Jackson, Noemie Game, Amelie Hannan, Annick Edwards, Theodora Wilson, Monique Tran

Friedman

YEAR 9

YEAR 9 GREEN

YEAR 9 RED

YEAR 9

YEAR 9 SILVER

YEAR 9 WHITE

Walking the dog, painting and listening to music

– Ashley Nguyen

I loved having time to sleep in and the extra breaks.

– Mikayla Fitzgerald

A highlight I experienced in remote learning during lockdown due to COVID-19 is being able to do new and fun activities with my class. My class does a fun activity where you have to bake something during the week and on Friday everybody has to upload their creations.

– Isabella Vukelic

I have loved going on walks with my dog everyday. It helps me to clear my mind and get into a better headspace for my next class.

– Chloe Kelly

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

Being able to see my family more often, talk to them during breaks, and having more time in general.

– Emma Wang

Building a stronger relationship with my family.

– Isabella Jao

Doing something outside helped promote positive health for me in lockdown, Doing stuff like painting and other art things.

– Arabella Mitchell

A highlight of my remote learning experience would be the many virtual orchestras/choirs I was so lucky to be a part of. I have found that although adapting to the new learning environment has been difficult, the experience was truly enlightening and unforgettable. This was especially reflected in my music, which has been a very different, yet exciting experience this year and has taught me a lot about my abilities and musicality.

– Emma Guthrie

During my time in remote learning and lockdown I have had time to do things I generally have not been able to do. For example, spend quality time with the family and I made new hobbies like water colouring and baking.

– Audrey Burley

To keep hopeful and use this time to work on yourself. When else in your life are you going to have a long time like this to set goals and plan for the future?

– Ashley Nguyen

Looking back in 10 years time I think the most important thing I have learnt during COVID is to have a good and comfortable working space.

–

Isabella Vukelic

Motivation has been challenging for me during this lockdown period. I found that, in isolation, it is very easy to forget what you are working toward, what you are striving for, when you feel much less connected to both your peers and your teachers. During remote learning, I found it was very important for me to keep checking in with my friends and to focus on the opportunities that this time presents.

– Emma Guthrie

In 10 years looking back on this time, the most important thing that I think I have learnt would be that no one else is going to get you the life you want, if you want to achieve the world then you are going to have to work hard, you can’t just slack off or wait for someone else to do it for you, you need to do things that will help you and do the work so that you can improve. I have also learnt about the importance of family and friends; it has been really hard not seeing everyone for such a long period of time, so you just have to hold you head up and push through.

– Agatha Meehan

That you are capable of so much more than you initially thought. Modern technology sustained me as it let me stay connected to my friends and other family.

– Arabella Mitchell

Looking

back in 10 years time, what do you think will be the

most important thing you learnt or the thing that sustained you

during this time of COVID-19?

I think the most important thing I learnt during this time is that I can adapt to different environments easily and that I am very thankful for technology which kept me connect to those I couldn’t see, like friends and others in the family.

– Audrey Burley

Throughout this time I have learnt that teaching others the content is a really good revision tool and I think it’s a really useful skill that I will be able to continue using.

– Lauren Chng

Priscilla Martin

Year 10 Blue (Term 4)

Debbie Suss Head of Year 10

YEAR10

Year 10 Red

Year 10 Blue (Term 1-3)

Year 10 Silver

Jialing Sun Year 10 Gold

Marina Pretto

Stagg Year 10 White

Year 10 Green Assistant Head of Year 10

YEAR 10

YEAR 10 BLUE

YEAR 10 GOLD

Row 3: Monique Collins, Madeleine Lawrence, Rebecca Townsing, Millie O’Halloran, Audrey Postregna, Alexandra Chan, Elena Chiam

Row 2: Charlotte Clarke, Sophie Filgate, Antonia Lumb, Alexandra Tarraran, Isabelle Duncan, Alice Donovan, Charlotte Crowhurst, Abigail Gitsham, Sienna Battistello, Hue Truong

YEAR 10

YEAR 10 GREEN

YEAR 10 RED

YEAR 10

YEAR 10 SILVER

YEAR 10 WHITE

I believe that the most challenging aspect of remote learning and lockdown is not being able to physically interact, socialise and see my family, friends, peers, teachers and school community anymore.

– Hasanya Rajapaksha

The main thing that was difficult was not seeing my friends everyday at school and not being able to catch up with them on the weekends like we might usually do. It was also very hard to sit at home knowing that this year I had so many amazing opportunities and travel destinations lined up, but then not being able to do them. There were countless days where I missed my friends and exploring new places whilst stuck at home.

– Elaina Macleish

A few highlights of remote learning have been sleep ins, comfy clothes, and more time to do other things at home such as spend time with my family.

– Lucinda Swain

A highlight of my remote learning experience has been the flexibility and control I have had over my schedule to maximise my productivity in class, therefore giving me more time to do the things I love, such as baking or going for bike rides with friends.

– Alexandra Tarraran

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I think the main highlight for me was on my birthday. I wouldn’t say my other birthdays haven’t been happy and exciting, but for my birthday in lockdown all of my friends and family made little Zoom calls and dropped cards and presents off at my house and did so many little things on that day. I think because it was in lockdown I wasn’t expecting as much, and that just made the day a whole lot more memorable and I am so grateful for everyone who put in the effort to make me smile on that day, because I think it is one birthday I will never forget.

– Elaina Macleish

During the time of COVID-19, the highlight of my experience in lockdown would definitely be having the opportunity to spend more time with my family at home and focus on myself. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negatives of isolation but the most important thing I told myself is that this experience is temporary and that it will not last forever. This made me embrace this time as an opportunity, almost like it’s a mini holiday away from our usually busy schedules and fast-paced lives. Lockdown helped me focus on my family, friends, myself and what is really important, consequently this instilled a new appreciation for the small things in life. I believe that isolation has also been extremely useful to help boost my productivity, creativity and allowed me to better adapt to unknown circumstances. When I was able to embrace this experience as a new opportunity this helped me to positively get through it.

– Hasanya Rajapaksha

One of the most challenging parts of remote learning has definitely been not being able to see my friends everyday as they always manage to brighten my mood and motivate me.

–

Alexandra Tarraran

Describe something you found challenging or difficult in your experience of remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

During lockdown I started doing a lot of online workouts including Pilates and Strength and Conditioning. I have also kept in very close contact with all my friends so that really helps my mental health.

– Lucinda Swain

Looking back in 10 years’ time when this experience is over, there is no doubt that I will be proud to have positively gotten through it and also have embraced the many lessons endured throughout this time. The most important thing that I gained from COVID-19 is an appreciation for the small things in life, the things that we normally take for granted. This experience really did make me realise how important it is to enjoy every moment in life and I think, moving forward, I will definitely value these moments more. Another important lesson that I have sustained throughout the time of COVID-19 is the importance of being able to positively adapt to sudden circumstances. In the future, I will use this experience as a reminder that I can get through anything, which I believe is a very optimistic thought to embody when faced with challenges.

– Hasanya Rajapaksha

Looking back in 10 years time, what do you think will be the most important thing you learnt or the thing that sustained you during this time of COVID-19?

The most important thing I learned from this experience is to never take anything for granted, keep organised and just keep going even when you feel like there is not much point, cause better things will eventually come.

– Lucinda Swain

Share your favourite activity that you turned to, to promote your positive health and wellbeing during the lockdown?

When I look back on this time, I would see patience being one of the most important things I had to learn to deal with. In these times, one of the main things we have to do is just wait for things to improve. Over the COVID-19 period it was very hard to not get impatient and obviously I itched to get back to seeing my friends and travelling, but remembering to be patient and knowing that it is temporary was a really important thing that I learnt over this year.

– Elaina Macleish

One of the most important things I have learnt from this experience has been to not take the little things for granted and to be more appreciative for everything that I would usually take for granted in my normal everyday life.

– Alexandra Tarraran

Kate Barbar

Year 11 Blue

YEAR11

Karen Howarth Head of Year 11

Christine Dragwidge

Year 11 Gold

Assistant Head of Year 11

Anne-Marie Gates

Year 11 Green

Gordon Esther Tan

Year 11 Red

Year 11 Silver

Emery

Year 11 White

YEAR 11

YEAR 11 BLUE

YEAR 11 GOLD

YEAR 11

YEAR 11 GREEN

YEAR 11 RED

YEAR 11

YEAR 11 SILVER

YEAR 11 WHITE

A highlight of my experience in remote learning was being able to take a cooking class entirely in Italian in our own kitchens for one of our Year 11 Italian lessons. Another highlight was the ability to attend my classes in different spots all over my house such as my front garden or even sometimes on my roof overlooking my neighbourhood.

– Francesca Apolloni

Interhouse competitions and the great Year 11 Bake Off. I love seeing the support each girl brings to the groups!

– Sky Austin

It can be difficult to reflect on these unprecedented times with a completely positive attitude, however for me I have spent time reflecting on how grateful I am for my life, health and safety during these times, as this is not a guarantee for many. It is astonishing how lucky I am to continue learning and living in the comfort of my own home. We must all take in to account that we are very blessed and lucky, and should not take our health and safety for granted.

– Paige Kokoras

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

An highlight I turned to was reading and I have loved the time spent in different worlds.

– Milla Hyslop

The highlight from my experience in remote learning is of a compilation of funny, sporadic and uplifting jokes or humbling mistakes made by many in my Chemistry class.

– Melina Palamara

A highlight of my experience in remote learning would be being a tutor for Friday Night School, although it has been over Zoom it has still been a highlight to my week, being able to work with the students as well as receiving help and advice from Mr Whelan. It has given me the opportunity to use my knowledge to help others as well as learn more about others during this difficult time.

– Sabrina Collie

A highlight was our year level kahoot and movie evening as we got to see each other’s smiling faces and reconnect. I also thrived in my homeroom’s Friday morning activities and story telling as they provided us opportunities to spread some joy and lightheartedness in what can be a challenging/lonely period.

–

Eliza Galimberti

I established a sleeping routine to ensure I get enough sleep. In the past, I have never gotten enough sleep but this time has allowed me to sort out when I will go to bed and when I will wake up, and slowly turn this routine a habit. It has also helped me in becoming more resourceful with my time.

– Jessie Leung

I think the most important lesson I learned was how much our teachers care about us. In every lesson and class, our teachers would always make such a large effort to ensure our wellbeing and it meant a lot to understand how much the school cares about us, not just as a cohort but personally.

– Sophie Macaw

In 10 years time, I think the most important thing I will have learnt from COVID-19 is that no matter what challenges life throws at me, I am able to overcome them and will be supported by others in doing so. Every part of 2020 has been unexpected and unpredictable, but everyone has managed to persevere and adapt to whatever the future has in store for us. I also think I will look back and remember it is ok to vulnerable. COVID-19 has taken an emotional toll on so many. Seeing my teachers, friends and family openly express their emotions and how they feel has taught me that it is okay to be vulnerable, and others around you are probably feeling the same and are ready to support you.

– Sophia Murray

Looking back

in

10 years time, what do you think will be the most important thing you learnt or the thing that sustained you

during this time of COVID-19?

That you don’t have to live a busy life to be happy. The simpler things such as going for a walk and noticing the vibrant colours of flowers are often overlooked when bombarded with the day’s tasks, yet can have such a large effect on you. I hope that in 10 years time, I can still value the little gifts in life.

– Sally Bertoncello

I think that the most important thing I have learnt during COVID-19 is the ability to self motivate and persist, especially through online learning.

– Madeleine Hill

I think the most important thing for me was my outlook. In the first lockdown, I was unsure as to when it would end, I was hating it and just waiting for it to stop. However, I approached the second lockdown with much more optimism, and kept the idea in my mind that this was a gift, and to think only of the good things that come from it, rather than worrying about when it will end, and the things I can’t do while it’s happening. So the greatest thing I learnt was the power of a changing perspective, and I will definitely carry that with me through the next ten, twenty, thirty years.

– Elizabeth Ives

I think the most important thing I learnt during this period of time would be, no matter how bleak and tough things seem, you will always get through them with the support of your friends and family.

– Chloe Milionis

I found it really hard to be separated from the people that I usually see every day. Everything in our lives got turned upside down very quickly and it was a challenge to adapt as fast as we needed to. Living more than 5km from the majority of my friends was also a challenge. There was no possible way to see my friends in person for over a month which is really weird when I am used to seeing them daily.

– Georgie Dole

Being deprived of face to face communication and socialising has been very challenging. It is sad, as it is one of my favourite aspects of school, being able to collaborate with others and share conversation in person. But I know that I will be even more appreciative of this, and the people around me, when life starts to gradually get back to normal.

– Paige Kokoras

Not being able to see my friends and my peers everyday due to remote learning was definitely challenging. The bond my year level has when we are at school together truly makes me so happy and can turn a difficult day around, and not being able to be surrounded by my fun loving cohort was definitely challenging at times, especially if there were certain days I was feeling less motivated than others.

– Sophia Murray

I found being separated from my friends very difficult during my time at home. I also found it challenging being out of the class room, especially doing maths as it became harder to understand online, however I think all of my teachers did a wonderful job to ensure that we were all understanding the content by checking in on us regularly.

I always knew I was lucky. I go to an amazing school, have a roof over my head, have an amazing family, great friends, food, water, etc. What I didn’t realise was the extent to which I am lucky. Though COVID-19 has presented many hardships, it has also taught me that I shouldn’t take what I have for granted, especially the things that I consider to be the bare necessities. In 10 years, I hope to look back on this time as a vital learning curve for me on gratitude. COVID has also made me realise that I don’t need to have everything figured out right now. I’ve now come to realise that I shouldn’t be worried about things that haven’t happened yet, and I should be focused on the present. You can have your whole life planned out, but you can never plan for a global pandemic.

– Ella Breene

Describe something you found challenging or difficult in your experience of remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

Cooking nutritious meals with my family! I was able to learn new recipes and take care of my health.

– Clarisse Dinh

Movie watching. As a major film fan, I have been trying to use this time to watch as many movies as I can. Classics, Indie films, movies that have been in my watch list that I never got around to watching, films from my favourite directors I haven’t seen yet. Movies have been my best saving grace during lockdown.

– Ella Breene

I felt that this lockdown was a fantastic opportunity to pick up daily meditation as a way to keep myself grounded throughout quarantine. I found that meditation was a great way to check in with myself and maintain a positive mindset throughout such a difficult time.

– Francesca Apolloni

Share your favourite activity that you enjoyed doing to look after your health and wellbeing during the lockdown?

Journalling is something I took up during quarantine. Writing down my thoughts of the pandemic, and drawing inside a journal was extremely therapeutic, and stimulated me creatively. I cannot wait until I am able to look through it in years to come, and reflect on these strange times when life is hopefully much more ‘normal’.

– Paige Kokoras

I have started many new hobbies, baking bread, knitting, sewing, going running, bike riding, drawing, but my favourite hobby I have started is reading. I feel that I never had time to read in the past but now that I have all the time in the world, it is all I want to do!

– Elizabeth Sutton

My favourite lockdown activity to promote my health was meeting up with a friend to go for a walk.

– Madeleine Hill

Helen

Jaensch

Head of Year 12

YEAR12

YEAR 12, CLASS OF 2020

Topalidis, Flora Kelly, Priya Goldie, Raquel Di Francesco, Shannon Mao, Juliette Marquat, Mackenzie Howard, Isabella Desiderio, Adele Rafaniello, Holly Searby, Anneka Davys, Hope Hourigan, Sophie L’Huillier, Olivia Bourke, Bridget Bryant, Emma Weinstein, Olivia Colquhoun, Madeleine Hooker

Row 2: Elizabeth Rickard, Bianca Crisostomos, Kristine Han, Lily Eggleston, Angeliqua Vertkas, Constance Kennedy, Leah Wong, Elenoire Faiola, Marietta Stents, Millicent Walker, Zoe Dobbin, Grace Brandwood, Alessandra Negline, Clarissa Bignoux, Erin Upfold, Mila Hoffman, Giulia Massimini, Thi Tran

Row 1: Emma Yan, Allanah Duggan, Kristy Nguyen, Xuefei Wang, Francesca Zappia, Mia O’Callaghan, Kasie Wang, Laura Ellingworth, Olivia Hosie

Teachers: Ms Julianne Dennett Pucovski, Mrs Caroline Tanner, Dr Angela Keam, Mr Paul Rossiter, Mrs Helen Jaensch, Mrs Kate Guggenheimer, Mr Ian MacDonnell, Mrs Eva John, Mrs Anne Bennett, Ms Filomena Cricri, Miss Patrice McBean (Absent)

YEAR12

Paul Rossiter Year 12 Blue blue

YEAR 12 BLUE

YEAR12

Julianne Dennett Pucovski

Year 12 Gold gold

YEAR 12 GOLD

Eva John Year 12 Green

YEAR12 green

YEAR 12 GREEN

YEAR12

Filomena Cricri

Year 12 Pink pink

YEAR 12 PINK

Angela Keam

YEAR12

Year 12 Purple purple

YEAR 12 PURPLE

YEAR12

Caroline Tanner

Year 12 Red

Assistant Head of Year 12

YEAR 12 RED

YEAR12

Ian MacDonnell Year 12 Silver

silver

YEAR 12 SILVER

YEAR12

Patrice McBean

Year 12 White white

YEAR 12 WHITE

PREPARATORY, 2008

PREP BLUE, 2008

PREP GOLD, 2008

YEAR 12, 2020

YEAR 12, 2020

YEAR 12, 2020

During my experience of lockdown, I have really enjoyed the flexibility that comes along with remote learning. A highlight of remote learning has been my daily walks with my Dad, Scrabble games with my family and the opportunity to study outside when the weather is warm.

– Millicent Walker

Academically, having the ability to be more flexible with structuring my day to suit my needs, of both rest and adequate study. Also, having the ability to go down to the beach and walk with family whenever I wanted as a stress reliever, helped to compartmentalise work and rest.

– Alexandra Rapkins

Share a highlight of your experience in remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

I got to exercise a bit more as during the school term I did not find much time to exercise. I also gained a greater appreciation for the teachers who would reply to my constant messages all the time, at any time I sent them.

– Mackenzie Howard

The highlight of my weeks consisted of having takeaway each Friday night. In my family, we endeavoured to try a takeaway meal from every restaurant in our suburb.

– Alexandra Desmond

The highlight of my experience during lockdown was calling my friends everyday to study, watch shows and exercise together. Even though we couldn’t meet up in person, I was still able to form valuable and irreplaceable memories with my closest friends in my final year of high school.

Video calls with my friends on a daily basis.

– Xuefei Wang

Remote learning was very interesting to say the least, but a highlight of doing schooling online would have to be messaging your friends something and watching their response on camera in class.

– Isabella Curtis

Being able to persevere and find alternative solutions, for example finding ways to share music across the school, finding new ways to study productively.

– Serena Su

The importance of balancing the important things in life, like school, with the pleasures, that make you happy and put you in a good mindset to excel academically, and cocurricularly.

– Alexandra Rapkins

Never take anything for granted. even the smallest of things such as having lunch with friends, is important to put into perspective, as during this time they were things I really missed. Also that not everything is going to go your way 100% of the time and sometimes it’s best to look back on a situation and gain a different perspective. It’s ok to step away from tasks if it’s going to benefit you in the long term. There’s no point pushing for mediocre outcomes when you can return to it at a different time and smash it out.

I have learnt that positivity and adaptability are two very important skills that enable us to overcome challenges.

– Alexandra Desmond

I think looking back on this experience, I have learnt how to spend time with myself and take care of myself both mentally and physically. I think this is very important because I feel we get very used to constantly spending time with friends that sometimes we forget how to spend time with ourselves.

– Millicent Walker

– Bridgette Casey

Looking back in 10 years time, what do you think will be the most important thing you learnt or the thing that sustained you during this time of COVID-19?

Being resilient and the inspirational power of friends.

– Xuefei Wang

Friendship is magic!

– Anne See

To cherish the small, random moments of school life. Lunch time with friends, House events, participating in events such as PAF and valuing the work of the teachers.

– Mackenzie Howard

What I found difficult during remote learning was keeping myself motivated and disciplining myself to study at home.

A challenge of the remote lockdown was being away from my friends. We organised many walks and group Zooms, but I missed having them next to me in class and to keep motivated without them pushing me along.

– Bridgette Casey

The most challenging thing was not being able to spend time with our friends each day. I missed the classroom interactions and the lively atmosphere shared between the girls.

– Alexandra Desmond

I found it challenging to not have faceto-face contact with teachers and friends for weeks on end, as we are so used to being able to see everyone every single day of the term. Along with this, keeping focused and motivated was difficult in regard to remote learning as we didn’t have the physical opportunity to be at school and study in a school environment.

– Isabella Curtis

Preparing for multiple SACs at the one time and being unsure when we were going to sit SACs was extremely challenging mentally.

– Mackenzie Howard

Describe something you found challenging or difficult in your experience of remote learning and lockdown during the time of COVID-19.

Snacking!

– Anne See

Reading! I became super engrossed with books during lockdown despite not being a big reader in the past. It proved to be a great way to relax and step away from all screens. Me and my friends would read the same books so that when we went on walks we could discuss them like our own little book club, which isn’t as lame as you think.

– Bridgette Casey

To promote my positive health and wellbeing during the lockdown, my favourite activity that I turned to was just calling my friends and ranting about how my day went or my stresses.

– Kristy Nguyen

Share

your favourite activity that you enjoyed

doing to look after your health and wellbeing during the

lockdown?

At the beginning of lockdown, I found it difficult to find the motivation to go for frequent runs by myself, as I was used to training with a big group of girls for GSV sports; but I found the perfect running buddy: my Mum! Since then, we go for runs together a couple times a week to keep up our health and wellbeing.

– Millicent Walker

Nearly every night, after dinner, myself, my mum and sister would go down to the beach to watch the sunset. Having that designated time at the end of the day allowed me to have something to look forward to.

– Alexandra Rapkins

Either playing with my dog or I turned to playing music. I love to sight-read new pieces on any of my music and have my dog laying next to me.

– Serena Su

Staff Photos: Leadership, Academic, Academic Support, General, ELC and Sport Permanent Staff. Some staff may not appear if photos are unavailable.

verity PRAYER

God of light, who guides us in ways of truth.

Ignite within us the courage to uncover our authentic selves and in doing so discover our greatest gifts.

Illuminate the path of integrity, so our lives are defined by love and honesty.

Inspire us to look beyond our own horizons to face the truth bigger than ourselves.

Called by Mary Ward, we seek and speak the truth:

A truth that invites us to do ordinary things well,

A truth that leads to justice for all.

This is our Verity.

In Jesus’ name and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we say, Amen.

Designer & Editor

Ms Tailem Tynan, Communications Coordinator

Formal School Photographs

National Photography Printer

DMC Group

Inside Cover (Front)

Natalie Catalfamo (Year 12)

Inside Cover (Back); Verity Artwork

Sophie Tanner (Year 12)