Music Festival

Save the Date: Friday, 24 March
International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour

The Music Festival invitation and information will be sent to families on Monday, 20 February.

The Booking Link to purchase your tickets will open at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 22 February.

Music Festival is a wonderful event on the school calendar. Rehearsals for the House choirs began at the end of Term 4 last year, and new Primary and Secondary students are now joining in the excitement, preparing their acts with enthusiasm.

Year 7 Parent Information Evening - Thursday, 16 February

For those families who couldn't attend the Information Evening or would like to listen to it again, please see a link to the recording below:

Link: https://vimeo.com/799414782

Password: LNHY723!

Shrove Tuesday and Project Compassion

On Tuesday, 21 February, we will begin preparing for our Lenten Journey by celebrating Shrove Tuesday. Students in the Primary and Secondary School will be invited to enjoy pancakes made sustainably by the Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students.

Cost: $3 for two plain pancakes and an additional $1 for toppings. EFTPOS machines will be available on the day.

Primary school students will be escorted by their teacher to the Mary Ward Quad at 10.00am, followed by our Secondary students at 10:15am. In keeping with our effort to be sustainable, students will need to bring their own cutlery and plates on the day.

All proceeds will go to Project Compassion, a fundraising event run by Caritas Australia, to support some of the world’s most vulnerable people. The 2023 theme for Project Compassion is “For All Future Generations”. With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to support communities around the world to tackle poverty, food security, education, water and sanitation and disaster risk reduction. Project Compassion 2023 reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. As St Pope John Paul II said, “the future starts today, not tomorrow.”

Throughout the 6 weeks of Lent, students can continue to donate through the Project Compassion donation boxes available in Tutor Groups or by visiting our Loreto Normanhurst Project Compassion Fundraiser page here.

Pastoral News

Marysa Boland and Justin Madigan | Deans of Pastoral Care

Year 7 Open Circle Experience

We congratulate Year 7 on the respectful, kind and joyful way they approached their Open Circle Experience at Tallong Campus. Both Loreto Normanhurst and Tallong Campus staff praised our students for their manners, and positive engagement in the program. They mountain-biked, climbed high ropes, reflected, played, bushwalked, camped, made their own dinner, cleaned up after themselves and looked after each other. The Year 7 team and staff are so very proud of them and the way they approached challenges with bravery.

Congratulations Year 7! This is a wonderful way to start High School.

Pastoral Upcoming

Year 7 Vaccinations

Our Year 7 Vaccination program begins on Tuesday, 21 February. Please note the important information emailed to families and note that a consent form needs to be completed. This information can also be found on FACE Online > Parent Communication. We work in partnership with NSW Health to deliver this significant program.

Year 12 Retreat

Year 12 will be attending Retreat next week. The students will be ‘retreating’ to Bowral, Grose Vale, Mulgoa and Varroville with members of the RE Faculty and other teaching staff. It will be a time for companionship, reflection and being in community with one another.

Year 10 Mary Ward Connect Program

We wish some of our Year 10 students well as they travel to Loreto Ballarat and Loreto Coorparro for the Mary Ward Connect Program from Tuesday, 28 February to Friday, 3 March. At the same time we will welcome students from these schools. On Wednesday, 1 March, all Year 10 students will be in an online workshop in periods 5 and 6 and they will hear from Sister Sandra Perrett ibvm. We are very much looking forward to the program and insights provided by Sister Sandra.

Meeting their Chaos with Your Calm

Tuesday, 28 February

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Level Three, Gonzaga Barry Centre

An event for Year 5-12 parents on enabling positive outcomes and maintaining relationships throughout the journey of adolescence.

Presented by Clinical Psychologist and Loreto Normanhurst Counselling Team Coordinator, Ms Shelly Acland.

School TV

School TV is an online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.

Click the link here to find out more.

2023 Exchange Information Session

Year 10 and 11 French and Italian Students and their families are warmly invited to an exchange information evening on Tuesday, 7 March at 6:30pm in the Curran Theatre. The Languages Department have invited trusted external exchange providers to present their program offerings at this event. Please direct any queries to Ms Clara Marsh (Acting Head of Languages) at cmarsh@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.

Careers Updates

Ms Katrina Smith and Ms Alexi Kayes | Careers Advisor

To view the latest Careers events, seminars, subscriptions and university updates, please explore the yellow Careers News tab on Canvas. Click here to access the Careers Canvas page. Alternatively, go directly to this week's Careers Canvas Newsletter here.

Students in all year groups can book an appointment with Careers at any time by emailing careers@loretonh.nsw.edu.au. Please put your availability into your email.

Bell Shakespeare Artist In Residence Program

During Week 2, Year 10 Drama students participated in the Bell Shakespeare Artist in Residence Program under the direction of Paul Reichstein. Throughout the week a series of workshops allowed our students to delve into the complex world of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Their hard work culminated in a highly engaging performance on Friday evening in the Deirdre Rofe Centre.

This is our 12th year working with Bell Shakespeare. Year after year it is a delight to see the growth and learning that takes place. Congratulations girls on your commitment, energy, creativity and teamwork!

Thank you to those who came along as audience members. It was joy to share the work of Year 10 Drama with you.

Our Artist in Residence, Paul, was extremely impressed with our students stating that "they are some of most creative, intelligent, kind, and warm-hearted girls I’ve ever met. I was genuinely stunned by their focus, creativity, and incredible bravery."

Below are some reflections from Year 10 students about their learning experiences during the program:

The best thing about the Bell Shakespeare program last week was the opportunity to be able to collaborate with other students as well as a professional actor/director. We found that this was an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience as we learnt how to interpret and present new topics in an engaging and exciting way that we didn’t know how to do before.

Abbey, Ailish and Maddie

Overall I believe this experience was very rewarding, eye-opening and challenging. I was able to extend myself by working on my performance, voice, movement and physicality. I enjoyed learning a new style of drama and play-writing which I haven't explored before. It was nice to be in a more open space where you could really extend your physicality.

Anishka

Sport News

Mr David Brock | Head of Sport

It was great to have all sport back last weekend across the School. We are excited for what the year holds for all at Loreto Normanhurst! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at sport@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.

Ellen Roberts (Class of 2009)

It was wonderful to have Ellen Roberts (Class of 2009) come to Assembly this week to speak to the students about her time as a Loreto Normanhurst Sportswoman; and also how her experiences created her lifelong passion for Sport and how it linked to her professional and international sporting career. This was topped off with her very kind donation to the school of a signed Australian Softball Shirt. Thank you, Ellen!

Sport Upcoming Dates

IPSHA Tennis Trials

Good luck to Elva Rong (Year 5) who is trialling for the IPSHA Tennis Team today (Friday, 17 February). We hope you had a great day at the trials.

IPSHA Basketball Trials

Good luck to the following girls who will be trialling for the IPSHA Basketball Team on Monday, 20 February. We wish you all the best of luck!

• Anna Tsuzurahara (Year 5)
• Kate Dean (Year 6)
• Kristina Frangi (Year 6)
• Lily Tudehope (Year 6)
• Sabrina Whenman (Year 6)

Oratory News

Lions Youth of the Year Berowra

Sunday, 19 February

Good luck to Tahlia Moses (Year 11) who will be competing at the Lions Youth of the Year Berowra Club Final on Sunday.

Mock Mediation

Nominations for Mock Mediation are now open. Students who are in Year 9 and 10 this year are invited to try out for this year’s team. Further information about this competition can be found on the Law Society’s Website. Students can register to try out via this form. We also encourage you to review the Mock Mediation 2023 Information here.

Debating Nominations - OPEN

Nominations for Debating are now open. Students in Year 7-12 should nominate using this form. Please ensure you have read the information relevant to the competitions available. At Loreto Normanhurst  we have on offer: 

• CSDA Debating
• Archdale Debating
• Australian Virtual Debating Competition

Introduction to High School Debating Workshop

Students who are in Year 7 and are interested in participating in High School Debating Competitions are invited to come along to the Introduction to the High School Debating Workshop. This will be run by our Senior Debaters and will take place on Tuesday, 28 February at school from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Students who are interested in attending should nominate via this form.

Oratory Club

Oratory Club in Term 1 will once again focus on developing public speaking skills. This four-week workshop will be run by oratory staff and is designed for students in Years 7-11 of all experience levels and abilities to participate.

Oratory Club runs from 3:30pm – 4:30pm and will commence in Week 4 of this term and more information can be found here. Students can nominate here.

YMCA Youth Parliament Nominations Open

Students in Years 10-12 who are interested in public discourse, in politics, but more importantly the possibility to instigate real change in our governments and policies, are encouraged to apply for 2023 Youth Parliament. If you are interested – please email Ms O’Dwyer here.

UN Youth NSW State Conference

Open to students in Years 7-10.

To register interest with Ms O’Dwyer, click here.

Information about the event available here.

Coaches and Adjudicators

If you are interested in coaching and adjudicating the various teams please contact the Oratory Team here.

There are several positions available. Please send through your resume if you are interested. We would love to see our team of ex-student coaches grow.

Community Engagement Team Updates

Women of Influence

Wednesday, 8 March

6:45pm – 8:45pm

Level 3, Gonzaga Barry Centre

Celebrate International Women's Day and join us for an evening of inspiration as we share in the stories of Loreto Normanhurst Alumnae.

Parents and students are invited to attend to hear from four inspirational ex-students who will share their stories about how their Loreto education has guided their life and careers.

Please click here for the invitation.

Please click here to register for catering purposes.

Primary Parent Dinner

Wednesday, 15 March

6:30pm – 9:00pm

Gonzaga Barry Centre, Level 3

An event for Primary parents to meet the new Head of Teresa Ball (Head of Primary), Mrs Maree Board, and other parents in your daughter's year group. This is a complimentary event for primary parents.

Click here for invitation.

Click here to RSVP

Generations Morning Tea

Friday, 17 March

8:00am – 9:30am

An event for parents or family members who are alumnae of Loreto schools. Further information will be sent out shortly.

Parent Engagement Survey

Events from Semester Two 2022

We are reaching out to provide feedback on the events that were held during Semester Two 2022. Your input is extremely valuable as it helps us plan and improve our events. This survey is anonymous, and all responses are confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of continuous event planning. The survey is not compulsory; however, we would like as many parents as possible who had a daughter at the school in 2022 to participate so we can get a good sample of responses for consideration by our Community Engagement Team.

Click here to access the survey.

Parent Association Updates

Open Day – Saturday 4 March

Volunteer Today!

Open Day is coming up on Saturday 4 March and PAL will be running a BBQ, Devonshire Tea, and Cake Stall on the day. Please see information below about the activities PAL will be running and how you can get involved on the day!

Cake Kit Working Bee – Year 7 Parents

Friday, 24 February 9am

We are looking for 6-8 Parent Volunteers from Year 7 to help organise the cake kits on Open Day. If you are interested in helping and meeting some other parents, please email Loredana Dinca - pal@loretonh.nsw.edu.au

Cake Stall – Years 5-9

We would love it if Years 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 families can please bake a cake, their favourite slice, brownies, or cupcakes to be sold on Open Day. Cake Kits will be sent home with your daughter during the week of 27 February.

Cakes can be dropped off to the Cake Stall on Open Day throughout the day. If your daughter can’t come on Open Day because of other commitments and you would still like to bring something in, cakes will be accepted by the Community Engagement Team on Friday 3 March. Please bring cakes to the Primary or Secondary Student Services Office and not to Main or Primary Reception. Please keep in mind that cakes dropped off on Friday will not be refrigerated overnight.

Volunteers - we need you!

We are looking for volunteers to assist at Open Day and have assigned year groups to the stalls so you can volunteer alongside other parents from your daughter’s year group. Please check out the links below to sign up.

BBQ Year 11 & 12 - Sign up here.

Cake Stall Year 7 - Sign up here.

Cake Stall Year 8 - Sign up here.

Devonshire Tea Year 9 & 10 - Sign up here.

Drinks Year 5 & 6 - Sign up here.

PAL Stall - Sign up here.

Raffle - Sign up here.

Visitor Welcome - Carpark - Sign up here.

Parent Association Merchandise – Back in Stock!

PAL’s merchandise has been restocked and is available for purchase! Get your Normo cap, umbrella, puffer vest, tote bag and socks via the NormoNetwork Shop here.

Merch will also be available for purchase at the Parent Association Stall on Open Day. Come along and check it out on the day!

Our Open Table – Available for purchase at Open Day

Our 125 Anniversary Cookbook 'Our Open Table' will be available to purchase on Open Day. Share in the stories and the rich history of Loreto Normanhurst with this beautiful publication.

'Our Open Table' can also be purchased via the NormoNetwork Shop here.

Year 7 Family Event – Save the date!

Saturday, 25 March

Save the date for an event for our Year 7 families. More information will be sent out shortly!