To launch into what is recognised by Australian Loreto schools as the 'Year of Freedom,' Loreto Normanhurst staff gathered for a special virtual Staff Development day. 

Sr Rachel McLoughlin IBVM facilitated a panel discussion with three impressive Loreto graduates. We were pleased to welcome back Isabella Codsi ('13), Anna O'Hanlon ('15) and Sophie Keen ('16) who shared the lessons they have carried with them from their Loreto education, and how they apply the concept of Freedom to their chosen paths of work and study. 

After graduating, Isabella went on to work as a teacher’s assistant at Cheam School in England for 2 years before returning to complete her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney. Isabella now teaches cloud computing and develops software businesses on the cloud at Amazon Web Services. 

Anna completed her studies at Loreto Normanhurst via the Pathways program in 2015 and 2016. She then completed a Bachelor in Veterinary and Bio Science (in Reproduction and Animal Science as opposed to Veterinary Medicine) at the University of Sydney in 2021. She currently works as a rowing coach at Scots and Loreto Kirribilli, and has recently been accepted to do a Masters of Clinical Embryology at Oxford University starting in October. 

Sophie is currently a medical student at Western Sydney University, and has served as the President of the Australian Medical Students' Association. She sits on several AMA committees, including as an AMA Federal Councillor. She spoke passionately about her work in transforming health policy, promoting equal access to health services and advocating for better mental health support for junior doctors.

We thank Isabella for sharing this meditation on Freedom:

2022 - what an interesting year to be discovering freedom. Today, we often hear of freedom as a right. A right to speak freely, and to have others listen. A right to act as we wish, and to do so without fear of consequence. As Loreto women, I believe we know that freedom is, in fact, a privilege. It is a privilege to be and to feel free, a privilege to make choices for ourselves each day, and a privilege, even, to feel the sense of overwhelm that comes alongside these many freedoms of our modern world, causing us to wonder which way is ‘right’, and how to be sure.  When I read of freedom today, I often think of the old adage that tells us “your right to swing your fist stops at another person’s face”. I’m encouraged to remember our Loreto Freedom as one grounded in the openness of spirit to honour the freedom of others - this is our privilege.

My hope for the future of Loreto Normanhurst is the continued development of confident, thinking students equipped for a 21st century that increasingly invites young women to the table, but does not always know quite what to do next. I am proud that Normo girls will be the ones to challenge, critique, and create what is possible for this generation.

Isabella Codsi ('13)