Greetings to all alumnae,

I hope you are all well and have had a good start to 2023. I took over from Sam Wegner as President of the Ex-Students’ Association as of our AGM last November. I would like to thank Sam for all her work in leading the Association over the past two years. Our new Executive team consists of Penny Graham (Class of 1984) Vice President; Carol Pleass (nee Benzano, Class of 1996) Treasurer; and Trish Daley (Class of 1983) Secretary.

On Saturday 4 March we had a stall at the School Open Day. It was a busy day where we were able to share stories of the wonderful history of Loreto Normanhurst with the many new and prospective families exploring the school. Sitting alongside the Parent Association (PAL), we were selling the recently published Loreto Normanhurst Cookbook ‘Our Open Table’ which is a wonderful 464-page collection of family-favourite recipes, special memories, and historical anecdotes. There are many contributions from multigenerational ex-student families – if you haven’t yet got a copy, you can order here. It also makes a great gift.

The glorious sunshine meant the annual Open Day tennis match between current and ex-students was able to go ahead, after being rained out last year. The Patricia Cahill Cup was presented to Jodie Drever and Alice Tysoe, current Year 12 students who were too good for our ex-student team of Jacquie Lindsay (Claremont, Class of 1990) and Anna Mossie (Class of 2019) who put up a valiant fight!

Our ex-students who spoke at the Women of Influence evening last Wednesday were an inspiration!  Kate Eastman AM SC (Class of 1984), Sarah Martin (nee Kinchington, Class of 1982), Heather Marano (Class of 2003) and Leana Scott (Class of 2018), have all led different paths since leaving school but had a common theme of how their time at Normanhurst has given them a sense of social justice and the desire to make a difference in the world.

There are several events coming up which you are all welcome to attend, found here.

I’d like to highlight 'The Sound of Music' Theatre Party on Sunday, 21 May at 10:45am at The Concourse Theatre, Chatswood. This is a joint Loreto Normanhurst/Kirribilli ex-student event raising funds for Mary Ward International Australia. Tickets can be booked here by Sunday, 12 April.

Kindest,

Jane Parker (Anderson, Class of 1984)
President of the ESA