The Anderson's

Sisters Jane Parker (Anderson) Class of 1984 and Annemaree Jones (Anderson) Class of 1975, reflect with their mother Joy Anderson (Foley) Class of 1948 on their experiences at Loreto Normanhurst.

My time at Normanhurst spanned 13 years. Music festivals, much laughter with friends and a sense of being cared for are memories that have stayed with me. Sister Veronica on her tractor and her dog, the smell of Loreto bread from the boarders dining room. Nearly 40 years since I left, my many friends from school are still as close as ever.  

- Jane Parker (1984)

My journey at Loreto Normanhurst commenced with the tiny Prep class, starting school with the Senior School stage as our classroom. Term 2 was spent in the upstairs cloister above the reception room on the way to the chapel. Term 3 was the big move down to the brand-new Junior School. This was a wonderful time filled with lots of wonderful hymns for special days that were composed (just for us we thought) by Deirdre Browne IBVM.  Going down to the bush, getting lost on purpose during geography excursions and ending up at the dairy at the Sanatorium. Generous boarders sharing afternoon tea when we went to private art. The fun of winning the City of Sydney eisteddfods every time we entered with the nonselective choir another Deirdre Browne IBVM spectacular.

- Annemaree Jones (1975)

I was at Normanhurst during the war years (1943-1948) World War 2 finished in 1945, so as you can imagine things were rather tight in so many ways, clothing coupons, food rationing, it was just amazing how the Nuns managed feeding so many boarders. In those days there were about 95 boarders and only 5-day girls. I remember that each year the Nuns had us put on a type of concert, in particular a tableau depicting some of the Old Masters, it was beautiful. So, you see Normanhurst has always had a tradition in the art department.

I loved boarding, so many friends to enjoy and being an only child, it was like another family. I made lifelong friends, there’s some still around although the numbers are now thinning out. I also remember the cricket matches down the hill (yes there was a cricket pitch) those not playing would sit on the stone wall of the cemetery to watch. I have wonderful memories and that is why my daughters went to Loreto from prep. No one could have a more wonderful school life, such perfect preparation for their future life.

- Joy Anderson (1948)

The Slater's

Current parent and former student of Loreto Normanhurst, Anna Slater (Manion, '97) reflects on her and her daughters time at Loreto. We also hear from her daughter Sophia (Year 9) and her mother Jo.

Memories that you have of school

This year marks 25 years since I left Loreto although it only feels like yesterday that I was in Year 12, standing on the Opera House stage celebrating the Centenary singing ‘Cruci.’ However, it is really the little things of my time at Loreto that make me smile the most. Loreto Day concerts, Mrs Degenhardt dressed up as Tina Turner singing ‘Simply the Best’, walking up the hill from Normanhurst Station. I remember watching plays and performances under the Oak Tree, Friday morning Eucharist in the Chapel, singing in Ward choir or doing a meditation with Mrs Geddes or a passionate English lesson with Mrs Carrick.Thankfully, these memories are kept alive through the lifelong friendships I made at school, which have continued to the next generation through my daughter Sophia. I love that many of Sophia’s experiences are tied into these memories and relationships.

Influences of Loreto on your life

As an Early Childhood professional my Loreto Education has shaped and formed the teacher I am today. Teaching the next generation of children and having the responsibility of forming young minds the values of social justice, sustainability, inclusion and diversity which are key elements of the values you live by at Loreto. These have been intwined in my educational philosophy each and every day.

Favourite part of being a Loreto Mum

It has been so special to be welcomed back to the school, seeing familiar faces and watching my daughter having the same opportunities I was so fortunate to have. Just last week I attended the City /Country Mother’s lunch and it was so great to see so many familiar faces and meet new friends.

Changes that you have observed during your daughter’s era

Certainly, the sporting opportunities for young women have improved since my time at Loreto. Also, with Sophia in Year 9 this year she will have the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Far North Queensland experience. Physically there are so many new buildings and amazing facilities that the school now has, the swimming centre and the new learning spaces. And of course, we are looking forward to the new boarding house!

Any stories from your time at Loreto that your daughter has been interested in? funny stuff? Stories she loves? Etc

Music Festival time always brings back many memories. In my younger years at Loreto, the Music Festival was held at school in the hall and I vividly remember walking from Barry Wing to the hall in complete silence and darkness (with teacher judges apparently hiding in the bushes) followed by the ecstatic cheering in the quad when the winning house was announced. Sophia was very surprised when I told her each house had to sing a hymn and a song.

Words from Sophia

Attending Loreto as Boarder from Year 7 has meant I have been given many more opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to access at home in Singleton. Being a boarder has been the highlight of my time and what I love most about Loreto. Coming from a family with two brothers has now meant I have over 35 sister’s my age and over 160 in the whole boarding school. I have also made connections with day students which means I can go out to their houses on the weekend and learn more about, Sydney. I still remember my parents explaining to me that I would be able to go to Loreto and I was so excited. I had heard so much about the school and was finally able to go and experience all the exciting things that my mum, aunties and cousins had always talked about. I feel very grateful to be a Normo girl.

Words from Jo Manion

I first became connected to the Loreto Normanhurst community in 1991 when Anna (1997) my eldest daughter started in Year 7 followed by Rosie (2000) and Lucy (2001). I am now a proud Loreto grandmother to Sophia Slater (Anna's daughter) who is in Year 9 (boarder)

I loved being a Loreto mother. We were very supportive and involved in the girl’s sport (rowing, netball, swimming, tennis) and the parent group. Most importantly the sharing and watching our daughters benefit from the unique education that Loreto Normanhurst delivers was truly life affirming.

The moving school liturgies, the Music festivals, boarders out for the weekends, Sports days, formals were so much part of my daughters growing up in the Loreto family. The energy sincerity and pure joy at Music festivals encompasses what Loreto Spirit really is. The independence and initiative encouraged and fostered is an outstanding part of being a Loreto Normo girl. It is why I sent my girls to Normanhurst. My daughter’s friendships made at school are deep and long lasting.

To be part of your daughters and granddaughters time at Loreto is very special and unique.
I have observed the compassion and care shown to Sophia in the Boarding school over the past two years. She has already developed close friendships and life is full of challenges, fun and a sense of joy.
I look forward to continue being part of the Loreto Normanhurst family with Anna and Sophia.

The Wegner's

Current parent and President of the ESA Sam Wegner and her daughter Franziska share their thoughts on Loreto and what they love about the school.

Sam:

Loreto Normanhurst means to me as an alumna.

I was very fortunate to be part of a really solid year group where there was a whole lot of kindness. I especially treasure memories of moments in the spirit, sometimes in the Chapel, sometimes with Sr Sandra guiding us in meditation, but mostly walking under the canopy of a tree or staring out over the oval at the Loreto bush. My years at Normanhurst set the groundwork for my spiritual life, which is the bedrock on which everything else stands. Being invited back to the School for alumnae events is a very special joy, and seeing the School develop and educate the women of the 21st century is inspiring. I feel part of something so much larger than myself, and I meet new alumnae constantly. My Loreto journey continues.

And now as a parent it means

a potent shared experience with Franzi. Returning to Normanhurst for Franzi’s special events, and hearing about the ways that she is inspired by all the women who have gone before her to create this environment is a great joy to me. High school is necessarily a series of ups and downs, no less in the 1980s than today, but Loreto Normanhurst has always put the girl first, and watching the ways in which she is nurtured and encouraged in everything she does reminds me that Loreto Normanhurst retains its uniquely beautiful culture of lifting up women and equipping them to flourish in the world.

Why I chose it for my daughter?

I didn’t think there was any other school that would provide quite the same combination of spirit and spine. The constant encouragement to try, to keep going and to love more is what I wanted for Franzi’s school years. And I am still captivated by the place. I think the bush has a spirit that becomes part of those who love it, and so many have now, for 60, 000 years. It is a gift of inestimable value to be near it and the simple beauty of all the grounds and buildings at Loreto Normanhurst, carefully stewarded by generations of dedicated women and men is a template for the way I hope Franzi lives out her life.

What I hope it will mean to her.

Friendships that endure, memories that are a blessing, a solid grounding in the way of peace and justice and a place to return to and eventually, to give back to from all that you have achieved.

Franzi:

These are my thoughts about my mum going to Loreto Normanhurst.

It was great that she explained a lot about Loreto before I started in year 7. Whenever I told her about places at school, she knew what I was talking about. She still talks to her friends from School and helps with the Ex-Students’, so I think the saying is true, once a Loreto girl, always a Loreto girl.

I like that mum went to the same school

because we get to share a lot of stories and she tells me about what it was like back in the day, and we laugh a lot about that.  

My experiences of school are different to hers because

apparently, the uniform was very different in the 1980s, and not in a good way.

What I hope that I take away from Loreto Normanhurst

is a lifelong commitment to justice. Right now, I’m really interested in history and politics and the teachers are just the best. They have helped me to start understanding how the world got to be where it is today. I will have friends forever and I will take away the best memories of Music Festival, Loreto Day and camps.