The Loreto Normanhurst Bursary program, through the Welfare Fund, has supported 52 students and their families since its launch in 2000. 

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the program has helped us offer incredible facilities and resources, unique and industry-leading learning programs, the expertise and care of dedicated staff and a loving community to girls who would otherwise face barriers to such an education due to the impact of drought, bushfires, COVID-19 or necessitous circumstances.

 We are delighted to hear back from bursary recipients, who are proof of the opportunities that a Loreto education provides. 

Tessa Regan (’04) commenced at Loreto as a Year 9 boarder from Coonamble. She was awarded a Bursary for Years 11 and 12 when her family was affected by drought, as many of our current families also are. Tessa is now a successful Interior Designer who has worked across the world and currently runs her own business in Sydney. 

“Cherishing every moment at Loreto, I took with me many memories and life-long friends… I am immensely grateful to those who gave me the opportunity to attend Loreto Normanhurst and I am honoured to give my support to [the Bursary program].”

Watch this video to hear Tessa reflect on her career and the impact of her Loreto education.

Sarah Palmer (’15) is a fourth-generation Loreto girl and bursary recipient who boarded from Dubbo in Years 7 to 12. She is currently studying Medicine while working as a registered physiotherapist, having completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2019.

“I have had so many fantastic opportunities thus far in my life, and a lot of them have been directly and indirectly facilitated through my Loreto education.”

Georgia Knowles (’16) and her two sisters all boarded at Loreto from Wellington. Georgia’s mother, Bernadette, was diagnosed with cancer when Georgia was in Year 10.

“Loreto offered my family bursary assistance after Mum was diagnosed. Mum was unable to work and it also meant Dad was able to spend more time caring for Mum. I will always be so grateful for the support I was offered by my friends and all the staff, especially the Director of Boarding and my boarding supervisors.”

“The Bursaries meant all our daughters could finish a Loreto education, which was very important to my wife Bernadette and me. Our eldest daughter Hannah had already received a full-tuition scholarship but without the financial assistance provided by the Bursary Fund, we would not have been able to give our other girls this opportunity.”

Mr Nick Knowles, Father of Hannah (’10), Emily (’12) and Georgia (’16)

Fostering the diversity of our community and living out the mission of Mary Ward to make education available to all girls, our Bursary program relies on donations. You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Bursary (Welfare) Fund via our Giving page.