We are always thrilled to hear from you, members of our community, about your memories of time spent at Loreto Normanhurst. We often learn new snippets of Loreto Normanhurst history from our alumnae! We wish to thank Diane Boland (née McCarron, ’55) for the beautiful words that follow about her schooling and years as a boarder. 

I was born at Pymble and baptised in the beautiful old Spanish-style church which is now Council Chambers. During the Second World War, when I was 3 years old, my family moved to Tamworth. I was educated by the Dominican nuns and my love of music and the piano in particular began. I also became a champion swimmer. Tamworth was the first country town to have an Olympic Swimming Pool. 

When I was 9 years old, my maternal grandmother organised for me to attend Kincoppal Elizabeth Bay which was a weekly boarding school run by the Sacre Coeur nuns. Some of my school friends there became lifelong friends. I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at my grandmother’s beautiful home at Wollstonecraft. We attended St. Mary’s Jesuit church in North Sydney. I also travelled alone by tram to Balmoral Beach. I joined the North Sydney Olympic Pool Swimming Club where I won the Under 12 championship. Once a month, I would meet up with my two older brothers who boarded at Riverview. We were allowed to go to the Saturday matinee films at Crows Nest. I would sometimes stay with my paternal grandparents at North Sydney. It was a happy time for me. 

Sadly, my beloved grandmother died in June and it became necessary for me to find a full-time boarding school. A friend of my parents, an accountant Mr. W. Morck, used to do the accounts for the nuns at Normanhurst. He was able to find a place for me at Loreto Normanhurst. His business partner had a daughter, Margaret Manion. Margaret was in her final year at Normanhurst, and a brilliant student who graduated in medicine at Sydney Uni, entered the Loreto order and eventually became Professor of Fine Arts at Melbourne University.

Normanhurst was then primarily a Boarding School with only a few day girls in each class. We were not encouraged to mix with them! Apart from the first few days of each term, when I was homesick, I was happy there. I enjoyed learning and the piano and also sport. I took a leading role in drama and loved my role as a Witch. I also enjoyed needlework, but not darning my lisle stockings which had to take priority. We made goods for the local fair which raised money for the local orphanage. We were forbidden to knit or sew on Sundays unless this activity contributed goods for sale at the Fair or to send to the Missions!

Movie nights were a very ‘big deal’ as we only had one movie per term. Mother Antoinette Hayden, Mistress of Schools, would constantly threaten to ‘cancel the movie’ if we misbehaved. The movies were shown from a basic projector in the hall. If any kissing were to appear on the screen, Mother Antoinette had a white handkerchief ready to prevent us seeing it!

Diane Boland
 

As part of our new Normo Network community site, we encourage alumnae to share memories, stories and photos of their own by submitting posts here. Simply scroll to the bottom of this page and click 'Have Your Say.' Our Community Engagement team also love to hear from alumnae via email at normonetwork@loretonh.nsw.edu.au.