Mission and Identity
Social Justice at Loreto
Vinnies Winter Appeal – Helping people keep warm in winter!
Students in the Junior and Senior school have been supporting Vinnies with the Annual Winter Appeal. In the Senior and Junior school, boxes are filling fast with generous donations.
Acts of service like supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal reminds students that there are people in our communities who struggle with basic needs such as warmth, food and companionship. Donating a pair of gloves, a scarf or a beanie may seem like a small act, but to someone feeling the pinch of heat bills or needing a warm jacket on a cold night it can make a world of difference.
Giving teaches responsibility, strengthens the values of justice and kindness, and builds their sense of community. By giving to others in small ways, our students are not only helping to create a more just and compassionate society, but they are also becoming the kind of people the world needs, people who are thoughtful, generous and aware.
Refugee Week 2026 – One Million Stories
This Refugee Week, we join communities across Australia in recognising and celebrating this year's theme, One Million Stories. The theme marks a significant milestone: over one million refugees have found safety, belonging and new beginnings in Australia since World War II. Australia has long been enriched by people from around the world, whose contributions have helped build this country.
Behind this number are individual stories of courage, resilience, hope and determination. Each story represents a person, a family and a journey often marked by hardship, but also by extraordinary strength and the pursuit of a better future.
Refugee Week invites us to reflect on our commitment to human dignity, compassion and justice. It challenges us to see beyond statistics and recognise the unique experiences and gifts that refugees bring to our society. Through welcoming others, listening to their stories and standing in solidarity with those seeking safety, we live out the Gospel call to love our neighbour.
The Loreto Sisters ensure that the refugees are a focus of our mission, with ensuring that the Rights of Refugees and Asylum Seekers is one of the Five Justice priorities. The Loreto Justice network provides a lot of information on this important topic. Please read more through this link: https://www.loreto.org.au/justice/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/
Throughout Refugee Week, we encourage our community to learn more about the experiences of refugees, to celebrate the richness of our diverse community, and to consider how each of us can contribute to creating a more inclusive and welcoming society.
Together, we honour the one million stories that have helped shape Australia and acknowledge the many more stories still being written.
Martina O’Connell
Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity