From the Captains
By Isabella Rossato and Bethany Ryan - College Captains
Farewell to Our Principal
Each year, as College Captains we are asked to write an article summarising the wonderful year so far, encompassing all aspects of Loreto life. It is with great sadness, following the recent announcement, that we begin to farewell our Principal, Ms Brodrick. It is hard to fully capture the long-lasting impact Ms Brodrick has had on the College. However, her warm, nurturing and supportive nature will not be forgotten. Ms Brodrick is an individual that wholeheartedly always strives to provide only the best for every student at Loreto College. It has been our absolute honour and privilege to work alongside Ms Brodrick, as College Captains, leading the school during such a special year. On behalf of every student, we want to wish Ms Brodrick all the best in her future endeavours.
The Year in Review
As we look back to the beginning of 2025, we commenced our 150th year at Loreto College Ballarat. Semester one brought many action-packed moments for all students. This ranged from diving into the swimming pool, making a splash winning Head of the Lake, to sprinting around the athletics track, and celebrating all forms of love on Valentine’s Day. Students then raised close to $3000 for the 4EK foundation, working hard to vaccinate individuals against Meningococcal in memory of past Student Emma-Kate McGrath. Alongside this, we also raised awareness about the importance of respectful relationships through the Respect Cup football match held at GMHBA stadium in Geelong. It didn’t end there, Semester one also included, ANZAC Day, the Players for Pink match, Task Master, Year 12 Retreat and Formal, International Women’s Day Breakfast, Year 8 Da Vinci Decathlon, the outstanding Newsies Musical, a wonderful Mother’s Day Liturgy and Afternoon Tea, Reconciliation Week, Year 9 Social, Legacy Public Speaking Competitions, Camps, Retreats and an amazing performance by our hardworking Year 7 Da Capo Music program.
However, the true highlight of Semester 1 was commemorating and marking the beginning of 150th year at Loreto College Ballarat, through a spectacular opening Mass held in our stunning front gardens. As a school community we welcomed past alumni, active community members, Loreto Ministries, IBVM sisters, and many more special people to be involved in a significant milestone in our College’s history. The mass was led beautifully by Father Justin Driscoll, alongside various student participation through the role of readings, special ministers, and a wonderful culturally spectacular Indigenous Dance by our First Nations Dhurrung group. This Mass, in particular, was extremely special for us as College Captains, as we not only had the privilege to guide and lead the College throughout this time, however, were able to truly understand the significance of the Loreto community each and every student is a part of. This highlights for us how uniquely special our school is, and just how much Mary Ward alongside Mother Gonzaga Barry accomplished, in order to provide young girls an education that encompasses all aspects of life.
Furthermore, the development of the leadership structure throughout the previous three years has provided students across Years 7-12 the option to hold a representative position for their respective year level. This has presented students with the ability to develop their leadership skills and build on connections amongst their cohort bringing about positive change, in their respective areas. The replication of these roles fosters collaboration amongst the year levels strengthening the special spirit that makes Loreto College Ballarat unique and unlike any other.
In our 150th year, at the forefront of our leadership is the quote of Mother Gonzaga Barry, “Leave something behind, upon which other’s may build.” Whilst this has been integral to keep beloved Loreto traditions alive, the entire student leadership body have worked hard in our endeavours to display servant leadership looking outwards. This has resulted in regular reflection upon ways we can continue to nurture and support students to enthusiastically engage in all aspects of the College, igniting a rich sense of passion and enjoyment. Additionally, in our 150th year we are called to be “Faithful to grace” to remember how relationships and encounters invite us to see the good, recognise graciousness, kindness and humility in ourselves and in others, throughout everyday life.
Looking forward to Semester 2, as a Loreto community we are anticipating another semester full of exciting events, fun and a variety of opportunities. We began the term with the highly anticipated Loreto Senate vs St Patrick’s College Council, Breast Cancer awareness netball match (which we won), to be followed by numerous Arts Festival rehearsals, before a spectacular night showcasing a wide range of performing arts talents. This event involves each house performing an item telling the story of the ‘150 years of Loreto College’, recreating a photo chosen from the Loreto Archives Centre. However, the fun doesn’t end there! The last day of Term 3 will be filled with extraordinary amounts of sugar, positive energy, crazy costumes, and lots of excitement, as we celebrate our traditional Gonzaga Barry day. This event is a true highlight on the Loreto calendar every year, as students not only celebrate the founder of our school but raise important funds going towards Mary Ward International Australia. As Year 12s we are saddened to be approaching our final ‘GB Day’ as a cohort, although are extremely excited to spark the love and passion for this valued tradition amongst other year levels, and in particular, our Year 7s.
Towards the end of last year, as College Captains, we were privileged to write the Verity prayer for 2025, alongside other student leaders representing all Loreto schools across Australia. It was here, at the annual LSAC Student Leadership Conference, where we wrote the final line in our prayer “Let us Dare to be True”. This inspires us each day to be true to ourselves and others around us, with a focus on doing the ordinary well.
We leave a parting message as we approach our final semester as leaders of Loreto; continue to embrace daily endeavours wholeheartedly embodying the example of Mary Ward - acting not out of fear, but solely from love.
