From the Principal

Custodians of the story

The youngest of 13 children, St Ignatius of Loyola, was a young man hungry for adventure and achievements. After being struck by a cannonball, he laid down his sword and took up the pilgrim’s staff! It was the beginning of the story of St Ignatius of Loyola and the founding of the Jesuits. Our staff conference this week, focused on the 500-year anniversary of the ‘cannonball moment’.

It has also been a very significant week for the Loreto Sisters. On 20 May 1875, Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry, along with her nine companion Sisters, left Dublin to make the two- month journey to Australia. ‘Landing Day’ was on 19 July 1875.

We are the custodians of the Jesuit and Loreto stories in Western Australia. The beautiful Ignatian prayer of the Examen encourages us to:

• Cultivate a sense of gratitude.
• Have a disposition of looking to the good first.
• Recognise the importance of listening, reflecting and conversing.

To have the opportunity to learn more of the stories of our Founders was invaluable. Ignatius struggled to find the meaning of his life and we can find inspiration from his challenges as we strive to make the world a better place. We are also reminded that Jesus fell three times in the Stations of the Cross.

‘To make gratitude your attitude’ was one of the challenges presented to staff and we look forward with optimism to the term ahead.

Welcome to new staff

Best wishes to all members of our College community for the new semester and we especially welcome the following new members of staff:

• Miss Brianna Di Stefano – Primary Year 3
• Mrs Julia Franz – Education Assistant
• Miss Brianna Gray – English Teacher
• Miss Ariana Hetherington – Mathematics Teacher
• Ms Tania Papalia – Year 7 Homeroom

Robert Henderson

Principal