From the Principal 

Leadership as a Selfless Act 

At Loreto College Marryatville, we are reminded every day that leadership is not about titles or positions, but about service. True leadership is often quiet and selfless: a friend who checks in, a classmate who speaks up when something isn’t fair, a teammate who gives everything for the group. 

Our recent Leadership Handover Assembly was a moment to reflect on this truth. The handover of roles from one group of student leaders to the next is not about power, but about trust, responsibility, and hope. Leadership here is never a solo act – it is about lifting others, amplifying voices, and adding our own link to a chain that stretches back centuries. 

We walk in the footsteps of extraordinary women: Mary Ward, who declared over 400 years ago that “women in time to come will do much,” and Mother Gonzaga Barry, who shaped generations of young women in Australia. Their legacy is alive today in Australian women who continue to inspire: Julia Gillard, reminding us that “you can’t be what you can’t see,” and Cathy Freeman, whose quiet strength carried a nation’s hopes. 

This year our guiding value has been Verity – the pursuit of truth. It has challenged us to be honest with ourselves and one another. In 2026, our focus turns to Felicity – joy, inner freedom, and the ability to find happiness in God’s goodness and in community. These values remind us that leadership must be courageous and authentic, but also generous and joy-filled. 

To our outgoing leaders: thank you for showing us Verity in action. You have led with authenticity, resilience, and clarity of purpose, and in doing so, you have left a legacy for those who follow. To our incoming leaders: may you step forward with Felicity, embracing leadership not as a burden, but as a gift. Lead with joy even in challenging moments, with courage when difficult choices must be made, and with the confidence that you are supported by a community that believes in you. Leadership is not about perfection – it is about presence, generosity, and the willingness to serve. 

At Loreto, we believe deeply that “women are not made for small matters.” The way our students lead today is shaping who they will become and the impact they will have on the world tomorrow. As we begin a new chapter, may we carry forward the flame of leadership – grounded in truth, enriched by joy, and strengthened always by our Loreto Marryatville

 community. 

Kylie McCullah 

Principal