Mission and Identity
From the Mission and Identity Team
Graduation 2025 – A Row of Goodly Pearls
On Thursday we gathered as a community to celebrate the Graduation of the Class of 2025. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ. During his homily, Bishop O’Kelly spoke beautifully about a Loreto education as an “education of the heart.”
He reflected that true learning goes beyond academic success; it forms young people who are compassionate, courageous, and grounded in faith and justice. In the spirit of Mary Ward, he reminded us that education is not only about what we know, but about who we become and how we choose to use our gifts for others. A Loreto education, he said, nurtures both intellect and spirit, shaping hearts that are open to God, to others, and to the world.
As I watched the Year 12 students throughout the mass I was reminded of the words of Mother Gonzaga Barry, the pioneering Loreto leader who shaped Catholic education in Australia when she said: “I see my Loreto children as a row of goodly pearls.” This image captures the beauty and strength of our graduating students. Each young woman is unique, a pearl formed through her own experiences, challenges, and growth. No two pearls are the same, just like our students: each reflecting their own understanding of themselves, shaped by faith, learning, and friendship. Yet, when strung together, these pearls form something even more beautiful: a connected team that shines with unity. Throughout their time at Loreto, our Year 12 students have exemplified this. They have supported one another through times of joy and difficulty, brought light to those around them through their involvement in outreach programs. They have been role models to younger students through their leadership within the school community, embodying the values of freedom, justice, sincerity, verity, and felicity.
As our graduates prepare to take their next steps beyond the school gates, they carry with them the enduring connection of the Loreto sisterhood. We give thanks for the light they have brought to our community and trust that, wherever life leads them, they will continue to shine brightly.
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Martina O’Connell
Assistant Principal: Mission & Identity