By Chris Shaw

Celebrating 150 Years of Leadership

Last Thursday we celebrated our 150th year Leadership Assembly to acknowledge our outgoing leaders and welcome in the 2026 Senate.

For 150 years, Loreto students have been leading the College guided by the legacy of Mother Gonzaga and I spoke to our students about how things are not always left to stay the same. As time and generations evolve, we adapt and explore new opportunities learning to grow and change.

This is an extract from that speech.

The student leaders of 1982 wanted to hand down to leaders for generations to come something symbolic. They could have chosen many things, but they chose a Bible. Inside its front cover they wrote the words,

“we believe the main purpose of Loreto College is to share and try to live out the Good News of Jesus Christ, within this school community, and outwards to our families and groups with whom we live and work.”

They provided blessings for all future leaders and from that time to now, all School Captains have signed the inside covers.

Each generation of Loreto leaders encounters unique experiences, but one constant remains, change is inevitable. Change doesn’t ask for permission – it asks for our participation. For us here at Loreto, we have constants that centre and guide us through change, in our values and the crest.

In leadership we change comes in many different forms. We can face hurdles and barriers with Verity, or ethical challenges of Justice. Some days leadership is lonely and other days we lead with teams full of Felicity. We might deliver popular news, or have our decisions met with resistance. At times, we lead from the front with Sincerity, or lead from behind providing the Freedom for others to shine.

Whilst leadership is tough, some might say occasionally unpopular, it demands much of us – yet one thing is clear – the simplest things such as kindness, compassion and authenticity go a very long way to support others in change. Many lead quietly, assessing situations and stepping up or speaking up when there is nothing personal to gain. Sometimes the best leadership is not extraordinary at all – it’s just small acts that make a big impact, being flexible and always open to the needs of others.

True leadership lies within us all, and this is seen through our actions, but we can never stay fixed. We are living breathing evolving beings, all made in the image and likeness of God and to that end we are all called to respond to and respect, the dignity and inherent value of all.

In our 150th year Mass, we introduced a new Bible, as a mark of our future. At the Assembly our new leaders read their pledge to serve and lead their peers, whilst our outgoing leaders signed the new Bible as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the blessings of their leadership, and as a final mark of the transfer of leadership, the Captains blazers were presented.

Some words from our departing 2025 Captains and our new 2026 Captains

"It has been a true honour to stand side by side, representing each and every individual in this room. The vibrant community that we have here at Loreto is truly unmatchable and that is something we will cherish forever. As our time at Loreto draws to a close, we have no doubt that the Loreto love will continue to glow, radiating kindness. At the beginning of the year, we dared every student to be true to themselves, always seizing opportunities, and wholeheartedly embracing daily endeavours. We placed a large focus on acting not out of fear but solely from love, aiming to foster an environment where every student felt empowered, heard, and each dream nurtured. As the year of Verity comes to an end, let us continue to dare to be true." Isabella Rossato and Bethany Ryan

“As the 2026 Senate, we want to work with you and for you to honour the open circle of friends by embracing inclusivity, authenticity and connection. We want you to embrace life at Loreto, knowing that you belong and that we should strive to “be such as we appear and appear such as we are.” We want each one of you to be empowered to use your voice for the benefit of our school. We are motivated to lead our college holistically, supporting all students in their Loreto journeys as we live out our values, especially Felicity. 2026 is the year we shall be optimistic, cheerful and courageous Loreto people who aim for excellence.” Jemima Knobel and Bonnie Burt.

Our new leaders, are reminded that effective and genuine leadership happens when all are treated equally and when no one sees what you do.

“Strive ever to widen and deepen your hearts and minds until they are capable of taking in great things” 1890 MGB

Congratulations to our 2026 College Captains and Senate

Congratulations to Bonnie Burt and Jemima Knobel, who have the honour of leading our College throughout 2026.

Alongside them, we’re excited to present our Portfolio and House Captains:

Emily Gibson (Arts Captain)

Lily Matthews (Creative Media Captain)

Hannah John (Felicity Captain)

Bilyana Holloway (First Nations Captain)

Johanna Addison (Liturgy Captain)

Mahima Sara-Moncy (Social Justice Captain)

Eliza Dodd (Sports Captain)

Sienna Farrell (Barry House Captain)

Ella Cartwright (Mornane House Captain)

Elena Ballinger (Mulhall House Captain)

Matilda Kavanagh (Ward House Captain)

Our emphasis on leadership for 2026 is on servant leadership. Our 2026 Senate are the beginning of a new era at Loreto College Ballarat. Our Senate 2026 are building on the legacy of 150 years of leadership, however, this is with the understanding of not being afraid to change things, to put their unique stamp on the College and to make a difference for those people around them. They truly are people who will do much in our world.

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