Learning Across the 

Senior School

Active Citizenship Convention

‘See the extraordinary in the ordinary.’  This short phrase was greatly unpacked during the Active Citizenship Convention. Hesitant at first, but as soon as we entered the room and were a part of the sea of hundreds of students from all over, we felt a great privilege. Located at the Adelaide Oval, we heard the journey and thoughts of many leaders, entrepreneurs and relevant figures. There were many collaborative elements that, despite pushing us out of our comfort zone, kept everyone engaged and built new connections. 

Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, the Shadow Minister for Education and Loreto Old Scholar, Heidi Girolamo, was a guest speaker. She explained how democracy only works when people believe and understand their responsibility, and she emphasised how age does not diminish you. It was truly inspiring to hear from a woman in parliament embodying the qualities of a true Loreto girl, representing the strong, passionate and confident woman we strive to be. 

‘Our destiny is in our hands,’ a line that left an impact, spoken by Premier Peter Malinauskas. His speech revealed to us that a democracy is not just a system; it makes Australia unique, placing our voices at the forefront of decisions. We are so fortunate to live in Australia. The Premier highlighted that South Australia has led the world forward on many fronts. In 1894, SA granted women the right to vote and to stand for parliament, and from 2026, parties will no longer accept donations, ensuring elected representatives remain independent and truly reflect the will of the people.

The focus on the youth demographic made the experience relatable and sparked opportunities for us to provide our opinion on the issues that concern us most. We felt truly heard, inspired and motivated to contribute to make change. Above all, we learnt that our voices make an impact.

Thank you, Ms McCullah and Mrs Donnelly, for this experience.

Maria Barbaro, Teresa Caruso & Georgia Mastrantuone

Year 10 students

Year 7 Reflection Day

This week our Year 7 students took time away from their usual routines to pause, reflect, and deepen their understanding of the value of Verity. Reflection Day allowed them to grow in self-awareness and strengthen connections with others.

These days are an important part of the school year for our students, as they are a time for personal and spiritual growth, and developing their sense of gratitude. Taking time in the day to pause and reflect isn’t just valuable for the spirit, it benefits overall wellbeing and mental health too.  A beautiful day of learning, sharing, and growing together was had by all.