Mission and Identity

From the Mission and Identity Team 

In the Year of Verity 

Mary Ward valued verity as a guiding principle in her life and mission. For Mary Ward, verity was not just about honesty but about living authentically, aligning actions with deepest convictions and faith. 

Mary Ward believed that living with Verity required courage, especially in challenging unjust systems and advocating for the dignity of all people. In the context of her times, this meant standing firm against opposition, particularly in her pursuit of education for women and her vision of religious life outside the confines of a cloister. In today’s context, we can take from her example the call to seek and uphold truth in all aspects of our lives—being true to our faith, our conscience, and our responsibility to others. Verity challenges us to act with integrity, to question what is unjust, and to live in a way that reflects our core values, even when it is difficult.

150 Years of Loreto Education in Australia 

As we enter 2025, Loreto Education in Australia, celebrates 150 years! Loreto represents a legacy of faith, courage, and commitment to justice. Inspired by Mary Ward’s vision, and the pioneering spirit of Mother Gonzaga Barry, it has shaped generations of women to be compassionate leaders who seek truth and act for the greater good of others. To me, it also signifies a deep connection to a global tradition that values education as a means of empowerment. It is about forming students who embrace their faith, serve others, and strive for excellence. This milestone reaffirms our call to nurture strong, hope-filled women ready to transform the world with wisdom and love! We look forward to celebrating this anniversary later in the year and, our own 120th Year at Marryatville this year. 

Reflections from the Social Justice Tour to Vietnam and Cambodia 

In November 2024 18 Year 11 and Year 12 students took part in the Social Justice Tour to Vietnam and Cambodia. In this and the upcoming newsletter issues you will be able to read and reflect on the journey that they shared together.  The students visited the major cities of Saigon, (HCMC), Phnom Penh and Siam Reap, learning about the history, culture and completing acts of service.  Our first reflection comes from Head Girl Giuliana Blefari.

“Stepping into the first orphanage we visited, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The room was filled with children, each with their own story and a fascination with our apple watches!  I was asked to help feed some of the children, and as I sat with a boy with cerebral palsy, I could feel his restlessness. He struggled to keep still, his body tense as I tried to carefully fed him. But when the meal was done, I simply sat with him, gently stroking his face. In that moment, everything changed. He stilled, a soft smile spreading across his face. It was as if, for that brief moment, he felt seen - felt loved. It struck me how universal that need is, how something as simple as human touch and kindness can bring comfort in a life filled with challenges.  

Later in Ho Chi Minh City, we visited the War Remnants Museum—a confronting experience that made history feel painfully close. Learning about the Vietnam War was one thing, but seeing its lingering impact was another. What stayed with me most was the devastation caused by Agent Orange. The images were harrowing, but it wasn’t until we visited orphanages caring for children affected by their parents' exposure to war chemicals that the true weight of it sank in. But not all history was heavy. The Cu Chi Tunnels gave us a glimpse into the resilience of the Vietnamese people, and visiting the bustling markets taught us the art of bartering—a skill we quickly learned to appreciate (and laugh about).  

Among the most unforgettable moments was visiting the Loreto school in Vin Loc. We were asked to bring paints, as many of the children had never seen a paintbrush before. I sat with a boy named Bao, showing him how the colours mixed and blended. The moment he understood how it worked, his face lit up with pure joy. He eagerly started painting, first a picture of me, then the Vietnamese flag. As we painted together, I taught him the colours in English, and he taught me their Vietnamese names in return. But Bao taught me much more that day—not just the Vietnamese alphabet, but the beauty of curiosity, the joy of learning, and how much happiness can come from the simplest things.  

Cambodia, too, was a country of contrasts, one of both immense sorrow and breathtaking beauty. Learning about its history was confronting, and at times, infuriating. The reality of the Khmer Rouge regime, the genocide, and the sheer brutality inflicted upon innocent people left me speechless. Walking through the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, I felt an overwhelming mix of sadness and anger. Beyond its painful past, Cambodia was also a place of wonder. Visiting Angkor Wat felt almost surreal. 

This trip wasn’t just about what we saw; it was about what we felt. And I felt deeply. I felt the weight of history, the warmth of human connection, the joy in small moments, and the responsibility we all have to acknowledge the past while working toward a better future.  

Coming home, I carry these stories with me—not just as memories, but as a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference. Even if it’s as simple as holding someone’s hand, teaching a new word, or sharing a smile.”

Giuliana Blefari

Head Girl 

Loreto Justice Network and Justice Priorities 

The Loreto sisters focus on the empowerment of women and children, advocating for their rights, dignity, and education, particularly in marginalised communities. The sisters work towards systemic change in areas such as human trafficking, poverty, ecological justice, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. Two significant days coming up in February to note are: 

February 8 - St. Josephine Bakhita’s Feast Day, and International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking 

https://www.loreto.org.au/justice/the-reality-of-human-trafficking/

February 13 - Anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations

https://www.loreto.org.au/justice/rights-of-first-nations-peoples/

Martina O’Connell 

Assistant Principal Mission & Identity 

Our Liturgical Life  

To celebrate the beginning of a new school year,  staff gathered together in prayer in the beautiful Indigenous gardens. The year holds much anticipation with preparations in place for the 150 years of Loreto in Australia and 120 years in SA. This year, the Loreto value of Verity will underpin all that we do, and this was introduced in the staff liturgy. As part of this liturgy, each staff member received a scroll as a symbolic reminder of our shared mission for the year ahead, with a special focus on the value of verity. 

Inspired by this message, staff began the new teaching year committed to fostering hope, compassion, and truth, encouraging each member of our community to live authentically and support one another in discovering their God-given potential. 

At our whole-school liturgy to mark the students' return, we embraced the value of verity as our guiding focus for 2025. Led by our senior student leaders, the liturgy invited us to reflect on living authentically and celebrating the unique gifts within our community. A highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of the two 2025 school banners, each beautifully designed to embody the spirit of verity. The banners were introduced as a powerful call to live truthfully and courageously throughout the year. Featured on the student banner were the profound words: "Living with verity; Daring to be true; to set the world alight." These words reflect the shared aspirations of the Loreto community, inspiring all to embrace authenticity and make a meaningful impact. 

Isabelle Roberts 

College Liturgist