Students came from all over Australia for major event.
By Robert Hiini
The pioneering attitude of Loreto founder Mary Ward was celebrated at Loreto Primary School in Nedlands last week as girls from Loreto schools throughout the country met local students to share their stories and experiences.
The March 11 event was part of the Mary Ward Connect Week celebrations, held internationally, March 10 – 13, with five to six girls from each of the seven Loreto schools throughout Australia travelling interstate to meet their counterparts.
Students came from Melbourne, Brisbane, Normanhurst and Kirribilli as well as Adelaide and Ballarat.
Marking the four hundredth anniversary of their founding and the vision of equality Mary Ward had for all of her students, the event was attended by Loreto Australia Provincial, Sr Christine Burke who addressed the gathering of students and local Loreto Sisters, Sr Margaret Finlay, Sr Anne Carter and Sr Leonie Peterson.
Students assembled to sing a song written especially for the celebrations that schools throughout the country had learnt and were led on a tour around their host school by Loreto Nedlands Year Six cohort.
Deputy Principal of Loreto Nedlands, Claudia Di Biaggio, who was instrumental in organising the local gathering says that there could no better representation of Mary Ward’s vision and the unity of people connected with the Loreto community everywhere.
"With the sculpture of Mary Ward in the courtyard nearby it was inspirational to gather as Loreto Schools Australia," she said.
"The unique identity of each school was represented whilst it was clearly evident that each school was united by the common thread of the Loreto charism and educational philosophy."
The order’s 400 year milestone will be celebrated over the next three years with similar events and gatherings already in the pipeline.