Historical Timeline

Mother Gonzaga Barry and Mother Dorothea Frizelle purchased the land on which Loreto Normanhurst stands today.

Sunday 28 February 1897, the foundation stone was laid by Cardinal Moran, the Archbishop of Sydney. The school opened to 15 students and nine Sisters.

October 17 1897, First Mass was celebrated

Cardinal Moran blessed and formally opened “Loretto Convent”.

Loretto became Loreto.

The first Corpus Christi Procession was held in the school grounds.

The ‘Old Girls’ formed a Past Pupils Association which has given loyal support to the nuns and continues to the present day as the Ex-Students’ Association.

There were 65 Boarders and 12 Day Pupils. A Sports Mistress was recorded for the first time.

The new Holy Angels’ Chapel and new classrooms were built.

The Honour Board naming the Head Girl of the school was set up; the Head of the School was presented with a silver cross (which continues to be worn today as the “Captain’s Cross”).

Cardinal Cerretti laid the foundation stone of the Boarders Dining Room and new dormitories. There were 91 Boarders. A new uniform was introduced.

The Blessing and Opening of the Refectory Wing by Cardinal Ceretti.

Blue uniform with pleats and faun blouse introduced

Mother Evangeline Kendall appointed first Head of the Junior School. There were 37 Junior School students.

Junior School building completed.

Parents Association of Loreto Normanhurst was formed in the ‘50s and continues today as Parent Association of Loreto (PAL).

Foundation stone for the new chapel laid by Cardinal Moran. Transformation of the study room into the Reception Room.

New (and current) Chapel opening and blessing. The old chapel was extended and a verandah added. Number of boarders increased to 116. The Statue of St Michael’s was presented by the mother of one of the nuns. Blessing conducted by Bishop Lyons.

The new novitiate was blessed by Cardinal Gilroy and the Novices arrived a few weeks later.

Day students outnumbered boarding students for the first time: 135 to 120.

The first library (McEvoy Library) was opened funded by the McEvoy family.

A new Senior school hall was built.

The Novice Building was now known as the “Mary Ward Wing” as it is called today. The novices had been transferred to Melbourne at the end of 1967.

Summer uniform with blue and white stitching introduced

The inaugural Music Festival began led by the Head of Music, Sister Deirdre Browne ibvm.

The newly completed Veronica Reid sports oval was formally opened.

Each year group now had four classes and there was approximately 100 staff including both teaching and support staff. The Junior School closed this year.

The new gymnasium was opened.

First computers at Loreto Normanhurst.

Loreto Normanhurst won the 1991 Regatta.

School Council established.

New Principal Mrs Leoni Degenhardt appointed as the first lay principal.

The new Winter and Summer Uniforms introduced. The development office was set up in 1995 and the magazine “Loreto Life” was created.

Mother Evangeline Kendall’s funeral was held. students created guard of honour for the procession to the cemetery
The school website went live.

Centenary Year celebrations.

The Vertical Pastoral Care system was established.

Opening of the current Learning Resource Centre and the Curran Lecture Theatre.

Introduction of the Loreto Normanhurst Student Growth Model.
Opening of the Deirdre Rofe Centre.

The new Teresa Ball Centre building is officially opened.

Far North Queensland Experience began.

A life size bronze sculpture “reflecting the life and charism of Mary Ward” was unveiled at Loreto Normanhurst.

Ms Barbara Watkins appointed as Principal.

Opening of the Mother Evangeline Kendall Visual Arts Centre.

Original historic oak tree was removed from the front entrance – replaced with another to grow in its place.

Opening of the Gonzaga Barry Centre.

The Primary School reopens for Year 5 and 6 as the Teresa Ball Primary Centre.

120 years of Loreto Normanhurst education.

Ms Marina Ugonotti appointed as Principal.

Celebrating 125 Years of Loreto Normanhurst.

Launch of 'Our Open Table' the Loreto Normanhurst Cookbook, teling the stories of our long and proud history through the preparing and sharing of food amongst our community.

Mrs Maree Board appointed as Head of Teresa Ball (Head of Primary).

Sister Louise Ritchard's funeral was held, students created a guard of honour for the procession to the cemetery.

School community celebrated the 'Turning of the Soil' Ceremony for the new Boarding House build.

Celebrating 150 Years of Loreto in Australia + Travelling Exhibition at Loreto Normanhurst.

New Uniforms introduced.

Topping Out Ceremony.

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) and the Congregation of Jesus (CJ) formally merged to become one congregation under the name Congregation of Jesus, uniting two communities founded by Mary Ward.