McCabe House
is now officially open

A new era for Boarding at Loreto Normanhurst

McCabe House is now open, marking a significant milestone in Loreto Normanhurst's over 128-year boarding tradition. Purpose-built to support the wellbeing, learning and growth of every boarder, McCabe House is more than a new residence—it's a home where girls can thrive for generations to come.

Nestled along Mount Pleasant Avenue, our four-level Boarding House blends seamlessly into the landscape, offering stunning views over the oval and bushland. Designed for comfort and connection, it features:

Expanded accommodation to welcome more students
Inviting communal spaces for friendships and shared experiences
Modern staff residences to support our dedicated team
A sustainable, accessible design in line with our school’s vision

More than just a building, this is a home where students will continue to grow, connect, and thrive.

July 2026 – McCabe House Officially Opens

On Wednesday, 22 July 2026, Loreto Normanhurst proudly celebrated the official opening of McCabe House, welcoming students, families, staff, alumnae, friends of the School and project partners to mark this historic milestone. More than two years after construction commenced, McCabe House is now home to our boarding community, providing contemporary accommodation, inspiring learning spaces and welcoming communal areas designed to support every aspect of boarding life. The opening marks not simply the completion of a building, but the beginning of a new chapter in Loreto's proud boarding tradition.

Introducing McCabe House - a Tour! Now Open!

April 2026 – Construction Progress Update

Our new boarding house is continuing to take shape, with significant progress now visible across the site. Recent aerial images highlight the scale and design of the building, including the distinctive curved architecture and integration within the surrounding campus. External works are well underway, with key structural elements complete and landscaping beginning to emerge.

March 2026 – Boarding Students’ Preview

Our boarding students were given a special preview of McCabe House on Open Day, offering a first look inside their new home ahead of its opening to the wider community. With the build nearing completion, students were able to explore key spaces and begin to imagine life in this purpose-built environment. There was a genuine sense of excitement as they stepped into what will soon become a vibrant and supportive home for our boarding community. This milestone marks another step forward as McCabe House moves closer to its opening.

The heart behind the boarding house name

We are proud to announce the name of our new boarding house: McCabe House, honouring Sister Ellen Bruno McCabe ibvm and her legacy of care and service. Please watch the video to find out more about the heart behind McCabe House.

Support Us

January 2026 - Leadership Progress Tour

Our Principal Marina and the Loreto Normanhurst Leadership Team toured McCabe House to view the latest progress. With the scaffolding now removed, the scale and form of the building are clearly visible, marking an exciting milestone in the construction journey.

The team were delighted with how the project is progressing and are looking forward to seeing McCabe House move toward completion as the new home for our boarding community continues to take shape, as we steadily move toward its opening.

November 2025 - A Look Inside the Build

On Thursday, a small group from Loreto Normanhurst toured the four levels of McCabe House, gaining a rare look at the building as it comes together. The team viewed prototype bedrooms, bathroom pods, and emerging common areas, offering a sense of how the spaces will support comfort, connection, and community life.

Earlier in November, incoming 2026 boarding families were also welcomed onsite for a preview of the prototype bedroom and selected areas of the building, giving them an early look at their daughters’ future home.

These visits offered an exciting glimpse into the progress of McCabe House as it continues to take shape.

September 2025 - Topping Out Ceremony

On 9 September 2025, Loreto Normanhurst celebrated the Topping Out Ceremony for the McCabe House, marking the highest point of construction and the move into its final stages.

Principal Ms Marina Ugonotti, Josephine Sukkar AM of Buildcorp, and our Boarder Captain Lucy and Boarder Vice Captain Phoebe took part in the ceremonial concrete trowelling. As part of the tradition, the School was also gifted a commemorative tree from Buildcorp to symbolise growth and strength.

This milestone brings us closer to welcoming students into McCabe House in 2026.

August 2025 – A Glimpse Inside

In August 2025, a group of Year 11 students toured McCabe House ahead of its completion. The visit offered a first-hand view of the thoughtful design and attention to detail creating a comfortable and welcoming home for boarders.

The project manager highlighted key sustainable features, including 100kW solar panels, a water reuse system, and energy-efficient lighting. Students explored dormitories, communal areas, staff facilities, and even gained rare access to the roof with its expansive views over the School grounds.

The tour provided a deeper understanding of how McCabe House will support the life and community of our boarders.

August 2025 - Reaching New Heights

We are pleased with the progress of the construction of McCabe House.

The structure is now complete up to Level 3, with works underway on Level 4.
The concrete structure, including the roof, is expected to be completed by mid-August (weather permitting).
Once the structure is complete, work will begin on the building’s façade and internal services.

July 2025 - Boarding House Progress

May 2025 - Boarders Step Into the Future

As part of Boarding Week celebrations, our boarders visited the construction site of the new Boarding House, McCabe House, space that is already beginning to take shape.

With the structure rising around them, the students reflected on the rich tradition of boarding at Loreto Normanhurst and the generations of girls who have called it home. Their visit offered a special moment to connect past, present and future, as excitement builds for the next chapter in our boarding story.

March 2025 - Boarding House Progress

March 2025 - On the Ground with Buildcorp

Exciting progress is underway!

Alongside the Buildcorp team, our Principal recently visited the construction site to see firsthand how the new Boarding House is taking shape. From the foundation work to the emerging structure, each step brings us closer to creating a modern, welcoming home for our boarders.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the vision behind this project and the incredible work being done to bring it to life

June 2024 - Turning of the Soil Ceremony

In June 2024, the school community celebrated the significant milestone of redevelopment with a ‘Turning of the Soil’ ceremony. This project has been a long-held dream, envisioned as a new home for our boarders and a unified space to meet the evolving needs of all students. Now, we stand on the shoulders of those visionaries, bringing their dreams to life.

The new Boarding House will continue the legacy of Mother Gonzaga Barry and her forward-thinking educational vision. She believed in a holistic education for young women, nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Her vision has guided us through the years, and it is her spirit that we honour as we embark on this new chapter.

Creating a new home for our boarders

As we boldly look to the future, we know that what has been right for boarding for the last 125 years, may not be for the next 125 years.

Our new state-of-the-art Boarding House has been designed with the needs of current and future Loreto Normanhurst boarders in mind and ensures we can continue on our mission to shape women for our times.

Marina Ugonotti
Loreto Normanhurst Principal

Bedroom and Living Spaces

The new Boarding House will have accommodation for 216 boarding students. There will be a variety of room configurations from 6-bed dorms for younger boarders, and 2-bed and single rooms for senior students. Each room will allow for generous, secure storage. The bathroom facilities will be shared and will be plentiful, modern and new.

Year 7 and 8 Dorm Scheme

Year 8 and 9 Dorm Scheme

Year 10 Dorm Scheme

Year 12 Dorm Scheme

Common Spaces

The dining and gather spaces will be used for individual or small group areas or for gathering the whole boarding community for meals and other activities. During the school day, the dining room will also serve as a canteen for our day students. The connect spaces include a welcoming communal lounge and other spaces to allow for relaxing times with friends and there will be cooking facilities for boarders to prepare snacks together after school. Smaller chill and learning spaces will be spread across the building for small group or individual time out or study. These indoor areas will spill out to usable outdoor spaces, with a garden area and seating for learning and socialising, and a BBQ and firepit terrace for casual weekend nights in.

Common Breakout Room

Outside Areas

Repurposing the current Boarding House

The expanded facilities will position areas of the Boarding House as a resource for everyone in the school.

The repurposing of our Heritage 1897 building and the surrounding buildings which make up our current Boarding School, will be repurposed to create flexible teaching and learning spaces to support innovation in our curriculum, as well as for collaboration, recreation and staff spaces in our Secondary school.

This is one other way in which the construction of a new Boarding House will enhance the education opportunities for all students.

Our Master Plan

The 30-year Master Plan aims to improve access, movement and spatial relationships throughout the School, both addressing the School's future growth and honouring our tradition and values. The building of the new Loreto Normanhurst Boarding House is part of our 30-year plan.