By Myra Vasudev Graduation is fast approaching, and you know what that means; it's time to curate the perfect soundtrack.. From bubblegum pop lyrics to nostalgic and tear-jerking ballads, I’ve made sure to include the essential tracks that capture every emotion you might experience when you toss your cap in the air and say your farewells to Loreto Normanhurst, venturing bravely into what comes next. While your blazer might collect dust in your closet in your childhood bedroom

Drawn By Indigo Gazecki

Thea B Across the world, across every continent, there are young people, changing the world. Right now, there are 1.2 billion young people in the world. That’s a lot! So how are they changing the world? Tsehay Tsehay became a Wiggle at only 15 years old! Tsehay's talent caught the attention of the Wiggles (who are also Ambassadors for UNICEF Australia) and she became the youngest Wiggle. She was the first female to wear pants and not a skirt! Abbie While she sat in a doctor’

By Chloe Cheng Part 1 Since we have our own graduation at Loreto, I thought why not explore how the world celebrates graduation. There will be Part 2 next issue! China: Before graduation, the biggest event is called the Gao Kao. It is a university entrance examination. This is incredibly important because their score is a major factor in determining which university and program a student can enter. During graduation, students wear formal clothes, school uniforms or capes. Stu

Kenzie Eyles As my Normo journey comes to an end, so does my work in The Mary Word. I’ve been an on and off member since 2021 and have written so many articles I’ve lost track. In here I will include my first ever article and some articles that marked moments in my Loreto journey. I still remember the days where The Mary Word was in the Curran, then Level 2 GBC and now we all find comfort in the 70s rooms. I am going to break each rating into 3 categories all out of 10 with a

By Hannah Kent During my time at Loreto, I have pulled several all-nighters to meet deadlines and turn in assignments. While I would never recommend doing it if it isn’t an option, sometimes the deadline is tomorrow, and the document is blank. Another note I feel I have to mention is that this is something I would only recommend doing in senior years (and even then only if you absolutely feel you have to); really, nothing before year 11 will have anything that won’t take you

By Anna Davidson With the graduation of the Class of 2026, you may find yourself questioning your own pathway after Loreto. Why not draw inspiration from our very own school musical, Legally Blonde? Just in case you’re unfamiliar with the iconic 2001 film ‘Legally Blonde,’ soon to be performed on the Loreto stage, here’s a summary: The movie follows sorority girl Elle Woods, who’s dumped by her boyfriend due to her “lack of seriousness,” as Elle places a high value on her app

By Clara Ding Amidst all the turmoil of homework, scramble of studying for numerous assessments, and relentless pressure to excel, academic life can often feel overwhelming; sparse of creativity, connection to peers and developing an amalgamation of vital skills. Extracurriculars have the ability to transform the linearity of an academic routine into a multifaceted school life experience fostering individualism, connection to peers in other years and most substantially, the

By Kiera Short I would like to preface this by saying this takes place in a highly ideal world where I have the money and ability to travel to this many countries in a year. I have always wanted to travel to numerous countries - all for different reasons - but mainly to see the world. I don’t want to go through my life without the opportunity to travel, and so far I haven’t been granted the opportunity. So, I have made this as a list of my dream travel destinations if I was g

By Zoe Macedone DYNASTY OF STYLE All ages, Free. Hardcore music and mosh, held every second month in 2026. Hosted by the Australian punk band ‘SPEED’, showcasing metal, punk, grunge and heavy metal for the alternative community. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynastyofstylehc?stkn=NXdmaWc3czh5YXcz Gifts of Mercy Emporium All ages/18+ (subjective), $15 (subjective) Held in a thrift store, smaller venue and mosh featuring many upcoming, smaller bands. Lineups are gener

By Julia Scarfe Disclaimer: This Information may vary between ballet schools and ballet styles, this article is based on my personal experience doing Cecchetti ballet. The majority of people who see ballet immediately assume it’s easy. It’s not. It looks easy because the people you see on social media or on the stage have trained for years, if not decades to perfect the technique and musicality required to make ballet look easy, not to mention the fine art of keeping a straig

By Joanna Cowan Do what your teacher says! I used to always lose marks because I wanted to do my assignments the way I wanted. I would argue with the marking criteria and try to pick the most obscure angle I could. However, in year 12 you must just do what the teacher says and pick the simplest angle in order to achieve well. So if you wish to get those top bands, unfortunately you must relinquish your pride. Hacking the question This is particularly for biology students but

By Liliana Cannizzaro The Mary Word has grown in size over the years, and gained many different types of people. This begs an important question; “Which subjects do The Mary Word students enjoy the most?”. To answer this, a survey was conducted to record the student body’s favourite subjects. This will show the current newspaper's opinions on our school subjects, and maybe give the school a few hints as to which departments to increase funds for! (Just kidding). This article

By Hannah Kent This is a family recipe that we found in my great-grandmother’s personal cookbook. Before her death, she refused to let us see the recipe or watch her make it. Despite this, she made it all the time, and it has long become a staple in our family. We aren’t sure what her source was or if she developed the recipe herself. It was possibly inspired by a similar recipe in Edmund’s Cookbook, which we found in her belongings. Still, through research, I have found that

By Stephanie Ma If your childhood was somewhat similar to mine, you would’ve also watched the animated series ‘Ever After High’, a show about the descendants of fairytale legends, and fallen absolutely in love with it. From the fashion and character design to the non one-dimensional character development, the series that was (extremely) unfortunately cut short has stayed with me for all these years. The story begins with two different episodes focusing on the same event, sho

By Kenzie Eyles For generations, young people have been told that if they work hard enough, success will follow. Study hard, get a degree, secure a stable job, buy a house and build a good life. Yet for many teenagers growing up in Australia today, that future feels increasingly unrealistic. Instead of inheriting opportunity, future generations are inheriting economic instability, rising living costs and uncertainty about whether technology may eventually replace the very job

By Serena Wang Now, I am in no way qualified to judge a horror movie. I've never been able to stomach blood and gore and horror-typical jumpscares. I could probably even count the number of horror movies I've watched on one hand. But I have never found blood scary, to say the least. It’s not inherently alarming to see wounds and death and such. The thing that has always scared me the most is the idea of the body, broken and misshapen and unrecognisable. The screaming that sou

By Hannah Hippmann The linear political spectrum and political compass display a left-right, authoritarian-libertarian model. However, when analysing the consequences and methods of dictatorships, extreme right regimes, such as Nazi Germany, and extreme left, such as Stalinist USSR or North Korea, are very similar in methodology, despite having inverse foundational ideologies (left vs right). Opposing ideologies can converge toward similar authoritarian structures when power

By Tanaz Tahery Disclaimer: Some of the books listed explore difficult themes, including violence and police brutality. Reader discretion is advised. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: Only suitable for those in High School Recommended Age: 14+ Why: Deals with police brutality, racism, protests, and trauma. Suitable for high‑school readers who can engage with heavy themes thoughtfully. This book is Thoma’s debut novel, which was adapted from a short story she wrote in colleg

By Kenzie Eyles By now, almost every student has used some form of Artificial Intelligence. Whether it’s asking ChatGPT for homework help, using filters on TikTok, or receiving personalised recommendations on Netflix, AI has quietly woven itself into everyday life. What once seemed futuristic is now sitting in our pockets, classrooms and homes. But as AI rapidly develops, one major question continues to amplify: just because we can create something, does that mean we should?

By Ainsley Benbow The Wonders of the World are seven of the most inspiring examples of human engineering, architecture and the capacity of human imagination. Contrary to the Ancient Wonders of the World, these Modern Wonders of the World were officially selected in 2007 through a worldwide voting process that considered cultural significance, architectural brilliance, and historical importance. These extraordinary monuments transcend mere tourist landmarks and together celebr

By Hannah Kent Years after the coronavirus, attention has shifted from wondering whether another pandemic will occur to when. Come 2026, the World Health Organisation raised alarms louder than before - this time saying danger looms close, possibly bringing worse harm than what was seen during the last surge. Though efforts exist, they lag behind how fast new threats emerge. Looming shadows include Ebola regaining emergency status, odd patterns in hantavirus cases drawing scru

By Aanya Ahsanullah and Monique Travers Aanya Ahsanullah – Ecology Captain 2025/2026 Loreto’s Ecology Life At Normo, I am proud to say that Ecology is not only in the initiatives that we run, but in our daily lives. Every second Monday, JPIC hosts an ecology-focused session, involving presentations, interactive activities, and discussions. We are also proud to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, Clean Up Australia Day and various other events to raise awareness, promote student voice

By Madeleine Candy and Rose Nguyen Ward Donuts 🍩 Drinks 🥤 Kuring-gai Loaded Popcorn 🍿 Carnival games🤡 Mornane Pizza🍕 Face Painting 🎨 Kendall Loaded croissants 🥐 Maye Lemonade🥤🍋 Haunted House👻 Barry Chips🍟 Disco🪩 Aston Donuts on a string🍩 Mixed lolly bags🍬 Mulhall Loaded Brownies Trivia 🎊 Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a fantastic Loreto Day!

By Loreto Day 2026 Group, Class of 2027 In communities across West Bengal, India, the Survivor Leadership Program provides more than just immediate support for women affected by human trafficking and violence; it creates pathways toward empowerment, independence, and long-term social change. Supported by Mary Ward International Australia in partnership with the Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre, the Survivor Leadership Program is dedicated to supporting women who have experienc

By Ainsley Benbow Greek philosopher Plato once stated that music can be “a more potent instrument than any other”, recognising its importance in life and even for study. Through modern research and data, music has been proven to help people study, depending on the type of music and how it is used. When used correctly, music can improve focus and motivation; in contrast, if used poorly, music can become just another distraction. One of the biggest advantages to studying with

By Sabrina Whenman & Julia Scarfe Julia Video games rarely lack a soundtrack, whether it be victory music or exploration music. Different genres of games have different styles of music, whether it be music played entirely on synths, dramatic orchestral vocals or punk rock, music affects the ultimate feel of a game. But listening to video game music on its own is still a great experience, as the music is manufactured to affect your mood. Personally, listening to classical mu

by Tilly Merton Music has a unique ability to reach parts of us that words alone cannot. Across cultures and generations, music remains a constant companion — quietly supporting our mental, emotional and social wellbeing. In this article, I have decided to add sufficient evidence to my claim about the release of cortisol levels (the stress hormone). I will be measuring my heart rate throughout the full completion of this article, with music being played in the background, sta

By Joanna Cowan Movie scores are crucial to movies, they work beneath conscious awareness, steering your emotional responses in the direction the director intends, building the tension and revealing to you a character's true motive. When I was younger I used to predict what was going to happen next in a movie just by the shift in music. So here is a playlist made of my top ranked movie scores: note that this is focusing not on any jukebox scores but scores written for the mo

By Hannah Hippmann Radiohead is the worst band in the world, and In Rainbows ironically sucked the colour out of my soul.… is what I would’ve said if I were clinically insane and frothing at the mouth. Jokes aside, I love Radiohead so much that I can confirm my life force is irrevocably tethered to their authentic, beautiful, and indescribably angelic music. Whilst my favourite album alternates from their electronically desolate Kid A (2000) to In Rainbows (2007), I can

By Thea Boyd Hello! So you're a new student this year! Or maybe you’ve been here too long and need some tips before the music fest. You’ve come to the right place! I have everything you need to survive the music fest this year! Don’t panic I know it sounds cringy, but seriously, don’t overthink. Music Fest is fun if you make it fun, but if you just think of the negatives, that’s all you’ll see. So chill, take it easy, and enjoy Music Fest the way you want! Distractions While

How come music attracts the most over the top outfits? By: Kimaya Mahindra and Charlotte King Let’s talk about the 2026 Grammys, an annual event that celebrates accomplished musical artists. And this year, some outfits definitely took everyone by surprise. In this article, Charlie and I (Kimaya) will share our opinions on these glittery and glamorous outfits and decide if they were ‘Slayed or Outplayed.’ First, let’s start off with Sabrina Carpenter, who wore a custom Valent

By Stephanie Ma What is art to you? When someone brings up art, you may think of the greats; Van Gogh's Starry Night, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Johannes Vermeer's The Girl With The Pearl Earring. Perhaps, you have a broader ideal of art. Fashion shows, filmography or even public protests. Either way, it most likely means something to you. Maybe the stars in the Starry Night represent a light in the world, and you like to get lost in the swirls that dance through the nig

Mia Basic I feel everything is so ordered and structured. Even as a kid we would do creative writing tasks but if it wasn’t ’structured right’ it was incorrect. Creativity is taken away without realising it and it feels as we get older there is this plug in us that says if I can’t play an instrument or draw or write then I’m not creative and it stops our flow even starting. And I suppose that’s where the power of music comes in, because for me it puts a plug on order and stru

By Nicole Irwanto and Elizabeth Bizannes With the heat going up to 45 degrees, heavy meals don’t stand a chance. Summer snacks are all about keeping cool, refreshing, and the right amount of everything! To make the PERFECT summer snack you need to fill three checkboxes: easy to make, packed with fresh, summer flavors, and will leave you feeling glowing inside and out! Fresh fruit is the go-to when it comes to making summer snacks. Watermelon, grapes, mangoes, strawberries-

By Ainsley Benbow I don’t think New Year’s Resolutions should be a thing. I’m sorry…not really. I know, I know, that every year it is so fun to make a list of things to change in the following year. Goals, lifestyle, health, the whole thing, but what impact does that actually have? Waiting up all night for that special time right when the fireworks go off…. BAM!!! “New Year, New Me” mentality, right? It is the same cycle every year, but how long does it actually last? Have

By Ainsley Benbow By now, I’m sure most people have seen the phenomenon that is People We Meet on Vacation. Maybe it is just me, but this movie is genuinely so adorable and an absolutely brilliant rom-com. I mean – the dance scene and blue wig??!! Simply ICONIC. Poppy’s character is so memorable, with a personality that makes her distinctive, hilarious to watch, and such a beacon of light that brightens every room or wedding. With her energetic, carefree nature, but also a hi

By Hannah Kent Fergburger Anyone who has ever been to Queenstown (including me) will recommend that you try Fergburger, claiming it’s the best burger in the world — and I’d have to agree. At first, I thought it was overhyped: the lines are long, and the store is always crowded. However, despite not usually liking burgers, I absolutely loved this one. It had a juicy New Zealand steak patty, and I think what made it special was the tomato relish inside, replacing the usual tom

By Kenzie Eyles If you are under the age of 16 please watch these movies with a parent due to some confronting themes that may not be for you. 1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) A shy teenager finds friendship, love, and belonging during his first year of high school. It’s about feeling invisible, growing up, and learning how to be present in your own life. 2. Dead Poets Society (1989) Students at a strict boarding school are inspired by an English teacher to think for

By Kenzie Eyles For many high school students, doing nothing doesn’t actually feel like doing nothing. It feels like procrastinating, falling behind, or wasting time. Even when a free afternoon finally arrives, it can be hard to enjoy it without thinking about everything that should be getting done. School creates a constant cycle of work. There’s always another assignment due, another test to revise for, or another task you could start early. Because of this, rest can start

By Ava Hallinan (School Vice-Captain) and Mia Khoudair (School Captain) At first glance, Felicity seems simple. It is often understood as happiness or joy. Yet as the year of Felicity has unfolded, it has become clear that this definition is incomplete. Felicity is a state of being, an inner peace that manifests within. Steady, grounding, and enduring. It is not dependent on external circumstances or fleeting moments of success, but instead grows from a disposition of the hea

By Heidi Rong This is a curated list of books that I have read or am hoping to read. Of the ones below, they span from children’s literature, social issues, and works of authors I admire. This collection is offered in the hope of sparking further reading. We Had to Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient by Edward W. Said Maoism at The Grassroots: Everyday Life in China’s Era of High Socialism by Je

By Julia Scarfe, Julia Foong and Eve Collins As spooky season approaches, we thought it would be a fun way to engage with Halloween traditions by doing an overview and overall rating of some common candies given out on Halloween. In partnership with Eve, Julia and Julia, we would like to introduce our candy rating for 2025! Eve Collins Fun-size chocolate bars - 7/10 These chocolates can taste really good, depending on which one you acquire during your quest to scavenge for c

By Tanaz Tahery and Myra Vasudev Christmas is celebrated all over the world, each culture having a unique way to celebrate brings its own magic to the holiday. Traditions in countries may differ immensely, but it's what makes Christmas so magical and whimsical. Let's take a little festive journey around the globe and see how the Christmas magic is spread in five very different places – Brazil, Egypt, France, and the Philippines. Egypt In Egypt, most traditions predominantly r

By Mackenzie Williamson We always talk about next year's Halloween as an exciting event, a celebration eagerly anticipated. But, as we go into our modern day, will we… GET RID OF HALLOWEEN?! Who would've estimated Halloween's rise in popularity throughout the years? But will this celebration be worth keeping? Commercial companies' advertisements have boasted that their lollies are the best, healthiest, and worthy of praise. But lollies are not all we think about at Halloween…

By Madeleine Candy It seems like as soon as Halloween toys and decorations are over, Christmas ones are here! We all know that companies need money in order to get financially benefited, but how does this affect the wider public? These are the statistics for each year. Christmas is the biggest sales event in the year, earning approximately $66 billion for department stores around Australia. Second comes Easter, exceeding $8 billion in sales. Although Halloween is not very wel

By Kenzie Eyles Let’s be real, 2025 has been full of stuff no one saw coming. From apps getting banned to unexpected celebrity news, it’s been one curveball after another. Here are a few things that definitely weren’t on our 2025 bingo card (I can’t do everything, or this will be 100 pages long). 1. TikTok shut down Everyone joked it would happen, but when the U.S. really banned TikTok halfway through the year, the internet went crazy. Creators were panicking, people were

By Hannah Hippmann As our spooky October edges towards the 31st, I question, what are we really celebrating? Costumes? Parties? Decorations? Chocolates and lollies? Halloween, in the US and now Australia, has become a spectacle, rooted in inauthentic cultural transmission and consumerism. As a result, Halloween has lost its soul and rich cultural roots. In its place? An annual holiday that is projected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars, disregarding historical tradi

Common Misconceptions And Passed Over Issues That Happen During Celebrations By Sophie Zucconi Environmental Produces large amounts of waste from single-use decorations, plastic cutlery, fireworks, travel, and food waste. Often leading to rubbish being left behind, which then harms wildlife and pollutes waterways. Commercialization Companies often use celebrations and holidays to generate significant profits, diverting attention from the original purpose. Health risks Overeat

By Ally Chan Everybody knows that one of them is about February 29, the date that only comes by every four years in a leap year. So many people consider that a rare birthday, and it is less than 0.07% of people who have that birthday. Many consider it the rarest birthday, and they are correct. It is one in 1461 births, so it makes it rare. The people born on that day even have a special name, Leapers. Some other rare birthdays are Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and the Fourth of