By Ashleigh Leck and Maddison Pauly
What makes a good leader? A loud voice? The ability to stand in front of a large group of people and speak without stuttering? Courage and humility? Over the past years at Normo, we have been led by some outstanding captains, who demonstrated pride and integrity. These leaders left an impact on the school and inspired all of us girls to be leaders in any way, shape or form. As year 12 are getting ready to hand over the leadership baton to the year 11’s, we took the time to reach out to some of our past school captains and to see what they have been up to since leaving school.
Analiese McKelvey - School Vice-Captain 2016
What have I been up to since you left Normo?
Since I left Normo I have been studying Bachelor of Law, majoring in Criminology at Macquarie University. I finish my degree in November this year and hope to go on to become a family law barrister within the next six years or so. I have worked at a family law barristers chamber in the city for around 2.5 years. Up until then, I also worked at rebel sport, as a sports coach, swim teacher and tutor. I still hang out with a few girls from school and have made a lot of friends from Loreto Kirribilli.
What has being a leader at a Normo taught you for life after school?
The main thing I took away from being a leader was how to converse with individuals of all ages in a comfortable and intellectual way. I typically found people superior or older than me quite intimidating. Speaking in front of the school and leading by example, gave me the opportunity to improve these skills. Being a leader also taught me that if you apply yourself, take every opportunity and get to know a little bit about everyone, you can do anything you set your mind to. It taught me to be proud of myself, and to aim high in all facets of my life to be the best version of myself.
Annie Clarke - School Captain 2017
What have you been up to since you left Loreto?
After finishing at Loreto in 2017, I completed a gap year in the UK, working in a boarding school, which was a great experience. More so, because my leadership role at Loreto had given me the necessary skills to transition from life as a carefree teenager to a young adult with serious responsibilities, namely the wellbeing of very young students, many of whom were boarding a long way from home. I am currently in my second year at Sydney University studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Italian and French studies. In that environment, I confidently engage with other students and senior staff; that seed of confidence sown during my formative years at Loreto and nurtured during the senior years, in collaboration with my Loreto year group and leadership team.
What had being a leader at Loreto taught you?
The most profound takeaways from my privileged time as Loreto’s school captain are: awareness of self and awareness of others. As I look to the future, my behaviour and its impact on others will be critical to theirs and my wellbeing. I will face many challenges, but I will face them with a strength and resilience instilled in me during my time at Loreto Normanhurst.
Yvette Crouch - School Captain 2018
What have you been up to since you left Loreto?
After graduating school I deferred my uni course and took a gap year. I started working at an after school care in a primary school and saved up some money to go travelling. In April I did my second Cambodia cycle with Project Futures which was absolutely incredible. I saved up more money and spent 2 months in Europe for the summer (how original). I finished off my gap year in Indonesia and made it home just before the coronavirus travel restrictions. Now I’m in my first year of uni at UTS studying Communications, majoring in Media and Arts Production, working at a pub in the Rocks, and coaching at normo!
What had being a leader at Loreto taught you?
The most valuable lesson I learnt from being a part of the leadership team at Loreto was to not let overthinking get the best of me. At the start I’d be so embarrassed whenever I stuffed up a speech or felt flat at assembly, and regrettably, I was really self-conscious that my academic ability would be compared to the school captains before me. It took me a while to realise that there’s no point sweating the small stuff, because most of the time the only pressure I felt was the pressure I put on myself. The best thing I learnt was to stop overthinking all of my mistakes, bad marks and awkward social interactions! Dwelling on the negatives only created false pressure and impacted my happiness, it felt so much better to stop overthinking and just enjoy school and my leadership role without worrying about what people thought!
Evie O’Brien - School Captain 2019
What have you been up to since you left Loreto?
I was on a Gap Year in the UK working in an international boarding school. I was working long hours- 7am to 9pm so safe to say I was a little tired, however I absolutely loved the UK. We went to London on weekends and Ireland in half term. It was great to meet new people from all different walks of life from countries across the world. Unfortunately, the year imploded and we were back in Sydney in late March and I spent my birthday in quarantine (was supposed to be spent in a villa in Portugal!). Since March, I have been really lucky to be able to work for my Dad full time, keeping me really busy. I have now transitioned to a part time role as I am starting Business at UTS next week!
What has being a leader at Loreto taught you?
I don’t think I’ve had enough time to fully reflect on what being a Normo girl and a Loreto leader has taught me. The opportunity to be School Captain was an absolute privilege and it certainly shaped who I was and who I am today as I write this. My Normo experience taught me the importance of relationships with those around you and how imperative teamwork is. The School Captain role can only be effective with the support and hard work of Year 12, Staff, Student Council and the Boarder Captains and Vice Captain. Nothing we did last year could’ve been achieved without them. Being a leader taught me that there is no way around hard work, and you just have to work hard, but it’s also so important to enjoy the little things of everyday life. If I didn’t have fun last year and enjoy all the amazing parts of everyday Normo life, I would absolutely regret it this year.