Extracurricular Activities are Overlooked
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 value of commitment.
However, ecosystems of extracurricular activities rely on us, as students, to deeply value commitment; a value critical in the future as an anchor for stability, trust and human connection in an ever-changing world. So when extracurricular activities are neglected, values of commitment and community erode along an aspect of school life.
Now that the uttermost importance of extracurricular activities has been established, our school grants the very opportunity to build upon skills, make new friends beyond your year group, and to embrace a new activity. Below, I have provided just a small glimpse of the life behind Loreto Normanhurst extracurricular.
Mary Word
The Mary Word is the student body newspaper of Loreto, fostering an abundance of creativity, an encouraging space to develop skills within numerous forms of media content - journalism, digital and traditional art, podcasting and more! Mary Word is a safe haven for exploring and sharing new topics of interest outside the school curriculum or for discussing niche interests, pop culture, unfinished passion projects from class or spare time, the list goes on. The Mary Word also warmly welcomes students from the primary school, extending the opportunity for creativity across all years.
Meetings run all year on Wednesdays at lunchtime in Mary Ward Wing 74 by Mr Scali and the Editors in Chiefs.
Philosophy Club
Philosophy Club runs from terms 3-4 by Mrs Dowers. Meetings are held on Monday afternoons (3:30-4:30pm) in room GBC 2.03 and welcomes all students through rewarding discussions on the Status Quo.
"Philosophy club provides students a safe and encouraging space to question their world around them. Together, students from a variety of year groups can interrogate argumentation, reality, and examine ethical dilemmas to foster stimulating dialogue that expands critical thinking. For example, last lesson we used the 'socratic circle' method to debate whether social media brings society closer together or if it polarises us. I highly recommend it for everyone!"
-Hannah Hippman, an active member of Philosophy Club
JPIC
JPIC delves into social justice oriented concerns, projects and activities that help understand injustices around the globe and what can be done from an individualistic standpoint to recognise and impact these injustices. For example, targeting the issue of waste and disposables, a group of year 10 JPIC members created an initiative 'Small Cups, Big Impacts' to communicate an awareness of waste and pollution and how a simple act such as having a keepcup can help alleviate a global issue. Furthermore, JPIC provides students with the digital opportunity to go on national school forums to speak on behalf of our school in terms of our social justice and ecology initiatives, providing each girl with equal opportunities and for our voices to be heard.
It runs all year on Mondays at lunch time in 1.02 GBC by Ms Reyes and the ecology and social justice captains.
Extracurricular music bands
Our school hosts a large variety of extracurricular music bands warmly welcoming any student playing a musical instrument.
Orchestra runs on Mondays at 7:20-8:15am in the DRC and conducted by Dr Lewis
Brass Chorale runs on Tuesdays at 7:20-8:15am in music room 35 and is conducted by Dr Lewis
Chamber Strings runs on Tuesdays at 7:20-8:15am in the OLT and is conducted by Mrs V
Pop Choir runs on Wednesday at 7:20-8:15am in the Curran Theatre and is conducted by Mrs Webster
Stage Band runs on Wednesday at 7:20-8:15am in music room 53 and is conducted by Mr Gordon
Contemporary Band runs on Thursday at lunch time in music room 53 and conducted by Mr Haigh
SWE (Symphonic Wind Ensemble) runs on Thursday at 7:20-8:15am in the DRC and is conducted by Mr Gordon
Piano Accompanist Club runs on Friday at lunchtime in the music cells and is managed by Mrs Pelletier
For the primary schoolers,
Concert Band runs on Wednesdays 7:20-8:15am in the OLT and is conducted by Mr Jan
Treble Voices runs on Tuesday at 7:30-8:15am in the Curran Theatre and is conducted by Ms McGreal
Piccolo Strings runs on Wednesday at 7:30-8:15am in music room 35 and is conducted by Mrs V
Ultimately, it is undeniable, the benefits and endless opportunities extracurriculars can present to us and I hope this article provides you the incentive to join an EC activity you are passionate about!
