What was Graduation Like for Some of our Teachers?

By Sophie Chiha and Anwen Morgan

Graduation is an amazing experience that every Loreto girl gets to go through. It is a significant way to celebrate how the year 12’s have spent their Loreto journey and the difference Loreto Normanhurst has made on their lives. But, why just stop at talking about the year 12’s graduation when we can branch out to a whole different generation. It is always interesting to see how different schools and people celebrate their graduation. We are asking two different primary teachers, Ms Willard and Ms Murray, to see what their high school graduations were like. Below are the questions that we have asked our teachers to answer.

Ms. Murrays Graduation – By Sophie Chiha 

Q1. Did you go to a Loreto school? 

Yes, I went to Loreto Kirribilli. 

Q2. Did you go to an all-girls School? 

Yes I went to an all-girls school.

Q3. What was the name of your old school? 

It was called Loreto Kirribilli.

Q4. Were you a boarder in high school? 

No I wasn’t. Loreto Kirribilli is not a boarding school. I really wanted to go to boarding school though.

Q5. Who was your favourite teacher at your old school and why? 

Do you know one of my favourite teachers is a teacher who sometimes does casual teaching at our school (Loreto Normanhurst). Her name is Annette Erdstein. I really liked her because she was firm with the students and didn’t allow other students to muck around and ruin our lessons. She was intelligent, knowledgeable and always made learning engaging.   

Q6. Who were some of your closest friends in high school? 

I had a mix of friends based on my different interests but if I was to name 3, I would say, my musical best friend was Shauna, my sporty best friend was Georgie and my all-rounder best friend was Sarah. Sarah and I were often put in separate classes because we were quite silly together. We would laugh ALOT! I am still very close with these three friends.  

Q7. What were some of the subjects you did for your HSC? 

I did the usual subjects, English, Maths and RE. 

My electives were Biology, 3 Unit Business Studies and General Studies. 

I also did a TAFE course which was part of my HSC → Certificate in Child Studies (Child Care). 

Q8. Describe your Graduation.

There were two parts to our graduation.  

We had a formal graduation at the school where we received a floral headband to put on our head followed by awards and speeches. 

We also had a formal graduation dinner with our parents.    

Q9. If you could describe your graduation in one sentence, what would it be? 

I felt a mix of emotions as I knew my graduation signified the end of my schooling but it also marked the beginning of life beyond school.  

Q10. What is the memory you remember most from your graduation? 

Receiving the floral headband and taking photos with friends and family afterwards.  

Q11. What emotions did you feel at your graduation? 

I felt very happy to finally be finished but also sad to be leaving my friends. 

Q12. Did you have anybody special to you at your graduation ceremony? 

My parents were there. 

Ms. Willard Graduation – By Anwen Morgan 

Q1. Did you go to a Loreto school?  

 I did not. I went to 5 primary schools in 3 countries; from Ireland, to the Netherlands and Australia.  

 Q2. Did you go to an all-girls School?  

I always attended co-educational schools. I played all of the sports and most of my friends in primary school were boys! 

 Q3. What was the name of your old school?  

I started at St Annes Primary School for Kindergarten, then onto DeLinde in Holland for Year 1, then back to Ireland where I attended St Joseph's Primary School from Year 2-Year 4, then Mount St Michaels Primary School for Year 5-6 and then to Sacred Heart Primary School in Australia for the end of year 6. We moved around a lot for my dad’s work so I moved schools fairly regularly.   

Q4. Were you a boarder in high school?  

No, none of my schools had boarding facilities. 

Q5. Who was your favourite teacher at your old school and why?  

I don’t really remember many of my primary school teachers because we moved around so much but, I can say that my favourite high school teacher was named Ms. Edmonds-Brown. She was my Advanced English teacher and she was the most passionate, engaging teacher I ever had! 

Q6. Who were some of your closest friends in high school?  

My closest friends in high school remain my closest friends now almost 20 years later! Jade, Steph and Chloe. We were all into creative arts, singers, actors and dancers. Lots of zany energy and singalongs! 

Q7. What were some of the subjects you did for your HSC?  

I had 2 major works for the HSC; in Music and Drama. I also studied Hospitality, English, Science and Religion.   

Q8. Describe your Graduation.

My year 6 graduation from Sacred Heart was actually very special for me, even though I had only spent a few months at the school. I played the clarinet in the church and sang in the choir. At my high school graduation, I was also singing and it was very emotional for me. I attended one high school my whole life and that was such a big change from my primary school years!  

Q9. If you could describe your graduation in one sentence, what would it be?  

Emotional, sentimental and exciting. The start of life as a grownup! 

Q10. What is the memory you remember most from your graduation?  

I remember my parents' taking pictures of me and my friends and us all heading to the park for a picnic afterwards. The graduation song was ‘Graduation (Friends Forever)’ by Vitamin C.  

Q11. What emotions did you feel at your graduation?  

Excited, nervous, uncertain and relieved!

Q12. Did you have anybody special to you at your graduation ceremony?  

My parents and all of the friends I had made along the way in high school. Unfortunately, all of my other family are back in Ireland but it was still a very special occasion. 

Q13. Do you have a photo of yourself (school or not) that would be comfortable with us using in the article? 

Miss Willard’s first day of kindergarten at St Anne’s Primary School (She is the one in the middle).