Loreto College eNews – 20 October 2021

Our jubilee graduation crowns are a tradition that our students anticipate at Loreto College Ballarat. The Covid 19 pandemic may have changed, disrupted and even cancelled many things for our Loreto community, however, it would take more than a global pandemic to cancel our graduation celebrations and all important crowns. 

With thanks to Robin Scott and Theresa Cronk who are the archivists at our Loreto Province Archive Centre who provided information about our crowns. 

Our Jubilee Crowns: A short history

Our Jubilee crowns that will be given to our graduates today have a long history. They were traditionally given to Sisters reaching significant anniversaries. Sisters were presented with a crown of flowers and a staff to represent their achievements of age and wisdom. This tradition didn’t come from Ireland and therefore must have been an innovation by Mother Gonzaga Barry with the first mention in the school magazine Eucalyptus Blossoms in December 1887. 

Traditionally Loreto students who had been students for seven years would become the student Jubilarian at the end of the year and were crowned at a jubilee ceremony. The first mention of jubilarians being crowned with a floral wreath is made in ‘Eucalyptus Blossoms’ of 1910.

In 1966 the Provincial (Province Leader) considered altering the requirements to achieve the all important Jubilee as it was becoming out of many people’s grasp. She proposed that it be focused on the group of school leavers as a whole. Therefore in 1966, Jubilarians came to include those who had been to Loreto parish primary schools, those who came to Dawson and those who were six years as boarders. 

A staff member Angela Rodoni shared her own memories of being a Jubilarian at Loreto College.

I managed to “sneak” in as a Jubilarian in our Centenary year as a Year 12 student as technically I was a day girl who attended Loreto 5 weeks short of the required and much prized 7 Years!!. My family moved from Maldon to Ballarat in March 1969 and I started at Loreto after buying my uniform at Myers (Hat, gloves, thick stockings and a canvas school bag with 2 leather handles!) Boarders were Jubilarians at 6 years of boarding. Our Grade 6 Class doubled to 44 in Year 7 – so in those days, 16 or so day girls were not allowed to sit in the Year 12 Mass with the Jubilarians. You were very special to be a jubilarian!

The sisters or some mothers (I certainly don’t remember school mates sitting around making our crowns) made our crowns from the flowers in Loreto’s fabulous gardens – my crown was largely made of camelias from the quadrangle area or front driveway I suspect.

There was a special Mass in the Chapel; I suppose it was our Final Year 12 Mass (as all 60+ of us as Year 12’s fitted in there easily with our parents and the sisters used the elevated side areas in the Chapel with special “fronts seats on the left for the Jubilarians who sat in order of length of attendance at Loreto (some of my girlfriends were at Loreto from Kindergarten (The Archives Centre) to Year 12 (The current staffroom) 13 years!!! I sat last!!!

As a Catholic school we teach our students about symbols in our faith. Our Year 7s at present are learning about our Sacraments of Initiation and the symbols that are part of our rituals. Our crowns are a symbol of us as Loreto people. Our students look beautiful as they are crowned, there is no doubting this. Those crowns represent that you become one of the graduates that walk proudly in the footsteps of many that have come before you. Our role model is Mary Ward who walked confidently in the steps of Jesus. We are called to bring freedom, justice, sincerity, verity and felicity to our world. We are the voice of the voiceless and advocates for those that are less fortunate. Our crown is worn proudly and confidently and we know that we are sending out graduates that are going to change our world. 

A Blessing for Our Graduates

May they discover holiness in the midst of life's blessings as well life's challenges.

May they conduct their future studies, and life's work with exceptional skill and integrity, inspired to walk in the footsteps of all Loreto people that have come before them and especially our founder Mary Ward.

May God bless them and keep them safe.

Amen