In an era where digital screens dominate youth interaction, Sydney’s largest girls’ boarding school, Loreto Normanhurst, is championing authentic, face-to-face connection with the opening of its state-of-the-art boarding residence, McCabe House.
Welcoming 216 boarders across four purpose-built levels, the space marks both a milestone in the school’s 128-year history and the continuation of an extraordinary multi-generational family journey.
Key Takeaways
- State-of-the-Art Living: McCabe House accommodates 216 boarders across four purpose-built levels featuring collaborative learning hubs and communal kitchens.
- Real-World Connection: Built to counteract digital screen fatigue, the residence prioritises face-to-face relationships, emotional wellbeing, and peer independence.
- Four-Generation Legacy: Inaugural resident Alice McCormick carries on a family tradition started by her great-grandmother nearly a century ago.
- Pioneering Heritage: Named after Sister Bruno McCabe IBVM, one of the foundational sisters who established the school in 1897.
Named in honour of Sister Bruno McCabe IBVM, one of the pioneering sisters who helped establish the school in 1897, the residence features contemporary living spaces, collaborative learning hubs, and communal kitchens.
Designed to foster independence, creativity, and emotional wellbeing, McCabe House addresses a growing need for genuine community at a time when young people frequently report feelings of digital isolation.
For Year 10 student Alice McCormick, moving into McCabe House as one of its inaugural residents carries a profound personal significance. Alice represents the fourth generation of the extended Bolger family to board at Loreto Normanhurst.
Her connection stretches back nearly a century to her great-grandmother and namesake, Alice O’Neill. Her mother, Mary-Kate McCormick (’98), and aunt, Sarah Ball (’95), both boarded at the school, while her cousin Lucy Ball (’25) served as Boarding Captain. With Alice’s younger sisters, Meg and Claire, set to follow, the McCormick family embodies the enduring spirit of the Loreto community.
“Knowing that I was living in the same boarding house as my Mum, Great Aunt, and Great Granny was definitely a crazy feeling, but it made me feel deeply connected to the history and traditions of the school,” Alice shared, adding that she looks forward to cooking in the new common rooms and making lifelong memories with her peers.
Loreto Normanhurst Principal Marina Ugonotti emphasised that McCabe House is far more than modern architecture. “Online connection can never fully replace real belonging,” Ugonotti noted. “When students live and learn together, they develop the empathy, confidence, and resilience that comes from genuine, in-person relationships.”
For mother Mary-Kate McCormick, the decision to send her daughters to board came down to the values and bonds forged through the experience. “The Loreto way seems to instil confidence, respect, and kindness,” she reflected.
As McCabe House opens its doors, it bridges a rich 19th-century legacy with a forward-looking vision – ensuring that for generations to come, young women continue to find a second home, a strong sense of purpose, and a sisterhood that lasts a lifetime.
