National Careers Week (15th-21st May): Meet the Loreto College Old Scholars Breaking Gender Stereotypes and Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Leaders
This National Careers Week (15th-21st May) leading SA Girls school, Loreto College Marryatville celebrates the achievements and shares the stories of three accomplished Old Scholars, Heidi Girolamo, Bodelle Francis and Marijana Rajcic.
Making decisions about a future career can seem overwhelming during adolescence, but Old Scholars from Loreto College Marryatville highlight, education is an important stepping stone to exciting and endless career possibilities.
Research findings have consistently highlighted that girl’s in single-sex schools have higher academic outcomes and choose to participate in mathematics, technology, and science subjects at rates far higher than the national average. It is within these positive environments, where girls are encouraged to be curious about various career pathways and challenge the gender stereotypes placed upon them within a supportive and empowering environment.
Speaking to the ability of the girls’ school environment to propel students to career success, Loreto College Principal, Dr Nicole Archard said:
“Our role as a girls’ school is not to replicate the real world but to challenge it. What we do in a girls’ school is create an environment where girls learn to have a voice and build the self-confidence to participate in every subject available to them. It is within these environments girls can explore their passions without traditional gender constraints, and gain leadership skills and confidence crucial for success in any career.”
Students are encouraged to explore different pathways, develop skills, and make informed decisions about their future career paths this National Careers Week (15th-21st May). Loreto College is proud to showcase the exciting career pathways taken by three graduates, who have gone on to excel in different industries and thoughtfully illustrate the values and opportunities instilled through a Loreto education.
Heidi Girolamo (Class of 2001), Bodelle Francis (Class of 2000), and Marijana Rajcic (Class of 2006) share how their girls’ education provided them with an environment that encouraged them to pursue their passions, take risks, and build meaningful relationships.
Heidi Girolamo (Class Of 2001)
Politician and Member of the Legislative Council of the South Australian Parliament
An accomplished politician, and member of the Legislative Council in the South Australian Parliament, Heidi Girolamo is the current Shadow Minister for Finance, Tax Reform Circular Economy, Communities, Disabilities and Youth.
Graduating from Loreto College in 2001, Heidi worked as a chartered accountant for 17 years at Deloitte and other large corporations in Adelaide, Canberra, London, and Darwin before joining SA parliament in August 2021.
She credits her career success to the well-rounded education received at Loreto College that propelled her to pursue and achieve her goals through confidence, determination, and a network of lifelong friendships. And importantly, instilling the significance of giving back to your community and contributing, a value she embodies in her role as a member of parliament.
"At Loreto College, I felt there were no limitations or restrictions on the careers I could enter. Whatever I set my mind on, I could achieve, and I was always encouraged to reach for my goals during my time at the school. I see this in all my friends as well. They have all done so well in their chosen fields, are wonderful mothers, and amazing friends. Loreto helped to educate well-rounded, balanced women," said Heidi.
Heidi emphasises one of the greatest lessons she took away from her time at Loreto College was the endless potential for all women to achieve their goals and that with hard work and dedication anything can be achieved.
With her mother also a Loreto College Old Scholar, Heidi’s daughter will continue a three-generation legacy at the College when she commences in 2024.
Bodelle Francis (Class of 2000)
CEO of Greyhound Racing SA
Bodelle Francis is the CEO of Greyhound Racing SA, the leading industry body responsible for the sport of greyhound racing in the state. Her role is diverse and involves overseeing vital activities from the welfare of greyhounds through to the community of passionate people behind the industry and the way in which they engage with the sport.
Upon graduating from Loreto College in 2000, Bodelle’s career path has been marked by exploration and discovery. Initially pursuing Architecture following her graduation, Bodelle quickly decided it wasn’t for her and enrolled at the International College of Hotel Management. It was here she found her passion and went on to hold leadership positions across the hospitality, hotel, and racing industries, including most recently as the General Manager of Oval Hotel at Adelaide Oval.
She has held Board and Executive positions with various organisations including the Executive Chairman of the South Australian Jockey Club which runs Morphettville Racecourse. Bodelle was the youngest board member ever to be appointed to the SA Jockey Club, as well as its first and only female Chair.
Bodelle values Loreto College for providing her with a supportive and safe environment to experiment with skills and build the confidence to pursue different passions. She notes that the College taught her to trust her instincts and be brave in what she sets out to do. She learned the importance of negotiation and persuasion through debating, which has also been critical in her role as CEO and working in a male-dominated industry such as racing.
"My education at Loreto provided opportunities and opened doors. To me, it was a safe space to try new things in a supportive environment. I learned that it was okay to try and fail or try and not love it – then try something else. I learned to give everything a shot and that no time spent learning is wasted. Even if your chosen path is not for you, the skills I learnt at the College were transferrable," says Bodelle.
Bodelle’s education at Loreto instilled in her the value of confidence, independence, and tenacity, which have remained with her throughout her exceptional career.
Marijana Rajcic (Class of 2006)
AFLW assistant coach at the Adelaide Football Club, STEMFooty Coordinator and Female Talent Academies Coordinator, and AFL Player
Since graduating from Loreto College in 2006, Marijana Rajcic has established a highly successful career in the world of sport.
Marijana was drafted by the Adelaide Crows in 2018 in only the second season of the AFLW and played a total of 50 AFLW games throughout her career. She proudly represented the Adelaide Crows in the first-ever showdown and won two Premierships during her playing career, prior to announcing her retirement in 2023.
Her current role sees her continuing her work across several activities at the Adelaide Football Club, including coordinating the STEMFooty education program and as Female Talent Academies Coordinator and AFLW Assistant Coach within the football department.
Marijana completed a teaching degree at university and went on to play professional soccer in Sweden for a season before returning home where she pursued teaching at several schools around metro Adelaide and transitioned to professional football as part of the AFLW in 2017.
Emphasising the value of teamwork instilled during her time at Loreto College, Marijana reflects on how this helped her to build meaningful relationships with her classmates, peers, and teachers. The values of community and co-operation remain of steadfast importance to her professional sporting career and her current role with the Adelaide Football Club.
"At Loreto, I had 120 girls in my year level. This allowed me to build relationships with my classmates, peers in other year levels, and teachers. I believe this was instrumental in preparing me for my future career, with building strong relationships crucial in any workplace or professional environment. This provided me with a solid foundation for my career that helped me to become the teammate, leader and player I am today."
About Loreto College
Loreto College Marryatville is South Australia’s leading all-girls day and boarding school, catering for students from Early Learning to Year 12.
Established in 1905, a Loreto education is built on a 400-year-old tradition first inspired by the founder of Loreto schools worldwide, Mary Ward, and encapsulates her beliefs in delivering an education which inspires strong, passionate, and confident girls and young women.
In delivering this view, Loreto College Marryatville provides girls with a well-rounded education where students are presented with a broad range of opportunities and given the support and encouragement to become confident and engaged learners with the knowledge and skills to make a difference to their world.
Shannon Muscolino