Leadership News
From the Principal
Ms Michelle Brodrick
Over the past month I have heard a number of references to a poem titled We Are Not In the Same Boat. The title refers to the point that although we are all battling with the current restrictions the circumstances are not the same for everybody in our community. We are not in the same boat, however, we are all in the same storm.
As we settle back into the routines that come with remote learning, I would like to thank all our families and staff for the support they are providing. Our students, families, teachers and staff are all experiencing their own challenges. I trust that you can be strengthened by your faith and find joy in the valuable time you have with your family.
Extracts from We Are Not In The Same Boat – author unknown
I heard that we are in the same boat.
But it’s not like that.
We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.
Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal: a moment of reflection, of reconnection.
For others, this is a desperate crisis.
For others it is facing loneliness….
…Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.
Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other.
Don’t be a judge. Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds.
We are different ships looking to survive.
Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility
Assistant Principal Appointments
Following on from recent appointments to the Leadership Team, I am pleased to share some further announcements.
Assistant Principal Wellbeing
Gemma McDermott has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal Wellbeing. Gemma is currently the Executive Director of Student Wellbeing at Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood where she has developed holistic approaches to school wellbeing, student leadership and community service programs. Prior to her six years at Mercy Catholic College, Gemma was Dean of Pastoral Care at Loreto Normanhurst.
As an experienced classroom teacher of Mathematics, Gemma has demonstrated success in Mathematics as an author, lecturer and teacher with outstanding results. She was a Founder and Coordinator of the NSW Student Alliance Networking Group for Alliance of Girls Schools Australasia, which focussed on student leadership.
Gemma’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Education (Edith Cowan University) Postgraduate Certificate in Pastoral Care (ACU Sydney), Master of Education (ACU Sydney) and a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing. She has been a member of the Women in School Leadership Advisory Committee for Women and Leadership in Australia and been involved as a representative in various forums on Women in Leadership. She has participated in the NESLI Advanced Leadership program and has studies in communication with the Australian Speech and Communication Association.
Assistant Principal Faith and Identity
Congratulations to Felicity Knobel who has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal Faith and Identity for 2022. Felicity has held the position of Director of Faith and Mission for the past ten months at Loreto College Ballarat. She has held various positions of leadership in her career including Religious Education Faculty Leader and Year Level Coordinator. Felicity is an authentic, creative leader of faith reflected in her endeavours to connect with our students and the Catholic community and other social justice projects.
Felicity’s qualifications include Bachelor of Arts (Theology), Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Certificate in R.E, Master of Educational Leadership, and she is currently enrolled in a Master of Educational Theology. Felicity has also been involved in the Plenary Council over the past two years and is currently one of the representative delegates in the Plenary Council for the Ballarat Diocese.
Assistant Principal Learning and Innovation
Emily Shanahan has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal Learning and Innovation, commencing in January 2022. Emily is currently Director of Co-Curricular at Northern Beaches Christian School. Emily is an energetic and passionate educator with experience in a broad range of areas throughout her career, ranging from Senior Assessor in History to risk and policy development. She regularly presents at State and National conferences articulating best practice in teaching and learning programs. Last year she was the co-author of six History texts for Oxford University Press that allowed for greater integration of literacy and numeracy.
Emily’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Education, and Master of Educational Leadership (Macquarie University) and she is currently studying a Master of Leadership and Bachelor of Laws. Emily’s outstanding commitment to education is reflected in the many awards and scholarships she has received. In 2021 she received an honorary fellowship from the Teachers Guild of NSW. In 2020 Emily was the recipient of the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarship which provided Emily with the opportunity to engage in a study tour of Oxford, Harvard and Yale Universities.
Emily understands the unique nature of girls’ education having spent most of her career working in all girls schools including Roseville College and Abbotsleigh Girls School.
From the Director of Faith & Mission
Mrs Felicity Knobel
Father’s Day Mass - Sunday 5 September
This year our Father’s Day Mass is online at 11am. You will receive via email and our app with the link.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions we have not been able to film our Mass, therefore with permission from Fr Justin Driscoll we were able to reuse our Mass from 2020 (also online) and we have added new elements from 2021.
This year our community was invited to send a message to their Father or special male in their world. We were delighted with the response and there will be some very happy people when they see their special message on Sunday.
JPIC Junior
Remote learning does not stop the enthusiasm of our JPIC Junior students.
We are lucky to be part of the Loreto community and with this privilege comes our involvement at the United Nations. https://www.loreto.org.au/justice/justice/loreto-at-the-u-n/
Our students have been asked to contribute to celebrating the International Day of the Girl on October 11 2021. Our JPIC Junior students are creating videos, artwork, poetry, stories, declarations that will be featured in this year’s Girls Speak Out!
This year the focus is on our digitized world and ensuring that all girls in our world are not left behind. See below an excerpt from the communication given to our students.
As the world continues to become more digitized, girls are too often left further and further behind. Girls lack access to the digital space because of their age, gender, and geographic location. This exclusion of girls in the digital space impacts their access to education and decisions-making spaces particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The gender digital divide continues to widen and girls need governments to make real efforts to expand access to the internet and digital space for girls.
Our students are responding to the prompts below.
- I and girls in my community need ____ to achieve digital inclusion
- I need access to technology because ___
- _____is stopping girls in my community from achieving digital access and inclusion.
- Without access to digital technology, I cannot____.
- If I had consistent, safe and reliable access to digital technology, I would ___.
- The fight for girls rights needs me because ____.
- Tell us how you use digital technology to make change in your community.
- Or if you have a different vision, tell us about it!
Our students are told that their voices and perspectives matter and that they have the opportunity to change our world. It is never too late to join JPIC Junior, please encourage your child to come to our meetings and become involved in something truly fabulous to make a difference in our world.
Contact: fknobel@loreto.vic.edu.au
Youth Face Masks
Youth reusable masks are now available for a limited time only! Available in three different sizes, these masks are perfect for primary school-aged children. For $12, you can purchase a bundle of masks, directly benefiting the women in Timor-Leste who made them. Proceeds will go towards supporting further business opportunities they are developing!
From the Deputy Principal: Learning & Teaching
Ms Linda McDonald
Elevate Education Upcoming Webinar - The Exam Homestretch
Elevate Education is providing parents with free exclusive access to their Parent Webinar Series for Term 3, 2021. The final webinar for term is happening on Wednesday 1st September at 7pm. To reserve your spot, you can register for free below,
Topic: The Exam Homestretch: how your child should approach exam preparation and what they should be doing
The webinar is run live online from 7pm – 8pm where the presenter will share Elevate’s key research and skills, and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly.
College News
VCAL News
Mrs Jill Wheatland (VCAL Leader)
Recently, our VCAL students have been working on three innovative integrated projects, focusing on sustainability and community engagement. The students and staff are working together to create various components for the Little Flower practice cafe' and this group of students have been working on furniture upcycling.
The three integrated projects the VCAL students and staff are currently working on are:
- The Little Flower Café - (an eclectic mix of upcycled furniture with its own menu and logo, including the pizza oven and garden to be used by the Loreto Community only)
- The Little Flower Pizza Oven
- The Little Flower Garden
- Textiles Project: Aging with dignity (students are creating and making dignity bibs and fidget blankets for dementia patients in aged care)
It is fabulous to see the St Therese Church of the Little Flower come to life with the enthusiasm and talents of the staff and students in the VCAL program.
Humanities Faculty News
Ms Jayne Carrigg (Faculty Leader Humanities)
Bastille Day Lunch
On Friday 13th students from the Year 12 Revolutions class belatedly (thanks to covid lockdowns) celebrated Bastille Day. It was a working lunch; the celebrations being combined with the trial of Louis XVI (alias Mia Clark).
Despite being ably defended by Claire Baxter, Mob Jansen and Gemma Richardson, and speaking eloquently in his own defence, the fate of the King was a foregone conclusion and the day was won by the prosecution team of Emma Hill and Lila Fields.
As we didn't want to mar the enjoyable afternoon and feasting, it was decided to postpone the beheading of the King by guillotine in order that he too may one last time enjoy the sumptuous spread. (No one was rude enough to remind him the feast was provided by the toil of the peasants, who he had failed to protect and that this was in fact the reason for his sad predicament)
Science Faculty News
Ms Natalie Howard (Faculty Leader Science)
Loreto College US Space Camp STEM Tour 2022 Information Night | 6pm Monday 6 September
The trip is held in the two-week term break between third and fourth terms and visits Washington, Florida and Alabama. The trip is designed to promote an understanding and love of the study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in the students; showing girls the possibilities open to students who pursue study in these areas at a senior and tertiary level.
The information night will be held on Monday 6 September at 6pm. Place TBC (will be in person or remote depending on current restrictions).
If you wish to attend, please email Natalie Howard (nhoward@loreto.vic.edu.au) with your name, student name, year level and email address. This will allow Ms Howard to provide updates on whether the information night will be held online or face-to-face.
Registration for this event is essential.
Cows Create Careers Program
Recently we were lucky enough to have two calves visit our school as part of the Cows Create Careers program in our Agricultural and Horticultural classes. Through this program, students have had the opportunity to learn about careers in the dairy industry while getting hands-on by caring for two calves. This program is not only about increasing student awareness of the dairy industry but also providing opportunities for students to engage with the dairy industry, create links to their local community as well as learning new skills.
Library News
Mrs Sarah Lane (Library Officer)
We hope everyone has had a smooth transition back into remote learning. A quick reminder that the Library offers a click and collect service so please send us an email should you wish to request a book or have any questions for the Library Team. You can reach us at library@loreto.vic.edu.au
Book Club has continued throughout remote learning, if you would like to join in on all the book fun you can find our google classroom here https://classroom.google.com/c/MTMzODI5MjQ3MzYz?cjc=guxe3q5
Have you seen our Book Spine Poetry Competition? Details can be found below! https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDzv_OhaC4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Lastly, a reassurance that Book Week (originally scheduled for August 23rd – 27th) has not been cancelled, merely postponed. All the book fun, including our ‘Pop-up Book Shop’ is ready to go ahead when we return onsite!
Stay safe and keep reading!
Career News
Ms Jodie Howlett (Careers Coordinator)
In this week's Career News:
- Soft skills super star series!
- Early admission programs – September closing dates
- University regional access schemes
- Entrepreneurs – start your own business!
- Open days – update
- Upcoming events
- Compare university rankings
- Apprenticeships and traineeships
- Tertiary key dates for September and October
Inspiring Women in Tech
Each of the speakers will use graphics as they:
- Explain what they do in their job on a typical day
- Share what they like about their work
- Provide a summary of their career journey summary since leaving school
- Speak about challenges faced along the way & how they tackled them
- Provide a word of advice to young female students embarking on their career journey
There will be an opportunity to send in questions to the speakers toward the end of the session.
The online session joining link will be sent to you within 24 hours of the session commencement.
To register, click here.
Loreto Community Notices
Prospective Families:
Open Day 2021
Open Day is an opportunity for prospective families to experience Loreto College. Enjoy a guided tour of the College grounds and facilities with current students who will also share valuable insight into being a student at Loreto College.
Wednesday 13 October, 2021
Tours commence half-hourly between 9:00am - 11.30am from the Loreto College Archives Centre (just inside the main entrance on Sturt Street - Gate B)
Registration is essential
Year 7 2023 Information Evening
Join us for our Year 7 2023 Information Evening! We welcome you to come along and learn about a Loreto education, our Year 7 program, important dates and to ask any questions you may have.
This event is for all prospective families looking to enrol for Year 7 2023.
Registration is essential
Events will be conducted according to State Covid regulations at the time.
Cancelled: Upcoming Reunions
It is with much regret that we will be unfortunately cancelling all of our 2020/2021 reunions scheduled for Saturday 18 September and Saturday 16 October due to the current and foreseeable state-wide COVID restrictions. We will be issuing full refunds over the next couple of days to everyone who has purchased a ticket. We are hopeful that an alternative event can be arranged in November so please keep an eye on your emails!
MENtal Brekky
St Patrick's College Ballarat invites you to our annual MENtal Brekky on Friday, October 15 from 7am in the St Patrick's College Old Collegians' Pavilion.
The MENtal Brekky helps raise money for the Chris Yeung Fund which supports families in our community where the father is suffering mental illness.
Tickets for the breakfast are now on sale at $50 per person and can be purchased at the following link: www.trybooking.com/BRVZI
In the event of numbers being restricted due to COVID regulations, those who purchase their tickets early will have priority access to the event.
Mount Prospect Tennis Junior Season 2021-2022
Are you looking for a great summer outdoor sport for your child to get involved with? Then tennis at Mt Prospect is for you. Matches are played across both Term 4 and Term 1 and at the same location in Creswick on natural grass courts. Tennis provides your child with a great chance to be physically active in a safe, multi-gendered sport.
With coaching available, along with competitions, now is a great time to get your child into tennis. To find out more, please contact Kerry on 0400 947 477 or mkarma28@skymesh.com.au, or visit www.mtprospecttennis.com.au
Drummo Dragons Basketball Club - Register now for Summer 2021/2022 season
Drummo Dragons Basketball Club has opened registrations for the upcoming summer 2021/2022 season. New players welcome!
We are a community focussed club who offer playing opportunities for children of all abilities. We train at both Delacombe Primary School gymnasium (u8’s and u10’s) and St Patrick’s College gym for our u12’s up to u21’s.
Drummo have opened registration opportunities for the summer 2021/22 season for new and existing players with a discounted club registration fee (our acknowledgement of the hardship our community faces due to COVID-19).
Registration link: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/94b777
For further enquiries please contact drummodragons@hotmail.com
Check us out on www.facebook.com/drummodragons, or www.drummodragons.com.
Finance News
Conveyance Allowance 2021
The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance for parents/carers to transport children to and from school in rural and regional Victoria. Allowances are available for public transport, private car and private bus.
In some locations, students are unable to access free school buses. In these instances, students may receive a conveyance allowance to assist with travel costs.
Important Dates
Due to the unpredictability of the current COVID-19 situation, please keep an eye out on PAM, the Loreto College App, website and social media for any updates to scheduled events.
For the full Loreto Events Calendar please visit via the Loreto College Ballarat app or https://pam.loreto.vic.edu.au/Login/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Thursday 2 September
- Wellness Day (no Mentor meetings or online classes)