Please keep an eye out on PAM, the Loreto College App, website and social media for any scheduled events.
For the full Loreto Events Calendar please visit via the Loreto College Ballarat app or Click Here
Leadership News
From the Principal
Ms Michelle Brodrick
In 1887, Mother Gonzaga Barry penned words that continue to resonate as we celebrate 150 years of Loreto in Australia: “Leave after you a something on which others may build, and so rise higher still.” This invitation to inspire and uplift has shaped the spirit of our College, reminding us of our responsibility to follow in Mother Gonzaga Barry’s footsteps.
The legacy of Mother Gonzaga Barry—and of all who have followed—is not merely preserved; it is lived every day in our classrooms, corridors, and conversations.
Our vision today is bold yet grounded: to develop courageous students equipped for a changing world. The past five years alone have brought unprecedented challenges—global pandemics, technological leaps, and social transformation. These times call for young people who are adaptable, resilient, and deeply rooted in values that guide thoughtful action.
Building on the master planning undertaken over the past two years, the Board, Leadership Team, staff, and students have been collaborating with architects to imagine a future that honours our past—envisioning new buildings and considered renovations that reflect both our rich heritage and our contemporary mission.
Part of this process involved mapping the many layers of buildings, extensions, and changes accumulated over 150 years. This exploration unearthed charming architectural quirks: doors suspended halfway up walls, mysterious nooks and crannies—physical echoes of eras gone by. Each oddity invites us to wonder what life was like, how education was delivered, and what challenges and possibilities shaped previous generations.
As we continue to commemorate our 150th year, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us, pride in who we are, and determination for who we are yet to become. May we continue to build “a something” that allows all who follow to rise ever higher.
Loreto College Baord and Committees Expression of Interest
As we look forward to the continuing growth and provision of education at Loreto College Ballarat, the Board is welcoming expressions of interest from community minded and values driven professionals for consideration of appointment to our Board and its Committees.
These voluntary positions are critical in providing leadership and contributing to the governance and stewardship of the College as we strive to deliver on our strategic priorities to remain an innovative and contemporary College.
A Member Recruitment Pack, including Expressions of Interest application details, is available online at www.loreto.vic.edu.au/employment or by contacting Stephanie Crawford (Principal's EA) on 5329 6126 or eaprincipal@loreto.vic.edu.au.
From the Deputy Principal
Ms Christine Shaw
If we finished Term 1 of our 150th year understanding our roots and rituals, this term has been full of creativity and courage. As our seasons of celebration continue it is great to see the many things Loreto students have engaged in.
Now heavily in the season of the Arts, Newsies in conjunction with St. Pats, was a triumph of creative performance. The House Arts Festival preparations are well underway, and we have enjoyed performances from our Theatre Studies classes and our musicians. In particular, the first Year 7 Da Capo concerts displayed the ongoing strong development of music skills this program is providing for our students
The Art classrooms and Materials Technology (Food) classroom are two favourites to visit. Seeing our VCD students develop models with multiple mediums and creative approaches in Food to the re-imagined Australian lamingtons has been a recent highlight.
When it comes to courage, the Cross Country Team have ventured out to challenging courses for State Championships in difficult weather and pushed themselves to finish achieving some outstanding results. Basketball and Netball teams have been competing in regional and state level competitions and the Girls’ Football – Players for Pink team took it right up to BCC, to just fall short in a friendly fundraiser.
The balance of experiential learning and an academic focus is where we continue to look for opportunities for student growth. We see this in our VM students as they work with many in the community groups to build their skills and develop their creativity and courage.
A few weeks ago at a conference, I heard Simon Kuestenmacher (geographer and demographer) from the Demographics group Australia speak about the future of learning and our workforce. Australia is very much positioned to transform into a knowledge economy where research is growing, but hands on skills are not. And trends are changing fast- agriculture is shrinking and health care is growing. New generations are seeking quicker solutions and short time in work and our students are good at following such trends.
At Loreto we continue to look for ways to equip our students with a wide range of skills, knowledge and attributes that will position them well for their future, a fast-paced and everchanging world. To develop these skills, they need to engage in creativity and courage growing their possibilities for a future of choice.
From the Assistant Principal: Faith & Identity
Ms Felicity Knobel
Term 2 can be a challenging term, the weather is progressively getting colder and our days are getting shorter. Living in Ballarat requires resilience at this time of year. Our students at Loreto College do not let this slow them down. In this newsletter we have included our year 12 captains to report on just some of the happenings at our College throughout this term. Our leadership program is becoming more and more prominent. We ask our students to be emulate an open circle of friends and also an understanding of servant leadership. These elements are all part of who we are as people of Loreto.
Mother’s Day
On Saturday the 3rd of May, we celebrated our annual Mother’s Day Liturgy - a special afternoon where the Chapel was filled with students, mothers, grandmothers, and other cherished women in our lives. It was a beautiful chance to pause and reflect on just how much they do for us, and how big of a role they play in our lives. After the Liturgy, guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea, which gave everyone the opportunity to relax, chat, and share some lovely moments together.
Clothing Exchange
A big thank you to everyone who donated a second-hand coat or blanket for the Uniting Winter Appeal. Your kindness from the coat and blanket drive will help keep those in need warm during this winter season. Also, The Loreto Clothing Exchange turned out to be a fantastic success, as students brought in clean, pre-loved clothes to trade with one another. These contributions made a positive impact by reducing fast fashion and giving our old clothes a new purpose for someone else.
From the Assistant Principal: Learning & Innovation
Ms Adele Ryan
As Term 2 draws to a close, it’s a valuable time for every student to pause and thoughtfully reflect on their learning journey so far. This includes celebrating personal achievements, acknowledging growth, and identifying the challenges encountered along the way. Each student’s experience is unique, and taking the time to consider both the highs and the hurdles, is essential for continued development.
The Semester 1 report will be made available on PAM early in the holiday break. This report serves as a meaningful tool to guide conversations between students and their families, helping to deepen understanding of progress and areas for improvement. It’s not just a summary of academic results—it’s a springboard for reflection and goal-setting.
As students review their reports, they are encouraged to ask themselves some important questions:
- Have I shown courage by stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing new challenges?
- When faced with difficulties, have I demonstrated persistence and made the most of my teachers’ guidance?
- Have I actively engaged with my learning, even when it felt tough, or have I held back?
- Am I taking responsibility for my learning by completing tasks and submitting homework on time?
Honest reflection on these questions will help students set purposeful and personal learning goals for Semester 2. These goals will support their growth not only as learners but also as independent, resilient individuals.
We look forward to welcoming students back after the holidays and continuing to support them on their individual learning paths, fostering a strong sense of agency and ownership in their education.
From the Assistant Principal: Wellbeing
Ms Kerryn Boyko
While the chill of winter has settled in, our classrooms have remained warm and vibrant throughout this longer-than-usual eleven week term.
Our Year 7 students continue to embrace secondary life, having establishing routines while cultivating a genuine sense of belonging. Highlights of Term Two such as the Year 7 Retreat, the Control Your Scroll program, and the DeCapo Gala have offered meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, and celebration.
Meanwhile, our Year 8 cohort has continued to grow in confidence and independence, thriving on experiences that foster autonomy and curiosity. From exploring the past on Medieval Day, to engaging with innovative ideas at the Science and Technology School excursion, to participating in the Sorry Day Ceremony at Damascus College, their term has had much opportunity for learning and personal growth.
Year 9 commenced Term Two with the Ballarat Mini Adventure—an engaging practice day for the much anticipated end-of-term Melbourne Experience. In between, students embraced the fun of weekly dance lessons, which culminated in a joyful and memorable Social with St Patrick’s College.
Year 10 students have taken meaningful steps toward shaping their futures. They have organised work experience placements and are reflecting on pathway and subjects choices for 2026 that align with their aspirations and desired career. Two of the three Live4Life Sessions have now been completed, improving students’ skills and confidence with supporting their own and friends’ mental health.
Year 11 and 12 students have locked into the VCE-VM and VCE programs, finishing up Unit 1 and 3 assessments and commencing second semester outcomes. We have been very impressed with the focused, mature ethic that the Year 11 students have applied to work placements and VCE examinations. Our senior students are becoming more acutely aware of last moments of their secondary journey. The Year 12 Formal was a wonderful celebration of friendship, milestones and a shared journey.
We hope you had the opportunity to view the recent live SchoolTV webinar on digital literacy and safety. Experts Michael Carr-Gregg and Susan McLean shared practical strategies for parents, such as encouraging children to question online content and fostering open discussion at home about manipulation tactics. As a reminder, the SchoolTV platform offers a wealth of resources on a broad range of topics relevant to teenagers—such as cybersafety. You can explore more at https://loreto.vic.schooltv.me/
College News
VCE Outdoor Ed Camp
On the 14 - 16 May the Unit 1 Outdoor Ed class went to the Grampians National Park. The aim of the camp was to improve our camping skills, such as cooking on Trangia’s, being safe on hikes, and looking after the land that we were on. We experienced nice weather, with no rain and warm weather while we were hiking and rock climbing.
On the first day we arrived at Mt Stayplton campground where we set up our tents ready for the nights ahead. We then started our first hike which was 12.1kms around the Mt Stapylton loop. This involved some flat terrain but also some steep bits, but it was all worth it when we reached the top to look out to the view! The hike took around 4-5 hours before we got back and got ready for dinner.
On the 2nd day we drove around 45 minutes to Halls Gap where we started our second hike up the Pinnacle. It was 10kms long and we passed the Venus baths and the Grand Canyon. The walk was so fun as it had lots of different terrains including steps, steep ascents and downhill parts. Surrounding it also had lots of flora which made it very calming and tranquil. Once we got back to Halls Gap, we had the famous ice cream at the bottom! We then drove to Mackenzie Falls before we headed back to the camp. Mackenzie falls was stunning, and it was so cool seeing such an amazing waterfall, the walk to and from the waterfalls was fun but difficult as there were 260 steps one way.
On our last day we packed up our tents and set off to look at the Ngamadjidj Shelter Indigenous rock artwork. This was amazing as we got to learn about the artwork and the meaning about the work. It was behind fences so it would preserve the artwork to keep it in its natural form. We then travelled to rock climbing at Summerday Valley. Our instructor Hugh showed us how to belay someone, act as an emergency brake, and place the ropes in the bucket correctly to prevent damage. The person placing the rope in the bucket would also feed it to the person managing the emergency brake, ensuring the climber could rock climb and abseil safely and comfortably. We also learnt how to climb the rock face. This was an amazing opportunity as many of us have not done rock climbing outdoors.
Overall, the camp was a new, enjoyable experience. In this camp we learnt lots about the environment we were in and all about how to camp. We discovered things we could improve like looking after ourselves better for example bringing enough food and water.
Imogen and Abbie
First Nations News
Ms Janine Quick (First Nations Coordinator)
Reconciliation Week
We began our 2025 Reconciliation Week Assembly with a traditional dance by our Dhurrung students, Mok Borrinyn Narro, which means "Proud Female" in Wadawurrung language. Created by Year 10 student Evie and her cousin, the dance tells the story of the everyday lives of Aboriginal women, celebrating cultural knowledge, women’s strength, and cultural connection.
We were honoured to welcome Brenda Matthews as our guest speaker. Brenda is an author, speaker, and film director who shared her powerful story of being stolen not once, but twice. Her journey of belonging, love, courage, and healing moved us all. Brenda's strength was truly inspiring to our audience, and we recommend you check out her book and documentary 'The Last Daughter'.
This year’s theme, "Bridging Now to Next," calls us to reflect, connect, and take meaningful steps toward a future that is just, inclusive, and grounded in truth. As we celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of First Nations people, we continue our shared journey towards reconciliation, living out our school values at Loreto.
Students participated in a full week of activities that were led by our FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carriers. The new program brings together students and staff who are allies of First Nations people and who share a passion for learning about Aboriginal culture and promoting reconciliation.
Throughout the week, our FIRE Carriers organised a range of activities, including collaborative art projects, puzzles, and special Reconciliation Week ribbons. A special thank you to our JPIC and Sustainability groups for their support throughout the week.
Possum Skin Cloak
At our Reconciliation Week Assembly, our Dhurrung students proudly presented their Possum Skin Cloak, a powerful expression of shared cultural identity and connection. Created with contributions from past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, each section tells a personal story. The circles represent Lake Wendouree, a gathering place that has always brought people together.
Guided by Aaron Clarke from BADAC, the cloak was completed and then cleansed in a smoking ceremony, symbolising spiritual protection and ancestral presence. Now, it will be worn at significant events as both a learning artefact and a symbol of reconciliation, representing the respect the Loreto College Ballarat community holds for all First Peoples of this land.
National Sorry Day
Our Dhurrung students and Year 8s joined Damascus College and St Patrick’s College to commemorate National Sorry Day.
The ceremony opened with a Welcome to Country by Macaylah Johnson (Class of 2019), a proud Wadawurrung woman and valued member of our Loreto community. First Nations Captain Isabella Jungbauer proudly represented Loreto College as co-MC, joining student leaders from all three schools to lead the ceremony.
Those in attendance also heard from Brenda Matthews, author of The Last Daughter who shared her powerful story. We look forward to welcoming Brenda at our Reconciliation Week Assembly later this week so all students can hear her story.
Thank you to Damascus College for hosting this event. Together, our Ballarat Catholic secondary schools continue to walk the ongoing journey of healing and towards reconciliation.
Sport News
Mr Liam Gill (Director of Sport)
Victorian All Schools Cross Country
Congratulations Bonnie, Ailish, Amali and Aria on securing the bronze medal in the U/18 3km at the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Relay! These impressive runners had a fantastic run in a competitive division, building on their U/18 3km bronze from the Victorian All Schools Road Relay. What an incredible team!
Loreto Stars Take the National Stage
Congratulations to the following students for their exceptional achievements in their respective sports:
Eleanor Downey - Selected for the Australian Youth Team for the Virtus World Athletics Championships this October.
Eliza Ashby - Selected in the U/16 Australian Sapphires Basketball Squad.
Alana Bogers - Was a member of the winning U/21 U/21 Youth Women's Indoor Futsal Team competing in the state final.
Addy Ryan - Competed in the U/18 National Lawn Bowls Championship, representing Victoria.
Elsie Conroy - Selected in the U/18 Victorian Country Football Team
Isabella Rossato - Selected to represent Victoria at the U/22 Oceania Rowing Championships next month.
Eve Righetti - Selected in the 2025/26 Victorian Country U/19 Female Emerging Players Squad.
Clover McIlwaine - Selected in the 2025/26 Victorian Country U/16 Female Emerging Players Squad.
Bundoora Cross Country
A huge congratulations to the 38 students who challenged themselves by representing Loreto Ballarat at the Victorian All Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday. We had a terrific day with two students medalling; Eleanor Downey (1st) in the Para U/17 3km and Aria Violini (3rd) in U/16 4km. Bonnie Burt (7th) and Amali Torney (19th) will also represent Loreto at the Nationals here in Ballarat in August. Along with these fantastic individual performances we won a bronze team medal in the U/15 race and a silver in the U/18 event. The following students represented Loreto with pride and grit and should be congratulated on their efforts. A big thanks to Ms Martin and Ms Green for their enthusiasm and assistance throughout the day.
We eagerly await the aggregate team tallies to see where Loreto Ballarat will finish in this Victoria wide event.
Next race is the BAS Road Relays on the first Wednesday night back after holidays.
Results
U/14 3km (Team placing – 13th): Eva Bayles - 137th, Milla Flanagan - 166th, Lilah Rose Goodbourn- 177th, Misha Jenkins – 159th, Tessa Morris – 172nd, Ava O’Halloran – 154th, Ivy Rogan – 145th, Milly Tehan – 168th, Ruby Trenorden – 70th
U/15 4km (Team placing – 3rd): Elizabeth Boyd – 68th, Airlie Fisher – 58th, Olivia Green – 67th, Molly Malone – 77th, Evie Martin – 43rd, Ivy Pearce – 60th
U/16 4km (Team placing – 5th): Sophie – 56th, Alice Byvoet – 50th, Eden Carter – 47th, Eva Cummins – 44th, Milla Kinnersly – 52nd, Aria Violini – 3rd
U/17 4km (Team placing – 5th): Lucy Barlow – 73rd, Matilda Grant – 65th, Evie Howard – 76th, Lily Mason – 66th, Sienna Templar – 68th, Amali Torney – 19th
U/17 Para 3km: Eleanor Downey – 1st
U/18 4km (Team placing – 2nd): Bonnie Burt – 7th, Abi Cartledge – 32nd, Eliza Dodd – 44th, Olivia Righetti – 43rd
U/20 6km (Team placing – 5th): Maddy Birkett – 26th, Sophia Dalton – 47th, Alex – 50th, Jess – 51st, Amelia Phillips – 49th, Chelsea Templar – 45th
Secondary Schools State Basketball Challenge – Qualifying Day and State Final Day
U15 Team
On the 27th of May Airlie, Petra, Amy, Marley, Evie, Sadie, Mia and Bella went to the Victorian secondary school's basketball challenge stage1 at the eagle stadium in Werribee. They won all 5 games and secured a victory against Bacchus Marsh Grammar in the grand finale, earning a spot in the State final competition (Stage 2). On the 24th of June They went to the state basketball centre in Wantirna South. They sadly lost all their games but played so well, especially after having a couple of injuries and only having 1 sub for the last game. Bella Watson gave the I’m Lovin it awards to Marley Jose. Thank you to Mr Gill for driving us all to our games and coaching us both days and thank you to Ms Martin for coming with us for support and scoring.
- Petra and Airlie
U17 Team
On the 25th of May Annie, Macy, Eliza, Keely, Lilly, Zahra, Maddy and Evie went to the Victorian Secondary school's basketball challenge stage 1 at Eagle Stadium in Werribee. They won all four games and secured a spot in the State final competition. On the 25 of June, they went to the State Basketball centre in Wantirna South to compete in the state final. After some strong performances in their pool matches, they qualified for the semifinal against 1 of the two teams from Rowville College. They unfortunately lost their semifinal but played extremely well throughout their entire games. Thank you to Mr Bogers and Ms Nevett for coaching and specifically for the endless Maccas trip.
- Lily and Eliza
Players for Pink
Last Thursday, our senior football team played against Clarendon College in a match to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). It wasn’t our day on the field with Clarendon coming away with the win, it was a great opportunity for both schools to come together to support BCNA. Throughout the week we sold BCNA beanies to raise funds and awareness for those affected by breast cancer. It was great to see our school community wearing pink and showing support both on and off the field. Despite the loss, we were all proud of our efforts having an impact in our community with the match showing us how sport drives positive change beyond just the scoreboard.
BAS Sport
We’re proud to celebrate some fantastic achievements from our BAS sports teams for term 2. Our Senior Football team placed 4th overall with great determination and efforts all term. The Year 9 Netball teams were impressive this term with the div 1 squad finishing 2nd and the div 2 team taking 3rd place. For badminton this term our A Grade team won their grand final taking home the championship, while our B Grade squad finished strong in 2nd place. Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and excellent performances! Our junior soccer and netball teams are still going with matches still to be played this week so we can’t wait to see how they finish.
Looking ahead to next term, there are plenty of exciting sporting opportunities available.
Tuesday: Senior Soccer, Junior Football (Yr 7/8/9), Table Tennis (all year levels)
Wednesday: Junior Hockey (Yr 7/8/9), Senior Netball (div 1&2)
Thursday: Senior Racquetball (Yr 10/11/12), Senior Netball (div 3&4)
If you’re keen to get involved and represent BAS in these sports, make sure to sign up! No matter your ability in the sport there is a sport for everyone. Let’s keep the momentum going and make next term another successful and fun season for BAS sports!
A huge thank you to all staff and students for the efforts in coaching and umpiring this term. Term 2 is one of the busiest terms for BAS sport and their efforts a greatly appreciated. Thank you to the students involved as either umpires, coaches or scorers: Isla, Sarah Bourke, Esta Slater, Eliza Dean, Maddie Birkett and Layla Phillips (former student), Addisyn Gartside, Milla Russell and Abigail Righetti.
VCE-VM News
Mr Andrew Blackwood (Faculty Coordinator: VCE-VM)
As Semester 1 draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of all students, staff and support personnel involved in the VCE Vocational Major program. It has been a busy and rewarding term, and the energy, commitment and growth shown by our students is a credit to their resilience and determination. Thank you to our teachers and support staff who continue to guide and inspire our students in all areas of their learning.
There have been many highlights throughout Term 2. Our Year 11 students undertaking the Active Volunteering unit have continued their fortnightly visits to Yuille Park Community College, where they have supported junior students with reading, writing and numeracy tasks. Their positive presence in the classroom has been appreciated by both staff and students.
Year 12 Personal Development Skills projects were completed this term with one group collaborating with the Glow Project to take participants with all-abilities on a Ten-pin bowling excursion followed by a delicious lunch at the Little Flower. Our second group ran a ‘Gratitude Lunch’ for local emergency services workers such as Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, State Emergency Service and Ambulance Victoria.
Our Year 12 students have also been developing their practical skills through the Community Connections program. Under the guidance of Jill Wheatland, students have collaborated with St Patrick’s Cathedral to begin transforming an unused space into an inclusive community garden. To date, four large planter boxes have been designed and constructed, ready to be planted with herbs, seasonal vegetables, and pollinator-friendly plants.
In another exciting development, students completing their Certificate III in Sport and Recreation recently undertook a two-day Lifeguard qualification course at the Ballarat Aquatic Centre, led by Life Saving Victoria. The course involved online pre-learning, face to face theory content and physical assessments in the pool providing rescues. This qual added real-world skills for future employment in aquatic or recreation settings.
And finally, our Year 11 students have taken a more active leadership role in the Botanikids program this term. Working in small teams, they have been responsible for planning and delivering all aspects of each fortnightly session – from designing craft activities and preparing hot drinks to setting the overall theme and menu. With themes such as Mother’s Day, Winter and Footy Colours, their creativity and teamwork have been impressive.
Well done to all students for their effort and persistence in completing assessments and participating so positively in all areas of the program. We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved so far this year and look forward to what Semester 2 will bring.
Debating and Public Speaking News
Ms Tammy Vandenberg (Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator)
Plain English Speaking Competition
Public speaking is alive and well at Loreto College Ballarat! Fresh from Lucy Eales’ amazing experience representing Australia at the IPSC in London, our local heats showcased the same passion and talent.
Students spoke on powerful topics like technology, reconciliation, and dreams, and tackled the impromptu theme “History repeats itself” with insight and poise.
Congratulations to Eliza Dodd for her confident and articulate delivery, and a special congratulations Lainie Ballinger, whose outstanding performance took out the overall win! Lainie will now go on to represent Loreto at the state final!
Legacy Award
Loreto students proudly represented the College at the Legacy Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday. With 17 outstanding participants, the standard was exceptionally high, showcasing the remarkable talent and preparation of all involved. Their speeches covered a range of topics, from feminism and technology to achieving personal bests and striving for excellence.
This continues nearly a decade of Loreto success in this prestigious event. Well done to all!
Science News
Ms Suppu Ginesh (Teacher: Science)
Environmental Science
The Year 10 Environmental Science class recently visited the Mt Mercer Wind Farm as part of their study on sustainable and renewable energy. The excursion provided students with firsthand insight into how wind energy is harnessed to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. They observed the scale and operation of the turbines, learned about the technology behind wind power, and discussed the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy. The visit reinforced classroom learning by showing how large-scale wind farms contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for Victoria.
English News
Mr Cameron Smith (Faculty Coordinator: English)
Top Scribe 2025
Congratulations to Hannah McCrum (Class of 2024), whose short fiction "ESPRESSO MARTINIS & COSMOPOLITANS" (The end of Ruby and Amerie’s friendships as they know it) has now been published in the debut Top Scribe anthology!
Recently launched as part of the 2025 VCE Season of Excellence, Top Scribe showcases outstanding creative writing by VCE Literature students from across Victoria. Out of 200+ entries, only 22 were chosen with Hannah’s response to Elizabeth Tan’s Smart Ovens for Lonely People being selected.
Well done Hannah on this incredible achievement!
Humanities News
Ms Jayne Carrigg (Faculty Coordinator: Humanities)
The Humanities faculty has engaged with the wider world in Term 2, even so far as making connections across the world. While our students have been productive and focused on their classes there have been moments where the learning has happened in different places. Students have participated in the Australian Geography Competition and the History Competition. The Unit 3 Sociology students, as part of their study of Ethnicity and Culture, visited the Greek Orthodox Church in Humffray Street North, Ballarat and met with one of the Church elders.
In an exciting first for the Unit 3 History Revolutions students, they engaged in an online virtual session with the Museum of the American Revolution located in Philadelphia, United States. The students got to work with an expert guide from the Museum, Amanda, online and benefit from her expertise and insights about the American Revolution. While it was 9am in Ballarat for Amanda it was 7pm in Philadelphia and yet she was an enthusiastic and passionate presenter even after having worked all day. It was a valuable learning opportunity for both students and staff.
'Earlier this term, the year 12 Sociology class spent the afternoon at The Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas with Angelo Christofi as part of our depth study of Greek Australian culture. At the church, Angelo told us about his experience immigrating as a young adult, his uncle who owned Steve’s fish shop, the blending of Greek and Australian culture and how he raised a family in Ballarat. We had an opportunity to ask Angelo questions such as ‘how Australian media can enable or prevent his connection to his culture’, which furthered our understanding of cultural hybridity. We are so grateful for this experience, and to Angelo, for what we’ve learnt which we will take with us to the end of year exam.' Ruby - Unit 3 Sociology
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'In Term 2, the VCE Revolutions class was fortunate enough to take part in a lesson with a specialist from the American Museum of Democracy in order to support our study of the American Revolution. During the double, we were able to collaborate with Amanda and learn about 4 key African American individuals who's experiences helped put our studies into context, which helped to refine our knowledge and enhance our understanding regarding the experiences of minority groups in the American Revolution. We were able to see some primary artifacts which were from the era of the revolution. Overall, it was a truly beneficial experience which every student got a lot out of.’' Tarah - Unit 3 History Revolutions.
Arts News
Ms Julia West (Faculty Coordinator: The Arts)
As we move into to the last weeks of Term 2, students refine and resolve art and media works, complete designs and perform dance works, drama and music items. Students have worked with creativity, skill and focus to create works that are personal and responsive to a task or a design question. During this time, both Arts Staff and students work together to ensure learning is valued and worthwhile. While it’s a busy time with expectations applied, we are proud of the art and performance works our students create.
Top Arts/Top Design Excursion
Semester 2 has begun for our students studying VCE and our Year 9 & 10 elective program. In light of this, Unit 1 Art Creative Practice, Media and Visual Communication and Design students recently attended the 2025 Top Arts Exhibition at the NGV Ian Potter Centre and the 2025 Top Design Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
Visual Arts staff commented on the value of the educational experience where students, for example, saw ‘high-quality folio examples in person, and seeing penny dropped for a few of them about the quality and amount of annotations’ and the how ‘seeing the high-quality folios and media and design works has become are real motivator’.
In speaking with Year 11 students Zoe Crack, we learn more about how our students think about and learn from such experiences.
Year 10 Drama Performance
Year 10 Drama students selected to perform two scenes from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In editing these scenes for clarity, students styled some of the language to make it coherent for the audience and accessible for themselves as actors. This task was constructed over Term 2, with students becoming directors, costume coordinators, set designers, actors, lighting and sound designers and operators.
The one-night performance was held on 5 June with students asking family and friends to attend, with students’ stage managing and running the show. The actors were excellent in their use of expressive skills: voice, gesture, facial expressive and movements. The use of stagecraft; lighting, sound and stage direction was wonderfully executed. Directors, Baeli Jans and Neve Eskdale, were insightful and creative in working with their peers to build mature and beautiful performances.
We’d like to thank past Loreto College student Bo Clake who assisted the students with learning skills and knowledge in theatre practice. Bo volunteered their time to assist students to build skills in many areas, including combining dialogue and gesture and how to provide feedback to actors.
Music News
Ms Simone Jans (Co-Curricular Leader: Music)
Da Capo Music Gala Evening
The Year 7 Da Capo music program celebrates students learning by conducting two concerts at the end of Term 2. At the time of writing, staff and students rehearse each musical item with lighting and sound mixing added, to create a professional and yet supportive performance. Students play a series of pieces learned throughout Semester one.
All Year 7 students at Loreto learn an instrument in a small group with an expert music teacher and use these skills to play in an orchestra with peers. These dual experiences support students in learning how to hold an instrument, correct playing technique, tempo, rhythm and music notation. Students learn to listen to others, learn the value of rehearsal and practice, and how to collaborate and work with focus. The rigour in doing these seemingly small learning acts, creates a scaffolded learning approach for each and every student, no matter where they are in the learning journey.
This week we saw 180 Year 7 students take to the stage, over two nights, to share their progress in our Da Capo Program. Not only were we blown away by the skill development on their instruments, but in their confidence in performing, speaking to an audience and supporting their peers. In between our Year 7 Ensembles, audiences were treated to solo performances from our Eileen McIntyre Music Scholarship recipients and other senior musicians.
We are incredibly proud of the program and enjoy seeing the exponential learning of our students.
Primary Schools Music Experience
The Loreto Primary School Music Experience saw more than 500 local primary school students visit the MMC to enjoy an hour of music, dance and vocal performances by our Loreto musicians. The energy in the theatre was incredible, as these young visitors sang, danced and clapped along to our Senior Band, Vocal Quartet, String Ensemble and Year 9 Dance class. This event was a great reminder of how special the Performing Arts is for both performers and audience.
Learning Diversity News
Ms Ginelle Polanske (Learning Diversity Leader)
All students supported by the Learning Diversity and Wellbeing departments are moderated and considered for inclusion in the NCCD based on their disability, needs and adjustments made to help them find success at school.
NCCD and supporting students with disability
The NCCD is an annual collection of information about Australian school students who are receiving adjustments due to disability. The NCCD enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards), Australian students with disability must be able to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers. To ensure this, students with disability may receive adjustments to access education, based on the professional judgement of teachers, in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians or carers.
Library News
Ms Meghan Douglas (Director of Library Services)
Winter is a great time to curl up with a book and read! Through our structured reading programs, we have been promoting a broad range of genres and giving students options about what they might be interested in reading next. Our Year 7s have explored War Stories and Historical Fiction, as a genre introduction for next term’s study of Katrina Nannestad’s ‘Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief’. Our Year 8s have explored non-fiction, borrowing everything from cook books, to Pop-Science, Health information, Finance guides, Biographies, and beyond. Our Year 9s were in reading a range of short stories and examining their structure, before their own writing assessments in English. Later, they returned to read Romance novels as a gentle introduction to ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Holiday borrowing has now begun, with all new loans extended beyond the holiday break to make sure everyone has plenty to read!
During Reconciliation Week the Library hosted our Year 7 Humanities and Year 8 RE classes for learning activities related to the theme “Bridging Now to Next’. We know that one of the ways we can build this bridge is through education about First Nations culture and experiences. To that end, our Year 7s watched and read bilingual Dreaming stories from around Australia, examining the purpose or role of these texts, and being exposed to stories told in Language. Many classes were able to join us for a second lesson, where they explored the importance of language maintenance, alongside the meaning of Wadawurrung place names using the Gambay language map. Our Year 8s practiced their research skills, investigating the biography of a famous First Nations leader using physical and online resources, before teaching their friends about this person through a competitive game of memory. The Library’s First Nations guide has many resources that students and staff can use to learn more about Australia’s history and First Nations culture.
Year 11 and 12 English students have joined us in the Library over the last weeks to learn more about researching and referencing to support their persuasive speeches SACs. They have used the Echo, Informit Explore and Access Australia (Newsbank) databases to research their topics, as well as being reminded about proper referencing conventions. The Library’s ‘Newspapers and Statistics’ guide is a rich resource for these students, collating helpful databases, news sources, referencing information, and reliable sources of statistics and data to support and extend their arguments.
All students in Years 7 to 12 have access to the MyConnect digital bookshelf, which allows them direct access to all digital resources they purchased through our book seller Campion. Instructions for accessing this are published on SIMON for students, and they are encouraged to make use of this resource to support their learning. Students are welcome to come to the Library for support with accessing or using this resource.
Happy Reading!
Library Website: https://libguides.loreto.vic.edu.au/Loreto-Library
Our email: library@loreto.vic.edu.au
Our eBook and audiobook collection: https://loreto.wheelers.co/
Instagram: Follow us @loretoballaratlibrary
Career News
Ms Jodie Howlett (Careers Coordinator)
In this week's Career News:
- Career Spotlight - Sports Statistician
- UAC Early Offer Open
- Why Study Tips Are Important
- Local Council Apprenticeship
- Bright Awards 2025
- Harness Your Human Skills
- What’s on at the Museum
- Engineering Acadamy
- Resume Ready
- Projects Abroad Gap Year
- Staying Safe Online
- Competitions Open Now!
- Challenges Open Now!
Finance News
Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) will provide payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions. As Loreto College has an all-inclusive fee which covers the cost of camps, sports and excursions, any funds received will be off-set against the student’s tuition fee. $256.00 per year will be paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments will come directly to the College and be credited to the students tuition fee account.
Eligibility:
Families holding an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans Affairs Gold Card on the first day of Term 1 or first day of Term 2 or be a temporary foster parent will be eligible to apply.
How to Apply:
Application forms are available on the Loreto College website, or click on the button below. The form needs to be returned to the School Office or emailed to accounts@loreto.vic.edu.au
If you applied for the CSEF at Loreto College Ballarat in 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances (new student/sibling, concession number, etc.). Your child's school will apply for the CSEF on your behalf.
Closing Date:
The closing date for CSEF applications to be submitted to the College is 4 July 2025 (no applications will be accepted after the closing date). All eligible families are encouraged to apply. For more information about the CSEF visit
Conveyance Allowance 2025
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.
To be eligible for a conveyance allowance, a student must reside 4.8km or more from the College. Application forms are available on the Loreto College website or click on the link below.
Please note that in 2024 parents who successfully applied and received the Conveyance allowance at Loreto College in 2024 are not required to complete a new application form unless their details have changed – address, mode of transport, etc.
However, to submit a claim Myki receipts or statements or other bus company receipts must be received by the end of each term.
For further information visit:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/conveyance-allowance/resources
Any enquiries please email accounts@loreto.vic.edu.au
Community News
Communications
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A reminder that our newsletter is now published twice a term.
