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Leadership News
From the Principal
Ms Michelle Brodrick
It is with great joy that we reflect on the Sesquicentenary celebrating the 150th Year of Loreto in Australia and our school, Loreto College Ballarat. This newsletter will focus on this very special occasion and many of the events that have been held this term.
We began with the College’s First Nations students leading the way as they danced ‘a sweeping of country’ to begin the 150th Celebration Mass in the glorious front gardens of the College; and concluded with the International Women’s Day breakfast acknowledging three former students – Marea Breisch, Mary Delahunty and Anna Pipkorn. The inspiring Travelling Exhibition, the play Serious Business, Open Gardens, Tours, Reunions and other gatherings, all created a sense that this occasion of celebrating 150 years was acknowledging the past, present and future of Loreto in Australia.
How courageous Mother Gonzaga Barry and her companions must have been to establish this College in 1875 – with a vision for education that came to include kindergarten, primary and secondary education, and teacher training. They paved the way for thousands of young women to allow themselves to let their light shine, to live fully and act justly, in the knowledge that to search for the profound truth of who we are, will set us free.
Click below to read more >
Farewell to Gemma McDermott
At the end of term, Gemma McDermott, Assistant Principal Wellbeing is retiring from her role as Assistant Principal Wellbeing. On behalf of the Loreto College community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Gemma for her exceptional service and dedication in her time with us. Her unwavering commitment to the values of Loreto College have left an indelible mark on our students and staff alike as has her passion for teaching, particularly in Mathematics.
As a valued member of the Leadership Team, Gemma’s work in the area of wellbeing has exemplified care and compassion, fostering an environment where every student feels supported and valued. Her tireless efforts and genuine love for education and our college's mission have truly enriched our community.
Sad News - Sr Mary Wright IBVM
On Saturday 29 March, former Loreto College Ballarat Principal (1977- 1980) and former Province and Institute Leader, Sr Mary Wright IBVM passed away after battling illness. Mary was a remarkable woman, known both nationally and internationally as an educator, canon lawyer, writer, facilitator, and board director. She was a true Mary Ward woman. We give thanks for her immeasurable contribution to our Loreto community.
Easter Message
As term one comes to an end and we celebrate Easter during the break, let us embrace the Loreto College Year of Verity and reflect on the profound truth and hope found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This sacred season calls us to renew our faith, seek authenticity in our relationships, and live with integrity and courage. May Easter inspire us to embrace the light of Christ, serve others with sincerity, and uphold the values of truth and compassion in our daily lives. Wishing all students, staff, and families a blessed and joyful Easter, filled with peace, grace, and the strength to live in verity.
From the Deputy Principal
Ms Christine Shaw
At the end of Term 1 in our 150th year, we look back on the events, achievements and contributions with great pride. As our school community came together for significant celebrations, we heard at the Mass how Mother Gonzaga Barry likened our Loreto community to a row of goodly pearls, strung on a triple cord, strong and sure. Gold, Silver and the purest white. This is our community of Loreto bound together in our faith.
The Loreto Schools Australia Committee have worked in conjunction with Sr Sandra Perrett ibvm and Faith and Identity leaders across the schools to develop the travelling exhibition. This is making its way around the country to each Loreto school. From the artwork created by Evie Davidson in Year 11 used on many publications and on the 150th commemorative badge, to the magnificent skirts designed for the mannequins that represent each school, our students have been heavily involved in bringing everything together. Each school will perform the play ‘Serious Business’ and has provided a perspex box representing an aspect of their school. In addition to informative banners about Mother Gonzaga’s companions, the Orrery, and other artefacts and information provided by the Loreto Province archives, our students have loved learning about our past so they can shape our future. Daily tours of the exhibition with Sr Sandra were greeted with delight and intrigue as they explored our rich heritage and faith connections. There was a significant amount of student and staff involvement in every aspect of our celebrations, and it brought great pride to the Loreto community.
As I write, some of our students are on the water at the Australian National Rowing Championships in Lake Barrington Tasmania, competing against the Nation’s best. After successfully winning the Head of the Lake and the overall BAS Premiership and many State titles, they continue to go from strength to strength. We will provide a more updated report in the next Newsletter once the season is complete. Many students are also working hard to bring together the Broadway Musical ‘Newsies’ in conjunction with St. Patrick’s College, so please get your tickets to support them in May.
As the term draws to a close, I want to congratulate our Year 7’s who are now firmly embedded into Loreto and the Year 12’s who are laying firm foundations for the final terms to come. From the Mass to sporting activities to music and performing arts, camps, retreat days and so much more, our students are making the most of every opportunity and we continue to encourage them to ‘do the ordinary well’ (MGB). In Assembly this week, I reminded students of Father Justin’s words at the end of the Mass as a purposeful reflection in all they contribute to their own development, but also that of Loreto.
‘We look to you – that you have been inspired and have your identity confirmed in Loreto.’ What he was asking of them is to make sure they work hard to leave a legacy of a Loreto that continues to thrive and this is something we can all contribute to.
From the Assistant Principal: Faith & Identity
Ms Felicity Knobel
“This set me thinking and wishing, our dear Loreto children were also a row of goodly pearls…I would string these pearls on a triple cord strong and sure.”
This cord would be… Gold…Silver…and…White
In our Mass celebrating 150 years of Loreto these words were evident in every part of this event. From our Dhurrung students and First Nations alumni powerfully welcoming us to country. To our procession of students symbolically carrying the gold, silver and white and the words of Mother Gonzaga Barry spoken by Ms Denise Dunne echoing around the beautiful gardens of our campus. We witnessed the talent of our choir and our band of our current students while also welcoming past students Laura Fitzgibbon and Kate Robertson to share their musical talents in our Responsorial Psalm. This triple cord that Mother Gonzaga Barry was further in evidence with alumni, current students, past staff and current staff all being part our celebration and assuring us that we truly are strong and sure.
Our celebration was complete with the Loreto sisters who were able to be with us for our Mass. We have much to be thankful for as a Loreto community for the faith and dedication of the Loreto women who have inspired so many generations of women and continue to do so in their work not only in Australia but across the world.
This is our Loreto… Strong and sure…Faithful to Grace… Growing… Inspiring
The 150 Year Exhibition
Who would believe these instructions?
- Create a skirt that encapsulates Loreto College Ballarat for a 14 foot nun dressed in a habit…
- Perform a play that will be a conversation between a current student and Gonzaga Barry…
- Here is perspex box and the concept of Planets Pearls and Possibilities now go and create…
- And we will join forces with all our beloved Loreto schools throughout Australia to tour this exhibition.
Of course we did.
The 150 Exhibition was something to behold. The brainchild of Sr Sandra Perrett ibvm who was tireless in her vision of this exhibition and it was a great success in its first stop at Loreto College Ballarat.
Behind this exhibition at we had many staff and students who used their creativity, their talents and their determination to see the ideas come to life and to fruition. Entering into our much loved Chapel and seeing the 14 foot mannequins with their colourful skirts that each Loreto school in Australia created. Looking at the exploration of the Planets, Pearls and Possibilities that were encased in the Perspex boxes and the various interpretations of this theme. And lastly, and by no means least watching our talented students onstage performing Serious Business.
Mother Gonzaga Barry would have loved every minute of it.
From the Assistant Principal: Learning & Innovation
Ms Adele Ryan
Term 1 at Loreto has been a time of impressive growth, learning, and achievement for our students. Amidst our 150th celebrations, through the continued provision of rigorous and meaningful learning experiences, we are following in the footsteps of our founder, Mother Gonzaga Barry, who believed that students should have a broad and liberal education. We echo our founder, through her advice to students to....’do your very best and avail yourself of every opportunity.’
The dedication and enthusiasm shown by both students and teachers during Term 1, has set a positive tone for the rest of the academic year. Of note is the exemplary approach taken by our Year 7 and Year 9 students during the NAPLAN tests. They were ably supported by Ms Sara Sharer, Mr Dean Pepplinkhouse and all teachers who supervised the tests. In addition to classroom learning and assessments, students have embraced many academic enrichment opportunities available, ranging from public speaking, the Arts, STEM and various club activities.
In addition to the students' achievements, our teachers have played a pivotal role in fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment. Their collaborative efforts within the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have been particularly noteworthy. This year our PLCs involve a number of groups, each with a different focus and include: Student Agency, Literacy/Reading, Focus and Engagement, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Curiosity. Teachers have engaged in continuous professional learning, sharing best practices, and supporting each other to enhance their teaching strategies, within PLCs, and within their Faculties and Departments. This collective effort helps to create a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
The positive relationships between teachers and students have been a cornerstone of our successes this term. Teachers have gone above and beyond to build strong connections with their students, fostering a sense of trust and mutual respect. This supportive atmosphere has encouraged students to take risks, ask questions, and engage deeply with their learning. Indeed, we look forward to discussing this learning as we welcome parents during our Parent, teacher, student meetings that are scheduled for Term 2. More information about these meetings will be available early next term.
In Term 2, we look forward to continuing the momentum in learning, to enable positive outcomes and growth for all our students. Interim reports will be available at the end of this term and we encourage students to reflect on their learning by noting their successes, and also considering areas for further growth. We know that learning requires a three-way partnership between students, parents/carers and teachers and we appreciate the ongoing support of our community in nurturing our culture of learning.
From the Assistant Principal: Wellbeing
Ms Gemma Mc Derrmott
International Women’s Day UN Australian Theme ‘March Forward’
Thirty years ago, the world committed to a bold vision for gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Since then, we have seen women break barriers, reshape policies, and ignite global movements. Yet in some cases promises made remain largely unfulfilled for millions of women worldwide. We are simply not where we should be. It’s time to turn promises into progress. International Women’s Day 2025 commemorated Beijing+30 and #MarchForward for a gender equal future. The world cannot afford a step back.
Respect Cup 2025
The Respect Cup was started in 2021 as an initiative to raise awareness about inclusivity, diversity and building Respectful Relationships.
It is an AFL competition between Ballarat and Geelong. The game is played the week of International Women's Day. The AFL Ballarat teams are Loreto and St Pats, the AFL Geelong teams are St Joseph's and Sacred Heart. The headliner game is the game between Loreto and Sacred Heart.
This year the Respect cup was held at the Geelong Stadium. Though Loreto did not win, the students in the team had a great time, when I asked Isabella if she enjoyed it, she said, "it was so much fun" that is all you want, no matter what the score is, the ultimate is whether they enjoyed it and as they did on the day, left with their faces beaming with pride and joy.
Thank you to Liam Gill, Stephen Boswell, Matt Flight and Naomi Russell for all your work on the day and in the lead up. Tilly Stringer and Ruby Thomas as Captains had to give a speech on the day, below is what they said. Ruby Thomas was named best on ground for Loreto.
We are honoured to be speaking today as the 2025 Respect Cup Captains. Today we play this game of football to celebrate international women’s and to uplift women in hope for an equitable future. This year, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme, ‘March Forward’.
Click below to read more >
Farewell to Loreto
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart I leave Loreto at the end of this term. Loreto’s rich history of strong women is an inspiration to all those young people and staff members who have passed through the gates. For me, not only have I loved working here, but I have also found it a great comfort during my stroke and rehab. I will always remember the warmth I felt from staff, students and parents/carers on my return after my stroke. My love for Loreto and Ballarat will always be in my heart. It is now time for me to stop and focus on my recovery. I wish the very best to the Loreto staff, students and families.
From the Director of ICT
Mr Stuart Campbell
Loreto App Issues
We understand some families are experiencing issues accessing the Loreto app. We are working on a solution and want to reassure families that all College communication can be accessed via PAM, the College newsletter, or the Loreto College Ballarat website.
Any important information will be communicated directly to families via email.
From the Director of Years 10-12
Ms Kerryn Boyko
In our 150th year, Term 1 has been overflowing with a myriad of opportunities and experiences for students. Our Year 12s commenced the year in deep thought during their retreat, considering the quality of verity and planning how to ‘do the ordinary well’. For Year 11 students, the Day of Hope and Thinking Traps workshops will have stimulated contemplation about their personal motivations and ways to push and aim high not only in the last two years of their schooling but beyond. There was appreciation mid-term, of the privilege of being present and involved in 150th celebrations. Mass in the beautiful front gardens was the perfect way to celebrate the courage and initiative of Gonzaga Barry.
In other weeks of Term 1, students engaged with the International Women’s Day breakfast, gave their all in the Respect Cup Football Match and felt pride for our rowers who dug deep and preformed well in regattas throughout the term. Other notable experiences have been the College Swimming Carnival, safe partying workshop presented by Sonya Karrass to Year 12 students, a gendered violence forum and the Year 10s completing the Morrisby Assessment. Year 10 and 11 students are looking forward to the reflection days in Week 10.
Students have been focused in classrooms and locked into learning. It is pleasing to see some students taking advantage of the academic supports offered: the weekly subject help sessions, the Learning Hub and initiated meetings with teachers who willingly give their time to help with that tricky coursework content and consolidation of skills. Already, Unit 1 and 3 VCE and VCE-VM curriculum programs are at the halfway mark.
In Term 2, students are encouraged to continue embrace the diverse opportunities offered, as well as to maximise their strengths. Let’s give our best effort to do the ordinary well.
College News
Mother's Day Liturgy and Afternoon Tea
Join us for our Mother's Day Liturgy and Afternoon Tea. Celebrate the special women in your life on Saturday 3 May and join us in the Loreto Chapel from 2pm, followed by an Afternoon Tea in the MMC foyer.
Tickets can be purchased here:
https://events.humanitix.com/loreto-college-mother-s-day-liturgy-and-afternoon-tea
Year 12 Retreat
On Thursday, 6 February to Friday 7 February, the Year 12 cohort embarked on the highly anticipated retreat. For years, we had heard countless stories from past Year 12s about the retreat, and we couldn’t wait to experience it for ourselves. The glowing reflections from previous cohorts filled us with high expectations, and I’m thrilled to say that our retreat lived up to every bit of the excitement.
Throughout the retreat, we were given the time to reflect both independently and as a team on our journeys so far, while looking ahead to the final year of high school. In small group discussions, we explored topics ranging from school life to life beyond the classroom, touching on our hopes, concerns, and the big questions on our minds. These conversations created a space for vulnerability, allowing us to connect more deeply with one another — often with people we hadn’t expected to have such meaningful exchanges with.
While these intimate moments were powerful, we also had the chance to come together as a whole cohort, strengthening our bond in a variety of ways. Whether it was during snack breaks (of which there were plenty!) or sitting outside taking in the breathtaking views, the retreat fostered a sense of unity and shared experience.
One of the retreat’s most cherished traditions is the affirmations bag. Each student writes their name on a brown paper bag, and over the course of the retreat, peers anonymously write uplifting messages to each other. We opened our bags on the final day, and it was truly heartwarming to see how many people noticed, appreciated, and understood us.
In addition to this, we had a profound discussion on Verity— the value of 2025 - and the importance of being truthful and authentic in all aspects of our lives. Through deep conversations in our small groups, we gained a better understanding of how to embrace Verity and live it out in our actions.
As the Class of 2025, we’re excited to celebrate this pivotal year together, marking a huge milestone not only for us but also for the Loreto community. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds, and we’re eager to share this journey with all of you!
Year 7 Camp
First Camp:
We arrived at school with bags packed ready for a thrilling adventure at camp.
When we got there, we were greeted by friendly staff members and not long after we went into our first rotations
All the rotations were one hour long and they included Archery, Orienteering, Gaga, milk crate stacking and crowd favourite Zipline, we had our prepacked morning tea. However, we got given afternoon tea which was fruit and a slice delicious of cake which was gone in 2 seconds then we were sent off for 2 more rotations before dinner.
For dinner we had chicken, veggies, rice and gravy and a delicious chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and ice cream which was so yummy we all wanted seconds. We then went for an intriguing night walk and then made iconic damper and drank billy tea by the campfire before heading off to bed at 9:30. The next morning we were up and ready for breakfast, then we had our last rotation. Then we ate a delicious lunch and then gathered all our stuff, thanked everyone and farewelled this amazing camp.
Second Camp:
When us second day campers arrived, it was a bit of mayhem trying to organise us to do the roll and put our stuff down. Once that was done, we met some friendly staff members. Then we had our packed morning tea. Then the staff led us down to the oval were some year tens greeted us. While we were down on the oval the year tens taught us the Loreto war cry in our home rooms. Then we did one as a big group. Then the others left, and we got into our four activity groups.
The activities we did were zipline and the Gaga pit. Then the afternoon came, and we had dinner, for dinner we had jacket potato's and bolognaise sauce. Then we went for an eye-opening night walk where we got to climb over a massive fallen tree. Then we made damper and drank billy tea then we went to bed. The next day the groups finished off our fun activities. For lunch we had burgers. Then we did one last sweep of the camp to make sure we had got everything, and we then got on the buses and waved goodbye to camp. Overall Year 7 camp was an amazing way to get to know more fellow students and make friendships based on laughter and fun. We now officially feel ready to start our Loreto journey.
Year 8 Camp
The best part of camp was making new friends and getting even closer with the ones I already had. Being away from school in a completely different environment gave me the chance to talk to people I wouldn’t normally hang out with, it was so much fun getting to know everyone better!
One of the biggest challenges was stepping out of my comfort zone during team activities, especially with people I hadn’t really talked to before. Through those challenges, I learned how important it is to listen to others and work together by considering everyone’s ideas.
Next year’s Year 8s should be excited for boogie boarding! Catching waves with friends was so much fun, even if it took some trial and error to get it right. But once you do, the feeling is totally worth it!
Year 8 News
Ms Elaine Rooney (Year 8 Coordinator)
No Fools Here! Year 8 Take on the Da Vinci Decathlon with Brains, Bravery and a Bit of Banter
On 1 April, while the rest of the world may have been dodging pranks and playful trickery, nine fearless Year 8 students were proving themselves anything but fools. At the bright and early hour of 8:30am, they embarked on the gruelling (okay… slightly brisk) ten-minute walk to St Patrick’s College to represent Loreto in the 2025 Victorian Regional Da Vinci Decathlon.
For the uninitiated, the Da Vinci Decathlon is no ordinary academic competition—it’s a battle of wits and wonder inspired by the original Renaissance genius himself. Teams of eight tackle ten diverse disciplines that span the intellectual universe: Engineering (hello spaghetti structures!), Mathematics (numbers galore), Code Breaking (crack the pattern, save the day), Art and Poetry (creativity counts), Science (hypotheses and highlighters), English (word nerds unite!), Ideation (solve the world's problems—no biggie), Creative Producers (put your dramatic flair to good use), Cartography (map it like Magellan), and Legacy (history sleuthing at its finest).
Our intrepid team—Mary Kajo, Gemma Kirby, Abigail Neilson, Edie, Ayla Bennett, Lola Roney, Charlotte Chibnall, Ruby Figiel, and Chloe Pitt—buzzed with nervous excitement on arrival. A highly scientific name-drawing ceremony was held to determine who would step into the very prestigious role of chief cheerleader, as only eight students can compete at a time. True to Loreto spirit, there was much support and joy regardless of who wore the pom-poms (metaphorically, of course).
The morning flew by in a whirlwind of five fast-paced events, followed by a quick but friendly morning tea—where the girls mingled with fellow brainiacs from across the region. Then it was straight back into the intellectual fray to tackle the final five challenges.
And did they rise to the occasion? Absolutely! Not only did our Year 8 team hold their own, they triumphed, taking out first place in English and Creative Producers, second place in Ideation and Mathematics, and third place in Code Breaking. A phenomenal effort for their first-ever appearance at the decathlon!
A huge congratulations to our young scholars—what a way to represent Loreto with courage, creativity, and a whole lot of clever. Da Vinci himself would’ve been proud.
Sport News
Mr Liam Gill (Director of Sport)
Term 1, as always, has been very busy for the Sport team with BAS sport kicking off as well as the Swimming Carnival and Respect Cup.
Swimming Carnival
It was an exciting day filled with races and fun novelty events. Across all year levels, we loved seeing so many students get involved, show off their House spirit, and cheer on each other! Congratulations to Mornane Minions for their winning Syncronised Swimming performance and to Barry for taking home the overall victory! Both Barry and Mornane were awarded the Spirit Stick as both showed great team spirit.
It was also great day for smashing records - we saw a few long standing records broken:
Year 7 Backstroke - previous record, Lucy Olver (2012) 38:36
New Record - Addison Hendley, 37:41 seconds
Year 7 Butterfly - previous record, Molly Malone (2023) 44:94
New Record - Addison Hendley, 38:00 seconds
Yr 9 Butterfly - previous record, Georgia Mahony (2023) 38:84
New Record - Molly Malone, 36:19 seconds
BAS Sport
Congratulations to all students that competed in BAS sport this term. We had some fantastic results in all sports. This term we fielded 2x Junior basketball teams who will finish their season tonight currently sitting 2nd and 1st on the ladder, two junior volleyball teams, a senior Basketball team a senior tennis team an intermediate volleyball team and a lawn bowls team. A huge thankyou to all staff that coached or supervised this term, if these people don’t give up their time, we would be unable to participate, and this is very much appreciated.
BAS Golf and Henderson Shield
Congratulations to Charlotte Prendergast and Lilly Ryan who both competed at the Henderson Shield Tennis tournament this term. Also, to Pearl Godwin who competed at the BAS Golf 18-hole tournament.
BAS Swimming
A great group of students represented the school at the recent BAS Swimming carnival and we had some fantastic results for the day. Overall we finished 3rd in the girls event, which is a great result considering the high level of competition.
Respect Cup
Hosted by Sacred Heart College and St Joseph’s College, our team traveled to Geelong - GMHBA Stadium to participate in the annual Respect Cup on 19 March. It was a great day celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and the power of sport in our community, all while honouring women in sport. A huge shoutout to all our players and coaches who represented Loreto with pride, and a special congratulations to Ruby Thomas for taking home the Best on Ground award for Loreto!
VCE-VM News
Mr Andrew Blackwood (Faculty Coordinator: VCE-VM)
VCE-VM Term 1 Wrap-Up
As Term 1 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible experiences and achievements of our VCE-VM students at Loreto College. It has been a jam-packed term filled with skill-building, personal development, and unforgettable opportunities.
To kick off this term was the Hunter Van barista training, where students had the privilege of learning from Jane Anderson of Find the Grind. Developing practical barista skills will provide valuable employment opportunities for our students, reinforcing the hands-on learning approach of our program.
Another key training session involved Practical First Aid and CPR, equipping our students with essential life-saving skills. These certifications not only build confidence but also ensure our students are prepared to act in emergency situations, whether in the workplace or the community.
Our Year 11 students participated in the Botanikids program, engaging with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens community. Through activity planning, crafting, and serving morning tea and coffee, students developed leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while bringing joy to young children and their families.
A true highlight of the term was the inspiring visit from Chris Anstey, former NBA and NBL player. He shared powerful insights on effort, culture, and embracing life’s opportunities. His message resonated with our students, encouraging them to push boundaries and make the most of what is presented to them on a day-to-day basis
This term also saw our students play a role in Loreto College’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Our Year 12 students assisted with catering and waitressing for our special guests after the morning liturgy in the front gardens.
Between our Cert III Business and Cert II Cookery class our students have cooked and donated over 40 different soups, 20 desserts, 30 Easter cookie packs and 24 frozen family meals to the Soup Bus and local charity organisations. Giving back to the community is one of our core values and Loreto and our students really enjoy making a positive impact to those in need.
For Year 12 Professional Development Studies, our VM students have been creating their very own children’s story books relating to an aspect of social awareness. During Term 1 we were lucky to have Loreto College’s very own children’s book author Sarah Lane (Library Assistant) visit with the students to talk about her publishing journey.
For our Year 12 Outdoor Education students, the Cave Hill Creek camp in Week 7 was an unforgettable experience. Over two nights, they participated in a range of recreational activities, including bushwalking, canoeing, and abseiling. This adventure challenged them and built teamwork while providing a great bonding experience for the girls.
Finally, our Parent Information Night was a resounding success, with nearly 50 attendees eager to hear all about the VCE-VM program. Hearing from the students themselves about what this program means to them and all of the skills and learning they take away from the different parts was a highlight.
Term 1 has been an incredible journey, and we are immensely proud of our students' efforts and dedication. As we look ahead to Term 2, we are excited for the new challenges and experiences that await. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for their ongoing support in making the VCE-VM program a rich and rewarding experience.
Surfing in Torquay
On the 5 March, all the year 11 and 12 VCE-VM students went to Torquay beach for the day to go surfing. We dressed in fluro colours and accessories to support a mental health organisation called OneWave. OneWave is a non-profit surf community who dress in fluro on Fridays and go out surfing for what they call, “saltwater therapy.” The overall goal of OneWave is to raise awareness around mental health, reducing the stigma and “helping people free the funk.” They do these fluro Fridays at several beaches across Australia and other countries such as India, New Zealand, UK, and Singapore. The purpose of wearing fluro is that bright colours have been proven to increase people’s happiness and often the high visibility helps people start a conversation about topics that are usually hidden.
We all gathered on the beach after being fitted for our wetsuits and were given a lesson on the steps to get up on your board and a brief explanation of OneWave and their purpose. Over the day, I learnt lots about the importance of resilience and persistence. I had the learn lots about resilience because when you are learning a new skill like surfing you have to be willing to fall off and get back up again. The highlight of my day was spending the time in the water with my friends in the sun and I am very excited to do it again next year.
Debating and Public Speaking News
Ms Tammy Vandenberg (Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator)
Lions Youth of the Year
Lions Youth of the Year is a wonderful program for our senior students to enter where they are recognised for their extensive range of activities and community involvement and benefit from interview skills and public speaking. Each student that enters appreciates the mentoring by pillars in our community.
This year Ella Cartwright and Jemima Knobel embraced the challenge and spoke about youth crime and truth telling in their prepared speeches. Congratulations to Jemima Knobel who won Best Speaker and Overall Winner at the Buninyong Club division and will move on to the state competition.
The Ethics Olympiad Training Day
The Ethics Olympiad is a competitive event where students engage in ethical discussions and debates. Unlike traditional debates, the focus is on collaborative dialogue, critical thinking, and moral reasoning rather than winning an argument.
On the 13 March, the Year 11 and 12 Ethics Olympiad teams attended an online training day to further research the ethical theories and topics such as a midnight curfew and the ethics of dog meat consumption. We learned more about how to structure philosophical conversations and how to apply ethical theories such as utilitarianism and consequentialism with more nuance.
We heard from guest speakers who came from the University of Guam, Harvard, University of British Columbia and Utah State University. We were so grateful to be able to consult with such impressive and well versed philosophers. We are excited as we head closer to the competition on 20 May and are working hard to prepare our cases.
Science News
Mr Matthew Flight (Faculty Coordinator: Science)
Solutions for the Future
On the 21 February, I had the opportunity to attend a talk from three female scientists concerning the solutions of the future, highlighting the challenges facing our world and the innovative solutions that STEM can offer. This event was held at Parliament House in Melbourne to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and included many opportunities to network with other girls interested in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine), as well as members of The Royal Society of Victoria and researchers.
We heard from Ruwini Cooray (spoke on Future Health), Dr Kim Reid (spoke on Future Climate) and Dr Morley Muse (spoke on Future Energy), who are all passionate about girls being included in the future of STEM. Their pathways and research were very interesting to learn about and got me thinking about what I may do in the future.
My connection with Ballarat Tech School over 2023 and 2024 as a participant, then a student leader for their Girls in STEM program led me to this event. I have lots of girls my age with similar interests and aspirations and networked with amazing people in the field of STEM.
Girls in STEM
On 25 March, students from Ballarat schools worked in teams to solve a real industry problem as part of the 2025 Girls in STEM program held at the Ballarat Tech School. Mars Wrigley staff presented them with a quality control challenge to separate subquality Maltesers from the production line before packaging.
The determination, collaboration and creativity on display blew the Mars Wrigley staff away. In just 3 hours the students displayed the skills of budding engineers and produce impressive prototype solutions. While 2 teams received awards for their outstanding work, enormous congratulations were extended to all teams for their excellent efforts in design and teamwork. The team that delivered the best prototype solution to the challenge was awarded the Mars Wrigley Golden Ticket to tour the Ballarat Mars Factory site.
Congratulations to Elsa, Year 9, who was part of the winning team and awarded first prize of the factory tour plus a bag of ‘goodies’.
Languages News
Ms Yoshie Burrows (Faculty Coordinator: Languages)
We have had an excellent start to the 2025 school year. Following the success of our Study Tour to Japan in December, we were able to reciprocate by hosting five students from Otsuma Girls High School in Tokyo. Two of these exchange students had previously hosted our four students in Tokyo.
Anri Fukuya, Nanami Omori, Hiroka Sasatani, Hana Yamanaka, and Honoka Niimura spent 10 weeks immersing themselves in a diverse range of subjects, including French, Unit 1 Psychology, and Biology. They thoroughly enjoyed the full immersion programs our College offered.
In addition, we welcomed a group of fifteen Year 9 students from Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen in Tokyo for a 12-day visit in March. They participated in ESL classes and enjoyed interacting with our students. We extend our appreciation to all their host families for their warm care and hospitality, ensuring that their time in Ballarat was filled with fun and memorable experiences.
Our new Japanese Language Assistant, Miss Yoshie Hirata, arrived from Japan in February. She has already begun assisting Year 12 students with conversation tutorials. Not only does she possess excellent English skills, but her ability to work with people is very promising. We look forward to seeing her continued work with our students.
Year 7 students have started learning Japanese characters called Hiragana and Kanji. They have been busy studying their own mnemonic cards and practicing self-introductions. Their enthusiasm to use the language has created a positive buzz in the classrooms.
It has been another successful Term One for the Language Faculty.
Humanities News
Ms Jayne Carrigg (Faculty Coordinator: Humanities)
Term 1 has been an exciting and productive time in the Humanities. Our students have been learning valuable skills that they will be able to take with them beyond the Loreto gates to shape the world around them.
We have welcomed a new cohort of Year 7 students into our community and they have started their Humanities studies at Loreto by exploring Geography. In particular, the Year 7 students have been studying water as a resource and how it is used in our world. The Year 7 students will participate in a Fieldwork day in Term 2 exploring water, our lake and its inhabitants.
Our Year 8 students have continued to develop their Historical and critical thinking skills through the study of the Vikings and Medieval Europe and Japan. As part of their studies the year 8 classes will be visiting Kryal Castle for Medieval Day on Friday 9 May. We encourage students to dress in medieval costume to enhance the experience of the day (costumes can be made from items already at home and not be a huge expense). Prizes will be awarded to the 'best dressed'.
As our world increases in population size and the need for more environmentally sustainable ways to feed people also grows, our Year 9 students have been studying the real world issue of food security. They have explored the role that insects will play in the future as a valuable source of protein and the students have had the opportunity to taste cricket corn chips.
Year 10 students have been engaging with the concept of human wellbeing, exploring the human side of Geography. Currently students have investigated various wellbeing issues, ranging from food insecurity, water and sanitation, poverty and child labour.
In the VCE Humanities, students have been working on their studies in Business Management, History Revolutions, Politics, Legal Studies and Sociology. The Unit 3 Sociology students have visited the Ballarat Art Gallery as part of their studies of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. These students worked with artist Pauline O’Shannessy-Dowling. Our History students enjoyed an afternoon tea in the parlour while reflecting on their studies of the Boston Tea Party - it was much more delicious and far less contentious.
As the term draws to a close our students and staff will be appreciative of the term break as a time to rest and consolidate their learning.
Arts News
Ms Julia West (Faculty Coordinator: The Arts)
As we head into 2025 the Arts students of Loreto College are already into designing, planning, rehearsing, learning techniques and practicing processes. The Mary’s Mount Centre is alive with our Year 7 Da Capo and the newly formed Year 8 Encore music program. VCE Theatre Studies are designing and planning their performance to be viewed in Term 2, and Year 7 to 10 Drama are performing group works and monologues in the last weeks of Term 1. We love the busyness and the comradery of students designing, collaborating and learning new techniques and skills.
VCE Top Arts
Loreto College graduate of 2024, Erin Almeida, has her VCE Art Creative Practice artworks exhibited at the Ian Potter Gallery, Federation Square as part of the 2025 Top Arts Exhibition. The art show is open until 20 July and free to the public.
We congratulate Erin on this wonderful honour. With more than 1200 applications to Top Arts, Erin should be immensely proud of her inclusion into the exhibition.
NextGen Exhibition - Ballarat Gallery
On Saturday 15 March, The Ballarat Art Gallery celebrated the opening of the NextGen Art Exhibition. It was wonderful to see the works from six Loreto College students most of whom who attended the opening with their families
Congratulations to Loreto College graduate, Class of 2024 student, Amy Conroy, who was awarded Excellence in Creativity. We are proud of her achievement and commitment to her creativity and skills.
Students selected for the 2025 NextGen Exhibition were:
Kiah Bennett
Holly Boyd
Abigail Cartledge
Amy Conroy
Zoe Marios
Hannah McCrum
NextGen 2025 features some of the best of the work created by students from Government, Catholic and Independent schools from Ballarat, and the South Western Victorian region in 2024. The work represented is by students who have just completed VCE studies in: Art Creative Practice, Art Making and Exhibiting, Media, Visual Communication Design and Product Design and Technology.
Love and Information
Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information is a modern, fast-paced play that explores the ways we seek, process, and share knowledge—and how that shapes our relationships as they play the ‘game of life’. In short, fragmented scenes, characters navigate love, secrets, memory, and technology in a world saturated with information and misinformation. This production will be taking place in the Loreto Abbey Theatre on Thursday 1 May by the VCE Theatre Studies class. Their interpretation of this sharp and witty play is placed on a giant chessboard, symbolizing the ‘game of life’—where even the smallest actions have profound consequences. Time weaves through the play as it shifts across lifetimes and moments and 'Everything goes in every possible direction.' Entry is free and a light supper will be provided to all patrons coming to support Loreto creativity in action.
Loreto Students Lend a Creative Hand at the Begonia Festival
Over the long weekend (8 – 10 March), a group of dedicated Loreto students volunteered their time to support the Ballarat Society of Artists at the Begonia Festival. The students assisted with the festival’s children’s activity, helping young artists bring their creativity to life on blackboards.
It was wonderful to see our students engaging with the community, fostering creativity, and making the event even more enjoyable for local families. A big thank you to all the students who generously gave their time—your efforts truly made a difference!
Music News
Ms Simone Jans (Co-Curricular Leader: Music)
150th Celebration Mass – Music
Congratulations to the members of the Senior Concert Band, Bijou Orchestra and Celebration Choir for their contributions to the musical components of the 150th Mass. The contemplative nature of the music added great depth to this significant event. The students were ably supported by the following staff: Yvonne Holley, Jane Nice, Sarah Goodbourn and Simone Jans.
Thank you to: Abbie, Anri Furuya, Ashley Keem, Avamary Chalakkal, Baeli Jans, Beatrice Robinson, Bonnie Burt, Brianna Ballesty, Bridie Richardson, Charlotte Bull, Charlotte Norman, Claudia McGettigan, Matilda & Darcy, Eliza Dodd, Ella Cartwright, Ella Howlett, Elsa, Emily Gibson, Emma Phillips, Evelyn Driscoll, Frankie Page, Freya Cosgriff, Honoka Niimura, Ida Rowland, Imogen Mann, Isabella McLean, Isabella Miller, Isabelle Hanley, Jemima Knobel, Jemima Rowland, Johannah Addison, Jonty Clarke, Lilah Rose Goodbourn, Mabel Barrett, Maggie Brown, Matilda Dean, Matilda Goodbourn, Matilda Read, Mia, Milla Russell, Olena Vallance, Penelope, Sadie Goldsmith, Sienna, Sophia Dalton, Sophie, Zoe Crack, Zoe Timothy
150th Gala Ball
The Celebration Choir were honoured to be able to sing 4 songs at the 150 Gala Ball on Saturday 1 March at the Mining Exchange. The choir sang school songs from across the decades and provided the guests with the opportunity to sing their favourite song along with the choir. The songs were: Cruci Dum Spiro Fido, The Holiday Hymn, Queen of Loreto and She – Loreto World Anthem.
Thank you to: Abbie, Ashley Keem, Baeli Jans, Bonnie Burt, Brianna Ballesty, Charlotte Bull, Matilda & Darcy, Ella Howlett, Emily Gibson, Evelyn Driscoll, Freya Cosgriff, Isabella Miller, Isabelle Hanley, Johannah Addison, Lilah Rose Goodbourn, Matilda Dean, Matilda Goodbourn, Matilda Read, Mia, Sadie Goldsmith, Zoe Timothy.
LC Da Capo 2025
With great enthusiasm and a few nerves, our Year 7 students began their instrumental music journey in February. As part of the Da Capo Program, students have a weekly small group lesson with their specialist music tutor and then later that day they return to the Mary’s Mount Centre to combine with another class to play with their gold, teal or magenta ensemble.The beginning sounds have very quickly given way to more proficient sounds under the expert instruction of our tutors: Yvonne Holley & Elise Wright (violin & viola), Paula Maki, Heather George & Jane Nice (clarinet & saxophone), Holly DeJong (trumpet), Stuart Brennan (trombone), Sarah Goodbourn (flute) and Simone Jans (percussion).
We look forward to sharing our Semester 1 sounds with family and friends at our Da Capo Gala One performance on the evening of Tuesday 24 June (Year 7B, G, P and R) or Wednesday 25 June (Year 7S, W and Y). At the end of the performance, families will have the opportunity to have a meet and greet with our specialist tutors.
Library News
Ms Meghan Douglas (Director of Library Services)
We are delighted to have our Library up and running for the year!
In 2025, we have implemented a structured reading program across Years 7, 8 and 9. We have loved welcoming our junior English classes in for several supported reading lessons already this term, and we look forward to many more over the year. Students have been given a reading journal, asked to reflect on themselves as a reader, and develop a reading goal for the semester. They are being supported in this goal through personal recommendations and supported exploration of the many rich reading guides that the Library staff have produced. These outline the key features of different genres, highlight classic and emerging novels and series, and highlight our newest acquisitions as well. In subsequent reading lessons, we provide a “spotlight” on a particular aspect of our collection, aiming to broaden the types of books that students consider. Our Year 7s have focused on life writing and poetry, mirroring their work in English classes. As they approach the holidays, many have come in to preview and select a Fantasy novel as part of their genre study in Term 2. Year 8s have been introduced to the Classics collection, with many choosing to give a chance to a novel from a different time period, as well as a spotlight on First Nations authors across both fiction and non-fiction. Year 9s have been exposed to further Speculative Fiction novels, mirroring and extending their class study of ‘Future Girl’. All of this sits alongside our usual fresh and refreshed collection, with Suspense such as ‘The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ and Romance such as ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ to be strong genre favourites amongst our students.
The Shadow Judging Program has begun, with the group electing to read the books on the CBCA’s shortlist for Older Readers. These students have plenty to read over the holiday break, and will begin planning their creative responses early next term. Book Club has made a strong start on Thursday lunchtimes, enthusiastically led by Mrs Lane, engaging with literature in a relaxed and playful setting.
We are proud to continue offering our students a rich and varied reading program, and we encourage you to speak with them about what they are reading this holiday break. We also have a great selection of ebooks and audiobooks on our Wheelers platform. Students and staff can sign in using their Loreto credentials on the website or via the app, and never run out of reading material again!
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)
Year 9 Health Exploration Day
On Friday 21 March, students from our Year 9 elective subject, Game of Life, participated in a Health Exploration Day at ACU's Mair Street campus. They rotated through a range of workshops on physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and paramedicine. Students also participated in a Guess My Career session and finished the day with Career Speed Dating. Special thanks to the Highlands LLEN and ACU for running this event.
In this week's Career News:
- What is a ConstructionManager?
- Get Set to Stand Out
- Speak up For SafetyAustralian Signals
- Directorate Careers
- Get LinkedIn
- Maths and Stats Research Competition
- Get your Accounting Careers Guide
- How to Choose the RightCareer Path
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.
