Leadership News
From the Principal
Ms Michelle Brodrick
The ends of the earth stand in awe
At the sight of your wonders.
The lands of sunrise and sunset
You fill with your joy (From Psalm 65)
Growing up in country Victoria, I would spend every school break at my grandparents in the small Mallee town of Speed. Nanna and Pop (Elizabeth and Aubrey Archibald) had a small farm raising sheep and growing crops that they worked most of their lives. I have lovely memories of shearing time, lambing season and generally experiencing farm life. Nanna would perch herself on a stool and cook scones, jam roll and roasts that I am still unable to replicate. Pop would take my brothers and cousins in the back of a ute to check on the lambs or a fence. We would travel into town and visit the local shop for the paper, mail and groceries.
Every time spring comes around, I recall these times and how much I enjoyed this season on the farm and the feeling of appreciation and connection it gave me to the land.
As I walked into the grounds of Loreto this week, poppies bergenias, wallflowers and calendulas are flowering. The cygnets and ducklings can be seen around Lake Wendouree and there is a feeling of joy that the environment gives us.
In the weeks of isolation, cancellations of sports, events and visits to grandparents and family, many of us have found joy in the environment we live in.
Michael McGirr writes in Trees of Solitude, ‘As I have stretched my legs each day, they have become a bit like friends, waiting patiently for my visit, standing quietly while the rest of us keep moving. They have drawn me a little deeper into the mystery of life and into prayer’.
Our College environment has been energised by the return of our Year 11 and 12 students to onsite learning this week. Year 7 will be returning full time next week with Year 8-10 part time for the next two weeks. There is still uncertainty as to what the term will look like. College events may not look the same due to the restrictions, but we are aiming to make this final term a time of connection and belonging, no matter what form it takes.
From the Director of Faith & Mission
Mrs Felicity Knobel
Plenary Council - First Assembly
A Plenary Council is a formal meeting of the bishops and other representatives of all the dioceses and eparchies of the Catholic Church in Australia. I have the privilege of being a delegate for the Ballarat Diocese and have this week been attending the First Assembly which in our Covid-19 world is being held online.
The purpose of a Plenary Council is essentially a gathering where we are discerning what God is asking of us in Australia and the directions we need to take. While we should be asking continual questions of our church, a Plenary Council has the authority to make church laws on the results of our discernment. This process began over two years ago where many people including students and staff from Loreto College Ballarat were asked to participate in the listening and dialogue and also the discernment phases as we moved towards this First Assembly.
My focus of the First Assembly is:
How might we better see the future of Catholic education (primary, secondary and tertiary) through a missionary lens?
This question has drawn together 30 people from various backgrounds, occupations and also ages from throughout Australia to discern what our future looks like in Catholic education. As we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education here in Australia it is timely that we are looking very much to the future on how to engage and reimagine our Catholic education so that we remain relevant and forward thinking. We are very much looking at how we can offer an education that is welcoming and brings not only the best efforts from our students in their studies but also that they know what it means to be a Catholic person in the 21st century and all this entails.
Graduation Liturgy
One of the joys of my position at Loreto College is leading the organisation of our Graduation Liturgy. Our Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way in which our students graduate and it has certainly made many of us bring our creativity to the fore in order to give our students the graduation they deserve. We have traditions at our College that we know that our students look forward to and aspire to as they leave and we know that the flower Graduation Crowns are quite rightly the non negotiable item in anything that we organise. In the coming days our parents and carers of our Year 12 students will be receiving detailed information in regards to our graduation liturgy. We have given many hours of time to ensuring that our students and parents/carers are given a very special graduation experience that is mindful of the regulations that need to be followed in our society at this time.
College News
Standardised Testing - Term 4
Ms Sara Sharer (Learning Growth Leader)
This term students in Years 7 – 10 will be involved in various forms of standardised testing. This is completed every year to establish the growth of the individual and cohort, to identify areas of support required or where extension to learning may be implemented. We specifically test their literacy, numeracy, and science skills. The 2021 standardised assessment program will provide us with important learning data.
This year it will look a little different. We, at Loreto, want to ease the burden of testing when we return to the classroom so have made the decision (in consultation with the Australian Council for Educational Research), that some testing can be performed remotely. If your daughter has been asked to complete testing at home, they will receive a short video explaining everything they need to know, including how to log on and the reason teachers need this data.
This testing must be completed by the individual with no additional assistance and is a low stakes test. This means no preparation is required, and it is not used for reporting purposes. We just ask students to try their best so we have a clear indication of their learning progression and how staff can best support their growth. Supervision is not necessary, but you’re welcome to ensure they are completing the assessment under the specified conditions.
If they are doing a numeracy test, the one they get to do remotely is with a calculator. For all other tests, no other materials are required; however, a blank piece of paper and pen may be beneficial to make notes.
If technical problems occur direct your child to simply close off the browser and reopen. This will not lose their progress. Depending on the test it will be either 40 or 45 minutes long. I have asked that students time themselves, as the test does not automatically close them out after a certain time. It is important that the student stops when the time limit is reached even if the test has not been completed.
These tests may be completed in lieu of any subject over the next few weeks. Your daughter will be contacted by any of her subject teachers by their usual means of communication for remote learning.
If you have any questions, please contact Sara Sharer on ssharer@loreto.vic.edu.au
VCAL News
Mrs Jill Wheatland (VCAL Leader)
Last week we shared photos of our Year 12 VCAL students preparing for their upcoming Barista Course by preparing hot beverages through a customer service cafe scenario. Today they were able to complete the Barista Course under the watchful eyes of trainer, Stefan. The Barista Course forms a part of the VET Hospitality course that we run with our Year 11 and Year 12 VCAL students. We look forward to sharing more photos of our Year 11s completing their Barista course in late October.
Arts Faculty News
Ms Stephanie Greet (Faculty Leader The Arts)
Virtual VCE Art & Media Exhibition
The Loreto Curiouser and Curiouser VCE Virtual Visual Art Exhibition celebrates the artworks created by current students studying Art, Studio Arts and Media in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
The highly anticipated virtual VCE Exhibition Opening and Media Showcase will be live Tuesday 12 October via the Loreto website and social media.
I would like to thank Ms Esta Bourke-Finn, Mr Michael Walsh and Ms Alex Davison for leading and facilitating our young artists to high levels of artistic expression and refinement. In 2021, teachers have again worked tirelessly to problem solve and fire up creative spirits, strained from another year of challenge. I would also like to thank Ms Janine Ronaldson for her preparation of take-home remote learning resources, her patience and attention to detail in the curatorship of the exhibition. Thanks also to Narelle Mulrooney for all her creative and organisational input in the development of the catalogue and virtual exhibition.
To finally see the works presented is, for the students, relieving, nerve-wrecking and a source of pride. Curiouser and Curiouser celebrates the diversity, creativity and fortitude of our VCE artists, who have been able to produce high quality artworks under ever-changing circumstances. Congratulations, Loreto Artists, you made it!
Philosophy News
Mr Peter Foord (Faculty Leader RE)
Australasian Philosothon
After five weeks of meetings and preparation, eight students competed in the 2021 Australasian Philosothon (organised and run by the Australasian Association of Philosophy AAP) spanning hours of discussions on Zoom across Tuesday and Wednesday in the second week of the school holidays. Loreto was invited back to the national Philosothon this year due to COVID restricting State Philosothons earlier in the year.
Competing were Freya Cosgriff, Monty Ryan and Meril Raju (Year 8), Mathilda Carli (Year 9), Ann Chalakkal and Imogen Keene (Year 10), Chloe Johnston and Gemma Richardson (Year 12) with Courtney Cummins (Year 10) acting as the team reserve. The topics included: Can we really know different other minds? Is “cultural appropriation” a term that helps in efforts to respect peoples and cultures? Do parents have an obligation to create the best child they can? Is knowing yourself the first step to knowing anything at all?
Each of our girls did an amazing job at contributing their creative, critical and collaborative thinking to these four Communities of Inquiry. Although Loreto did not gain a place overall, two of our students gained places in their age categories. Ann Chalakkal came first amongst all Year 10 students competing while Chloe Johnston achieved third place amongst all Year 11 and 12 students competing.
I thank Mr David Barker for his wonderful support of the team and for his efforts facilitating three of the rounds in the competition. The facilitators and judges applauded the incredible quality of thought and discussion from students in schools from all States and Territories, across the four rounds of the competition.
In November, Loreto will field another team in the 2021 Victorian Philosothon.
Library News
Mrs Sarah Lane (Library Officer)
Welcome back to Term 4! While it looks a little different for each of us, we hope that everybody was able to enjoy a nice restful break and hopefully fit in a bit of holiday reading.
We’ve had a lot of questions regarding Book Week over the last few weeks and (restrictions willing) are planning to hold our celebrations in Week 7 of this term. This will hopefully be able to include all our previously planned events, activities, competitions and of course our ‘Pop-up Book Shop’.
Book Club will continue to run remotely. You can join us each Thursday at 1pm in our google classroom here https://classroom.google.com/c/MTMzODI5MjQ3MzYz?cjc=guxe3q5 Everyone is welcome!
Happy Reading!
The Library Team
Career News
Ms Jodie Howlett (Careers Coordinator)
In this week's Career News:
- University applications – Victoria: important dates, reminders, scholarships and accommodation
- Apprenticeship resources
- VCE Summer School (current Year 11 students)
- Hansen Scholarships (current Year 11 students)
- Australian Catholic University – upcoming events
- Film competition
- Youth Employment Program
- Medicine and Dentistry webinar
- Year 12 university scholarships
- STEM webinars – technology & cyber security and future energy careers
Fed Uni Parent Information Session
The Year 12 Students and Parents Info Session: Uni in 2022 virtual presentation has been scheduled for Tuesday, 12 October - 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
This informative Q&A session will provide helpful advice on the application process, alternative pathways to uni, course options, fees, scholarships, accommodation and the extensive range of student support available. You'll also hear about the advantages of studying in your own region, including the many financial, social and career benefits
Myfuture Webinar: Preparing today’s learners for uncertainty – a webinar for parents
'Uncertainty tolerance' (UT), or how we process and respond to unknown or complex situations, is increasingly recognised as an essential workplace skill. Uncertainties in the workplace are ever-present and we’ve seen shared, global experiences of this with the uncertainties surrounding work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday 9 November Associate Professor Michelle Lazarus will discuss the impacts of UT on students, and outline some strategies to help parents to support their children to improve their UT to prepare them for their futures in further education and work.
MAS Careers - Beyond School Webinars
Please see attached a flyer from MAS Careers for a ‘Beyond School’ free webinar series. The three events will be run in the evening to encourage parent involvement and are titled:
- Career Options Available to You (13 October)
- Focus on apprenticeships and Traineeships (14 October)
- Girls Can – Trade Up (19 October)
To register for these webinars, please download the PDF.
Loreto Community Notices
Prospective Families:
Virtual Open Day 2021 - Wednesday 13 October, 2021 at 9:30am
Join us on Wednesday 13 October at 9:30am for a virtual guided tour of the College grounds and facilities with our College Registrar. This is an opportunity to meet with our Registrar, ask any questions you may have and gain an insight into life as a student of Loreto College from the comfort of your home.
Registration is essential. A meeting invitation link will be sent the day prior.
Year 7 2023 Webinar - Information Evening
Join us for our Year 7 2023 Webinar - Information Evening! We welcome you to join us online and learn about a Loreto education, our Year 7 program, important dates and to ask any questions you may have. Following this, an optional virtual guided tour will be offered.
This event is for all prospective families looking to enrol for Year 7 2023.
Registration is essential. A meeting invitation link will be sent the day prior.
2022 Shoe Guide - The Athlete's Foot
Please click on the button below to download The Athlete's Foot 2022 Shoe Guide which includes shoes that meet the school uniform policy. Each time you buy a pair of shoes $5 is donated back to the school through their School Rewards program.
Finance News
Conveyance Allowance 2021
The conveyance allowance is a form of financial assistance for parents/carers to transport children to and from school in rural and regional Victoria. Allowances are available for public transport, private car and private bus.
In some locations, students are unable to access free school buses. In these instances, students may receive a conveyance allowance to assist with travel costs.
Important Dates
Due to the unpredictability of the current COVID-19 situation, please keep an eye out on PAM, the Loreto College App, website and social media for any updates to scheduled events.
For the full Loreto Events Calendar please visit via the Loreto College Ballarat app or https://pam.loreto.vic.edu.au/Login/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
Monday 18 October
- Year 12 final day of classes
Tuesday 19 October
- Year 12 Celebration Day at school
Wednesday 20 October
- Year 7 2023 Webinar - Information Evening
Monday 1 November
- Student Free Day
Tuesday 2 November
- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday