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
'We should be such as we appear and appear such as we are.'
Mary Ward, 1615.
Welcome!
We are thrilled to welcome back our students for 2024. A new school year brings with it a sense of excitement as each student moves up a year level and Year 7 students are transitioned into the College.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the new families who are joining our Loreto community for the first time. Along with Year 7 students, we have several students in Year 8 to 12 that are commencing their education at the College.
Standing at the Loreto College gates, the enthusiasm and nervousness of the students were evident. For 149 years, students have been attending school in Ballarat embracing an education in the tradition of Mary Ward. The five core values of Felicity, Freedom, Justice, Sincerity and Verity underpin Mary Ward’s spirituality and define our approach to education and social ministry around the world. In 2024 we celebrate the value of ‘Sincerity’.
Sincerity in our communication and relationship with others is an essential characteristic of the personal integrity Mary Ward envisaged. Her ideal was that “we should be such as we appear and appear such as we are”.
New Staff
We are pleased to welcome Adele Ryan as Assistant Principal Learning and Innovation. Most recently Adele has held a number of senior leadership positions in the area of Teaching Learning and Innovation in the Middle School and Senior School at Ballarat Grammar along with research roles and the Director of Leadership and Service. Adele has taught at St Patrick's College, St Martin's in the Pines (Damascus) and Ballarat and Clarendon College.
Adele studied a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education at University of Melbourne and also holds a Graduate Diploma of Education and a Graduate Diploma of Religious Education at Australian Catholic University. Originally from Warrnambool (St Ann's College), Ballarat has been Adele's home for many years. She teaches VCE Biology, Science, English, Humanities and Religious Education. Adele has significant expertise in the area of staff professional growth programs, Instructional coaching, leading instructional learning models across multiple schools and leading chairs of faculty through many significant projects.
We also welcome the following teachers to our staff: Susannah Berens, Bernadette Brouwers, Casey Coughlan, Charlotte Gibson, John Hammond, Flynn Jamieson, Meghan Martin, Zoe Nevett, Elaine Rooney, Paul Tucker, and Brianah Walsh. We are also fortunate to have three trainees and a language assistant – Caitlin Hubble, Jorja Bennett (Learning Diversity Trainees) and Sarah Woodward (Sports Trainee). Aika Takenaka will join our staff as a Japanese Language assistant.
The Class of 2023
Congratulations to the Class of 2023. Their leadership, service to others and contribution to the College have been outstanding. Congratulations to Ava Simpson who received the VCAL High Achiever Award and to the College Dux, Jessica Sheehan who attained an ATAR of 99.4. Her excellent results are an outcome of Jess’ commitment to her studies. Her pursuit of academic and sporting excellence is reflected in being the recipient of the Dorothy Irene Ellis-Thomas Scholarship and Aspiring Dream Award.
Thank you to the staff who contributed to the education of the students and to the parents/carers and families who were such an integral part of their final year of secondary education.
The Academic Assembly to recognise the 2023 achievements will be held on Friday 16 February. Year 12 students from the Class of 2023 who received an ATAR of 90 or more will be recognised with a presentation at the assembly, as well as students who received a study score of 40 or above, and students who attained the highest score in each subject.
Projects
Two projects have commenced on the Mary’s Mount site and are due for completion this year To have these underway is exciting especially as there were a number of hold-ups due to our heritage overlay and the impact of COVID.
The St Anne’s wing lift and classroom upgrade commenced this week. This project will provide much needed lift access to three levels of the College and improved wheelchair access to classrooms. It will include an inbuilt verandah and upgrade of the courtyard (quad) space.
The main scope of works will be completed in stages and include:
- Demolition of existing stairs and concrete removal (Stage 1)
- Raising heights of St Anne’s Veranda (to remove steps into classrooms) and enclosing first floor balcony with windows (Stage 2)
- Lift Construction (Stage 3)
- Courtyard development (Stage 4)
During construction. certain areas will be inaccessible or have limited access. This will result in disruption and challenges to school operations. We appreciate flexibility and cooperation by all users during this period.
The second project underway is the Sensory Garden that will adjoin the Learning Diversity Hub in the Mary Ward Centre. The Sensory Garden will provide a calm, quiet space to support emotional and physical health.
From the Deputy Principal
Mrs Chris Shaw
Term 1 has commenced with a collective sense of community, and we have welcomed all new members to the College with open arms. Our opening Mass acknowledged our commitment to the Loreto Values and with a focus on the year of Sincerity and all students, staff and parents present were engaged as one.
At Commencement Assembly, we inducted our Semester 1 Portfolio Reps and we look forward to all these students will contribute across the wide array of activities on offer (see link below). The Senate led the Assembly reminding us all of the may ways to be involved and engaged.
Students have been asked to getting going straight away with their learning, take responsibility and set learning goals. Waiting for a few weeks to get started puts them on the backfoot and means they are always playing catch up. As we walk as one, in being kind to themselves and having a plan, we also reminded our community in the spirit of Sincerity to be kind to others
Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates:
- Is it true?
- Is it helpful?
- Is it kind?
If the answer is no – then it is simple – don’t say it!
Kindness with sincerity is a very important thing for us all to practice. Do so and we will all have a great year in 2024.
A few reminders:
Drop off at the back gate – please be always mindful of safety for all pedestrians. Please park a little bit away from the College to ease congestion.
With much going on in the College, students are asked to check SIMON notices regularly for information along with their emails. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing PAM, please contact our ICT Department.
Please take note of limited access to the College due to construction works.
Rowing
Our rowers have been working very hard over the summer coming back early for their January Rowing Camp. The first two Regattas were a chance for crews to get settled in their campaign for the upcoming Head of the Lake on Sunday February 25 on Lake Wendouree.
Junior and Intermediate Crews competed at the Barwon in the Morongo Regatta last Saturday and showed they are an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with. With the Jnr Squad making every A Final against the tough Melbourne competition and the Inters in two A Finals and winning two C Finals and a B Final, Loreto Ballarat showed it’s strength as the best Ballarat squad in these divisions.
The Seniors and some Intermediates rowed on Lake Wendouree across two days in the Wendouree Rowing Regatta and scored 5 impressive wins across the weekend. This included an impressive composite crew win with St. Patrick’s College in the Mixed Coxed 8 against challenging competition. Many of our students rowed in different races and combinations than they normally would, from singles to doubles to mixing up their larger crews. In addition to their racing success, there was a great deal of fun had along the way.
A huge thank you must go to all the coaches and parents who give so much of their time to support our Rowing Program.
College News
What's On At Loreto - Clubs, Groups and Activities
For a complete guide on clubs, groups and activities on at Loreto College druing 2024, click on the link below - there is something for everyone!
Co-Curricular Sports News
Mr Liam Gill (Co-Curricular Sport Leader)
BAS Sport for 2024
Please find the link below to the list for BAS Sports for 2024.
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.
$225 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 2023, you do not need to complete an application form in 2024 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 28 June 2024 (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 2023
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 2023 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
Any enquiries please email accounts@loreto.vic.edu.au
Communications
To see the day-to-day life at Loreto, follow our Facebook and Instagram pages.
To stay up to date with important information and notices, download the Loreto College App. For further instructions on how to download and sign in to the app, head here.
A reminder that our newsletter is now published twice a term.
