Sowing the SEADs of Success
From the Assistant Principal: Wellbeing & Engagement
Loreto College has shone in its true light this week through many events and wonderful examples of the Mary Ward spirit and values.
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the School Girls Rowing Regatta at West Lakes that was hosted by Loreto. A special thank you to Nick and Edwina Hoskins for coordinating the event and to all the students and parents who helped to make it a memorable and a well polished Loreto College hosted Regatta.
On Tuesday night, our Indigenous students and Loreto Indigenous coordinator, Katie Kiosses hosted 120 Indigenous students from 12 boarding schools across Adelaide for a gathering. Kaurna Elder, Uncle John conducted a touching and meaningful Welcome to Country ceremony in our outdoor Indigenous gardens, the students listened to Port Adelaide footballer Sam Powell-Pepper’s journey from being a boarder at Wesley College in Perth to being a star footballer and were then entertained by ice breaking events and a great game of bench ball followed by the sharing of a BBQ together in the Quad. It was wonderful to listen to students own journey and witness them interacting with each other at Loreto College.
On Wednesday morning, we observed Ash Wednesday with a beautiful liturgy in the Loreto gardens lead by our Student Senior Leaders and Mission team.
These events are a reminder of what a special place Loreto is and how, no matter what the topic or event, we band together to demonstrate the true Loreto spirit in everything we do.
Upcoming events
Monday 27 February – Indigenous Immersion Social Event + Predeparture information
For students travelling on the Indigenous immersion in April, there is an evening of games, food and finding out more information from Red Earth. Students will be at school from 3.45pm-6pm. Parents, you will receive a link to zoom into the information session between 5pm and 6pm (or feel free to join us in the PAC).
Tuesday 28 February – R-12 Athletics Carnival – the carnival will run from 8.15am until 3pm
Please read the letter that has been distributed carefully to respond if your daughter requires transport on the bus from school. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Stadium to watch your child’s races. Please be mindful there are many different events happening at the same time so ideally watch from behind the fences.
Wednesday 1 to 3 March – Mary Ward Connect (Year 10 students)
Sixteen of our students and four staff will attend different Loreto school for the Year 10 Mary Ward Connect program and we will welcome student and staff from different Loreto schools for an immersion program of connection. The last few years this has been conducted online so it is great news it is now on campus and we look forward to hearing about the connections and experiences from Year 10 students.
Many sporting and cocurricular events are also taking place this weekend and next week, please see the school calendar on Loreto Connect for up to date details.
Absences
A quick reminder that if your child is absent or late, please use the Loreto Connect App (download from the App store by looking for ‘Loreto College Marryatville’) to log their absence. This is forwarded onto both Junior school and Senior school reception. If there is a prolonged absence coming up, please send your request to Dr Archard for approval.
Have a great weekend.
Anna Partridge
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement
From the Psychological Service
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher year level or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!
However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can take time when students enter their new environment and sometimes a student may encounter difficulties at different times. These difficulties may appear as unhelpful thoughts, challenging emotions and behaviours, which can make the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.
Please check out the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV, where parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
To assist with transition, Emma and I have been making our way around the R to Year 12 cohorts to meet all the students and explain our role. With the Junior School students we have been playing a get to know you game and with the Senior School students we have presented on the support the service offers.
As always, if you have any specific concerns about your child or young person, please contact your daughter’s Classroom Teacher, or Head of Junior School and Early Learning Centre, or the relevant Leader of Student Wellbeing and Academic Care, or Mentor/Subject Teacher in the Senior School.
Monica Bignold
Lead College Psychologist R-12
Life in Boarding
Loreto Boarders social calendar has been jammed packed with various events and outings giving all Boarders the opportunity to live, learn, laugh, explore and connect. Excursions have included various beaches, fringe festival, local pools, Pembroke Pool Party, Lunar New Year Celebration and various Wigmore & Poyntz events.
A favourite with the girls has been Galantine’s Day where each girl was presented with a single red rose when returning home after school and the girls decorated the common areas with signs of love and admirations for each other, namely the “sisterhood”.
The can-do attitudes of our Boarders is always a joy to be involved with, from putting together desks, to organising social events for over 100 other Boarders, there is nothing your daughters cannot do as they navigate new school year, in a new home with new friends. We expect the next few weeks may be rocky for some of our girls as we all get into the groove of Loreto Boarding.
Be kind to self and others is our mantra for the remaining term.
Ms Kerry Houston
Director of Boarding