By Christine Shaw

It was wonderful to welcome our students back for Term 3. We celebrated Loreto Heritage Day and most importantly, the day of the arrival of Mother Gonzaga and her companions in Ballarat which falls on 20 July. The BAS Road Relay Team managed a clean sweep of all age groups, the Celebrations of Sound: Loreto Live in Concert showcased our musicians, the Netballers have proven hard to beat in the first round of the Victorian Schools Championship, students enjoyed the Snow camp at Falls Creek and we welcomed this week our Japanese partners from Obayashi Sacred Heart school and students from Loreto Marryatville and Kirribilli for Mary Ward Connect. This term our House focus is the House Arts and students are currently leading and preparing this event in all areas. We’re very much looking forward to seeing their performances and their house spirit on display next week.

International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Global Forum – Toronto, Canada

At the end of last term, along with other Loreto Principals and staff, I attended the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Global Forum on Girls’ Education, held in Toronto. This conference brought together educators, researchers, school leaders, and advocates from around the world to explore the future of girls’ education by sharing research, best practice, and innovative approaches to empowering young women.

A key theme throughout the forum was the importance of preparing girls to thrive in a world shaped by rapid technological, social, and economic change. Sessions explored topics such as leadership development, student wellbeing, inclusion, emerging technologies, global citizenship, and strategies for cultivating resilience and agency in young women. Educators shared evidence-based approaches that help girls build confidence, embrace challenge, and develop the skills needed to lead in their communities and beyond.

Attending this conference reinforced the value of international collaboration. By bringing together leaders from diverse educational contexts, the conference created opportunities for schools to learn from one another and strengthen a global network committed to advancing opportunities for girls. The discussions emphasised the importance of ensuring that girls are equipped not only for academic success, but also for meaningful contribution, ethical leadership, and lifelong learning. For Loreto Ballarat it served as a powerful reminder that investing in girls’ education has far-reaching benefits for communities and societies not only here, but worldwide.

The Loreto group also paid a visit to the Loretto Abbey school and the Mary Ward Centre, a Loretto organisation advancing social justice through research and collaboration. A significant part of the Centre's work focuses on advocating for vulnerable and marginalised communities. Current initiatives address issues such as; housing and homelessness, migrant and refugee rights, human trafficking prevention, sustainable development goals (SDG’s) and human dignity and social inclusion.

Through youth engagement, spirituality, impact and vision, the sisters and volunteers work hard and are committed to make a difference to those in need and it was wonderful to see authentic Mary Ward values in action in Toronto.

Mary Ward Pilgrim

Recently at the Loreto Ministries Stewardship and Governance Conference at Loreto Coorparoo, a Mary Ward Pilgrim Doll (known as Mary Ward Peregrina, meaning 'Mary Ward the Pilgrim') was presented to all Loreto schools and our partner school John XXIII, by Loreto Ministries. This initiative began in a Mary Ward school in Brazil and has since spread through Mary Ward and Loreto educational networks internationally. As the doll journeys from one home or community to another, people are invited to pray, reflect on Mary Ward's values, and place prayer intentions with the doll. The purpose is to strengthen connections between students, families, staff, and the wider international network of Mary Ward schools while fostering prayer, hope, and a sense of shared mission. The doll is more than a keepsake; it represents the global Mary Ward family and encourages communities to live out Mary Ward's call to be 'seekers of truth and doers of justice'.

Catholic EBA

Closer to home, you will no doubt be aware that the Victorian Government's agreement with employees in the government school sector is still under deliberation. Current negotiations on a new enterprise agreement for the Catholic sector are focused on securing competitive salaries and conditions for teachers and support staff, while addressing important matters such as workload, professional practice time, staff wellbeing, and career development. The VCEA has reaffirmed its commitment to matching the wage outcomes achieved in the government sector and to developing employment conditions that support the attraction and retention of high-quality teachers and support staff to our Catholic schools.

As a Catholic education community, we are hopeful that a positive outcome can be achieved that recognises the invaluable contribution of all staff while supporting the continued success, access and wellbeing of our students and families. The College and our Board are keeping a close eye on developments in this area, working hard to ensure that a sustainable, high-quality and affordable education for all of our families can be maintained.

Capital Funding and Annual Giving

You will soon receive a letter on behalf of the VCEA around Capital funding (for major building, infrastructure, and facility projects) for the Catholic sector which is important to secure for the future development of Catholic schools across the state.

Thank you to all families who made donations to our Annual Giving campaign. Your donation supports students who might otherwise not be able to receive a Loreto education and this is the very mission Mother Gonzaga and all those who have followed in her footsteps have set out to achieve.

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