Learning Across the
Senior School

Mock Trial Win for Loreto!

On Tuesday, March 4th, the Loreto Mock Trial Team 2025 took to the courtroom (at Loreto) for Round 1 of the South Australian Law Society’s prestigious Mock Trial Competition, facing off against Cedar College in a compelling civil case, FLYNNE v ZACHUSMARSH.

Arguing with precision, poise, and legal expertise beyond their years, the Loreto team delivered an outstanding performance, convincingly presenting their case before the presiding judge. The plaintiff, Chris Flynne, played by Elisa Farah, and witness Foto Paige, played by Aeon Nguyen, supported a formidable legal team, led by Barristers Karli Yip and Grace Collins, with Solicitors Zara James and Vivienne Ledson ensuring a seamless legal strategy. Court proceedings were expertly managed by Sheriff’s Officer Aviana Catanzariti.

In a thrilling conclusion, the Loreto team emerged victorious, with the Law Society judge highly commending their legal reasoning, argumentation, and professionalism. The judge notably praised the team’s exceptional standard, likening their advocacy skills to that of fourth-year law students—a testament to their dedication, preparation.

This remarkable victory sets an exciting tone for the competition ahead, and we congratulate the team on their exceptional performance. Loreto’s Mock Trial team continues to exemplify excellence, determination, and legal prowess, and we eagerly anticipate their next case in Round 2 at the Adelaide District Court in April.

Sam Ruggiero-Girgolas

Mock Trial Coordinator

YEAR 8 CHINESE

On Wednesday, March 12, our Year 8 Chinese students participated in a hands-on dumpling-making activity, allowing them to experience both the flavours and rich traditions of Chinese culture.

Students carefully prepared their dumplings by using the fresh pork and chive filling, placing it onto delicate dumpling wrappers, and sealing them before cooking. Under Ms. Yu’s guidance, students then pan-fried the dumplings to golden perfection and enjoyed the delicious results together.

In Chinese culture, dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi) hold deep symbolic meaning. They are often shared during festivals and family gatherings, especially during the Lunar New Year, as they represent prosperity, togetherness, and good fortune. The process of making dumplings together is also a cherished tradition, emphasising the importance of community and shared experiences.

Ms Miao Yu

Year 6 – 10 Chinese Teacher

The Power of Revision in Learning a Second Language

Learning a second language is an exciting journey, but it also requires dedication and consistent effort. On Wednesday 19th March, during our weekly Academic Session, our Year 9 students participated in a session focused on the value of independent revision. They explored a variety of tools and strategies to reinforce their language skills, with a particular emphasis on technology.

Revision is crucial for mastering a new language because it helps consolidate vocabulary, strengthen grammar skills, and boost confidence. Technology offers a wealth of resources to make this process more engaging and effective. Apps like Duolingo, Quizlet, and Wozzol make vocabulary practice accessible and interactive. Students were encouraged to explore language-learning websites that provide authentic listening experiences and cultural insights. By combining these tools, learners can create a personalised revision routine that suits their interests and learning styles.

Effective revision not only improves language skills but also builds independence and responsibility as learners take charge of their progress. We encourage all students to make use of the technology available to them and embrace the challenge of learning a second language.

Fiona Griffiths

Learning Leader English and Languages (Yr 7 – 12)

Year 9 and 10 Visual Art

A balanced approach that emphasises both technical and conceptual skills establishes a strong foundation for students’ artistic growth and promotes creative and critical thinking. In both year levels, instruction begins with a focus on specific technical skills, guided by the practices of selected artists.

Year 9 Visual Arts students have been drawing inspiration from the innovative works featured in the SA Museum’s Waterhouse Natural Science Prize, with a particular focus on Anne Harvey’s evocative piece, Leaf Litter. Engaging in collaborative projects, students are employing divergent thinking to create compelling works that respond to this semester’s theme, Earth Matters.

Through a range of media, including mono-printing, Avant Garde filmmaking, photography, collage, mixed media, watercolour, and sculptural installations, students are exploring innovative ways to express their interpretations of the natural world. These creative responses not only highlight their artistic skills but also encourage critical thinking about environmental themes and our connection to nature.

The resulting works in progress are thought-provoking and visually engaging and demonstrate the students’ ability to merge artistic vision with contemporary environmental concerns.

For Year 10 students, the semester theme is ‘Shelter: A Secure Location to Sleep and a Place to Call Home is a Basic Human Right’. Inspired by Australian artist Craig Loxley’s ‘Exodus Series’, students are exploring the global refugee crisis. A key learning challenge for students is to adapt Loxley’s distinctive aesthetic to convey individual concepts related to specific refugee camps, fostering empathy with the refugee experience. In a second task, students are introduced to the technical and conceptual possibilities of cardboard as an artistic medium. The versatility, accessibility, and unique aesthetic of cardboard provides opportunities for creative experimentation and visual communication using non-traditional art-making methods. Students are currently applying their technical and conceptual skills to the planning of their major practical works.