Pedagogy and Academics

From the Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Academics
Loreto Staff Share Their Expertise on the National Stage
This semester, Loreto College staff have stepped boldly into the spotlight, sharing their expertise and passion for education at leading state and national conferences.
Assistant Principal Emma Searle proudly presented our SEAD Wellbeing Program at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Symposium in Sydney - an exciting opportunity to showcase Loreto’s student-centred approach to holistic wellbeing and the enduring value of all-girls’ school education.
In the English and Media Studies space, Stefanie Van Gerven captivated attendees at the South Australia English Teachers’ Conference, sparking rich discussion on auteur cinema and the importance of authorial voice - not only in texts, but in teachers and students themselves. Her presentation highlighted the power of professional dialogue across schools and sectors, championing the exchange of ideas that great teaching thrives on.
Likewise, at the recent Drama Australia National Conference, I had the pleasure of presenting a practical and provocative workshop titled Cine-Theatre: Leveraging Digital in the Drama Classroom. Together with a room full of fellow drama educators, we explored how digital technologies - live feeds, multimedia projection, smartphones, and AI apps - can be embraced as creative partners in the storytelling process. Participants experimented with film, projection, and live stream, shifting the mindset from seeing tech as intimidating to embracing it as a powerful narrative tool. It was energising to explore how we might equip students and teachers alike with the confidence to wield technology with both agency and imagination.
From wellbeing to critical authorship to digital creation, Loreto staff are helping shape the future of education - sharing what we do best with colleagues far and wide.
Mel Pedavoli
Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Academic Leadership