College News
Pride in Schools
By Isla Christie - Year 10
On 5 August, I had the privilege of attending the Pride In Schools event alongside others. Going in, I had little idea of how the event was structured, but the moment I stepped into the room, it felt warm and welcoming. Everyone was incredibly sociable, friendly, and open. Each person had a positive demeanor and was eager to share conversations, stories, and crafts. It was a safe space, completely free of negativity, where the community could come together and find comfort in shared experiences. We also listened to speeches explaining the many resources available for the Ballarat queer community and what you can do to feel safe and accepted. I would strongly recommend and encourage not only those who identify as LGBTQIA+, but allies too, so that strong acceptance and understanding can be built in the Ballarat community. I’m extremely thankful to have been able to participate in this event.
Australasian Philosothon
By Zoe Crack - Year 11
On 29 August, the 2025 Australasian Philosothon brought together Year 7–12 students from across Australia for six hours of stimulating, online discussion over Zoom.
Throughout the day, participants explored big questions around forgiveness, competition, and technology, engaging with ideas that pushed us to think critically, listen carefully, and consider perspectives beyond our own. The event was both challenging and inspiring, providing a rare opportunity to collaborate with students and teachers from so many different schools and backgrounds. Although we didn’t come away with the win, it was incredibly rewarding to see such strong representation from Loreto.
Our team: Zoe, Tahlia, Isabelle, Elisse, Sophie and Lillyeileen, contributed thoughtfully to each conversation, demonstrating not only our curiosity but also our willingness to engage in respectful, open-minded dialogue. The Philosothon was a fantastic experience that left us with much to reflect on, and a real appreciation for the power of philosophy to spark meaningful conversations.
Ag Student of the Year
Congratulations to Year 12 student, Lacie Smith, who’s just been named Agricultural Secondary Student of the Year by the Ballarat Agricultural and Pastoral Society!
This prestigious honour is part of the Ballarat Rural Achiever Awards, celebrating agricultural excellence across our region. But that’s not all! Lacie also received the 2025 Harvest the Future Scholarship to support her ambitions in agriculture and was named a finalist for The Community Bank Creswick & District Next Generation Farmer of the Year!
We’re so proud of everything Lacie has achieved, and we can’t wait to see where her agriculture journey takes her next!
Introduction of Micro-credential Courses in 2025
By Kelly Pearce - Learning Leader: VCE Senior Pathways Coordinator
In Term 3, the College introduced short-term micro-credential courses to help senior school students build valuable practical skills and boost their job prospects after leaving school. These courses provide focused, hands-on qualifications that can typically be completed in just one day. This term, we celebrated over 65 Year 10 – 12 students who successfully completed their First Aid qualification, Responsible Service of Alcohol course and/or Working with Children Check. Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we're excited to expand the micro-credential program even further in 2026.
We would like input from our parent community to help grow this program. If you have workplace connections to short-term courses or know of relevant qualifications in your industry that could benefit our students, please reach out to the College – we'd be thrilled to hear from you!
