Learning Across the
Senior School

Healthy Home Study Environment

When brainstorming ideas for ‘A Healthy Home Study Environment’ during Year 7 SEAD recently, the girls offered many wise tips that can really help increase motivation to successfully complete homework. There was overwhelming support that having a clean, organised and uncluttered workspace definitely helps promote effective learning at home. It was also suggested to consider positioning the study desk by a window if this is what is preferred, as glancing outside the window can be quite energising. Other suggestions included allowing for good ventilation especially with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, using a pin-up board for reminders and the importance of the close proximity of water and healthy snacks. There was also the sensible message to relocate the mobile phone whilst studying to avoid being distracted. A timely discussion just before the holidays!

Mrs Patty Warrender

Biology/Science Teacher

Shark Tank eSchool Programme

As part of Stage One Business Innovation, we have been involved in Shark Tank, a programme run through The University of Adelaide in conjunction with Sony Shark Tank and MIE Lab. This programme is a semester long course that requires students to work in collaboration in teams, teaching students to think like innovators. Diving into their creativity and putting themselves in their end user’s shoes to discover real world problems that they can seek and create a solution to. The Shark Tank Programme allows students to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding of how they can be a significant key player in this fast-paced society and help improve the world, one innovation at a time.

The students work through step-by-step module programme that is designed to be engaging and develop their level of creativity as they go. As a team, they determine their problem, go through testing phases before commencing prototyping. Once they reach this stage, they re-test to validate their ideas before moving forward to their marketing and pitching modules. Our students presented their innovation ideas to a panel of Loreto Sharks, resulting in the two top teams from the event to move into the semi-final.

Bare Brush and The Outfit.co faced two delegated sharks from the University over zoom, successfully making it through the semi-finals and into the grand final which took place today. We congratulate Bare Brush for placing second and The Outfit.co for placing third overall. Well done girls on this fantastic achievement, we are so proud of your efforts!

Students who undertake the Shark Tank eSchool programme gain one undergraduate course credit towards any Adelaide Business School degree at the University of Adelaide.

Ms Mel McCabe

Ms Mel McCabe

Business Innovation and Economics Teacher

Performing Arts Festival

Year 8 Science

The Year 8 students undertook a sheep’s heart dissection in Science this week whilst studying the Circulatory System as part of their current Biology Unit ‘Cells to Systems’. A sheep's heart is very similar to ours, so it gave the girls a tangible opportunity to learn more about what a human heart might look like, especially on the inside. By dissecting into a heart, the girls identified the different parts including the aorta, the largest blood vessel. The girls were also fascinated when asked to inflate the lungs found in a sheep’s ‘pluck’ having earlier researched the Respiratory System by having created fun and educational games to play.

Today we had the opportunity to dissect a sheep's heart as well as examine the sheep's lungs and liver. It was very interesting to see how every time we take a breath our lungs expand’. (Olivia Pisaniello)

It was a really fun and interesting experience getting to dissect a sheep’s heart. I was very lucky to have the opportunity and I liked that we got to do it ourselves instead of just watching a demonstration. (Alexandra Katdare)

Mrs Patty Warrender

Biology/Science Teacher

Nominations for the Loreto P&F Committee, Volunteer Pool and Year Level Representatives

We have many great opportunities for Parents and Caregivers to become involved in our College Community. We are currently seeking nominations for the following roles:

Year Level Representatives ELC-12

The Year level/Class representatives act as the primary liaison between Class and year level Parents and the P&F Committee. These roles play a crucial part in maintaining and developing our Community spirit as they:

Parents & Friends Committee

The Parents and Friends of Loreto is a Parent group whose purpose is to promote and encourage Community Spirit within the College.

Parents and Friends Volunteer Pool

The Volunteer Pool works closely with the P&F Committee to assist with the various events and fundraising activities conducted throughout the year. This provides an opportunity for Parents and Carers to contribute as their schedule or time permits.

To register your interest in any of the above, please click here and complete the form.

We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful College Community,

Charmaine Binns and Tanya Smith