FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why Loreto? What do we have to offer?

Loreto College has a 400 year tradition dedicated to the teaching of girls. Not only do we strive for academic excellence but we offer our students a catholic education which liberates, empowers and motivates them to develop and use their individual gifts to the best of their ability. Our Pastoral Care program nurtures each student and our Social Justice Program allowing each student to give of themselves with confidence and generosity to others in our wider community in need.

2. Why an all-girls school?

Latest research supports what teachers have known for years. Boys and girls learn differently. In an all-girls environment teachers are more easily able to accommodate and nurture differences in abilities and interests. As a consequence girls in a single-sex school are more highly engaged; achieve significantly stronger academic results; hold all leadership positions and have their achievements constantly celebrated.

3. Does Loreto have a bullying policy?

Loreto has a Safe School Policy which was developed together by staff and students. Each person in the Loreto community has the right to feel safe. Bullying and harassment is not tolerated by anyone in our community. The Safe School Policy empowers students to speak up and provides them with choices which they may follow if they find themselves in such a situation.

4. What are our Information Technology Resources like?

As a College we are very well resourced in the area of Information and Communication Technology. We have 7 computer laboratories, including a multi-purpose Keyboard Lab in our St Gertrude’s Music Centre. Trolleys of notebooks are also accessible and can be moved into any classroom. Our school is comprehensively networked with students in Years 6-12 having access to email accounts, and students R-12 able to use the internet, print and photocopy. There is approximately 1 computer / notebook for every 2 girls if all students wished to access a computer at exactly the same time. The school has also installed 12 interactive whiteboards strategically across learning areas in the Junior and Senior campuses. Students also have access to digital still and video cameras, voice recorders and robotics.

5. What about our academic achievements?

We are always excited about and extremely proud of the achievements of our Year 12 students. Our students consistently achieve outstanding results across a wide cross section of subjects. Since the introduction of the TER in 1997, close to 40% of students per year have achieved in the top 10% (a TER of 90 and above). This is an outstanding achievement for a school that is non-selective in its intake.

6. Do we associate with any Boy schools?

Our "brother" school is Rostrevor College. We engage in a number of social activities with Rostrevor throughout the year. Our two boarding schools also enjoy very strong links.

7. Does the College provide play spaces for the girls?

Loreto is very conscious of students having a balance in their lives which nurtures their physical, emotional, social and spiritual self. A great deal of emphasis is placed on the girls participating in the wide and varied sports program offered by the College. We have a gymnasium, oval, outside tennis, netball and basketball courts, and playground equipment designed for the junior, middle and upper primary years. This is complemented by green spaces where the girls are free to play, kick a ball or just relax.

8. Does the College offer camps and other such activities?

The College offers the girl's a wide range of activities throughout their schooling. There are various camps ranging from outdoor education activities to foreign language immersion. Activity days, retreats and overseas trips are also on offer. Students get an opportunity to travel to France, Italy and China if they study any of those languages.

9. What are class sizes like?

Class sizes are capped at 25 from Reception until Grade 3. From Grade 3 onwards they become classes of 28. From the Middle Years onwards core subjects are generally taught in classes of no more than 25 to 28. In the Senior Years students can find themselves in much smaller classes depending on subject choices.

10. Do you have specialist teachers especially in the Primary Years?

From as early as Reception students are taught by specialist teachers in areas such as music, physical education and Chinese. As students enter the middle years this is further extended with the introduction of specialist teaching in mathematics, science, visual arts and technology. From Year 8 all subjects are taught by specialist teachers.