14 November 2022
Loreto College Marryatville Recognised As One Of Australia’s Most Innovative Schools
The Educator’s annual 5-star innovative schools report recognises the Australian schools at the forefront of innovation, reshaping the future of education and preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
The annual 5-star innovative schools report, released today by the Educator, acknowledges 46 Australian schools who are at the forefront of educational change and innovation. From teaching approaches to learning spaces and curriculum design, the awards identify the schools reshaping the future of education.
Leading South Australian girls’ school, Loreto College Marryatville is proudly one of 5 South Australian schools recognised in the report, with the College specifically recognised for their innovative approach to school-wide sustainability and dynamic student learning spaces.
Earlier this year, Loreto College was announced as a Best School Strategic Plan finalist in the 2022 Australian Education Awards. The future focused, award-winning strategic plan has guided the schools most recent initiatives and innovative approach to educating strong, passionate, and confident girls and young women who have the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their world.
Speaking to Loreto College’s recognition as a 5-star innovative school, Principal Dr Nicole Archard said:
“We are immensely proud of Loreto College’s recognition as one of Australia’s most innovative schools. Over the past twelve months, our ambitious strides towards greater school sustainability and commitment to create flexible and engaging learning spaces for our girls form an important part of our overall school strategic plan. These innovative applications ensure Loreto College is best positioned to educate the next generation of empowered female leaders.”
The key initiatives outlined within Loreto College Marryatville’s 5-star innovative schools recognition include:
School Sustainability
- A target to reach net zero carbon emissions at the College by 2030, with several strategies commenced in 2021 across energy generation and consumption, waste management, and local environment.
- A transition to solar power across the College, with Stage 1 energised across the campus in 2021. This has already achieved a 35% reduction in grid energy consumption, with Stage 2 is its planning phases to reach the 60% goal by 2024.
- The commencement of a four-stream waste segregation system, which has already increased diversion from landfill by 105% in the first full year of operation. Supported by a #cuttherubbish campaign employed in partnership with international firm, The Detmold Group.
- A major tree planting project is currently underway with 200 new plantings to occur across in 2022.
- Curriculum development including the implementation of a new Environmental Science compulsory subject in Year 10 for implementation in 2022.
Student Learning Environment
- The completion of a Junior School library redevelopment, creating flexible and beautiful learning spaces for primary aged girls, inspiring imagination, and facilitating a love and joy of reading, investigative study, and learning.
- Adelaide Festival Theatre (AFT) supported the College and created a striking sensory piece of art in the form of a custom-built tree to inspire the imagination and learning of students.
- The tree, constructed from wood, was scenic painted to bring the trunk and branches to life with wood-like texture. Fairy lights and spotlights were added to the canopy to illuminate the tree with a wash of different colours to suit the theme or mood of a story, thus bringing the dramatic elements of a story to life.
- The array of zones for quiet reading, discovery, and playtime, alongside a specific research area and technology hub also add to the varying learning opportunities that combine differing pedagogical approaches for students and teachers.
- The new library has had a positive effect on student learning and wellbeing, with students frequenting the library more often during their free time to sit in or under the tree to read or have quiet time and the borrowing of books has also increased.
