“What the World Needs Is a Wise Lovable and Well-Educated Woman.”
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“what the world needs is a wise lovable and well-educated woman.” Loreto Kirribilli is an independent Catholic day school The first Australian Loreto school was established at with an enrolment of approximately 1040 girls from Ballarat, Victoria, in 1875. The first in New South Wales Kindergarten to Year 12. opened at Randwick in 1892. This school moved to Kirribilli in 1901 and to the present site in 1907. The school is one of many around the world directed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). Loreto Kirribilli is one of seven Australian Loreto The IBVM was founded in 1609 by an Englishwoman, schools united by a common vision to offer a Catholic Mary Ward, at a time when there was almost no education which liberates, empowers and motivates education for women. She modelled her Institute on students to use their individual gifts with confidence, the spirituality of the Jesuits, founded by St Ignatius. creativity and generosity in loving and responsible The Institute is dedicated to the care of faith through service.” (Loreto Schools of Australia Mission education and by ‘any other means congruous to the Statement, 2010). times.’ (Mary Ward, 1585-1645). Today, Loreto sisters worldwide live out their commitment to finding At Loreto Kirribilli we are very proud of our four God in all things through their work in indigenous hundred year heritage. We believe it is our privilege communities, with refugees, in parish ministry, to continue the work of Mary Ward and of Mother counselling, social welfare, adult faith education, Gonzaga Barry. tertiary colleges, universities and seminaries. verity The search for truth felicity Joy and celebration freedom of spirit Open-minded and open-hearted attitudes sincerity “… be such as we appear and appear such as we are” Mary Ward justice Social conscience and critical awareness Mary Ward Philosophy The Loreto Kirribilli tradition combines a strong program of religious education and pastoral care, excellent academic outcomes and a wide choice of co-curricular activities supported by talented and experienced staff and an up-to-date, fully-equipped campus. Our educational philosophy, based on the belief that women can excel, with an emphasis on social concern and student Mother Gonzaga Barry leadership, helps us encourage these qualities in our girls – and in our teaching and non-teaching staff. At Loreto Kirribilli we believe that the intangibles really matter: verity, justice, sincerity, felicity, freedom of mind and spirit. Our goal is to nurture these qualities in our students to help them develop into mature, well-educated, socially responsible Catholic women. Wise … “be such as we appear ” and appear such as we are.Mary Ward Verity (the search for truth) and justice (social Our pastoral care is carefully tailored to suit the needs conscience and critical awareness) are learned by of each age group. We are particularly proud of the way example more than precept. We have gathered our care for students’ wellbeing is fully integrated with together an intelligent, committed, caring staff. This the normal curriculum, so that ‘wisdom’ is not an ‘add includes our non-teaching staff who are crucial to the on’ which can be discarded or ignored, but is integral to happy atmosphere of our school. how Loreto girls learn to think and act. The wisdom of verity and justice includes learning ways of assessing choices, practising making sound and fair decisions, exercising empathy and compassion. This way of thinking can be directly encouraged. Religious Education Our Religious Education Program is the foundation of our school year and goes beyond the formal academic Religious Education curriculum. Loreto is a Catholic school: liturgy, reflection, school retreats, parent/daughter Eucharists, Community Service and Social Justice Programs combine to create an atmosphere where we hope Christ is an everyday presence in our girls’ lives. We want each girl to have confidence in her ability to combine her Catholic faith and her learning to make sense of and a difference to her world. “Love verity, seek knowledge, not for themselves but for the end they bring you to which is God, then you will be happy and able to profit ” yourself and others. Mary Ward Lovable … A supportive and flexible net of care is woven around Working in harmony with this approach is our positive our girls from their first day at Loreto. education program. This brings together the values of the Loreto Charism – Felicity, Freedom, Sincerity and Mary Ward believed that women ‘should be such as we Verity in particular – together with an understanding appear and appear such as we are’. This ideal was her of human growth which is focussed on a multi-faceted definition of sincerity. To become a lovable and sincere framework of well-being. Underpinned by extensive adult, a child must be loved, appreciated, guided and scientific research, positive psychology, as it is known, disciplined. is being increasingly adopted in learning communities throughout the world. Pastoral Care New students are introduced to Loreto Kirribilli with an All teachers are committed to the care of their students Orientation Day and Year 7 Induction Day. This enables in every class. Classroom teachers in the Junior School students to meet fellow classmates and feel confident take primary responsibility for Pastoral Care. In the in their new surroundings. In those first weeks at a new Senior School, Homeroom teachers, supported by the school, it is comforting to know you also have senior Year Co-ordinators and Academic Advisors fulfill this students who look after you. role. There also are School Counsellors for Kindergarten through to Year 12. Each girl is a member of one of four Houses – Barry, Heaton, Milson or Ward. Working together for House Loreto has implemented the restorative justice events helps create a spirited community and fosters approach for issues of behaviour management. This friendly competition. reflects the school’s belief in the importance of personal responsibility and quality relationships. Student Leadership The School Community Loreto Kirribilli is committed to the development of Staff, students, ex-students and parents all contribute to the leadership potential of each student. Through the Loreto Kirribilli community. Whether it is coaching a compassionate service girls are encouraged to share sporting team, helping our Parents and Friends Association or their gifts and challenge unjust structures. attending our family liturgies, school concerts and the other events which make up our school year, the participation of A leadership model that includes the Student parents is crucial to strengthening our school spirit and the Executive, House Leaders and the Student formation of faith. Representative Council (SRC) is in place in the Senior School and the Junior School. Further student Our ex-students also contribute to that spirit. Loreto girls are representation from Years 7 to 12 can be seen part of an international community bound together by the through the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation 400-year-old traditions of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Council (JPIC), and the Liturgy Council. Other Mary. Our ex-students are proud of that bond and of their student-led Councils in the Senior School include: school. Their support is ongoing. Creative Arts, Debating and Public Speaking, Light, Sound and Stage, Performing Arts and Year 7. We are fortunate that when they are able, sisters of the IBVM are regular visitors and participants in school activities. Elected and nominated student leaders serve in a way that demonstrates Loreto’s emphasis on continuing Mary Ward’s belief in the Ignatian spirituality of discernment built on experience, action and reflection. Well educated … For a mind to be free, it must be open to knowledge and Gifted and Talented learning. Loreto Kirribilli provides a holistic educational At Loreto Kirribilli we believe in education that suits the needs of experience for girls who have been the student, as reflected in the Loreto Kirribilli Learning Principles. identified as gifted and talented learners. We are not academically selective and encourage extension at Opportunities exist for in class extension or every level of ability. enrichment to suit a student’s strengths or interests. Acceleration is available for skilled Mary Ward was wise when she foresaw the need to change mathematics students and a dedicated education for women to be ‘congruous with the times’. course is on offer for bright students who are interested in engaging with global issues and Loreto Kirribilli always strives to provide for the changing needs critical problem solving. of our students. For education to be relevant in any age, it must try to provide the best possible equipment and surroundings, Extra curricular options such as the Da Vinci this means up-to-date information and communication Decathlon and the Philosothon seek to technologies, as well as purpose built laboratories, library, arts connect the girls with like-minded students and music facilities. in rich learning situations. Loreto Kirribilli also works to support the social and emotional Our Academic Support unit specifically targets students with needs of gifted students with a program mild intellectual disabilities. These students are offered an that focuses on self-knowledge and personal individual education program while encouraged to participate in growth. mainstream classes and the school’s activities wherever possible. “what the world needs is a wise lovable and well-educatedMother Gonzaga Barry, the first leaderwoman. of the IBVM in Australia” Junior School The Religious Education Program underpins our Junior School curriculum. Jesus and the Gospel message are central to faith development and work hand in hand with pastoral care. The Pastoral Program is planned to provide each Year group, from Kindergarten, with information, support and challenges suitable to their needs. We encourage in our girls a delight in beauty and felicity as gifts of God, so that creativity in music, drama, art, sport, writing and critical thinking becomes part of their normal day.