CHRONICLEVOLUME 38 / APRIL 2020 PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME CELEBRATING SUCCESS CELEBRATING Acknowledging & Celebrating Success COMMUNITY 2019 Awards in Review Magic Moments & Events COLLEGE LEADERSHIP FAREWELL & WELCOME LORETO PAST PUPILS’ TEAM ASSOCIATION Verity Meet our Leaders Class of 2019 & Class of 2025 Reunions, Events & News LORETO CHRONICLE PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME MRS KIM WICKHAM Aim at something excellent - our ideals often make our realities Last year, we introduced a new event into the These awards recognise, acknowledge and am so proud of the work that our teachers College Calendar. Entitled the ‘Ceremony of celebrate the achievements of Loreto past have undertaken in preparing a model of Excellence’, the event was inspired by Mother pupils across areas such as professional blended online learning. Our students are Gonzaga Barry’s maxim to “Aim at something careers, business, research, government, also rapidly adapting to a changed format. excellent-our ideals often make our realities”. social justice, sporting and contributions to With the same innovative approach toward The third pillar of the College Strategic Plan, the community at either a local, state, national education modelled by Mary Ward, our 2018-2021 incorporates the goal to “celebrate or international level. Each award winner will teachers are developing new skills and digital and value the contribution and achievements be acknowledged on an Honour Board, to pedagogies. We are calling our model ViT@L of each student”. While it is clear the College be placed in the Mary Ward Centre. I thank (Virtual Integrated Teaching at Loreto) which already does this across a variety of events, the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association for their sees the integration of a number of platforms the aim was to ensure our community generous donation of the Board. including the College LMS, Microsoft Teams, could acknowledge and celebrate the many We commenced 2020 with two significant and OneNote. We have adapted ViT@L to also achievements of our students across diverse events, our Semester 1 Mass, where domains. include other aspects of College life: the school traditionally, we explore the virtue for the year. assembly, music concerts and lessons, sports We recognised excellence across a range of In 2020, we will explore the theme of verity, training, fitness challenges, the cross country endeavours: sporting, cultural, academic so relevant in an age where social media is and counselling services. Even the holiday and service. We also announced a number dominated by photoshop, filters and fake news. hymn went ‘virtual’ at the end of Term 1. of Special Awards, named in honour of Our Academic Awards Assembly was held in significant figures in the history of the February this year. This event is now held bi- Of course, the impact of COVID-19 across College. Additionally, awards for academic annually, with the purpose of acknowledging our community is deep and widespread. improvement and for “all-rounders” were and celebrating both students’ academic The College has set up LoC@L, (Linking our introduced. Through such awards, we sought achievement and/or academic growth over the Community at Loreto). The purpose of this to recognise the holistic nature of a Loreto previous semester. I congratulate all recipients platform is to facilitate links between those education and to celebrate our students’ of these awards. in our community who need support and many talents. We know, more than ever, the importance of those who may be able to provide assistance. Given the significance of this event in College positive role models for adolescent females. I encourage our parents to access this through history, a musical work was commissioned As we navigate current challenges such as the our Parent Portal. We are aware of the by local composer, Alexander Voltz. With COVID-19 crisis and consider future challenges, significant impact the pandemic is having lyrics by Anne Muirhead, Director of Mission, it is vital that we acknowledge that it is our on many families who own small businesses Loreto Ministries Limited, Beyond the Shores students who have the capacity to solve these. and we are advertising these through our was performed by Concert Band One and the There is research which shows that when girls Parent Portal. Senior Choir, augmented by some past pupils engage with strong female role models, their who gave generously of their time. Anne’s perception that they too can achieve in a As the COVID-19 crisis continues and we make evocative lyrics provided a springboard for particular area improves significantly. Award significant changes to the way we approach Alexander’s musical imagery. winners and photos of these special events can education and, more broadly, to how we interact as a community, I believe it is now The College also recognised, for the very first be found on pages 6-10. that we are called to consider two things: how time, our inaugural Outstanding Loreto College The capacity of our students and staff in we live and what matters most. I draw your Coorparoo Alumnus and Young Alumnus the face of current challenges is now being attention to Mary Ward’s words: Award Winners. I thank all nominees for their tested through the COVID-19 pandemic. While submissions. the start of 2020 has been a testing time, I Act not out of fear, but solely from love. | 1 | APRIL / 2020 Beyond the Shores VERSE 1 From lake side camps he called them forth To gather life in fullest form Stretching nets of mind and heart To see and seek the better path REFRAIN Beyond the shores Across the deep To the horizon Do your best and God will help VERSE 2 From time-worn shores they ventured out Sailing to horizons new Guiding minds to goals most true To change and challenge all the world REFRAIN Beyond the shores Across the deep To the horizon Aim at something excellent VERSE 3 From the fringes of our land today To question truths of ages past Seeking God with minds ablaze To act and serve with endless love Women in time to come will do much VERSE 4 From shorelines and song lines we unite To depth our God gifts freely given Releasing self from fear and doubt To embrace and shape a world made whole REFRAIN Beyond the shores Across the deep To the horizon | 2 | LORETO CHRONICLE COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAM Mrs Kim Wickham l Principal Kim commenced as Principal in January 2018. As an educator with over 30 years of experience, Kim’s professional experience began as a music teacher. She held positions as Head of Music and Head of Creative Arts before moving into the area of curriculum leadership as Dean of Studies at St Aidan’s AGS. She has also worked in the tertiary sector, lecturing in curriculum and professional practice. Kim was closely involved with the development of the new Queensland Certificate of Education both at St Aidan’s and in various capacities with Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). She holds a Masters Degree in Education (Curriculum), Bachelor Degrees in both Education and the Arts (Qld Conservatorium), a Graduate Diploma of Teaching plus an Associate Diploma in Performance. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and graduated from her tertiary theology course with the highest Grade Point Average. Kim was awarded a scholarship to study in Singapore with the Centre of Creative Leadership. In 2016, she was a state finalist for Excellence in Educational Leadership through the Queensland College of Teachers. She has presented research papers at several forums on topics such as leadership, improving student outcomes and the neuroscience of learning. In her spare time, Kim has also volunteered as a manager of representative hockey teams and plays at services for her local church. Her background in Arts Education and interest in sport sits strongly with the traditions of a holistic Loreto education. Her support of innovative evidence-based teaching and learning and her commitment to girls’ education reflects Mary Ward’s courageous vision for the education of girls. Mrs Lissa Gyte l Deputy Principal – Operations & School Development This role provides the opportunity to both shape and serve Loreto College. Having been a Curriculum Leader for the past five years, Lissa has experienced first-hand the opportunities made available to our teachers so they may continuously grow. Research confirms that the most impactful professional growth occurs by working in collaboration with colleagues. Lissa hopes to build upon the legacy of her predecessors and strengthen the collective efficacy of our staff – with a clear focus on improving student learning and growing our effectiveness as teachers. Key responsibilities include implementing our new Teaching and Learning Framework – HEART, the professional development of staff and the daily operations of the College. Mr Chris Nastrom-Smith l Deputy Principal – Curriculum As Deputy Principal – Curriculum (Years 10-12) my primary responsibility is the provision of relevant, engaging and challenging curricular programs that reflect the College’s ethos and Mission, but also comply with the relevant statutory authorities, such as the QCAA and ACARA. The role allows me to work in partnership with the Director Studies (Years 7-9) and lead the Curriculum Leaders’ to ensure the College is developing curriculum approaches and assessment practices that foster collaboration and innovation amongst the teaching staff to ensure our students are provided with the opportunity to engage in enriching learning experiences. Mr Noel Williams l Director of Finance & Business Operations Noel commenced in the role of Director of Finance and Business Operations (formerly Business Manager) in October 2008. His association with Loreto started in 2003 when his first of three daughters commenced at the College. He joined the then School Council in 2004 and stepped down when he commenced in his current role.