LORETO TOORAK
An Interview with
Mr Séamus Scorgie
New Deputy Principal - Director of Studies Loreto Toorak is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Séamus Scorgie to the role of Deputy Principal - Director of Studies to commence Term 1 2021. Séamus has held the position of Deputy Principal - Director of Staff since 2018 and previously held the positions Director of School Operations and Senior Studies Coordinator. Eliza Galimberti (Captain of School, 2021)
Sally Bertoncello (Captain of School, 2021)
As Loreto is constantly evolving, moving into your new role, what is your vision for the future of our school community and where do you see the school throughout the next 10 years?
Do you have any further ideas on promoting STEM for students?
We are so incredibly fortunate to be part of a school community, which is not only amazing but is constantly seeking to improve. Over the next 10 years I believe that education is going to change at an incredible pace as new technologies and occupations develop. In 10 years’ time I imagine that we will offer subjects we have never heard of, that utilise technologies we can only dream of, to prepare our graduates for careers that don’t exist yet. Mia Ooi (Year 11)
How has COVID-19 influenced the future approach to how Loreto conducts its teaching and teacher-student interactions? COVID-19 has shown the key role technology plays in today’s society and that it will only become more significant as we move into the future. This year has shown not only how incredibly adaptable and resilient our students and staff are but also how effective online communication can be when done well. Our greater understanding and appreciation of online communication has the potential to bring the world that much closer to our students. Based on what we have learned this year, I can see our classes taking guided tours of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or taking a walking tour of Paris to see for themselves where the French Revolution took place all through Microsoft Teams.
I am a strong advocate for the continued promotion of STEM, which I believe helps to open our students’ eyes to the possibilities of the future in an everchanging and evolving landscape. For this reason it is important that we provide our students with a wide range of opportunities to assist them in discovering what’s possible. I would like to see the promotion of STEM extend right across the School from VCE all the way down to Prep, the earlier the better. Greta Hardwick (Year 6)
What do you feel will be the most important part of your new role? I believe that the most important part of my new role will be to make sure that the School’s curriculum continues to adapt and change over time particularly as a result of both student voice as well as emerging opportunities. No doubt over the next few years there will be a range of new subjects offered to students, I believe that it will be important for any new subjects to have clear pathways through to VCE and beyond to provide our students with a platform from which they can progress towards the career of their choice. Francesca Zappia & Mia O’Callaghan (Captains of School, 2020)
What is something that you can take from your previous role to enhance your new role? My current role has provided me with the opportunity to work with people across all aspects of our School and has required me to always keep an open mind and to remember that anything is possible. I think that this frame of mind will be very important for me to keep hold of when overseeing the School’s curriculum and to believe that we can make anything work.
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