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.

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? - Eliza Galimberti (Captain of School, 2021)

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.

How has COVID-19 influenced the future approach to how Loreto conducts its teaching and teacher-student interactions? - Mia Ooi (Year 11)

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.

Do you have any further ideas on promoting STEM for students? - Sally Bertoncello (Captain of School, 2021)

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.

What do you feel will be the most important part of your new role? - Greta Hardwick (Year 6)

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.

What is something that you can take from your previous role to enhance your new role? - Francesca Zappia & Mia O’Callaghan (Captains of School, 2020)

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.

Séamus Scorgie, BSc, BA(Hons), GradDipEd(Sec), MA (Monash), MEd(EdMgt) (Melb), GradCertCathSt, GradCertMgmtNFP, MBA(Exec) (ACU), MACE

Séamus is a dedicated lifelong learner undertaking a wide range of academic qualifications. In addition to his formal study, Séamus has also continued to pursue his interest in Egyptian Archaeology and has recently had a chapter on “Egypt's Second Intermediate Period” published in the internationally acclaimed book, Dust, Demons and Pots: Studies in Honour of Colin A. Hope. An outstanding and well-respected teacher, Séamus has taught VCE Biology and Science at Loreto Toorak, and has been responsible for the introduction and promotion of two new electives, Archaeology and Aviation. For both these new electives, he developed and wrote the course, inspired the inaugural students and in so doing, contributed meaningfully to the School’s strategic imperative to promote STEM for girls. Séamus is well known in the broader educational field, and actively contributes at network and association level. He has worked extensively with the VCAA including the position of Assessor for both Environmental Science and Biology, and as an Examination Vetter. Séamus has also acted as Victorian representative at the ACARA Senior Science Forum.

Séamus has demonstrated his faith leadership as an existing member of the Loreto Toorak Leadership Team, and his instinctive alignment with the Catholic values of Loreto, and the charism of Mary Ward have always guided his practice. We warmly welcome Séamus to the position of Deputy Principal - Director of Studies, commencing January 2021.