ELC Returns to St Peter’s Parish

The End of an Era

It is with much excitement that preparations are now underway in earnest for the St Peter’s Early Learning Centre community to return to the St Peter’s site on Toorak Road for 2021. Painting and refurbishment of the indoor learning spaces, as well as the redesign and construction of a brand new, fully landscaped outdoor space, will ensure a learning environment that complements and reflects the St Peter’s ELC educational philosophy.

In line with the change in location, we would like to advise that the current Board of Management will also change, and St Kevin’s College Toorak will become the sole administrators from January 2021. The new St Peter’s ELC, under the auspices of St Kevin’s College and located at the Parish of St Peter’s Toorak, will continue to operate as at present, as a co-educational facility and in every other respect.

In the interim, St Peter’s ELC will continue to enjoy the beautiful surrounds of Loreto Toorak for the remainder of this year, and further afield, anticipating the serenity and beauty of the site at St Peter’s Catholic Church next year.

As a fitting farewell to the Loreto Toorak campus for St Peter’s ELC, a Farewell Liturgy was held at the Chapel of Christ the King on Tuesday 24 November 2020.

Present were Dr Susan Stevens, Principal of Loreto Toorak; Mrs Catherine Maimone Crowhurst, Director of ELC and Rathfarnham at Loreto Toorak; Mr James Daly, Director of Glendalough at St Kevin’s College; Mrs Kathleen Brohier, Head of St Peter’s ELC, along with St Peter’s ELC staff and children.

“As our final official ceremony within our partnership with Loreto Toorak, happy tears were shared as we reflected on happy memories and our time together during our liturgy. Taking a moment to stop and reflect is always so important, ensuring the memory is captured and moment marked in time”, shared Kathleen Brohier.

As a parting gift from Rathfarnham and Loreto Toorak, Mrs Catherine Maimone Crowhurst presented St Peter’s ELC with a framed collaborative artwork from the Rathfarnham students, depicting the iconic fish of St Peter, who was a fisherman.

As a return gift from St Peter’s ELC, a plaque and a special box were presented to Loreto Toorak, containing a collection of self portraits from the ELC children, as well as photos of every child and educator that has been at St Peter’s ELC since its inception in 2002.

Opening Image: Dr Susan Stevens, Mr James Daly, Mrs Catherine Maimone Crowhurst, along with ELC staff and children farewell Loreto Toorak.

Below: From the archives, a #flashbackfriday moment. The Loreto free Kindergarten - life during the Great Depression. An informal kindergarten group on the front verandah of the cottage in Bank Street, South Melbourne, c. 1930s