Loreto Academy

Summer 2021

An experiential and academic program that provides challenge while fostering excitement in learning

Now in its third year, the 2021 Summer Loreto Academy, held from Monday 18 to Friday 22 January, continued to build on the strengths of previous years to deliver a successful and enriching learning experience for Loreto Toorak Scholars.

Scholars in Years 9 - 11 participated in up to two courses each day, selecting from the 25 courses proposed by expert Loreto Academy Faculty. All university campus-style courses were held on site in the Mandeville Centre with Art scholars attending the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.

The Loreto Academy vision underpins all offerings; seeking to deepen our Scholars’ excitement for learning, intellectual endeavour and aims to cultivate deep knowledge of a subject or field of inquiry.

Highlights mentioned by Scholars of the 2021 Summer Loreto Academy included the opportunity for engagement in dealing with real world issues, the variety and dynamism of teaching styles and the relaxed learning environment. The 2021 Summer Loreto Academy has been very effective in enhancing student knowledge beyond their formal school education and making students excited about learning. Engagement in dialogue-based learning processes, participating in a motivating learning environment were also identified as key strengths of the Loreto Academy experience.

The Loreto Academy will continue to offer a broad selection of curated short courses throughout 2021. The 2021 Winter Loreto Academy, held in June, during the Semester 1 break, will present courses which involve a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning approach.

Loreto X

Falling within the Loreto Academy offerings, Loreto X is an academic enrichment program designed to spark curiosity and excite the minds of students of all ages by presenting short courses throughout the school year, such as the Latin course ‘Loreto Leviosa: Through the lens of Harry Potter’. Loreto Leviosa is a short course program that helps students learn Latin through popular culture.

Also this year, Loreto X is delighted to join Xavier College in a collaborative project with a literary focus; Your Voice. What Matters. Students, participating in a series of developmental workshops throughout Term 2, are working to produce their own creative responses to the things that matter most to them. These works of writing, music, poetry, art, theatre and more will be presented at a celebration event in Term 3, where the participants will be presented with a volume of their work published by Loreto Toorak Press.

The Loreto Academy continues to grow in breadth and depth and it is a wonderful opportunity for Scholars and Faculty members to join in a variety of educational approaches involving joint intellectual effort, working, creating and mutually searching for understanding, solutions and meanings.