Plus 10 - A new program

In the first term of 2021 the Engagement Office launched the “Plus 10” program. This program reaches out, in particular, to alumnae who have graduated from Loreto Toorak within the last 10 years. This program supports the School’s Strategic Plan:

• Developing an alumnae program that enables the benefit of a Loreto Education to extend well beyond the time at school; and

• Building a local and global network of alumnae who can engage with and support the vision of the School and have the opportunity to be engaged with the broader Loreto Mission, particularly its commitment to social justice

Our hope is to engage with alumnae in the Plus 10 time frame, recognising they broadly compose two groups; those mostly studying (plus 5) and those entering the workforce (plus 5-10). These young women have a strong sense of understanding of what Loreto Toorak represents in terms of vision for women, opportunities for leadership and orientation towards social justice from their experience at school.

Each of these three aspects of their Loreto education draws these young women into ongoing engagement with the broader mission and vision of Loreto and helps to build up a formidable group of alumnae with the ongoing support around them of like-minded and value-sharing peers. Establishing formal networking within this cohort is something many alumnae have enquired about; for both career aspirations but also volunteer and advocacy opportunities. This can make not only a difference to the reach of our School, and the promotion of our identity, but also to that of the whole Loreto network.

Our plan is to host a small series of events in 2021 after initial communications with the Plus 10 cohort on our data base, both online and in person. During Term 2 we had a successful Zoom meeting on the topic of “Gender Power and Politics” attended by a range of alumnae from across the Plus 10 group. They enjoyed the opportunity to engage in an open and wide ranging conversation with Katie Allen MP, the Member for Higgins on this topic. Several Plus 10 alumnae also responded to the invitation to attend the Mary Ward Justice Lecture in person, where they were reminded of the current work of Mary Ward International Australia, Loreto Vietnam and the IBVM/ CJ Office at the United Nations. Semester 2 sees plans for further Zoom meetings in the areas of Faith and Spirituality, the Environment & Ecological Justice and an in person networking opportunity. Any alumnae in the Plus 10 cohort with ideas or questions is welcome to contact Dani Lord in the Engagement Office or Michelle McCarty Director of Mission.

MS MICHELLE MCCARTY - DIRECTOR OF MISSION & STUDENT LEADERSHIP