Loreto Academy Summer 2023

The Loreto Academy is an experiential and academic program that provides challenge while fostering excitement in learning. Complementing the School’s core academic program, it aims to develop curious, independent, and capable intellectuals who will leave Loreto Toorak ready to be the leading thinkers, innovators, and achievers of their generation.

This year the Summer Loreto Academy program was held across four days from 19–24 January, with over 70 Scholars from Years 9-12 participating in 22 courses presented by Loreto Toorak Academy facilitators and special guest presenters.

Focussing on the theme of Ideation, Scholars explored the process of taking a visual, concrete, or abstract idea through the stages of a thought cycle, from innovation to development, and actualisation. The objective of the program is to promote the understanding that Ideation is a creative process that promotes open thinking and risk-taking to create strong and unique ideas. It involves planning sessions that allow independent thinking and collaboration which instill the value of combining multiple ideas and sharing different perspectives.

The Scholars’ reflections on the program communicate their understanding that the process of Ideation, Idea Creation, is fundamental to the development of innovative and life-changing solutions; in the words of Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon “to design is to devise courses of action aimed at changing existing situations into preferred ones”.

2023 Summer Courses

COURSE TITLE FACULTY

Ideation in Science: Great Minds Do NOT Think Alike

An Introduction to Algorithms and Pseudocode (Part 1 & 2)

The Art and Science of Crystal Creation (Part 1 & 2)

Putting YOU in the Driving Seat of Change

Design and Power:

Mandeville Contemporary (Part 1 & 2)

Why Write?

Aviation: From Idea to Actualisation (Part 1 & 2)

The Importance of Creativity

Pompeii in a Day (Part 1)

Disaster to Discovery

Pompeii in a Day: (Part 2)

Disaster to Design

The International Development of MWIA (Mary Ward International Australia)

Germ Theory

Eric Friedman

Natalie Caruso

Janelle Thirard

Tom Watson

Sue Burke, Felicity Gilbert

Rose Clurey

Elizabeth Piacquadio

Sandra Jane

Kirsti Graham

Josephine Fagan

Nicole Gibson

Dr. Sharmini Kumar Founder and Artistic Director, 24 Carrot Productions

The Empire Strikes: Race and Colonialism in 19th Century English Literature

A Writer’s Perspective

Design and Power: How Might Design Confront the Challenges of Global Inequality?

Dr. Sharmini Kumar

Emily Brewin, Author and Writing Educator

Gene Bawden Associate Professor, Head of Design, Monash University Faculty of Art, Design, Architecture