LORETO COLLEGE COORPAROO P O Box 1726, COORPAROO DC QLD 4151 Telephone: 07 3394 9999
Facsimile: 07 3847 1254
Absentee Line: 07 3394 9964
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Email: email@loreto.qld.edu.au Website: www.loreto.qld.edu.au
21 June 2011
Dear Parents and Students Recently I was delighted to receive a phone call from a parent expressing her profound pride in the example of “felicity” shown by Loreto students a ending a recent interschool event. Here, she told me, our girls stood out as being ‘truly special’ – not because of their performance or success (although I am sure that was superb) but because of the way in which they genuinely cheered and celebrated the success of each and every compe tor – not just Loreto girls, but all girls who were compe ng. They encouraged and mo vated each compe tor to reach the finish line and to be proud in so doing. This posi ve and suppor ve a tude reflects much of what it means to be ‘felicitous’ and ‘Lore an’. This brings to mind an extract from “Teachers Who Change Lives” (Metcalfe & Game 2006) that I’d like to share. In this book Julie McCrossin, radio broadcaster, describes the school of her youth as being “a powerhouse of ac vity”. I believe Loreto schools to be such. “When a school is a powerhouse of ac vity, this diversity doesn’t fragment the community or produce narrowly specialized students. On the contrary, the poten al of each student is drawn out by connec ons between students, between ac vi es and between the school and the broader community . . . the values are those of cultural inclusiveness and respect . . . A diverse school offers everyone the chance to excel at something; it also offers everyone the precious opportunity to be valued when they are not the best. Students learn that there are some ac vi es at which they will fail, and others they enjoy without honours. They learn that their achievements are important but only part of life. They learn openness to different experiences and respect for difference. They learn the value of co‐opera on, and the difference between crea ve and destruc ve compe on. In a ‘powerhouse of ac vity’ ferocious compe on is transformed into an inclusive spirit of co‐opera on. A school’s culture is rich when applause for each person is recogni on for the role of every person. The school is teaching values by valuing everyone’s unique contribu on”. This is the Loreto of my childhood and this is the Loreto Coorparoo of today. Dear Lord, We give thanks for the many gi s with which we have been blessed and most especially for the gi s that we are to each other. Let us find in others always, your love, your spirit and your inspira on. Let us rejoice in our difference and celebrate our diversity. Amen. ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT 2010 In accordance with the “Schools Assistance Act”, the annual compliance report for the College for 2010 is now available. The report for 2010 can be accessed ‘on‐line’ via our website www.loreto.qld.edu.au
CONGRATULATIONS To Loreto’s Year 8 Readers’ Cup team who last week came a creditable third in the Children’s Book Council Readers’ Cup compe on compe ng against 19 other schools. Well done Rachel Larkin, Emily Love‐Linay, Nicola Tracey and McKenna Buckley. To the following musicians, each of whom has been selected into the Queensland Conservatorium State Honours Ensemble Program: Natalie Baker, Sia Cambaclis, Sophie Catsoulis, Larissa Claridge, Marianne Curran, Zara Duffy, Rachel Farrah, Elise Fort, Isabella Kirkman, Maddie Li le, Hayman Lui, Charlo e McMahon, Rebecca Meimaris, Laura Quinn, Lauren Roberts and Maddie‐Rose Young. To Kirsty Wrice (Year 11) on her selec on to represent Metropolitan East in the State Championships for Golf to be held in Townsville in July. We wish Kirsty all the best.