Celebrating 95 Years 1928–2023

Welcome from the Principal Mrs

Kim Wickham

Welcome to our 2023 Beyond Loreto Coorparoo edition. This publication aims to highlight the outstanding achievements of our students, past pupils and community. For almost a century, we have provided an exceptional education that empowers students to excel academically, grow personally, and make a positive impact. I am delighted to invite you to read through this publication and discover what makes Loreto exceptional.

For the first time since 2019, the College was able to commence the year with our regular programs including many face to face events which were well supported by our community. This included our Semester One Mass attended by students, staff, the Sisters of the ibvm and representatives from the executive of the Loreto Past Pupils’ Association. The opportunity to come together as a community of faith was enhanced by student and teacher participation as servers, communion ministers and readers, and through uplifting performances by our student and staff vocalists and instrumentalists. The lifting of pandemic restrictions has also seen the return of Year Level Masses to which families are most welcome; we are most grateful for the leadership of the Mount Carmel priests at these services.

Our Semester Two Mass was led by Archbishop Mark Coleridge celebrating our 95th Birthday as well as our Senior Past Pupils who graduated 50+ years ago. The Mass was followed by a luncheon for our past pupils as well as a tour of the College. The College is also looking forward to welcoming back graduates from 1983, 1993, 2003 and 2013 at our very first Reunion Day on Saturday 16 September.

Plans for our new building are underway as part of our Masterplan. It will be positioned on Dale Street. The College is looking forward to the opportunities that the building, due to open in 2025, will provide including flexible learning spaces, administrative areas, a Senior Studies Centre and classrooms to house our Years 5 and 6 students. We are most grateful to have secured a multi-year generous donation to support the development of our new building through a philanthropic trust, the Ann Helene Toakley Charitable Endowment.

Ann was a Loreto past pupil and the legacy she leaves us is a wonderful example of Mother Gonzaga Barry’s adage: “Leave after you something on which others may build”. You can read more about her on page 18

2025 will be a remarkable year in the history of the College as it is also the year when we have received approval to re-introduce Year 5 to the College’s educational offerings. Ironically, 2025 will also mark 50 years since Year 5 was phased out from Loreto’s education program. Preparations to welcome our Year 5 students are well underway with a steering committee guiding our decision-making processes. At our Open@Twilight evening in May, the College welcomed over 1,800 visitors to the College including many families interested in Years 5 and 6; I was delighted to be able provide greater details around Years 5 and 6 at an information session.

It is most fitting in the year of Justice that the College has been able to re-introduce many opportunities for our students including immersions to Timor Leste and Central Australia. The College has also welcomed students back to Rosies and they help prepare breakfasts for the disadvantaged at Emmanuel City Mission. I was also delighted to announce our Outstanding Young Alumnus, Brigid Kelly (2014) who has a commitment to social justice. Aside from her volunteer work, she works as a legal officer ensuring at risk children have safe permanent placements where they can flourish. She is a wonderful example of Mary Ward’s adage to be “seekers of truth and doers of justice”.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Beyond Loreto Coorparoo.

Loreto College Coorparoo proudly commemorates its 95th anniversary since its humble beginnings with just a dozen pupils in 1928 and facing an uncertain future during the Great Depression. Today, it stands as a leading girls school in Queensland. The Loreto Past Pupils Association (LPPA) are proudly working with the College to celebrate this significant milestone by educating the community on its history, celebrating its achievements, and fostering hope for the future.

A notable project undertaken by the LPPA and coordinated by Sr Helen Parer ibvm and LPPA Secretary Susan Nelles was the commissioning of a new Altar for the Mary Ward Centre. The Altar was crafted with Queensland blackbutt hardwood timber, by Mr Mark Davis. Mark has a heartwarming connection to Loreto. His mother, Val Barwick, started Grade 1 with Sr Helen at St Joachim’s, Holland Park, and then both continued at Loreto together and are still great friends to this day.

His Grace, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, blessed the Altar at the Semester Two Mass on the Wednesday 26 July, where past pupils from over 50 years ago were guests of honour. The “Golden Oldies” were embraced by current students, fostering connections, and sharing fascinating stories from the past.

The LPPA extends a warm invitation to the Classes of 1983, 1993, 2003, 2013 to attend the inaugrual reunion day being held on Saturday 16th of September.

The introduction of Year 5 in 2025 and Year 6 in 2026, will see the next stage of the Master Plan come to fruition with the construction of the new building on Dale Street. Donating or setting up a bequest to the building or scholarship fund will ensure Loreto continues to grow and to provide a Mary Ward education to those less fortunate.

Mary Ward was famous for seizing opportunities for the growth of her schools, and for being proactive rather than reactive. Loreto College Coorparoo shares this energy and mission.

2023 is the Year of Justice and is dedicated to promoting fairness and sustainability, encouraging students to practice kindness, open- mindedness, and discernment. The College proudly acknowledges the Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2023, Brigid Kelly (2014), who exemplifies justice and excellence in her career. You can read more about Brigid on page 8

The Loreto Federation, a gathering of Loreto past and present students, staff, and their families, will take place at Loreto Toorak in October 2024, with the theme “Climate Justice.” The event will include seminars with guest speakers and foster friendships among Loreto companions from across Australia.

The LPPA encourages everyone to stay connected with Loreto through the ‘Loreto Coorparoo Past Pupils’ Facebook group, College website, social media and newsletter.

Lastly, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to two exceptional women who recently passed away at the ages of 102 and 96, respectively. Win Walker (nee Rush) lived in Dale St and dedicated over 60 years to teaching piano to Loreto students. She was an alumnus of Lourdes Hill College and sent her daughters, Shelley and Lisa, to Loreto. My mother, Marie Dooley (nee Collopy), attended Coorparoo in 1941 to 42 and went on to send her five children, six grandchildren, and now her great-granddaughter, who will start in 2024, to Loreto. The thriving success and achievement of Loreto College over 95 years is made possible by the love and dedication of those who remain connected, contribute, and continue to move forward with the College. Let us all do the same as we eagerly approach Loreto’s centenary in 2028!