Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak has created an environment where your daughter will be nurtured, challenged and encouraged to discover her true self. We embrace genuine values of freedom, justice, sincerity, verity and felicity to foster a mutual respect and deep understanding of the individual and a compassion for the broader community. The goals of a Loreto education are those of the founder of the Loreto Order, Mary Ward (1585-1645), who worked with extraordinary enthusiasm and vision in Reformation England to advance the education of girls. Today there are Loreto schools all over the world, forming an exciting and well-connected global network. There are seven Loreto schools in Australia. Loreto Toorak takes enormous pride in being an integral part of this long and proud tradition.
Facilities: A wide range of subjects is supported by well-equipped and modern facilities. The Barry Sports Centre includes two pools, a sports hall, a gymnastics facility and weights room, as well as specialised classrooms and art studios. The Basement Drama studios cater for the dramatic arts and a state-of-the-art Science Centre houses six laboratories and features a variety of stimulating interactive displays that cover all areas of the Sciences. Loreto Toorak is characterised physically by its unique mansion, Mandeville Hall, which has an International Heritage classification and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The new Mandeville Centre opened in 2015 and incorporates an inspiring Learning Resources Centre (Library) which will offer students complimentary tutor support after school, a Year 12 Centre with class rooms, multimedia and roof top garden facilities. Also included in the building is a theatrette and extensive gallery spaces.
Curriculum: Each year Loreto Toorak delivers excellent academic results. This is just one aspect of the holistic approach to education. We aim to deliver an authentic Loreto experience which will broaden the possibilities for your daughter and help her prepare for the ongoing journey of life. The opportunities provided will challenge and extend your daughter, helping her to graduate with self-confidence and an inner belief that there is much she can achieve. A broad range of VCE studies is offered to cater for the diverse range of student ambitions, interests and talents Students can select from approximately 32 subjects. Prior to entering the VCE years, students are given extensive counselling to assist them in the most appropriate subject choices. This includes a Careers course in Year 10, together with work experience, differential aptitude testing and individual interviews with the careers counsellors. The Mathematics Acceleration program is just one option from Loreto’s expanding range of tertiary subjects, which also includes university-level History, Literature and Biology. Loreto Toorak is currently ranked as the top performing Catholic school in Victoria. Recognised for having a strong focus on Social Justice the school excels in art, music and drama. There are four languages on offer from Year 7 which include French, Indonesian, Italian and Chinese (Mandarin). A limited number of general academic, general excellence, mathematics and music scholarships are available to students of outstanding ability.
Sport: Girls can select from 20 different sports on offer throughout the school. Loreto Toorak is a member of Girls Sport Victoria which includes 23 girls’ schools who compete with spirited rivalry across a range of core sports available outside the school curriculum.
Co-curricular activities: A wide range of activities such as year level camps, Loreto Aquatic, Gymnastics club, Snowsports, Rowing club, Equestrian club, drama, debating, science club, Tournament of Minds and a comprehensive program of overseas study tours provide further opportunities for intellectual stimulation and enjoyment. The Performing Arts Festival, a highlight each year, is an exciting inter-house Drama/Music competition organised and directed entirely by the students.
Student welfare programs: The pastoral care of each student has a high priority at Loreto Toorak. Our pastoral care program is evidence based and responds to the changing social and emotional needs of our students. Several programs including Positive Education operate throughout the school including school counselling, buddy-peer support, year level and house group activities, transition program and social/emotional learning programs.