Established in 1905, the school is one of many around the world directed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). It caters to approximately 1,000 students from Reception to Year 12, including 70 boarding students.
History
The first Loreto Convent in Adelaide was founded on Sydenham Road, Norwood in 1905. The school opened with only five students and operated in a small house. Two years later, the school moved to a larger house on Eastry Street and The Parade, Norwood.[1]
College growth
In December 1920, with an increasing number of pupils, the school moved to the current site "The Acacias," a 5.25 acres (2.12 ha) plot in Marryatville. The new schoolhouse opened in February 1921. The junior school was housed in the ballroom, the billiard room became the dining room, and the original dining room was converted to a chapel. Senior classes were held in two rooms on the ground floor, and boarders slept on the first floor. The nuns occupied the former servants' quarters.[1]
By 1925, the stables had been converted into junior school classrooms. The ballroom was converted into a chapel in 1946, with the former chapel becoming a dining room for boarding students. A new wing was opened on 27 May 1951, with classrooms downstairs and dormitories for the boarders located upstairs. In 1959, a science lab and additional classrooms were added.[1]
The Junior School was built in 1961, and the Mary Ward wing of the Senior School built in 1969. The increasing number of students necessitated new buildings and facilities; the Gymnasium and Art facilities were constructed in 1998. Up until 1998, in the Eastern District there were two all-boys colleges, St. Ignatius & Rostrevor.[citation needed]
In 2005, four new middle school classrooms were built in the junior school to house Year 7 students and Chinese language classes. In conjunction with Montessori,[who?][which?] the co-educational Loreto Bapthorpe Early Learning Centre was created, which began operations at the beginning of 2006. Out of School Hours care, the new Portrush Road wall, car parking, and landscaping were also developed in 2005.[citation needed]
A Hospitality and Food Technology Centre was opened in 2006 to deliver and expand curriculum offerings. In 2007, a new Boarding Precinct Development and the St Gertrude's Music Centre were opened. In 2010, the St Anne's Performing Arts Centre was opened.[citation needed]
Named after Mary Gonzaga Barry who led the first group of Loreto Sisters to Australia from Ireland.
McGrath
Red
Named after Mother Emilian McGrath who was the Superior of the Loreto Convent in Marryatville in the 1920s.
Mulhall
Green
Named after Mother Stanislaus Mulhall who joined Mother Gonzaga Barry as a Loreto Sister.
Ward
Blue
Named after the founder of the IBVM Sisters, Mary Ward.
Students are allocated to different houses which they represent at the school's annual events including the Swimming Carnival, Athletics Carnival, and Performing Arts Festival.
