Achieving as team players

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This was published 9 years ago

Achieving as team players

Updated

Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak attributes its academic success to its "we, not me" attitude. Principal of the non-selective Toorak school Susan Stevens says that the school has seen time and again that "thinking together and working collaboratively" allows cohorts to achieve considerable accomplishments.

In a bid to show how this attitude permeates the school, Loreto Toorak's School Tours are held on various weekdays. The dates for 2015 are: Wednesday, March 25; Tuesday, May 5; Friday, July 31; Thursday, September 10 and Friday, October 16.

Pupils learn how the body works at Loreto Toorak.

Pupils learn how the body works at Loreto Toorak.

"In order to promote what is essentially Loreto, which is a particular way of doing things, the most important aspect to notice when on a tour is the relationship between the girls – the general tone of respect and dignity and how relationships work at this school, we want everyone to see that, and the best way is for everyone to see the school as it is normally," says Dr Stevens.

"The best [open day] model for our school plays to our strength – teaching and learning – that's what we believe we are good at and proud of. We are proud of the tone of the place and type of girls and relationships they have with the teachers. You can't see that on a Saturday morning when no-one is here."

Tours begin at 9am with a presentation by Dr Stevens and core staff members, and parents and students have the opportunity to meet staff and current pupils. Students then show small groups around the various facilities.

Groups can explore any part of the school and may enter classes in action. "This is really where you pick up the feel of the school," says Dr Stevens. "These girls look friendly, and are disciplined and engaged. There's no better advertisement than how it works in practice."

Dr Stevens says parents appreciate that while Loreto Toorak aims for strong academic success with its students, it places just as much importance on them being nice people.

After touring the facilities groups return for morning tea and conversation with staff. Dr Stevens recommends staying the extra half-hour after the tour to talk to people and ask questions.

"Children spend more time at school and in the company of all these other girls than they do with you as a parent," says Dr Stevens. "The influences are going to include the type of school they're in." The tours conclude at 10.30am.

Looking to the future, Loreto Toorak has a major new building opening at the end of first term. There's also excitement in the air after its Mandeville Christmas cookbook won the Best Entertaining Cookbook prize for Australia in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. This qualified the book for entry into the Gourmand Best in the World Competition to be held in China in June when students, staff and parents will have their fingers crossed for success.

For more information go to: www.loretotoorak.vic.edu.au.

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