The Reflection She Needs


At Loreto Toorak, we believe that overcoming challenges can lead to extraordinary outcomes. A principal that has shaped our school from the beginning. 

Four hundred years ago, English woman Mary Ward faced extraordinary opposition to establish the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) - also known as the Loreto Sisters. Mary Ward had a vision for a different mode of religious life for women, whereby they would live a life inspired by the gospel, and be free of the traditional cloister that placed them under the governance of men. Most importantly, she believed that women deserved an equal education to men.

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), more commonly known as the Loreto Sisters, was introduced into Australia in 1875, in response to a request for nuns by Dr O’Connor, the first Bishop of Ballarat. Mother Gonzaga Barry came with a group of seven women to Ballarat on 20 July, having left Loreto Abbey, the main house of the Irish Branch of the Institute, in Rathfarnham, Ireland, in May 1875.

The Loreto Sisters established schools in Ballarat (1875), Melbourne (1889), Sydney (1892), Perth (1897), Adelaide (1905), Toorak (1924) and Brisbane (1927), always with the aim of the pursuit of excellence in education with a spirit of freedom, justice and sincerity. They also took over the running of a number of Victorian Parish Primary Schools, established the first Central Catholic Teacher Training College (1906), encouraged the establishment of the first Free Catholic Kindergarten (1912) and the first female Catholic, residential college - St Mary's Hall (later College) at the University of Melbourne (1918).

On 24 August 1924, the Loreto Sisters purchased Mandeville Hall and at first used the stables as a convent, the Dining Room (Oak Parlour) as a chapel, the Drawing Room as a reception room, several first floor bedrooms as boarders dormitories and the remainder of the mansion for community purposes and classrooms. On 25 September 1927, Archbishop Daniel Mannix laid the foundation stone of the Chapel of Christ the King, with the first Mass celebrated on 12 May 1928 before the formal opening in October of that year.

Read more about the Life of Mary Ward

The Name Loreto

The name “Loreto” comes from the first house of the IBVM in Rathfarnham, Ireland, and traces its origins to a well-known place of pilgrimage in Italy. Loreto had been a place of devotion for Mary Ward, who travelled widely across Europe on her journey to Rome. Interestingly, Mother Teresa Ball, who founded the Irish branch of the IBVM, chose the name “Loreto” for her first foundation in Dublin without knowing of this connection.

Loreto Crest

The Loreto Crest is believed to have been created by Mother Teresa Ball in the 1850s as an expression of her faith and spirituality. Its shield is based on the family crest of Mary Ward, our Founder, reflecting the deep roots of tradition and devotion that continue to inspire the Loreto community today.

There are four symbols on our School Crest:

Loreto Crest in Blue

  • The Cross
    The cross is a reminder of our love for God. It calls us to make the right choices, even when they are hard, and to live with courage and integrity every day.
  • The Sacred Heart
    The Sacred Heart reminds us that love is at the centre of everything. It encourages us to care for God and for one another, showing kindness in all that we do.
  • The Loving Heart
    The loving heart represents Mary, who is a special guide for every Loreto girl. When we see it, we are invited to pause, reflect, and offer a prayer to her.
  • The Anchor
    The anchor is a symbol of strength and hope. It reminds us that no matter the challenge, we can find peace and guidance through prayer.

What do the words on the Crest mean?

“Maria Regina Angelorum”, means Mary, Queen of the Angels.
“Cruci Dum Spiro Fido”, means in the Cross, while I breathe, I trust. This means we will always believe in God’s goodness and know he will always look after us.

Loreto Australia and South East Asia

The shared mission of Loreto involves thousands of people including sisters, colleagues and volunteers who work in Australia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, and around the globe.

Together we carry the responsibility of continuing the legacy of our Founder Mary Ward: in the spirit of Freedom, Justice and Sincerity through educating young women, working for justice and responding to the needs of our time.

Visit the Loreto Province of Australia and South East Asia website