For many parents, choosing a School is about ensuring their daughter has access to meaningful opportunities that strengthen her capabilities and support her journey towards university and beyond

From university enrichment programs to national STEM recognition opportunities, Loreto Toorak students are encouraged to pursue enrichment experiences that extend classroom learning, connect them with like-minded peers, and provide valuable insight into future study and career options. Two outstanding examples are The University of Melbourne's Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program and the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Awards.

Extending Academic Excellence Through the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program

The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, offered by The University of Melbourne, provides high-achieving students with opportunities to extend their learning, explore university life and develop valuable academic, professional and personal skills.

Across the two-year program, students participate in enrichment events and presentations, access The University of Melbourne's extensive academic resources, and attend dedicated VCE revision lectures designed to support their studies.

Year 12 student Samantha Yan has attended a range of events and says the experience has provided valuable insight into life after secondary School.

"I wanted to participate to help me gain a sense of what life is like after high school. I heard from past Scholars about their experiences and the benefits of the program, and I decided that it was something I was interested in. The events I have attended, including a presentation by Australian writer and motivational speaker Carly Findlay, have not only allowed me to better understand life at The University of Melbourne but have also given me valuable advice for taking on Year 12."

The program also connects students with like-minded peers from across Victoria and regional New South Wales.

"Through the program, I've been able to meet scholars from all around Victoria, and we have been able to share our unique experiences of Year 12 and what we aspire to do past high school. The people I've met both at in-person events and through the online portal have definitely inspired me and been a highlight of my experience."

For current Year 11 student Melissa Gu, the decision to participate was driven by a desire to challenge herself and grow beyond the classroom.

"As someone involved in academics, music, leadership and community service, I was drawn to a program that valued both achievement and personal development."

"The academic events and VCE-focused activities have encouraged me to become a more independent and purposeful learner. The revision lectures have provided practical strategies for consolidating difficult content, while the broader workshops have shown me how the knowledge and skills developed at school can be applied in future study. These experiences have motivated me to approach my subjects with greater focus and make more effective use of the resources available to me."

Participation in the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program also creates greater certainty and confidence when planning future university pathways. Eleanor Yip (Class of 2025) joined the program with a clear goal in mind.

"It was promising that through gaining entry into this program and with a certain ATAR threshold met, one could be guaranteed a place into some highly competitive courses at the prestigious University of Melbourne."

Reflecting on her experience, Eleanor says the program helped her navigate the transition from School to university while building lasting connections.

"With various on campus events throughout the years, I was encouraged to explore the campus and life beyond secondary education. Through this process, an added bonus was meeting lots of new people and making some new friends along the way. I loved that the program brought together so many students from across the state and genuinely tried to support us the best they could through our VCE journeys and pathway into university. Having direct access to coordinators from the university also made the progression from high school to university more transparent and accessible as I was able to ask questions about certain criterion and schemes to the university itself."

Encouraging Girls to Pursue STEM Careers

Loreto Toorak students are encouraged to explore their interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through opportunities that build confidence and open doors, such as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Future Innovators Awards. This initiative recognises outstanding achievement in STEAM while encouraging young women to consider the diverse career possibilities in the Defence Force.

Year 11 student Abigail Vinh was recognised as an ADF Future Innovator, an achievement that reflects both her academic strengths and her passion for innovation. For Abigail, her interest in STEM stems from a lifelong curiosity about the world around her.

"I've always been driven by a natural curiosity about how the world works. Technology has always fascinated me, not just using it, but understanding how to maximise its full potential. What really intrigues me is how all these different industries and areas of knowledge intertwine and overlap to actively shape the modern world we live in today."

Abigail believes innovation is ultimately about creating positive change and improving everyday life for others.

"For me, being a Future Innovator is about impact. I deeply respect the people who spent countless hours innovating so that we can live safer, more comfortable lives. I want whatever I study, discover, or create to genuinely benefit others and make people's daily lives easier, even if I'm still figuring out what job I want in the future."

Recognition through the ADF Future Innovators Awards has also influenced Abigail’s academic pathway, reinforcing her confidence to pursue challenging subjects and future opportunities in STEM.

"It played a huge role in shaping my VCE subject selections. Receiving the recognition encouraged me to play to my strengths and choose subjects where I could truly push myself. It was a massive confidence boost as the award validated that I could excel in these fields and continues to motivate me to strive for excellence every day. While I'm still keeping my options open for life after School, this path gives me the confidence that I can pursue almost any career I choose."

Year 12 student Richa Srivastava has similarly embraced STEM opportunities at Loreto Toorak, driven by a love of scientific discovery and problem-solving.

"I loved the rewarding feeling of solving difficult maths problems and also found science subjects like biology, chemistry and physics extremely interesting. I enjoyed participating in different extension programs in the STEM field, which allowed me to realise that I was fascinated by the STEM subjects and the way they allow us to understand our bodies and the world."

Looking ahead, Richa is motivated by the possibility of contributing to innovations that improve lives and advance healthcare.

"I aspire to work in the STEM field and would love to be a part of discovering new medicines and technologies that could revolutionise our world and save many lives. I would love to learn more about healthcare and use my passion to help others."

Being recognised as an ADF Future Innovator has further strengthened Richa’s commitment to pursuing STEM.

"The Award has influenced me to continue my STEM studies in VCE as they are the subjects which I enjoy the most. I will potentially study medicine or health-science related disciplines at university that align with my passion for science and working with others."

Future readiness is about more than academic achievement. It is about nurturing curious minds, building confidence, and creating opportunities for young women to explore their potential long before they make decisions about university and career pathways.

Whether through the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, which offers a glimpse into university life and academic enrichment, or the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Awards, which celebrates excellence in STEM, students are encouraged to challenge themselves, broaden their horizons and pursue ambitious goals.

Register here to attend an Open Morning and discover how Loreto Toorak supports every student to explore their interests, embrace new opportunities and create a future filled with possibility.