Extra-Curricular

Extra-Curricular Activities

The 'E' in our FACE Curriculum

Loreto Normanhurst prides itself on being a school where all students can find a way to succeed in one or many areas. Extra-curricular participation is a fundamental element of the FACE Curriculum (Faith, Academic, Community, Extra-curricular) inspiring students and assisting them in developing lifelong skills.

We offer an extensive Extra-curricular Program which equips our students with the ability to be innovative, creative, resilient and empathetic and teaches them leadership skills, the value of teamwork and how to deal with challenges and failure. This attitude of lifelong learning is key to the ethos of the Loreto Normanhurst Student Growth Model (LNSGM).

Every Loreto Normanhurst student is encouraged to pursue a variety of extra-curricular activities throughout their school years from competitive sport, dance, music ensembles and choirs, STEM initiatives, creative arts and drama activities, debating and public speaking, and other special interest clubs.

Extra-curricular opportunities are also built into our everyday learning. All Year 7 students, for example, study an instrument for one semester in addition to curriculum music classes, and the Music Festival is an annual, student-led whole-school event. Compulsory PDHPE practical lessons expose students to a variety of sports, Immersion programs align with social justice causes, and students refine their oratory skills through in-class presentations, interhouse debating and more.

From the Dean of Extra-Curricular, Beth Nairn

Oratory

The Loreto Normanhurst Extra-curricular program offers a variety of Oratory opportunities, such as public speaking, debating, ethics and mock trial, for students from Year 5 to 12. Students involved in oratory activities learn to think critically, cultivate an awareness of global issues and refine their research and analysis skills. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in these initiatives.

Music

Extra-curricular Music is an intrinsic element of a Loreto education and the FACE Curriculum at Loreto Normanhurst and is offered through private instrumental lessons and through the music ensemble program.

Private Music Lessons

Private music lessons are for students interested in extending their skills in music for both voice and over ten different instruments. Highly trained external teachers provide expert knowledge and training in their work with the students during the school day, with lesson times rotating on a weekly basis to minimise student absences from any one subject area.

Music Ensemble Program

The Secondary Music Ensemble Program operates as a vertical program across Year 7 to 12. It provides the opportunity for students to work collaboratively, developing skills in listening and communication and acquiring an awareness of their role as a musician within an ensemble through the exploration of repertoire that meets the ability level of all students. Students in each ensemble will showcase their learning in at least one public performance per term, including Music Festival, Open Day, Eisteddfod Competitions and more.

Music Festival 2023 Highlights

Critical Thinking and STEM Initiatives

The School supports an array of teams and clubs across critical thinking and STEM initiatives. These pursuits enable students to be part of a group or team, interacting with others who have similar interests and fostering relationships beyond their usual domain. At Loreto Normanhurst, we foster critical thinking and STEM skills through a range of engaging initiatives. Students can participate in the Philosophy Club, delve into coding through the Coding Club, explore strategic thinking in Chess and Strategic Games, challenge themselves in the Maths Olympiad, and showcase their multidisciplinary prowess in the Da Vinci Decathlon, among other enriching opportunities.

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Creative and Performing Arts

At Loreto Normanhurst, artistic expression knows no bounds. Creative and performing arts initiatives, including opportunities to join the camera crew, explore the Visual Arts Open Studio, participate in the Shakespeare Carnival, engage in theater sports, delve into textiles, and contribute to the Yearbook Committee. These initiatives provide students with diverse avenues to express their creativity and showcase their talents in various artistic endeavors.

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School Productions

The Loreto Normanhurst Drama Department orchestrates stage productions and musicals, providing students to build on their skills through theatrical performance. View the highlights from some of our recent productions:

The Witches Musical 2023 Highlights

The Making of Matilda the Musical Jr.

Special Interest Groups

Special interest groups at Loreto Normanhurst include Chapter Chicks, Film Club, Yearbook Committee and our Student Newspaper: The Mary Word. These groups give our students the opportunity to explore their passions outside of the classroom.

Sport

Sport refers to competitive sport played on Saturdays, with training for teams occurring before or after school during the week. The Loreto Normanhurst Sport program is grounded on encouraging widespread participation with the aim to create student pathways to be lifelong participants in sport and recreation. Students mostly participate in IGSA Sport fixtures. IGSA Sport provides sporting opportunities and pathways for students at member schools to the Independent Girls’ School Association.

Read the IGSA Risk Warning

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LN Active

LN Active programs are offered to students to complement PDHPE lessons and regular weekday sporting pursuits. These programs are offered before or after school, onsite at Loreto Normanhurst. They aim to promote student engagement in activities that provide interest and encourage lifelong enjoyment and participation in physical activity.

The Duke of Edinburgh International Program

The Sport Department facilitates the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The Award is an internationally recognised program that creates opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure. It is open to students aged 14 and over. Achieving an Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level through this program recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement, values that are closely aligned with the FACE Curriculum and the development of the Graduate Attributes identified in the School’s strategic plan.

Faith and Identity

Our call to justice extends beyond the classroom with initiatives such as a Social Justice Group, Wrap with Love initiative, and the Green Team. Students have the opportunity to champion causes that resonate with our commitment to social responsibility, participate in conversations that inspire change, and empower fellow students to be catalysts for a more just and equitable world.

Extra-Curricular