This is just a selection of the recent trips and events at Loreto College, see many many more in our archive. Click here to see more

Music Technology students visit Futureworks

ImageImageMusic Technology students have visited Futureworks Media School to investigate its recording and post-production studios.    

As part of the visit to the Manchester City Centre Media school the Loreto students also had feedback from the head of study on music tracks they have produced as part of their AS studies.

Theology gets students thinking

ImageImageBudding theologians at Loreto have seen two of the world’s top scientific thinkers clash on their differing beliefs about the existence of God.

The Theology students saw a heated debate at Manchester University between William Lane Craig, Christian philosopher and Oxford Chemist, and the outspoken atheist, Dr Peter Atkins.

Debating Matters!

ImageImageLoreto College became the hub for heated discussion and argument as it hosted the Manchester round of the nationally acclaimed ‘Debating Matters’ competition.

Holocaust Memorial Exhibition

ImageImageA special exhibition to remember Holocaust survivors goes on show in Loreto’s Ellis and Kennedy Building today.

The exhibit shows the faces of Holocaust survivors who lived through Nazi persecution and went on to make new lives in Britain.
 

Visit by American Embassy Poet

ImageImageAn exclusive visit from American poet and rap artist Gina Loring attracted an audience of hundreds at Loreto College.

The visit was set up by the History and English departments after being contacted by the US Embassy. Gina is currently the guest poet of the American Embassy’s cultural envoy program.
 

Mary Ward Day Celebrated

ImageImageStudents made friends with a snake, skateboarded for the first time, mastered a circus unicycle, climbed a mountain and even went to Wales to celebrate Mary Ward Day.

All students and staff took part in something new and different to rejoice in the gospel values of the Loreto Sisters: freedom, justice, truth, sincerity and joy.
 

Royal Exchange Theatre Visit

ImageImageDrama students have been preparing for their exams with a trip to the theatre to see the famous historical tragedy Edward II. 

The A level students went to see an updated version of Christopher Marlowe’s play at the Royal Exchange Theatre where the original 14th century setting was swopped for the 1950s.

Wear it Pink Day

ImageImageStudents are digging around in their wardrobes for bright pink clothes to wear on Friday for ‘Wear it Pink Day’ to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

As well as wearing pink there will be a host of events around college to raise as much money as possible for the charity. Activities include nail painting in the chaplaincy, henna menhdi tattoos, sponsored silences and a cake stall during period 3 and lunch.

Prosperous Society

ImageImageLoreto students joined Catholic sixth formers from around the country to take part in an event to solve the biggest challenges facing society.

 

The young people took part in the Social Impact Challenge 2011 which involved all 17 Catholic sixth form colleges from across England and Wales.
 

Dick Camplin Education Trust Awards

ImageImageSpecial scholarship awards have been given out to help Loreto students fulfil their university ambitions.

The Dick Camplin Education Trust generously make scholarships to students needing financial support to help them progress to University.

Rotary Awards for Outstanding Students

ImageImageStudents at Loreto have been rewarded for their efforts with an honour from the Rotary Club of Manchester Breakfast Awards.

In the first ceremony of its kind at the college 21 students were rewarded for their outstanding commitment to activities in the college and the community.

Saving Energy with Manchester University

ImageImagePhysics students have been coming up with energy saving innovations as part of an engineering challenge at Manchester University.

Six teams from Loreto took part in the competition to design to build various devices and present their results to a team of judges.

Ellis and Kennedy Official Opening

ImageImageA special ceremony has been held at Loreto College to bless and officially open the Ellis and Kennedy building.

The ultra-green £20 million building received a blessing from the Very Reverend Canon Anthony McBride before the leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese unveiled the official plaque.

End of Year Glamour

ImageImageAfter the hard work of the exam season students celebrated with a glamorous ball at one of Manchester’s top hotels.

More than 250 students and staff attended the glittering event which was not only a chance to dress up but to say goodbye to friends and teachers as they leave Loreto.

Sports Presentation Evening

ImageImageEarlier this month the Loreto College Sports Department & Enrichment staff celebrated the success and accomplishments of the sports teams over the last academic year. The evening was a first for the college and was well attended by students and parents from a variety of the sports teams.

Students' Artisitic Talents Showcased

ImageImageLoreto’s showcase of artistic talent was hailed a great success as hundreds of people enjoyed a beautiful summer evening at the college.

While some visitors browsed impressive artistic creations in Art and Design, Textiles, Photography, Graphics and 3D Design others were watching energetic dance shows or listening to band rehearsals in the college recording studio.

Loreto University Visits

ImageImageHundreds of students have been off to the universities of Leeds, Liverpool and Salford to investigate what courses to choose after their A levels.

Eight hundred Loreto students packed 17 coaches to go to open days at the various institutions and many had already made appointments to go and see specialist departments such as medicine and dentistry.

History Society Creates a New Future

ImageImageSummer term has seen the highly successful inaugural talk for the newly established Loreto College History Society. 

The Society, created by AS students Charlotte Gleeson (ex Priestnall High School), Rosa Duffy(ex Chorlton High School) and Adam Stachniewski (ex Cheadle Hulme High School), invited Professor Peter Gatrell from the University of Manchester as its first  guest. Professor Gatrell, whose daughter is a former Loreto student, gave an enthralling talk on the Battle of Gallipoli and its meaning.  

Art Exhibition Evening

ImageImageThe best of Loreto’s creative arts will be on show for a special open evening on June 29th.

Hundreds of people are expected to come to the evening which will feature student work from artistic subject areas including Media and Film, Art, Textiles, 3D Design, Graphics, Photography and the Performing Arts. The show runs from 6.00pm to 8.30pm in the Art Department and in the Ellis and Kennedy Building

Law Debate Victory

ImageImageAS Law students are celebrating winning the “Great Law Debate” at the BPP Law School in Manchester.

Loreto’s two teams had to research and prepare a number of debates in order to compete against students from other Manchester schools. The first debate was on the reintroduction of the death penalty and the second focussed on banning animal testing. Both teams performed extremely well against strong competition from other schools. Loreto B Team were selected to go through to the final.

Car washing for charity

ImageImageStudents and staff have been using elbow grease to raise hundreds of pounds to help pupils from its sister school in India attend World Youth Day in Spain.

 The charity car wash raised £300 and together with a donation from the RE department it will help sponsor two  pupils at the Loreto school in Entally, Kolkata, India to travel to the international event in Madrid this summer. 

A Dream of a Performance

ImageImageLast week the Loreto BTEC Performing Arts students conveyed their energy and commitment in the three groups’ performances of Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The audiences of friends, family and staff were treated to an hour-long version of this classic play of love, confusion and transformation in the new Ellis and Kennedy Theatre.

Classics and English students enjoy high drama

ImageImageStudents from Classics and English enjoyed high drama with a trip to see Oedipus at the Nottingham Playhouse.

The Loreto students went to see Steven Berkoff’s remarkable version of the Greek Tragedy in preparation for their upcoming exams. Here student Hannah Brown gives her opinion of the production.

 

Forensic Science Mysteries Unravelled

ImageImageLoreto’s chemists have been using forensic techniques to identify mysterious substances in a competition to test their analytical skills.

The students represented the college at the North West heat of the 2011 Schools’ Analyst Competition hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University .

Manchester Medical School Visit

ImageImageLoreto’s future medics have benefitted from university expertise to help them into their chosen careers.

Students from Manchester Medical School came into College in the Easter Holidays to run an exciting half-day programme for lower sixth students. 

Loreto Students join AV debate

ImageImageLoreto students who will be voting for the first time in their lives have been finding out all about today’s referendum which could change the British voting system.

The politics and philosophy enrichment tutor organised both sides of the campaigns to come to college to raise awareness of the referendum.
 

Oldest scientific instrument in the world at Loreto

ImageImageA special exhibition about the oldest scientific instrument in the world was brought to Loreto College in a special event to highlight the learning of the Ancient Greeks.

The Antikythera Mechanism was made around 150 to 100 BC and is the oldest analogue computer and the first known Mechanical model of the Universe.

Loreto leads Cambridge HE+ programme

ImageImageLoreto College has been chosen to head a scheme to help more state-educated students into Cambridge and other top universities.

The college has become one of seven lead institutions across the country for the HE+ programme which will develop closer links with the best universities in Britain and help strengthen students’ applications.

Loreto Theologians explore ethics – and London

 By on-the-scene Journalism Club reporter Eleanor Layhe

ImageImageStudents combined a theology conference with an exciting overnight trip to see London’s sights and an incredible West End show.

Some of the students had never been to London before, and found the new experience of travelling on the tube, shopping on Oxford street, seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament very exciting and fascinating.
 

Model United Nations Conference

ImageImageFive Loreto students, Sara Kolber, Chloe Elliot, Lavin Othman, Anton Esmail-Yakas and Adam Stachnlewski , were delegates at the first Model UN conference for sixth form colleges at Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College in Birmingham earlier this month. 

Red Nose Day 2011

ImageImageA fancy dress extravaganza kicked off the climax of a week of exciting events in Loreto’s bid to raise £1500 to support Comic Relief.

Today also saw the head to head challenge of the science staff versus students in a Basketball game in the sports hall.

Movers and shakers

ImageImageThe excitement is building at Loreto in the run up to Red Nose Day Tomorrow! Today saw the drama department’s contribution to Comic Relief 2011. They performed two short, dynamic performances from John Godber’s classic comedies,“ Bouncers” and “Shakers” about evenings out on the town.

Who Goes – You Decide!

ImageImageAs part of the Comic Relief fundraising at Loreto Michael Gove, Alice Cooper, Michelle Obama, William Hague, Nick Griffin, Justin Beiber, Jose Mourinho, Katie Price and Ed Milliband unwisely decided to take a hot air balloon trip together.

Multimedia Music Moguls!

ImageImageStudents had an opportunity to see their friends as pop stars as Ellis and Kennedy theatre today premiered an extensive array of student media work.

This was an impressive setting due to the HD quality visuals and the surround sound system which rivals local cinema complexes! The A2 students were excited to contribute to Charities Week fundraising in a fun and interactive way and were thrilled to see their videos shown publically.

Planning Ahead with Loreto

ImageImageStudents have been making plans for the future with the help of a huge Loreto career fair to point them in the right direction.

 The event included 19 university representatives from around the country including Birmingham, Sheffield and Lancaster as well as locally based institutions such as the University of Manchester and MMU.
 
And for those students looking for a more vocational future there were employers ready to guide them towards the most suitable careers.

Disney Magic for Health & Social Care Students

ImageImageStudents have been seeing how their studies relate to the real world with an exciting trip to Euro Disney.

The Health and Social Care students travelled to Paris to see how practices they have learnt about in the classroom are applied at the theme park.

During the BTEC course at Loreto College students learn about aspects of health and safety, nutrition, the need for equality and diversity and how to protect people. All of these topics were explored during the French trip with the help of experts working in health and social care at Euro-Disney.
 

Pathways visit to Jan Air and Manchester airport

ImageImageIt’s all taking off at Loreto’s Pathways Department as students have been checking-in and buckling-up.

The department, which includes students with a range of learning needs, made excellent use of the college’s Jan Air airline cabin for an in-flight experience and followed this up with a visit to Manchester airport.
 

Beethoven at the Bridgewater Hall

ImageImageOn Saturday 29 January, the AS Music group enjoyed an evening at the Bridgewater Hall to hear the Manchester Camerata perform Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Students were invited to attend the concert following a project run by musicians from the Camerata earlier in the year. 

An Audience with Chris Honer

ImageImageLoreto’s AS Drama & Theatre Studies students have had the opportunity to meet with Manchester Library Theatre’s Artistic Director, Chris Honer. Mr Honer has been the Artistic Director of the Library Theatre Company since 1987 and his latest project is Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’, which is an AS Drama & Theatre Studies set text. The play will be on at The Lowry next month and Mr Honer gave up some of his valuable rehearsal time in order to help Loreto’s Drama students prepare for their exam.

Music students work with Manchester Camerata

ImageImageAS Music students at Loreto have recently been involved in an exciting project with musicians from Manchester Camerata. The Camerata is the chamber orchestra in residence at the Bridgewater Hall and the Royal Northern College of Music. As well as playing professionally, the musicians run a number of projects in schools across the North West to inspire creativity.

The right careers prescription

Byline: Saira Ahma: Loreto Journalism Club

ImageImageLoreto Students have been off to Stepping Hill Hospital for the right prescription for their future careers.

Those interested in pharmacy got to see how medicines are dispensed in the hospital and witnessed how three clumsy-sounding robots known as Crash, Bang and Wallop select the correct drugs for patients.
 

Sign Language Skills

ImageImageLoreto students have been learning how to communicate with people with hearing difficulties and who use sign language on a daily basis.

Each week around 15 students have been coming along to a British Sign Language taster course to learn the basics of sign language. 

Loreto students have the X factor

ImageA wealth of student talent took to the stage for the Loreto College Showcase - all in aid of charity.

ImageHundreds of students and staff watched a wide range of talented acts from singers, rappers to pianists, guitarists and dancers. All the performers received huge cheers from a very enthusiastic and appreciative audience making it very difficult for the three judges to pick finalists for the clap-o-meter finale.

Rave reviews for a brilliant Cabaret performance

ImageImageIn the first week in December, Loreto College’s new Ellis and Kennedy Theatre hosted Cabaret, its inaugural production – the first large-scale, cross-college theatre performances in many years. The show was a sell-out over three nights, bringing together an audience of students, parents, friends and staff, who were treated to a fantastically accomplished production that highlighted the talent and enthusiasm of its cast and crew.

Theology Conference Visit

ImageImageStudents have been looking at how well God stands up in today’s scientific world at a special conference for theology students.

Fifty students from Loreto joined 500 others at the annual Philosophy of Religion conference in Manchester led by the legendary academic and author Dr Peter Vardy.

Charity Fundraising at Loreto

ImageImageIt’s not often that boys get encouraged to wear pink nail varnish but at Loreto it’s helped raise nearly £200 for cancer charities.

The College Charities Group ran its Pink and Blue Day to fundraise for Breast Cancer and Everyman Prostate Cancer, two very worthy causes working to help cancer sufferers around the country.

Volunteer work in India

ImageImageA former student has been inspired to help under-privileged children at one of Loreto’s partner schools in India.

In the run-up to Christmas Jasmine Dale will be working in one of the busiest areas of Kolkata at the Loreto Sealdah school, which is not only a girls school but a resource centre for the city’s poorest of the poor.

Mary Ward Day 2010

ImageImageRecently all students and staff took part in Mary Ward day: a chance to try something new and different and celebrate the values of the Loreto Sisters. Each activity gave an insight into one or more of the five gospel values of freedom, justice, truth, sincerity, and joy associated with Loreto founder Mary Ward 

Here members of Loreto’s Journalism Club give their thoughts and impressions of their day.

Dragons Den star visits Loreto

ImageImageEnterprising business students got the chance pitch their ideas to Dragons’ Den success story Kirsty Henshaw.

The young entrepreneur was given £65,000 from Dragons Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne to develop her range of allergen-free frozen desserts and came to Loreto to inspire other would-be business moguls.

Debating Success

ImageImageLoreto students have won praise and prizes for their oratory skills after taking part in the prestigious Debating Matters competition for the third year running.

Run by the Institute of Ideas the national competition encourages students to argue about controversial and important topics such medical ethics and freedom of speech.

Physics students are whisked away by Rolls Royce

ImageImageLucky physics students have been whisked away by helicopter to discover the latest technology behind the manufacture of Rolls Royce engines.

For the second time Rolls Royce selected Loreto College for the special event which aims to raise awareness of engineering and cutting edge technology.

New Loreto Chaplaincy Area Opens

ImageImageOn Wednesday the 20th October, the new Chaplaincy Area at Loreto College was officially opened by the Principal Ms. Clynch. Over seventy students and some members of staff visited the Chaplaincy during their lunch hour to enjoy complimentary food and drink and to see what the new area looks like.

Planning ahead at Loreto

ImageImageWould-be globe trekkers can discover the choices on offer when it comes to taking a gap year before university.

Organisations such as Raleigh and Gap Discovery will be giving talks to Loreto students who want to know how best to take a year off.

Biology teacher Ms Law, who spends her holidays leading scientific expeditions in the Amazon for gap year students, is well qualified to organise the sessions. She took a gap year at 18 and has kept travelling since.

Outstanding Opportunities at Loreto

ImageBudding scientists have been undertaking real scientific research alongside top professionals in their field.

Three students from Loreto took part in this year’s Nuffield Bursary scheme to apply what they’ve learnt in the classroom to the real world.

Image

St Matthew’s High School visits Loreto

ImageMr Moran, teacher of French and History from St Matthew's RC High School, accompanied by Mr Green, Assistant headteacher from St Matthew’s and 4 teachers from Germany, visited the Modern Languages Department at Loreto to learn about high-tech teaching and learning in modern languages and how it can deliver exceptional exam results.

Image

Loreto Physics students at Manchester University

ImageImageIt’s all-go for physics students at Loreto with hi-tech electronic challenges and special events to help explain big questions about the universe.

Five teams from Loreto teamed up with other Greater Manchester sixth-formers to solve various real-life problems including traffic management and managing water shortages at Manchester University.

Egyptian Adventure

ImageImageAdventurous biologists have been on an expedition of their lives to experience the extremes of Egypt’s climate and wildlife.

Students and teachers went on the field trip to the baking Sinai desert and the relaxing Red Sea. In the Sinai students carried out biodiversity surveys of plants and animals including bats, birds, reptiles and insects and at night they slept under the stars in Bedouin camps experiencing the traditional ways of the desert.

Chemistry at Work

ImageImageChemists at Loreto have been seeing how they could use their lab skills in the world of work.

Not only have they been separating and analysing the active ingredient from a pharmaceutical drug at the University of Liverpool but they have visited the world-class research labs at AstraZeneca.
 

In the chemistry master-class at Liverpool students built on the practical and theoretical skills they have learnt in AS chemistry and were introduced to new concepts relevant for their A2.
 

Loreto students go Moon-walking!

ImageImageMoon-walking students have just returned from an exciting trip to sample life as an astronaut. 

Maths and physics students flew off to a Space Camp in Belgium where they found out how hard life in space can be.

Papal Honour for Loreto

 

ImageImageA talented Loreto student has designed a logo that will be used as part of the Pope’s visit to Britain in September.
 
Anna Koon, who has just completed her A level studies at Loreto, has come up with the winning logo for The Big Assembly,  an event during which Pope Benedict XVI will address thousands of school children.
 

Cambridge University Visit

ImageImageFollowing in the footsteps of intellectual giants some of Loreto’s brightest students have been on a fact-finding trip to investigate student life in Cambridge.

Students visited the city’s colleges to meet the key people they may have to impress if they decide to apply. They also sampled student life with punting on the River Cam and enjoying a garden party in the manicured college gardens.

Loreto students sample university life

ImageImageStudents have been warming up for the next stage in their academic careers with a trip to Leeds University.

Four hundred Loreto students headed off to sample the Leeds City Centre campus in a special higher education day that will help them decide what university they want to go to and what course they should choose.
 

Leavers' Ball at the The Midland Hotel

ImageImageIt was a glittering night for Loreto students celebrating the end of their A level and BTEC studies with a glamorous ball at one of Manchester top hotels.

More than 300 students and staff dressed up in fabulous ball gowns and evening suits for the end of year prom at the historic four star Midland Hotel.

Students started the night with a sophisticated fruit cocktail reception in the beautiful listed building which is regarded of one of Manchester’s architectural treasures.

Art Extravaganza

ImageImageA stunning exhibition to show off the best of the college’s creative talent attracted more than 800 visitors from all over Manchester.
   
The exhibition of art and design was the first chance the public have had to appreciate Loreto College’s new impressive, ultra-green £20 million building.

Loreto students enjoy Alton Towers

ImageImageAfter the stress of exams Loreto students let their hair down with a special trip to Alton Towers.

With the sun shining 200 students travelled to the theme park in Staffordshire to celebrate the end of this year’s studies and assessments.

 

Loreto faces the final frontier!

ImageImageSpace may be the final frontier but students from Loreto are off to get a taste of life as an astronaut in Belgium.

Sixteen maths and physics students are off to Space Camp where as well as experiencing zero gravity they will take part in a simulated shuttle launch and be taught the skills needed to design and launch their very own rocket!

Loreto Students Explore Egypt

ImageImageAdventurous biologists will soon be braving life in the desert for the sake of endangered wildlife. Loreto students will be heading off to the mountains of the Sinai in Egypt to survey the wildlife in remote oases in July.

Skateboarding to Success

ImageImageSkateboarding is helping students with learning difficulties to greater independence and a healthy lifestyle.

Sport is an important element of the Pathways to Independence Course at Loreto College. The two year course, for students aged between 16 to 21 years, promotes independence in all areas of the learner’s life in preparation for the ‘real world’.

Loreto students winners at UK Maths Competition

ImageImageStudents have won gold, silver and bronze in a challenging national competition to find the best young mathematicians in the country.

The UK Maths Challenge attracted over 92,000 entries from nearly 1,900 schools and colleges around the country. Impressively two Loreto students won gold awards, six won silver and nine won bronze. Maths teacher Dr Karim was very pleased with the students’ performance and said they had found the competition stimulating and rewarding.

Vinvolved at Loreto

ImageImageStudents are getting crafty and creative in an effort to recycle and help reduce climate change.

The Loreto Climate Change Group is working with community artist Alice Brierley to make jewellery from recycled materials and scrap. Using sustainable methods the students are also exploring traditional crafts.

Loreto Chemists Compete!

ImageImageChemistry students have been holding their own against some of the best brains in the country. Loreto students have been taking part in the International Chemistry Olympiad which is a competition against the top young chemists from 68 countries.

Chemistry in Action

ImageImageA trip to a brewery meant Loreto chemistry students had the opportunity to see their subject in action.

Chemistry students from Loreto College visited the neighbouring Hyde Brewery to help in their study of the fermentation process. Fermentation is the conversion of a carbohydrate, such as sugar, into an acid or an alcohol.

Market Mysteries Revealed

ImageImageStudents tried to unravel the mysteries of the markets at a special conference in Manchester.

The 30 AS students who are studying AS Economics at Loreto College attended an Economics conference at Manchester Metropolitan University.

As well as lectures on free trade, fair trade and market structures the students had a chance to find out about careers relating to Economics.

Classical Civilisation students visit The Lowry

ImageImageClassical Civilisation students enjoyed an exciting trip to the Lowry Theatre focusing upon a Greek Tragedy.

The students went to see a dramatic production of Medea.

Loreto College Cleans Up!

ImageImageLoreto has some of the cleanest cars in Manchester thanks to a charity car wash to help pilgrims to Lourdes.

Every year students from the college travel to the Catholic pilgrimage town of Lourdes to help with sick and disabled pilgrims. 

Easter Skiing in Italy

ImageImageWhile many of us were munching chocolate eggs Loreto students were off on an Easter trip to the Italian Alps.

The 12 students and two staff stayed in the 2006 Winter Olympic Village and skied the same slopes as expert slalom skiers. The beginners and more advanced skiers enjoyed great conditions and made the most of the Apres Ski.

Classic Civilisation students visit British Museum

ImageImageStudents have been unravelling the mystery of the Classical world by studying pottery and artefacts at the British Museum.

Ten Ten Theatre Company

ImageImageDuring the spring term, professional theatre company Ten Ten Theatre, performed two plays to a number of upper and lower sixth R.E. groups at Loreto. The plays are written specially for teenage audiences and concern love, relationships, sex and marriage. “Chased” deals with sexual relationships and contraception and “Babies” deals with unplanned pregnancy and abortion.  The plays are very balanced, open-ended and provoke great thought and discussion. The performances took place in the Chapel and were aimed at RE groups and other subjects areas, such as Health and Social Care, Sociology and Theology and Ethics were also involved. The students found the plays interesting and thought provoking, with many contributing to the discussions afterwards. 

Sociology Students Study in San Francisco

 

ImageImageA trip to California gave sociology students the chance to study and experience all the contradictions the Sunshine State has to offer.
 
The Sociology department took 20 students to Los Angeles and San Francisco to experience American culture, its norms and values as well as the history which has shaped it.
 

Charities week at Loreto

ImageImage
It’s hoped a Loreto College charity bonanza is raising thousands for Sports Relief and to help the earthquake effort in Haiti.
 
Students have run numerous events for Haiti including radio programmes, hand-made chocolate egg raffle, lucky dips, cake sales and even wore a wide variety of hats and wigs.  A special fundraising showcase has brought in even more money.

Loreto’s American Adventure

ImageImageStudents travelled to the most powerful places on the planet in an action-packed visit to the United States.

The history and politics trip was an opportunity for 30 students to see where the big decisions are made in New York and Washington DC.

Loreto students are Blown Away!

ImageGeographers and would-be engineers heard the latest about wind power from well-named expert Mr Breeze.

The electrical engineer, who works for Siemens Power Generation: Renewables, outlined how important the wind power industry is becoming to meet Britain’s energy needs.

ICT Prague Trip

ImageICT students managed to mix industry and culture in an exciting visit to the Eastern European city of Prague.

The 26 BTEC and AS ICT students stayed in a 4 star hotel close to the historic area of the Czech capital and managed to squeeze in plenty of sight-seeing between informative visits to gain a better understanding of computer systems.

Debating Matters for Loreto College Students

ImageA talented student has won first prize for her performance in a prestigious debating competition for the second time running.

AS student Katherine Lyonette impressed the judges in the NW regional final of the Debating Matters competition to walk away with the top individual award for Best Individual Speaker. She won the same award in the qualifying round.
 
In addition her team mate, Mobeen Kausar, who is taking her A2 year, was awarded the individual runner up prize for her “brilliant” speeches. 
 

Loreto students Chill Out

ImageStudents have been taking to the slopes at Manchester’s Chill Factore in preparation for skiing in Italy over Easter.

The lucky students are off to the Alps in a few weeks time so they have been practising their skiing and snowboarding skills to get the most out of the trip.
 
Sports teacher Miss Gash said while some students have been having lessons others have been practising their skills ready to hit the pistes. 
 

Careers Fair

ImageLoreto held its annual Careers Fair on Monday 6th February 2012. The Fair was mainly aimed at our Lower Sixth students to give them the chance to discover what is available in the market place, to help them make choices for the academic year ahead as well as their future careers. They certainly made very good use of the occasion, some 900 students flooding the Sports Hall at 11.45 and really taking time to talk to the various representatives. The overwhelming majority of students thought the event was very helpful.

The fair was also open to our Upper Sixth students as well and, even though optional, many of them took the opportunity to talk to the universities and businesses that were there.

Students art work on display

ImageStudents studying a range of Art and Design courses recently returned from a 3 night stay in London. Students visited a range of major exhibitions at a variety of galleries including Anish Kapoor at the Royal Academy, Pop Life at Tate Modern and Turner and the Masters at Tate Britain. The group were given a guided tour of the Courtauld Gallery providing behind the scenes insights and historical information on Artists such as Frank Auerbach and a range of the French Impressionists.

Law speaker visits Loreto

ImageCivil liberties barrister Gwen Henshaw (Pictured) gave more than 100 Loreto students a glimpse of life in the court room. Ms Henshaw, from Central Chambers in Manchester, was bombarded with questions from the A level students after outlining what it means to be an advocate in the criminal courts. Law teacher Mr Howells said: "We are really grateful to Gwen for providing our students with an inspirational experience."

The Grapes of Wrath

ImageIt is not surprising, given the current economic situation, that West Yorkshire Playhouse put on a production of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath this autumn. As Lower Sixth History students study the Great Depression as part of their course Ms Bloom organised a trip for 34 students to see the play. It was an excellent production with a talented cast including Christopher Timothy and Oliver Cotton. The set was particularly impressive.

LC Showcase

ImageIt was a fantastic showbiz finale with students (and staff) strutting their stuff in the Loreto X Factor. Acts with enough talent to get Simon Cowell reaching for his cheque book sparkled on stage, while Loreto Drama teacher Mr. Rees kept the audience laughing as compere. A full-on blast of the blues from talented musicians, The Band, kicked off the contest, followed by beautiful singing from solo performers Chelesea and Asanda.

Geography in Action

ImageBrave geographers have been out in the elements this term investigating rivers, sand dunes and the mountains of Wales. Despite some questionable outfit choices (see below) the students made the most of seeing geography in action. While AS students were wading about in wellies in Derbyshire and travelling to Snowdonia the A2s were being blown about on the Lancashire coast.

Greek Tragedy

ImageIn November the two Lower Sixth Classical Civilisation groups attended a series of lectures in Manchester on the theme of Greek Tragedy. The four talks were from leading academics and will be of great help to the students in their summer exams. All the lectures were excellent: at the end one of the students commented that 'I'm really looking forward to reading the play Medea now'.

Bendrigg Residential

The 2009 residential in the Lake District involved 32 students, our greatest number yet. As always it was a great week and thoroughly enjoyed by students and staff alike. The activities which the students undertook included caving, canoeing, abseiling and archery etc. Every student faced challenges never before encountered and returned to college with greater confidence and self esteem.

Image

Chaplaincy

We have been fortunate this term to have a team of chaplains working in College. Established chaplaincy groups, such as the Justice and Peace group continue to flourish. Those involved recently launched a college-wide competition for students to design a billboard advertising the message: 'Vote: it's a privilege!' and the winning entry will go on a real life billboard in the local area.

American History Conference

ImageAs usual the History Department took a group of students to the annual American Studies Centre conference in Liverpool. This year the theme was American foreign policy. The students heard lectures by some well known historians in the field such as , Dr Jenel Virden, Dr Martin Folly and Professor John Dumbrell. The lectures gave the students very useful material for their exams and showed them some of the current debates around topics such as American Isolationism.

Politics Students on BBC 5 Live

ImageFollowing an invitation from the BBC to attend the recording of the Victoria Derbyshire BBC 5 Live radio programme at the Conservative Party conference on Monday 5th October, Kate Boon and Stuart Robertson took 20 students along to the Manchester Urbis building. The morning lasted until 1.00pm and was a very fascinating experience for the students to be involved in a live audience questioning leading Conservative and shadow cabinet members on a range of policies.

Loreto Debating Society

Loreto Debating Society in partnership with Cogito has seen an exciting series of debates this term. Ms Tattersall has ensured that Loreto Debating Society has run smoothly with the help of Mr McGuinness and Ms Henderson. Every week we have had a debate on a range of topics. The debates every Tuesday have been hard fought and exciting with enthusiastic students relishing the challenge of debating. We have covered a range of topics from whether we should limit population growth to whether Premiership footballers deserve their rewards.

Travel and Tourism

ImageStudents undertaking Travel and Tourism First and National Diplomas have been experiencing tourism first hand. Their research has been greatly enhanced this term by a range of visits and preparation for Residentials. The BTEC First Travel and Tourism students got off to a flying start in the first week of term as they visited STA travel, the Visitro Information Centre and the IBIS Hotel.

Mary Ward Day

ImageOn the annual event of Mary Ward Day, the whole student body and all staff of Loreto College work in inter-departmental or cross-curricular teams. Each team runs an activity that represents one or more of the five gospel values, associated with Mary Ward, the foundress of the Loreto sisters: freedom, justice, truth, sincerity, and joy. Students choose, sign up for and then take part in one of these activities.

Auschwitz

ImageEvery year the History Department is given two places for students to take part in the 'Lessons From Auschwitz' project run by the Holocaust Educational Trust. This year James Franks and Natalie Saville made the day trip to Poland. The experience is a profound one for students when they visit Auschwitz and Birkenhau and see for themselves the remains of the camps and the people who passed through the gates.

Fundraising!

ImageIn October the Charities group and some staff (Ms Seddon, Mr Foulder, Ms Drumm and Ms Deane) raised money for cancer relief. We had a coffee morning for Macmillan which raised £146 which is a fantastic total and will go a long way in helping Macmillan continue their magnificent support of those affected by cancer. The group then organised what is becoming an annual PINK day where raffle tickets were sold for staff and student prizes, cakes and sweets were sold and students wore pink.

STEM Engineering and Tech Challenge

ImageFour teams of five AS students were again entered for the STEM Engineering and Technology Challenge, which is held each year in July. Teams have to design and develop a project working with an industrial mentor. This year the teams were involved in projects on Antenna Design and Construction, Signal Interlocking on Railways, Traffic Management and Power Generation, which involved the construction of a model wind turbine.