Loreto Kirribilli named Awardee for Secondary School of the Year

This recognition reflects Loreto Kirribilli’s excellence in teaching and deeply integrated, evidence-informed approach to education, grounded in the school’s Strategic Vision 2025–2028 and the Loreto Kirribilli Education Framework. Under the leadership of Principal Dr Nicole Archard, the school has positioned academic excellence and continuous improvement as whole-school priorities, embedding explicit instruction, purposeful inquiry, timely feedback and appropriate challenge across all classrooms to ensure every student is supported and extended to achieve at the highest level.

Central to this success is the Loreto Kirribilli Education Framework, a future-focused model integrating Learning, Wellbeing, Mission and Professional Practice. Grounded in contemporary educational research, the Framework drives a holistic and strategic approach to student growth and formation. Through structured mentoring, personalised coaching and the purposeful use of data, students are empowered to develop strong self-awareness, resilience and ownership of their learning.

The introduction of Effort Tracking marked a significant innovation within the school’s educational model. Through the lenses of Diligence, Focus and Behaviour, students engage in meaningful reflection, goal setting and metacognitive growth, shifting the emphasis from performance alone to sustained improvement and character development.

Loreto Kirribilli has been recognised for leading innovation, becoming the first school in Australia to introduce both a Recreational Pilot’s Licence and a Drone Licence as part of the curriculum, providing students with unique opportunities to engage in aviation, technology and applied STEM learning. The school has also expanded its robotics program and introduced EV racing, enabling students to develop advanced skills in engineering, coding, collaboration and problem-solving through authentic, hands-on experiences.

Beyond the classroom, Loreto Kirribilli has established innovative educational partnerships that enrich student learning, including becoming the first independent school to form a formal educational partnership with Taronga Zoo, connecting students with leading expertise in conservation, sustainability and scientific research. The school has also entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Ensemble Theatre, creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals and deepen their learning in the creative and performing arts.

Together, these initiatives reflect Loreto Kirribilli’s commitment to courageous innovation, interdisciplinary learning and providing students with transformative educational experiences.

Dr Nicole Archard emphasised that this recognition reflects the collective commitment of the entire school community. “Our Strategic Vision, developed in partnership with students, parents and staff, places communication, collaboration and continuous growth at the centre of a flourishing school community,” she said. “Loreto Kirribilli stands as a model of holistic, future-focused and values-driven secondary education where academic excellence, wellbeing, faith and leadership are deeply interconnected and consistently realised.”

Loreto Kirribilli is honoured to receive this national recognition and remains committed to empowering young women to lead with courage, compassion and excellence in an ever-changing world.