Loreto College, Marryatville

For other schools of the same name, see Loreto College (disambiguation).

Loreto College Marryatville is an independent Roman Catholic primary and secondary day and boarding school for girls in Marryatville, an inner-eastern suburb of Adelaide, located approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the Adelaide city centre, in South Australia, Australia.

Loreto College Marryatville
Location
Marryatville, Adelaide, South Australia Australia
Coordinates	34°55′45″S 138°38′32″E
Information
Type	Independent primary and secondary day and boarding school
Motto	Latin: Maria Regina Angelorum. Cruci Dum Spiro Fido (Mary, Queen of the Angels. While I live, I trust in the Cross)
Religious affiliation	Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Established	1905 (1905)
Gender	Girls
Colours	Saxon blue and gold
Affiliation	Junior School Heads Association of Australia
Website	www.loreto.sa.edu.au

Established in 1905, the school is one of many around the world directed by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM). It caters to approximately 1,000 students from Reception to Year 12, including 70 boarding students.

History

Early history and moves

The first Loreto Convent in Adelaide was founded on Sydenham Road, Norwood in 1905. The school opened with only five students and operated in a small house. Two years later, the school moved to a larger house on Eastry Street and The Parade, Norwood.

In December 1920, with an increasing number of pupils, the school moved to the current site "The Acacias," a 5.25 acres (2.12 ha) plot in Marryatville. The new schoolhouse opened in February 1921. The junior school was housed in the ballroom, the billiard room became the dining room, and the original dining room was converted to a chapel. Senior classes were held in two rooms on the ground floor, and boarders slept on the first floor. The nuns occupied the former servants' quarters.

College growth

By 1925, the stables had been converted into junior school classrooms. The ballroom was converted into a chapel in 1946, with the former chapel becoming a dining room for boarding students. A new wing was opened on 27 May 1951, with classrooms downstairs and dormitories for the boarders located upstairs. In 1959, a science lab and additional classrooms were added.

The Junior School was built in 1961, and the Mary Ward wing of the Senior School built in 1969. The increasing number of students necessitated new buildings and facilities; the Gymnasium and Art facilities were constructed in 1998. Up until 1998, in the Eastern District there were two all-boys colleges, St. Ignatius & Rostrevor.

In 2005, four new middle school classrooms were built in the junior school to house Year 7 students and Chinese-language classes. In conjunction with Montessori, the co-educational Loreto Bapthorpe Early Learning Centre was created, which began operations at the beginning of 2006. Out of School Hours care, the new Portrush Road wall, car parking, and landscaping were also developed in 2005.

A Hospitality and Food Technology Centre was opened in 2006 to deliver and expand curriculum offerings. In 2007, a new Boarding Precinct Development and the St Gertrude's Music Centre were opened. In 2010, the St Anne's Performing Arts Centre was opened.

2026 refurbishment

The Acacias has recently used as the school's boardroom. In January 2026 the school announced plans to restore the building, led by South Australian heritage artist Marisha Matthews, who teaches art at the school. Architects Woods Bagot are responsible for developing the plans.

Notable alumnae

• Jessica Adamson ('89) – journalist & TV presenter
• Isobel Borlase – Australian basketball player
• Libby Kosmala – Paralympian nine-time gold medalist for shooting

Notable staff

• Chloë Fox – English, French and History

See also

• List of schools in South Australia
• List of boarding schools in Australia
• Catholic education in Australia

External links

• Loreto College website