The Loreto Student Leadership Conference:

St Michael’s were invited to take part in the annual Loreto Student Leadership Conference
in York. We decided to take students from KS4 as they would be an investment for the
future. In particular, we “invited” some of our PP students to take part in this enriching
experience. The two days were very well organised and really informative (especially for our
students who knew very little about Mary Ward and/or Loreto).
Over the two days, each Loreto school represented gave a presentation about how Mary
Ward’s values are expressed in each school. This was insightful for our students to see how
Mary Ward is not just a name in the history of the schools but she still embodies all that
happens in the schools today. The presentations really made an impact on our students (and
me) As the newest members of LET, our students gave a presentation on Clare Fey and the
history of St Michael’s, which was also well received.
Many the activities over the two days were designed to allow students from the different
schools to work together as teams (particularly the treasure trail around York and the games
played after dinner in the youth hostel) The students all mixed well together.
On the Saturday back at the Bar Convent, the students from each school worked together,
planning for the future and working out how to keep Mary Ward, her vision, values and
charism, alive in their schools. Ideas were then shared.
The whole experience was a great introduction for St Michael’s students to the Loreto
family.
Student Leadership Conference – the students’ perspective:
Hannah (Y11, PP)
A group of year 10 and 11 St Michael’s students visited York for an educational and
informative gathering about the Loreto Association.
We started off the day with presentations from each school which briefed us about
their school and how the Loreto sisters influence their day to day life. We also
explained our situation and how we were already putting Loreto’s values into our
school lives.
Afterwards, we were all split up and we went on a treasure hunt all across York. This
was an amazing opportunity to talk to new students and their experiences of going to
a Loreto school. The treasure hunt was extremely tiring but all together; it was a fun
experience despite the cold November temperatures.

After our questionable but all the same welcomed dinner, we all played games like
wink murderer which was a good time for bonding and a relaxing, laid-back end to a
very exhausting day.
The next day, we ate our full English breakfasts and were on our way by 9’o clock on
a chilly walk along the river back to the Bar Convent. Here, we did group work on a3
sheets of paper about how we could incorporate Loreto’s morals into our school for
example having assemblies about their work.
Zhoe (Y11) - My York/ Loreto Experience:
We all travelled to York on the train and we met up with the other schools, (except
for the younger children who has transport issues). Each school had presentations to
introduce themselves and explain what they do at their schools.
Afterwards, we were split up into groups that were mixed up with people from the
other Loreto schools so we could all get to know each other and we all did a treasure
hunt around York. We got to experience York and see some beautiful buildings.
Then once we finished the treasure hunt, we all headed to the hostel that we were
staying at and we played some games and talked to each other.
The next day, we learnt a lot about Mary Ward, such as her life, what she did and
how it was significant for the times she was living in and how her actions influence us
now. We then discussed what we could incorporate into our schools that could
improve it and what the school could benefit from. The rest of the Loreto schools
already do a lot of things like event days, campaigns, often raising money for many
different causes etc. and we took inspiration from what they do and tried to apply it
to our own school. Considering we’re still fairly new, the rest of the Loreto schools
have already done many things and so hopefully in the future, St Michael’s can
achieve those same things too.