The Loreto Convent School Timeline
1585
Birth of Mary Ward
1611
Founding of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the opening of the first school at St Omer in Belgium
1631
Suppression of the Institute by Pope Urban VIII
1645
Death of Mary Ward, But her followers kept alive her vision and inspiration
1688
Founding of the Bar Convent in York, England by Mother Frances Bedingfeld a follower of Mary Ward, First Convent to be opened in England after the dissolution of Monasteries in 1536 by Henry VIII
1794
Birth of Frances Ball in Dublin, Ireland
1821
Founding of the Irish branch of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as Loreto sisters, by Mother Frances Teresa Ball, who has been educated and trained as a religious at the Bar Convent in York. Her first Convent became known as Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham, Dublin.
1841
The first Loreto Mission founded outside Ireland began in Calcutta.
Followed by:
1845
Mauritius
1847
Toronto, Canada
1851
Manchester, England
1861
Death of Mother Teresa
1875
Ballarat, Australia
1878
Pretoria, South Africa. Mother Margaret Mary Jolivet, Mother Joseph Colahan and Mother Teresa Colahan opened the school at Loreto Convent Skinner Street on 7 June, with 20 pupils in the high school and 6 in the parochial school.
1880
Siege of Pretoria: Convent buildings were taken over by the military on 16
December. Mother Margaret Mary died during the siege 15.01.81
1881
March 27: Siege ends and school life resumes as normally as possible
1891
First Subsidy given to the school by Kruger Government on condition that Dutch was taught in the school
1893
Opening of Loreto Lydenburg. Another journey by ox wagon!
1899
Outbreak of the Anglo Boer War. School was temporarily closed. Mother Joseph and Mother Teresa went to Ireland to get help.
1905
The two Transvaal Houses come under the jurisdiction of Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham
1913
The Transvaal Houses are placed under the leadership of Mother Patrick
1914 - 18
World War I. Travel makes it impossible to get help in the form of personnel
from overseas but school life proceeds as usual.
1922
New block built. (Present school offices and Grade 7)
1923
Branch House opened in Hillcrest
1924
Loreto Strand is opened
1928
Loreto Skinner Street celebrates its Golden Jubilee. Besides a drama production, the School's 35 piece Orchestra puts on a gala performance
1929 - 33
The Great Depression. Hard times for all and the number on the roll at Skinner Street drops
1939 - 45
World War II. Once again school proceeds as usual but it is not possible for new teachers to travel from overseas
1947
Smuts' immigration policy brings new pupils and new life to the school
1950
The Provincial Government passes the Language Ordinance
restricting the admission to the school to English speaking pupils.
Archbishop Garner challenges the Ordinance in the law courts.
He wins his case in Supreme Court but loses it when the Province appeals
to the Appellate Division. A costly exercise.
1953
Roll of Loreto Skinner Street reaches the highest ever: 853! Where did we put them?
1963 - 65
Vatican II. Many changes in the Church and incidentally in Religious Life are introduced.
These have far-reaching effects on Loreto Convent Skinner Street,
especially on the composition of the school staff
1971
First non-white pupil admitted to Loreto Convent Hillcrest.
The daughter of the Malawian Ambassador.
Skinner Street follows suit but the number of pupils of other races is limited by a quota system
1978
Loreto Skinner Street celebrates its centenary. A week of celebrations included
a Pageant of the History of Loreto and a Mass for many Friends, Past Pupils, Parents and pupils.
These events took place on the Hockey Field.
1980+
The effects of Vatican II began to be felt as the apostolate of Schools for the Sisters was superseded
by apostolate for the underprivileged.
This factor combined with the ageing process led
to the sister being replaced by lay staff in our schools.
1985
We celebrate the 4th centenary of the birth of Mary Ward
1986
We receive the first Government subsidy for our schools since the day of Paul Kruger
1988
The running of Loreto Skinner Street is handed to a Board of Government
1989
The first lay Principal is appointed: Mrs Helen Addis
1994
We celebrate the bi-centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa Ball
1996
Mrs Renée d'Oliviera succeeds Mrs Addis as Principal, and two gentleman teachers join the staff
1997
October 7: Our long awaited new Hall is started
1998
March 3: The keys of the New Hall are handed over at a special ceremony.
June 1: Archbishop George Daniel blesses a commemorative plaque in our New Hall,
followed on June 5 by the official opening, a Special Mass in the morning and a drama production by each section of the school in the afternoon and evening.
2003
The first Loreto Seminar is held at Loreto Queenswood
2006
Mr Stuart Shillinglaw succeeds Mrs d'Oliviera as Principal
The second Loreto Seminar is held at Loreto Skinner street
2007
High school for the first time appoints coordinators in different learning areas
2008
All the Sisters leave the convent. The school takes occupation of the convent to be used as media centre and extra offices
The new Daycare centre is opened and blessed by Father Victor
2009
The third Loreto Seminar is held at Loreto Queenswood
2016
Mr Stuart Shillinglaw retires as the Executive Principal of the School. Mrs Suzette Truter is appointed as the new Executive Principal, commencing duties for the 2017 academic year.
2018
Loreto Convent School celebrates its 140th Birthday - what a milestone! A number of activities were held in celebration of the birthday, including a Gala Dinner, birthday cake for learners on the 7th June, a very successful Dance-A-Thon and other exciting events.
