Loreto Mandeville Hall, Toorak, is one of an international group of Loreto Schools, founded by Mary Ward, a 16th Century Englishwoman who, as long as 400 years ago, began to educate young girls and young women in the Ignation tradition. The first Loreto School was founded in St Omer, Belgium, in 1609. In 2009, Loreto, along with all Australian Loreto Schools, celebrated the 400 years of tradition in the education of girls. The Mission of Loreto Toorak, a Catholic independent school, from Early Learning Centre to Year 12, is based on the values of justice, freedom, verity and felicity, as outlined in the Mission Statement for Australian Loreto Schools. Loreto seeks to enable each student to develop and grow in an environment that values social conscience, sincerity, integrity and optimism. Mary Ward said 'women in time, will come to do much', and each Loreto student is inspired to do so. This inspiration is demonstrated in the many sporting, artistic and academic accolades our girls continue to receive. Loreto girls thrive from the strengths of our curriculum, pastoral care and extra curricular programs. A wide range of subjects is supported by well-equipped and modern facilities. The Barry Sports Centre includes two pools, a sports hall, a gymnastics facility and weights room, as well as specialised classrooms and art studios. The Basement Drama studios cater for the dramatic arts and a state-of-the-art Science Centre houses six laboratories and features a variety of stimulating interactive displays that cover all areas of the sciences. At Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, the foundation is laid for a lifetime of learning through a comprehensive and challenging curriculum. Enrolment is academically non-selective of students. Special education support is provided for students with special gifts or individual differences. Excellent facilities in the Junior School support the teachers' endeavours to provide a comprehensive, balanced and challenging curriculum for all students, which include French and other..