an explosion which destroyed St Mary's (Thoms). Loreto's last boarding students left in 1972. In 1980, Araluen, which had previously been a music centre, was extended to provide accommodation for the Loreto Sisters, and the community areas in the Elamang building were converted for use as staff rooms, general school administration and music. In 2010, Loreto acquired the neighbouring Tremayne Private Hotel, formerly a Y.W.C.A. and renamed it the Marian Centre. Principals Curriculum Compulsory subjects In the Loreto senior school the following subjects are compulsory: Religion- from year 7-12 English- from year 7-12 Maths- from year 7-12 or speak to principle in year 12 PDHPE- from year 7-10 Science- from year 7-10 Technology and Applied Studies- year 7-8 Music- year 7-8 Visual Arts- year 7-8 Languages- year 7-8 Geography- Year 10 History- Year 10 Elective subjects Year 8 In year 8 students choose a language from the following: French Italian Chinese Year 9 In year 9 students chose four electives, two subjects that run for two years (200 hrs) and two subjects that run for one year (100 hrs). They chose from the following subjects: Academic Enrichment (100 or 200 hrs) History Elective (100 hrs only) Geography Elective (100 hrs only) Visual Arts (100 or 200 hrs) Photography and Digital Media (100 or 200 hrs) Drama (100 or 200 hrs) Food Technology (100 or 200 hrs) Design Technology (100 or 200 hrs) French (200 hrs only) Italian (200 hrs only) Mandarin (200 hrs only) Music (200 hrs only) Commerce (200 hrs only) PASS (200 hrs only) Creative Communication (100 hrs only) STEM (200 hrs only) Thinking and Advocacy (100 hrs only) Library The newly renovated Loreto library was opened in July 2013. The library contains over 27 000 books and resources. The library is located at the top of the Saint Joseph's (J) Block. At the 2013 Spring Fair the library raised $3 000 for their sister school in Panighatta by selling handmade book related jewellery, in a stall named 'Read-Cycled'. Extra curricular activities Debating Loreto currently participates in three debating competitions: ISDA - Each year has 1 team in year 6+ CSDA - Each year has 1 team in year 7+ Archdale - 2 teams from both year 7&8, One team in year 9+ Music Students are encouraged to join musical ensembles such as the orchestra, choir, flute ensemble, concert band, stage band or chamber strings group. Private instrumental