The Loreto Primary School Nedlands community was last week informed that that school would close at the end of 2023.
Closure of the school comes following a decision by Province Council of Loreto Australia and South-East Asia and the Loreto Ministries Board after “a comprehensive independent review of the school’s future viability”.
In a statement released via email Monday 24 October, Loreto Ministries acting chief executive Paul Ould said that for many years, the changing demographic and educational landscape of the catchment area has presented challenges to the Loreto Province of Australia and South East Asia (the Province) and, more recently, to Loreto Ministries.
Students of Loreto College Nedlands from 1931. Photo: Loreto Nedlands/Sourced. 
Students of Loreto College from 1987. Photo: Loreto Nedlands/Sourced.
“Throughout this time, the Province has provided ongoing financial support to Loreto Nedlands and the school board has actively consulted with Loreto Ministries regarding the stewardship and long-term viability of the school,” Mr Ould said.
“Despite these challenges, the priority was for Loreto Nedlands to continue delivering quality education while monitoring the changes in the catchment area. Loreto Nedlands has consistently delivered excellent educational outcomes throughout this period.
The original site plans for the first proposed Loreto School in Nedlands. Photo: Loreto Nedlands/Sourced. 
A house was rented in Adelaide Terrace as a temporary measure during the early days of the establishment of Loreto College. Mother de Sales Field opened a day school on 15 February 1897, beginning Loreto’s presence in the West. Photo: Loreto Nedlands/Sourced. 
The site at Nedlands was initially envisaged as a university college, but the plan evolved into a school. The foundation stone for the new school was laid on 21 November 1930 with the Western Australian Sisters present. The first wing was completed, and the first day of school was on 10 February 1931. Photo: Loreto Nedlands/Sourced.
In a brochure released to celebrate the 125th anniversary earlier this year, the site at Nedlands was initially envisaged as a university college, but the plan evolved into a school. The foundation stone for the new school was laid on 21 November 1930 with the Western Australian Sisters present. The first wing was completed, and thefirst day of school was on 10 February 1931.
The letter continued by explaining that Loreto Ministries undertook internal research prior to commissioning an independent review by Perth-based consultants to objectively evaluate the position of Loreto Nedlands.
The report findings confirmed the demographic changes in the catchment area and the impact on the school’s current and long-term financial viability in an increasingly competitive education landscape.
“It further considered the capital expenditure required to maintain a safe and educationally appropriate learning environment into the future,” Mr Ould said.
The Loreto Ministries Board entered a period of deliberation in which they carefully considered the report’s findings before presenting a recommendation to the Province Council. After significant discernment, and with great difficulty and sorrow, the Province Council and the Loreto Ministries Board resolved that from the end of 2023, the Province will no longer have the financial capacity to provide ongoing support to Loreto Nedlands.
Mr Ould said that as a result the Loreto Nedlands School Board, “with a heavy heart, accepted the decision to close the school.”
It is understood Loreto is now liaising with Catholic Education Western Australia Ltd to help teachers transition to other schools.
Principal Rika Andres said the school had served the community for more than 90 years.
“While it will be a difficult time as we work through the implications of the closure, the school leadership team respects the decision that has been made and will be here to support our students, staff and the school community,” Mr Andres said.
Loreto Ministries has seven schools in Australia, with the Nedlands primary its only school in WA.