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The Loreto Time line

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 an 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