Mystery surrounds full findings of Loreto College’s rowing review
The full findings of a review into the rowing culture at a second private girls’ school remain a mystery, with the report subjected to an extended process of negotiation one insider called “disgraceful”.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mystery surrounds the full findings of a review into the rowing culture at a second private girls’ school, the Herald Sun can reveal.
Leaders at Loreto Mandeville College in Toorak commissioned a review into the rowing program in 2023, with an external investigator interviewing more than 60 parents and staff over a six-month period.
The review also investigated alleged antics by former Olympic rower and Loreto coach, James Rook, who was cleared of any wrongdoing.
It also probed claims of poor conduct by Loreto Toorak rowers by students from St Catherine’s School and the culture of the school’s rowing program generally.
A similar investigation undertaken in 2024 into the rowing program at St Catherine’s School found a “toxic” bullying culture, including favouritism, extreme pressure and mental health issues.
The Loreto Toorak review found the rowing program had a student culture based around participation, not performance, and claims of elitism and a “win-at-all-costs” mantra were not substantiated.
However, sources say there were adverse findings against some staff and the report was subjected to an extended process of negotiation one insider called “disgraceful” and “unsavoury”.
There is continued discontent in the school’s rowing community as a result.
A spokeswoman for Loreto Toorak said “none of the allegations made in respect of the school’s senior rowing program were found to have been substantiated by the independent investigator”.
The school said “findings made by the independent investigator were communicated to all persons that participated in the investigation and to the school’s Senior Rowing Program community more broadly”.
“In circumstances in which the allegations concerned children and, ultimately, such allegations were unsubstantiated, the school determined that a wider release of the findings is not appropriate or consistent with its child safety obligations,” the spokeswoman said.
This is the second private schoolgirl rowing program review to be discussed publicly.
Both reports come amid renewed attention on school rowing programs following the death of Melbourne Grammar School student Ed Millear after a rowing training session.
Parents are speaking out about the intense pressure on young athletes, the lack of transparency in team selection and the relentless training schedules.
Students are opening up about the bullying from rowers from other schools, with Loreto Toorak and St Catherine’s students targeted by rowers from Caulfield Grammar and Xavier College in the 2022/23 season.
Loreto Toorak has taken over from St Catherine’s School in recent years as the leading Victorian schoolgirls’ rowing school.
Its students won the prestigious Head of Schoolgirls Regatta in 2024 and 2023 in the elite eight open division one.
Originally published as Mystery surrounds full findings of Loreto College’s rowing review
Star Roos make special visit to Royal Children’s Hospital
North Melbourne players Caleb Daniel and Will Phillips have paid a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital to launch their Good Friday SuperClash.
They were once ‘tiny’ schools. Now enrolments have quadrupled
Some of the smallest schools in Victoria have experienced the biggest surge in enrolments on the back of a shift toward country and beach living. See the full list of booming schools.