As we begin Term Three, I warmly welcome all students, staff and families back to Loyola College. The start of a new term is always an opportunity to refocus, re-engage and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.

Newsies: A Celebration of Community

Congratulations to everyone involved in our recent production of Newsies. The performances were outstanding and showcased the remarkable talent, commitment and passion of our students. From the cast, crew and musicians to the staff who guided the production, and the parents who supported our staff, every contribution helped create a truly memorable experience.

What made Newsies particularly special was the extraordinary level of community involvement. Students, staff, parents, alumni and volunteers all came together to support the production, contributing countless hours behind the scenes. Whether assisting with costumes, sets, rehearsals, hospitality, technical production or audience support, so many members of our community generously shared their gifts for the benefit of our students.

At Loyola, we often speak about being a community that accompanies one another, and Newsies was a wonderful, living example of this in action. It demonstrated the power of people working together with a shared purpose and reflected the very best of who we are as a school community.

JACSA Girls' Sport Carnival

Our students represented Loyola College with great pride at the recent JACSA Girls' Sport Carnival. In an incredibly competitive tournament, Loyola and St Ignatius went match for match across the various sports, with the overall result ultimately coming down to the final soccer match of the carnival.

On this occasion, the result did not fall our way, but there was much to admire and celebrate. Throughout the day, our students demonstrated determination, resilience, teamwork and outstanding sportsmanship. They competed fiercely while always representing Loyola with pride.

I would like to thank the students for their efforts, the staff who coached and supported the teams, and especially the many parents, staff members and supporters who attended throughout the competition. Your encouragement from the sidelines played an important role in making the carnival such a positive experience for our students.

JACSA Debating Carnival

Congratulations to our students who travelled to Sydney to participate in the JACSA Debating Carnival. Competing against some of the strongest Jesuit and Companion school debating teams in the country, our students performed exceptionally well and represented Loyola with confidence, intelligence and professionalism.

The team were narrowly defeated by Xavier College, just missing the opportunity to compete in the Grand Final. While disappointing, this result should not overshadow their remarkable achievement.

Debating requires students to think critically, construct reasoned arguments, communicate persuasively and engage respectfully with different viewpoints. These are precisely the skills that will continue to be valued in a rapidly changing world. I congratulate all students involved and thank the staff who supported and accompanied them on this successful campaign.

Social Justice Grant

We are delighted to have received support through CASPA by way of a grant to the value of $5000. This funding will assist us in strengthening initiatives that reflect our commitment to service, justice and accompaniment. The money will used to facilitate our work with the Exodus community.

As an Ignatian school, we are called not only to develop the talents of our students but also to encourage them to use those gifts in service of others. The support of Exodus Community will help us continue this important work and further our commitment to creating opportunities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

St Ignatius Day – Friday 31 July

As we approach St Ignatius Day, I encourage all families to make a final effort in supporting our annual Walk for Others fundraiser. Funds raised through this initiative will be directed to our House charities, supporting organisations that work with those who are marginalised and experiencing disadvantage in our community.

I encourage families to share the fundraising link with extended family and friends. We are not asking individuals to make large donations; rather, we are asking our community to work together. When each of us contributes a little, collectively we can achieve something significant. This is one of the great strengths of the Loyola community, people coming together with a shared purpose for the benefit of others.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support as we strive to live out our Ignatian call to be people for and with others.

Looking Ahead

As we move through Term Three, I encourage all students to approach their learning with purpose and optimism. Success is rarely the result of a single moment; rather, it is built through consistent effort, perseverance and a willingness to embrace challenges. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, on the debating stage or in service of others, our students continue to demonstrate the qualities that will enable them to flourish in the future.

I wish all members of our community every success for the term ahead and thank our families for their continued partnership and support.