Good Luck to Our International Standards Olympiad Team

This Saturday, 7 August, we wish Noah King Barradas (8/FHPL), Sebastian Parisella (8/FJDS) and Isaac Schembri (8/AAAM) safe travels as they depart for Korea to represent Australia at the International Standards Olympiad.

Being selected for this international competition is an outstanding achievement and reflects the talent, hard work, and dedication each of these young men has shown. While they will be competing on the world stage, they will also be carrying with them the support and good wishes of our entire Loyola community.

We know they will embrace this incredible opportunity with enthusiasm, curiosity, and the same spirit of excellence they demonstrate every day at school. We look forward to following their journey and hearing about their experiences when they return.

I would like to thank Mrs Victoria Kanicki, our Gifted and Talented Coordinator, for preparing the students in the lead up to the competition.

On behalf of all our students and staff, we congratulate Noah, Sebastian, and Isaac, and wish them every success in Korea.

We are immensely proud of them and know they will represent both Australia and Loyola with distinction.

Celebrating St Ignatius Day

Our school community came together on Friday 31 July to celebrate St Ignatius Day, a special occasion that invites us to reflect on the life, vision, and legacy of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Through liturgy, our annual walk-a-thon, followed by concert and festivities, students and staff were encouraged to consider how they can live out the Ignatian values of courage, service, gratitude, and striving to be their best for others. St Ignatius Day is always a highlight of the school year, providing an opportunity to celebrate what it means to belong to a Jesuit school community and to recommit us to being people of compassion, justice, and hope. It was a wonderful day of faith, fellowship, and school spirit.

I would like to thank Mr Matthew Luczek for his work in leading the organisation of this very special day.

I would also like to thank those families who contributed to the St Ignatius Day walk-a-thon. It is disappointing that despite students being given a free lunch on the day, followed by free access to rides, games, and concert, some students still neglected to raise even a small amount for their House charity. This is disappointing as the donation is a tangible way that we can live out our mission of being people for others.

The Raisley profile will be kept open for another week, so there is still time for students to make a donation.

Grandparents Mass and Morning Tea

On Wednesday 29 July, Loyola warmly welcomed grandparents to our annual Grandparents Mass and Morning Tea, one of the regular events on the school calendar. The celebration was a beautiful opportunity for students and their grandparents to come together in faith, gratitude, and community. The Mass provided a meaningful occasion to reflect on the invaluable role grandparents play in the lives of young people, sharing their wisdom, faith, love, and life experiences across generations.

Following the Mass, grandparents and students enjoyed a morning tea filled with conversation, laughter, and connection. There was a wonderful sense of joy throughout the morning as families spent time together and celebrated these special relationships. The event was a powerful reminder that grandparents are often among the greatest supporters and role models in a young person's life, helping to shape their values, character, and sense of belonging. We thank all the grandparents who joined us and helped make the day such a memorable and enriching experience for our community.

Subject Selection across Term Three

A special thank you to Mrs Kathryn Wilson, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, Mrs Lisa Bosco, Head of Learning Pathways, and the entire Head of Learning team for their outstanding work in organising this year's Senior Pathway Evening on Tuesday 28 July.

Term 3 is an important time for our students as they begin making decisions about subject selections and future career pathways. These choices can be both exciting and challenging, and a great deal of care, expertise, and support goes into helping students and families navigate the many options available to them. Events such as the Senior Pathway Evening provide valuable guidance and information, ensuring students can make informed decisions that align with their interests, strengths, and aspirations.

I encourage all students to take advantage of the support on offer by speaking with their teachers, Heads of Learning, careers staff, and pathway advisors. Asking questions, seeking advice, and exploring possibilities are important steps in shaping future success, and our staff are committed to walking alongside students throughout this journey.

Forthcoming Events

Loyola is fortunate to have a vibrant, connected, and highly engaged parent community, with many opportunities for families to become involved in the life of the College. One event not to be missed is the LPFA Trivia Night on Saturday 29 August. This much-anticipated evening is always a highlight on the community calendar, bringing families and friends together for a night of fun, laughter, and connection. Be sure to secure your tickets early, as this popular event is expected to sell out quickly.

There is also great excitement surrounding the upcoming LPFA Online Auction, which will feature an impressive range of prizes and experiences. We encourage families to keep an eye out for further details and to support this wonderful initiative.

Finally, a reminder that our Working Bee will be held this Saturday, 8 August. These events are a fantastic way to contribute to the College while connecting with other members of the Loyola community. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and it is never too late to sign up. The more the merrier, and we would love to see as many families involved as possible.

Supporting our staff while planning for the future

Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.

We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.

We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student.