Over the past fortnight, I have been incredibly proud to lead Loyola as we have celebrated an extraordinary number of achievements across our community. These successes reflect the talent, dedication, perseverance and spirit of our students and staff. A selection of these accomplishments is highlighted below, and I congratulate everyone involved for the way they continue to strive for excellence while embodying the values of our college.

Boys Bring Home the Bronze - International Standards Olympiad

We are absolutely delighted to celebrate the success of Isaac Schembri (8/AAAM), Noah King Barradas (8/FHPL) King and Sebastian Parisella (8/FJDS), who have returned from the 21st International Standards Olympiad in Seoul, South Korea (12-14 August 2026) with an impressive Bronze Award.

Competing against talented students from around the world, Isaac, Noah and Sebastian demonstrated exceptional creativity, scientific thinking and problem-solving skills on the international stage. Their achievement is a testament to their hard work, collaboration and innovative thinking.

This outstanding result is a wonderful accomplishment for our students and a source of great pride for our entire school community. Congratulations, Isaac, Noah and Sebastian, on representing Loyola with such distinction. We are incredibly proud of you!

Sincere thanks to Ms Vicki Kanicki, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and Ms Kathryn Wilson, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, whose guidance, encouragement and unwavering support played an important role in this journey. Their commitment to nurturing student excellence helped make this remarkable achievement possible.

Congratulations to all involved on this wonderful success.

Night Football Match

Congratulations to both the Boys and Senior Girls AFL Football teams on their success at the annual Night Football matches held on Wednesday, 12 August.

Both teams represented the school with outstanding skill, determination and teamwork, demonstrating the values of respect and sportsmanship throughout the evening. Their commitment, resilience and positive attitude were a credit to themselves, their coaches and the wider school community.

A special thank you to all staff, coaches, umpires, volunteers and supporters whose efforts helped make the event such a success. We also extend our sincere thanks to Overnewton College for hosting the matches and providing our students with the opportunity to participate in this fantastic event.

Well done to everyone involved on a memorable evening of football.

DAV Debating

In an Ignatian school, debating is an important way for students to develop critical thinking, articulate their ideas with confidence, and engage respectfully with differing perspectives. It reflects the Ignatian commitment to forming thoughtful, discerning young people who seek truth, justice and understanding through dialogue.

Congratulations to our A Grade (Year 12) and D Grade (Year 12) DAV Debating Teams on qualifying for the DAV State Finals. This is a remarkable achievement and the first time in many years that we have had two teams reach the State Finals. Their success is a testament to their dedication, preparation and ability to think critically under pressure.

A special thank you to Jeremy Martino, Head of Public Speaking and Debating, for his outstanding work in nurturing debating within our community. His passion, expertise and commitment have helped create a strong culture of debating excellence, providing students with opportunities to grow as confident and thoughtful communicators. Well done to all students and staff involved in this outstanding achievement.

ACS Public Speaking

Congratulations to Annabelle Bezkorowajnij (12/FJPV) who achieved 1st place in the ACS Public Speaking 'Impromptu Speeches' division. Annabelle rose to the occasion and drew on her experience in the Performing Arts to improvise in both a humorous and reflective manner.

Future Politicians in the Making

Congratulations to our Parliamentary Prize Finalist. The Victorian Parliament's Parliament Prize challenges students to research an issue that matters to them and present a 90-second Member's Statement as if they were speaking in Parliament. Reaching the finals is a significant achievement that reflects outstanding research, critical thinking, communication skills and civic awareness. We are proud of this accomplishment and the thoughtful contribution made to public discussion and democratic engagement.

• Justin Lin (12/MMOD): Finalist
• Ollie Field (11/CJSI): Highly Commended
• Summer Elkhouri (11/FFCH): Highly Commended
• Tiffany Nguyen (10/MMGP): Highly Commended

These successes demonstrate what it means to strive for the Magis by working hard, giving our best, and seeking to fulfil our God-given potential. They remind us that excellence is not simply measured by results, but by the commitment, perseverance and growth shown along the way. As a community, we encourage every student to reflect on their unique gifts and talents, to consider how these can be developed to the fullest, and to use them in service of others. I look forward to seeing more students embrace opportunities for success in their chosen areas and continue to make a positive contribution to our college and the wider community.