Celebrating Community, Learning and Opportunity

Opening of The Ricci Centre

On Friday, 28 August, we were delighted to formally open and bless the Ricci Centre. While our students and staff have been enjoying the benefits of this outstanding facility throughout the year, it was wonderful to pause and celebrate the opportunities it provides for learning, wellbeing and community. The blessing was conducted by Auxiliary Bishop Trinh Nguyen and we were honoured to welcome Mr Ed Simons, Executive Director of Catholic Education, Mr Colin Brooks MP, State Treasurer and Member for Bundoora, along with a number of other distinguished guests. The occasion was a fitting celebration of what the Ricci Centre represents: a commitment to providing contemporary learning environments that support our students to flourish and achieve their very best.

LPFA Trivia Night

On Saturday evening, 29 August, the Loyola Parents and Friends Association hosted its annual Trivia Night. It was a wonderful evening of community engagement, fun and friendly competition, bringing together parents, staff and friends of the College. Events such as these play a vital role in strengthening the sense of community that is so important to life at Loyola. I extend my sincere thanks to the LPFA and all of the volunteers who assisted with the planning and organisation of the evening. Their generosity of time and effort ensured a highly successful event enjoyed by all who attended.

Father-Daughter Breakfast

On Tuesday morning, we welcomed many fathers and daughters to the College for our annual Father-Daughter Breakfast. This special event was followed by a beautiful liturgy during which fathers and daughters were invited to share something they admired about one another. The reflections offered were heartfelt and moving, highlighting the importance of family relationships and gratitude. My sincere thanks go to Mr Luczek, Mr Calderone, Mrs Quigley and Fr Eka for their work in preparing and leading this meaningful occasion.

Curriculum Writing Day

All teachers participated in our Curriculum Writing Day on 2 September. This dedicated professional learning opportunity allowed teachers to focus on the development of a vibrant, engaging and contemporary curriculum. The work undertaken will directly benefit student learning by ensuring that our curriculum continues to be relevant, challenging and responsive to the needs of our young people. I thank our staff for their professionalism and commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic School Improvement Survey (MACSIS)

I would also like to remind all parents about the MACSIS Survey. Every family has been sent a survey link and a unique access code. The survey is completely confidential, and the feedback provided is invaluable in informing our School Improvement Plan and helping us understand both our strengths and the areas where we can continue to grow. We are committed to becoming the best school we can be for our students and families, and parent input plays a critical role in this process. Thank you to the many parents who have already taken the time to complete the survey, and I strongly encourage those who have not yet done so to participate.

Tom Sherrington Visits Loyola College

On Monday 8 September, we are privileged to welcome internationally respected educator Tom Sherrington to Loyola College. Mr Sherrington is visiting Australia to work with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools in supporting schools to strengthen classroom practice through instructional coaching and learning-focused classroom observation processes. His visit to Loyola is particularly significant, as we are the only Catholic secondary school selected to host him during his time working with MACS.

Staff will participate in a series of learning walks and professional conversations, sometimes referred to as "walk-throughs". These are not evaluative visits but opportunities to observe learning in action, identify effective teaching practices, and reflect on how we can continue to improve student outcomes. This work aligns strongly with the MACS Vision for Learning, which seeks to ensure that every student experiences high-quality teaching, deep engagement in learning, and opportunities to flourish academically, spiritually and personally. We look forward to learning from Mr Sherrington's expertise and sharing the excellent work that is taking place in our classrooms each day.

Principal Leave

Finally, as many families will be aware, I will be taking a period of leave during the latter part of this term. During my absence, Mrs Anna Salmic will serve as Acting Principal. Mrs Salmic is a highly respected and experienced leader who knows our community well, and I have every confidence that the College will continue to thrive under her leadership.

As we approach the upcoming holiday break later this month, I wish all members of our Loyola community a restful and refreshing break. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of the College. Together, we continue to create a vibrant learning community where every student is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their personal best.

Mrs Alison Leutchford
Principal

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