Farewell Class of 2026

This week we farewelled our Year 12 students through a series of memorable and meaningful celebrations. On Wednesday 14 October, each student was acknowledged individually at a special House Assembly, recognising their unique contribution to the life of the College. This was followed by a whole-school College Assembly on Thursday 15 October, where our entire community came together to celebrate and farewell this remarkable cohort. The week culminated in our Graduation Mass and Valedictory Dinner, a fitting opportunity to give thanks for the journey our students have shared and to celebrate all they have achieved.

As an Ignatian school, we are called to form young people who strive to be "people for and with others". The Class of 2026 has embodied this spirit through their leadership, service, compassion and commitment to the College community.

A special acknowledgement must be made of the 2026 College Committee, whose creativity, hard work and spirit of service have resulted in a lasting gift to the community. The striking mural on the far end of the Two WolvesHub basketball court beautifully captures the values that define our College and will be a vibrant reminder of the legacy this cohort leaves behind. It is a wonderful reflection of their gratitude, school pride and commitment to future generations of Loyola students.

As our Year 12 students now turn their attention to their final examinations, we hold them in our thoughts and prayers. We encourage them to approach the coming weeks with confidence, courage and trust in their abilities, knowing that they have been well prepared for the journey ahead.

We thank the Class of 2026 for the many ways they have enriched our community and wish them every blessing and success in the next chapter of their lives. They leave Loyola with our gratitude, our pride and our hope for all that lies ahead.

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council (SAC) plays a vital advisory role in assisting the Principal with the strategic direction of the College. Participation in the SAC provides an opportunity to contribute support and guidance on various matters, including the College's Religious Education program, curriculum, enrolment, finance, school resources and facilities, and overall school improvement. The committee convenes eight times a year on Wednesday evenings. This year, we have experienced two resignations and therefore we are looking for new members to join the council. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to the Principal, Alison Leutchford, via email to the Principal’s Personal Assistant, Natalie Scott, at scottn@loyola.vic.edu.au by Friday 6 November.

Activities Week Changes

In 2027, the College will move away from the traditional Activities Week format. Rather than concentrating learning experiences into a single week, these opportunities will be scheduled throughout the year.

Some dates to keep in mind are as follows:

Year 12 Retreat

Monday 22 February to Friday 26 February

Year 11 Christian Service

Monday 22 February to Friday 26 February

Year 10 Learning Pathways

Tuesday 9 March to Friday 12 March

Year 9 City Experience

Wednesday 15 September to Friday 17 September

Year 8 Outdoor Surf Coast Experience

Various days across November

Year 7 Camp

Monday1 March to Friday 5 March

Spreading these opportunities throughout the calendar we hope will minimise disruption to learning programs while allowing students to make meaningful connections between classroom learning and real-world experiences.

The new approach should also contribute to significant saving, as the new Enterprise Agreement will mean significant salary increases for staff in Catholic Schools.

Child Safety – Drop off Zone.

To help ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic during morning drop-off, parents are asked to move as far forward as possible within the Grimshaw Street drop-off zone before students exit their vehicles. This allows multiple vehicles to utilise the zone at the same time and helps prevent traffic from backing up onto Grimshaw Street.

Parents are also reminded that vehicles must not proceed past the boom gate. This area is reserved for students and authorised vehicles, and driving beyond the boom gate presents a significant safety risk to students moving through the College grounds.

When exiting the Grimshaw Street drop-off zone, parents are asked to turn left only. Due to the high volume of traffic on Grimshaw Street, turning right can take considerably longer and often causes congestion within the drop-off area. This delays the flow of vehicles exiting the College and can be frustrating for families waiting to leave the site.

We thank all parents for their cooperation and support in helping to keep our students safe and ensuring traffic moves as smoothly as possible during peak periods.

Working Bee Gratitude

A big thank you to the parents who generously volunteered their time at our Working Bee on Saturday 10 October.

We were delighted with the terrific turnout and the tremendous amount that was achieved throughout the morning. Volunteers painted the pagodas, sealed the sleepers on the newly planted Ricci Garden beds, painted the sleepers around the courtyard trees, and refreshed a number of other areas around the school. Thanks to their hard work, many parts of the campus are looking as good as new.

Not only did these parents make a valuable contribution to the school, they also enjoyed great conversation, had fun working together, and strengthened connections with one another and with members of the school leadership team.

We are incredibly grateful for their support and commitment to our community.

Working Bee dates for 2027 are as follows:

We encourage families to mark these dates in their calendars and join us for another great opportunity to contribute to our school community.