As we enter the final two weeks of Term One, it is a timely moment to pause and reflect on the many achievements and learning milestones our students have reached so far this year. Classrooms have been filled with energy, curiosity and commitment, and it has been wonderful to see our community so positively engaged. The weeks ahead provide an important opportunity to consolidate learning, celebrate progress and finish the term with purpose and pride.

Welcome to our Graduate Teachers

On Friday 13 March, I had the privilege of accompanying our new graduate teachers to the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) graduate teacher mass, a meaningful celebration marking the beginning of their professional journey within Catholic education. The Mass provided an opportunity to affirm the important role our graduates play in shaping the lives of our students. Coming together with graduate teachers from across the Archdiocese, the liturgy emphasised community, service and faith, and reminded us that teaching in a Catholic school is not only a profession, but a calling grounded in hope, compassion and commitment to the mission of Catholic education.

Congratulations to Hannah Barclay, Matilda Blakey, Madeleine O’Donnell and Bree Fitzpatrick, our graduate teachers, who have almost completed their first term of teaching.

Working Bee

Also on Friday 13 March, a wonderful group of enthusiastic parents joined us for our Twilight Working Bee, planting out the garden beds at the front of the Ricci Centre.

The landscaping has been beautifully designed by David Kelly (Head Gardener), with the invaluable support of our Grounds team, Trevor Busuttil and Daniel Hartigan.

The thoughtfully selected palette of yellow, purple, white and orange plants, along with garden beds that align with the architectural lines of the Ricci Centre, creates a striking and harmonious space.

The area has been carefully and intentionally designed and is now simply beautiful.

I encourage members of our community to take a moment to stop, look, and appreciate the outstanding work of our Grounds team and the generosity of our parents.

House Masses

Thank you to the members of our community who have attended our House Masses.

The masses are a wonderful way to connect with community and with our feeder parishes. The morning teas that follow mass are a great opportunity to connect with other families and share a cuppa.

There are three masses to go. I remind parents of the dates:

Sunday 23 March

Acutis House

Our Lady of the Way, Kingsbury at 9am

Sunday 29 March

Flynn House

Sacred Heart Diamond Creek at 9am

Sunday 29 March

MacKillop House

St Thomas the Apostle at 10.30am

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is an annual celebration held in Australia that recognises and celebrates the nation’s rich cultural diversity. It is a day that promotes inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Harmony Day highlights the message that everyone belongs and encourages people to reflect on the importance of understanding, acceptance and mutual respect.

At Loyola, Harmony Day provides a valuable opportunity to celebrate the many cultures, languages and traditions that enrich our communities, while encouraging students to stand against discrimination and to value kindness, empathy and unity.

We will mark this important date on Monday 23 March, with a Harmony Day assembly and a special luncheon where students can buy food from different cultural backgrounds.

Students are invited to wear casual clothes on the day and make a gold coin donation, with all proceeds supporting the Caritas Project Compassion Campaign.

The colour orange represents the idea of bringing people together and is therefore used to symbolise Harmony Day. Students are encouraged to wear something orange to show their solidarity and support for the message of inclusion, respect and belonging that this important celebration represents.

I would like to thank Mr Andrew Mangano (Culturally Safe Coordinator) for his organisation not only of Harmony Day, but of the activities he facilitated in the previous week to support student understanding and action in this important space.

House Eisteddfod

On Tuesday 31 March, our annual House Eisteddfod will see Houses battle it out in a night of student led performances, competing for House points and providing a great evening of entertainment for our school community. Families are warmly invited to attend, with FOPA parents organising a pre-event sausage sizzle and a raffle on the night. All funds raised will go directly towards supporting the Performing Arts Faculty.

Student Free Day

A reminder to parents that Thursday 2 April is the annual staff spirituality day and as such will be a student free day.