As we approach the student holiday period, I hope this time provides families with an opportunity to find moments to relax, reconnect, and enjoy some well-deserved rest, whether through peaceful days at home or engaging in activities together. Term Two has been a comprehensive eleven-week term, culminating in examinations and final assessments. Our students may understandably feel fatigued and in need of rest and renewal.

Asset Master Plan

The STEM building represents the final phase of our existing Asset Master Plan. Following a thorough selection process, B2 Architecture has been appointed to develop the forthcoming Asset Master Plan. Over the coming months, B2 will engage with various stakeholders to ensure that the College’s facilities and spaces effectively support its educational objectives and are aligned with contemporary pedagogical practices. We are excited to see where B2 may take us. This is more than just a building. It’s a launchpad for the next generation of thinkers, creators, and innovators.

The STEM building is now due for completion on 1 October 2025. The upcoming completion of our STEM building marks a major milestone for Loyola College. This purpose-built space will open up incredible opportunities for students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in ways that are hands-on, innovative, and future-focused.

Student Free Day

A reminder that Friday 4 July is a report writing day for teachers. As such, students will not be required on campus on this day.

JACSA Competitions

Loyola College remains active during the school holiday period.

A team of twenty dedicated female athletes will be representing Loyola at the upcoming JACSA Girls’ Sport Carnival in St Ignatius Adelaide. We extend our best wishes to all students participating and hope they have a successful and rewarding experience.

Fingers crossed for a Loyola College championship victory!

Additionally, Loyola College will host the annual JACSA Debating Carnival, with teams from Xavier College, St Aloysius, Riverview, and St Ignatius Drysdale set to participate. We wish our talented Debating Team the best of luck as they prepare to compete. Their dedication, critical thinking, and teamwork continue to make us proud.

Wishing our parents a warm and calm winter school holiday. May it bring you time to bond, laugh, and enjoy the evolving journey of parenting teenagers.

Examen Prayer - by Joel Cain 12CTJM and Livinia Adriana 12KARB

The Spirit of Giving: St Ignatius Day Walkathon - 31 July

At Loyola College, the spirit of giving is deeply embedded in our community values. This year, our annual St Ignatius Day Walkathon, themed "Walk for Others", exemplifies this ethos.

On this special day, students and staff come together to walk in solidarity, raising funds for various House charities. The Walkathon is not just a physical journey but a heartfelt commitment to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Each step taken is a testament to our collective dedication to service and compassion.

The event is a vibrant celebration of community spirit that reflects the values of St Ignatius. The Walkathon aims to support local and global charities, educational programs, and health initiatives. By participating, we are not only honouring the legacy of St Ignatius but also embodying his teachings of generosity and selflessness.

As we lace up our shoes and set out on this meaningful journey, let us remember that every step we take is a step towards a brighter, more compassionate world. Together, we can make a significant impact and continue to uphold the Ignatian tradition of giving.

Join us in this noble cause by sponsoring your child/children and let’s walk for others, making every step count! Thank you for your generosity.

Teaching & Learning

It has been wonderful to see our Loyola students using creativity as a tool to deepen their higher-order thinking across various topics in Food Studies.

As part of their assessment, each Year 9 student was challenged to bake and decorate a birthday cake in response to a design brief centred around a four-year-old child. The College, and in particular Ms Staub, extends sincere thanks to families for their support — from the special trips to the supermarket to source decorations to assisting with the more intricate fondant designs at home.

I’m sure you’ll agree that the results are nothing short of outstanding. A special thank you to Ms Staub for her innovative and engaging approach to Teaching and Learning.

Term 3 – looking ahead...
Term 3 will be an extremely busy term, including:

• Two Parent Teacher Interviews: 14 August & 4 September

• Two Subject Selection Evenings 2026: VCE VM: 29 July and VCE: 12 August

• Trial Exams: first 3 days of the holidays

In order to prepare you for the anticipated busyness, please find a summary below:

Parent Teacher Interviews:
This year, our Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 14 August and Wednesday 4 September. For the first time, we have intentionally spread the interviews across two dates in response to feedback. This approach aims to better support:

• Senior students, by offering an earlier opportunity to reflect and prepare for the final stages of VCE, and

• Semester-based subjects, by allowing time for meaningful feedback later in Term 3.

14 August
We strongly encourage Year 10, 11 & 12 parents/carers to attend on this earlier date. This provides valuable insight into student progress so far, and more importantly, allows parents to support their child as they prepare for the final assessments and Trial Exams, which take place during the first three days of the holidays.

4 September
Parents/carers of students in semester-based subjects are encouraged to book interviews on this date, as it provides teachers with adequate time to assess and discuss student progress for the second half of the year. Naturally all parents / carers are welcome at either / both dates where relevant

Subject Selection 2026:
The Subject Selection Process begins in Term 3, week 2.

Please find a summary of the main events regarding Subject Selection:

• Student Assemblies: Week 3 

• Subject Selection Evenings 2026: VCE VM - 29 July and VCE - 12 August

• Y9 2026 CLIL Evening: 30 July 

• Web Preferences open: evening of 12 August

Subject Selection Conversations: Week 5 - during the Subject Selection Process, all current Year 9 and 10 students will meet with a member of the Learning Pathways Team.

Application for Accelerated Subjects in 2026
In Term Three our Year 9 and 10 students will be considering their Year 10 and Year 11 subjects for next year. Please find details below:

Current Year 9 2025:
A number of students may wish to complete a Unit 1/2 Subject (Year 11 subject) in 2026.

Acceleration requires students to have demonstrated consistently high academic achievement and an ability to take on the demands of an accelerated subject. Therefore, a student will need to be committed to their studies, be well organised and able to meet deadlines. English will be one of the subjects in which the student needs to demonstrate a consistently high level of academic ability.

Stages of the Acceleration Process:
1. Letter of invite from the Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning to those students who meet the desired criteria of 5As (5 x 80%) (one of which must be English) (75% for Enhanced / CLIL students)

2. Completion of Application Form

3. Completion of VCE Ready Test

4. Invitation for an interview with the relevant Head of Learning

5. Students and parents informed of the outcome by Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning

Students have been informed of this process at the beginning of the year.

Current Year 10 2025:
An invitational letter, from the Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning, will be sent out to students currently studying an accelerated Unit 1/2 subject. Acceptance for Unit 3/4 is not automatic. Letters will be sent to students who have been able to sustain a high level of academic ability and meet the demands of the accelerated Unit 1/2 Units.

The subject selection process takes place in Term Three for all of our students and once again students will be asked to complete their subject choices online, with your guidance.

Vocational Process in 2025: Pre-V (Year 10) and VCE VM (Year 11)
As students consider their future pathways, they may feel that a vocational curriculum (Pre-V and VCE VM) is more suited to their needs. That may be in terms of the curriculum areas offered or simply a vocational approach best suits their learning needs. Please find below a brief outline of the two Programs.

Current Year 9 2025 - Pre-V:
The Pre-V Program at Loyola is designed to provide students with valuable exposure and practical experience in various vocational fields. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge required to make informed career choices and excel in their chosen fields.

 Current Year 10 2025 - VCE VM:
Students already enrolled on the current Pre-V course will automatically continue their vocational studies into Year 11 and Year 12. There is the opportunity, however, for students in Year 10 to join the VCE VM Program in 2026.

Student enrolment for both Vocational Programs is by invitation only and recommendations are made following careful consideration and review of the academic record, skills and interests of the students, alongside conversations with staff. For those students who do not receive a letter of invite, parents / guardians are welcome to contact Mr Langford (Head of VCE VM) or Miss Wilson if they feel a vocational program will suit the learning needs of their child.

On Friday, 20th July, our Year 10 Italian students, along with our Year 9 CLIL Italian students, had the opportunity to participate in the annual Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition.

In preparation for the event, students selected an Italian poem, memorised it, and then performed it in front of a judge at Melbourne University. It was a wonderful chance to celebrate Italian language and culture through performance.

Want to know how it went? Here's what some of our students had to say about the experience:

We had a great time on the Dante Alighieri Italian poem competition! It was quick, fun, and easy to follow. We really enjoyed learning about different Italian poets and their poems, especially how they connect to what we've been studying. I would totally recommend doing the competition next year as it is a great way to broaden our studies and practise speaking in a different environment. Thanks to all our teaches and language assistants that helped us practise and supported us on the day.

Ciao ragazzi e buona fortuna per gli esami,

Alessia Ferrantino & Isla Whitford
10/KEPO                        10/CKMC

A reminder to kindly check out our Learning Pathways Page, which will be regularly updated with information about in-school programs for Years 10-12. It will also feature the release of our Careers newsletter. You can access the page via the LMS using this link: Companion Learning - Learning Pathways

As we approach the time of the year for tertiary open days, it is important to be checking the newsletter to be able to keep up to date with what is being offered from the tertiary institutions.

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Annual Music Concert, taking place over two fantastic musical evenings on Tuesday, 5 August and Wednesday, 6 August from 7 to 9pm.

This special event will feature performances from all of our Ensemble Groups, showcase our talented VCE Music Students with solo performances and we’ll be highlighting performances from our Year 7 Music Classes on alternate nights, see below. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their musical talents with family and friends. Join us at the Inigo Theatre and enjoy a night of music and celebration. For more information please contact music@loyola.vic.edu.au.

Entry Fee: $5PP
Maximum of 3 tickets per family
Tickets purchased online via QR Code (See image below)

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Kiosk operated by FOPA on both evenings.
PLEASE NOTE THAT LOYOLA STUDENTS WHO ARE PERFORMING ON THE NIGHTS DO NOT REQUIRE A TICKET.

PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday, 5 August: Year 7.1, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, Mr Murnane’s Year 8 Ensemble Class & Mr Murnane’s Strings Group.
Wednesday, 6 August: Year 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.10, Mr Thomas’ Year 8 Ensemble Class and Ms Marcela Taylor’s Southern Cross Fiddlers Group.

IMPORTANT:
All other music students will be performing BOTH evenings.

Victorian Secondary Schools Challenge (VSSC) Qualifier Tournament

On Friday 6th and 13th June, five teams travelled to Diamond Valley Stadium to compete in the VSSC Qualifier Tournament hosted by Basketball Victoria. The day consisted of 24-minute fixtures against talented school teams from across the state. The conclusion of the group stage marked the end of competition for our Under 15 Boys A and B teams, despite their valiant efforts. A special mention to the Year 7 students in Team B who rose to the challenge of playing up an age group.

The following three teams progressed to Grand Finals:

• The Under 15 Girls team was truly dominant on the day, winning the group games by an average of 16 points and the Grand Final by 12.

• The Under 17 Boys team battled ferociously through a number of close finishes, saving the best until last for a 15-point Grand Final victory against fellow ACS rivals Overnewton College.

• The Under 17 Girls team were trailing in a low scoring Semi Final affair, before banding together in the final minutes to take a winning 19-15 lead. Despite a Grand Final loss, the team was selected as a ‘wildcard’ entry to the State Finals.

State Finals

On Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th June, our three qualifying teams made the trek down to the State Basketball Centre to vie for the title of ‘State Champions’. As the games went on, it was fantastic to hear our students engage in high level discussion about their experience competing at the highest level. All three teams were true contenders to win their respective divisions but fell just shy of Grand Final berths.

Overall, the State Finals presented a landmark opportunity to showcase the skills, talents and sportsmanship of Loyola basketballers and to finish in the top handful of schools in the state is a tremendous accomplishment.

I would like to thank coaches Liv Mincone and Nick Perizzolo, as well as the many parents who offered their support over the tournament days.

Keep a look out for more exciting developments in the Loyola Basketball space!

From the 2025 Flynn House Captains Hannah Glover and Ella McCall:

As we approach the end of our first semester of 2025, we reflect on the great achievements of the year so far, for Loyola, but more importantly, for Flynn. As freshly anointed Year 12 captains, nervously excited for the year to come, we were more than pleasantly surprised by the immense engagement of the Flynn House community. From reading challenges to House Athletics, the unconditional and overwhelming support truly lifted our hearts.

We are so proud of our members of Flynn House for getting involved in all available activities, starting with the Summer Reading Challenge, then to the Swimming Carnival, House Eisteddfod, Athletics and our Public Speaking interhouse competition. We also had an incredible turnout to our House Mass, with the entire community coming together to celebrate Flynn House at our parish of Sacred Heart in Diamond Creek.

One of our greatest achievements, by far, is our incredible win on the night of House Eisteddfod, but our efforts cannot be so simply condensed into one night. It was the hours and hours of rehearsals, lunchtimes spent painting in the wet room, late nights and early mornings, all in hopes of a perfect performance on the night of the 1st of April. Whilst we can agree that the other houses performances were incredible feats of dedication, we think that Flynn House produced a show-stopping rendition of the Little Shop of Horrors. Not only in our extremely talented main cast, with Kris Carroll winning best performer as Audrey 2, but in the smiley and jazz-handed energy of the ensemble and the utterly sparkling backdrops, costumes, and props cultivated by our hard-working backstage.

Currently, in Term 2, we are in the midst of our Public Speaking and Debating competition. The calibre of the speeches put forward has been excellent and we couldn’t have accomplished such high quality without the assistance of Mr Keehne.

Aside from our wonderful achievements, we also had our Flynn House Celebration, in which we began our day with a heartfelt liturgy, followed by an unfortunately delayed morning tea, as well as our school-wide examen. This event gave us the opportunity as a House to collectively reflect on the selfless life of John Flynn; a man deeply embedded within our core values as a house.

Finally, our latest feat as a House has been the event of our annual Famous Flynn Bake Sale. We are eternally grateful for the contributions of the House community, with many families coming together and baking some delicious goods for a wonderful charity. Ultimately, we raised over $533 for the Jarjum School in Sydney, and the efforts of our House are truly commended, as we could not have raised these funds without the support. Now, we are onto raising even more money for Jarjum with our St Ignatius Day Walk for Others fundraising currently underway.

We are so grateful for our entire Flynn House community and the achievements that we have accomplished this year, but we cannot reflect without commending the leadership of our wonderful Head of House, Ms Tolli. We are so grateful for the morning catchups and endless support, your energy is electric and contagious, as leaders of the school we can see first hand the positive difference you make in the lives of each and every Flynn House member.

We are beyond ecstatic to see where the rest of 2025 takes us!

Ella McCall 12/FSKE & Hannah Glover 12/FJDS

Flynn House Captains

Student of the Fortnight:

For our Student of the Fortnight, we have chosen Rachel Stanton 12/FDB in Year 12. Rachel’s efforts towards Flynn House are undeniable, with her consistently going above and beyond for our House. She has contributed to our House Eisteddfod, stepped up as a reader for our House Mass and continuously assists at all House events unprompted. If ever we needed a hand, Rachel is there, if ever we needed a friend, Rachel is there, unconditionally and irreplaceably the glue of the Flynn Leadership. Thank you for the unquantifiable effort and energy you put into the House, it really demonstrates striving for the Magis as she is a person entirely for, and with others.

Financial Assistance – Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund (CSEF)

FINAL DAYS – Applications close 4/07/2025

The CSEF offered by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families by reducing the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities included in the Loyola fees, has been increased to $256 annually. Eligible families that did not apply for the CSEF in 2024 may also be entitled to the 2025 School Savings Bonus of $400.

Families that hold a valid means-tested concession card such as a Health Care Card or Pension Card, temporary foster parents as well as asylum seeker and refugee families are welcome to apply.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances such as:

• new student enrolments; this is your child’s first year at Loyola College and you hold a valid means-tested concession card.

• changed family circumstances; such as a new sibling commencing at Loyola College in 2025, change of custody, change of name or concession card number.

Please click here to access the CSEF application form or contact the school office to obtain a copy. For queries regarding eligibility, please call 9433 0292.

Grandparents Mass and Morning Tea

Tickets to our annual Grandparents’ Mass & Morning Tea on Tuesday, July 29 are now available online.

The special event will commence with Mass at 10:00am, followed by a special Morning Tea at 10:45am for our guests and their grandchildren (Loyola College Students). Students attending during Period 2 on this day will be required to wear their full winter uniform (no sport uniform).

Please Note: A ticket is required for each adult, student and carer (if required).

Should the event reach capacity, a waiting list will be created, and grandparents on the list will be notified if tickets become available nearer the date.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE

LPFA Trivia & Games Night tickets are on sale now!

Brains, Banter & a Spit Roast Banquet!
It’s time to gather your team, sharpen those pencils (and your wits), and prepare for an evening of laughs, friendly competition, and great food!

Your ticket includes a delicious spit roast dinner, and drinks will be available at bar prices throughout the night.

With trivia rounds, fun games and amazing prizes up for grabs, it’s the perfect excuse for a night out.

WHEN: Saturday 9 August
WHERE: Loyola Companions Hall, Loyola College
TIME: 6.00pm – 11.00pm

This is an adults-only event, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun. Book your table today and get ready for a night to remember! Creative team names are encouraged – the more outrageous, the better!

Don’t miss out on one of the most entertaining nights on the Loyola calendar!

We are grateful to the following businesses who have generously donated prizes for our games and raffle so far:

We are also proud to include prizes that have been sourced from the following Aboriginal-owned and social enterprise businesses:

Are you a local business owner?

If you or your family own a business and would like to support the night, we warmly welcome prize donations for our games and raffles. It’s a great way to showcase your business to the school community while helping us raise vital funds. All donors will be acknowledged on the night and in our event communications.

To donate or learn more, please contact Monica at lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au

Donation of Loyola Uniform

Thank you to all the families who generously donate second-hand uniforms throughout the year to support our Good As New Uniform Sales. We continue to accept donations of washed uniforms. If you have any items that you no longer need and are in excellent condition, please leave them with Reception. Your contributions help support families in need and are greatly appreciated.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OLD-STYLE SPORT UNIFORM CAN NO LONGER BE WORN BY STUDENTS AND MUST NOT BE SENT TO RECEPTION. Parent co-operation in this matter is kindly appreciated.

For more information, please contact Monica Agius at community@loyola.vic.edu.au or 9433 0228.

Return of Unused ACS Player Uniforms

Parents are requested to return any unused ACS player uniforms to the Sports Office as soon as possible. If your child has been issued a uniform and no longer participates in the program, returning the unused items helps us maintain accurate stock and ensures availability for future teams.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

2025 Entertainment Guide

Support LPFA fundraising efforts and enjoy hundreds of everyday savings!

Entertainment Guide is the easy-to-use App packed with incredible savings of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers, so you can save on takeaway, dining, shopping, groceries, gift cards, activities and more! And what’s more, 20% of every membership purchased via the following link goes towards supporting the College through the Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA)

Digital memberships can be purchased HERE