Welcome back to a new school year. I hope the summer break provided time for rest, renewal and connection with family and friends. As we begin this year together, I warmly welcome our students, staff and families, especially those who are joining our school community for the first time. A new year brings fresh beginnings, new opportunities for learning and growth, and the chance to strengthen the relationships that make our school such a special place.

I would like to introduce our new staff to the school community.

Teachers

Support Staff

As we step into this year, joy will be an important focus for our community. Joy does not mean the absence of challenge; rather, it is a deliberate choice to approach each day with optimism and gratitude instead of stress and worry. It is about finding meaning and purpose in the everyday moments and small successes, kind words, shared laughter, and quiet perseverance. We are called to make joy visible through our actions and our leadership, creating spaces where students, staff and parents feel genuinely valued. By cultivating resilience, modelling positivity, and supporting one another, we can create an environment where everyone can thrive, even when circumstances are challenging.

In 2026, we remain committed to nurturing the whole child, academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our staff continue to work with dedication and care to provide engaging learning experiences that encourage curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. Strong partnerships between home and school are central to this work, and we deeply value the role families play in supporting our students’ growth and wellbeing.

Thank you for your ongoing trust, support, and involvement in our school community. I look forward to working closely with our families throughout the year ahead, as together we learn, grow and journey forward with hope, purpose, and joy.

2026 College Theme: One Body, Many Stories

I wish to warmly welcome each member of our College community back to school for the 2026 academic year. This year, Loyola embraces the theme One Body, Many Stories, a reminder that while we belong to one community, each person’s story carries dignity, value and meaning. This theme echoes St Paul’s image of the Body of Christ, where every member is essential to the whole. It also reflects the heart of Ignatian spirituality, inspired by St Ignatius of Loyola, who believed that God is present and active in everyone. Ignatius reminds us, “God deals directly with each person” — a powerful reminder that God is present in every individual experience, shaping and guiding each story.

As a Catholic school in the Ignatian tradition, we are called not only to recognise the diversity of stories within our community, but to honour them—listening deeply, welcoming generously and responding with compassion. When we commit to seeing one another with Ignatian attentiveness and Gospel-inspired love, we strengthen our shared mission.

In 2026, this theme guides us to listen deeply, value difference, and recognise God at work in one another. When we live as one body, enriched by many stories, we grow stronger in faith, community and mission. May we continue to grow as one body, united by many stories shaped in God’s grace.

I wish to also take this opportunity to thank Mrs Jacqueline Di Stefano - Head of Visual Arts and Kara Lascaris (12/MJMM) for the wonderful design of the theme banner this year. They have done an exceptional job with the banner this year.

Opening Year Staff Mass

Our staff gathered last week to commence the new year with an Opening Year Mass, that was celebrated by Father Dong Tran (St Damian's Parish, Bundoora) and concelebrated by Fr Eka Tanaya SJ, who will be joining the College this year as a chaplain in a part-time capacity. We sincerely thanks Fr Dong and welcome Fr Eka to our community. Best wishes to each member of our community for the year ahead.

Welcome back to all our returning students, and to those students who are new to the school this year. We are all looking forward to working with parents/guardians and your children in 2026. We have many new positive and exciting initiatives.

Companion Learning (the Loyola College Learning Management System)

This year Parents and Students will continue to have online access to resources, class pages, assessment calendars and to their teachers for every class. They will also be able to access their timetable and the College calendar. Please ask your child to show you their ‘Companion Learning’ page.

Leaders of Learning in 2026

This year we will continue to keep our community fully informed of the learning that occurs at Loyola College. There will also be important information for you to digest concerning the different activities affecting each year level. I would like to introduce you to our Heads of Learning, important curriculum leaders who can assist you throughout the year:

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the leaders with any curriculum questions.

New Position 2026

We are excited to introduce a key addition to the Teaching & Learning Team for 2026:

• Victoria Kanicki: Gifted & Talented Coordinator

Victoria’s expertise and leadership will undoubtedly enrich our team and make a lasting positive impact on our learning community. We look forward to the contributions Victoria will bring and the positive impact she will have on our learning community.

Loyola College Homework Guidelines

We encourage our students to set goals and work towards achieving them. They should always aim high and not be prepared to accept mediocrity. Homework is an important element of supporting the learning that occurs at the College. The College expectation for the first two weeks of 2026 academic year is that Year 7 students do not receive homework. However, Years 8 – 12 will receive homework from when they return to school.

We ask that parents and guardians fully support their children and assist them in completing all set homework. The Loyola College recommended guidelines for homework are as follows:

Year Level Total mins homework per night Structure of HW time Total hours HW per week

2025 VCE Results

All our Year 12 students last year are to be congratulated on completing their VCE/VCE VM Certificate in 2025. Their results were outstanding and reflected all their dedication and the hard work they had put in during the year. Our Dux, Siena Ganter achieved an ATAR of 98.35 and Kevin Miao was our Proxime with an ATAR score of 98.

We are also extremely proud of Rachel Stanton who achieved a 50 in General Maths. For the third consecutive year, a student has achieved a study score of 50.

Y12 Destinations 2025

The following chart provides an overview of our Year 12 post Loyola destinations. We wish everyone great success in their future endeavours.

2025 Semester Two Merit Certificates

Congratulations to all students who received Semester Two Merit certificates. Merit awards are given to students who perform at a high level. Awards are based on the student’s overall result for each subject. A student will receive a Gold merit award if they have achieved an overall subject result of A or A+. A student will receive a Silver merit award if they have achieved an overall subject result of B or B+.

Attached is a list of Year 7 – 11 students who received a total of four or more Gold Merits in Semester Two 2024. Academic Merits S2 202

NAPLAN 2026

Dates for NAPLAN this year are from Wednesday 11 March to Tuesday 17 March.

Celebrating Learning in STEM Subjects and Opening Pathways

The opening of our new STEM Centre marks an exciting milestone for our school community and a proud affirmation of our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. More than a new building, this space represents possibility — a place where curiosity is nurtured, confidence is built, and students are encouraged to imagine what might be possible.

From an Ignatian perspective, education is about forming the whole person. It invites students to be curious, reflective and purposeful in their learning. STEM subjects play an important role in this formation, asking students to question, problem-solve, learn from mistakes and apply their thinking to real-world challenges. Through these experiences, students develop resilience, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of how their learning can be used in service of others.

This vision was powerfully echoed in the recent address by Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first qualified astronaut and 2026 Australian of the Year. Katherine spoke about the importance of curiosity, persistence and staying engaged in learning, particularly in mathematics and science. Her message is especially significant for girls, who too often step away from STEM pathways not because of a lack of ability, but because of confidence, belonging and belief in themselves.

Our new Ricci Centre has been intentionally designed to support hands-on, collaborative and reflective learning. It is a space where students are encouraged to take risks, grow in confidence and see themselves as capable learners. Here, learning is active and purposeful, helping students connect classroom learning with future pathways that may once have felt out of reach.

As we celebrate the opening of the Ricci Centre, we do so with hope and conviction: that it will inspire all students, and especially our girls, to remain curious, trust their abilities, and confidently step into STEM learning, knowing they belong and that their futures are full of possibility.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg’s speech: www.9news.com.au/national/australian-of-the-year-2026-awards-winners-named/dbe1d247-7606-47cb-a4fa-b9f0019b433c

Fee Policy

As previously advised, please be aware that the Loyola College Fees & Charges Policy has been replaced with the MACS Private Income Policy. The policy should be read in conjunction with the Fees and Charges Procedures document. Both documents are available to view under the Enrolment>Fees & Charges tabs of the College website (www.loyola.vic.edu.au), and all queries should be directed to fees@loyola.vic.edu.au.

School Fees

The Annual Fee Account is due to be issued via email this week. There is only one account issued for the yearly tuition fees and levies, regardless of the Fee-Paying Arrangement selected. Accounts are also available to view on the Parent Portal under the Finance tab. If you require assistance with accessing the Portal or have not received / misplaced your login details, please contact ICT Support on 8548 9499 or via email at iCentre-ICT@loyola.vic.edu.au.

Fee Paying Arrangements

Confirmations of the arrangements applied to accounts were emailed to families on or after 5 December 2025. Please take a moment to check this email and confirm that the arrangement listed is your preferred payment option.

Parents and guardians who do not have an active Fee-Paying Arrangement in place, are automatically listed for an annual payment, due 27 February 2026.

If you wish to change your listed arrangement, please complete the relevant forms and email your request to fees@loyola.vic.edu.au. If you have already done so, a revised confirmation email will be issued once your request has been actioned. For any queries, please contact the Finance Department via email at fees@loyola.vic.edu.au.

It is the expectation of the College that all arrangements are adhered to, or immediate contact is made to fees@loyola.vic.edu.au if there is any concern.

Where arrangements are not adhered to, the College will be bound by the MACS Private Income Policy which is available to view on the College website at www.loyola.vic.edu.au. The policy should be read in conjunction with the Fees and Charges Procedures document, and it is encouraged that all parents/guardians take the time to read both documents to familiarise themselves with the content.

Any additional charges incurred throughout the year (e.g. music, library charges, specialist camps and/or excursions), may not be included in your arrangement and should be paid by the due date of the account issued. Alternatively, please contact our Finance Department at fees@loyola.vic.edu.au to adjust your arrangement accordingly.

Families that have selected the Semester or Quarterly Arrangement, must pay their first instalment (as noted on the Fee-Paying Arrangement confirmation email) by 27 February 2026. Reminders will be issued prior to the due date for all subsequent instalments.

As noted in the Schedule of Fees, an Administration Fee of $30 per child, per term will be applied if payment arrangements are not adhered to.

Parents and guardians facing hardship with payment of fees are asked to contact the Business Manager.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Families that hold a means tested Health Care Card (HHC) or Pension Card may be entitled to the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) that reduces their fee account by $400 per student.

The CSEF application form can be found on the College website at www.loyola.vic.edu.au.

Queries should be directed to the Finance Department at fees@loyola.vic.edu.au.

In an exciting development for 2026, I am delighted to announce the launch of the Basketball Development Program. This activity will be offered within the College’s strong Co-curricular Program.

Each week, the College will host Melbourne United’s expert Academy coaching staff on campus to deliver a unique development program exclusive to Loyola College students from Years 8-12.

The program will encourage basketball players to sharpen their fundamental skills in a safe, high energy and competitive environment. Sessions target the key skills of ball handling, passing, finishing, shooting, offence, defence, and decision making — while small sided games introduce the same concepts used by the Melbourne United team.

This Co-curriculum activity will run for 10-weeks over the course of Semester 1, on either a Tuesday or Wednesday morning between 7-8am.

Loyola College Students in Years 8-12 are invited to register their interest for the initial Semester 1 intake using the following link: Basketball Development Program

Students of all basketball abilities are encouraged to register. There will be a tryout held on Wednesday 18th February at 7-8am to assess the best developmental pathway for each student.

For any enquiries related to this exciting opportunity, please email: basketball@loyola.vic.edu.au

To help reduce congestion and keep students safe, we ask families to please not stop in the middle of the front driveway while waiting for a student.

If your child is not immediately present, please drive through and re-enter the pick-up zone or pull over only where it is safe and permitted. Stopping in the driveway prevents other vehicles from passing and is causing significant delays, including traffic backing up onto Grimshaw Street.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping pick-up safe and efficient for everyone.

Welcome

A warm welcome to Loyola in 2026, particularly to our new students and their families who join our community this year. We look forward to sharing many exciting events and initiatives throughout the year that connect our community with the College.

Throughout Term 1, a range of events has been planned to welcome and engage our new students and families. These include the College Assembly, where Year 7 students, along with new students in Years 8 - 12, will be formally welcomed into the student community and presented with their College pin. Families will also be invited to come together at key community events, including the much-anticipated Classic Car Show on Friday, 13 February, and the Year 7 Family Get Together on Friday, 20 March. In addition, House Masses will provide meaningful opportunities for students to gather in faith and strengthen connections within their House communities. Further details on Mass times and locations can be found later in this article.

Year 7 families are encouraged to secure their place, with bookings for the Year 7 Family Get Together now open.

Year 7 Picnic

Year 7 students and their families had the lovely experience of sharing a picnic lunch with their families on their first day of school last Friday. It was lovely to see parents, carers, grandparents and siblings enjoy the beautiful weather in our wonderful Old Loyola gardens and to watch the sharing of “first day” experiences, the reuniting of existing primary school connections and the formation of new friendships. Thank you to the PWP and LPFA members who joined us to welcome our families to the school year.

Volunteering in the Loyola Community

Working With Children Check (WWCC) Requirement for Parent Volunteers

At Loyola College, the safety and wellbeing of all students is our highest priority. In line with the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the expectations of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), all parents and carers who volunteer in the school or wider school community are required to hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).

Why a WWCC is Required

The Child Safe Standards require schools to take active steps to prevent harm to children and young people. One of these key safeguards is ensuring that adults who work with or around children have been appropriately screened. MACS expects all Catholic schools to apply these standards consistently, including for volunteers.

A WWCC helps to ensure that our school remains a safe, respectful and protective environment for every child.

Who Needs a WWCC?

A WWCC is required for any parent or carer who volunteers, including but not limited to:

• Presentation Ball Committee

• Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA)

• Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA)

• Partnership with Parents (PWP)

• School Advisory Council (SAC)

• Canteen, fundraising or community activities

• Any regular or occasional volunteering where students are present

There is no cost for a volunteer WWCC.

A volunteer WWCC can be accessed through the link below:

Volunteer Working With Children Check

Once your WWCC is acquired, please email a copy through to Monica Agius (College and Community Engagement Assistant)

Signing In at School

To meet compliance requirements, all volunteers must:

• Hold a current and valid WWCC, and

• Enter their WWCC registration number when signing in via the online sign in system each time they attend the school.

Volunteers will not be able to sign in or participate in activities without a recorded WWCC number.

Keeping Our Community Safe

These requirements are not about limiting involvement, they are about protecting children and strengthening trust within our school community. We greatly value the contribution of our parent volunteers and thank you for supporting these important child safety measures.

Together, we continue to uphold a culture where every child is safe, supported and respected.

Parent Involvement at Loyola

There are many opportunities for parents to be involved in various aspects of College life. Studies indicate that parental involvement in a child’s education is one of the most important factors in raising a student’s self-esteem and academic achievement by nurturing an environment of partnership between home and school. A number of volunteer opportunities are available to Loyola parents including various committees such as Loyola Parents & Friends Association (LPFA), Partnership with Parents (PWP), Loyola College Alumni Association (LCAA), Friends of Performing Arts (FOPA), Co-curriculum Reference Group (CRG), Development of Welfare at Loyola (DOWAL), Development of Curriculum at Loyola (DOCAL) and PACUR (Principal’s Advisory Committee for Uniform Regulations (PACUR). Other vital areas in which we encourage parent involvement are Working Bees, Hospitality Assistance, Canteen Duty, General Admin Support, Donations for Fundraising Activities. Parents interested in learning more about any of these opportunities can contact Monica Agius - College & Community Engagement Assistant, on 9433 0228 or at community@loyola.vic.edu.au

I look forward to meeting with parents and working together throughout this year.

Partnership With Parents

The Partnership With Parents (PWP) group plays an important role in fostering a strong sense of community across Loyola College’s six Houses, with a particular focus on supporting parent connection and engagement.

PWP meets on four Monday evenings throughout the year and is involved in planning and supporting a range of College events, including the Year 7 Family Picnic, Annual House Masses, Parent Dinner, House Eisteddfod and Year 7 Orientation Evening.

Parents are warmly invited to attend the first PWP meeting for 2026, which will be held in the Tony Chirico Staff Centre (Old Loyola Building) on Monday, 9 February at 7.30pm. This initial meeting is a great opportunity to meet other parents, learn more about PWP, and see how you might like to be involved - whether that’s helping at events or simply staying informed. No prior experience or ongoing commitment is required.

For more information about PWP please email Monica Agius at community@loyola.vic.edu.au or call 9433 0228

Loyola Parents and Friends Association

The Loyola Parents & Friends Association (LPFA) is a welcoming group of parents, guardians and friends who work together to support community life at Loyola College through a range of social and fundraising activities. LPFA provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect with one another while contributing to initiatives that enrich the College experience for students and families.

LPFA meets monthly on Wednesday evenings and supports a variety of College activities, including the Year 7 Get Together, Working Bees, Open Day BBQ, St Ignatius Day celebrations, Community Christmas events and other fundraising initiatives.

Parents are warmly invited to attend the first LPFA meeting for 2026, to be held in the Tony Chirico Staff Centre (Old Loyola Building) on Wednesday, 18 February at 7.00pm. This meeting is a great chance to meet other parents, learn more about LPFA, and see how you might like to be involved — whether that’s helping at events or simply staying informed.

Parents and Friends interested in attending the first meeting are kindly asked to email Monica Agius at lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au or call 9433 0228

2026 House Masses

We warmly invite our students and their families to their respective House Mass, to be celebrated during Term One. As part of a Catholic community, these liturgical events offer an opportunity for students to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist, be formed in faith, connect with Parish, and in many cases, revisit their primary schools.

Parish Priests will bless our new Year 7 students and their senior Mentor buddies as they embark on their academic journeys at Loyola in 2026. It is therefore compulsory that Year 7 students and their Senior Buddies are present at these Masses; however students and families from all year levels are welcome. A morning tea will be shared at the conclusion of each mass, and we kindly ask that you bring a plate to share.

College Musical Sponsorship Opportunity

The College is seeking support for this year’s College Musical. Families who are in a position to provide sponsorship, or who may be able to connect the College with potential sponsors, are warmly invited to make contact with Andrew Mangano at manganoa@loyola.vic.edu.au to discuss opportunities.

Working Bee – Friday, 13 March

Join us for our Twilight Working Bee on Friday, 13 March, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. We warmly welcome and greatly appreciate the assistance of our parent community to help with various tasks around the College.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, meet other parents, and contribute meaningfully to the College by helping to beautify our grounds.

To ensure the safety of all, we kindly ask that only parents attend the Working Bee.

As a token of our gratitude for your hard work, dinner will be provided at approximately 6:15pm.

To assist with planning and catering, please let us know if you can attend by emailing Monica at lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your support—we look forward to seeing you there!

Two Wolves Coffee Co.

Introduced in 2025, the Loyola College Coffee Fundraising Program was developed following our Coffee Survey, where parents shared their taste preferences. We are pleased to partner with Two Wolves Coffee Co., offering a coffee blend crafted to suit the preferences of the Loyola College community.

Proceeds from all sales support the Loyola Parents & Friends Association fundraising initiatives, contributing valuable items and services back into the school community each year. 500g and 250g bags of Two Wolves Coffee Co. beans are available for purchase via Main Reception or by clicking the link below.

This initiative is a great way to support our school and also makes a thoughtful addition to gift hampers, particularly with Christmas approaching. Orders can be placed online at https://bit.ly/47wj7tb, with online purchases available for collection from Main Reception the following business day.

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. As we prepare for 2026, we are accepting 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.

Morning Tours 2026

Morning Tours for 2026 take place from 9.15am – 11.00am on the following dates:

Please visit the College website at www.loyola.vic.edu.au to book a Tour.

2026 Entertainment Memberships

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

For Your Calendar:

College Photographs:

Banyule City Council is proud to be hosting our next free community event, the 2026 Twilight Sounds Festival to be held at Heidelberg Park Oval next Saturday 14 February from 5 – 10pm.

This event will feature live music by well-known artists Tim Rogers from Australia’s iconic band You Am I,

plus Kaiit, David Cosma, CJ Commerford & The Supertones and The Sam Curtis collective.

We will also have food trucks, kids craft and face painting!

Web link: Twilight Sounds 2026 | Banyule Council

Facebook Event Page https://www.facebook.com/share/1AjyAVEJXn/