Term Three is a short nine-week term, and we’re already well past the halfway mark. With just three weeks remaining, it’s remarkable how much has been achieved in such a condensed timeframe. From major events to everyday learning, the pace has been energetic and purposeful. There is still plenty to look forward to in the final weeks, and we’re excited to finish the term with the same momentum and enthusiasm that has defined it so far.

House Structure 2026

I am delighted to share the news that, from 2026, the College will introduce an additional House (name to be announced soon). This exciting development reflects our growing enrolments and the strong interest in our college community.

As our Houses and mentor groups have expanded, we remain committed to nurturing the whole person. Smaller mentor groups will allow us to continue delivering Cura Personalis, care for the individual, ensuring that every student is truly known and supported by at least one significant adult within the College.

This marks a significant moment in our college’s history, and we look forward to all the opportunities, connections and spirit a new House will bring.

Students are invited to consider whether they would like to move House. Further information about this can be found in the correspondence emailed sent to families on Wednesday 25 August.

Asset Masterplan

The completion of our new STEM building will mark the final stage of our current Asset Masterplan. As we look ahead, the College has engaged B2 Architecture to develop our next Masterplan, which will guide future facilities planning and development.

We deeply value the insights and perspectives of our community. Parental feedback plays a vital role in shaping a learning environment that reflects the needs and aspirations of our students, families, and staff.

Parents are invited to complete a brief survey to help inform this important planning process. The survey can be accessed through the link below.

Parent Feedback - Asset Masterplan

Tournament of Minds

For the first time in over twenty years, Loyola College participated in the Tournament of Minds (TOM) on Saturday 23 August. The students engaged in a rigorous and stimulating competition that challenged them to solve complex problems across disciplines including STEM, Language & Literature, Social Sciences, and The Arts. Working collaboratively in teams, they developed innovative solutions, presented their ideas creatively, and demonstrated strong teamwork and communication skills. This experience fostered critical thinking, resilience, and confidence, while also enhancing collaborative skills, all of which are valuable in their classroom learning, academically and in future employment.

I would like to thank Ms Kathryn Wilson (Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning), Michelle Huggins (Learning Diversity Teacher), Ms Vicky Kanicki (Languages Teacher) and Ms Francesca De Angeli (Science Teacher) for supporting our students during this event.

ACS Cross Country

On Friday 22 August, approximately one hundred students proudly represented the College at the ACS Cross Country event. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and school spirit were truly inspiring, as each student gave their best effort and supported one another throughout the day. We commend all participants for embodying the values of teamwork, perseverance, and pride in our college community.

I would like to thank our Director of Sport, Mrs Jacqueline Wade, and her team for their outstanding organisation of the day. A special acknowledgement should go to Mr Matthew Luczek, Director of College and Community Engagement, for his fantastic commentary at the ACS Cross Country event. His energy, positivity, and sense of fun brought the day to life and added to the vibrant spirit of the occasion. We are grateful for the way he helped create such an encouraging and memorable atmosphere for our students.

Ignatian Ethos and Identity Evening

On Tuesday, 24 August, we hosted our incoming Year 7 students and their parents for the annual Ignatian Ethos and Identity Evening. This event is essential in conveying the core values and principles that underpin our community.

St. Ignatius of Loyola is integral to the identity and mission of our college. Our charism encourages us to develop students who are reflective, compassionate, and committed to justice, all guided by the principle of Cura Personalis. For parents, understanding this charism is key to appreciating how it influences our approach to education, relationships, and community life. It ensures that each student receives not only academic challenges, but also spiritual and ethical support, preparing them to lead purposeful lives in service to others.

Thank you to Mr Adam Calderone, Deputy Principal Ignatian Ethos and Identity, for his organisation of this evening.

Prayer for the Spring season ahead

Blessed Carlo Acutis – A Saint for Our Times

I was fortunate to visit St Francis of Assisi Parish, Mill Park last week to listen to an oration about, and pray at a first-class relic of, Blessed Carlo Acutis, whose canonisation the Church will celebrate next month. Thank you to the St Francis parish community and Father Anthony Girolami for this wonderful opportunity.

His short life is a beautiful story of courage and devotion, and he was a remarkable young man who has captured the hearts of Catholics across the world. Born in 1991 and passing away from leukaemia at just 15, Carlo lived an ordinary teenage life with an extraordinary love for God. Known for his joy, kindness, and deep devotion to the Eucharist, he used his gifts in computer programming and technology to create an online catalogue of Eucharistic miracles – a powerful way of sharing the faith with others.

Carlo’s story resonates deeply with young people in our Loyola community. Like many of our students, he enjoyed sport, gaming, and spending time with friends. Yet, he constantly asked how he could use his time and talents in service of God and others. His motto, “Not me, but God”, reminds us of the Ignatian call to be companions of Jesus, using our gifts to bring hope, justice, and love into the world.

As we look forward to his canonisation, Carlo inspires all of us – students, staff, and families – to see faith not as distant or abstract, but as alive, practical, and life-giving. He invites us to ask: how can we use our talents to be “Companions of Hope” in our own community?

Blessed Carlo Acutis - to be canonised as the first 'Millennial Saint'

2025 Semester One Merit Certificates

Congratulations to all students who received Semester One 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+.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Thank you again to all parents / guardians for attending the Parent Teacher Interviews on 14 August. We look forward to our second one on 4 September at 2.15 – 8.15pm. Bookings are now back open for parents to book their online interview.

Appointments

Appointments will last for 7 minutes with 2 minutes provided to move from one appointment to another. 

If the occasion arises whereby parents / carers miss making an appointment, then they are asked to contact staff directly. Please do not ask staff on reception to book appointments for you. 

 Clarification for Online Appointments (Wednesday 4 September 2.15pm – 8.15pm)

• Your interview schedule will be the same as it is when the interview is face to face. 

• The interview will occur on MS Teams using your child’s Loyola account.  

• At the scheduled time, the teacher will ring the student on their MS Teams account – please be available to receive the call. 

• Cameras will be required to be switched on by the teacher and student/parent. 

• If unanswered, the teacher will call for a second time during the designated appointment time. 

• If the call is still unanswered, then the teacher will not attempt to call again.  

• The student may message the teacher in the chat if they wish, explaining the reason for the absence. Depending on the reason, the teacher may call again. 

• Interviews will last for 7 minutes with a 2-minute gap before the next one. 

• We acknowledge some families have special circumstances. If both parents wish to attend these Conversations, we ask that you make one mutually agreed interview time.  

• If you are unable to attend together, but both still wish to meet with your child’s Subject Teacher, please make an alternative time directly with your child’s Subject Teacher.

Click Here to View Our List of Students Who Received a Total of 4 or More Gold Merits in Semester One 2025.

From the 2025 McAuley House Captains, Olivia and Jovinna:

As we near the end of Term 3, we reflect on what has been an incredibly exciting and memorable year for McAuley House so far. Entering our captaincy, we were both eager to see how our House theme, ‘One House, Many Voices’, would shine through in 2025, and we have not been disappointed. The unity, energy, and joy within McAuley this year have been something truly special.

Our year began with our most anticipated event: House Eisteddfod. This year, we brought the magic of Disney’s Enchanted to the stage. The weeks leading up to the performance were filled with cheerful working songs, bursts of creativity, and countless hours of rehearsals. All this hard work culminated in a performance that captured the heart of our House, full of warmth, talent, and spirit. We are so proud of every McAuley member who contributed, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or cheering us on.

Soon after came our House Swimming and Athletics carnivals. It was inspiring to see so many of our members jump in with enthusiasm, whether they were racing in the pool, sprinting on the track, or raising their voices from the sidelines. The sense of camaraderie in these moments truly showed what it means to be part of McAuley.

This term, one of our greatest achievements has been our annual McAuley House fundraiser for McAuley Services for Women and Children. Supporting such an important cause to help women and children facing domestic violence, bringing our House together in a deep meaningful way. The compassion and generosity shown by our students and families was moving, reminding us that being part of McAuley is about more than just competition: it’s about making a positive and lasting difference.

Our voices were proudly heard throughout the House Public Speaking and Debating competitions. Seeing old and new faces willing to strongly stand up and present, their efforts and dedication have gone unnoticed with our team continuing to consistently place within top three, a testament to their incredible skills and determination flowing throughout our house. Only Up words from here into the future.

As we reflect on all these wonderful moments, we cannot forget to thank every member of McAuley from the students to their families, for your kindness, commitment, and House pride. We would like to praise our House committee who has given us the greatest support throughout all House events to ensure smooth sailing and the best House results!

Finally, a special thank you must also go to our Head of House, Ms O’Brien, whose support, and encouragement continues to inspire us all to live out Catherine McAuley’s values each day.

We are so grateful for everything we have achieved together this year, and we cannot wait to see what the rest of 2025 holds. As is our motto, let's do some lasting good!

With love,

Olivia Juka (12/AAOB) & Jovinna Lee (12/ATMV)
McAuley House Captains 2025

Student of the Fortnight:

For our student of the fortnight, we have chosen Mia Fenga (9/ATBR) in Year 9. Mia’s enthusiasm and determination have not been unnoticed within McAuley House. She is an avid contributor to many of our House events including House Eisteddfod, House Swimming and House Public Speaking just to name a few. In House Eisteddfod, she was always there to resolve an issue or bring creativity to the stage. Her dedication and hard-working shines through her strong presence in House Public Speaking and Debating where she is willing to step-up into Senior roles and produce outstanding results. She is always open for improvement in any area and always willing to lend a helpful hand. Mia embodies the strong values of Catherine McAuley in striving for excellence and service to others. We are proud to have someone like Mia in McAuley House as a leading force within the junior year levels. Keep up the good work Mia!

Anxiety is a natural and expected part of growing up. In fact, it plays an important role in helping young people prepare for challenges, stay alert to potential dangers and adapt to new situations. It can motivate them to study for a test, practise before a performance, or tread carefully in unfamiliar settings. However, for many children and adolescents today, anxiety can shift from being a helpful response to becoming intense, persistent and disruptive.

The world young people are growing up in is fast-paced and often demanding. Academic pressures, social expectations, family changes and the constant presence of digital media, can all contribute to heightened stress and worry.

When anxiety is left unrecognised or unsupported, it can begin to affect a young person's wellbeing, learning, friendships and self-confidence. That's why it's so important for adult carers to understand how anxiety may present in children. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution.

This edition of SchoolTV raises awareness and provides families with practical strategies to help young people manage anxiety in healthy, constructive ways.

Here is the link to your Edition https://loyola.vic.schooltv.me...

Year 7 Geography Excursion – Watsonia Shops

As part of the Geography unit on Liveability, Year 7 students participated in an experiential learning excursion to Watsonia shops. Equipped with a fieldwork booklet, students conducted traffic counts, assessed the quality of the built and natural environment, and mapped residential, commercial, and public spaces. This hands-on investigation enhanced students’ ability to evaluate environmental, economic, and social factors that influence liveability.

By observing and recording real-world data, students deepened their understanding of how liveability is shaped within their own community, making classroom concepts both practical and meaningful.

Anticipation rose as we were quickly ushered through winding corridors, sneaking glimpses of the locker room, and up a faintly illuminated flight of stairs. The echo of squeaking shoes, buzzers, and instruction preceded us. When we got to our perch above the court, it was 20-year NBL veteran Chris Goulding, widely regarded as the greatest Australian shooter of all time, that caught our eye. The speed, ferocity, and force on display as the ball darted around the court, and players jumped to our eye-level above the rim, was mesmerising. Jaws literally hit the floor as spectacular dunks rose above, and swish after swish dropped in. Excellent discussions were sparked as Head Coach Dean Vickerman and his team put on a coaching masterclass in front of our eyes. The composure of guards Tyson Walker, Milton Doyle, Tom Wilson and Malith Machar impressed. The management of players following the session, with each breaking off to work on specific areas for improvement, showed that no player on any level is above focusing on the basics in the everyday grind.

Directly below us, 5-time NBL Champion and current Assistant Coach, David Barlow, drew up plays on his whiteboard – it felt as if we were a part of the action and about to execute ourselves.

Dash Daniels, younger brother of Atlanta Hawks star Dyson ‘The Great Barrier Thief’ Daniels, is a projected top ten pick in next year’s NBA draft. The 17-year-old is signed to Melbourne United as part of the NBL’s Next Stars Program that includes notable alumni LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, and Alex Sarr.

New import Jesse Edwards, a 213cm Dutch centre, boarded a plane across the world the day after his wedding. Despite significant jetlag, he did not miss a single step in his first NBL training session, exemplifying the reality of professional sports. His first fan picture in Australia was with none other than David Ferrante, a 177cm tall Head of Health and Physical Education from Loyola College.

Chris Goulding, the 444-game, 3-time champion and Australian Boomer, knocked in shot after shot during his post-training reps.

After viewing the NBL training session, Loyola students hit the court for an hour of training with 350-game NBL champion Nathan Crosswell. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from a basketballer of his calibre and make the most of the elite facilities on offer. Student Grace Seymour (9MJLI) summarises it best:

The Year 9 Basketball Academy class were very fortunate this week to witness basketball at its highest level in Australia, through a Melbourne United training session. This rare opportunity gave students the chance to feel inspired when watching players work hard at building their skill level and confidence at an elite level. The strong dedication, teamwork, ambition and passion was evident throughout the entire session from all players.

It was a huge highlight for students to also experience a training session on the court and build on our own individual and teamwork skills. As students, this experience gave us great insight into what it takes to build capacity at this high level. It was an extremely positive experience and I’m sure will inspire many of us to continue our strong passion for the game and will help to shape our academic pursuits in the sporting industry.

A big thank you to Mr Ciavarella for organising the day and inspiring us to further develop our deep love for basketball.

Cybersafety Part 3: Do you know who your children are talking to?

In a previous edition of the Ignatian we looked at Cybersafety and the perils of putting information about oneself on the Internet.

In this edition we’ll be looking at ‘stranger danger online’.

Real friendships involve face-to-face contact, whereas social media sites permit face-to-fake contact: with people whose motives are not friendship; rather, sociopathic or criminal intent! Unfortunately, teenagers may lack the discriminatory grey matter to distinguish between friend and fiend!

Picture this: It’s a quiet night in front of the television. The family’s had dinner, the dishes are washed, and the lunches are made. The children are playing quietly on the computer, chatting/texting with friends on their mobile phones, exploring social media or just playing Internet games. It’s great for parents/guardians to be able to just put their feet up. Except for one thing: there’s a paedophile lurking in the house, hidden in plain sight – online.

Do you know who your child is communicating with online?

Consider this true story. A teenage boy enjoyed playing online games with schoolmates. He also befriended a handful of gamers through the gaming site. Eventually he started chatting online with one of these ‘friends’, supposedly another 15-year-old like himself. They started sharing about some personal things, and over time their online chatting became increasingly frequent. They eventually exchanged mobile phone numbers and began texting each other at all hours. Then, with the summer holidays were approaching, they made plans to meet each other. His friend invited him to come stay with him and organised a plane ticket for him. The teenage boy’s parents became suspicious when their son wanted to go to the airport unaccompanied, saying that he was old enough to look after himself – this is what his ‘friend’ convinced him to say. At the airport the police arrested a man in his forties and charged him with several offences. The teenage boy had no idea that he was being groomed by a paedophile.

What can parents do to protect their children from ‘stranger danger’?

1. Stay involved in your child’s use of new technologies – get them to show you how their online social networks work.

2. Help your child remain unidentifiable online, by name and by location: set up their profile to make sure that they don’t put too much personal information online – e.g. never put date of birth, home or school address, phone number, personal email address, sports teams your child plays in or the name of their school. Be careful that any photos that are posted do not reveal any of this information.

3. Check out the privacy settings for each online service and familiarise yourself with how to report abuse. Hopefully, you will never need to do this but it’s good to be prepared. Find out how you can manage your child’s access to the ‘adult’ content and services offered by their mobile phone carrier. Such information is usually available on the carrier’s website.

4. Talk to your child about what they like about social networking/gaming websites. Explain what some of the dangers are in using them and teach your child ways to stay safe. You may be able to discuss and create some house rules together with your child. Always keep the lines of communication open. Kids need to be confident that they can talk to parents/guardians about what’s happening, without being afraid that they’re automatically going to get in trouble.

What can teenagers do to protect themselves from ‘stranger danger’?

1. Never give out your personal information – check out point 2 above. Check with your parents or guardians first before deciding to give out or post personal information.

2. Remember that you may feel that you are just talking to friends, but the whole world could be tuning in. Keep an eye on what’s being posted and guard your privacy! Don’t post photos that you might not want strangers or your grandmother to see!

3. Learn how to make your profile and other content you post private. You’re the one who should be in control, here.

4. Think twice before posting blogs and profiles – they can stay there forever. Your parents, future employers and perhaps your future children may end up seeing it! Don’t post photos of other people without their permission.

5. Remember there are impersonators out there – not everyone is who they claim to be. Although it’s great to have lots of online ‘friends’, remember that those unverified people on your friend’s list can see everything about you. This information could be used in a scam, to steal your identity, or worse.

6. Keep your online friends online! However, if you want to meet someone that you haven’t met before in person, ask a parent or another trusted adult to go with you and always meet in a public place, preferably during the day.

7. Say ‘NO’ to any offers that seem too good to be true – they probably are! Never accept the offer of a free mobile phone (or other digital device) from someone without asking your parents or guardian first. Never sign up for free ringtones – you could be signing up to receive porn! To prevent this, just type in the word ‘stop’ and by Law they have to stop sending you stuff – if they don’t, tell your parent or guardian to contact your service provider.

8. Never on-send a chain email, even if it says that you will die if you don’t or even if it seems to be for a really good cause – it may contain a macro that automatically sends your email address to someone who sells email addresses to paedophiles. These predators then randomly seek out children to try to start a conversation with them.

9. Always check the URL (Internet address at the top of the browser) to ensure you are actually at the website you think you should be at. Bogus sites seek to impersonate real ones, in order to get you to enter your personal information, thereby making you vulnerable to exploitation.

10. Don’t stay. Don’t respond! – If someone in a chat room posts offensive pictures or says something rude or scary, or if you are sent these in an email, don’t respond; instead, save them, leave the chat room immediately and tell your parent, guardian or another trusted adult about the incident. Saving the offensive content means you can produce it as evidence to help catch these online troublemakers and predators.

If you are concerned about any of these issues and wish to discuss them with a trusted person, please contact the School Counsellor. For more information on Cybersafety go to https://esafety.gov.au/. Add this website to your favourites on your computer.

Stay safe while socialising online.

Community Christmas Market & Carols Night - Market Stall Holders Expression of Interest

Loyola College, in conjunction with the Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA) will be hosting the annual Community Christmas Market & Carols Night on Friday, 28 November 5.00pm – 9.00pm.

As in previous years, this wonderful family event will include food trucks, children’s entertainment, Christmas performances by our students, the Good As New Uniform Sale and a festive Christmas Market - offering families the opportunity to purchase unique and handmade gifts. The evening attracts approximately 1000 people from both the College and local communities.

We are now seeking expressions of interest from small businesses wishing to holding a stall at the event. A $20 stall fee applies, and stallholders are requested to provide their own trestle table/s. Please note that all stall holders and their helpers must hold a current Working With Children Check.

Enquiries can be made at PaterraG@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 welcome donations of freshly laundered uniforms in excellent condition. If you have items that are no longer needed, please leave them at Reception.

Your contributions directly support families in our community and are sincerely appreciated.

Please note that we are unable to accept items that are not in wearable condition (e.g. torn, heavily soiled, or missing buttons), as the College incurs costs to dispose of these items responsibly.

Important: The old-style sports uniform is no longer part of the approved College uniform and must not be sent to Reception. We kindly ask for your co-operation with this matter.

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 Memberships – Special Offers

An Entertainment Membership isn’t just a great Father’s Day gift — it’s your all-access pass to spoiling Dad in style, whether you give him his own or use yours to make the day extra special. And in time for Father’s Day - when you buy an Entertainment Membership this month, you’ll receive a BONUS $30 VISA Gift Card.

*Terms & Conditions Apply. Please visit www.entertainment.com.au/promotions to view.

That means for just $70 (save $50!), you’ll score access to up to 50% off dining, activities, shopping, and travel across Australia, NZ, and Bali. It’s the perfect Father’s Day gift that will give all year round.

With over $20,000 in savings – from Rebel Sport, Supercheap Auto, and BCF, to fuel at Shell, plus amazing dining deals your Dad will love – you’ll make that money back in no time. You might even use those savings to book your next holiday (yep, your Membership can help with that too!).

Click HERE to buy your Membership

Entertainment Memberships really do help us help each other – you save on the things you love, and we keep supporting our community with the funds raised.

For Your Calendar: