Over the past fortnight, I have been incredibly proud to lead Loyola as we have celebrated an extraordinary number of achievements across our community. These successes reflect the talent, dedication, perseverance and spirit of our students and staff. A selection of these accomplishments is highlighted below, and I congratulate everyone involved for the way they continue to strive for excellence while embodying the values of our college.

Boys Bring Home the Bronze - International Standards Olympiad

We are absolutely delighted to celebrate the success of Isaac Schembri (8/AAAM), Noah King Barradas (8/FHPL) King and Sebastian Parisella (8/FJDS), who have returned from the 21st International Standards Olympiad in Seoul, South Korea (12-14 August 2026) with an impressive Bronze Award.

Competing against talented students from around the world, Isaac, Noah and Sebastian demonstrated exceptional creativity, scientific thinking and problem-solving skills on the international stage. Their achievement is a testament to their hard work, collaboration and innovative thinking.

This outstanding result is a wonderful accomplishment for our students and a source of great pride for our entire school community. Congratulations, Isaac, Noah and Sebastian, on representing Loyola with such distinction. We are incredibly proud of you!

Sincere thanks to Ms Vicki Kanicki, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and Ms Kathryn Wilson, Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, whose guidance, encouragement and unwavering support played an important role in this journey. Their commitment to nurturing student excellence helped make this remarkable achievement possible.

Congratulations to all involved on this wonderful success.

Night Football Match

Congratulations to both the Boys and Senior Girls AFL Football teams on their success at the annual Night Football matches held on Wednesday, 12 August.

Both teams represented the school with outstanding skill, determination and teamwork, demonstrating the values of respect and sportsmanship throughout the evening. Their commitment, resilience and positive attitude were a credit to themselves, their coaches and the wider school community.

A special thank you to all staff, coaches, umpires, volunteers and supporters whose efforts helped make the event such a success. We also extend our sincere thanks to Overnewton College for hosting the matches and providing our students with the opportunity to participate in this fantastic event.

Well done to everyone involved on a memorable evening of football.

DAV Debating

In an Ignatian school, debating is an important way for students to develop critical thinking, articulate their ideas with confidence, and engage respectfully with differing perspectives. It reflects the Ignatian commitment to forming thoughtful, discerning young people who seek truth, justice and understanding through dialogue.

Congratulations to our A Grade (Year 12) and D Grade (Year 12) DAV Debating Teams on qualifying for the DAV State Finals. This is a remarkable achievement and the first time in many years that we have had two teams reach the State Finals. Their success is a testament to their dedication, preparation and ability to think critically under pressure.

A special thank you to Jeremy Martino, Head of Public Speaking and Debating, for his outstanding work in nurturing debating within our community. His passion, expertise and commitment have helped create a strong culture of debating excellence, providing students with opportunities to grow as confident and thoughtful communicators. Well done to all students and staff involved in this outstanding achievement.

ACS Public Speaking

Congratulations to Annabelle Bezkorowajnij (12/FJPV) who achieved 1st place in the ACS Public Speaking 'Impromptu Speeches' division. Annabelle rose to the occasion and drew on her experience in the Performing Arts to improvise in both a humorous and reflective manner.

Future Politicians in the Making

Congratulations to our Parliamentary Prize Finalist. The Victorian Parliament's Parliament Prize challenges students to research an issue that matters to them and present a 90-second Member's Statement as if they were speaking in Parliament. Reaching the finals is a significant achievement that reflects outstanding research, critical thinking, communication skills and civic awareness. We are proud of this accomplishment and the thoughtful contribution made to public discussion and democratic engagement.

• Justin Lin (12/MMOD): Finalist
• Ollie Field (11/CJSI): Highly Commended
• Summer Elkhouri (11/FFCH): Highly Commended
• Tiffany Nguyen (10/MMGP): Highly Commended

These successes demonstrate what it means to strive for the Magis by working hard, giving our best, and seeking to fulfil our God-given potential. They remind us that excellence is not simply measured by results, but by the commitment, perseverance and growth shown along the way. As a community, we encourage every student to reflect on their unique gifts and talents, to consider how these can be developed to the fullest, and to use them in service of others. I look forward to seeing more students embrace opportunities for success in their chosen areas and continue to make a positive contribution to our college and the wider community.

Excitement is building across the Catholic Church as we mark one year until World Youth Day (WYD) 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Recently, the Melbourne Archdiocese and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) gathered students, staff and young people for the official launch of the journey to Seoul, celebrating the faith, hope and missionary spirit that WYD inspires. The launch highlighted the opportunity for young Catholics to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and connect with fellow pilgrims from around the world as Melbourne begins its preparations for this global event.

World Youth Day was established by St John Paul II in 1985 as a way of bringing young people together in faith and fellowship. Since then, millions of pilgrims have participated in celebrations hosted in cities such as Rome, Sydney, Madrid, Kraków, Panama and Lisbon. WYD has become one of the largest international gatherings of young people, encouraging them to live as disciples of Jesus and witnesses to the Gospel.

Seoul 2027 will be only the second World Youth Day held in Asia, offering a unique opportunity to experience the rich faith and culture of the Korean Church. The theme for WYD next year is Take courage! I have overcome the world, words taken from the Gospel of John (Jn 16:33).

As an Ignatian school community, Loyola College looks forward to accompanying our young people on this pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope as the countdown to Seoul continues.

More information about WYD 2027 can be viewed here:

World Youth Day 2027

2026 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+. 

Click Here to View our Semester 1, 2026 Academic Merit List (Login Required)

Subject Selection 2027:  

As you are aware, the portal for submitting subject preferences closed on 18 August. I would like to thank all students and families for taking the time to approach this process with care and thoughtful consideration.  

Prior to the deadline, every Year 9 and Year 10 student participated in a 1-1 Learning Pathway conversation. These discussions were designed to provide as much support as possible, helping students make informed and confident choices about their academic pathways.  

We are now in the process of constructing the timetable for 2027, and students will receive confirmation of their subject preferences next term.  

Thank you once again for your engagement and cooperation.  

Booklist Provider:   

The College will continue to use Box of Books as the booklist provider. Further details will be sent to families once subject preferences have been confirmed.     

2026 PAT Testing: 6 and 7 October (Years 7-10) 

We would like to inform parents and carers that students in Years 7 to 10 will be participating in the annual Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October. This year, we are streamlining the process: students will complete both the Reading and Numeracy assessments on separate days, rather than across multiple lessons. All testing will take place in the LCH as per the schedule below: 

These assessments help us better understand each student’s learning progress and support their academic development. Thank you for your continued support.

Success in the Victorian Parliament Prize Competition

Loyola College proudly celebrates the achievements of several students in this year's Victorian Parliament Prize competition, which encourages young people to engage with issues affecting their local communities and the broader Victorian community. As part of the competition, students were challenged to prepare and deliver a 90-second Member's Statement proposing solutions to a community issue they are passionate about. Their submissions demonstrated thoughtful research, civic engagement and a strong commitment to creating positive change.

A special congratulations to Justin Lin (12MMOD), who was named a Finalist for his submission examining the need for bike lanes in Watsonia. We also congratulate Oliver Field (11CJSI), Tiffany Nguyen (11MGPA), Summer Elkhouri (11FFCH) and Noah King Barradas (8FHPL), who each received High Commendations for their outstanding entries, being in the top 6% of submissions in Victoria.

Oliver's submission explored the issue of light pollution associated with the North-East Link, Tiffany investigated the environmental consequences of freeway construction, and Summer examined barriers to accessing Victoria's justice system.

These impressive achievements highlight our students' commitment to informed citizenship, critical thinking and advocacy on issues that matter. We congratulate Justin, Oliver, Tiffany and Summer on their outstanding successes!

Our school recently came alive with culture and celebration as we celebrated Languages Week in week 5 of this term!

Throughout the week, students and staff had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the languages and cultures of 'Italian, French and Indonesian' through a range of exciting activities, games and delicious food.

Students enjoyed getting involved in lunchtime activities, cultural challenges and interactive events that showcased the unique traditions of each language. There was also plenty of delicious food on offer, giving students the opportunity to experience flavours from around the world.

Monday's challenge invited students to put their creativity to the test by building the best Eiffel Tower using pipe cleaners!

On Tuesday, students enjoyed homemade pizzelle, a traditional Italian treat originating from the Abruzzo region of Italy. These delicious treats were lovingly made by our Italian Language Assistants, Angela and Fiammetta.

Wednesday brought another culinary delight, with homemade crêpes prepared by our French Language Assistant, Irena. Students also took part in an Indonesian cultural incursion, where they had the opportunity to experience traditional Indonesian dancing, mask making and music.

On Thursday, our Indonesian Language Assistant, Justiana, prepared delicious homemade Nasi Goreng for students to enjoy. Year 8 students also participated in an Italian incursion, where they learnt the energetic and traditional Tarantella dance.

On Friday we had an entire school quiz, that was won by Y7 student Dhinara Dunuwille (TMSU)

Languages Week was a wonderful celebration of the diversity within our Languages program. The week provided students with the opportunity to have fun, try something new and develop a greater appreciation for the languages and cultures studied at Loyola.

A big thank you to all the staff and students who helped make Languages Week such a fun, vibrant and successful celebration!

Now Available on SchoolTV - ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental condition that affects how children regulate attention, impulses and activity levels. While many children can appear restless, distracted or forgetful at times, ADHD involves ongoing patterns that may impact learning, behaviour, organisation and relationships. These challenges can sometimes lead to frustration at home and school, particularly when a child is trying hard but struggling to meet expectations.

For families, understanding ADHD means recognising that these behaviours are not simply a matter of effort or discipline. ADHD is influenced by a combination of neurological, biological and environmental factors that affect how a child’s brain processes information and manages self-control. With the right support, structure and strategies, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

This edition of SchoolTV explores how families can better understand ADHD and support children to build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and navigate everyday challenges more successfully.

Here is the link to this topic http://loyola.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/adhd-au

Dear Parents, Teachers and Staff,

For those who may not know us, we are Dominic and Alessandro, your 2026 Drama and Music Captains respectively.

Throughout the year so far, Performing Arts has been filled with events, excitement and talent, with countless individuals putting their amazing skills on display. So many enthusiastic students have showcased the incredible work they have put into practicing and performing across Drama, Music and Dance events thus far.

In Term 1, House Eisteddfod was a rousing success, with Chisholm seizing the victory after performing a spectacular rendition of SpongeBob The Musical. The event once again showcased the incredible creativity, enthusiasm and House spirit of students across the College, with each House bringing its own energy and personality to the stage. The College musical, Newsies, also commenced rehearsals, marking the beginning of a long and arduous journey to create the fantastic show that Loyola College puts on every year. Cast, crew and staff quickly began working together, dedicating countless hours to rehearsals and preparation as the production steadily began to take shape.

At the start of Term 2, music students travelled to Mount Gambier to compete in the annual Generations in Jazz festival, where the Small Jazz Combo earned a well-deserved 1st place in Division 3, while the Stage Band was awarded 8th place and, more importantly, Best Trombone Section in Division 4+. Music Camp also saw an extremely high number of junior students participating this year, spending three days honing their skills and building the foundations to flourish into spectacular musicians. Furthermore, our Dance students held their annual Performance Evening towards the end of the term, showcasing the talent and creativity of students from Years 9–12. It was great to see such a wide range of dance styles, choreography and interpretations throughout the night.

The commencement of Term 3 saw the long-awaited production of Newsies finally bear the fruits of months of hard work. With three out of four shows selling out, the production smashed expectations out of the park and cemented itself as another spectacular addition to the many fantastic performances Loyola College continues to bring to the stage. Most recently, we held our Annual Music Concert, putting the various skills and talents of our students on display. With solos, duos, stage bands and ensembles, the night was a great success and an entertaining evening for parents, friends and performers alike.

We would like to extend a very proud congratulations to everyone involved in every event that has taken place, small or large. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved so far and grateful for the dedication, energy and effort that everyone has brought to Performing Arts this year.

We would also like to acknowledge the teachers, staff and families who have supported each performance behind the scenes. From rehearsals and preparation of costumes, lighting, sound and organisation, these events would not be possible without the time and effort of so many people.

With things still to come in 2026, we are very excited to see what the remainder of the year will bring and look forward to continuing to celebrate the creativity, talent and passion of our Performing Arts community.

Dominic O'Dowd & Alessandro De Maria
Drama & Music Captains

Student of the Fortnight

Amelia Kirkovski (9/KNDA)

Our student of the week is Amelia Kirkovski (9/KNDA) who continually works behind the scenes, diligently engaging in and practicing all aspects of performing arts, being involved in various bands, as well as being an ensemble member in the college musical, Amelia is leading the way for herself and many others to become the future backbone of performing arts at Loyola College.

LPFA Trivia Night & Online Auction – TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST!
Get ready to put your thinking caps on for our Trivia Night on Saturday 29 August! This will be the Loyola Parents & Friends Association major fundraiser for the year, with plenty of fun, friendly competition, and great prizes up for grabs. Tickets now on sale at www.loyola.vic.edu.au/tickets

Gather your friends and build your ultimate trivia team!

TICKET SALES CLOSE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 23 AUGUST!

Get ready to bid on an incredible range of items, experiences, and prizes, with more than $17,000 worth of value up for grabs. From unique experiences to fantastic products and exclusive offers, there's something for everyone. Thank you to our amazing sponsors for their generous donations.

Place your bids, support a great cause, and you could walk away with an amazing bargain. Don't miss your chance to secure some truly exceptional items while making a positive impact.

Start bidding today and see what treasures you can uncover!

                                                     Click here to access the live auction

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 lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au

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.

Teen Memberships @ Watermarc

WaterMarc's Teen Membership is designed for young people aged 12-15 years, providing a safe and supportive environment where teens can build confidence, improve their fitness, and develop healthy habits. Membership includes access to:

• Health Club beginner sessions with qualified trainers
• Teen Functional Group Training
• Pool access
• Locker access
• Recovery equipment including massage chairs, massage guns and compression boots
• Dedicated Teen Fitness Hours (Monday to Friday, 3:30pm-6:00pm) with additional staff supervision

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 2027, 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 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

Win 1 of 5 $1,000 Woolworths Supermarket Gift Cards

From 1 July to 31 July, when you purchase an Entertainment Membership you will receive an entry into the draw to win 1 of 5 $1000 Woolworths Gift Cards. *Terms & Conditions Apply. Please visit www.entertainment.com.au/promotions to view.

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

Working Bee – a very BIG Thank You!

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who attended our recent Working Bee. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm helped create a beautiful garden outside the Ricci Centre, transforming the space into a welcoming area for our community to enjoy.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and the positive difference you continue to make to our school. Thank you for helping make our school an even better place for everyone.

What a lovely morning at our Grandparents Mass & Morning Tea

The recent Grandparents Mass and Morning Tea was a wonderful and heartwarming occasion. It was a pleasure to welcome grandparents into our College community and celebrate the special role they play in the lives of our students. The Mass provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and connection, while the Morning Tea allowed families, students, and staff to come together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and highlighted the strong sense of community that makes our College so special.