This has been a very difficult week for our College as we have been challenged by the heartbreaking news of the passing of Samuel Maddela. Our hearts are heavy, and we hold Samuel, and the Maddela family, in our thoughts and prayers.

In the midst of this profound sadness, we have also witnessed the very best of who we are. Our community has been an extraordinary source of support for one another. I have been deeply moved by the messages of gratitude from parents, and by the care and compassion shown so freely among staff and students alike.

I extend my sincere thanks to our staff, teaching and support, who have continued to show up each day with courage, kindness, and professionalism. They have accompanied our students, especially those who are most vulnerable as they navigate their own grief. Your presence, care, and quiet strength have made a significant difference.

In these moments of great sadness, I have been struck by the beautiful ways in which our students supported one another, with gentleness, empathy, and a deep sense of solidarity. These are signs of a truly Ignatian community: one that walks together, finding God even in times of sorrow, and responding with love.

One particularly poignant moment was when our Senior ACS students held a minutes silence and wore black armbands at their matches on Wednesday afternoon mark of respect and remembrance for Samuel. Photographs of this beautiful moment can be found below. I am particularly grateful to the staff and students of St. Michael’s Grammar school who held this moment of tribute in solidarity and respect.

We have been offered many pastoral and faith opportunities this week, moments to pause, to pray, and to be together. These have reminded us that we do not carry this alone.

I feel truly blessed to lead such a compassionate and faith-filled community. Thank you for all that you have given this week, and for being people for and with others in the most meaningful way.

Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another.

Managing Grief - Taking Care of our Students

We acknowledge that many members of our school community have found the news of the passing of Samuel Maddela (Year 10) deeply distressing and difficult to comprehend, and may continue to experience a range of emotions as they process this loss.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with Samuel’s family and friends during this profoundly difficult time. It is important to recognise that the impact of such news may extend beyond immediate friendship groups, as some students may be affected due to their own experiences of loss or grief.

In supporting our young people through conversations about this matter, we ask that they are guided to respect the privacy of Samuel’s family, and to prioritise their own safety and wellbeing, as well as that of others.

We also encourage care in discussions. It can be distressing and unhelpful to focus on:

• details of how the death occurred
• speculation about why the death may have happened

Instead, it is more constructive to focus on:

• how your young person is feeling
• strategies that may assist them in managing their emotions

To support and guide these conversations, it may be helpful to gently redirect discussion using language such as:

• “Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am feeling somewhat ___ (for example, shocked, confused, saddened, or concerned) that such a tragedy could occur within our community. How are you feeling about this?”
• “It sounds as though you may be feeling ___ (for example, shocked, confused, saddened, or concerned) in response to this event. When I experience feelings such as these, I find that ___ (for example, listening to music or engaging in physical activity) can be helpful. What strategies do you find helpful?”

If you are concerned about your child or require additional support, please contact your child’s Head of House or the College Counselling Team at counsellors@loyola.vic.edu.au.

If your child would prefer to speak with someone outside of the school, support is available through Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or via www.eheadspace.org.au.

Finally, we encourage all students and their families to remain mindful of others’ feelings, to look out for one another, and to speak with a trusted adult, family member, or staff member if they are worried about themselves or others.

Ignatian Reflection – In Loving Memory of Samuel Maddela

Over the weekend, our Loyola College community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Samuel Maddela (Year 10/AAOB). Samuel was a valued student and a quiet presence of kindness and generosity among his peers. His loss is felt across classrooms, friendships, and in the hearts of those who knew him.

In the Ignatian tradition, we are called to walk with one another in times of consolation and desolation. At this time, we commit ourselves to accompanying Samuel’s family, supporting his friends, and caring gently for each other.

May we honour Samuel’s life by living with compassion, gratitude, and attentiveness each day. As a community of faith, we entrust him to God’s loving embrace and keep him in our prayers always. May our remembrance deepen our commitment to be people for others, noticing those who need support, and offering hope, presence, and care in the spirit of St Ignatius today.

Loving God, welcome Samuel into Your eternal peace. Comfort his family, his friends, and our Loyola community in this time of sorrow. May we feel Your presence in our grief and hold fast to hope. Amen.

Grief is a natural response to loss. It might be the loss of a loved one, relationship or even a pet. The more significant the loss, the more intense the grief is likely to be. Children and adults grieve differently due to their developmental stage, and this can prove difficult for parents to understand.

Young children fluctuate in and out of the stages of grief rapidly, as they may not comprehend the permanency death. They express their grief more physically. Teens on the other hand may not know how to express their grief and will need some space to process their loss. Some may choose to grieve alone, not wanting to stand out or be seen as not coping. Whilst others, who may have a greater understanding, can start to question their own mortality.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents can learn how to acknowledge their child’s feelings and the best way to support them through the grief.

If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the College for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Grief & Loss edition of SchoolTV: https://loyola.vic.schooltv.me...

Semester One Examinations

Semester One examinations will only involve Years 9.

Examination Dates:

Students who are absent will receive a mark of 0% unless a medical certificate, statutory declaration, or pharmacy certificate is submitted to the Head of House or Miss Wilson.

Timetables and communication to families will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Subject Selection 2027

The Subject Selection Process begins in Term 3. This will be an extremely busy time of the year for all students, staff and parents, including Year Level Assemblies, a Senior Subject Selection Evening, Subject Selection Conversations and Web Preferences becoming available.

Year 9 - Application for Accelerated Subjects in 2027 Unit 1/2

Whilst invitations and applications are not expected until Term 3, I thought it prudent to provide an overview to the community, as the invitation to Y9 students is based on their Semester 1 assessment results. As a result, they only have the remainder of Term 2 to meet the criteria.

Overview for 2026 Year 9 students

Acceleration requires demonstrated consistent 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.

Stages of the Acceleration Process

• Letter of invite from the Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning to those students who meet the desired criteria of 5A’s (5 x 80%) (one of which has to be English) (75% for Enhanced / CLIL students)
• Completion of Application Form
• Completion of VCE Ready Test
• Invitation for a brief interview by the relevant Head of Learning
• 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. Details are also available on the website and Course Guide.

Semester 2 Tip-Off: Basketball Development Program Launches on June 4th

Following the outstanding success of the inaugural intake, Loyola College is excited to announce the launch of the Basketball Development Program for Semester 2, 2026.

Commencing with a free trial at 7am-8am on Thursday 4th June, NBL Champion and current Melbourne United Assistant Coach Nathan Crosswell will return to deliver a fun, high-energy snapshot of what the program has to offer.

Building on strong foundations, the 10-week program will once again be delivered in partnership with Melbourne United’s Academy Coaching Staff, offering students a professional, high-performance training experience. This collaboration reflects Loyola College’s commitment to delivering high-quality co-curricular opportunities that inspire.

Students of all ability levels in Years 7-12 are encouraged to register for the free trial. Sessions will maintain their focus on skill development within a supportive and challenging environment, ensuring all players have the opportunity to grow and enjoy the game.

Following the free trial, students will be invited to formally register into either Tuesday or Wednesday morning training groups at a cost of $200 for the 10-week program.

For the free trial on June 4th, please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

For any questions, please email basketball@loyola.vic.edu.au

Cyber Safety Project: Navigating the Digital Playground Recording

Cyber Safety Project offers a wide range of free, practical resources to help families navigate the online world safely, from guides and checklists to podcasts and tools on topics like social media, cyberbullying, digital wellbeing and AI. Designed for everyday use at home, these resources empower parents to start meaningful conversations, build healthy digital habits, and support children to use technology safely and responsibly.

Their resources for families can be found here.

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. Applications close 26/06/2026.

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