As we reach the four-week mark of the second term, the pace and enthusiasm remain strong. This term has been characterized by engaging activities, meaningful lessons, and valuable experiences.

In this newsletter, you will find important updates, upcoming events, and highlights from recent weeks. Let us continue to pursue excellence, support one another, and make the most of this term. Wishing you a successful and productive balance of the term.

Working Bee

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the parents who participated in the LPFA working bee on Saturday, 10 May. Their collaborative efforts fostered a strong sense of community as they worked together to enhance our gardens in preparation for the upcoming Open Day on Sunday, 18 May.

Additionally, thank you to the parents (and friends) who managed the second-hand uniform stall, which was well attended and contributed valuable funds to support our community initiatives.

We are grateful for the generous commitment of our parents, whose efforts contribute greatly to the betterment of our school community.

Parent Pick up and Drop Off

Parents are kindly reminded that when entering Loyola via Grimshaw Street to drop off students in the designated drop-off zone, they should continue moving forward. We have observed some parents parking just inside the front gate instead of progressing into the drop-off area, which causes congestion along Grimshaw Street and delays for many families.

We appreciate parent cooperation in ensuring that all drivers proceed as far into the drop-off zone as possible. This will help maintain smooth traffic flow, improve efficiency, and promote the safety of all students and families.

Thank you.

Australia’s Best Teachers Campaign

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is proud to be an official partner, for the third year in a row, in celebrating exceptional teachers across our community.

Nominations are now open for parents, students and community members to nominate the teachers who inspire our students to flourish in their learning.

An expert judging panel will review submissions, with shortlisted nominations for entry into Australia’s Top 50 Best Teachers List to be announced on Saturday 21 June.

Parents are invited to nominate Loyola teachers through the following link:

https://www.australiasbestteacher.com.au

Secondary School Improvement Network

Kathryn Wilson (Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning) and I recently attended the MACS Secondary School Improvement Network meeting. During the event, Dr. Simon Breakspear, a renowned expert in educational leadership, change management, and improvement, delivered engaging keynote sessions and facilitated interactive activities. His guidance helped participants develop a strategic approach to advancing the objectives outlined in their College 2025 Annual Action Plan.

Throughout the day, Kathryn and I focused on implementing a whole-school approach to literacy. Simon's methodologies emphasize innovative thinking and collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable educational impact. Loyola intends to adopt this approach as part of our commitment to establishing and maintaining effective learning and literacy practices. Our primary goal remains ensuring that all learners thrive within our community.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

On Tuesday, May 6, I had the pleasure of attending our annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. This year’s event, focused on Mother/Daughter relationships, featured a heartfelt presentation by Michelle Denni, a parent and former teacher, and Alyssa Denni (L: 19–24), who shared their personal experiences.

I would like to express my gratitude to Monica Agius (Community Liaison), Matthew Luczek, and Adam Calderone for their efforts in organizing this delightful morning.

Celebrating the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Loyola College joins the global Catholic community in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome. On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born cleric, was chosen by the papal conclave to lead the Church, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first North American pope.

Pope Leo XIV has a rich background in pastoral work and administration. Born in Chicago, he served as an Augustinian missionary in Peru before taking on significant roles within the Vatican, including prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis.

His election is seen as a continuation of the inclusive and compassionate approach championed by his predecessor. In his first address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the world with the words, "Peace be with you," emphasising the importance of peace and unity in his papacy.

He expressed his hope that Christ's peace would permeate hearts, families, and the entire world, reinforcing the Church's mission to be a beacon of love and acceptance for all.

As we reflect on this momentous occasion, we are reminded of the Ignatian values of service, leadership, and commitment to social justice. Pope Leo XIV's dedication to these principles inspires us to continue our own journey of faith and service within our community.

Let us keep Pope Leo XIV in our prayers as he embarks on this new chapter, guiding the Church with wisdom and compassion.

Parent-Teacher Interviews (PTIs)

The purpose of these interviews is to discuss the learning that has occurred so far this Semester, looking at the academic successes and challenges that your child may have encountered so far this year.

Dates & Times:

• Wednesday 21 May: 4:45pm to 8:15pm - Online through MS Teams (teachers will contact parents and students by ringing the student)
• Thursday 22 May: 2pm to 8:15pm - Face-to-face at Loyola College (students dismissed at 1:15pm)

Bookings:

Online bookings have been available through the Parent Portal from the following dates. As per last year, Year 11 & 12 parents received earlier access to bookings

• Tuesday 6 May 7:00pm for Year 11 & 12 students only
• Thursday 8 May 7:00pm for Year 7-12 students

The booking portal will close on Tuesday 20 May at 1:00pm. Please print out a copy of the interview times as it provides you with the list of interview times and locations. College Reception is unable to provide this information for you.

Venues:

• LCH (H032 on your booking list): All subjects with the exception below
• Upstairs LCH (H133b on your booking list): Visual Arts
• iCentre (L069 on your booking list): English

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 the 2-week window, then they are asked to contact the subject teacher directly. Please do not ask staff on reception to book appointments for you.

How You Can Prepare:

As we approach the scheduled PTIs, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on your child's academic journey so far this year. Consider any questions or concerns you may have regarding their progress, as these PTIs provide an invaluable opportunity to address them directly with your child's teachers.

Clarification for Online Appointments (Wednesday 21 May 4:45pm – 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.

Semester One Examinations:

Semester One examinations will only involve Years 9 and 10.

Dates for Year 9 and 10 examinations:

• Year 10 Exams: 25 June – 3 July
• Year 9 Exams: 26 June – 30 June

Year 9 - Application for Accelerated Subjects in 2026 Unit 1/2:

Whilst invitations and applications are not expected until Term 3, I thought it prudent to provide an overview of this process to the community, as the invitation to Year 9 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 2025 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:

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 has to be English) (75% for Enhanced / CLIL students)
2. Completion of Application Form
3. Completion of VCE Ready Test
4. Invitation for a brief interview by 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. Details are also available on the website and Course Guide.

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

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.

CDF Pay

We would like to inform you of our new canteen payment system called CDFPay. The system allows you to set up an account for online ordering and enables students to pay for canteen items using their student card.

If you have not yet registered for CDFPay, please follow the instructions outlined below. It is important to include your child’s student number, which can be found on their student card.

To support the rollout of CDFPay, we are offering a free sausage roll and drink on Thursday, 15 May 2025.

To access this promotion, simply place an online order via the CDFPay Flexischools application. For any questions or assistance, please email CDFPay@loyola.vic.edu.au

From the Sport Captains:

As the college Sport Captains, we are proud to say that it has been an exciting start to the year for ACS. We are also proud to acknowledge some of the greatest achievements that had occurred in Term 1 and what is happening in Term 2.

In Term 1, we saw many teams making their semifinals, which was a massive achievement as each student brought incredible energy and dedication to their teams. However, we would like to say a massive congratulations to the Boys 1^st 11 cricket team who brought the win home. A special shout out to Tom Braddy (11FECG) who had an unforgettable hat trick in the semifinal which lifted spirits for the final.

Another big success was the Swimming Carnival which saw a huge number of students participating for their house and hoping to secure the win. Congratulations to Xavier for taking the win. Not long after the carnival, we had our ACS Swimming Championships where many of our amazing students got into the pool and had put in their best effort, leading to an overall placing of 6^th.

We would like to congratulate these students again:

Scarlett, Clari and Lucas from Year 8

Sebastian from Year 9 and Mark from Year 10

Lucia Calderone, Zach, Anabelle and Jacob from Year 11

Another huge congratulations to the chosen ACS Swimming Team who will be swimming at VSAC: Lucia Calderone (11/XEJS), Scarlet Siddles (8/CSVR), Sebastian Bulan (9/ADFE) and Jacob Ryder (11/MSRC). We are wishing you all the best of luck. We are so proud of all the students and what they have achieved in Term 1. 

This past Monday, the College participated in our annual athletics carnival at Meadowglen athletics track in Epping. The day was a huge success, showcasing the incredible talent, energy, and spirit of the Loyola community. Students from all houses demonstrated outstanding commitment, with high participation rates across track and field events and enthusiastic support from students on the sidelines.

Congratulations to Chisolm for winning the carnival overall and displaying fantastic cohesion and chemistry as a house, led by Ms Delosa. The day was filled with memorable races, close finishes, and moments of true sportsmanship, highlighting the dedication and teamwork that define the culture at Loyola. While it was a day for the whole College, we can’t forget about the interesting and creative costumes from our year 12s, representing their houses through their colours. Congratulations to all students who competed in events and a big thank you to Ms Wade and our sports staff who made the day run smoothly.

We’ve seen great improvement across the board so far in ACS participation in Term 2, with students showing increased focus, effort, and engagement in both training and games. Now that trials have wrapped up, teams are starting to form and build strong momentum heading into the winter season throughout Terms 2 and 3. It's been fantastic to see the commitment and growth from so many students already, especially our year 12 students who have shown great enthusiasm in coming to trainings and games, even through this period of heavy study and several SACs.

We're excited to announce that the new ACS ¼ zip jumpers will be available in the uniform shop from next week. These jumpers will only be for senior students who make the fantastic achievement of making the senior 1^st team for their respective sport. These are a great addition to the sports uniform and show recognition for students who achieve this; however, they are only to be worn to and from ACS games.

We would also like to recognise our Head of Sport, Ms Wade, who has put her time and effort into making all this possible. Her dedication behind the scenes at all events provides the success that they always turn out to be. As well as our Vice Captains, Lucia Calderone (11/XEJS) and Patrick Ward (11/FHPL) who have also been a huge help to us and Ms Wade in making ACS the best it can be.

We look forward to the rest of the year!!

For our Student of the Fortnight, we would like to recognise two students, Victoria Perrizolo (10/FJEY) and Lucy Frederiksen (10/KAST) from Year 10. Victoria and Lucy’s team had a bye during the week, however, they both stepped up at such short notice to fill in for the 2^nd Netball team who were going to St Leonards. Without hesitation, both displayed team spirit and adaptability, and their positive attitude committed to support other teams which greatly shows dedication to ACS Sport.

Sport Captains
Liana Georgiev (12/CVCA) & Alex Paris (12/MSRC)

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data

At Loyola College, the Student Services Department is committed to supporting students with special needs by ensuring they can access the curriculum equitably.

Through the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), we identify and support students who require adjustments due to diagnosed or imputed disabilities in areas such as cognitive, physical, sensory, or social/emotional needs.

These supports are developed in consultation with families, primarily through Program Support Group meetings held each term or semester. We value the involvement of families and students in these important discussions to ensure each learner receives the support they need to thrive.

If your child is currently undergoing a diagnostic process, please contact Kelly Hussey, Director of Student Services, to begin the consultation process and discuss any necessary adjustments.

Here, three of our students reflect on the unforgettable experiences they had across Bali, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta during the 2025 Indonesia Trip.

Over the Easter Holidays a group of students went to Indonesia for the school’s 2025 Indonesia Trip. The following is Daniella, Ann and Emily’s experiences in Bali, Yogyakarta and Jakarta respectively: 

Daniella
(12MJMM)

Our Indonesian tour began in Bali, an unforgettable destination with welcoming locals, stunning architecture, and lively nightlife. We viewed the incredible Mount Batur Volcano and watched a traditional Barong dance in Batu Bulan Village. Visits to beautifully designed temples like Taman Ayun and Ulun Danu Beratan were highlights, along with a breathtaking sunset at a temple on a rocky ocean outcrop. We also enjoyed a hands-on cooking class in an open-air kitchen and bargained at traditional markets. Our trip in Bali concluded at Uluwatu Temple, where we experienced the mesmerizing Kecak fire dance during another remarkable sunset.

Ann
(12FJJM)

Yogyakarta’s rich culture mixed with urban aspects made it the highlight of our trip. We started at Prambanan Temple, a breathtaking 9th-century Hindu site with soaring spires and intricate carvings. After exploring, we rode becaks through the streets, laughing and waving as we passed by our friends. That night on Malioboro Street, a simple dinner turned into a lively mini concert with music and dancing. We had so much fun that Pak Setiawan let us stay an extra 30 minutes. In Kembang Arum Village, we fully immersed ourselves in local life, making batik, playing gamelan, painting caping, and planting rice barefoot. Every moment brought us closer to Javanese culture, making it one of the most meaningful highlights of our trip.

Emily
(12AFVE)

After a full week of seeing many different aspects of Indonesia throughout Bali and Yogyakarta, we arrived in Jakarta for our second week.

Here, we spent so much time with our host buddies during the day and joining them on their daily activities. This included going to the movies, ice skating, doing lots of shopping, and visiting our sister school, Santa Laurensia, with them. At Santa Laurensia, we sat in their different classes, electives, and masses, had a Gamelan class, and made so many new friends.

We also had the opportunity to visit Taman Safari to go on a safari adventure, take photos with different animals, and go on all the rides as well.

We’re so grateful for the opportunity to join this experience and commend the teachers for all their hard work in making it happen.

Generations in Jazz is an annual festival held in Mount Gambier, South Australia, celebrating the vibrant world of jazz and vocal music. The 2025 event ran from May 2nd to May 4th, featuring performances from young musicians and renowned artists like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and 4500 secondary school students from every state in Australia.

The festival included concerts, school competitions, and scholarship presentations, providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills. Highlights included the Welcome Concert, various adjudications, and the Gala Concert.

This year marked the first time Loyola College participated in this prestigious event and the students did us proud. They performed in the Big Band division (20 Loyola students) and the small ensemble division, which was made up of 9 of our students.

The feedback from the judges was extremely positive and they were very surprised that this was our first GIJ campaign. This festival not only fosters musical excellence but also provides an opportunity to be totally immersed with like-minded students. The students are already discussing the possibilities of a 2026 GIJ tour.

We warmly invite our Loyola community to come along to support the students enrolled in our Music Program and celebrate their musical achievements. It’s also an opportunity for students who are thinking of joining our Music Program in Semester 2 to see our students’ solo performances and ensembles.

This event will showcase their musical talents, and you will be able to meet our Music Tutors and ask any questions about private music lessons. Be sure to mark this date in your calendar! 🎶

As part of our Year 7 Dance curriculum, students explore dances from various cultures. This enables them to explore the various reasons why we dance and the diverse cultural influences on dance. Students research, create and perform cultural dances. To introduce this topic, students get to participate in a session of African dance and drumming.

African performers from Ghana perform traditional songs and dances and then teach students traditional dance moves and how to play the drums. Students from 7.02, 7.04, 7.06, 7.08 and 7.10 (who have Dance this semester) enjoyed this experience Tuesday 13th May.

Lots of energetic dancing and loud enthusiastic drumming was evident. Students were very respectful and engaged in the workshops. We thank our guests who will come back in Semester Two to offer this to the rest of the year 7 cohort when they are studying Dance.

In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.

These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.

By offering healthier role models and safe spaces to talk, along with encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.

This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them.

Here is the link to your Special Report SPECIAL REPORT: Shaping Healthy Masculinity | Loyola College

Open Day

A reminder that Open Day will take place this Sunday, 18 May from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. This day provides us with a great opportunity to welcome guests into our school and share with them all the things that make Loyola College special. If you know of family or friends who are interested in joining the Loyola College Community in the coming years, please advise them to register their attendance to this event online by clicking HERE.

Thank You to Our Maytime Fair Volunteers

On Saturday 3 May, a group of wonderful Loyola parents and students generously volunteered their time at the annual Maytime Fair held at Xavier College. Each year, Loyola proudly supports this event, which raises vital funds for Jesuit Mission and its life-changing work in vulnerable communities around the world.

This year, our team of volunteers rolled up their sleeves to cook and sell delicious hot jam donuts—an always-popular treat! With beautiful weather and a fantastic community atmosphere, it was a great day of fun and fundraising.

The staff and volunteers at Xavier College and Jesuit Mission are extremely grateful for the generosity of time given by Loyola College; and I would personally like to thank staff and parents Matthew Luczek, Ilaria Manna, Lisa Grant, Pinella Lo Presti, Mark Monteneri, Ornella Monteneri, Alessia Monteneri, Loretta Baker, Liz Karanfilovski, Des Mavridis, Sarah Tormey, Charlote Victoria; and students Layla Dusting 12XJBE and Angus Hutchinson 10XJGA who happily cooked, coated and sold donuts on the day.

A special thank you to Chris Doumbalis, Mario Calvitto, David Kelly and Trevor Busuttil from our Facilities & Property team who kindly delivered and collected marquees, fryers and donuts during a very busy time at Loyola.

Mother & Daughter Breakfast

On Tuesday 6 May, Loyola hosted the annual Mother & Daughter Breakfast—a special morning celebrating the unique bond between mothers and daughters. It was a lovely occasion, bringing families together to enjoy connection, conversation, and community.

Guests were treated to a delicious breakfast, thoughtfully prepared and served by our talented Hospitality staff and students. A highlight of the morning was the heartfelt presentation by former staff member and current parent, Michelle Denni and her daughter Alyssa (L: 19-24), who shared their personal reflections on the joys, challenges, and deep connection of the mother-daughter relationship.

The morning concluded with a beautiful liturgy in the St Ignatius Chapel led by Parish Priest at St Martin of Tours, Fr Michael O’Connell, providing a moment of reflection and gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the morning so meaningful.

Working Bee – Thank You to Our Volunteers

A big thank you to the dedicated group of parents who generously gave their time last Saturday morning to assist at the Loyola Working Bee. Volunteers helped prepare the College grounds ahead of Open Day and also ran the "Good As New Uniform" shop, providing a valuable service to our school community whilst contributing to the Loyola Parents & Friends Association fundraising efforts.

It was a productive morning of teamwork and community spirit, topped off with a well-deserved BBQ lunch enjoyed by all.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Property & Maintenance Team for overseeing the morning, LPFA Working Bee Co-ordinator Brendan Carroll for his support, and Alex Marinelli for organising the delicious lunch.

LPFA Roaming the Ranges Winery Tour – LAST CHANCE!

Final tickets on sale for the LPFA’s Roaming the Ranges Winery Tour.

Enjoy a full day exploring the beautiful Macedon Ranges with visits to wineries, a brewery, and a bakehouse, plus a delicious lunch at Cleveland Estate. The day includes coach transport to and from Loyola College, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy.

Tickets on sale HERE

LPFA Trivia & Games Night – Saturday, 9 August

Get ready for a night of laughs, friendly competition, and community spirit at the LPFA Trivia & Games Night – the major fundraising event for the Loyola Parents and Friends Association in 2025!

Join us for a fun-filled evening featuring trivia, games, and plenty of opportunities to win great prizes. All proceeds will go towards supporting College programs and initiatives that benefit our students.

🎟 Tickets on sale Monday 2 June at 7.00pm!

Book a table with friends or join one on the night – we’d love to see you there!

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 2025, 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.

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-fr-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

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