As we begin Term Three, I warmly welcome all students, staff and families back to Loyola College. The start of a new term is always an opportunity to refocus, re-engage and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.

Newsies: A Celebration of Community

Congratulations to everyone involved in our recent production of Newsies. The performances were outstanding and showcased the remarkable talent, commitment and passion of our students. From the cast, crew and musicians to the staff who guided the production, and the parents who supported our staff, every contribution helped create a truly memorable experience.

What made Newsies particularly special was the extraordinary level of community involvement. Students, staff, parents, alumni and volunteers all came together to support the production, contributing countless hours behind the scenes. Whether assisting with costumes, sets, rehearsals, hospitality, technical production or audience support, so many members of our community generously shared their gifts for the benefit of our students.

At Loyola, we often speak about being a community that accompanies one another, and Newsies was a wonderful, living example of this in action. It demonstrated the power of people working together with a shared purpose and reflected the very best of who we are as a school community.

JACSA Girls' Sport Carnival

Our students represented Loyola College with great pride at the recent JACSA Girls' Sport Carnival. In an incredibly competitive tournament, Loyola and St Ignatius went match for match across the various sports, with the overall result ultimately coming down to the final soccer match of the carnival.

On this occasion, the result did not fall our way, but there was much to admire and celebrate. Throughout the day, our students demonstrated determination, resilience, teamwork and outstanding sportsmanship. They competed fiercely while always representing Loyola with pride.

I would like to thank the students for their efforts, the staff who coached and supported the teams, and especially the many parents, staff members and supporters who attended throughout the competition. Your encouragement from the sidelines played an important role in making the carnival such a positive experience for our students.

JACSA Debating Carnival

Congratulations to our students who travelled to Sydney to participate in the JACSA Debating Carnival. Competing against some of the strongest Jesuit and Companion school debating teams in the country, our students performed exceptionally well and represented Loyola with confidence, intelligence and professionalism.

The team were narrowly defeated by Xavier College, just missing the opportunity to compete in the Grand Final. While disappointing, this result should not overshadow their remarkable achievement.

Debating requires students to think critically, construct reasoned arguments, communicate persuasively and engage respectfully with different viewpoints. These are precisely the skills that will continue to be valued in a rapidly changing world. I congratulate all students involved and thank the staff who supported and accompanied them on this successful campaign.

Social Justice Grant

We are delighted to have received support through CASPA by way of a grant to the value of $5000. This funding will assist us in strengthening initiatives that reflect our commitment to service, justice and accompaniment. The money will used to facilitate our work with the Exodus community.

As an Ignatian school, we are called not only to develop the talents of our students but also to encourage them to use those gifts in service of others. The support of Exodus Community will help us continue this important work and further our commitment to creating opportunities that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

St Ignatius Day – Friday 31 July

As we approach St Ignatius Day, I encourage all families to make a final effort in supporting our annual Walk for Others fundraiser. Funds raised through this initiative will be directed to our House charities, supporting organisations that work with those who are marginalised and experiencing disadvantage in our community.

I encourage families to share the fundraising link with extended family and friends. We are not asking individuals to make large donations; rather, we are asking our community to work together. When each of us contributes a little, collectively we can achieve something significant. This is one of the great strengths of the Loyola community, people coming together with a shared purpose for the benefit of others.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support as we strive to live out our Ignatian call to be people for and with others.

Looking Ahead

As we move through Term Three, I encourage all students to approach their learning with purpose and optimism. Success is rarely the result of a single moment; rather, it is built through consistent effort, perseverance and a willingness to embrace challenges. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field, on the debating stage or in service of others, our students continue to demonstrate the qualities that will enable them to flourish in the future.

I wish all members of our community every success for the term ahead and thank our families for their continued partnership and support.

Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola - Friday 31 July

Celebrating the Month of Ignatius

July is a significant month in the life of our College as we celebrate the Month of Ignatius and reflect on the life and legacy of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. It is a time to give thanks for the rich Ignatian tradition that shapes our community and inspires our mission of forming people of competence, conscience, compassion and commitment.

At the heart of Ignatian spirituality is the invitation to find God in all things. St Ignatius encourages us to pause, reflect and discern where God is present in our daily experiences, relationships and learning. Through practices such as the Examen, we are reminded to be attentive, grateful and responsive to the needs of others.

On the Feast of St Ignatius on 31 July, students and staff are participating in a range of activities that celebrate our Ignatian identity. These moments of prayer, reflection, service and community strengthen our shared commitment to being people for and with others.

As we celebrate all things Ignatian, may we continue to embrace the values of courage, generosity, discernment and justice. In doing so, we honour the vision of St Ignatius and contribute to building a community where each person is encouraged to grow, serve and flourish.

We still have one week left for students to gain sponsorship for the Walk For Others on St Ignatius Day - we thank all members of the community who have contributed so far for the House charities and look ahead to a wonderful celebration on the day.

Term 3 – Looking Ahead

Term 3 will be an extremely busy term, including:

• Semester One reports issued to Parents
• 20 July: PTI Portal opens for Y11 & Y12 at 7pm
• 22 July: PTI Portal Opens for Y7-12 at 7pm
• 28 July: Student Pathways Evening 5.00pm – 8.00pm & Web Preferences Open 8.00pm
• 29 July: Y8 2026 CLIL Evening
• 4 August: PTI Portal closes 1.00pm
• 5 & 6 August: Parent Teacher Interviews:
• 5 August: Online: 5.00 - 8.15pm
• 6 August: Face – face: – 2.15 – 8.15pm
• 18 August: Web Preferences Close 5.00pm
• 21 – 23 September: Trial Exams

Student Pathways Evening

Letters have already been distributed to parents detailing the Evening.

An outline can be found below:

• It will be face to face and will take place in the MPAC.
• Tertiary institutions and employment providers will be available in the foyer for students to meet and discuss future pathways.
• Subject Selection Information will be presented for parents and students in 2026 Years 9-10.
• Web Preferences open on the evening of 28 July at 8.00pm

Course Guide 2027

It is important that our students make their decisions about subject choices in an informed manner. An important stage of this process is to carefully read the 2027 Course Guide.

The link to the Course Guide is here Year 7-12 - Loyola College Courses. It can also be accessed through the student’s LMS page in the blue bar at the top of their home page.

Please be aware that not all subjects listed in the Course Guide may be available in 2027. Furthermore, whilst the school aims to meet the needs and wishes of all our students, there may be occasions when we are unable to accommodate student preferences. Reasons for this, may be timetable constraints, demand for certain subjects or limits to class sizes.

Subject Selection Conversations

During the Subject Selection Process, all current Year 9 and 10 students will meet with a member of the Learning Pathways Team.  Students are provided with a copy of their career plan and are strongly encouraged to discuss their Learning Pathways conversation with you.

Parent Teacher Interviews

As mentioned in previous editions, the dates and times are:

• 5 August: Online: 5.00 - 8.15pm
• 6 August: Face – Face: 2.15 – 8.15pm

Bookings for sessions

• 20 July: PTI Portal opens for Y11 & Y12 at 7pm
• 22 July: PTI Portal Opens for Y7-12 at 7pm
• 4 August: PTI Portal closes 1.00pm

Locations

As previously this year, locations will be:

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

NAPLAN 2026 - Individual Student Reports & Certificates of Achievement

We would like to inform families that the 2026 NAPLAN Individual Student Reports have now been distributed via post. These reports provide valuable insight into your child’s progress in literacy and numeracy and form part of the ongoing assessment of their learning journey.

In addition, some Year 9 students may also receive a NAPLAN Certificate of Achievement, awarded by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). These certificates recognise exceptional achievement in one or both of the following categories:

• Exceeding the Proficiency Standard in reading and/or numeracy
• Demonstrating Significant Growth in proficiency levels from Year 7 to Year 9

We congratulate all students on their efforts in this year’s NAPLAN and celebrate those who have achieved.

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

We are your 2026 Christian Service Captains, Kevin and Angelique!

As we reach the halfway point of the year, we would like to reflect on the opportunities our school community has had to live out the values of service, compassion and faith.

We began the year by helping facilitate the Equipping Schools Youth Ministry Day at St Ignatius Geelong, where students from different schools came together to strengthen their faith and develop leadership skills for youth ministry. It was a rewarding experience to support younger students as they explored new ways to grow in their faith and serve their communities.

We also had our ACYF (Australian Catholic Youth Festival) reunion event for all the students that attended it late last year, where we got to reconnect with friends and develop in our faith. As part of Catholic Education Week, along with our school captains we attended the 2026 ‘Mass of St Patrick for Schools’, helping us connect with our wider catholic school community.

During Activities Week, many students took part in the Kairos Retreat, taking time away from the busyness of everyday life to reflect, build meaningful relationships and deepen their connection with God. It was fantastic to see so many students embrace the experience and return with a renewed sense of purpose and faith. One of the highlights of the semester was our Pay It Forward Evening at Iggy's Restaurant, where members of the Exodus Community joined the Social Justice Portfolio students for dinner, conversation and fellowship. It was wonderful to see students volunteering their time to create such a welcoming environment and build genuine connections within our wider community.

Our ongoing Christian Service programs have also continued throughout the year. Students have regularly volunteered at St Pius X Primary School, assisting younger students with reading and learning, while others have continued supporting the Exodus Community through a range of service opportunities. These programs continue to make a meaningful difference while allowing students to put faith into action!

As we look ahead to Semester Two, we encourage everyone to get involved in our upcoming Social Justice Portfolio Bake Sale. Every purchase will help support important social justice initiatives, and we look forward to seeing the Loyola community come together once again in support of those in need.

Thank you to all of the students, staff and families who have supported Christian Service throughout the year. Special thank you to Mr Calderone, Mr Tran, Mr Mcllroy as well as our vice captains Pat and Eva for their unconditional support and passion they’ve shown towards Christian Service. We are excited to continue creating opportunities for our community to serve others and live out the values that make Loyola such a special place!

2026 Christian Service Captains

                                            Kevin Xiao (12/MSBR)                                     Angelique Robles (12/ATMV)

For our Student of the Fortnight, we would like to give a shoutout to Jessica Di Pasquale from Year 11.

Jess has been an incredible contributor to the Social Justice portfolio this year, always volunteering her time and stepping up whenever help is needed. Whether it's supporting events behind the scenes or lending a hand wherever she can, Jess approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm, kindness and a genuine willingness to serve others.

As a leadership team, we would like to thank Jess for her ongoing commitment and the positive impact she has on our school community. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done and look forward to seeing her continue to make a difference throughout the rest of the year.

Jessica Di Pasquale (11/CMBM)

'Behind the Magis' provides us with an opportunity to introduce you to some of the amazing staff members who help make Loyola College such a welcoming, supportive and thriving place to learn and grow. These profiles offer a glimpse into the stories, passions and personalities of staff members working behind the scenes to support our school community, empowering our students to 'Strive for the Magis' each and every day.

Sonia Lotter
Registrar
2023 - Present

Can you tell us a little about your role at Loyola College?

I started working at Loyola College in February 2023 as a Clerical Assistant. Within a few months, I transitioned to the role of Registrar. In this role, I am responsible for all aspects of the enrolment process here at our school. This includes behind-the-scenes administrative tasks, onboarding new students, communication with families and attending regular school tours.

What does a normal day at Loyola College look like in your role?

A normal day in my role as Registrar is very busy and varied. I manage new enrolment and application enquiries, communicate with prospective families and assist with all aspects of the enrolment process from start to finish.

My day also includes regular administrative duties such as maintaining student records, processing documentation, organising interviews and responding to emails and phone calls. I work closely with families to help make their transition to life at Loyola College as smooth and efficient as possible.

No two days are exactly the same, which is something I really enjoy about the role.

What do you enjoy most about your work at Loyola College?

What I enjoy most about working at Loyola College is meeting and connecting with new families and helping them through their enrolment journey. I enjoy being able to support families as they make important decisions about their child's education and help them feel supported and welcomed within our school community.

I also enjoy the variety in my role as every day is different and there is always something new happening. Being part of such a supportive and welcoming community makes Loyola College a great place to work.

If you could choose any dinner guest (outside of immediate family or friends), who would they be and why?

Gordon Ramsey - Dinner would never be boring!

What is something people may not know about you that you would like to share?

A fun fact about me is that I was born in South Africa to Portuguese parents, so Portuguese was my first language growing up. I have also lived in Portugal and now I proudly call Australia home.

As we commence Term 3, it is an especially important and busy time for our Year 12 students and their families as they begin making decisions about their pathways beyond school. There are a number of valuable webinars available to support students, parents and carers throughout this process. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, with details provided below.

Upcoming Webinar: ACCE – Guide to Applying for Tertiary Study in Victoria for Students and their Supporters

Join us for a free webinar designed to help students, parents and supporters understand the Victorian tertiary application process.

What we’ll cover

• Researching tertiary courses
• Applying through VTAC
• Equity schemes and scholarships

Date: Wednesday 12 August
Time: 7:00–8:00 pm
Cost: Free

Register here

Register for the Playbook for Success Beyond Year 12 Webinar Series

A reminder that registrations are still open for our free Playbook for Success Beyond Year 12 webinar series, delivered in partnership with Alana Kilmartin, founder of Unserious Careers.

The series includes dedicated sessions for Careers Practitioners, Year 12 students, and parents and carers, providing practical strategies, insights and resources to support successful transitions beyond school.

Upcoming Sessions

Year 12 Student Webinar – Tuesday 21 July, 5.00–6.00 pm Register here

Parent & Carer Webinar – Thursday 23 July, 6.00–7.00 pm Register here

Fees & Charges Policy

The Fees & Charges Policy has been updated. Please take the time to review the addendum to clause 2.10 and the additions of clauses 3.10 and 3.11.

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

LPFA Trivia Night & Online Auction – TICKETS ON SALE NOW

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!

SCAN QR CODE BELOW FOR

ONLINE AUCTION LINK TO START BIDDING!

Click Here to access live auction

The online auction will run alongside the event, giving everyone even more chances to support the cause and score something special.

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.

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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 community@loyola.vic.edu.au or 9433 0228.

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Working Bee – Saturday 8 August | 9.00am - 12.00pm

Members of our College community are warmly invited to join us for our Working Bee on Saturday 8 August from 9.00am to 12.00pm.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families while assisting with general grounds maintenance and light improvement projects around the College. Tasks will include; supporting the upkeep and enhancement of our outdoor spaces, refreshing key areas, and helping with small preparation activities that contribute to the smooth running of College services.

If you are able to assist, please contact Corrie via email lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au to register your attendance. We would love to see you there!

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Morning Tours 2026

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

Wednesday, 29 July Wednesday, 14 October
Wednesday, 26 August Tuesday 24 November
Wednesday, 16 September

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

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2026 Entertainment Memberships

Win a $5000 Entertainment Travel Voucher

From 1 June 5:00pm AEST to 30th June, when you purchase an Entertainment Membership you will receive an entry into the draw to win a $5000 Entertainment Travel Voucher. *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

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We hope you have had an amazing start to Term 3! We are the Program Directors at VCE Summer Tutoring Incorporated, a youth-led charity that aims to combat educational disadvantage in Victoria. We do this by providing an inclusive and high-quality education that equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their final years of high school. We want to invite your students to study with us over the 2027 summer break. This email is a little snapshot into what we offer.

What is our program?

The VCE Summer Tutoring program will run from 11 - 22 January 2027 at the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Connect precinct. VCEST students will participate in tutorials for each of their VCE subjects, skills development workshops and extracurricular activities, as well as gain insight into tertiary options after Year 12. We offer over 60 VCE subjects in both group and one-to-one settings, where students can receive personalised, tailored support to prepare them for their VCE journey.

To ensure the program is accessible to students who have experienced disadvantage, bursaries and travel subsidies can be made available to address the impact of financial circumstances.

Next Steps

We have attached an information brochure and promotional materials that you can distribute to your students and their caregivers. You can also direct them towards our website where they can find more information: https://vcesummertutoring.au/. We have also included a short announcement that you can distribute in any newsletters or communications to students and families:

“Prepare for the academic year and beyond with VCE Summer Tutoring! We deliver inclusive and valuable academic support to VCE students, no matter their background.

At our program from 11-22 January 2027, students can;

- Engage in academic classes and 1-1 tutoring from passionate tutors

- Join a community of like-minded students as they tackle fun activities

- Learn more about University study from supportive older peers

Students can apply at the link below before 1 October 2026, however we can consider applications beyond this deadline as well: https://forms.gle/obreVAoVAKdx....

Bursaries and travel subsidies are available to students who would otherwise be unable to access the program.

For more information

- Read our website: https://vcesummertutoring.au.

- Contact the Program Managers: program@vcesummertutoring.au

If you think any students entering Year 11 or 12 in 2027 would be interested, we would love it if you could share the details of the program with your Senior School team or VCE coordinator. We have attached an information brochure and promotional materials that they can distribute to your students and their caregivers. You can also direct them towards our website where they can find more information: https://vcesummertutoring.au/.

Timely student applications are open until 1 October, 2026, but we can also accommodate applications after this deadline. Applications to be a student at VCEST 2027 can be submitted here: https://forms.gle/obreVAoVAKdx...