With only three weeks to go until the end of term, there is a wonderful sense of energy and purpose across the College as students and staff work towards completing their learning goals and preparing for the busy events that lie ahead.

Activities Week

Activities Week was a wonderful celebration of curiosity, challenge and community at our school. Throughout the week, students engaged in a wide range of experiences designed to build confidence, collaboration and a sense of adventure. Whether exploring new skills, participating in excursions or camps, or working with peers on creative projects, students demonstrated enthusiasm, resilience and a willingness to try something new.

A huge thank you to our staff for their planning, supervision and energy, and to our students for embracing every opportunity with such positivity. Activities Week continues to be a highlight on our calendar, reflecting the strong culture of engagement and connection across our school

House Masses

A big thank-you all the families who have attended the House Masses across our feeder parishes over the past weeks. It has been especially pleasing to see that almost 100% of our Year 7 students have been present to be formally presented and commissioned as students of the College.

These House Masses are a meaningful way for our community to gather, connect, and celebrate our shared faith tradition. The strong support from our families reflects the deep partnership between home, parish, and school, and affirms the importance we place on nurturing the spiritual life of our students.

We are sincerely grateful for your commitment and presence.

There are a number of masses remaining and I look forward to families joining us at the following times for mass and morning tea.

Sunday 15 March Mannix House Mass – St Damian’s (10.00am)

Sunday 22 March Acutis House Mass – Our Lady of the Way (9.00am)

Sunday 29 March Flynn House Mass – Sacred Heart (9am)

Sunday 29 March MacKillop House Mass – St Thomas (10.30am)

The Ricci Centre

The Ricci Centre is now officially up and running, with students already enjoying the new contemporary learning spaces.

The formal opening of the new building is scheduled for Term Two, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with our community.

Our Gardening Team is currently busy designing the surrounding landscaped areas. Parents who are available for the Twilight Working Bee this Friday, 13 March, are warmly invited to help plant out these new spaces and contribute to this exciting next stage of development.

Magis Art Collection

I would like to congratulate the students from the Visual Arts Faculty whose work has been selected for display in the Via Maxima for the duration of the 2026 school year as part of the Magis Art Collection.

In Ignatian tradition, Magis means “the more”, the call to strive for greater depth, creativity, and excellence in all that we do. This spirit of seeking the greater good is beautifully reflected in our Magis Art Collection, which showcases works that demonstrate curiosity, craftsmanship, imagination and the desire to go beyond what is expected.

Motor Neurone Disease – World Record Attempt

Families will be familiar with The Big Freeze, hosted by the AFL each year to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease. Loyola College has recently been invited by FightMND to participate in their official World Record Attempt for the largest simultaneous Ice Bucket Challenge, to be held on Wednesday 11 March at Xavier College.

Most of us know someone whose life has been affected by this devastating disease. While it is exciting to be involved in a world record attempt, it is even more important to pause and think of those living with MND.

Term One Assessments

Over the next few weeks, most students will be completing a range of assessments across their subjects, as we move into the final part of the term. This is an important time for students to demonstrate their learning, and a supportive routine at home can make a real difference. Parents can assist by helping students create a simple study plan, ensuring they have a quiet space to work, and encouraging regular breaks to maintain focus.

Students are encouraged to stay organised, ask teachers for clarification when needed, and begin revision early rather than leaving tasks to the last minute.

Maintaining healthy habits; sleep, nutrition, and limited screen distractions, also plays a key role in managing workload and reducing stress.

In closing, thank you to our staff, students and families for your continued support and engagement; together we finish the term with purpose, gratitude and a strong sense of community.

As we enter the third week of Lent, we find ourselves well and truly in the heart of this sacred season — a time marked by honesty, humility, and deep invitation. The early momentum of Ash Wednesday and the first days of our Lenten commitments has now settled into the steady rhythm of daily life. It is often at this point that the real spiritual work of Lent begins.

St Ignatius invites us, in the Spiritual Exercises, to notice the movements of the heart — the consolations that draw us closer to God’s life-giving presence and the desolations that pull us toward discouragement, distraction, or self-reliance. This midpoint of Lent is a perfect time to pause and ask: Where is my heart being drawn? What is God gently revealing to me through the ordinary moments of these weeks?

The Scriptures for this part of the Lenten journey consistently call us to conversion — not as a dramatic overhaul of life, but as a gradual softening of the heart. Jesus encounters people who are searching, questioning, or carrying burdens, and He responds not with judgment but with compassion and clarity.

For us as a school community, this week invites three movements:

1. A Call to Persistence

Lent is less about perfection and more about perseverance. If our Lenten promises have wavered, this is not failure — it is simple humanity. God meets us precisely in this space, inviting us to begin again with renewed openness.

2. A Call to Attention

We are invited to pay attention to the quiet ways God works through our relationships, responsibilities, and the unexpected encounters of our day. Lent encourages us to slow down enough to notice grace at work.

3. A Call to Compassion

As we grow in awareness, our hearts naturally widen to those around us. Our Lenten practices, especially almsgiving and acts of service, are not tasks but expressions of who we are becoming — people shaped by kindness, justice, and solidarity.

In an Ignatian school, Lent is not merely a personal journey; it is a communal one. When we support one another in reflection, prayer, and action, we become more authentically the body of Christ — a community striving to see the world with the eyes of Jesus and respond with the generosity of Ignatius.

As we move through this third week, may we each find the courage to remain open, the quiet to reflect deeply, and the grace to be transformed in ways both subtle and profound. And may our collective Lenten journey draw us closer to God and closer to one another.

May this week lead us gently toward Easter hope.

VCE Evening

Thank you to those parents and students who attended the VCE Evening on Thursday 26 February. The evening was a great opportunity to meet with our VCE parents and provide an overview of VCE procedures for 2026.

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN

Please note that NAPLAN will now take place in the LCH week beginning 9 March. Further details will be available nearer the time.

Dates are:

• Wednesday 11 March: Writing

• Thursday 12 March: Reading

• Friday 13 March: Language Conventions

• Monday 16 March: Numeracy

• Tuesday 17 March: Catch up Session

Session times:

• Year 7: Period 1 each day

• Year 9: Period 3 each day

Location: LCH

Please contact wilsonk@loyola.vic.edu.au if you have any questions or concerns

Assessment & Reporting Codes

As many students begin or in the midst of assessments, I would like to remind and inform new parents of the assessment guidelines and codes used at the College. The aim off this is to provide clarity and consistency across subjects, making it easier for both parents and students to track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Please find below detailed information about the new reporting and assessment codes, including examples and case studies of how they could be used in practice.

Y7-10 students (except for VCE RE in Year 10)

There are 3 possible codes:

1. % grade: This is awarded to the assessment piece according to the school’s grade descriptors.

2. Ex – Exempt: No Penalty 

• Approved non-submission (illness with Medical Certificate, Pharmacy Certificates and Statutory Declarations provided to the teacher.) 

• School sanctioned events 

• Compassionate grounds as approved by any of the following: 

o Head of House 

o Head of Learning 

o Director Student

o Director of Learning

o Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning 

o Deputy Principal - Students 

o Head of Student Services 

3. 0%: 

• Not submitted (not handed in) 

• Late submission 

• Plagiarism (including AI) 

• Absent with no medical evidence from parent or student to teacher prior to or day of assessment. 

• Holidays during term time

Students will have the opportunity to redeem in the case of below 49%, however the redeemed grade will be recorded in comments on the LMS. The original % remains.

Foster Resilience (Part I)

In recognition of our school’s commitment to youth wellbeing through its partnership with SchoolTV, we are pleased to invite parents, carers, grandparents, school leaders and staff to attend an exclusive webinar supporting both primary and secondary students.

WEBINAR: Understanding Anxiety and Depression to Foster Resilience (Part I)
DATE: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
TIME: 7:30 pm

This presentation forms part of a broader webinar series designed to strengthen mental health literacy across school communities.

Join international experts Dr Emma Woodward and Dr Joe Stammeijer as they share valuable insights into recognising early signs of concern and practical approaches to supporting the wellbeing of young people.

Topics in this session will include:

• Understanding Anxiety and Depression
• Recognising Early Signs
• Supporting Neurodivergent Children

Participants can register by scanning the QR code featured on the promotional material.

We look forward to your community joining us for what promises to be an insightful and engaging session.

From the SchoolTV Team

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

For those who aren’t yet aware of us, we are Ethan and Mia and together we are the Xavier Captains.

So far, the first 5 weeks for Xavier House have been filled with activities and events. First off was the summer reading challenge where we managed to clench the cup with only one point over Acutis House. With a final score of 100 books logged, thanks to the many Xavier students who kept persisting to logs those books.

Then, the next major House event was the Swimming Carnaval. Where all the Xavier students who participated work extremely hard to fill almost every single event and challenge for first place all through the day. We did manage to claim 3rd place and are grateful for all the hard work in pool from every single student.

With activities week now having begun, it’s time for many students to get the break which is much needed to prepare for the final leg of term one. With the House Eisteddfod slowly creeping up, rehearsals are becoming more focused to make sure the final show goes smoothly.

Upcoming in Term 3 we have the athletics carnival which we are super excited to get the whole school together.

We hope everyone is ready to take this journey with us in the year of 2026, making it a year to remember, one that we will look back at and acknowledge how amazing it was.

Ethan & Mia - Xavier Captains

Our student of the week is Rory Hutchinson.

Rory has shown dedication to the House by participating in all our events so far including, auditioning for one of our House eisteddfods leads and the swimming carnival where he participated in a multitude of events and had many great outcomes. We cannot wait to see what Rory continues to bring to the House in the future.

MACS Family Survey – Have Your Say

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) invites current families to take part in a short online survey about school choice and their experience as a MACS family.

The survey explores what influences families’ choice of Catholic education, what supports satisfaction and belonging, and what matters most at different stages of schooling. The findings will help inform future planning across the MACS system.

🕒 Takes 10–15 minutes
🛡️ Responses are confidential

🎁 A chance to win one of five $100 eGift Cards

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACSFAMILY

Your voice matters. By sharing your experience, you are helping shape the future of Catholic education for current and future families.

Prize draw terms and conditions:
https://www.edified.com.au/post/macs-parent-survey-prize-draw

Lent Retreat for Youth

I would love to invite you to our Lenten Retreat:

Saturday, 28 March 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Loyola College, Old Loyola Building

As we enter this holy season of Lent, we hope to walk with you and support your spiritual journey in a meaningful way.

If you would like to join us, please email me so we can send you the Consent to Go form llanton@loyola.vic.edu.au.

Year 7 Alpha

We are calling on leaders who lift others up and bring courage into Loyola College.

If you’re brave, bold, and ready to make a difference, join us every Friday at lunchtime in OL017 (Old Loyola Building).

If leadership isn’t your thing yet, you’re still encouraged to be an Alpha member — your presence makes a big difference.

Hands up, Alpha — your moment starts now! Your attendance will also count toward your extracurricular points.

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.

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

Twilight Working Bee – Friday 13 March | 4.00pm–7.00pm

Members of our College community are warmly invited to join us for our first Twilight Working Bee for 2026 on Friday 13 March from 4.00pm to 7.00pm.

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.

Dinner will be served at approximately 6.15pm as a thank you to our volunteers.

If you are able to assist, we ask you to please via email lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au to assist us with catering. We would love to see you there!

Good As New Uniform Sale – Friday 13 March

The Loyola Parents & Friends Association will be hosting a Good As New Uniform Sale during our Twilight Working Bee on Friday 13 March (4.00pm–7.00pm) at the Two Wolves Hub.

This is a wonderful opportunity for families to purchase quality second-hand uniform items at affordable prices. Stock will include a selection of styles and sizes; however, availability is limited, so we encourage you to come along and see what’s on offer.

The sale will run throughout the Working Bee, making it convenient for families who are volunteering or on site for the afternoon.

Year 7 Family Get Together

The LPFA once again look forward to welcoming all Year 7 families to a fun filled Year 7 Family Get Together. This is a great opportunity to meet other Loyola families. Both students (siblings included) and parents are welcome to attend.

WHEN: - Friday March 20
TIME: 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm
WHERE: Loyola Companions Hall

Bookings are essential at www.loyola.vic.edu.au/tickets

Tickets $15 per family of 4 (additional family members $5 per person) – includes pizza and ice-cream, games and entertainment (free entry to door prize draw and raffle tickets available for sale on the night.

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!

Presentation Balls 2026

Year 11 Parents & Students are invited to attend a Parent Information Evening for the 2026 Presentation Ball.

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the event, including expectations, key dates, costs, rehearsal commitments, and the registration process. It will also offer families the opportunity to ask questions and determine whether participation is the right fit for you. All students considering involvement are encouraged to attend with at least one parent or guardian.

Date: Monday, 30 March
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Magis Performing Arts Centre

Information Evening Registration

To assist with planning, please register your attendance via the link below by Friday 27th March 2026: Registration Link: https://events.humanitix.com/loyola-presentation-ball-2026-information-night

The Presentation Ball Committee looks forward to sharing more about this special event and hope to see you there.

2026 House Masses

We warmly invite our students and their families to their respective House Mass, to be celebrated during Term One. As part of a Catholic community, these liturgical events offer an opportunity for students to celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist, be formed in faith, connect with Parish, and in many cases, revisit their primary schools.

Parish Priests will bless our new Year 7 students and their senior Mentor buddies as they embark on their academic journeys at Loyola in 2026. It is therefore compulsory that Year 7 students and their Senior Buddies are present at these Masses; however students and families from all year levels are welcome. A morning tea will be shared at the conclusion of each mass, and we kindly ask that you bring a plate to share.

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.

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 Monica Agius at 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

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

For Your Calendar: