Term Three is a critical period of the academic year, during which students begin their preparations for end-of-year assessments and examinations, select their subjects for the upcoming year, and participate in the appointment of student leaders for 2025.

Subject Selection Evening

It was so pleasing to see the large number of students with their parents at the recent Subject Selection evening. The MPAC theatre was full of people keen to hear about the subject selection process and the various options available. For the first time, the College invited various tertiary institutions to set up a stand in the theatre foyer. The foyer was abuzz with conversation as students engaged with the institutions, keen to hear about the courses they offer and the conditions of entry.

Following the subject selection session, Mrs Bosco facilitated a VTAC session outlining how students make their tertiary selections through the VTAC portal.

Understanding the requirements and future opportunities associated with different subjects allows parents to help their children make informed decisions. We were therefore thrilled to have so many parents in attendance.

I would like to thank Ms Kathryn Wilson (Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning), Ms Lisa Bosco (Head of Learning Pathways) and Ms Katie Freeman (Teaching & Learning Assistant) for their organisation of the evening.

Parent Teacher Interviews

This year, we have adopted a hybrid model for parent teacher interviews. Parents can engage face to face or online. The Semester One interviews were arranged slightly differently to the Semester Two interviews. Shortly, we will forward a survey to parents asking about their preferences. The results of the survey will inform our organisation of parent teacher nights 2025.

I thank the parents who supported these evenings, and I trust that you came away from the interviews with a greater understanding of how your child/children are performing in each subject and what you might be able to do to support them in their learning journey.

It was disappointing to see fewer appointments scheduled in Semester Two (in comparison to Semester One), particularly with Year 12 students and their parents. When parents and teachers work together, students tend to perform better academically. Teachers can gain valuable insights into a child’s needs and preferences through regular communication with parents. This allows for more personalized and effective teaching strategies. Parents are also better informed and understand how to support students in their learning.

I urge parents to prioritise this evening so that we can continue to build respectful working partnerships between parents and teachers.

Thank you once again to Ms Kathryn Wilson and Ms Katie Freeman for their organisation of this evening.

Student Leadership 2025

It is encouraging to see a significant number of Year 11 students submitting nominations for student leadership positions for 2025. The appointment process is currently in progress and is designed to be thorough, involving written applications, interviews and speeches, as well as voting by both students and staff. I wish all participants the best of luck throughout this process and eagerly anticipate the announcement of the College Committee later this term.

Cross Country

On Friday, August 16, a number of students participated in the ACS Cross Country event. I would like to extend my congratulations to the entire cross-country squad for their remarkable teamwork and support for one another. However, it is disappointing that several senior students did not participate on that day and did not communicate their absence to the College, which affected the entire team.

Thank you to Mrs Jacqueline Wade (Director of Sport) to her organisation of this event.

Applications for 2026

Applications for Year 7 for the 2026 academic year closed on Friday, August 16. I am pleased to report that our enrolment figures are robust. This is a testament to our exceptional facilities, highly qualified educators, customized curriculum, diverse co-curricular offerings, and, most importantly, our engaged community.

Right to Disconnect

A further reminder that on 26 August, Right to Disconnect legislation is being enacted. Under this legislation, Loyola College employees, teachers and support staff have a right to disconnect from communication devices outside working hours. This means that our employees are not obligated to monitor, read, or respond to emails outside of work hours. This means that you will not always get an immediate response.

Additionally, our policy requires that staff respond to parent communication within 48 hours.

We are committed to engaging in a respectful education partnership with parents, and I thank you for your understanding and support in complying with our legal obligations.