As we reach the end of another term, it is an important time to pause—not only to celebrate our achievements, but also to reflect on the challenges we have faced and the many things we can be proud of.

Our three qualifiers for the International Standards Olympiad, Isaac Schembri (8/AAAM), Sebastian Parisella(8/FJDS) and Noah King Barrabas (8/FHPL), have been preparing well for the forthcoming competition. This week they received their team t-shirts.

The boys carry the hopes of our entire community. We are so proud of their work and what they have achieved to date.

Our squad for the JACSA Girls’ Sport Carnival has been training diligently and will compete across the first three days of the holidays. This year, Loyola is hosting the event, and families are warmly invited to come along and support the girls as they take on St Ignatius Adelaide in AFL, soccer, netball and volleyball.

We wish our Loyola team every success and look forward to seeing their hard work and team spirit on and off the field.

We also wish our JACSA Debating team well as they travel to Sydney to compete in the annual debating carnival. Debating is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop confidence, critical thinking and the ability to articulate their ideas with clarity and respect.

We are proud of their commitment and preparation and wish them every success as they represent Loyola.

Very sadly, one of our Year 7 students, Winter Borres (7/MSBR), was involved in a serious accident on Grimshaw Street on Thursday 25 June. We are pleased to report that she is recovering well and remains in good spirits while receiving care at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Winter’s strength and positivity have been truly uplifting, and we hope to see her return to school in the new term. As a community, we continue to keep Winter and her family in our thoughts and prayers, and we wish her a gentle and full recovery.

This has been a challenging term for our community, particularly with the passing of Sammuel Maddela. During this difficult time, we have also witnessed the strength and compassion that exists within our school, as students, staff and families have supported one another with care and kindness.

As your family moves into the holiday period and routines change, you may notice your child experiencing moments of sadness or reflection. This is a natural response to loss, and it is important that they feel supported. We encourage you to check-in with your child, listen openly, and remind them that it is okay to talk about how they are feeling.

We hope that part of Sammie’s legacy will be a continued commitment in our community to looking after one another. Reaching out for support, whether from family, friends or professional services, is an important step in caring for wellbeing.

A webinar is being provided for parents at 5pm on Wednesday 30 June on how parents can support their children through grief and loss. A flyer containing more information can be found later in this Ignatian.

Should parents need support of the school holiday period, the following contacts may be useful.

• Lifeline - 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (24/7)

• Griefline - 1300 845 745 or www.griefline.org.au (support for people experiencing grief and loss)

• Headspace - 1800 650 890 or www.headspace.org.au

• Emergency Services - 000 (if you or someone else is in immediate danger)

As we conclude the term, I wish all members of our community a safe, happy and restful holiday. May this time provide an opportunity to recharge and enjoy time with family and friends. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of the new term.

Walking with Purpose: Living the Ignatian Call through the Walk for Others

As we approach St Ignatius Day, our community at Loyola College is once again invited into one of the most powerful expressions of our shared identity: the Walk for Others. More than a tradition, this day is a profound embodiment of our Ignatian charism — a lived commitment to solidarity, service, and the formation of people for and with others.

At the heart of Ignatian spirituality lies a deep attentiveness to the needs of the world. St Ignatius of Loyola calls us to be contemplatives in action — people who not only recognise injustice and suffering, but who respond with courage, generosity, and love. The Walk for Others offers our students a tangible way to step into this mission. Each step taken, each dollar raised, becomes an act of solidarity with those who are often pushed to the margins.

Our House system plays a vital role in bringing to life this mission. Each House charity represents a real community, a real need, and a real opportunity for transformation. Through the enthusiasm and commitment of our students, fundraising becomes more than an activity — it becomes a relationship. It invites us to move beyond abstract compassion into meaningful accompaniment.

Fundraising for the Walk for Others is therefore not simply about meeting targets or totals. It is about forming hearts. It is about educating our young people in empathy, generosity, and responsibility. When our students engage creatively and passionately in raising funds, they begin to understand that their actions have impact — that they can contribute to the dignity and flourishing of others.

This is deeply aligned with the Ignatian principle of cura personalis — care for the whole person. As a Jesuit companion school, we are committed to nurturing not only the intellectual growth of our students, but also their moral and spiritual development. Through experiences like the Walk for Others, students encounter the call to live beyond themselves, to recognise Christ in others, and to act accordingly.

St Ignatius reminds us that love ought to show itself more in deeds than in words. The Walk for Others is precisely this — love in action. It is an opportunity for our community to come together in joy, in movement, and in purpose, united by a shared desire to make a difference.

I encourage all members of our Loyola community — students, families, and staff — to embrace this day with generosity and intention. Support your House, engage in fundraising efforts, and reflect on the deeper meaning of what we are doing. In doing so, we not only honour the legacy of St Ignatius, but we continue to shape a community committed to justice, compassion, and hope.

Please speak with your children about their fundraising efforts and how you can sponsor their walk on their personal Raisely fundraising profile for their respective House charities.

May our steps on St Ignatius Day be more than a walk — may they be a witness to the kind of world we are called to build.

Term 3 – looking ahead

Term 3 will be an extremely busy term, including:

• Semester One reports issued to Parents

• Student Pathways Evening 2027: VCE and VCE VM: 28 July 2026

• Parent Teacher Interviews: 5 & 6 August

• Trial Exams: first 3 days of the Term 3 holidays

Application for Accelerated Subjects in 2027

In Term Three our Year 9 and 10 students will be considering their Year 10 and Year 11 subjects for next year. Please find details below:

Current Year 9 2026

A number of students may wish to complete a Unit 1/2 Subject (Year 11 subject) in 2027.

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. English will be one of the subjects in which the student needs to demonstrate a consistently high level of academic ability.

Stages of the Acceleration Process

1. 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 must be English) (75% for Enhanced / CLIL students) 

2. Completion of Application Form   

3. Completion of VCE Ready Test

4. Invitation for an interview with 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.

Current Accelerated Year 10 2026

An invitational letter, from the Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning, will be sent out to students currently studying an accelerated Unit 1/2 subject. Acceptance for Unit 3/4 is not automatic. Letters will be sent to students who have been able to sustain a high level of academic ability and meet the demands of the accelerated Unit 1/2 Units. 

The subject selection process takes place in Term Three for all of our students and once again students will be asked to complete their subject choices online, with your guidance. 

Vocational Process in 2026: Pre-V (Year 10) and VCE VM (Year 11)

As students consider their future pathways, they may feel that a vocational curriculum (Pre-V and VCE VM) is more suited to their needs. That may be in terms of the curriculum areas offered or simply a vocational approach best suits their learning needs.

Please find below brief outline of the two Programs.

Current Year 9 2026 – (Pre-V in Year 10 2027)

The Pre-V Program at Loyola is designed to provide students with valuable exposure and practical experience in various vocational fields. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge required to make informed career choices and excel in their chosen fields.

Current Year 10 2026 – (VCE VM in Year 11 2027)

Students already enrolled on the current Pre-V course will automatically continue their vocational studies into Year 11 and Year 12. There is the opportunity, however for students in Year 10 to join the VCE VM Program in 2027.

Student enrolment for both Vocational Programs is by invitation only and recommendations are made following careful consideration and review of the academic record, skills and interests of the students, alongside conversations with staff. For those students who do not receive a letter of invite, parents / guardians are welcome to contact Mr Langford (Head of VCE VM) or Miss Wilson if they feel a vocational program will suit the learning needs of their child.

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

We are your 2026 Flynn House Captains Samuel and Annabelle!

As we approach the end of semester one, we want to reflect on what the year has looked like for Flynn House. Our year started with all the senior buddies welcoming their year 7 buddy to Flynn and taking them around the school to complete a scavenger hunt, getting them ready for the years to come with tricks about homework and schooling. We showed them how to step out of their comfort zones, and to try new things. That being either a new subject they have never studied or meeting new people in other Houses and strengthening their current friendships.

Then, we got the ball rolling on the first big House event with Eisteddfod. This year we put on a 10-minute amazing rendition of the movie Barbie. We came 4th, but as captains we were so proud of the hard work that every student put in. We also had the swimming carnival where we came in 2nd, and again was astonished with how hard everybody tried, and seeing every student have a go. Seeing the undying support of the Flynn House community has given us so much joy, as one of our goals as captains this year was to build up this community even further.

With the heartbreaking news of the passing of Samuel Madella, we saw the endless support that our students gave to one another. As a House we gathered to honour our patriot John Flynn, which gave us time to reflect and to remember Samuel Madella.

Keeping in mind the recent events and wanting to continue our drive to support our charity, we came together as House with hosting the famous annual Flynn House bake sale. As leaders, we were speechless for the overwhelming support that our amazing families provided us to raise money for Jarjum school in Sydney. We have had a record-breaking amount of money raised for such an amazing cause. Now, we are onto raising even more money for Jarjum with our St Ignatius Day Walk for Others fundraising currently underway.

Now we cannot reflect on our amazing community without mentioning the most wonderful Head of House Ms Toli. She has given us her unconditional support during these challenging times. As students in this House, we have seen first-hand the positive difference that she has had on each and every member of Flynn House.

We look forward to what the rest of the year has install for us as a community.

                                       Annabelle Bezkorowajnij (12/FJPV) & Samuel Black (FRCH)

For our student of the fortnight, we would like to give a shoutout to Lachlan O’Dowd from year 10. As a captain he has shined, even though with his amazing commitment to the school musical as the lead, Jack Kelly.

Lachlan has brought such a wonderous energy to the Flynn House leadership team as, well as the broader house community. As a team we would like to thank you for all your hard work you have put forward this year and cannot wait to see you shine on stage.

                                                                                  Lachlan O'Dowd (10/FFCH)

'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.

Steven Patman
Sports Co-ordinator
2025 - Present

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

I started here at Loyola College in April, 2025. My role at the school involves co-ordinating and running ACS Sport Days and supporting various aspects of our Sports Program. Anything from booking transport, umpires, venues and making sure our students have all the correct uniform and equipment for their sport. I also assist in running all our School Carnival days which include Swimming, Athletics and Cross-Country.

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

No two days feel the same for me in this role, which is one of the things I love most. A typical day in the life though is making sure our students have everything they need to participate in their respective sports program at a high level. Making sure transport is booked and on time, safety equipment and uniforms are prepared and then managing fixtures and results on the back-end of every game/round that is played

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

Multiple aspects of my job. The people I work with, watching teams succeed in their respective sports and being apart of the Loyola community and what that has to offer.

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

Lebron James. I'm a massive fan of the NBA and so to have dinner with someone who has been around the game for so long, and done everything that the game has to offer - I think would be pretty cool.

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

I used to be in a high level football umpire. I was apart of the development squad with the VFL Umping department.

Following an outstanding performance at the VSSC Qualifier days, Loyola Basketball continued to make its mark at the State Finals, with both the U15 and U20 Division 1 Girls teams earning their place among the strongest school programs in Victoria.

The U15 Girls, who stepped onto the State Finals stage after winning their qualifier day, displayed impressive growth and maturity across their five group games. Competing with enthusiasm and determination, the team embraced the challenge of high-level competition and finished with a highly commendable 5th place finish in the state.

The U20 Girls, entering the tournament on the back of a runner-up finish at the qualifiers, once again demonstrated their composure and class. Facing elite opposition throughout the competition, they rose to the challenge across their three group matches to secure a place in the semi-finals. There, they met a familiar opponent in SEDA Parkville, who proved too strong both at the qualifier day and again in the semi-final. The girls responded admirably, ultimately securing an outstanding 3rd place finish in the state.

These results not only celebrate the success of both teams but also highlight the continued growth of Loyola Basketball. The experience gained at State Finals level will be invaluable as players continue to develop their skills and understanding of the game. Congratulations to both teams on their excellent achievements and for representing Loyola with pride.

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.

LPFA Trivia Night & Online Auction – Save the Date!

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 on sale from 7:00pm on Monday, 22 June. Gather your friends and build your ultimate trivia team!

An online auction will run alongside the event, giving everyone even more chances to support the cause and score something special. More details coming soon.

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.

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.

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.

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