Annual Community Christmas Celebration

As we approach the end of the school year, a number of final events have come to the fore. On Friday, 28 November, we celebrated our annual Christmas Market, followed by our Carols evening.

A huge thank you to the Loyola Parents and Friends Association for their outstanding organisation of the market and the surrounding food trucks. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for members of our community to share a meal, enjoy conversation, and purchase some Christmas gifts.

The evening continued with our Carols performance, where over 100 students took to the stage in front of a packed theatre. It was a joyful celebration of the incredible talents of our students. The audience joined in enthusiastically, singing carols with heart, and the spirit of Christmas was truly palpable in the room.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Head of Music, Mrs Jennifer Taylor, and Head of Performing Arts, Mr Matthew Thomas, for their exceptional work in preparing the singers and musicians. They were supported by a wide range of instrumental tutors and music classroom teachers, who added to the festive cheer by donning Christmas hats and joining in the fun.

Logistics and management of the entire evening were expertly handled by Mr Matthew Luczek, Director of College and Community Engagement, and his assistant Mrs Monica Agius. Planning for this event commenced early in the year, and they truly go above and beyond to ensure that we build strong community connections for the benefit of our students and their families. Our community is blessed to have such dedicated staff who give generously of their time and talents.

Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA) 2026

On Wednesday 12 November, the LPFA held their Annual General Meeting.

I would like to congratulate the following people who have taken on offices within this group for 2026:

President Loretta Baker

Vice – President Lisa Grant

Secretary Dianna Alonso

Treasurer Des Mavridis

Working Bee Coordinator Brendan Carroll & Dean Van Campfort

Loyola College Alumni Association

Congratulations to Rebecca Andonovski and Michael O’Keeffe who have taken on the role of Co- President for 2026. We look forward to more creatively engaging our alumni.

Our alumni are an invaluable part of the Loyola community. By fostering meaningful connections with past students, we create opportunities that enrich the educational experience for current learners and strengthen the fabric of our school. Alumni bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and networks that can inspire and guide our students as they prepare for life beyond school. Through events, mentoring programs, and collaborative initiatives, we aim to celebrate their achievements, share their stories, and invite them to contribute to the ongoing success of our college. Together, we build a legacy of excellence and community that benefits generations to come.

The Alumnly Past Students Network provides a platform for alumni to strengthen bonds and create a vibrant Loyola alumni community. At Loyola, we are trying to nurture lifelong engagement by facilitating meaningful connections among their past students.

Past students can join this network through the link below:

https://loyolacollege.alumnly.com/

Awards Evening

This coming Friday we celebrate the gifts and talents of our students at the Annual Awards evening. Our Awards Evening celebrates the pursuit of Magis, that is, human excellence. In the Ignatian tradition, Magis means striving for “more” – not in quantity, but in depth and purpose, seeking the greater good. Human excellence is about developing the whole person, academically, spiritually, and socially, to live with integrity and serve others.

This Awards Evening honours those who go beyond expectations, embodying these values in all they do.

End of Year Examinations (Year 8 & 9)

The dates for all examinations can be found below. Letters have been issued to parents

• Year 9: 2 – 4 December

• Year 8: 3 – 4 December

Attendance

Students who fail to attend an exam and cannot show a medical certificate will receive 0%. This includes students on holiday. Students with a medical certificate will receive exemption.

If a student misses an examination, they are welcome to collect the relevant examination from Ms Freeman (O127) after the examination window.  Whilst staff are not required to mark the exam, they will provide feedback if requested by the student.

Dress Code

All students must attend examinations in full summer uniform (including wearing the school blazer).

Students not in full school uniform will not be allowed in the examination and will be directed to go to the iCentre to complete revision.  These students will then be required to complete any examinations they have missed on 5 December at 1:30pm.  Failure to attend this session will result in 0%.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones and/or smart devices are not permitted in an exam room. If a student has a mobile phone or electronic digital device on their person in the exam, it will be removed from the student, and a 0% recorded.

Equipment:

Water bottles and pencil cases must be clear.

Calculator (Maths & Science)

• Ruler
• Pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Eraser
• Pencil Sharpener

Orientation

Orientation is now well underway, and we hope our students are starting to get a feel for their VCE subjects. There will be an opportunity for students to request any subject changes through Mrs Bosco on the last day of term following Orientation.

Booklist Provider

As already mentioned in a previous Ignatian edition and subject confirmation letters, the College will continue to use Box of Books as our booklist provider.

Parents are able to recycle physical books from siblings or purchase second hand physical books (as long as the book has not changed). As part of the College’s eBook levy, Year 7-9 students will automatically receive digital resources for Maths, Science, Humanities and RE and hard copies for English.

Awards Evening

Our annual Awards Evening will be held on Friday 5 December 7pm in the Loyola Companions Hall.

Together with our local parishes, Loyola College Watsonia invites families and students to be part of the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIC) Sacramental Program—a shared journey of faith and community. In conjunction with local parishes, the program helps prepare participants to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

At Loyola College, we warmly embrace each student’s unique faith journey. Some may have already been baptised but are yet to receive other sacraments, while others may be exploring the Catholic faith for the first time, preparing for Baptism and the sacraments of initiation.

To support this important step in the student’s faith journey, Loyola College offers the RCIC Sacramental Program, with sessions thoughtfully designed to fit into once-a-week time available online or in person during lunchtime.

In 2025, three candidates from Loyola College—Mia Vassallo, Mia Farrell, and Nathanael Oracz—completed the sacraments of Initiation during the Solemnity of Christ the King on 23 November at Sacred Heart Parish. The sacrament of Confirmation, the seal of the Holy Spirit, was conferred by Father Steven Rigo, who presided with reverence and grace. Under the spiritual guidance of Sister Nelia, these candidates devoted themselves to reflecting on the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, preparing to enter fully into communion with the Catholic Church.

Following careful preparation, influenced by their parents and guided by the Holy Spirit, the three students joyfully celebrated the sacraments with their families, sponsors, and the supportive parish community and friends. These made a promise to accompany the candidates on their spiritual journey. As they received the sacraments of Confirmation and the Eucharist, the three young people were reminded of their commitment to embody the values of the Gospel, to love and serve others, and to foster their relationship with God.

It was a moment for the Parish and Loyola College community to unite in a celebration of faith, hope, and love, nurturing a profound connection that would continue to thrive. The event was also graced by the presence and support of the College Principal, Ms Alison Leutchford, and the Deputy Principal, Mr Adam Calderone.

Loyola College is dedicated to fostering the spiritual development of its students and providing thoughtful, compassionate support for each person's faith journey. As the program evolves, it unites families and communities, reinforcing fellowship and creating a rich tapestry of faith that enhances the lives of everyone involved.

I am excited to announce that the partnership between Loyola College and the professional basketball club Melbourne United will continue into 2026, with new and exciting opportunities for students to be involved in the works.

Recently, the Loyola College Basketball Academy was featured in an article on the Melbourne United website. The article celebrates the partnership to date, highlighting some of the fantastic student experiences in 2025. I would like to congratulate and thank Grace Seymour (9MJLI) and Charlie Shugg (9FJJM) for their contributions to the article.

To read the full article, please click here: United delivering excellence alongside Loyola College

For any enquiries related to the Loyola College Basketball academy, please email: basketball@loyola.vic.edu.au

Fond farewell from me

This is my final ICT News before stepping down from my role as Director of ICT.

I thought to leave you with two of my poems, the first about cyber safety:

Suspicious Malicious

Discernment is an Ignatian trait

It can save you from ICT shock

Personalised emails are designed to bait

Via links to a Trojan doc

At first glance they might seem ‘dinkum

Salutation et al all looks fair

But click that link and the travails begin

‘Hello’ key logging ransomware!

As always:

Report criminal communications to the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Report suspicious communications, particularly in relation to abuse, bullying and child safety to the Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner.

For my second poem, I recall looking eastward over our glorious Loyola grounds one Spring morning when my office was up in Old Loyola on the second floor. The sun had just broken over the distant Dandenong Ranges, when I was distracted from my work by cockatoo cacophony over at the flagpoles. Crazy birds were hanging upside down on the school flags like unruly circus act wannabees, as if training for the bird brain Olympics!

Garrulous Cockatoos

A flapping flurry of sulphur and white

Garrulous cockatoos in frivolous flight

Squawking and screeching through crisp morning air

Stifling sweet slumber with acrid blare

Like young people, these playful, carefree creatures relished testing their courage against their curiosity – a sign of intelligence!

Providing a nurturing learning environment where the boundaries of knowledge and experience can be tested in a safe space is one of the challenges for any school ICT Department.

At Loyola College, it has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve you, our community, for the past 17 years. This experience has been made possible by supportive leadership, camaraderie amongst colleagues, parents/guardians striving in partnership with the school to enable optimal outcomes for each child and, of course, our wonderful students who have entrusted us to help them spread their wings – and fly!

Thank you for the memories.

Appreciations and Acknowledgements

Parent Volunteers

As the year draws to a close, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the many parent volunteers who generously share their time and talents to support our College community.

Whether it’s through involvement in the Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA), the Partnership With Parents (PWP) program, sorting uniforms, preparing folders for promotional events, or countless other contributions, our volunteers make a lasting impact on our students, staff, and families.

Your efforts help to create a vibrant, welcoming, and collaborative environment that reflects the values of Justice, Mercy, and Faith. Through your hard work and dedication, you not only support our events and initiatives but also help strengthen the spirit of community that makes our College truly special.

Wishing all families a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy start to 2026.

Local Business Support

Thank you to the following businesses who so generously supported the Loyola Parents and Friends Association throughout 2025. These local businesses kindly donated prizes and vouchers which were used for the online auction, raffles, and prizes for the Trivia and Games Night and Community Christmas Market & Carols events. Loyola College is fortunate to have the support of the local community in our fundraising activities. Thank you also to wonderful team of LPFA volunteers who spent countless hours sourcing and preparing the donations in preparation for various events.

2025 Entertainment Memberships

Entertainment is turning Black Friday into Solid Gold.

For a limited time, your supporters can buy one Entertainment Membership and GIFT one free.

Includes FREE Multi City upgrade for both.

Hurry, the biggest Entertainment Membership deal of the year drops this Monday 24 November at 5pm AEDT / 7pm NZDT and ends Monday 1st December 2025 at 5pm AEDT / 7pm NZDT

*Terms & Conditions Apply. Please visit www.entertainment.com.au/promotions to view.

Please click HERE to purchase your Membership

Entertainment Memberships really do help us help each other – you save on the things you love, and we continue to support our community with the funds raised.

Vinnies Wishing Trees

With the end of November approaching, and deep into the Advent Term at the College, we are invited to think of those less fortunate in our local community in the north-eastern suburbs. We are collecting new toys for children of all ages through the Vinnies Wishing Trees appeal, where families can donate gifts this Christmas season. Vinnies collect them on our behalf and distribute them to kids who would ordinarily go without presents at Christmas.

Students can leave toys and gifts (wrapped or unwrapped) under the Wishing Trees at each Head of House office.

We once again thank you for your continued support of this worthwhile cause. Click Here to View Vinnies Wishing Tree

Banyule City Council is proud to be hosting the 2025 Carols by Candlelight event at Greensborough War Memorial Park, Henry Street Greensborough on Saturday 13 December from 5pm-9.15pm.

Bring along a picnic or visit the onsite food trucks and join in the fun with your very own LED candle and songbook to keep and sing along with!

Food trucks will operate from 5pm and there will be free craft workshops, face painting, Santa photos and heaps of parking on Henry Street opposite Woolies.

https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/Carols

Looking to attend upcoming Melbourne United home games? Through our partnership with Melbourne United, Loyola students and families have access to the exclusive discount code ‘UNITED26092’ for 15% off all tickets. This code is valid for all regular season games at John Cain arena throughout the 2025-26 NBL season.

We’re reaching out from Stage School Australia, a performing arts school for young people aged 4-18 years. We offer singing, dancing, and drama classes 25+ venues across Melbourne, helping students build confidence, communication skills, and creativity.