Welcome back to Term Four.

I hope that students and their families took some time to rest and reconnect during the recent school holidays.

This week, we held several events designed to celebrate and recognise the contributions of our Year 12 students. On Wednesday, October 16, we held a House Assembly to bid farewell to our students, followed by a twilight barbecue and activities in the Two Wolves Hub. Today (Friday, 18 October) we held our final College Assembly to formally farewell these students - followed by our annual Graduation Mass and Dinner.

As their time with us draws to a close, we extend our heartfelt farewell to our Year 12 students. Their journey at the College has been one of challenges, personal growth, and lasting memories. We are immensely proud of each student for their dedication, resilience, and hard work.

We wish them every success in their future endeavours. May they continue to strive for excellence, pursue their passions, and make a positive impact in the world. It is important to remember that they will always be a cherished part of our school community.

Congratulations to all our Class of 2024, and we wish them the best of luck in their future pursuits.

2024 Presentation Balls

On Monday, 23 September and Tuesday, 24 September, a number of Year 11 students participated in the annual Presentation Ball. The students showcased their talents beautifully, and a delightful evening was enjoyed by families, staff, and students alike. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Presentation Ball committee for their hard work and exceptional organization. This event would not have been possible without the dedication of these remarkable parents. These balls are yet another testament to the strength of the Loyola community.

Term Four and Learning

As we approach Term Four, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of this concluding phase of the academic year. This term is not solely focused on completing the curriculum; it is also a critical period for finishing assessments and preparing for examinations.

Throughout the year, students have gathered an extensive body of knowledge. Term Four presents an opportunity to consolidate this information and ensure a comprehensive understanding of all the concepts covered. Building a solid foundation at this stage will be invaluable for the upcoming exams. While exams can be challenging, effective preparation can significantly reduce stress. We encourage students to begin their studies early, develop a study schedule, and adhere to it. Consistent revision and practice can enhance both confidence and performance.

Assessments play a vital role in determining students' final grades. By dedicating time and effort to these tasks, students can optimize their scores. It is crucial for students to recognize that assessments often encompass a wide range of topics, providing an excellent opportunity to review and reinforce their understanding.

Parents can play a crucial role in supporting their children during Term Four by creating a positive study environment and encouraging a consistent study routine. Providing emotional support is equally important, as this term can be particularly stressful for students. Parents should monitor their child’s progress, celebrate achievements, and promote healthy habits such as adequate sleep, nutritious meals, and regular physical activity. Additionally, maintaining open communication with teachers and being available to help with homework can make a significant difference. By fostering a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, parents can help their children navigate the challenges of Term Four and finish the school year successfully.

World Mission Sunday - Sunday, 20 October

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” – Luke 4:18-19

Catholic Mission is the international mission agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. Locally and globally, they answer the call to love God and to love our neighbour, and work to establish the Reign of God through building communities of missionary disciples who share their faith by proclaiming the Word, serving people in need, acting for justice and creation, and adopting child-focused, community-based development programs. Catholic Mission operates in over 160 countries to support initiatives in 1,100 dioceses under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Through the Home Mission Fund they support the church in remote Australia and in service of Indigenous communities. Grassroots needs are identified by local Catholics, to give people the opportunity for a full, enriched life—physically and spiritually—regardless of race, stigma, religion or gender.

Click Here for our World Mission Sunday Prayer

Class of 2024 - A Reflection

As we approach the end of the academic year for our Year 12s and they get ready for their final examinations, we take a moment to celebrate and honour the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2024. This cohort of students has not only excelled academically but has also embodied the values and spirit of St. Ignatius.

At the heart of Ignatian spirituality is the call to be “people for and with others”, a call that our students have embraced throughout their time at the College. The Class of 2024 has lived out this charism in their commitment to service, leadership, and justice. Whether through involvement in social justice initiatives, leading various school projects, or showing compassion in everyday interactions, these students have truly become agents of positive change in their community.

St. Ignatius taught us the importance of seeking God in all things, and our graduates have shown an unwavering ability to reflect on their lives with gratitude and purpose. From their participation in Reflection Days to their deep engagement with the Ignatian Examen, the Year 12s have consistently sought personal growth, striving to discern how they can contribute to the world around them in meaningful ways. This reflective mindset has been central to their ability to lead with integrity and make decisions grounded in faith and compassion.

In the spirit of Ignatius’ Magis, the desire to always seek the “more” or the greater good, our graduates have pursued excellence not only for themselves but for the greater glory of God. Their achievements in academics, the arts, co-curriculum and sports have been exceptional, but it is their commitment to always striving for personal improvement and working for the common good that truly sets them apart. They have shown resilience, perseverance, and creativity, rising above challenges with grace and determination.

As we send this cohort into the next chapter of their lives, we do so with great pride and hope. Their journey through Loyola College has equipped them not only with the skills and knowledge for future success but, more importantly, with a foundation rooted in the values of faith, service, and justice. Like St. Ignatius, they are called to be leaders who serve, compassionate in heart, and committed to building a better world.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024—may you continue to be inspired by the life of St. Ignatius as you go forth, always seeking to set the world on fire with your gifts and passion.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! (For the Greater Glory of God)

VCAA Examinations:

As parents of our Year 12 students are aware, the VCAA Examinations are in full swing for Performing Arts and Languages students, and the marathon English exam will be taking place on Tuesday, 29 October.

Our students have been exceptionally well-prepared. The College staff and entire community have been working tirelessly to provide students with the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to excel in their studies. It is evident that our collective efforts are paying off, as our students have demonstrated outstanding preparation and commitment for their exams. I wish to thank those parents who have supported and given up hours of their time for their children. We hope their results at the end of the year reflect their hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence.

Good luck to all our Year 12 students for the remainder of your examinations!

Subject Selection

Students and parents will receive confirmation of their subjects for 2024 in the next few weeks. Preferences have been carefully considered and the College has worked diligently to assign students to the subjects they requested. However, it's conceivable that, owing to timetabling constraints, some students may find themselves assigned to subjects from their reserve preferences. There is the opportunity to change a subject by completing a form (link will be available in the confirmation letter) alongside an interview with Mrs Bosco (Head of Learning Pathways). Students will have a week to compete this process. Thereafter, no changes will be allowed.

End-of-Year Examinations (Year 8-11):

The dates for all end-of-year examinations can be found below.

Further details will be issued to parents in the next couple of weeks, but a summary can be found below.

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 exempt.

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 school 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 6 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.

• Mobile phones will not be permitted. Any student found with a mobile phone will receive 0% for that examination (see above)

2025 Orientation:

Orientation for 2025 Units 1 – 4 will run from 22 November to 5 December. Further details will be issued nearer to the time. Any subject changes made by students will be reflected in the Orientation week timetable.

Booklist Provider:

As already mentioned in a previous Ignatian edition and our Term Four Bulletin, the College will continue to use Box of Books as our booklist provider in 2025.

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 English, Maths, Science, Humanities and RE and will not be required to purchase them.

Hello Loyola Community!

It doesn’t feel too long ago that we addressed you all at the beginning of this year, and yet here we are nearing the end of what has been a magnificent 2024.

As quickly as the year has flown by, we have had a blast! We have had the pleasure of getting to know and working with so many people who make our Loyola Community truly unique. Whether that has been through initiatives and projects like ‘Roaming Captains’, special events throughout the year, or even just out in the yard, we are grateful for all the support and liveliness that everyone has contributed to making school a fun and engaging environment.

Rewinding back to the beginning of this year, we set out our vision ‘to foster a school driven by student-led initiative and ideas, where students have a love for learning, can grow and are continually inspired and engaged in a community made for and by them, seen through initiatives to promote sustainability, services, love of learning, and engagement with year-level cohorts’

We can definitely say that we have been able to live this out, with two big fundraisers, setting the foundations for a new recycling bin program to be implemented next year, a revision of the leadership formation process, senior student-run sessions on VCE stress and updated bell music throughout the day, just to name a few!

In addition, every fortnight we ran a new initiative called ‘The Great Debate’, which posed to students a fun question to get them thinking and chatting with their peers and teachers throughout the fortnight. These ranged from general school topics like ‘What is the Best Building to have a Class in?’, to more abstract questions like ‘What colour do you associate Maths with?’. Students would then vote on their preferred choice, and the winners were announced over the P.A system every second Monday morning. With hundreds of participants every week, we hope to have been able to give a little bit of extra spark to everyone’s daily school lives.

This year we wanted to bring our personal touch to the beloved ‘Roaming Captains’ videos. Coupling this with one of our other key goals this year, to try our best to bridge the subconscious gap between Students and Leaders. Hence this year we created a sitcom element where students were introduced to our College Committee playing themselves as characters, where we immersed ourselves within the student and staff community to ask the questions we all really want to know, including ‘Who is the most stylish Teacher at Loyola College?’, and ‘What crazy feature should be added to the school?’.

We can’t forget to mention St. Ignatius Day! The annual celebration that everyone in the Loyola Community looks forward to every year. First and foremost we want to acknowledge the astounding fundraising efforts from everyone, we are so incredibly proud to have donated as a school a total of almost $40,000 to our respective House charities. The day itself was filled with so much fun, with the endless rides, adorable animal farm, the fan-favourite photo booth and the new additions of the silent disco and arcade hall, all proving to be a hit. In addition, with the student performances and staff cameos in the Masked Singer, everyone could not stop laughing!

During the Mass portion of St. Ignatius Day, we were incredibly honoured to be part of the Official Commissioning Ceremony for Ms. Leutchford as our Loyola College Principal. We both have had such fun and fond memories working and laughing with Ms. Leutchford this year. The both of us trust much success will follow in the coming years and wish Ms. Leutchford the very best of luck!

Our year could not have been as much of an enjoyable and memorable experience without the help and collaboration of our College Committee members, the Loyola Student Council team, and various Consult members and staff. It has been an absolute joy learning from the likes of Ms. Salmic, Mr. Denton, Ms. Solomon, and Ms. Sudano, and of course, chatting with the Reception staff every week during our morning announcements. We are so grateful and proud of all our fellow leaders, all the fundraisers, initiatives and ideas would not have resulted in such success if it wasn’t for the help from all of you. So we thank you all!

We believe Loyola College is able to truly flourish, thanks to its pivotal community element, and it’s something we have found to be so incredibly strong. Collaborating with and meeting the likes of Mr. Doumbalis and Mr. Ibrahim and their Maintenance team, Mr. Day the Business Manager, and of course, Mr. Luczek and his classic humour, without whom nothing would run as promptly and smoothly. We also have to mention a very special staff member who has been there for us and helped us since we officially began last year until now, Mr. Tran. We don’t know what we would have done without his fantastic filming skills, comedic talent, and genuine care, so thank you for always making sure we weren’t figuring everything out on our own.

Soon we both will be on our respective journeys towards future studies, careers, and experiences, however, Loyola will always hold a dear and strong place in our hearts. The endless opportunities for growth, laughter, connection, and memories, the people, and the facilities, have truly played key factors in our growth and development for which we are so thankful.

It has been an honour to officially welcome our 2025 College Captains, Marlo Johnson and Kai Simpson. It was this time last year when we ourselves were in a whirlwind of celebrations, advice, and angst about the year to come. Having experienced and learnt so much from this year that has passed, we are confident that you both will do such an amazing job and take this role in your stride. We would also like to wish the best of luck to all the future leaders for next year. We are always here to offer advice and share laughter with you all. Even those who are not official leaders, remember the responsibility of being a good leader is so much more and we are so proud of everyone!

It feels so surreal to be writing this, but it has been such an honour being your College Captains this year, we hope we have done you all proud. As we finish our last days of school, full of celebration before our exams and study time, we hope to connect with as many of you as we can to share some final moments of laughter and memories. Thank you all for your faith in us, until next time!

Noah Iozzo & Shireen Yelburga
2024 College Captains

On Wednesday 18 August, our 2024 Colour Run, facilitated by the Wellbeing Portfolio, graced Loyola College for a second year. Year 10-12 students had the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to their health and wellbeing, as well as raising funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.

During the run, students ran through clouds of powdered pigments, transforming their once-white attire into an ensemble of colours. This fun and uplifting event allowed students time to focus on their wellbeing with their friends all the while raising awareness and funds.

All profits will be donated to Beyond Blue to help those who need it most. In Australia, over two in five people experience a mental health condition at some point in their life, making this annual event a vital reminder of the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other. Well done to all who participated!

Dear Loyola College Community,

Recently, our Year 10 Geography students embarked on a field trip to complete their fieldwork assessment, an integral part of their studies. The excursion provided hands-on learning experiences, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting and gain a deeper understanding of coastal environments.

During the fieldwork, students engaged in various activities to study the dynamics of coastal landscapes. They measured longshore drift to observe how sand is transported along the shoreline, recorded beach profiles to understand sediment distribution, and annotated rock formations, focusing on natural erosion and human intervention. In addition, students explored coastal management strategies, assessed their effectiveness in preserving the shoreline, and examined natural and human features that shape the coastal ecosystem. One key task was engaging with EcoSan, observing the interactions between sustainability initiatives and environmental preservation.

These activities provided invaluable insight into the processes that influence our coasts, enhancing the students' understanding of how human and natural factors intertwine in shaping these environments. Through their observations and hands-on measurements, the students gained not only technical skills but also a stronger appreciation for the need to protect and sustain our natural landscapes.

Throughout the excursion, the students exemplified the Ignatian values and the core principles of Loyola College—mercy, justice, and faith. Demonstrating mercy through their consideration of the environment and their awareness of the impact of human actions, the students thoughtfully engaged with the question of how to preserve these delicate ecosystems. The value of justice was evident in their discussions on equitable coastal management and ensuring that future generations have access to clean and thriving coastal areas. Lastly, their faith was reflected in their deepened understanding of stewardship—recognising the importance of caring for our common home, as Pope Francis calls us to do in Laudato Si.

This field trip not only reinforced classroom learning but also allowed students to embody the values we hold dear at Loyola College, carrying forward the legacy of Ignatian education into their study of the world around them.

Cyber security is everyone’s business

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, an opportunity to talk about cyber security and take action to protect your devices and accounts.

The theme for this month is ‘Cyber security is everyone’s business.’ The Australian Cyber Security Centre recommends for everyone to take the following steps to improve their cyber security:

1. Turn on multi-factor authentication.

2. Keep devices and software up to date.

3. Use strong and unique passwords, such as a passphrase.

4. Recognise and report phishing and other scams.

Learn more about each step and how you can take action by using the Cyber Security Awareness Month resources on cyber.gov.au. Even small steps can make significant improvements to your cyber security.

Community Carols & Christmas Market - Friday, 29 November

The Loyola Parents and Friends Association will be holding our annual Community Carols & Christmas Market on Friday, 29 November. Join us for a festive evening of fun, early Christmas shopping and celebration from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. There will be something for everyone, with food trucks, children's entertainment, and a variety of market stalls to explore. As the sun sets, gather in front of Old Loyola for an enchanting night of Christmas Carols presented by our students, capped off with a special visitor who’s sure to bring some holiday cheer! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate the festive season with our community.

Loyola Parents and Friends Association – Annual General Meeting

The Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA) will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 6 November, at 7.00pm. This is a great opportunity for parents and friends to learn more about the activities of the Association and become involved in supporting our school community. If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact Monica Agius at lpfa@loyola.vic.edu.au or phone 9433 0228. We look forward to welcoming new faces and sharing our achievements of 2024.

Donation of Loyola College Uniform

Thank you to all the families who generously donate second-hand uniforms throughout the year. As we prepare for 2025, we are now inviting donations of Winter uniforms. If you have any items you no longer need, please leave them washed and ready with Reception. Your contributions help support families in need and are greatly appreciated. For more information, please contact Monica Agius at community@loyola.vic.edu.au or 9433 0228.

2024 Entertainment Guide

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:

For more information about the above dates, please contact Monica Agius at community@loyola.vic.edu.au or 9433 0228