Fire Carriers Garden

On Friday, March 14, a substantial group of parents participated in our twilight working bee. Parents were assigned to various tasks, with the majority focusing on the development of the new Fire Carriers Garden, located just inside the Grimshaw Street entrance. This garden, inspired by traditional Indigenous storytelling, is designed in the shape of a goanna. Our Head Gardener, Mr. David Kelly, along with Mr. Trevor Busuttil and Mr. Daniel Hartigan, conceptualized the garden, and our parent volunteers contributed to its completion by planting a diverse array of flora that is significant to the narrative of our First Nations peoples, serving both nutritional and practical purposes.

I would like to thank our gardening team and the parents who generously donated their time to help cultivate this beautiful and meaningful space. The garden stands as a testament to our commitment to fostering a culturally safe community, where our students gain an appreciation for the importance of Indigenous perspectives.

Parents who have not seen this new space, may be interested in watching the clip accessed through the picture/link below.

House Masses

Last Sunday marked the conclusion of the Sunday House masses for the 2025 school year. I would like to thank the parents who supported our House masses. I would also like to express appreciation for the House parents who coordinated the morning tea, creating an opportunity for parents to connect and engage with one another.

We are fortunate to receive substantial support from our Parish Priests. I would like to thank them for welcoming us into their parishes, embracing our families, and reminding students that the church is their spiritual home, where they are always welcome. We acknowledge the considerable demands placed on our priests due to their diverse responsibilities, and we are truly grateful for their generous contributions to the Loyola community.

The foundation parishes played a significant role in the establishment of our college, and our ongoing partnership with these feeder parishes facilitates smooth transitions and strengthens connections.

Many thanks to Mr. Adam Calderone, Deputy Principal of Ignatian Mission and Identity, and Sr. Nelia Llanto, Parish Liaison, for their efforts in organizing and preparing the students for the House liturgies.

Annual Action Plan 2025

The 2025 Annual Action Plan has been finalized and submitted to Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Below is a summary of the goals for this academic year:

• To ensure students are engaged, motivated, and committed to becoming lifelong and independent learners through a Vision for Learning
• To improve student achievement in numeracy in Years 7-9.
• To improve student achievement in writing in Years 7-9.
• To continue improving student engagement with a particular focus on student attendance at Years 9 and 10.
• To enhance faith formation opportunities for students, staff, and families
• To build a culture of discernment, ensuring:
  • All stakeholders are heard.
  • Leaders are listening.
  • Decisions are made after considered reflection.

Happy Easter

As we enter the final week of the term and approach the vacation period, I remind families that Easter falls at the conclusion of the school holidays.

As we approach the celebration of Easter, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to our community. Easter represents a time of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. I hope this season brings peace, happiness, and cherished moments with loved ones.

May the spirit of Easter fill your hearts with joy and your homes with love.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our school community.

I look forward to sharing many more wonderful experiences with you and your children upon return in Term Two.

As we approach the joyous celebration of Easter, we are reminded of the profound significance this season holds within Ignatian spirituality. Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolises the triumph of life over death, hope over despair, and love over hatred. It is a time for renewal, reflection, and deep spiritual growth.

In the Ignatian tradition, Easter invites us to engage in a process of discernment and transformation. St. Ignatius of Loyola emphasised the importance of finding God in all things and seeking His presence in our daily lives. This Easter, we are called to reflect on the resurrection as a source of inspiration to live out our faith with renewed vigour and commitment.

Jesuit spirituality encourages us to embrace the values of compassion, justice, and service to others. The resurrection of Christ is a powerful reminder of the call to be "people for and with others", striving to make a positive impact in our communities and the world. As we celebrate Easter, let us remember the Ignatian principle of "magis", the desire to do more for the greater glory of God and the wellbeing of our community and humanity in the wider world.

We extend our heartfelt blessings to all of our families, students and staff this Easter season, and we hope that the joy of the resurrection fills your hearts with hope and peace. May you find the strength to live out your faith with courage and compassion. And may the spirit of Easter inspire you to seek God's presence in all things and to serve others with love and dedication.

Happy Easter and have a safe and restful term break to everyone in our Loyola community!

As we approach the end of term, I would like to take a moment to highlight that mid-semester reports and Parent Teacher Interviews will take place in Term 2.

Reports:

Reports will be available to parents / carers through the portal from 2 May (second Friday back).

ALL (both interim and end of semester) reports will only be available for you online. Therefore, I would suggest that you either print a hard copy or save the report as a PDF if you would like to refer to it during your Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs):

Our first Parent Teacher Interviews for 2025 will take place when we return in Term Two.

The purpose of these interviews is to discuss the learning that has occurred in Term One and look at the academic successes and challenges that your child may have encountered so far this year.

Dates and Times:

More details regarding locations and bookings will be available in Term 2

NAPLAN 2025:

In the previous edition, I applauded our Year 7 and 9 students for their incredible resilience and determination in successfully completing the intense NAPLAN testing last week. The sheer scale of the process was immense—across 30 rigorous test sessions, an astonishing 1,963 tests were undertaken. Our students rose to the challenge with remarkable composure and perseverance.

Assessment & Reporting Codes:

As many students are 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 of 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.

Year 7-10 students (except for VCE RE in Year 10):

There are 3 possible codes:

1. 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:
  • Head of House
  • Head of Learning
  • Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning
  • Deputy Principal - Students
  • Head of Student Services

2. 0%:

• Not submitted (not handed in)
• Late submission
• Plagiarism (including AI)
• Absent with no explanation from parent to teacher prior to or on 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.

3. % grade:

• This is awarded to the assessment piece according to the school’s grade descriptors.

The Humanities Faculty has had a strong and engaging start to the school year, with students across multiple year levels diving into hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that bring the past and present to life.

A standout event this term was the Year 10 Geography fieldwork excursion to McCrae Beach and Cape Schanck on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula. Students explored the region through a range of geographical lenses, deepening their understanding of First Nations peoples’ connection to the land, as well as examining vegetation cover, topography, sand composition, climate, human infrastructure, and the distinction between natural and human features. They also learned about coastal management techniques, the process of longshore drift, and practised graphing and fieldwork skills — all while taking in some of Victoria’s most scenic coastline.

In Year 7 Humanities, students were immersed in the mysteries of the past through their Ancient Australia assessment. Using the fascinating discovery of the Narrabeen Man, students worked collaboratively to produce both a research report and a creative artefact. The results have been impressive, with groups crafting everything from Indigenous spears and shields, to fishing nets, tools, bones, and dioramas of the archaeological site, reflecting both historical understanding and the inquiry process.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 Geography students took their learning into the virtual world by using Minecraft to explore Biomes. This innovative approach allowed students to build and visualise different environments, understanding ecological systems and how humans interact with them in an engaging and interactive way.

We’re proud of the curiosity, collaboration and creativity our students have shown across the Humanities Faculty this term and look forward to more exciting learning opportunities in Term 2!

NGV Excursion – Yayoi Kusama & Top Arts 2024

Last week, our VCE Art Creative Practice students visited the NGV to experience the Top Arts 2024 exhibition and the Yayoi Kusama exhibition.

At Top Arts, students viewed outstanding works by Victoria’s top art students and had the rare chance to examine their folios—gaining valuable insight into creative processes, techniques, and the dedication required to excel.

The highlight was stepping into Kusama’s vibrant, large-scale installations. Students applied interpretive lenses from the study design to analyse her use of repetition, scale, and themes such as infinity and self-obliteration. Experiencing the artworks firsthand highlighted how context and scale deepen meaning and engagement.

These opportunities are invaluable, and we’re excited to see how this experience will influence student work—ready to share at the Art Exhibition later this year.

Magis Collection Opening Evening

Families gathered in Via Maxima, Old Loyola, for the opening of the Magis Collection—a special evening celebrating students in the arts. Carefully selected by our Principal, the collection showcased standout artworks reflecting creativity, commitment, and the Ignatian ideal of striving for the Magis—to seek more, be more, and do more.

It was a night that not only highlighted student talent but also embodied our commitment to educating the whole person, fostering artistic expression alongside personal growth. The strong turnout and community support made it a memorable celebration of our students’ achievements.

From the Intercultural Captain: 

Hello parents, staff, students and the wider College community.

Along with Ms Bryans and my vice-captain Natshali Fernando, we hosted our annual Harmony Week from the 17^th to the 21^st of March. This year for Harmony Week the newly established Harmony Hub team came up with the theme of “Hope in Harmony”. This theme took inspiration from our wider College theme this year of “Companions in Hope”. We believe that now, more than ever, hope is a powerful concept in a time where our world is facing conflicts and overwhelming divisions. As young people, we can draw strength from hope and see it as a wish, and a motivation to create a more peaceful and united future.

Our week began in our Monday extended mentor, as students participated in a cultural survey that was later used to create a world map, featuring all the different countries our Loyola students are from. Mentors also created their own murals, a creative representation of the diversity in their mentor – with healthy competition of course! Congratulations to mentor MCMS for their fantastic effort. This theme of competitiveness continued to Wednesday, as Natshali and the library staff hosted a cultural kahoot featuring quiz questions on country flags, traditions and history, with student Nicholas Nguyen (8AYCA) taking out the win! Thursday featured our Harmony Day Assembly; the tone was set from the start with a beautiful rendition of “We are One” which was specially rehearsed by our choir. We were also delighted to welcome Debora Zilberstein-Reed, our guest speaker for the assembly, who shared a thought-provoking and vulnerable presentation of her family’s history in the Holocaust, and her father’s brave actions that led to his survival. She provided an important reminder in these challenging times of what can occur when we lose sight of our humanity, and that being passive in our responses to injustice can be just as damaging as perpetrating it. Our assembly then continued with cultural performances – a traditional Noh theatre dance from our year 8 students as well as Olivia Juka, Isabel Juka and Maja Romic who performed on behalf of their Croatian singing group “Folklorna Grupa Mladi Hrvati”! Finally, our week was wrapped up on Friday with a casual clothes day and lunchtime activities at the Two Wolves Hub including food trucks, music and cultural craft activities organised by Ms Bryans and the Harmony Hub.

Thank you everyone for an amazing week!

Grace Warren (12CJEM)
2025 Intercultural Captain

From the Sustainability Captain:

Welcome to our sustainability for 2025.

Along with the help of my vice-captain Jonathan Fedele and teacher co-ordinator Ms Oktay, we have heaps of fun events planned for this year!

Our first event is Sustainability Week running on the 24th until the 28th of March, where we aim to raise awareness to more sustainable living practices and the preservation of our beautiful world. On Monday, we have “Earth hour” during period 5, where we encourage all teachers to run their lessons without the projectors or laptops and to open the blinds and use natural light as a substitute to electricity. On Tuesday at lunch, we’re running a beeswax wrap making class in the Two Wolves Hub, beeswax wraps make great alternatives to plastic wrap which we unfortunately often see littered around the yard and making their way into the drains. We’ll be using second hand 100% cotton material and beeswax which is completely food safe, and the wraps can be reused by gently washing them with cold water. On Wednesday at lunch a pot painting activity where students will be drawing on recycled food tin cans with Posca paint markers and planting little seeds. Around only 9% of the items we put in the recycling actually gets recycled, so if we can find ways to repurpose them instead and prevent more waste from being made, like buying new pots to paint, we’re doing much better for our Earth. Lastly, on Thursday and Friday at lunch there’ll be a screening of Wall-E in the theatrette with popcorn as well!

There’s a bunch of activities running so even if you can’t make it to all of them bring your friends along to the ones you can!

Always remember that doing a little is better than doing nothing. If you can purposefully do 1 thing each day to lessen your impact on the earth, it all adds up to make positive change. If we get everybody to do something small the impact becomes large. “It won’t make any difference if it’s just me”, is a common misconception that everyone has found themselves thinking. We must stop perpetuating this harmful belief as if we believe collectively that a small act can help, we can make a big difference together.

Some things you can do today to be kinder to our shared home are:

• Take a shorter shower than usual
• Only wash your clothes if they need to be washed and air dry them instead of running the dryer
• Use a container to store your food instead of single use plastic wrap or takeaway containers
• Take public transport instead of driving
• Collect and bury your vegetable/fruit scraps in the garden or put them in the green bin

Maya Ilievski (12ATMV)
2025 Sustainability Captain

Student of the Fortnight

The student of the fortnight, Grace and I have nominated is…

Charli Fronda (10MYKS)

For enthusiastically showing up to meetings and making our beautiful sustainability posters even on short notice. Charli is an amazing drawer and is always proactive within emailing the club to help out.

In early March, our Year 10 students undertook Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training as part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing student wellbeing and increasing awareness of mental health issues. This program is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively support their peers' mental health.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, and early intervention can make a significant difference. The MHFA training provides our students with the tools to recognize signs of mental health issues, offer initial help, and guide their peers towards professional support if needed. This initiative not only fosters a supportive school environment but also empowers our students to become compassionate and proactive members of our community.

Our Year 10 students have expressed how valuable this training has been. One student shared, "I feel more prepared to help my friends if they are going through a tough time. It's comforting to know that I can make a difference." Another student mentioned, "The training has made me more aware of my own mental health and how important it is to take care of it."

This initiative is just the beginning of our ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and support within our school community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these newly trained mental health first aiders will have on their peers and the broader school environment.

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

Click Here to Read This Fortnight's Special Report via SchoolTV

Parents are encouraged to check out our school's Learning Pathways page - accessible via the Schoolbox LMS - which will be regularly updated with information about in-school programs for Years 10-12.

It will also feature the release of our Careers Newsletter.

You can access this page by CLICKING HERE.

Year 7 Family Get Together – A Night of Fun and Connection

Our recent Year 7 Family Get Together was a fantastic evening filled with laughter, teamwork, and new friendships. Families gathered in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, eager to meet fellow parents and students as they embark on their Loyola journey.

Throughout the night, families participated in engaging team challenges, bringing out their creativity and collaboration while having plenty of fun. The excitement continued with our raffle draw, where lucky winners took home some great prizes!

No event is complete without delicious food, and our guests enjoyed the delicious pizzas and choc tops from the ice cream station, adding to the relaxed and friendly vibe of the evening.

A special thank you to the dedicated members of the Loyola Parents & Friends Association (LPFA), who worked behind the scenes to set up, serve, and ensure everything ran smoothly. Your generosity and hard work truly made the night a success!

It was wonderful to see parents and students making meaningful connections, reinforcing the strong sense of community that makes Loyola so special. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this memorable evening!

Canapés With Class, Thursday May 1 – BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

A reminder to book your tickets now for the Loyola College Canapés With Class parent dinner– an exclusive parent-only event designed to bring our school community together while supporting our talented Hospitality students.

Join us for an elegant night of delicious canapés, prepared and served by our senior Hospitality students as part of their training and industry experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents in a relaxed and welcoming setting while celebrating the skills and dedication of our students.

Don’t miss this wonderful evening of fine food, great company, and community spirit. Tickets are $30 per person. Secure your spot today!

LPFA Winery Tour – BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!

The Loyola Parents and Friends Association (LPFA) invites you to join us for a delightful, scenic Winery Tour in the Macedon Ranges on Saturday, 24 May. Gather your friends for a relaxing day exploring some of the region’s best wineries, enjoying great company, and supporting our school community.

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN

The annual LPFA winery tour is always a popular event, and places fill up quickly! Be sure to secure your spot early to avoid missing out.

Elite Performance Grant

The Loyola Friends and Parents Association (LPFA), generously support young achievers in their pursuit of elite Sport or Performing Arts each year at the College. Students are given the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $500.00 to put towards their travel expenses and costs for major competition in which they are competing. Students can apply for this grant at any time of the year. There are four sporting grants available.

For more information about this grant please contact Monica Agius at community@loyola.vic.edu.au or 9433 0228

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 2025, 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.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

2025 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-fr-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

Financial Assistance – Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund (CSEF)

The CSEF offered by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families by reducing the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities included in the Loyola fees, has been increased to $256 annually. Eligible families that did not apply for the CSEF in 2024 may also be entitled to the 2025 School Savings Bonus of $400.

Families that hold a valid means-tested concession card such as a Health Care Card or Pension Card, temporary foster parents as well as asylum seeker and refugee families are welcome to apply.

If you applied for the CSEF in 2024, you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances such as:

• new student enrolments; this is your child’s first year at Loyola College and you hold a valid means-tested concession card.
• changed family circumstances; such as a new sibling commencing at Loyola College in 2025, change of custody, change of name or concession card number.

Please click here to access the CSEF application form or contact the school office to obtain a copy. For queries regarding eligibility, please call 9433 0292.