1447 Ignatian Newsletter - Friday 6 August 2021
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PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
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2022 RE-ENROLMENTS
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COLLEGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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IGNATIAN MISSION & IDENTITY
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FEES POLICY
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TEACHING & LEARNING
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STUDENT VOICE
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MATHS WEEK 2021
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TALES FROM THE PIT
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WELLBEING
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ICT NEWS
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COMMUNITY
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LCAA
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SUSTAINABILITY WEEK
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BOOK WEEK 2021
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MARY POPPINS SPONSORS
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DIAMOND VALLEY SINGERS YOUTH PRODUCTION: AUDITION CALL
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Members of the Loyola College Community,
We were very pleased to have students back at school last week after Lockdown 5. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves back in lockdown again. It is my hope that once students return to school later next week, that the remainder of this term will proceed uninterrupted to allow our students time to focus on their studies. While COVID regulations are still impacting on what we can and cannot do, we are grateful that this year we have been able to do more with students and families than in 2020. Hopefully, as restrictions further ease again, we will be able to hold more events for our Loyola community.
St Ignatius Feast Day
This year we celebrated the College Feast Day with a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist streamed live from our St Ignatius Chapel. I wish to thank Fr Quyen Vu SJ, for being our celebrant on the day and Fr Gerry Healy SJ who concelebrated. The liturgy focused on our theme this year ‘to see all things new in Christ'. Fr Quyen spoke of the cannon ball moments in his life referring to what happened to St Ignatius at Pamplona and how that changed his life forever. COVID restrictions limited the numbers present in the Chapel to senior student leaders and the choir. I thank Mr Lynch, for overseeing the organisation of the Mass, as well as Ms Taylor with the choir and for the beautiful music. I thank Mr O’Keeffe and Mr Melville for the technical support provided to be able to live stream the Mass to all parts of the College.
As I have indicated earlier, we hope to have the walkathon and further activities at a later date, if we are permitted. In the meantime, the fundraising for House charities has commenced using an online product and this has already been successful. As I expressed to our students before the Mass, our House charities need us more than ever this year as COVID has impacted on many families both here in Australia and overseas. Please encourage your child to get sponsors that will enable these organisations to provide relief and assistance to the vulnerable and those in need.
LCAA Reunion Sunday
Last Sunday evening on 1 August, the LCAA hosted our annual combined ex-student reunions at the Plenty Views Golf Club. It was wonderful to see former students and staff in attendance. I thank Mr O’Keeffe, Director of College and Community Engagement, our LCAA secretary Ms Agius and the LCAA committee for organising the evening.
Transition Information Evening
The annual transition evening was held online again this year due to COVID regulations. I hope that it was of great benefit to our families and students in assisting them to make informed decisions about subject choices for 2022. I thank Ms Keating, Acting Head of Learning Pathways and Ms Pola, Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning for organising the evening and all who contributed to its success. I remind all families that the transition packages for the various year levels are due in the coming weeks. I ask all families to adhere to the timelines set to enable us to make offers to other students wanting to enrol at the College in 2022.
In the spirit of our recent St Ignatius Feast Day, let us continue to live out this year’s theme to ‘See all things new in Christ’ with enthusiasm and commitment.
Mr Joseph Favrin,
Principal
2022 RE-ENROLMENTS
COLLEGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Scholarship Program
The 2022 Scholarship Program is now open for students from Year 8-11.
The Scholarship Program recognises and acknowledges students who take responsibility for, and are proactive in, the development of their own education. Scholarships are awarded to the value of $1000 as a deduction from school fees in the following year. Scholarships are available in the areas of: Academic, Co-Curriculum and Community Spirit.
Applications close on September 17th.
Mary Poppins
It is with a heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision that the 2021 College Musical, Mary Poppins, will not be able to complete its sell out season.
Since lockdown we have worked to overcome the many obstacles in our way to perform the final 3 shows; however, with the uncertainty of restrictions, the availability of the many people who help us produce the show and, most importantly, the mental health of our students, it won’t be possible.
While it is disappointing, we have some exciting news. The cast of Mary Poppins will reunite at our upcoming 40th Anniversary Gala Concert on Saturday September 11 to perform one of the big hits from the show. Tickets for this show will go on sale shortly.
Congratulations to the talented cast and crew on an amazing production.
Mr Michael O'Keeffe,
Director of College & Community Engagement
IGNATIAN MISSION & IDENTITY
What is your ‘cannonball moment’? - St Ignatius’ Feast Day Mass
Last Friday Fr Quyen Vu SJ, the Provincial of the Australian Jesuits, and Fr Gerry Healy SJ, concelebrated St Ignatius’ feast day mass. Due to COVID regulations only a limited number of students and staff could be present. The mass was streamed to classrooms.
My thanks to Mrs Gemma Hedger, Ms Jennifer Taylor and the choir, Sr Nelia Llanto, the College Committee and Christian Service vice-captains who represented the students, and Mr John Tran, Mr Michael O’Keeffe and Mr Steven Melville who organised the streaming of the service.
Fr Quyen Vu’s homily referenced the Ignatian Year, which commenced on the 20th May with the 500th Anniversary of St Ignatius' ‘cannonball moment’, where he was severely injured during a battle. While convalescing, he re-thought the direction of his life. Here is an extract from Fr Quyen Vu’s homily.
During the Ignatian Year: we are all invited to consider what we might learn by meditating on this important moment in Ignatius’ life.
Perhaps we might ask ourselves:
- How might we as individuals learn to recognise and embrace those “cannonball moments?”
- How might the cannonballs in your life be shattering obstacles that stand between you and God?
- And how might these cannonballs be showing us the way of Jesus?
My “Cannonball moment” took place in 1979.
‘I am the eldest of six children, and I was born in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1969.
My father was a member of the South Vietnamese Army during the war, and after the Communists took over the south in 1975, he was imprisoned.
In 1979, my father was being transferred from one prison to another when he saw the chance to escape. I remember my father returning home and telling the family to pack up and get ready to flee.
I was ten years old, the oldest of four siblings at the time. We went to the coast, where we were to get a small boat to be transported to a fishing boat offshore. The boat was too small to hold all of us, so I and my younger brother were sent first. My parents and 2 younger siblings did not make it to the fishing boat.
The captain saw another boat with lights on. He thought it was the communists. So, my parents and my two younger siblings were left behind.
I did not know this. It was dark. We were dumped into a cabin. The next morning, I came up looking for them and did not find them.
There were 67 people on the fishing boat. Our trip was a traumatic one – we ran out of food and water, and pirates boarded the vessel, not just once, but twice.
After more than two weeks at sea, I recall, a boy my own age died of dehydration.
At the time, I thought maybe my brother and myself would be next because we were young kids, and most of the others were teenagers or adults.
It was scary. All we could see was the ocean and the sky and the sea. No land, no greenery, nothing.
Then, on the 19th day of our voyage, we spotted land – Malaysia.
My brother and I were brought to a refugee camp in Kuala Lumpur. The whereabouts of my parents and siblings were still a mystery.
It was a few months before we learned, through our grandparents, that the rest of the family was safe. They had made another attempt to flee three months after our trip. They reached the boat this time and suffered similar conditions to our journey. But instead of ending up in Malaysia, they were rescued by a British oil tanker and taken straight to Darwin.
My parents were eventually accepted into Australia as refugees, and they sponsored my brother and myself to join them. By then we had spent a whole year away from our family.
Being in a refugee camp, our main task was to wait for our names to be called to an interview with a High Commissioner for Refugees to be accepted to a 1st world country like America, Canada, Australia, etc…
There was no schooling and no work. We just sat and waited for our names to be called each time a representative came from the High Commissioner for Refugees.
I arrived in Sydney in 1980, when I was 11 years old.
This was my “cannonball moment” and was the main reason behind me joining the Jesuits and how I came to be here today.’
What are your “cannonball moments?” We are all invited to reflect on our personal conversion: it may be through our relationship with God, family, and friends.
It may be with our way of life, our “ecological conversion” – the way we use resources for our own benefit.
Take time during the Ignatian Year to reflect on St. Ignatius’ conversion – his cannonball moment – and discover spiritual insights for your own life.
It took a cannonball to the legs to shatter Ignatius’ false images of himself.
What does it take for us?
An Ignatian Year is an opportunity to learn, share and grow in our life with Christ.
I hope that you will have the chance to “to see all things new in Christ” as you reflect on your own “cannonball moment” during the Ignatian Year.
May the Ignatian Year bring you closer to Christ.
Loyola Vinnies Winter Sleepout at Home - 13 August
The new date for this is Friday 13 August. Any student, staff member or Loyola family can participate. Register your sleepout group via the link below. A suggested donation is $5 per sleeper.
Participants are asked to sleep out at home, anywhere except their beds. This could be in the garage, on the back deck, in a tent in the backyard, on the couch, on the floor etc.
You can post images of your sleepout on Instagram using the #loyolasleepout21.
My thanks to Dominic O’Dowd (7FSKE) and Mr Tran for their work in producing a promotional video.
Loyola Vinnies Winter VCE Sleepout at School with City Walk - 13 August
Year 11 and 12 students have been invited to participate in the Loyola Vinnies Winter Sleep at school on Friday 13 August. Part of this program involves a visit to Ozanam House, Melrose Soup Kitchen and various City locations. Students return to school and sleep out under the verandahs of Old Loyola. If we have to make further adjustments due to COVID restrictions, participants will be informed. Students are asked to register via the link below. A suggested donation is $5 per sleeper. Students who participate also need to complete the expression of interest form that has been emailed. Parents will then receive a Consent2Go permission email.
Loyola Vinnies Winter Food and Clothing Drive – Last Call
The Loyola Vinnies are conducting a Winter Food and Clothing drive. Donations of non-perishable food, winter clothing and blankets can be brought to House areas. Here is a promotional video.
Mr Chris Lynch,
Deputy Principal
Ignatian Mission & Identity
FEES POLICY
Due to governance requirements set by Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese Schools Limited (MACS), the College fee policy has been updated and is available for all parents/guardians to read under the ‘Our College’ tab of the College website (www.loyola.vic.edu.au).
I would encourage all parents/guardians to take the time to read the policy and familiarise themselves with its contents.
Any queries should be directed to the College Finance Department by calling 9433 0292 or via email to darmosa@loyola.vic.edu.au.
Mr Mark Arnavas,
Business Manager
TEACHING & LEARNING
Transition Subject Handbooks
For students in Years 7 – 9 all subject handbooks have been made available online on the day of our transition assemblies.
Our Senior Programs Handbook have been given out at our assemblies. Digital versions have been made available on the College Website from Monday 26 July.
Subject Selection Conversations
Students must have already completed their subject selection online prior to the interviews.
Subject Selection Conversations times have been planned for the following dates.
- August 9 - Current Year 9 & 11
- August 10 - Current Year 10
Immediate S for Units 1- 4 SACs
Students will receive an immediate S for a SAC when they have demonstrated the following:
- Produce work that demonstrates achievement of the outcomes
- Submit work that is clearly their own
- Observe the rules of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and the school. (School rules may include for example Attendance or Submission of Work policies)
If any or all of these are not satisfied at the time of the SAC/SAT a student can be awarded a ‘Provisional N’.
Students can always redeem an S for the SAC/SAT in various ways. To be awarded an S, students will need to consult with their Subject Teacher about the best way to proceed.
Celebrating academic success at Loyola College
At Loyola College we very much enjoy celebrating student academic success. Our Vision and Mission statement states that we ‘seek the education of the whole person and strive to ensure that each student achieves his or her unique potential’. Celebrating the academic success of our students is therefore one part of developing a culture where our students work towards achieving their best, whatever that may be.
There are a number of ways in which we formally celebrate academic success. The first way is through our Merit system of acknowledgement. Merit awards are given to Year 7 to 11 students who perform at a high level. Awards are based on the student’s overall result for each subject. A student will receive a Gold merit award if they have achieved an overall subject result of A or A+. A student will receive a Silver merit award if they have achieved an overall subject result of B or B+. Students who meet these criteria receive a Merit certificate listing the subjects and awards. This certificate is part of the Reporting package and parents/guardians would have received it via their child from their Mentor this week.
The second way in which we celebrate academic success is to acknowledge the Year 7 to 11 students who have achieved the highest number of Gold Merits in their year level in each semester. These students receive a Principal’s Certificate at a Full College Assembly.
The third way is at our annual Awards Evening at the end of the year where we present Academic Colours. Year 7 to 11 students who are in the top 5% of their year level based on the culmination of all Semester One and Two subjects are presented an academic plaque and Academic Colour.
In this edition of the Ignatian we publish the list of Semester One Merit recipients. Congratulations to all students who achieved four or more gold merits in Semester One.
Ms Suzanne Pola,
Deputy Principal
Teaching & Learning
STUDENT VOICE
MATHS WEEK 2021
Monday June 19th to Friday June 23rd was our annual Maths Week at the College. Due to being off campus during the week our activities had to be adjusted.
The main activity of the week was the daily quiz and maths related song choice, such as the song below, sent out to the students each day. The theme for the quizzes was ‘Maths in Other Subjects’ whereby different faculties would supply questions that use maths skills in their subjects to show students the link between mathematics and other subject areas. One such question was:
If Ms Swift has a maximum heart rate of 185 beats per minute and she maintains a heart rate of 140 beats per minute during a swim training session, at what percentage, to the nearest percent, of her maximum heart rate is Ms Swift swimming?
At the end of the week year 7 student, Zachary Osland, had correctly answered every single question, taking out the title of Maths Week Puzzle Master; he will be the recipient of the Golden Rubik’s Cube to be presented at a later date.
Mr Anthony Lynch,
Head of Mathematics
TALES FROM THE PIT
Hello! My name is Jordan, and I had the opportunity to play in the pit with the Mary Poppins Orchestra this year. I played Keyboard Three which was essentially tuned percussion (instruments like xylophone and glockenspiel etc). The way the programming worked was each song I’d click the top note of the piano which would switch to a different set of instruments. It was really difficult having to get used to switching every few minutes and also keeping up with the orchestra, although in the end it all came together quite well.
I play piano as my main instrument, but I can also play guitar, trumpet and, thanks to Ms Taylor and our year 10 Music class, a bit of Ukulele!
It was useful having knowledge of a few instruments and I learnt how important it is to listen to what is going on around me. It was definitely a very good learning experience and despite the big time commitment I really enjoyed it.
When you see an orchestra performing in the pit for a musical you think that they would have had months of rehearsal together. This is not the case. We were given the music to learn, then we had five rehearsals together. Everyone who plays is at a professional standard, so I was nervous to begin with. It was very exciting to see how it all came together and once I knew what to do I was fine. Still a bit nervous, as you must be super focussed for an extended length of time. If you lose focus then you will miss a cue!
The first two rehearsals were a time to just go over all 25 songs and find any areas that proved difficult. Unfortunately, one of our rehearsals was cancelled due to lockdown, although there was plenty of time over the holidays to continually practice. After the sitzprobe and various dress rehearsals, performance finally came!
Despite the performance being shut down early due to the COVID lockdown, we still had the opportunity to perform and it was definitely a fun experience!
Jordan Greene,
Year 10 Student
WELLBEING
One of modern society's biggest health disablers is the notion of feeling overwhelmed and as a consequence the development of stress. While these times can stifle our quality of life, with the right mindset, support and strategies we can navigate our way around it.
The following infographic from the Hopefull Institute, provides 20 useful and practical strategies to cope with stress.
Mr Sal Valentino,
Wellbeing & Personal Development Coordinator
ICT NEWS
Cybersafety Part 7: ILLEGAL Downloading
Few can resist the lure of a bargain, especially when it is free. But when it comes to the Internet, few things are genuinely free, especially highly sought-after products such as music, videos and computer games.
Unless the product has a price tag, there is a good chance it is illegal, if not infected with malware. If it is illegal, that makes the downloading of that product an act of ‘Internet Piracy!’ People may think they are saving money, or perhaps they are too impatient to wait for the official release, but it is still breaking the law when content is downloaded illegally.
Cybercriminals try to bait bargain hunters or impatient, enthusiastic users by setting up illegal download sites on which sought-after products are deliberately infected with trojans which, once downloaded on a person’s computer, are designed to find passwords, email addresses and bank account details, and then send those details back to the cybercriminals. The cybercriminals may then seek to trade them on the Dark Web.
Music companies, themselves, may even supply deliberately virus infected MP3 files in order to dissuade would-be pirates and encourage them to buy legitimate products, instead.
The bottom line is: if it’s free, it most probably is not safe to download. The old adage holds true: “You get what you ‘pay’ for”, and when it’s free content from the Internet, you may indeed “get ‘a lot more’ than what you bargained for”.
So be cybersafe: pay for a legal copy and protect your privacy; do not succumb to the lure of piracy!
Mr Victor Dalla-Vecchia,
ICT Manager
COMMUNITY
2021 Morning College Tours
Morning Tours will be take place on the following dates from 9.15 am – 11. 00 am:
- Monday, 16th August
- Wednesday, 18th August
- Monday, 23rd August
- Monday, 13th September
- Monday, 11th October
- Monday, 8th November
Father & Son Breakfast- Tuesday 31st August
The tickets for the Father & Son breakfast will go on sale on Thursday 12th August at 7pm. Breakfast will be served at Iggy’s at 7.15pm followed by a Prayer Service at the Chapel concluding at 8.30am.
2021 September Presentation Balls
80 Year 11 students are looking forward to the big event which be held on 18th and 19th September. Rehearsals have had to be postponed during current COVID restrictions. It is hoped that they will commence soon.
2021 LPFA/FOPA Online Wine Fundraiser
Due to popular demand, we have continued to run the fundraiser in 2021. Not only is wine nice to drink, they also make a great gift idea. There are 7 different types of wine that can be ordered through Prospect Wines. Orders can be made online and processed in lots of 6. Delivery is within 7 working days and come to your front door. The bottles range in price from $13-$16.
All money raised will be distributed to LPFA and FOPA to purchase goods for the Loyola Community.
2021 Entertainment Books
The LPFA are proud to promote the 2021 Entertainment Book.
Loyola College Accommodation
Just inside Gate 4, on the corner of Bungay and Kenmare Streets, sits our Aurrupe House and Manresa Cottage which are used for accommodation on a short-term basis for both overseas visitors and members of our school and local community. Accommodation rental is ideal for family members or friends who would like to attend a function or appointment in Melbourne and require an overnight stay or longer at a very reasonable price. Some of our families have extended family who live interstate and rent the house on a regular basis when planning a visit to Melbourne for 1 or 2 weeks. Loyola’s close proximity to shops and the train makes it ideal to be independent and yet close to relatives as well.
Donation of Loyola Uniform
If you have any Loyola uniform items that you no longer require, please leave them at Reception. They are great to have for families in need, student accidents and our Exchange students. Blazers no longer required would be much appreciated.
Important Dates
Working Bee
Due to the last Working Bee being cancelled because of COVID restrictions, the next scheduled Working Bee will be held on Saturday 11th September from 9am – 12pm. All students accompanied by parents welcome. Please let me know via email or phone if you are able to attend.
2021 LPFA Meetings
Wednesday Evenings – 25th August, 6th October, 10th November
2021 PWP Meetings
Monday evenings – 18th October
Mrs Dianna Alonso,
Community Liaison Officer
LCAA
The Loyola College Alumni Association were fortunate to have the opportunity to host Reunion Sunday in between lockdowns, on Sunday 1 August. The evening was held at Plenty Views Bar and Restaurant where former staff as well as representatives from the classes of 1985, 1986, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015 & 2018 had the opportunity to share a meal and catch up with friends. Guests enjoyed some fun with a little schooldays trivia recalling events and memories of their graduating year (with the bonus of a free drink card to the lucky first person to recall a fun fact), a lovely door prize raffle won by Rutheren Selvendran (L: 01-06) and the recently launched Loyola College History Book as a take home gift. A special thank you to LCAA committee members Michelle Morgan, Yolanda Cauchi, Rebecca Andonovski and Dempsey Mills as well as Michael O’Keeffe for their support in the planning, set up and huge efforts on the night.
The next event on the LCAA calendar is the Gin Distillery Visit to take place on Saturday 27 November. Alumni are invited to take advantage of the early bird offer to book their place by 30 September. This is the first time we will be holding the event and look forward to a great day.
Ms Monica Agius,
LCAA Secretary