1438 Ignatian Newsletter - Friday 19 February 2021
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PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
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SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2021
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COLLEGE CAPTAIN'S ADDRESS
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COLLEGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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TEACHING & LEARNING
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STUDENTS
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STUDENT LEADERSHIP FORMATION DAY
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YEAR 7 & 8 CO-CURRICULUM EXPO
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HOUSE EISTEDDFOD
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WELLBEING
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LANGUAGES
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MATHS
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COMMUNITY
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SCHOOL FEES
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ICT
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LIBRARY
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SUSTAINABILITY
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CLEAN ENERGY NIILLUMBIK YOUTH CLIMATE FORUM
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LCAA
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CATHOLIC ARCHIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Members of the Loyola College Community,
Over the last fortnight we have had many wonderful opportunities of meeting
families through various events at the College. It has been pleasing to hear that students have settled in well and that their commencement this year has been overwhelmingly positive.
Academic Conversations
The response to these meetings has again been highly favourable with excellent numbers of parents and students attending. Families who were unable to attend will be contacted to make an alternative appointment to meet. We continue to engage more parents and students in the learning process with the aim of further improving student outcomes. There were many conversations around learning, setting realistic goals for the year and future pathway options. Parents, as in the past, are encouraged to contact subject teachers about any specific subject-related concerns. The next Academic Conversations will be subject teacher based, and more information about these will be made available later in the term.
College Opening Mass
On Thursday of last week, the College Opening Mass was celebrated. Fr Michael O’ Connell PP of St Martin of Tours, Rosanna was the principal celebrant. Concelebrants at the Mass included Fr Steven Rigo PP of St Mary’s, Greensborough, St Thomas the Apostle, Nth Greensborough, Sacred Heart, Diamond Greek, Fr Anthony Girolami PP of St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park, Fr Terry Bergin PP of Our Lady of the Way, Kingsbury and, Fr Gerry Healy SJ. This was a special day as it was also the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fr Michael emphasized the role Mary played in Jesus’s life. I am grateful for the ongoing support we receive from these priests who work with our school community to enrich our prayer life. I thank Mr Lynch, Deputy Principal – Ignatian Mission and Identity, who oversaw the organisation of the Mass.
VCAA Season of Excellence
We congratulate Tim Bland (L: 15-20) and Larissa Ambrose (L: 15-20) on being selected to perform at this year’s VCAA event for which the top students in the State are selected to perform. Tim has been selected for Music and Larissa for Drama. This is a wonderful achievement, and we wish them well in their respective performances.
Concerns and Complaints
A reminder to all parents/guardians that the College has a Protocol and Guidelines for Parents in Expressing Concerns/Complaints about College Related Matters as well as the Parent School Relationships Code of Conduct. I ask that families familiarise themselves with these two documents, which can be found on the College website by clicking the Information tab and then going to Policies.
It is timely as we begin a new school year to remind parent and guardian members of the College community that respect for all is the basis on which we operate, and it is therefore expected of all who are part of this community. It should also be noted that our staff have many responsibilities and the expectation that there will be an instant response to a concern is simply unreasonable. Staff will handle concerns based on other competing priorities and it may therefore take a few days before matters are addressed.
Year 7 Information Evening
It was pleasing to see so many parents attending this event on the night of the Academic Conversations which enabled families to be informed about a variety of programs in which Year 7 students will be participating as well as share other relevant information that will assist the transition process this year. I thank Ms Veis for overseeing the organisation of this important evening.
Lateness to School
We continue to have some students arriving late to school. Morning traffic generally is worsening in our area and therefore families need to organise students to leave home earlier in order to arrive at the College by 8:15am. Your cooperation in regard to this matter would be greatly appreciated.
School Attendance and Holidays During School Time
I bring to the attention of all that the student attendance expectation for all students is 90%. Research has clearly demonstrated that students who do not regularly attend school fall behind in their studies and this impacts seriously on their future pathways.
I am receiving an increasing number of requests from families wishing to take their children out of school to go on holidays. I ask families to avoid organising holidays during school time. This takes students away from their studies and it is very difficult for them to catch up even if some holiday homework is given. Absence as a result of holidays will still be counted as student absence from classes and will contribute to the attendance percentage for the student.
Students who fail to meet this requirement are at risk of jeopardising promotion at the end of the year.
Student Drop Off and Pick-Up Areas
Parents and guardians are asked to observe the drop off and pick-up protocols when using the Grimshaw Street entrance (Gate 1) in mornings and afternoons. These protocols are for traffic to move steadily for the safety of all students. Drivers exiting Gate 1B are to be mindful of pedestrians crossing that exit gate on the Grimshaw footpath.
Gate 4 on Bungay Street is not to be used by parents in the mornings and afternoons as there is no internal drop off and pick-up area on that side of the College. You are encouraged to park away from Bungay Street and use the surroundings streets and then your child can walk to and from the College to meet you. Only College staff are permitted to use this gate at these peak times.
Staffing Matters
Mr Williamson, the Director of Music, will be resigning at the end of the month and moving to NSW. I thank him for his service to Loyola. I have appointed Ms Taylor as the new Director of Music, and she will change roles from teaching English to teaching Music.
We welcome Mr Corcoran to the College, who will be taking Ms Taylor’s classes for the remainder of this year.
We also welcome our new apprentice gardener, Natalie Hopgood, and wish her well.
This week Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the season of Lent, a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter in our Church. It is a time for good deeds, penance, and prayer. I encourage all to think about how they might take on the challenges of Lent this year.
As we move into the routine of the new school year let us thank God and be grateful for the many opportunities this year will bring to our community. We are truly blessed to have this College working in the mission of the Church to support our young people. May St Ignatius continue to be our guide and inspiration in serving others.
Mr Joseph Favrin,
Principal
SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2021
Our annual Swimming Carnival is underway today with great weather to match. May the best house win!
COLLEGE CAPTAIN'S ADDRESS
Hello parents, students, staff and other members of the Loyola community! We are your College Captains for 2021, Maddy and Matt. We hope all students have settled back into college life smoothly and have enjoyed their first few weeks back on campus, and at home. It has been a hectic start to what is sure to be a busy year, but we hope everyone is getting involved and are ready to have a great 2021.
We know 2020 was a challenging year for the entire College Community - students, staff and parents alike. We would especially like to recognise the Class of 2020 for their inspiring efforts in such an unprecedented year - regardless of the results you managed to achieve, you should be extremely proud of yourselves for navigating the year as successfully as you did.
For everyone else, you too should be very proud of making it through 2020. However, we now need to look towards the future, putting last year behind us and ensuring we are able to make the most out of our remaining time at Loyola. 2020 robbed all of us of many opportunities and experiences, so we encourage everyone within the community to make the most of the opportunities presented to you this year, and to get involved in activities you would not usually think of participating in - through last year and the last week, we have learnt that nothing is certain in our lives, so it is important to make the most of opportunities when they arise, as otherwise you could easily miss them.
This year, our main goal as College Captains is to be a significant presence in the daily lives of everyone at the college. We are aware of the impact that positive interactions with leaders can have in inspiring members of the college and creating a sense of community and belonging within the school, and we wish to foster that through our role in 2021. To achieve this, we encourage everyone - students, teachers or parents - to say hi when you see us around the school, or stop for a chat if you feel like one. We will always be ready and willing to get to know people, and to foster positive relationships with all members of the school community.
We also wish to encourage everyone to make use of the MYLOYOLA LMS page, an initiative of the 2020 College Committee. It provides an opportunity for members of the community to give feedback on what works well at Loyola and enables you to give suggestions for how we can improve the school. We value any thoughts or opinions you may have so please feel free to have your say or come and speak to us in person if you wish. Additionally, the page will be constantly updated with information, upcoming events and general advice, so it will be a useful tool for all as we navigate our way through life at Loyola.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this today, we look forward to working with everyone throughout the year and wish everyone a safe, positive and hopefully lockdown free rest of 2021.
Madeleine O'Donnell & Matthew Stanton,
College Captains
COLLEGE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
College Photos
On Monday last week we took 3100 photos including our standard photos, along with a 40th Anniversary photo. Parents can order photos via the barcode sent home with students or by calling Academy Photos on 1800 816 224. Unfortunately due to the borders closing (our photography company are from Adelaide) Sibling photos have been postponed. We will update parents on when these will happen.
Book Launch
To celebrate Loyola College's 40th Anniversary, we are holding an event on Monday night to launch our College History Book & Commemorative Artwork. This event will go ahead as planned. RSVP’s have been extended to tonight at 9pm. All families are welcome to this free event.
Mr Michael O'Keeffe,
Director of College & Community Engagement
TEACHING & LEARNING
School Assessed Course Work (SAC’s) are part of assessment
As the term progresses student assessment becomes more frequent. It is during this period that students can start to feel the pressure of assessment(s). It is important that we keep in mind what assessment is. Assessment is the opportunity for students and teachers to assess what they have been learning in class and receive important feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. Assessment only tests or examines what students have already been studying.
At Unit 3/4 level, each SAC, is often only worth a small percentage of the total year’s overall assessment with the majority of the end of year results weighted heavily on examination results.
Some hints to avoid assessment stress:
- Complete all set work
- Complete a regular homework program
- Use your class time well
- Revise consistently
- Attend out of class help sessions, such as master classes held after school
- Meet with your teacher to go over the feedback after SACs/SAT’s
- Set achievable goals
- Attend Homework club on a Tuesday/Wednesday after school
- Use the Study Design to guide learning and revision
Students should discuss any concerns that they may have with their Subject Teacher, Mentor or the relevant Student Programs Coordinator.
Immediate S for Units 1- 4 SAC’s
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’. There are many options to redeem an ‘S’ for any missed Learning Outcome(s). Students will need to consult with their Subject Teacher about the best way to proceed.
Letters of Concern
As part of our commitment to your child’s learning, we have a process of informing parents/guardians if a student does not meet the following requirements:
- Frequent absences
- Failure to complete work, including homework
- Achieved a grade of D (54%) or below
- Failure to engage meaningfully in class work
- Failure to show work in progress
- Concern about the authenticity of the work
- Redemption of work Years 7 - 10
Parents/Guardians are still asked to contact the Subject Teacher, after the Letter of Concern is sent, either by email or phone to discuss the issue. This is another example of where we can work together with your child to provide every opportunity to succeed.
Assessing student curriculum and assessment grades Both students and parents/guardians have access to curriculum material via our Learning Management System (LMS). Teaching Staff post course work, homework and resources to help our learners as they travel through this year’s curriculum. It is possible to track student usage and we aim to support parents to a level of comfort with using the LMS as a means to view what their child is working through in class. Assessment marks will also be placed on the LMS within two weeks of being collected and marked.
Mrs Suzanne Pola,
Deputy Principal
Learning & Teaching
STUDENTS
A very warm welcome to all our families for 2021, and especially to families joining the College community for the first time.
It was pleasing to see so many students return to school with enthusiasm and readiness to commence the new academic year. It is our hope that students have settled in well and that they have organised themselves into a routine which provides a balance between school commitments and home life.
With the commencement of the school year, I had the opportunity to address students at their assemblies. At these assemblies I highlighted the importance for our community to work together, and in doing so, the need to be respectful of one another and to continue developing positive relationships. I also spoke about the Ignatian challenge of using the gifts that each student has in striving for the Magis in both their studies and co-curricular activities, of being discerning about the choices they make, and embracing this year’s College theme, See All Things New In Christ, by reflecting on the importance of new beginnings. It is our hope that our students will reflect on the theme and what it means to them, challenging themselves to be their authentic selves, and looking for the ‘new’ in their own lives.
Since commencing the academic year, we have had the opportunity to host our annual Year 7 Family Picnic and the Year 12 Breakfast. These events are opportunities for our students and their families to come together and celebrate the commencement of the academic year in a welcoming spirit of community. For the Year 12 students it is a welcome to their final academic year at the College, while for the Year 7 students it is an opportunity to be welcomed into our community as they commence their journey with us at Loyola College.
We thank all our families who were able to attend both of these events in the past two weeks.
In 2021, as part of our ongoing commitment to working with our students and families, we continue to provide opportunities for when we can come together through our Academic Conversation program. This program supports our House Mentor system, whereby Mentors will continue to oversee each student’s social,
emotional and academic wellbeing. If you were not able to attend the Academic Conversations last week, we ask that you make contact with the relevant Mentor teacher to organise a time for when a meeting can occur.
The Mentor teacher should be the first point of contact for any issues which need to be raised regarding your child; however, if there are specific subject issues which need to be discussed, subject teachers welcome any contact via an email or a phone call.
Finally, as we commence the term, we encourage our students and families to become involved in the many events that have been scheduled throughout the year. In addition, we ask all families for their continued support as students work with us in meeting daily expectations such as completion of homework, punctuality, uniform and being respectful of one another.
We wish all our families the very best for this coming year and we look forward to working together in assisting our young people to achieve the very best they can.
Mrs Anna Salmic,
Deputy Principal
Students
STUDENT LEADERSHIP FORMATION DAY
Our names are Amy and Josh and we are the Chisholm House Captains for 2021. On Friday the 12th of February we participated in the Loyola Student Leadership Formation Day.
We began our morning in the Functions Room by learning about leadership at Loyola led by Mr Toney and Ms Thomson and reviewing character strengths of a leader. We were led into a see/think/wonder about leadership in our House groups.
Our day continued by having Mr Martino discuss with us the characteristics of public speaking and how to write and deliver a speech in front of an audience. He tested these skills by having us write a 30 second speech and have volunteers speak in front of the group.
Mr Falcone then spoke briefly about the leadership service portfolios and what their intended purpose is. We then broke off into House and co-curricular groups where we discussed our goals for the year and how we were going to achieve them.
After lunch we went to Go Climb, Coburg where we split into House groups and participated in a large range of activities. There was an obstacle course, the GoPlay play area which entailed a spider tower and the rock-climbing area where there were numerous amounts of different walls to climb. Overall, the Leadership Day was a fun and worthwhile experience that led all of us to become closer as a group and become better leaders for the College.
Amy Clayton & Joshua Fell,
Chisholm House Captains
YEAR 7 & 8 CO-CURRICULUM EXPO
On 10 February, all year 7 and 8 students attended the Co-curriculum Expo in the MPAC Foyer. This was a great opportunity for students to see the diverse activities available at the school from the areas of:
- Clubs and societies
- Christian Service and Spirituality
- Performing Arts
- Sport
- Public speaking and debating
- House events
All students signed up for activities and got the opportunity to speak to our senior co-curriculum Student Leaders about their experiences.
Involvement in co-curriculum is a requirement of Loyola College and the College recognises and rewards co-curricular participation via a points system.
This participation takes two forms:
- College Representation describes all activities where a student represents the College externally.
- College involvement describes activities that are conducted within the College environment.
All students are required to accumulate 50 points over two years (Years 7-8, Years 9-10, Years 11-12) in ‘College Representation’ and/or ‘College Involvement’. Significant involvement in Co-curriculum can lead to the award of the College’s Co-curriculum Colours in senior years.
Lauren Hartigan,
Head of Co-Curriculum
HOUSE EISTEDDFOD
Save the date for the 2021 House Eisteddfod will be on Thursday 25 March and there is a great buzz around the Eisteddfod this year after having to cancel last year’s performance. It will be a fun evening of song and dance with high energy rock performances from Footloose and School of Rock, musical classics with Annie, Newsies and The Greatest Showman and family fun with Dr Seuss’ The Lorax.
For the uninitiated, the House Eisteddfod is a house-based competition with students producing, choreographing and performing a 12-minute performance with the prize being the hotly contested House Eisteddfod Shield. Will Mackillop be able to make it a ‘three-peat’ or will another House steal their thunder?
Rehearsals are 5, 12, 18 and 26 February and 12 and 19 March between 3:30pm and 5:30pm. All students are encouraged to be involved and performing arts experience is not required just enthusiasm and a desire to be part of the House Spirit and make new friends.
WELLBEING
We congratulate Jovinna Lee (8ATMV) for showing initiative in designing several posters to promote positive Wellbeing. An excellent example of student voice, advocacy and creativity.
Mr Paul Toney,
Head of McAuley House
LANGUAGES
In Ms Daniele’s year 10 CLIL Italian RE class we caught up with Massimo to see what the class are up to at the moment...
Hi, my name is Massimo. I’m in year 10 and we’re in Religion. In Year 10 CLIL we’re learning about the Dreamtime and the differences between that and the Catholic religion.
So CLIL RE is like doing normal religion but in a different language, so Italian, French or Indonesian. You choose which one you want to do and you learn about the subject.
I chose CLIL RE because I found it to be a bit of a challenge. It’s something new as well, and to learn also a bit more about Italian.
At the moment we’re working towards a play. We’re doing the dreamtime, different animals and different elements from the dreamtime.
Mr Jason van Leest,
Head of Languages
MATHS
Units 3 & 4 Further Mathematics and Mathematical Methods SACs
This year students in Further Mathematics and Mathematical Methods will be sitting their SACs as a whole cohort with each scheduled SAC being comprised of 15 minutes of reading time and 2-hours of writing time. The SACs are scheduled to take place on days where year 12 students have a timetabled early leave and will start at 2:00pm. For Further Maths SACs scheduled to start at 2:00pm, students who are studying Further Maths as an accelerated study, will begin their SAC at 3:30pm in an alternate room to the main cohort. Students will be reminded of the start time, location and conditions of the SACs in the lead up to the SAC.
It is a College expectation that students are available and present for their scheduled SAC and have not organised other commitments during these times.
The dates of this year’s SACs are as follows:
Further Mathematics
- Friday April 23rd: Data Analysis Part 1
- Tuesday April 27th: Data Analysis Part 2
- Tuesday June 8th: Finance
- Friday August 6th: Matrices
- Friday September 10th: Networks and Decision Mathematics
Mathematical Methods
- Friday May 21st: Application Task Part 1
- Tuesday May 25th: Application Task Part 2
- Tuesday August 17th: Modelling Task
- Tuesday September 14th: Problem solving Task
Mr Anthony Lynch,
Head of Mathematics
COMMUNITY
I hope you have had a good start to 2021 and I am looking forward to a fun filled year. We are planning for exciting events and all going well, I hope to see many families on Campus.
2021 Morning College Tours - Semester One
Morning Tours will be take place on the following dates from
9.15 am – 11. 00 am :
- Monday 29 March
- Wednesday 21 April
- Monday 3 May
- Wednesday 9 June
- Wednesday 16 June
- Wednesday 23 June
House Cocktail Night – Mannix, MacKillop & Chisholm
Thank you to those who attended the quaint get together on Thursday, 18th March. It was nice to see some new families attend the event. A big thank you to the Hospitality students and teachers, Fiona Chapman and Elizabeth Gartland who did a superb job preparing and serving beautiful food and drinks.
A special thank you to our Musicians - Christian Panucci and CJ MacLeod who contributed nicely to the ambience.
2021 House Masses
- Flynn House: Sunday 25 April 2021, 9am Sacred Heart
- MacKillop House: Sunday 25 April 2021, 10:30am St Thomas
Mother's Day Breakfast – Tuesday 4th May
Included in the Ignatian is an invitation of the Mother and daughter morning to celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers and guardians who are interested in attending are advised to book online via Trybooking when bookings open on Monday, 19th April at 7pm, as the event has proven to be very popular.
As there are limited tickets available mothers and guardians are asked only to apply if they can attend the whole morning from 7.15 am until 8.30 am. This is in fairness to the organisers and other parents who will miss out.
Students are required to be dressed in their full school uniform and to leave their bags in their locker.
There will be a special Grandparents celebration in July.
LPFA Winery Tour – Saturday, 22nd May
The LPFA are very excited to invite a limited number of people to a Winery Tour. Great places to visit and a wonderful lunch. Tickets are selling fast.
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 $14 - $17.
All money raised will be distributed to LPFA and FOPA to purchase goods for the Loyola Community.
LPFA Year 7 & 8 Get together
It was a pleasure to see 200 people in attendance for this event on Friday, 19th March. Due to COVID-19 it was decided to invite our present Year 8 families to the event to assist with connecting with other families. Michael O’Keeffe did a great job as our MC, with ice-breaker games, pizza, a wonderful performance by Celeste Murone who sang a song from Mary Poppins, and the night ended nicely with a yummy serve of gelato. Thank you so much to the LPFA members who worked so hard in making the night such a success. Special mention to Monique Grasso and LCAA representatives Monica Agius, Bec Andonovski and Michelle Morgan who also assisted on the night, as well as Mark, Ornella & Alessia Monteneri, Bryan Kearney, Loretta Baker, Claire Baker, Angela Barbuto & Pinella Lo Presti.
2021 Entertainment Books
The LPFA are proud to promote the 2021 Entertainment Book. If you are interested in purchasing a digital copy (no hard copies) of the Entertainment book, please click the link below.
Loyola College Accommodation
Just inside Gate 4, on the corner of Bungay and Kenmare Streets, sit 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
As you are planning your 2021 Calendar, be sure to add Loyola College’s:
Working Bees
Saturdays (9am-12pm) – 8th May, 24th July & 4th September
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 – 28th April, 2nd June, 21st July, 25th August, 6th October, 10th November
2021 PWP Meetings
Monday evenings –26th April, 19th July & 18th October
Ms Dianna Alonso,
Community Liaison
SCHOOL FEES
The Annual Fee Account has now been sent out to all families. There is only one account issued for the yearly tuition fees and levies regardless of the Fee Paying Arrangement selected.
Please note that the due date for the Annual Fee Account is Friday 26 February, 2021. Where an account is paid in full by this date, an Early Payment discount of $300 per student will apply. Where an account has been split, the Early Payment discount should be calculated on a pro rata basis. Any additional charges (eg music, library charges, specialist camps and/or excursions) that may be incurred throughout the year, may not be included in your arrangement and should be paid by the due date of the account issued.
Families that have selected the Semester or Quarterly Arrangement, must pay their first instalment off the Annual Fee Account due on 26 February, 2021. Reminders will be issued prior to the due date for all subsequent instalments.
Parents and guardians who do not have an active Fee Paying Arrangement in place, will automatically be listed for an annual payment due 26 February, 2021.
If you wish to change your listed arrangement, please email your request to darmosa@loyola.vic.edu.au.
As stated in the College Fee Policy, if payment arrangements are not adhered to, an Administration Fee of $30 per child, per term will be applied.
Parents and guardians facing hardship with payment of fees are asked to contact the Business Manager.
Mr Mark Arnavas,
Business Manager
ICT
Cybersafety
Taking measures to protect oneself against unwanted attention or against criminal activity while working, socialising, emailing, playing or banking on the Internet is known as “Cybersafety”. Everything a person does via the Internet adds to that person’s ‘digital footprint’.
Schools play an obvious part in providing for their students Internet-based learning opportunities that are engaging as well as safe. But given young people spend a significant proportion of their home time surfing online, socialising or playing games on the Internet, the cyber risks they may be exposing themselves to are more likely to be higher while at home than at school. Consequently, it is important that parents/guardians understand the risks their children face while ‘living’ in the Internet.
Over the next few Ignatian Newsletter issues, I will be exploring some Cybersafety issues that students and parents/guardians need to be aware of. Be prepared to be surprised and even shocked with what is revealed!
Let us start with the first topic:
How to block nefarious Internet websites
Home security products and services
While Loyola College does not endorse specific home security products or services, two products/services that may be worth investigating. Click on the links below to read their reviews:
- Family Zone – a “cyber gatekeeper for all your digital devices – including phones, tablets and games consoles”
- Circle with Disney – a “security appliance, controlled by a simple mobile app, that provides parental control filtering and time limits for every device in your home network.”
These products are not free and are typically offered as a monthly subscription service. The service provider is constantly updating its blacklisted website registry, so that users have access to the most up-to-date protection.
Device-based websites blocks
Different browsers and Operating Systems provide varying functions for blacklisting specific websites, eg Google Chrome provides three such blockers, in the form extensions: uBlacklist, Block Site and StayFocusd.
However, please be aware that such device-based website blockers are generally not as effective as the home cyber-security products and services listed above. This is because it would be almost impossible for a home user to keep their blacklist up to date with what is happening on the Internet.
If you have a specific cyber-security question or concern, please contact the ICT Helpdesk (iCentre-ICT@loyola.vic.edu.au).
Excess to be paid on Accidental Damage claims
Please note, from 2021, Microsoft, under its Terms and Conditions, will begin enforcing a $110 (incl. GST) Excess charge for each Year 7 Surface Laptop Accidental Damage claim made under Microsoft’s policy. Please note that the payment of an excess does not apply to warranty claims.
Centorrino Technologies, Loyola College’s Microsoft Partner in the Digital Device Program, is engaging with Microsoft to continue to allow the Excess for Year 8 and 9 Accidental Damage claims to be waivered, and it
is the College’s hope that this will remain so for this year. But for the Year 7 Surface Laptop devices, from now on Microsoft will be enforcing the Accidental Damage claim Excess.
Please be advised that the invoicing of the Accidental Damage claim Excess will be issued by Centorrino Technologies, on Microsoft’s behalf. Once payment has been received, Microsoft will give the approval for the Accidental Damage claim to be processed.
Microsoft will also enforce, across Year 7 to 9 a stricter interpretation of what constitutes ‘accidental damage’. Intentional damage is not covered under the terms of Microsoft’s policy, which includes engraving the student’s name on the laptop. A sticky label should be used, instead. Note that ownership of the device is identified by the device’s serial number, which is registered with Microsoft. Also, please ensure the tough case remains on the device at all times.
Please contact either Mr Victor Dalla-Vecchia (dallavecchiav@loyola.vic.edu.au) or Suzanne Pola (polas@loyola.vic.edu.au) if you have any concerns. For policy specific questions please contact Phil Milione of Centorrino Technologies (pmilione@ct.com.au).
Mr Victor Dalla-Vecchia,
ICT Manager
LIBRARY
RFP: Reading For Pleasure – Reading Challenges
Reading is an expectation at Loyola College, and our YR 7-9 students are fortunate to have fortnightly timetabled classes in the library, where they can explore our fiction and non-fiction collections, and choose and borrow books that match their interests. Participating in book discovery activities they will discover - and can even try out - new genres that they may not be familiar with. To this end, we have a variety of reading challenges that are lots of fun, with rewards and prizes that can be earned along the way.
Year 7: GRC: Genre Reading Challenge
Students read books across all the genres in the library collection, earning rewards as they progress - Bronze (4 books), Silver (8), Gold (12). And, if they manage to read all the categories (16), they’ll be rewarded for reaching ‘Platinum’ level. After reading each book, students have a conversation with a librarian in order to sign off their 'GRC Passport'.
Challenge ends: 29th October
Find out more on the LMS Read page: Companion Learning - Year 7 Genre Reading Challenge (loyola.vic.edu.au)
Year 8: Read Around the World Challenge
All students in their class must read a minimum of 2 books each. One book must be written by an Australian author; and the second book can be by an author from anywhere, and set in any location. After reading each book students must have a conversation with a librarian to sign it off. The class that registers the most ‘locations’, and where all students have read their 2 books, wins the challenge. Students who read above and beyond in their class will also be rewarded.
Challenge ends: 11th June (followed by a different challenge in Semester 2)
Find out more: Companion Learning - Year 8 Read around the world challenge (loyola.vic.edu.au)
Years 9-12: Book Bingo Challenge
The aim is to read widely across a variety of categories listed on a 'Bingo Sheet.' Books are signed off after having a conversation with a librarian. Students are required to read a minimum of 4 books, which includes one ‘compulsory’ category (a book recommended by a family member). Students who read all 9 categories will win a prize.
This is also an 'opt-in' challenge for senior students.
Challenge ends: 29th October
Find out more: Companion Learning - Year 9-12 Book Bingo Challenge (loyola.vic.edu.au)
Reading is a great habit to build and needs to be undertaken regularly. We encourage all parents/guardians to check-in with their children to see how their reading is going. And, a book conversation is a fabulous way to interact with each other.
Happy reading!
Mrs Alida Galati,
Librarian
SUSTAINABILITY
Did you get a new phone recently?
For Christmas or your birthday perhaps? Don’t know what to do with it?
Well, it’s easy, you can recycle your old phone at school!
Simply, clear your old phone of all its data and drop your phone in the green mobile muster bin located in the iCentre.
If you recycle your phone, you are benefitting the environment greatly. These benefits include, avoiding future greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.
With all these environmental benefits, why wouldn’t you want to recycle your old mobile phone?’
Mrs Elise Mezner,
Sustainability Coordinator
CLEAN ENERGY NIILLUMBIK YOUTH CLIMATE FORUM
Teen and Young Adult Climate Change Chill-out
COVID, COVID, COVID! That’s all anyone talks about these days. Frustrating isn’t it when you know that climate change is the other massive issue of our time and it hardly gets any attention?
Clean Energy Nillumbik is hosting two sessions on Saturday 27 February to bring together Nillumbik’s teens and young adults to talk about how it feels to be a young person facing a climate-different future. Importantly, participants will dream up what practical action can be taken around Nillumbik and beyond to influence the way our community thinks about climate change.
If you are between 13 and 21, and would like to talk to like-minded peers about what you can do as individuals or a group, then join us for a very different start to 2021. This is where to go if you want to take some action but don’t know where to start. There will also be a guest appearance from Nillumbik local, Katta O’Donnell – she's suing the Australian Government for failing to address climate change.
Saturday 27 February Senior Citizens Centre, Library Place, Eltham
Session 1: 10am to 12pm Session 2: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Because of pesky COVID we have limited places available. Grab your friends or come alone and make some new ones. You need to register at https://www.cleanenergynillumbik.org.au/chill-out.
Bring your mask and water bottle so we all stay safe on the day.
This event is funded by Council’s Practically Green and organised by Clean Energy Nillumbik which is holding a wide range of free events and activities to RE-energise our community in 2021.