From the Principal

Dear Saint Ignatius College community members,

2025 Student Leaders Investiture Assembly

The school community gathered in the College MPC on Thursday, November 8th, to celebrate the newly elected 2025 student leaders. Fr Gerry Healy SJ and many parents attended the event.

Former College Captain Mr Greg Lewis was the guest speaker. He provided an inspirational speech about his post-school journey and leadership. Mr Lewis is studying for the Priesthood after serving in the Defence Force.

The incoming College Captains then made their inaugural speeches. Judging by their excellent presentations, our College community is indeed continuing with strong student leadership for 2025.

Some students also entertained the audience with their musical performances.

And, Ms Robyn Frigo, the Student Leader Development Coordinator, gave an informative reflection on Ignatian leadership.

Congratulations to all students appointed to leadership positions for next year:

College Captains

Bel Gee and Tucker Kooloos

College Vice Captains

Stephanie Reynolds and Riley Molloy

Portfolio

Academic Captain – Owen McCoughtry

Arts Captain - Sienna Davidson

Environment Captain - Nikita Smith

Justice Captain - Sarah Tolan

Ministry Captain - Arabella Gruar

Sport Captain - Phoebe Zahl

Wellbeing Captain - Sarah Manzl

House

Glowrey

House Captains: Lucy Keen and Jacob Irwin

House Vice Captains: Stella Sottile and Addison Lewis

MacKillop

House Captains: Amelie Anderson and Declan Parisi

House Vice Captains: Chelsea Hanks and Chloe Van Den Bosch

Ricci

House Captains: Tiarni Blair and Luke O'Brien

House Vice Captains: Hamish Dallman and Harry Craven

Xavier

House Captains: Poppy Hart and Sam Eales

House Vice Captains: Peregrine Nicholls and Heidi Bush

SRC

Year 8

Dashiell Smith

Elise Tizard

Year 9

Michael Sayers

Tully Reynolds

Year 10

Samantha Nyatsanga

Reuben Cook

Year 11

Hannah Dreise

Gabriela Fernandes

Year 12

Ella Hobbs

Archie Stella

FIRE Carriers

Tiarni Blair

Hamish Dallman

Lex Dowling

Hannah Dreise

Isabel Gee

Ella Hobbs

Charlotte Monaghan

Alexie Murray

Arurpe Leaders

Lex Dowling

Hannah Dreise

Isabella Milne

Charlotte Monaghan

Harriet Stepto

Enda Fitzgerald

Saint Ignatius. Inspiring me to be a leader.

Loyola Market Day

On Tuesday, 12 November, our Years 7 and 8 students organised the annual Loyola Market Day after weeks of planning. The students worked with their Mentor Group to decide what type of stall to put up. The event featured a variety of stalls, from cakes, sweets, games, and raffles to a dunking machine. Overall, it was a successful day of collaboration and enjoyment. The main aim was to have fun while raising money for Jesuit Mission’s programs in East Timor. These include supporting secondary schools: Escola Secundaria Católica Nossa Senhora de Fátima (NOSSEF) in Railaco and Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College) in Kasait. Well done to all involved on raising $4,600.

Yr 12 exams and pathways

Our Yr 12 VCE students have completed their exam period with the final exams held yesterday. Our Year 12 VCE Vocational Major (VM, previously VCAL) students have finished their classes for the year. I know some have already obtained an apprenticeship, and others are enrolling in a vocational course for next year. As a College community, we extend our best wishes and prayers for our Yr 12 students as they make this very significant transition from secondary school.

All students undertaking Unit 3 & 4 VCE Exams will have received via email a letter from me sharing the content of an email message from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s (VCAA) Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr Marcia Devlin AM, regarding the errors with this year’s VCE exams. Dr Devlin’s message included an apology on behalf of VCAA, an acknowledgement of how hard students have worked over many months to prepare for the assessments, and the process VCAA will follow to ensure each student is marked fairly.

The VCAA has published information, including Q&As, on their website, see: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

For other questions or additional support, please contact our Senior Certificate Coordinator, Ms Andrea Dart (E: darta@ignatius.vic.edu.au or P: 03 5251 1136.)

My colleagues have informed me that they have been impressed by the way our students have prepared for and approached their exams despite the publicity surrounding the exam concerns; well done to our students! In my message, I encouraged them to continue to focus on doing their best and that I hoped they would feel reassured that VCAA is working to ensure that each student is marked fairly. Also, I wanted them to feel free to contact their Head of House or College Wellbeing Office if needed.

I look forward to celebrating with the Yr 12 students, their families and staff at the Valedictory Dinner at GMHBA Stadium, Kardinia Park, on the evening of Friday, 29th November 2024.

Mr Bruce Connor, our Work and Further Education Coordinator, supported many VM and VCE students and parents when considering possible pathways. Mr Connor remains available for the rest of the school year (and into the next school year) if any student or parent would like some support or information regarding pathways, courses or employment. He can be contacted by phoning our Office (03 5251 1136) or emailing (connorb@ignatius.vic.edu.au)

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal