From the Principal

Dear Saint Ignatius College Community members,

Welcome back to the final school term for 2023. I hope all students have had an enjoyable and restful break (with some revision and preparation for the new term) and are looking forward to finishing the year off on an excellent note.

The Interim-semester Two Reports and follow-up Parent/Student/Teacher meetings held during the second last week of term three will have helped identify and affirm good progress to date, provided a valuable opportunity to discuss areas of concern and helped set some directions for a productive term ahead.

Ms Elana Cole (Director of Community Engagement & Development) reported that a large number of our students and some students from other schools participated in the VCE Revision Lectures held at our College in the first week of the holidays. This is the second year we have provided this opportunity for our students to prepare themselves for their forthcoming examinations better.

The Year 12 VCE students sat their practice exams during the second week of the holidays. Senior Certificate Coordinator Ms Andrea Dart reported that she was very pleased that most students attended and the way these students approached this very important assessment preparation.

College Production of “Anastasia”

We certainly finished Term Three on a high note with the excellent performances of the College’s production of “Anastasia” at the Geelong Arts Centre. I am sure I speak on behalf of our school community in saying how proud I am of our students. Well done!

There were over seventy students involved in various roles, including actors, singers, and stagehands. They performed brilliantly and entertained the audience very well, judging by the audiences’ reactions and the amount of positive and affirming feedback we received.

I thank the many staff and volunteers, including the crew, backstage helpers, hair and make-up and musicians who supported our students in this endeavour. I also acknowledge the Geelong Arts Centre and its staff for their work and support. And the music was sensational. I thank and congratulate the members of the orchestra.

While there were many very impressive individual performances on stage, it was the teamwork and the many different teams behind the scenes that combined to bring the shows to fruition that underpinned the success of the shows. We know that there were many, many months of preparation, and this time was a very important part of the journey. The students had the opportunity to develop many skills, qualities and friendships. Undoubtedly there have been challenges, and I am sure there has been a lot of fun along the way.

Obviously, the performances would not have been possible without the generous, talented and enthusiastic work of many of my colleagues. Over the last year, I have witnessed their encouragement, care, guidance, coaching skills and role modelling to lead our students toward their performance of this musical. Many staff have been involved in one way or another, and I thank them all. However, I would like to acknowledge the key people in recognition of their contribution:

Michael Wilding - Musical Director

Linda Pape - Assistant Musical Director

Elise Meehan - Costume Coordinator

Attel Martschinke - Production Manager

Samantha Windmill - Assistant Producer

Tania Grant – Co-Vocal Director

Dean Robinson - Choreographer

Carly Mitchell, Jeremy Ives, Rhea Green - Co-Directors

Marina Brown - Producer and Co-Vocal Director

At Saint Ignatius we value our extra-curricular programs and in particular, the performing arts as we strive to be better and become well-rounded people.

Congratulations to all involved in the production!

Final week for Year 12s

All parents/carers of Year 12 students will receive a letter from me early next week to communicate some of our expectations and hopes and the plans in place at this stage to help facilitate a positive and smooth finish. (Extra copies are available from our office.) It is obviously very important that the Year 12s remain as focused as possible on their studies right through to the last exam. A lot depends on their ability to apply themselves well during this time. I have made our expectations about a positive finish by the senior students on their ‘last day,’ Tuesday 17th October very clear.

Normal timetabled classes for the Year 12 students will cease on Monday 16th October 2023. The next day, Tuesday 17th October, will be the Yr 12 ‘Celebration Day.’ The VCE written exam period starts on Tuesday 24th October 2023 with the English exam (for Languages Oral, Drama & Music Performance exam times please check with the subject teacher, some of these examinations may be held earlier than the English exam.)

After Tuesday 17th October 2023, Year 12 teachers will be available during normal class time and by appointment out of class time, within the school day, until the exam for their particular subject. Teachers will discuss these arrangements with their students.

A number of special activities are planned over the “last days” to help make this a special and memorable time for the students and parents. In particular, I remind parents of Year 12 students and friends of the College about the Year 12 Valete Mass and Graduation at the College Multipurpose Centre on Monday 16th October 2023 (5:00 pm) and the Full School Assembly on the same day (Monday 16th October). Parents are most welcome to attend the assembly. Please report to the office at 1:15 pm for a 1:30 pm start.) It is expected that all Yr 12 students and their families will attend the special Mass on the 16th October and you would be most welcome to attend the assembly.

I wish our Year 12 students and their families a special and memorable time during the last phase of their secondary school journey.

Next Full School Assembly

All Parents are warmly invited to attend this term’s assembly on Monday 16th October 2023. I ask you to please report to the office at 1:15 pm so you can be allocated a seat. The main focus of the assembly will be, as in past years, the school’s farewell to the Year 12 students.

Wednesday 25th October 2023 – normal classes

Please note that this day is not a holiday for our students – classes will run as normal. As you are aware, this is the day of the annual “Geelong Cup.” Some schools are taking this day as a holiday; we are not, as we take Melbourne Cup day instead (together with the day before.)

As some schools are taking the Geelong Cup off, there was a question over what school buses will run on this day. The Region’s School Bus Coordinator has informed our Bus Coordinator that buses will run on this day for our students. I would suggest that students should check with their driver just prior to the day, particularly those on buses that carry students from other schools, in case there are any special arrangements being made due to less students travelling on this day.

Some important dates on the College Calendar

• Staff Professional Learning Day Friday 20th October. No classes will be conducted on this day.

• Melbourne Cup Public Holiday Tuesday 7th November, and no classes are to be conducted on Monday 6th November; however, there will be some VCE Exams conducted at school on November 6.

• Mosaic Awards Ceremony Costa Hall Thursday 16th November (6.30 pm)

• Staff Professional Practice Time Day for teachers on Friday 8th December. No classes will be conducted on this day

• The final day for classes for Yr. 7-11 is on December 7th.

• Year 12 Celebrations:

  • Monday 16th October - Final day of scheduled classes

  • Monday 16th October – Farewell Assembly, periods 5 & 6

  • Monday 16th October – Valete Mass & Graduation Ceremony at the College (5 pm to 7:30 pm)

  • Tuesday 17th October – Year 12 Celebration Day

  • Tuesday 24th October – Unit 4 Exams begin

  • Wednesday 15th November – Unit 4 Exams finish

  • Friday 24th November – Valedictory Dinner at GMHBA Stadium (6 pm)

Best wishes to everyone for a productive and enjoyable final term for 2023.

Michael Exton

Principal