From the Acting Principal

JACSA Conference

On Wednesday July 10, 2019 a number of Saint Ignatius College staff attended the Jesuit and Companions Schools Association (JACSA) conference. The three-day conference is held every 3 years at one of the Jesuit Schools throughout Australia. This year we were fortunate to travel to Adelaide and our host College was Saint Ignatius’ College, Adelaide. This Education Conference focused on responding to the challenge to be companions in a mission of Reconciliation and Justice. The conference consisted of three key objectives:

1. To address the Province Bookend priorities: concerns for Australia’s First Nations peoples and for the country’s most recent arrivals, Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
2. To find ways in which Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises can be actively adapted to the school setting so that students learn the habit of stillness and the practice of discernment.
3. To nurture the established JACSA Professional Learning Communities. ​​

The delegates were fortunate enough to hear from the Provincial Fr Brian McCoy SJ and Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ on some of the current issues facing educators today. There were also a number of key note speakers throughout the conference, delivering addresses on a range of topics. Fr Frank Brennan SJ challenged participants regarding our response to Refugees and Asylum Seekers and First Nations People in Australia querying how Ignatian Spirituality can and should contribute to this conversation. Mr. Nishadh Rego from Jesuit Refugee Service depicted the human face of those currently in detention or in precarious positions post-detention while Ms. Barbara Watkins, confronted those present with the challenge to transform mission into action. All speakers were thought provoking, inspiring and generated great discourse amongst the delegates in attendance.

I would like to thank the Saint Ignatius staff who attended the conference alongside myself: namely Mrs. Annette Chidzey, Ms. Alicia Deak, Ms. Deb Hodge, Mr. Paul Lewis and Mr. Brendan Nicholls.

Major Roads Project

The next stage of this project involves completing foundations for the pedestrian underpass and this work has commenced. The underpass will ensure safe and efficient access to and from the Education, Arts and Sporting precinct on Peninsula Drive and is a welcome stage in the ongoing development of the bypass.

The pedestrian underpass has been designed to be wide, light and welcoming for all users. It will be 8 metres wide, 3 metres high and 26 metres long and will open onto a new, landscaped open space with seating and bus shelters at the pick-up and drop-off points on Peninsula Drive. At night, the underpass will be well lit to ensure the safety of people needing to access it.

Piling work for the new pedestrian underpass will resume on Wednesday, July 17, 2019 with the rig moved on site prior to that date. During this time, you will notice some large machinery near the old entrance of Peninsula Drive. These machines will be drilling holes, driving concrete piles deep into the ground and building concrete footings.

While the underpass foundations are being built, the existing pedestrian detour will remain in place from Andersons Road to Peninsula Drive. There may be minor adjustments to the detour at the closest points to the piling work, but clear directional signage will be provided any time there are alterations.

I encourage all students to ensure they remain out of the construction area and follow the signage provided by the Major Roads Project Victoria group.

College Immersions

At the conclusion of last term, we had a number of international immersion trips that departed to various locations around the globe. There were significant life time memories created for all participants undertaking these experiences. It was pleasing to welcome back staff and students during the recent holidays and listen to the detailed stories that these trips provided. I would like to acknowledge the following staff who shared the experiences with our parents and students.

• Kokoda – Companions Ladder Program – Staff Ms. Stacey Learmonth and Mr. Brendan O’Brien who attended as a parent
• Timor Immersion – Ms. Alicia Deak
• World Challenge – Mr. Michael Brown, Mr. Byron Mitchell, Ms. Leonie O’Brien, Mr. Nathan Patterson and Mr. Angelo Scotto. I would also like to acknowledge the College Alumni who attended the World Challenge Expedition as Expedition Assistants: Keira Ford, Chloe Barry and Bridget Waring.

Student Achievement

The following students have brought distinguished acclaim to the school and themselves in recent weeks and I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge their respective efforts and achievements:

Jet Kneebone (9 Beltran) who represented VIC Country in the National U/16 Basketball Championships. There were only 10 boys selected from the Victoria country region. The team had a very good carnival making it to the Grand Final, where they were defeated by Vic Metro.

Tristan Bond (9 Arrupe) and Mason Ward (9 Gonzaga) were presented with the Australian Scout Medallion. To attain this award reflects sustained effort over many months and years, plus self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. All of the attributes we want from our students at Saint Ignatius. Well done.

I would also like to wish the following students all the best as they undertake the following endeavours:

Lucy Mawson (7 Ward) and Charli Nicol (9 Gonzaga) will be representing Team Victoria in the U/12 and U/15 Netball Schools Sports Australian Championships

Jye Clarke (9 Isore) and Ashley Van Loon (9 Regis) who are both representing Team Victoria in the U/15 boys and U/15 girls AFL competition.

We look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return to the College.

Reports

A reminder that Semester 1 reports will be accessible online via the Parent Portal on July 23, 2019 from 9am. In addition to assist future planning, there will be a Subject Information Expo for all year 9 and 10 students to be held at the College on Wednesday August 7. This evening is designed to provide detailed information in regards to upcoming pathways and 2020 subject selections at both levels.

Further details will be forwarded to parents and guardians of students in these levels closer to the Expo, but for now I ask that this date be diarized to ensure everyone can be present.

Best wishes,

Michael Timms Acting Principal