From the Principal

Invitation – Blessing & Opening of our new Multipurpose Centre

Parents and friends of the College are invited to attend next week’s full school assembly on Friday 15th November 2019 (1:15 pm – 3:00 pm). This will be a very special assembly for the Blessing and Opening of the New Multipurpose Centre. I am grateful to Bishop Mark Edwards (Auxiliary Bishop for the Melbourne Archdiocese) who will bless this fantastic new facility and our local MP, Ms Lisa Neville (Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Water) who will officially open the Centre. The State Government contributed $2,000,000 towards the funding of this project for which we are very grateful.

Please report to the main office at 1:00 pm so you can be escorted to a seat in the new Centre. The assembly will conclude at 2:45 pm and will be followed by a tour of the new facility and afternoon tea. (This tour will include the new Year 9 Centre as well.)

The new Year 9 Centre will be blessed and opened at a later date. Parents will be advised of this when we can confirm the availability of the Australian Government Minister of Education or his delegate.

Year 12 exams and pathways

Our Year 12 VCE students are well and truly into their exam period. Many have sat two or more exams since they commenced with English on Wednesday last week. Please keep these students in your thoughts and prayers that they can revise well and demonstrate their learning to the best of their abilities at this time.

Year 12 VCAL students have finished their classes for the year, and I wish them all the best for their next step toward employment or further study. I know some of them have already obtained an apprenticeship and others are enrolling in a vocational course for next year. So it is also important to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they make this very significant transition from secondary school.

Mr Bruce Connor, our Work and Further Education Coordinator, has provided support to many VCAL and VCE students and parents when they were 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 re pathways, courses or employment. He can be contacted by phoning our Office.

Remembrance Day

As you are aware, Monday is Remembrance Day. Each Homeroom Group will be involved in a short memorial service during their morning period.

Thank you to Mr Paul Lewis (DP) for organising and leading this service.

Mosaic Evening and arrangements for classes on the day

Our annual ‘Mosaic’ evening is an excellent annual College community celebration. All members of our school community are encouraged to attend this wonderful evening on Thursday 21st November at Costa Hall, Deakin Waterfront Campus. The Student Art & Technology display commences at 6.00pm in the Costa Hall foyer followed by the celebration evening that begins at 7.00pm in the main auditorium.

We have received very positive feedback over the years about this major College function. As many students as possible are expected to attend. This College function reinforces for our students the College’s values, celebrates student achievement in a variety of areas and builds a sense of belonging and school community. I also encourage parents and families to support our community by attending and to be part of a delightful and uplifting celebration of the 2019 school year at Saint Ignatius College.

Please note that most Years 7 – 11 students will not be required at school on Thursday 21st November 2019 so staff can prepare for the evening and students performing can rehearse. Some students will be expected to attend school and/or Costa Hall during the day to prepare for this event. Parents of students involved during the day in the lead-up to Mosaic that evening will be contacted by the organising staff members about the arrangements for this.

Having had the day off school, it is expected that students will come to the evening instead of their classes for the day. Students in Years 7 – 11 who are performing in the evening are expected to go to school on the day for the rehearsals. Year 12 students will attend school as per their exam timetable.

I look forward to joining with students, families and friends of the College to celebrate the school year. As was the case last year no tickets are required to attend, all you will need to do is turn up at Costa Hall, and you will be ushered to a seat. There is no cost to attend, and you are most welcome to invite Grandparents, other family members, and family friends.

Recent Year 8 Camp

Last week the College conducted the second Year 8 Leadership Camp for a group of selected students to Wollangarra in Gippsland. The group was away for four nights camping and bushwalking in this beautiful Victorian area, situated beside the Macalister River south of Licola. Participation in the camp was by application and has overall involved fifty Year 8 students.

All reports indicate both camps were very successful. Well done to the students involved and thank you to the teachers who accompanied the students – Ms Robyn Frigo, Ms Kate Kearney, Ms Rebekah Spencer and Mr Michael Tod.

Recent bereavements

On behalf of our College community I express our sympathy to the following College Community members who have lost a loved one.

Mrs Sandra Woodall (Canteen Manager) on the passing of her mother Mrs Beryl Buckley.

Mr Richard Moody (Teacher) on the passing of his father Mr Spencer ‘Noel’ Moody.

Ms Gillian Newland (former staff member and current parent) and Jack Newland (Yr 9) on the passing of their husband and father Mr Brett Newland.

“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

Michael Exton Principal