27 June 2019

From the Principal

Article by Mr Michael Exton

From the Principal

Last week of term

Tomorrow is the last day of classes for the term, and we look forward to the semester one break over the next two weeks. Over the last while, students have been very busy completing and then submitting final pieces of work for the semester. Teachers have also been very busy with corrections and writing the Semester One Reports.

These reports will be available online through the parent portal from 9 am on Tuesday 23rd July 2019. We do not have scheduled Parent/Students/Teacher Conferences to follow-up on these reports, however, parents are most welcome to contact teachers early next term to make a time to discuss student progress in response to these reports.

Tomorrow, the students will be dismissed at 2.20pm due to the special school bus timetable for the afternoon of the last day of term two. We will run six shortened periods so that all Friday classes will have some time on the day.

I wish all students a restful break and encourage them to spend some time revising and preparing for the next term. In particular, VCE students should be using some of this time to review the work covered to-date, preview and prepare for the work ahead and complete any set work given by teachers.

Please note that classes resume for term three on Tuesday, 16th July 2019. (Yr 12 VCE students will complete a mid-year English exam at the College on Monday 15th July between 9 am and 12:15 pm.) Monday 15th July 2019 will be a Teacher Professional Practice day, and there will be no regular classes on this day.

Principal leave

I am very grateful for the opportunity to take some of my sabbatical leave from the start of the forthcoming school holidays for five weeks. During this time, as part of my ongoing commitment to Education in Faith leadership studies, I will undertake a course, “Forming International Leaders in the New Evangelisation” through Australian Catholic University (ACU) at St Mary’s University in London, UK and ACU’s Rome Campus, Italy with visits to some schools and other significant locations in both countries.

During my absence, Deputy Principal, Mr Michael Timms will be Acting Principal.

Congratulations Fr Kevin Dillon on 50 years of priesthood!

On Sunday 1st June 1969, Fr Kevin was ordained at his “home parish” - Our Lady of Lourdes, Armadale. This was the beginning of his fifty years of connection with six parishes in Melbourne: East Bentleigh, Ivanhoe, Altona, Mitcham, Geelong and Rowville. Other roles during these fifty years include working at the Vocations Office, the organisation of the 1986 Papal Visit, and six years as Episcopal Vicar for Communications. Also, there are many, many significant achievements resulting from his leadership. However, for Fr Kevin, “it has been the ongoing and deep connection with parishes - and therefore with parishioners - that has been the keystone of my past fifty years as a priest.” In Geelong, we are very grateful for his time as Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels where he provided extraordinary leadership and service to the Geelong Catholic and broader communities.

Our school community is very grateful for Fr Kevin’s generous support as President of the Association of Canonical Administrators during his time in Geelong. Fr Kevin served on the College’s Board, celebrated many, many student Masses and spoke at many major College events. His priestly ministry, his presence and his wise words were valued and enriched our school community, enhancing our Catholic ethos and identity. Many from the Geelong region, including myself and others associated with our College, travelled to Fr Kevin’s current parish, St Simon the Apostle, Rowville to attend a very special Mass and celebration afternoon tea on Sunday 2nd June so we could join in congratulating Fr Kevin on this milestone of 50 years of priesthood with gratitude and best wishes. Congratulations, Fr Kevin!

Staff news

Two staff members will be leaving, and another one will commence parental leave at the end of this term as follows.

Mrs Nella Costa (Finance/Admin. Officer)

Retirement is a significant decision to make in one’s life journey. It is important, as a school community, we recognise this milestone for one of our long-serving staff members, Mrs Costa. To do so, I look back with gratitude for Mrs Costa’s dedicated contribution since she commenced her involvement with the College in 1991 at the then Catholic Regional College in Geelong. She has been a vital member of the Finance/Admin team and in particular, worked in the areas of accounts (school fees and the ordering of and payment for resources) and bus coordination.

She has been a loyal and hardworking member of the College Community. Her three children, Anthony, Miranda and Richard, all attended the College.

In looking forward, on behalf of the College community, I wish Mrs Costa every blessing for a very happy, healthy and rewarding time as she commences the next chapter of her life. We will miss Nella. Thank you and best wishes.

Ms Brooke O’Brien (Year 8 Homeroom Teacher/English and RE Teacher)

Ms O’Brien has been a very well-regarded teaching member of staff at our College for nearly five years. Among many valuable contributions, she has taught senior English and coordinated the College’s “Personal Learning” program. I am very grateful for her dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking approach that has benefited so many students. On behalf of the College, I wish Ms O’Brien all the best for her future.

Ms Elana Cole (Year 7 Homeroom Teacher/Indonesian, English and Humanities Teacher)

I wish Ms Cole all the best as she commences parental leave. We look forward to good news later in the year!

I thank Ms Cole for all she has done to date to settle the Yr 7 Carroll students into secondary school, and in particular, her work to build on the College’s “Companions” Program.

To replace these three staff members, I inform you of the following appointments.

We had plenty of notice about Mrs Costa’s retirement and have appointed Mrs Jenny Peters as “Assistant Business Manager”. Mrs Peters’ role includes many of the duties Mrs Costa performed.

Current teaching staff member, Mr Michael Tod (Year 7 Homeroom Teacher/RE and English Teacher) will change his teaching allocation to teach Ms O’Brien’s classes and become the Year 8 Montserrat Homeroom Teacher. Mr Tod will also take on the Debating role with Years 7 to 9 in support of Ms Andrea Dart.

I am grateful to a current teaching staff member, Mrs Gemma Tolan, who will take on the coordination of the “Personal Learning” Program.

With Mr Tod changing his teaching allocation, this meant that we needed another teacher to replace his current teaching load. I am glad that I could appoint Ms Amy Anderson to the College’s teaching staff. Ms Anderson will be the new Year 7 Miki Homeroom Teacher from the beginning of next term.

Mr Andrew Blackstone will be replacing Ms Cole for the remainder of this year and will be the Year 7 Carroll Homeroom Teacher.

I am grateful to a current teaching staff member, Ms Tory Wood, who will take on the “Companions” Program coordination.

Also, there have been a few changes to the subject teacher of some classes to help make the adjustments necessary to accommodate the changes mentioned above. These changes will be indicated on the relevant student Semester Two timetables available through our online Student Management System, ‘Xuno.’

World Challenge and Kokoda

Photos from our World Challenge immersion in northern India and our Kokoda trip can be view in the gallery.

Best wishes,

Michael Exton Principal

Privacy and information collection - Saint Ignatius College Geelong is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1998. In relation to health records, the School is also bound by the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic.). A copies of the College’s Privacy Policy and ‘Collection Notice’ that take into account these laws, technology and changes to the School’s operations and practices is available on our website. You can find the link at the bottom of the College’s web page.

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