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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Mr Michael Exton
Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Saint Ignatius College Geelong,
It was uplifting to welcome all students back to onsite learning on Monday 12 October. The wearing of masks didn’t lessen the excitement as students and teachers greeted each other in person on arrival after an absence of seven weeks last term and the first week of this term when classes were online. Overall, I am happy with the students’ transition back to school. However, during periods of change, we need to monitor student wellbeing as they adjust to the school day routines and expectations. One of our priorities is the reestablishment of student engagement and application to their studies as soon as possible. Term four seems to go very quickly, usually. Please contact, as soon as possible, the subject teacher if you are concerned about academic progress or the homeroom teacher if concerned about a pastoral matter. I thank all parents for your ongoing support of the College. I commend our students, their families and our staff members for working together to ensure our students’ learning continuity and wellbeing during the most recent period of remote and flexible learning.
Each year, term four is characterised by the challenge of final assessments, in particular external exams and the mixed emotions surrounding the finish-up to secondary school by our Year 12 students. Typically we would conduct a series of events to acknowledge, celebrate and farewell our most senior students. As you would understand, we are unable to conduct such occasions as they have been done in previous years.
On the one hand, students may feel sad about leaving school and on the other, excited about what lies ahead. In consultation with the student leaders, the Year 12 Team, led by Kristin Williamson (YLC) produced a modified program to celebrate the Class of 2020. This week we enjoyed watching a Year 12 student versus staff netball game on Monday followed by a “Wellbeing Fancy Dress Day” on Tuesday. I commend the Year 12 students for the efforts they went to and the enthusiastic and cooperative way in which they participated in these activities.
Next week, Wednesday 28 October will be a special day of celebration that will include an ‘online whole school farewell assembly’ and modified graduation ceremony for our Year 12 students. Then we invite Year 12 families to make the evening a special and memorable one by participating in the online Valete Mass via Zoom at 6 pm together at home. We suggest this is followed by a celebratory family dinner together afterwards.
Year 12 is usually a very special and memorable time for most of our senior students. We are very mindful that the year has unfolded in a way we had not imagined. As a cohort, our Year 12s have been an impressive, friendly and admirable group. I wish them well for their final days at our College.
You can read my letter to our school community about the exciting news of the appointment of Ms Bernadette Donnelly as our new Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning) commencing at the beginning of next year by clicking on the following link:
As you may be aware, 2020 is our school review year. Term Four is a busy time for the review process with the two independent reviewers spending four days in meetings with school personnel. The first day was held on Wednesday 7 October when the reviewers checked that the College is compliant with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and state and federal government requirements. As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, I was pleased that as a result, the school will have its registration renewed.
The next phase of the review involves analysing the College’s performance over the last four years and then using this to inform the development of our School Improvement Plan for the next four years. Yesterday and today, the reviewers, Mr Malcolm Joseph and Mrs Margaret McKenna interviewed a cross-section of our College community, including various leaders, teachers, Education Support Officers, some parents and students. They also visited six different classrooms to observe teaching in action. Thank you to the parents who were able to help by participating in an online meeting with the reviewers.
The reviewers will meet with the College Executive Team on 11 November to report back and work with Executive members to commence the development of the next School Improvement Plan (2021-2024).
On behalf of our College community, I farewell Neil Hodder. Neil finished up on last Thursday after over nine years of work with our grounds and maintenance team. I thank Neil for his dedicated contribution to the maintenance and development of the College facilities and grounds. I am sure he feels a sense of pride when he looks back at the growth and development of this area that provides our students and staff with a safe, well-organised and attractive environment. Best wishes for your future Neil.
A reminder that the College will be closed tomorrow for the Victorian public holiday.
I wish you and your family an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton Principal
Feature
Events
Our News // 22 October 2020
Article by Mr Michael Exton
Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Saint Ignatius College Geelong,
It was uplifting to welcome all students back to onsite learning on Monday 12 October. The wearing of masks didn’t lessen the excitement as students and teachers greeted each other in person on arrival after an absence of seven weeks last term and the first week of this term when classes were online. Overall, I am happy with the students’ transition back to school. However, during periods of change, we need to monitor student wellbeing as they adjust to the school day routines and expectations. One of our priorities is the reestablishment of student engagement and application to their studies as soon as possible. Term four seems to go very quickly, usually. Please contact, as soon as possible, the subject teacher if you are concerned about academic progress or the homeroom teacher if concerned about a pastoral matter. I thank all parents for your ongoing support of the College. I commend our students, their families and our staff members for working together to ensure our students’ learning continuity and wellbeing during the most recent period of remote and flexible learning.
Each year, term four is characterised by the challenge of final assessments, in particular external exams and the mixed emotions surrounding the finish-up to secondary school by our Year 12 students. Typically we would conduct a series of events to acknowledge, celebrate and farewell our most senior students. As you would understand, we are unable to conduct such occasions as they have been done in previous years.
On the one hand, students may feel sad about leaving school and on the other, excited about what lies ahead. In consultation with the student leaders, the Year 12 Team, led by Kristin Williamson (YLC) produced a modified program to celebrate the Class of 2020. This week we enjoyed watching a Year 12 student versus staff netball game on Monday followed by a “Wellbeing Fancy Dress Day” on Tuesday. I commend the Year 12 students for the efforts they went to and the enthusiastic and cooperative way in which they participated in these activities.
Next week, Wednesday 28 October will be a special day of celebration that will include an ‘online whole school farewell assembly’ and modified graduation ceremony for our Year 12 students. Then we invite Year 12 families to make the evening a special and memorable one by participating in the online Valete Mass via Zoom at 6 pm together at home. We suggest this is followed by a celebratory family dinner together afterwards.
Year 12 is usually a very special and memorable time for most of our senior students. We are very mindful that the year has unfolded in a way we had not imagined. As a cohort, our Year 12s have been an impressive, friendly and admirable group. I wish them well for their final days at our College.
You can read my letter to our school community about the exciting news of the appointment of Ms Bernadette Donnelly as our new Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning) commencing at the beginning of next year by clicking on the following link:
As you may be aware, 2020 is our school review year. Term Four is a busy time for the review process with the two independent reviewers spending four days in meetings with school personnel. The first day was held on Wednesday 7 October when the reviewers checked that the College is compliant with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and state and federal government requirements. As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, I was pleased that as a result, the school will have its registration renewed.
The next phase of the review involves analysing the College’s performance over the last four years and then using this to inform the development of our School Improvement Plan for the next four years. Yesterday and today, the reviewers, Mr Malcolm Joseph and Mrs Margaret McKenna interviewed a cross-section of our College community, including various leaders, teachers, Education Support Officers, some parents and students. They also visited six different classrooms to observe teaching in action. Thank you to the parents who were able to help by participating in an online meeting with the reviewers.
The reviewers will meet with the College Executive Team on 11 November to report back and work with Executive members to commence the development of the next School Improvement Plan (2021-2024).
On behalf of our College community, I farewell Neil Hodder. Neil finished up on last Thursday after over nine years of work with our grounds and maintenance team. I thank Neil for his dedicated contribution to the maintenance and development of the College facilities and grounds. I am sure he feels a sense of pride when he looks back at the growth and development of this area that provides our students and staff with a safe, well-organised and attractive environment. Best wishes for your future Neil.
A reminder that the College will be closed tomorrow for the Victorian public holiday.
I wish you and your family an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton Principal
