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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Mr Michael Exton
Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,
This is the penultimate newsletter for 2021. The last edition for the year will be available on Thursday 16th December.
After what has been another challenging and uncertain year, our Years 7-11 students have their last day of classes tomorrow before commencing the summer holidays.
Parents will be able to access the Semester Two Statement of Results for these students via the parent portal from Monday 13th December 2021.
The exam period for Year 12 VCE students finished two weeks ago. Students undertaking Unit 3/4 VCE exams will receive their results on Thursday, 16th December 2021.
I hope our students’ results reflect solid gains in their learning for another year, taking into account the impact of the pandemic, and affirm their determined efforts and positive attitude to their subject courses.
An overview of some key dates on the College calendar over the holiday period:
With the academic year nearly finished, the move to Phase D of the “Roadmap”, and the subsequent further easing of restrictions, we can look forward to celebrating Christmas and enjoying the summer break after another very challenging year for everyone in our community. Despite the uncertainties and difficulties, there have again been many examples of care, compassion and resilience. I commend our school community for how we have together managed during another year characterized by uncertainties and challenges due to the pandemic. I particularly congratulate our students and staff for their adaptability and flexibility as we moved to and from remote learning and working during the year. As we look back on 2021, may we take strength from the knowledge of what we have accomplished from working together, persisting and supporting each other and that this will put us in good stead for managing future challenges.
On Thursday 25th November, the annual Year 12 Valedictory was held at our College with over 650 people present. It was a very uplifting event, and we were so relieved that with the easing of the pandemic restrictions, we could hold this event and with members of the students’ families present. This made it an excellent joint school and family celebration of and for the Class of 2021.
The evening commenced in the Multipurpose Centre for the Valete Mass. Thank you to the celebrants, Fr Gerry Healy SJ (Australian Jesuit representative on the College Board) and Fr Ray Bugeja (Canonical Administrator). After Mass, we gathered again for the Graduation Ceremony that included the formal presentation of the graduands and some speeches.
A special feature of the formal part of the evening was the return of one of our past College Captains to provide the keynote address and promote the “Old Ignatians Association”. Maddy Crothers spoke encouragingly about how she managed post-school during these pandemic times and how she proactively and constructively took action to provide opportunities to make the most of the uncertain and challenging situation. In addition, each year 12 student was presented with an Old Ignatian lapel badge that they will hopefully keep as a sign of their continuing connection to their secondary school.
The College Captains, Coco Bullock and Daniel McInerney-Sotomayor, spoke fondly about many aspects of their six years at the College, expressed gratitude to the staff and parents and wished their classmates best wishes for the next stage of their life journey.
A very enjoyable supper followed this in the Year 9 Centre.
As you may know, our College, like all the Catholic parish and diocesan schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne – is now under the guidance of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). As a result, every school has been asked to establish a School Advisory Council. This Council will replace our College Board.
Our current board will continue as a School Advisory Council under a new “Terms of Reference.”
The School Advisory Council will continue to advise me on important matters and support the College Executive team in our decision-making process.
Our current Board has provided excellent support to the College community. The Board has assisted in the efficient governance of the school. It has ensured that the College is faithful to its mission, and its decisions have been made having regard, as a primary consideration, to the best interest of our students. The Board has overseen, encouraged and supported the introduction of a variety of programs to enhance the educational opportunities of students at our College. We have been blessed with such talented, generous and dedicated Board members.
I am happy and relieved that we will maintain most of our current Board members as members of the new School Advisory Council. This will ensure continuity and strength for the College with the retainment of such a high calibre group of Council members.
Two members will not transition to the Council. On behalf of the College community, I express my gratitude to two relatively long-serving Board members who are both past parents of students at the College.
Ms Lisa Bell and Mr Darren Henry. Lisa background in education and Darren’s in the financial area added greatly to the skillset capacity of the Board. I thank them both for their valuable contributions and commitment.
It will be a very uplifting way to finish the school year with the College’s production of “Wicked” being performed next week. It is particularly pleasing that our student cast and crew can now put the show on with the cancellation of the production in August due to the pandemic restrictions. After many months of planning, preparation and rehearsals, the cast of well over 100 students and the student, staff and parent support crew are ready to entertain us and reap the many benefits of being involved in such an undertaking. The students will develop valuable knowledge, skills, talents and confidence in many different areas.
The performances will be held at Coats Hall, Deakin Waterfront Campus, at 7:30 pm on December 9 & 10.
Click on the link below to purchase your ticket to watch Ignatian students shine!
https://geelongartscentre.org.au/…/saint-ignatius-college…/…
I encourage all school community members to support what promises to be a very entertaining show by coming along to one of the performances.
Three long-serving staff members are retiring at the end of this year. On behalf of our school community, I thank them for their contribution and wish them all the best for their futures.
Mr Greg Fisher has been teaching for just under 35 years, commencing at St Mary’s Technical School Geelong. Mr Fisher has been a dedicated and well-respected teacher at our College for nearly 30 years and has mainly taught Physical Education and Mathematics. In addition, he has taken on a number of leadership roles, including Health & Physical Education Coordinator, Year 10 Coordinator and Sports Coordinator.
Mr Ben Zanghi will be finishing his teaching career after 34 years, the last 17 being here at Saint Ignatius teaching Systems Engineering and Technology subjects. We are very grateful for Mr Zanghi’s involvement in designing and setting up the College’s Technology Centre from scratch. He has held a number of positions over the years, including Technology Coordinator and Health & Safety Representative.
Our final retiree is our Development Manager Mrs Claire Hewitt. Mrs Hewitt has been teaching for over 44 years, with the last nearly 20 here at Saint Ignatius. Mrs Hewitt has mainly taught Mathematics and Science over the years. As Development Manager, Mrs Hewitt has significantly and passionately contributed to building the school’s reputation through her marketing and promotions work. She has also strengthened our school community by organising annual Open Days and our College annual celebration event “Mosaic.” Her dedicated and enthusiastic commitment has been so beneficial to the development of our College. In her earlier years at the College, Mrs Hewitt held the Yr 9 Coordinator position.
Although not retiring, I express our gratitude and best wishes to English and Humanities teacher Ms Sarah Callahan our Digital Technology Learning Area Leader, Mr Martin Kolka. Ms Callahan has taught at our College for ten years and held the Humanities Learning Area Leader position for part of this time. Both will not be returning for 2022.
On behalf of our school community, I also wish teachers Ms Olivia Peace and Ms Lynae Baker, who are finishing up, all the best for their futures.
Thank you to the Senior School team of teachers for providing a valuable Orientation Program over the last week and a half to prepare the Year 11 students for next year. It is important that these students use some of the holiday period to prepare for their Unit 3 subjects. Teachers will have given guidelines and provided preparatory work. The students are responsible for taking advantage of this and not turning up next year, finding themselves behind the rest of the class. Can I please encourage parents to support this expectation? I expect that our senior students give their academic program the priority it deserves, and other undertakings will need to fit in around their studies. I want all students, as I am sure parents do, to have the best chance of achieving to the best of their ability, and this will be enhanced if the prevailing atmosphere is one where students are encouraging each other to do their best with their studies.
I am grateful to the Year Level Coordinators and their team of teachers for organising and providing, and managing a productive and well-organised finish to the school year. They have prepared liturgies and final gatherings for our Years 7 – 11 students to ensure we finish well tomorrow.
Next Tuesday, we will conduct Orientation Day for the grade six students attending Saint Ignatius next year. We look forward to welcoming our new college members.
Last Sunday, we commenced the Advent period of the Church’s calendar, in fact, the beginning of a new Church year. The Advent period is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas.
“Lord, you sent us Jesus your Son to bring light to our darkness and lead us to eternal life. As we begin this Advent season, enkindle within us the deep desire to seek him in all things.
Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less than Your love which overflows for us in Christ. As we journey through Advent, rekindle within us your gift of hope, and turn our expectant waiting into readiness to welcome Him in all persons we meet.
We ask you this in his name. Amen”
Michael Exton Principal
Feature
Events
Our News // 02 December 2021
Article by Mr Michael Exton
Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,
This is the penultimate newsletter for 2021. The last edition for the year will be available on Thursday 16th December.
After what has been another challenging and uncertain year, our Years 7-11 students have their last day of classes tomorrow before commencing the summer holidays.
Parents will be able to access the Semester Two Statement of Results for these students via the parent portal from Monday 13th December 2021.
The exam period for Year 12 VCE students finished two weeks ago. Students undertaking Unit 3/4 VCE exams will receive their results on Thursday, 16th December 2021.
I hope our students’ results reflect solid gains in their learning for another year, taking into account the impact of the pandemic, and affirm their determined efforts and positive attitude to their subject courses.
An overview of some key dates on the College calendar over the holiday period:
With the academic year nearly finished, the move to Phase D of the “Roadmap”, and the subsequent further easing of restrictions, we can look forward to celebrating Christmas and enjoying the summer break after another very challenging year for everyone in our community. Despite the uncertainties and difficulties, there have again been many examples of care, compassion and resilience. I commend our school community for how we have together managed during another year characterized by uncertainties and challenges due to the pandemic. I particularly congratulate our students and staff for their adaptability and flexibility as we moved to and from remote learning and working during the year. As we look back on 2021, may we take strength from the knowledge of what we have accomplished from working together, persisting and supporting each other and that this will put us in good stead for managing future challenges.
On Thursday 25th November, the annual Year 12 Valedictory was held at our College with over 650 people present. It was a very uplifting event, and we were so relieved that with the easing of the pandemic restrictions, we could hold this event and with members of the students’ families present. This made it an excellent joint school and family celebration of and for the Class of 2021.
The evening commenced in the Multipurpose Centre for the Valete Mass. Thank you to the celebrants, Fr Gerry Healy SJ (Australian Jesuit representative on the College Board) and Fr Ray Bugeja (Canonical Administrator). After Mass, we gathered again for the Graduation Ceremony that included the formal presentation of the graduands and some speeches.
A special feature of the formal part of the evening was the return of one of our past College Captains to provide the keynote address and promote the “Old Ignatians Association”. Maddy Crothers spoke encouragingly about how she managed post-school during these pandemic times and how she proactively and constructively took action to provide opportunities to make the most of the uncertain and challenging situation. In addition, each year 12 student was presented with an Old Ignatian lapel badge that they will hopefully keep as a sign of their continuing connection to their secondary school.
The College Captains, Coco Bullock and Daniel McInerney-Sotomayor, spoke fondly about many aspects of their six years at the College, expressed gratitude to the staff and parents and wished their classmates best wishes for the next stage of their life journey.
A very enjoyable supper followed this in the Year 9 Centre.
As you may know, our College, like all the Catholic parish and diocesan schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne – is now under the guidance of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). As a result, every school has been asked to establish a School Advisory Council. This Council will replace our College Board.
Our current board will continue as a School Advisory Council under a new “Terms of Reference.”
The School Advisory Council will continue to advise me on important matters and support the College Executive team in our decision-making process.
Our current Board has provided excellent support to the College community. The Board has assisted in the efficient governance of the school. It has ensured that the College is faithful to its mission, and its decisions have been made having regard, as a primary consideration, to the best interest of our students. The Board has overseen, encouraged and supported the introduction of a variety of programs to enhance the educational opportunities of students at our College. We have been blessed with such talented, generous and dedicated Board members.
I am happy and relieved that we will maintain most of our current Board members as members of the new School Advisory Council. This will ensure continuity and strength for the College with the retainment of such a high calibre group of Council members.
Two members will not transition to the Council. On behalf of the College community, I express my gratitude to two relatively long-serving Board members who are both past parents of students at the College.
Ms Lisa Bell and Mr Darren Henry. Lisa background in education and Darren’s in the financial area added greatly to the skillset capacity of the Board. I thank them both for their valuable contributions and commitment.
It will be a very uplifting way to finish the school year with the College’s production of “Wicked” being performed next week. It is particularly pleasing that our student cast and crew can now put the show on with the cancellation of the production in August due to the pandemic restrictions. After many months of planning, preparation and rehearsals, the cast of well over 100 students and the student, staff and parent support crew are ready to entertain us and reap the many benefits of being involved in such an undertaking. The students will develop valuable knowledge, skills, talents and confidence in many different areas.
The performances will be held at Coats Hall, Deakin Waterfront Campus, at 7:30 pm on December 9 & 10.
Click on the link below to purchase your ticket to watch Ignatian students shine!
https://geelongartscentre.org.au/…/saint-ignatius-college…/…
I encourage all school community members to support what promises to be a very entertaining show by coming along to one of the performances.
Three long-serving staff members are retiring at the end of this year. On behalf of our school community, I thank them for their contribution and wish them all the best for their futures.
Mr Greg Fisher has been teaching for just under 35 years, commencing at St Mary’s Technical School Geelong. Mr Fisher has been a dedicated and well-respected teacher at our College for nearly 30 years and has mainly taught Physical Education and Mathematics. In addition, he has taken on a number of leadership roles, including Health & Physical Education Coordinator, Year 10 Coordinator and Sports Coordinator.
Mr Ben Zanghi will be finishing his teaching career after 34 years, the last 17 being here at Saint Ignatius teaching Systems Engineering and Technology subjects. We are very grateful for Mr Zanghi’s involvement in designing and setting up the College’s Technology Centre from scratch. He has held a number of positions over the years, including Technology Coordinator and Health & Safety Representative.
Our final retiree is our Development Manager Mrs Claire Hewitt. Mrs Hewitt has been teaching for over 44 years, with the last nearly 20 here at Saint Ignatius. Mrs Hewitt has mainly taught Mathematics and Science over the years. As Development Manager, Mrs Hewitt has significantly and passionately contributed to building the school’s reputation through her marketing and promotions work. She has also strengthened our school community by organising annual Open Days and our College annual celebration event “Mosaic.” Her dedicated and enthusiastic commitment has been so beneficial to the development of our College. In her earlier years at the College, Mrs Hewitt held the Yr 9 Coordinator position.
Although not retiring, I express our gratitude and best wishes to English and Humanities teacher Ms Sarah Callahan our Digital Technology Learning Area Leader, Mr Martin Kolka. Ms Callahan has taught at our College for ten years and held the Humanities Learning Area Leader position for part of this time. Both will not be returning for 2022.
On behalf of our school community, I also wish teachers Ms Olivia Peace and Ms Lynae Baker, who are finishing up, all the best for their futures.
Thank you to the Senior School team of teachers for providing a valuable Orientation Program over the last week and a half to prepare the Year 11 students for next year. It is important that these students use some of the holiday period to prepare for their Unit 3 subjects. Teachers will have given guidelines and provided preparatory work. The students are responsible for taking advantage of this and not turning up next year, finding themselves behind the rest of the class. Can I please encourage parents to support this expectation? I expect that our senior students give their academic program the priority it deserves, and other undertakings will need to fit in around their studies. I want all students, as I am sure parents do, to have the best chance of achieving to the best of their ability, and this will be enhanced if the prevailing atmosphere is one where students are encouraging each other to do their best with their studies.
I am grateful to the Year Level Coordinators and their team of teachers for organising and providing, and managing a productive and well-organised finish to the school year. They have prepared liturgies and final gatherings for our Years 7 – 11 students to ensure we finish well tomorrow.
Next Tuesday, we will conduct Orientation Day for the grade six students attending Saint Ignatius next year. We look forward to welcoming our new college members.
Last Sunday, we commenced the Advent period of the Church’s calendar, in fact, the beginning of a new Church year. The Advent period is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas.
“Lord, you sent us Jesus your Son to bring light to our darkness and lead us to eternal life. As we begin this Advent season, enkindle within us the deep desire to seek him in all things.
Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less than Your love which overflows for us in Christ. As we journey through Advent, rekindle within us your gift of hope, and turn our expectant waiting into readiness to welcome Him in all persons we meet.
We ask you this in his name. Amen”
Michael Exton Principal
