From the Principal

Dear Saint Ignatius College community members,

We began the year with high expectations and a positive mindset about the year ahead. After the uncertain and unsettled year last year, our focus has been establishing a positive, respectful and effective learning environment with a strong learning culture.

I have high expectations in all aspects of the College; dedication to learning is an essential part of these expectations, as is respectful language, punctuality, attendance, work ethic, completing homework, wearing the uniform correctly and with pride and commitment to our Catholic ethos. I firmly believe that when we have high and achievable expectations of our students, they will rise to meet them and, in many cases, exceed our expectations.

I have had many opportunities to meet and greet students throughout the weeks, informally, including the swimming and athletics carnivals and when I am walking around the grounds at recess or lunchtime. Overall, I consistently find our students to be friendly, polite and cooperative. It has been pleasing that we have been able to offer many of our usual programs to support the holistic education we provide and see students' positive response.

It has been great to have their energy and enthusiasm bringing life to the buildings and grounds that were empty for many, many weeks last year. Some of the many examples that I have witnessed are the College Tennis Championships, the auditions for this year’s production – “Wicked,” the International Women’s Day activities and the College Bands performances last Friday evening. And well done to all students who attended the Annual House Athletics Carnival at Landy Field, Geelong, on Monday.

It was an enjoyable autumn day with over 1,000 students attending. Congratulations to Elliott House for winning the House Shield! 

Thank you to our Sports Coordinator, Mr Andrew Philp, for his great efforts to organise the carnival.

Now that the year is well underway, I expect students to be placing the priority on their learning that it deserves. Student habits and routines should be reflecting this. As always, we seek to work with our students and families to meet our high and achievable expectations as partners. Could I please suggest you conduct a check-up with your daughter or son by asking her or him to show you their attendance and progress on ‘Xuno’ (Student Management System) and ‘Canvas’ (Learning Management System), respectively?

If you have questions or seek clarification, please communicate with your daughter or son’s Homeroom Teacher. This will help parents better engage with teachers when the ‘Zoom’ Parent, Student & Teacher Conferences are conducted at the end of this term.

Open Afternoons 2021

A reminder that we will not be offering our usual Sunday Open Day for 2021. (It was scheduled for this Sunday.) The good news is we are running a series of tours and information sessions for visitors in late-term one, and early term two in 2021 before the Yr. 7 2022 enrolment applications close on May 7. 

Please see our website https://www.ignatius.vic.edu.au/enrolment/open-day-tours for dates and booking links.

Best wishes,

Michael Exton  Principal