Belonging Week – Year 7 & 8 Overview

In Week 11 of Term 2, our Year 7 and 8 students participated in a range of activities as part of Belonging Week. The purpose of this program is to build a strong sense of student connectedness to both the College and the wider community.

A particular highlight of the week was the Year 7 Open Learning Showcase Afternoon, where families were warmly welcomed into the College. This event provided an opportunity for students to share their learning journey, celebrate their achievements, and offer insight into the Saint Ignatius way of learning.

Below are some reflections from our students on this wonderful event. We sincerely thank all families who were able to attend and contribute to the spirit of connection and celebration.

Yr 7 Student Responses to Showcase Afternoon

I was asked by Ms Hodge to be one of the MCs at the 2025 Showcase Afternoon and I felt very honoured to be able to lead the session in the Mackillop Theatre where we talked about belonging to St Ignatius and how we learn in Year 7. Following this, we went over to the Xavier Centre, our hub for learning. This was a great opportunity to show my parents my work and speak to other parents about the work we had done in Semester One and accomplished as a year level. It was an amazing experience and I loved the afternoon. It was really cool to see so many people engaged with their parents and celebrating all the achievements in our first year at this school.

Mason M

My name is Wynne and I am a 2025 Ignation leader. I got the opportunity to speak at the Q and A student session during the Showcase Afternoon. At the Q and A I got asked 3 questions on my learning so far and the challenges I’ve had to overcome. Although I was nervous about speaking in front of people, I was proud of myself afterwards. Belonging Week was about showing our learning journey and the accomplishments we have achieved to our parents and loved ones. I was really proud of my work and excited to show my parents the steps taken to complete assignments and tasks. This was one of the most fun weeks I have experienced so far!

-Wynne J, Ignation Leader 2025.

Hello my name is Lucy G and as a 2025 Ignatian Leader, I got the fabulous opportunity to do a Q and A during the Parent Showcase where I answered 3 questions about my learning so far in 2025. I was placed on the spot and even though I’d prepared, it was still a bit scary looking up and seeing so many people in the theatre. I thought I coped really well and explained how teachers help us practise skills. This afternoon was about showing our parents and loved ones our accomplishments and I created a slideshow demonstrating the assignments and activities, especially of subjects I loved.

- Lucy G Ignatian leader 2025

My name is Nick and I got to participate in the student lead Showcase Afternoon in the Q & A panel discussion. Ms Anderton asked us what motivates us, what we wished parents understood about how different learning in primary school is to secondary and mistakes we’ve learnt from. I had plenty to say and really enjoyed saying my experiences with the families who came long to listen. When I got to show my parents my work, my Mum laughed because I have a wobble chair. My parents were really proud and impressed. They loved the tasks I did in all of my subjects. Dad liked the things we created in Breadth, especially the light we made. I showed my parents the memorable moments and skills I want to learn. I showed them the work I have completed in my subjects and the things I am really proud of. I had a great time.

- Ignatius leader, Nicholas W

I got to participate in the Student lead Showcase Afternoon and had the role of doing the Acknowledgement of Country. This was a special moment for me to recognise the First Nations people who have walked this land before us. The Showcase was showing our parents what we did for the Semester. My Mum came to this and we had an amazing afternoon. My favourite thing was showing all the creations in Breadth and my Mum was super impressed because we made a night light and a robot. My Mum’s favourite part was watching me speak in front of a large audience.

Overall, this Showcase was awesome as we got to connect and tell our parents how we learn at St Ignatius.

Bas G, SRC leader, FIRE carrier

In the last week of Term 2 during Belonging Week, I had the opportunity to lead the prayer at the Year 7 Showcase afternoon. I had a great opportunity to show my public speaking skills as well as to show my family all of the accomplishments I have achieved during my first semester at the college. Leading up to the Showcase, I got really excited and I couldn’t wait to show my family members what I have learnt and participated in over the semester in a way that was interactive and fun to spruce up and make it unique to me. All of the Year 7 students had the opportunity to make a powerpoint presentation to share with their families and we all really enjoyed that time talking with our family. I had a fun time reading my prayer and I really enjoyed getting to meet my friends’ parents and families too. The whole afternoon was a great success and I enjoyed every moment of the experience.

Chloe A