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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am pleased to report that the 2026 school year has commenced very smoothly. A number of significant events in these opening weeks have strengthened our shared values, deepened our understanding of our Ignatian story, and fostered a strong sense of community. We have also encouraged our students to embrace the many opportunities at Saint Ignatius to grow academically, spiritually and personally.
As I mentioned in my first newsletter article for the year, our school improvement focus for the coming years is “Engagement for Excellence.” This guiding statement sets a clear expectation that every student contributes to a learning culture where opportunities are embraced and personal bests are pursued.
At our first whole-school assembly, I challenged students with a simple yet powerful question:
How am I choosing to show up for this new year?
The way they answer this question, through their daily choices, will shape not only their own success but also the experiences and achievements of those around them.
I reminded students that excellence is built through engagement: by showing up fully, consistently and with purpose. Engagement is more than simply being present in a classroom or on the field. It means being mentally focused, emotionally invested, respectful of people and places, and willing to take responsibility for one’s learning and growth.
I know that parents share these high expectations. Together, we want a school where excellence is not just an aspiration but the natural outcome of daily commitment.
I am confident this is possible because we have already seen it. Last year, we witnessed students fully engaged, and excellence followed. We saw it in our production of “Les Misérables”, where students committed to rehearsals, refined their performances and supported one another. We saw it on the sporting field, where effort, teamwork and perseverance are valued as highly as talent. We saw it in strong academic results, in the confident voices of student leaders, and in our justice initiatives, where students step forward to serve others. Most importantly, we saw it every day in respectful interactions, acts of service and the care students show for one another.
I look forward to an outstanding year ahead, confident that through engagement, excellence will continue to flourish throughout our school community. Thank you for your discussions on the home front to support your daughters and sons in ‘showing up’ well and getting off to a positive, prepared and purposeful start to the new year at school.
Opening School Year Mass
Our Opening School Year Mass on Monday, 2 February, was a prayerful and uplifting beginning to the year. It provided a valuable opportunity to give thanks, seek God’s blessing for the months ahead, and encourage our students to respond generously to the many gifts and opportunities before them.
We are grateful to Fr Gerry Healy SJ, Jesuit representative on the College Advisory Council, and Fr Linh Pham, Parish Priest of Queenscliff and member of the College Advisory Council, for celebrating the Mass with our community.
Academic Assembly
At our Full College Assembly on Wednesday, 4 February in the Companions Centre, we welcomed back high-achieving members of the Class of 2025 and recognised their outstanding academic results, along with many high-performing Year 11 students from 2025. It was a proud moment for our community. Our Senior Student Leaders also launched this year’s theme.
“One in Spirit – Show Up. Lift Up. Take Action.”
This theme was shaped by their reflections on the JACSA Schools Student Leadership Conference at St Aloysius College, Sydney, in December last year. It provides a strong, practical focus for how we hope our students will engage with one another and with their learning throughout 2026. And I am pleased that it aligns with our school improvement guiding statement.
We also acknowledged the high-achieving students from Years 7 to 11 from last year. In congratulating them on their accomplishments, we not only celebrated their success but also encouraged all students to strive for their personal best, setting a positive tone for a rewarding year ahead.
Parent Information Evenings
These evenings for Years 7–10 were very well attended. I have received positive feedback and thank all parents who were able to attend. We value constructive feedback and welcome your comments. Please feel free to contact the College by phone (5251 1136) or email (info@ignatius.vic.edu.au), directing your comments to the relevant organiser, in this case, the Head of Year Level Coordinator or the Director of Senior School.
I encourage parents and carers of our Year 12 students to attend the upcoming Year 12 “Companions on the Journey” Evening on Tuesday, 24 February at 7.00 pm in the MacKillop Senior Centre Theatre. This important evening will provide valuable information about the senior year ahead and the key milestones of Year 12 and will feature an inspirational guest speaker to support and encourage our students and families at this significant stage of their journey.
Annual House Swimming Sports
The sports were held on Friday, 6 February, at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre. It was pleasing to see strong student participation, spirited competition and enthusiastic House support. I commend our Year 12 students for their leadership in creating a vibrant, encouraging atmosphere. Congratulations to MacKillop House on winning the day.
Annual House Athletics Sports
Unfortunately, due to the weather forecast and restricted space at Landy Field caused by current building works, including limited shade and shelter, we made the difficult decision to cancel the scheduled House Athletics Carnival. This was especially disappointing given the exceptional number of student registrations and the strong level of House enthusiasm. Deputy Principal Marina Brown has written to parents outlining the circumstances and the steps we are exploring.
We marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday liturgies on 18 February. Students and staff received ashes as a sign of repentance and a reminder of our shared humanity. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, the central celebration of our faith.
During this season, we are encouraged to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and acts of generosity. As a College community, we are supporting Project Compassion. Donations collected through Mentor Groups will be forwarded to Caritas to assist communities in need. We thank families for their support of this important initiative.
Open Afternoon
On Monday, we will host the first of two Open Afternoons, providing families of primary school students with the opportunity to learn more about our College as they consider their secondary school options.
I commend the many current students who have volunteered to assist on the day. Their generosity and pride in their College are deeply appreciated, and I am confident they will once again serve as outstanding ambassadors for our community.
Please note that applications for Year 7, 2027, close on Friday, 8 May 2026. This deadline also applies to current College families.
The safety of our students remains a priority. I remind all drivers to observe traffic laws around the College:
The speed limit on Peninsula Drive is 40 km/h at all times.
Please do not park in the St Thomas Primary School car park during College events.
Much of Gillies Road (eastern side) is a no-stopping zone. Please avoid parking in neighbours’ driveways.
An alternative drop-off and pickup point is McKiernan Street (on the north side of the bypass). Students can access the College safely via the underpass, reducing congestion on Peninsula Drive.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.
Afternoon supervision for bus travellers is available from 3:05 pm until the last bus departs. Students waiting for buses should remain in the basketball court area or at the bus stop. The College Library is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm each day.
As we look ahead, we are encouraged by the positive tone set in these early weeks. We remain committed to providing an environment where every student can flourish in faith, learning and wellbeing. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we journey together through the year.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Exton | Principal
Feature
Events
Our News // 20 February 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am pleased to report that the 2026 school year has commenced very smoothly. A number of significant events in these opening weeks have strengthened our shared values, deepened our understanding of our Ignatian story, and fostered a strong sense of community. We have also encouraged our students to embrace the many opportunities at Saint Ignatius to grow academically, spiritually and personally.
As I mentioned in my first newsletter article for the year, our school improvement focus for the coming years is “Engagement for Excellence.” This guiding statement sets a clear expectation that every student contributes to a learning culture where opportunities are embraced and personal bests are pursued.
At our first whole-school assembly, I challenged students with a simple yet powerful question:
How am I choosing to show up for this new year?
The way they answer this question, through their daily choices, will shape not only their own success but also the experiences and achievements of those around them.
I reminded students that excellence is built through engagement: by showing up fully, consistently and with purpose. Engagement is more than simply being present in a classroom or on the field. It means being mentally focused, emotionally invested, respectful of people and places, and willing to take responsibility for one’s learning and growth.
I know that parents share these high expectations. Together, we want a school where excellence is not just an aspiration but the natural outcome of daily commitment.
I am confident this is possible because we have already seen it. Last year, we witnessed students fully engaged, and excellence followed. We saw it in our production of “Les Misérables”, where students committed to rehearsals, refined their performances and supported one another. We saw it on the sporting field, where effort, teamwork and perseverance are valued as highly as talent. We saw it in strong academic results, in the confident voices of student leaders, and in our justice initiatives, where students step forward to serve others. Most importantly, we saw it every day in respectful interactions, acts of service and the care students show for one another.
I look forward to an outstanding year ahead, confident that through engagement, excellence will continue to flourish throughout our school community. Thank you for your discussions on the home front to support your daughters and sons in ‘showing up’ well and getting off to a positive, prepared and purposeful start to the new year at school.
Opening School Year Mass
Our Opening School Year Mass on Monday, 2 February, was a prayerful and uplifting beginning to the year. It provided a valuable opportunity to give thanks, seek God’s blessing for the months ahead, and encourage our students to respond generously to the many gifts and opportunities before them.
We are grateful to Fr Gerry Healy SJ, Jesuit representative on the College Advisory Council, and Fr Linh Pham, Parish Priest of Queenscliff and member of the College Advisory Council, for celebrating the Mass with our community.
Academic Assembly
At our Full College Assembly on Wednesday, 4 February in the Companions Centre, we welcomed back high-achieving members of the Class of 2025 and recognised their outstanding academic results, along with many high-performing Year 11 students from 2025. It was a proud moment for our community. Our Senior Student Leaders also launched this year’s theme.
“One in Spirit – Show Up. Lift Up. Take Action.”
This theme was shaped by their reflections on the JACSA Schools Student Leadership Conference at St Aloysius College, Sydney, in December last year. It provides a strong, practical focus for how we hope our students will engage with one another and with their learning throughout 2026. And I am pleased that it aligns with our school improvement guiding statement.
We also acknowledged the high-achieving students from Years 7 to 11 from last year. In congratulating them on their accomplishments, we not only celebrated their success but also encouraged all students to strive for their personal best, setting a positive tone for a rewarding year ahead.
Parent Information Evenings
These evenings for Years 7–10 were very well attended. I have received positive feedback and thank all parents who were able to attend. We value constructive feedback and welcome your comments. Please feel free to contact the College by phone (5251 1136) or email (info@ignatius.vic.edu.au), directing your comments to the relevant organiser, in this case, the Head of Year Level Coordinator or the Director of Senior School.
I encourage parents and carers of our Year 12 students to attend the upcoming Year 12 “Companions on the Journey” Evening on Tuesday, 24 February at 7.00 pm in the MacKillop Senior Centre Theatre. This important evening will provide valuable information about the senior year ahead and the key milestones of Year 12 and will feature an inspirational guest speaker to support and encourage our students and families at this significant stage of their journey.
Annual House Swimming Sports
The sports were held on Friday, 6 February, at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre. It was pleasing to see strong student participation, spirited competition and enthusiastic House support. I commend our Year 12 students for their leadership in creating a vibrant, encouraging atmosphere. Congratulations to MacKillop House on winning the day.
Annual House Athletics Sports
Unfortunately, due to the weather forecast and restricted space at Landy Field caused by current building works, including limited shade and shelter, we made the difficult decision to cancel the scheduled House Athletics Carnival. This was especially disappointing given the exceptional number of student registrations and the strong level of House enthusiasm. Deputy Principal Marina Brown has written to parents outlining the circumstances and the steps we are exploring.
We marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday liturgies on 18 February. Students and staff received ashes as a sign of repentance and a reminder of our shared humanity. Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, the central celebration of our faith.
During this season, we are encouraged to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and acts of generosity. As a College community, we are supporting Project Compassion. Donations collected through Mentor Groups will be forwarded to Caritas to assist communities in need. We thank families for their support of this important initiative.
Open Afternoon
On Monday, we will host the first of two Open Afternoons, providing families of primary school students with the opportunity to learn more about our College as they consider their secondary school options.
I commend the many current students who have volunteered to assist on the day. Their generosity and pride in their College are deeply appreciated, and I am confident they will once again serve as outstanding ambassadors for our community.
Please note that applications for Year 7, 2027, close on Friday, 8 May 2026. This deadline also applies to current College families.
The safety of our students remains a priority. I remind all drivers to observe traffic laws around the College:
The speed limit on Peninsula Drive is 40 km/h at all times.
Please do not park in the St Thomas Primary School car park during College events.
Much of Gillies Road (eastern side) is a no-stopping zone. Please avoid parking in neighbours’ driveways.
An alternative drop-off and pickup point is McKiernan Street (on the north side of the bypass). Students can access the College safely via the underpass, reducing congestion on Peninsula Drive.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community safe.
Afternoon supervision for bus travellers is available from 3:05 pm until the last bus departs. Students waiting for buses should remain in the basketball court area or at the bus stop. The College Library is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm each day.
As we look ahead, we are encouraged by the positive tone set in these early weeks. We remain committed to providing an environment where every student can flourish in faith, learning and wellbeing. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we journey together through the year.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Exton | Principal
