Saint Ignatius College Geelong
As you may be aware, Queenscliff Parish Priest, Fr Michael Richardson will be retiring soon.
There will be a special Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Ocean Grove this Sunday 17th June 2018 at 10:00 am to celebrate his tremendous contribution to the Parish which covers Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff.
Fr Michael commenced as Parish Priest in 2002 and has faithfully served the southern Bellarine Peninsula community for the greater glory of Our Lord. Prior to his Queenscliff Parish appointment, Fr Michael served as Parish Priest at Mansfield (St Francis Xavier) from 1996 to 2002. Before then he provided twenty-two-years of dedicated service to Stella Maris Seafarer’s Centre in Melbourne.
During this time his service included Chaplaincy for the Melbourne Port and leadership as National Director of the Apostleship of the Sea in Australia. The ‘Apostleship’ is the Church’s missionary work to Seafarers whether they be on a merchant, passenger, war or fishing vessels, and provides spiritual, social and material welfare to Seafarers regardless of colour, race or creed.1
While at Queenscliff, Fr Michael has been one of our College’s Canonical Administrators. He has been very supportive of our College’s development. Fr Michael has celebrated many Masses for our students over the years and often attended significant College functions.
On behalf of our Saint Ignatius College community, I extend our gratitude to Fr Michael and our best wishes to him for his retirement.
Mr Michael Exton Principal
1. Sutherland, I. (2018). Apostleship of the Sea - Catholic Church in Australia. [online] Catholic.org.au. Available at: https://www.catholic.org.au/or... [Accessed 13 Jun. 2018].
What was the happiest moment in your life?
What was the best thing about your day?
What makes you happy?
Whatever your answers are they will be examples of the Ignatian understanding of consolation. St Ignatius used this term in his teachings about spirituality and described it as an experience of being on fire with God’s love. The feeling of consolation inspires a person to praise him and to reach out and serve others. Although Ignatius used this concept in relation to spiritual things humans are inherently spiritual beings and separating the meaning in daily life is not useful to us. Consolation as a theological concept is the same as the experiences that lead us to enter into the state of consolation itself.
To explore this concept and how it may inform our lives we need to be aware of how we might identify moments of consolation. Examples of consolation are often found in moments that elicit the emotions of happiness, joy, love, peace and humility. Ignatius guides us well in his teaching ‘God in All Things’ as this is an excellent framework from which to proceed. The theme helps us as we can experience God and consolation in and through created things. As all created things bare the mark of the Creator and therefore we can become aware of his presence and drawn into his company through every created thing we encounter.
We can also find God in the experiences created things afford. The object or event does not itself generate a state of consolation, however the experience of ‘it’ does. Although unique to our personal experiences, style and tastes we find moments of consolation in inanimate things or experiences like celebrations, meals, friendship, doing something well, the song of a bird, the beauty of nature, in hobbies, in helping others… The list is literally endless and distinctive to each of us.
Whatever leads us to moments of consolation we know from experience that the positivity and satisfaction we perceive lingers. After we experience consolation is stays with us. Sometimes its traces remain for days or weeks. Often when we recall a moment of consolation, or the reason for it, we can relive the juncture or experience vividly years or decades later. Ignatius knew this well and used this awareness as the basis for his Spiritual Exercises.
When we experience and come to know consolation we long to experience it all the more. As we mature we find that this is only possible if we seek the source of consolation. That person being Jesus, who is love and the source of all love. Gratitude then enables us to move from self-centeredness to an acknowledgment of the Trinity. In relationship with our triune God we are able to experience consolation in all moments and are compelled to offer gratitude unceasingly. But in time we are moved beyond this reciprocal paradigm and are inspired to serve others.
In serving others we go beyond our own experiences and enter into the life of others. Often in doing so we see pain and suffering that we would prefer not to be aware of or encounter. In helping others though we find that this service is in fact an immeasurable source of consolation. Jesus life and ministry teach us both how and why. Although we may think that we don’t see consolation clearly in the Gospel, it is actually hiding in plain sight. The complete union he had with the Father is a perfect observation of consolation.
Consolation, gratitude and communion with God is self-perpetuating. No matter where we begin in this theme we end up, in a cyclic manner, experiencing consolation more often, become more ‘human’ and become infinitely united with the Trinity. This alters our nature so that we begin to see through the eyes of Jesus and love with the heart of the Father. Consolation after consolation!
Over the next week observe everything through the lens of gratitude or be aware of consolation in your day. Notice the places, experiences and people that lead to these moments. Then offer gratitude. Meditate on the goodness of God and let his Spirit refine ‘you’. Have courage when you are called. Service requires fearlessness and confidence. It is through service however that you will find ongoing and unfathomable consolation. As you experience these things notice how consolation gradually becomes a regular experience and how it leads to ever-increasing gratitude and faith.
Meditate again on the questions that may help you acknowledge consolation in your life and incite a desire to consider how these thoughts might guide you this week.
What was the happiest moment in your life?
What was the best thing about your day?
What makes you happy?
Yours in Christ,
Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator
On June 4, the Year 12 Indonesian class participated in an Indonesian-language Model UN conference (Simulasi Kontrensi PBB). This year's topic was 'Achieving Gender Equality: Empowering Women & Girls', and our students represented four different countries, negotiating in Indonesian to agree on amendments to a draft resolution.
Ibu Spica Tutuhatunewa, the Indonesian Consul General for Victoria & Tasmania, opened the Conference Year 12 Indonesian, and afterwards our students had the opportunity to practise their Indonesian with her and find out about life as a diplomat. Throughout the conference, students from across the state presented position statements as to what they believed their respective country would agree or disagree with on a draft resolution. This then led into a moderated and un-moderated caucus session, where students argued for any amendments they wanted to make and tried to win the support of other countries.
All of this was conducted in Indonesian, and students enjoyed comparing their language skills with students from other schools as well as picking up some tips and tricks to improve even more. The process of finding allies, debating and voting from the perspective of their allocated country was challenging, but very rewarding.
Ms Julia Hall Learning Area Leader - Langauges
Some words from the delegates:
I really got into negotiating with other delegates. Keira Ford
Our country got all our amendments through - Selandia Baru forever! Brent Keast
It really put our language skills into perspective. Debra Lu
It was a very rewarding experience. Alexander Henry
The Debaters’ Association of Victoria (DAV) offers the opportunity to students in Years 7 and 8 at schools in the Geelong Region to take part in an introductory program during second semester.
Dates for the program this year are as follows:
Training night: Thursday September 20th
Round 1: Thursday October 11th
Round 2: Thursday October 25th
Round 3: Thursday November 8th
What is required of student participants at SICG:
Any Year 7 or Year 8 student who is willing to take up the challenge of Debating and who is prepared to make the commitment required is asked to have a parent or guardian express their interest by emailing Ms Andrea Dart: darta@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Expressions of interest close on Friday 22nd June after which time the SICG Debating teams will be registered and organized. We look forward to fielding several teams for this program.
Ms Andrea Dart Debating Co-ordinator
Congratulations to Year 10s Tom Smith, William Bothe and Year 11s Tex Hallam, Mikayla Michels and Bella Harry for their achievements in this year’s Victorian Sayembara Lisan (Indonesian Speaking Competition).
After qualifying for the finals in the regional competition in May, these students competed in the state finals at Melbourne University, going up against students from all over Victoria. Our competitors worked very hard in the lead-up to both the heats and the finals, using class and home time, giving up lunch times to practice with Indonesian teachers.
By all accounts, it was a very close competition, and extra special congratulations go to Tom Smith who achieved a Highly Commended in his category.
Tom will join students from all over Victoria for the awards ceremony later this month.
Ms Julia Hall Learning Area leader - Languages
The rain clouds stayed away and it was a fine, balmy evening when 330 family members gathered in St Thomas’ Church on May 31st to celebrate Mass and a shared meal in the College’s Xavier Centre, whilst being entertained by the musical talents of the Junior Concert band and soloists from the Year 8 level.
The Mass was kindly celebrated by Fr Gerry Healy, our Jesuit Priest and Fr James Puppardy, our Parish Priest, along with Mr Brendan Nicholls who, as always, prepares the Church so diligently. His welcoming gesture of the playing of the bagpipes was certainly an uplifting way to greet guests. The theme of the Mass was “Where We Come From Shapes Who We Are” and the readings and reflections highlighted the love, sacrifice and commitment of family. There were many moving moments, especially the Communion Reflections by Sam Hines and Mrs Gabby Fragapane (see excerpts below), as well as Riley Monahan’s beautiful recitation of Albrecht Durer’s story of “The Praying Hands”.
Following this was a production line to rival any factory as families and staff were served lasagne and salads, and then enjoyed their meal whilst listening to musical items prepared so meticulously by Ms Linda Pape and her students. It was a joy to hear our students sing with such confidence and poise; the crowd was amazed by their renditions and applauding of their many musical talents.
Before we knew it, time was up and we farewelled families, grateful that they could join us in honouring the sacredness of families and experiencing what it means to belong to the Saint Ignatius family.
It was a huge undertaking overseeing this special occasion and the student leaders of our level (SRC & Ignatian) were pivotal to its success. They ran the evening and were outstanding spokespeople for our College, so enormous thanks to them for their efforts and commitment to really step up and take charge. Congratulations Josh Miles, Cameron Donald, Emelia Browne, Lachie Verlin, Tom Bothe, Bonnie Hockley, Laura Maertzdorf, Nathan Reed, Emily Green, Josh Abbott, Fletcher Thompson, Emily Douglas, Ned Poynder, Audrey Hughan, Sam McGlynn and Emily O’Kane.
As well, Ms Kristin Williamson, Leanne Irving and Carmen Polwarth from the Food Tech Dept. must have felt like they were feeding the 5000 and they should be heartily thanked for overseeing the endless trays of hot lasagne and ferrying them from the Food Rooms to the Xavier Centre.
It was wonderful to have the College leadership team (Mr Exton, Mr Timms, Mrs Chidzey and Mr Lewis) attend, especially when that was a busy week with many other commitments on their schedule. The students really appreciated them being there to witness their presentations and families enjoyed the opportunity to engage in conversations and share stories about family life.
To the incredible Year 8 homeroom team who were behind this endeavour and in their quiet, professional way, supported students as they wrote their tributes of love to their family and rehearsed speeches and prayers, sincerest thanks for empowering our students to lead and reflect on the importance of family. Without your commitment to educating our students wholistically, the evening could not have been the success that it was.
And finally, to the families of our level who attended, it was an absolute joy to meet you and your extended family. We hope you felt welcomed and thank you for being part of the 450 year old Jesuit tradition of educating the heart and mind of the students, as based on our founder, St Ignatius of Loyola.
Deborah Hodge Year 8 Coordinator
Excerpts…
What Family Means To Me
“For me, family is everything. Many of my biggest influences and inspirations have come from my family and this has shaped who I am today. One massive thing I have learnt about family is sacrifice.” Sam Hines
“Family to me is the most spectacular, mind-blowing, awesome, scary, exhilarating, crazy roller coaster ride ~
Just as a roller coaster has its many rises and falls, its speed, loops, twists and plateaus…. so too is family life, with the many various rises to exhilarating, proud, joyful heights - sometimes from the smallest of reasons - to the downward slopes of fear or trepidation, where you can feel your stomach or heart in your throat, and sometimes even heartbreaking lows.
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that there have certainly been times when I’m not actually sure if I’m sitting in the seat … feels more like I’m just holding on by one hand and flying out the back of the roller coaster carriage, just trying to hang on for the ride!
And yet, underlying this roller coaster is the deeply set structure and foundation supporting and infiltrating the load. The very reason the ride exists - Love.
Solid, strong, powerful…yet delicate. Love is a gift. A gift from God.
It’s so easy in today’s world to be perpetually “on” and it’s easy to become swamped by activities, commitments, speed and noise. As busy families perhaps we need to remind each other to make the time to tend this gift. To nurture it and periodically spend time in the detour lane of the roller coaster. It’s the times in life when we are at our most vulnerable and we know we are loved, that’s when we know we’ve been given the most precious gift possible…. The love of Family. Mrs Gabby Fragapane
On Thursday the 7th of June two representatives from Geelong Mums visited Saint Ignatius College and spoke to the Year 11 VCAL students.
They told us about what they do in the community and how they help children who are less fortunate than us. They are a non for profit organisation who work off of donations from the community. They wouldn’t be able to run the way they do without the donations of the local community and volunteers.
They collect donations of the essentials such as toiletries, clothes, cots and prams, things that we take for granted.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and any volunteers interested in making a difference are welcome. We were very pleased to be able to support their work through our recent Mother’s Day stall and make a $500 donation to the Geelong Mums organisation.
Find out more about them here: https://www.geelongmums.org/
By Zoe Flannery and Jack Lenan
On the 24th May the Year 12 VCAL students held The Biggest Morning Tea to raise money for the Anti-Cancer Council.
A lot of teachers and students came along to donate and enjoy the food and the company. It was a great day with music, lovely food and friendly chatter.
Year 12 students planned and organized the Morning Tea with the support of teachers Ms Cole and Mr Martschinke. It was highly successful; we were able to raise around $300 with all the proceeds going to the Anti-Cancer Council. We look forward to the Morning Tea running again next year, with the aim of raising $500.
Many thanks to all the staff and Year 12 students that made the effort to come along.
Jordana Tigani 12Healy
Based on the World Health Organization’s health promoting schools and workplaces models, the Achievement Program follows international best practice. This whole-setting approach aims to embed health and wellbeing in each organisation’s culture for the long term.
Saint Ignatius College has signed up to the Achievement Program which promotes a ‘whole of setting’ approach to health and wellbeing by supporting early childhood education and care services, and primary and secondary schools to move through a cycle of planning, action and review.
The Achievement Program was developed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of Education and Training has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee the development and implementation of the Achievement Program in early childhood services and schools.
The initiative has been tailored to meet the needs of each setting and align with any relevant legislation or policies for the sector. Schools will find that the initiative supports them to improve engagement and wellbeing outcomes. The Achievement Program will help workplaces build on their existing health and wellbeing activities and boost productivity.
Saint Ignatius College is currently working on achieving the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Benchmark’, and once achieved will move on to working to achieve other benchmarks as highlighted below:
The Wellbeing Tem will continue to keep the community informed of which benchmarks are being worked on and achieved through the newsletter.
Ms Tenille Thomson Student Wellbeing Coordinator
At Saint Ignatius College we are creating our own ration challenge to raise money for Jesuit Refugee Services and bring attention to the refugee crisis.
The ration challenge consists of eating only the food a Syrian refugee would eat for 3 days or 7 days. This means students who are participating in the challenge have to say goodbye to coffee and chocolate etc. and you should attempt to stick to the food they are given.
The College provides the ration packs (pictured) that the students will take home.
The 7 day challenge begins Friday June 17th and finishes on the 24th and the 3 day challenge start Tuesday June 19th and finishes on the 21st
Students from all years levels will take part in the challenge and raise money for Jesuit Refugee Services.
If we all stand together - We can make a difference!
A number of students from 9 Gonzaga participated in Nude Food Wednesday last week.
They brought a lunch box container with food that was not wrapped in plastic or foil.
Small tubs with screw on lids replaced plastic yoghurt containers, and rather than bringing single packets of biscuits or chips, students opted to replace them with more sustainable and healthier food options such as fruit, popcorn and nuts.
If we can limit the amount of plastic used in lunches, that would be such a win for our school environment.
From little things, big things grow!
Fran Kealey (for Jane Alexander, Healing the Earth Coordinator)
Embrace is the renowned 2016 documentary by Taryn Brumfitt which explores the global issue of body loathing. EMBRACE follows Taryn’s crusade as she explores the global issue of body loathing, inspiring us to change the way we feel about ourselves and think about our bodies.
Screening is for female Saint Ignatius students (years 10-12). Students are welcome to bring a significant female other including role model to view the documentary with (e.g., mum, grandma, big sister, aunt).
“Watch with your teens; there's plenty here to generate thoughtful discussion”- Common Sense Media.
When: June 19th
Where: St Thomas Church Drysdale
Time: 6.15- 8 pm
Cost: FREE! RSVP through Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=381718&
Starting June 18th
Monday 18th
B. Rees, E. Don, T. Smale, C. Kopec, L. Grist
Tuesday 19th
S. Twaits, A. Quirk, B. Downey, Needed
Wednesday 20th
K. James, S. Peters, L. Vella, Needed
Thursday 21st
L. Eastwood, M. White, E. Carpenter, L. Hamer
Friday 22nd
No Canteen: Student Free Day
Starting June 25th
Monday 25th
N. Van Vliet, T. McMurray, C. Dumaresq
Tuesday 26th
L. Tigani, L. Vella, Needed, Needed
Wednesday 27th
R. Murray, D. Worrell, B. Downey, R. Hay
Thursday 28th
M. White, Needed, Needed, Needed
Friday 29th
S. Jenkins, E. Stokie, K. Every
If unable to attend, please make sure you get a replacement.
Sandra Woodall Tel: 0417 050 258
At the moment the main fundraiser we have running is the 2018 Entertainment Book
If you have never purchased a book in previous years you really have missed out on the discounts each business offers in this Book. A wide variety of Food and Entertainment value suitable for any occasion. Do yourself a favour – get one today.
Brochures are available at the Office or you can order online www.entbook.com.au/11317f0
Every sale contributes $12 to our fundraising tally. The more books we sell the more we get to give back to the College.
The money raised from this Fundraiser will go toward developing a new BBQ area for the School.
The Uniform Shop
Here you can buy decent quality Second hand uniforms and sell your uniforms to other school families.
Regular opening times for the Uniform Shop are: Wednesdays 2.00pm –4.00pm
We are located towards the back end of the school in the Music Department area.
We always welcome new volunteers to our roster. If you are available for 2 hours on any Wednesday afternoon, please indicate this by using the link http://signup.com/go/KLbdEwE to sign up. Don’t worry – it’s pretty easy going, and we provide ‘on the job’ training.
Our next Parents and Friends' Meeting will be held on: Tuesday July 17th at 7pm in the Food Tech. rooms.
New Members are always welcome
Contact us at: sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au
We would love to see you there. At the moment, we are planning our next Fundraising adventure – a SPORTS TRIVIA NIGHT! Keep a eye out for details of this upcoming fun event.
Bell Park Parish
Holy Family 147 Separation St, Bell Park, VIC 3215
Sunday: 8.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am Croatian, 12.15pm Slovenian 2nd Sunday Only
Ss Peter & Paul’s Cnr Mercer & Malone St, Geelong West, VIC 3218
Sunday: 11.00am 2nd and 4th Sunday only
Saturday: 5.00pm Vigil
Holy Spirit Cnr Bostock Ave & Nambool St, Manifold Heights, VIC 3218
Sunday: 11.00am 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays only
Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil
Belmont Parish
St Bernard’s 74 Fryers Rd, Belmont, VIC 3216
Sunday: 9.00am, 10.30am
Saturday: 6.30pm Vigil
Corio and Lara Parish
St Francis Xavier 143 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, VIC 3214
Sunday: 10.30am
Saturday: 7.00pm Vigil
St Anthony’s Kees Road, Lara, VIC 3212
Sunday: 9.00am
Drysdale Parish
St Thomas Peninsula Drive, Drysdale, VIC 3222
Sunday: 9.00am
St Patrick’s 10 - 14 Harding St, Portarlington, VIC 3223
Sunday: 9.00am
St Phillip & St James 1345 Murraduc Rd, St Leonards, VIC 3223
Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil
Lumen Christi 66 Kensington Road, Leopold, VIC 3224
Sunday: 10.30am
Geelong Parish
St Mary of the Angels Basilica 150 Yarra St, Geelong, VIC 3220
Sunday: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.15pm Polish, 5.30pm
Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil
Grovedale, Anglesea and Torquay Parish
Nazareth 10 Griffith St, Grovedale, VIC 3216
Sunday: 10.30am
St Therese’s 43a Surfcoast Highway, Torquay, VIC 3228
Sunday: 8.45am
St Christopher’s 72 Bingley Parade, Anglesea, VIC 3230
Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil
Meredith Parish
St Joseph’s 28 Lawler St, Meredith, VIC 3333
Sunday: 11.00am Alternate Sunday
Sacred Heart 70 Hamilton Highway, Inverleigh, VIC3321
Sunday: 9.00am except last Sunday of the month when it will be at Bannockburn gymnasium
St Brigid’s 2439 Ballan Road, Anakie, VIC 3221
Sunday: 11.00am Alternate Sunday
St John the Baptist 4 Harding St, Winchelsea, VIC 3230
Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil
St John the Evangelist 24 High Street, Bannockburn, VIC 3331
Sunday: 9.00am Mass in the Stadium last Sunday of the month
Queenscliff Parish
Holy Family 101 Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads 3227
Saturday: 6.00 pm
Our Lady Star of the Sea 68 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove 3226
Sunday: 9.00 am
Holy Trinity 34 Stevens Street, Queenscliff 3225
Sunday: 11:00 am