Building Project commences!

I am glad to inform you that our much-awaited building project has commenced. These works are located on the vacant land on the south-east corner of the College’s property. The builders have fenced the site, set up their site sheds and started the earthworks. This is exciting news as we look forward to accessing the new Year 9 and Multi-Purpose Centres mid next year.

For your information, I have included some of the architect’s diagrams and drawings with my message (see the photo gallery) and some details about this project as follows.

Builder: Commercial Industrial Construction Group Pty Ltd (CICG)

Architect: Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects

Design & Construction Cost: $14M (approx. overall)

Funding: The College is very grateful for State and Commonwealth Governments Capital Grants towards the cost of this building project.

• The Victorian State Government has provided $2M for the Multi-Purpose Centre
• The Commonwealth Government has provided $2.1M for the Year 9 Centre

Timeline: Commence 16 July 2018 and Finish - Mid 2019

Facilities:

• Year 9 Centre - includes ten classrooms, break-out spaces, teacher offices, toilets.
• Multipurpose Centre -includes two indoor basketball courts, seating (for up to 1500), fitness room, PE lab, foyer, offices, toilets/showers, storage.
• Games Courts -includes two outdoor flexi-pave basketball courts.
• Road and footpaths

Further information:

If you require further information or have any questions at any stage, please contact our Business Manager, David Fitzgerald.

This massive building project will provide our students with tremendous new facilities that will significantly enhance their learning environment. It will also make a strong statement about the College’s presence as an outstanding faith and learning community. We have been on the site here at Peninsula Drive for 21 years. For the last eleven years, we have proudly grown as Saint Ignatius College Geelong. These new facilities will mark an important step forward in the development of our College. It will be symbolic that, as we begin this new chapter, our new Multipurpose Centre will enable the students and staff to meet together again as a community under the one roof. Also, after many, many years of classes in relocatable rooms, future Year 9 students can look forward to learning in wonderful, attractive and purpose-designed learning spaces.

College Feast Day

Tuesday 31st July is a special day for our College community - the day we celebrate the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the College’s patron saint. All students are expected to attend school on this day and join in the spirit of the day by fully participating in the special activities that have been organised.

Parents are most welcome to attend the Full School Assembly on this day. Please report to the office at 9.00am so that seating can be organised for you. This assembly in the gym will finish at about 10.30am and morning tea will be provided for parents and friends of the College.

We have a formal College assembly once each term. This term’s assembly date has been specially chosen to coincide with our feast day. At the assembly, we will acknowledge staff service (10, 15, or 30 continuous years) to the College community, hear from the students who attended the recent Jesuit and Companion Schools Immersion trip to East Timor and present Loyola awards to some students.

Following the assembly there will be a variety of activities organised for students to participate in for the rest of the day. As some of these activities may be of a sporting nature, all students are required to wear their correct Sports Uniform on this day.

The canteen will be open at both recess and lunch times. Students can order lunch (“red” foods allowed on our celebration day) from the canteen and there will be a variety of food vans present on the day as well.

Previous years’ feast day celebrations received overall very positive feedback. We are hoping that this day will continue to be a special one in the culture of the College over the years and indeed a day the students and staff look forward to and celebrate – a very positive community building event.

Year 7 enrolments 2019

I am pleased to report very strong interest in the College continued again this year with many more applications than places available for next year.

The support provided by the students, staff and parents for the Open Day & enrolment promotion program was a valuable/vital contribution to this success – thank you. The very positive reputation of the College is a commendable result of the commitment of our students, staff and parents to our College community and its continual improvement.

Due to the large number of applications received, with the College Board’s support, I applied to Catholic Education Melbourne to take an extra stream for 2019 (only.) I have enrolled 250 students (ten classes of 25 students) for Year 7 next year.

Any enquiries about enrolment can be made to the College Registrar, Mrs Gail Myers.

Michael Exton Principal

Human beings have a great need for evidence. Signs and symbols are quantifiable and offer us a tangible value or measure that signifys the ‘real’ existence of what it represents. In our Church we have thousands of signs and symbols that remind us of our faith and connection to God. The most significant and ongoing points of difference in Christianity since the Reformation has been the continued use of symbolism within the Roman Catholic Church. For Catholics signs and symbols are evidence of the transcendent and evidence of the eternal connection that exists between the eternal Church.

Over the holidays we received word of some preliminary results of the archeological excavation on the Andersons Road hill, as part of the Drysdale Bypass project. The most significant find at present is a 5,000-year-old stone axe. Credit must be given to Vicroads and their sincere effort to protect and preserve potential sites of historical Indigenous significance as this project is completed. In approaching the task with respect we as a community and more broadly as a nation are able to learn more about our past through the sign/symbol of a simple stone axe.

To put this find in perspective we might consider the history of our Church. When the axe that has been found was deposited on Andersons Hill there was no Church, Christianity was 3,000 years in the future. In fact, Judaism had not begun! The axe was left some 1,500 years before Abraham (Abram) was called by God. Although there was ‘religion’ at the time the axe was left on the hill none of those ‘religions’ remain today; except for the religion(s) of our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.

Although we do not know the exact religious understandings of Australian Indigenous people 5,000 years-ago we do know that there was religious behaviour. The Mungo woman is one of the earliest known cremations, occurring some 42,000 years-ago. In the years between the Mungo woman’s cremation and the time the axe was deposited it’s highly likely that Indigenous spirituality and religion had developed to, or very close to, what we know of Indigenous religious belief and practice today. This find is therefore exceptionally important in both an historical and religious terms.

That simple stone axe found on Andersons Hill is a sign of existence. An intelligent human once walked this land and used simple tools to enhance their ability to survive. That person is an ancestor of us as a nation. That person did believe in a creator – Bunjil. That person was created by our God and loved by him. We also know through faith that that person is connected to us today as a Church through our belief in the Communion of Saints – in death the spirit of that person came back to God and is with him in heaven today!

To Indigenous people this find is further evidence of their connection to this ‘country’. This is further evidence of the Wadda Wurrung (Wathaurong) people’s ancient presence in this place. More so it’s evidence of something more than an ancestor or place. This symbol is quantifiable evidence of something that is transcendent. It is a start. It raises questions that we need to explore and discern a response to.

Does this axe offer us an insight into the ancient burial practices of the Wadda Wurrung people and their religious beliefs and practices? Does the axe indicate a significant meeting place or sacred site? Is this object an example of ‘sacrifice’ similar to the Celtic offerings of important items in accordance with spiritual belief? Was this axe simply lost in swampy ‘bunyip’ land?

Although conclusions will be reached in time once detailed academic research is completed what can be known now is that the axe is a sign and symbol that is of great importance to us at the College. Today we as a community are a voice for respect and justice. In this context we are called to advocate for our community, especially the Indigenous community who since European settlement have so often been ignored, and excluded. Just as the symbols we have as a College remind us of our Traditions, history and belief the axe that has been found has the potential to do the same for the Indigenous community. Further, it also might be a symbol that we as a whole community can value, discuss and respect.

As we consider this find and what it does and might offer us, we might observe a subtler transcendent sign. This axe was found during NAIDOC Week. Was the timing of this find the work of the Holy Spirit? Indigenous people might see the work of their creator Bunjil at work here as he watches over them. After 5,000 years this axe was discovered during the week we as a nation celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. At the least this axe has prompted us to question and has opened up a conversation that helps us in our obligation to seek reconciliation as a society.

The big question in the local community at present is “Will it slow the progression of the Drysdale Bypass?”. The answer I offer is, in light of the likely cultural, historical and religious nature of this find – I hope so! With respect to every Australian I truly hope that every precaution is taken to continue excavations at a pace that ensures the integrity of further potential objects that symbolize our shared and largely unknown history.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator

We celebrate significant events like Birthdays, Baptisms, Christmas Day and Easter but why do we celebrate a Feast Day or why do we even have Feast Days?

In the Christian religions a Feast Day (or ”festival” day) is when a special Holy Day has been set aside to commemorate the life of a saint. On a Feast Day there is a celebration by holding special prayer services and having a rest from work.

Tuesday 31^st July is the Feast Day of St Ignatius of Loyola. It’s the anniversary of his death but rather than being a sad day it’s regarded as a special day each year when Jesuits and Jesuit friends around the world celebrate his life.

At Saint Ignatius College Geelong the celebration of Feast Day includes:

• a whole school assembly
• a day of special, fun activities for the whole school and
• after school all staff share a special Feast Day Afternoon Tea and we celebrate and recognise long serving staff.

Part of the focus of Feast Day is to celebrate the life of St Ignatius. There is also a focus on raising awareness of how we can get involved in programs and activities that “give back” and help those less fortunate.

Mr Paul Lewis Deputy Principal

On Tuesday 3^rd July, during the Term 2 School Holidays, 16 students and 4 staff members from Saint Ignatius College attended the Refugee Holiday Program hosted by Saint Joseph’s College. Students and staff from all four Catholic Secondary schools in Geelong assisted in the program that ran activities including soccer, table tennis, dance, board games, outdoor games and arts and crafts for students living in Geelong with a refugee background.

It was a wonderful opportunity to love and to serve those in our local Geelong community, make new friendships and develop those from previous holiday programs, enjoy different conversations and learn about Diversitat’s role in assisting and supporting refugees living in Geelong.

Sacred Heart College will host this program on Tuesday 25^th September in the Term 3 School Holidays.

Alicia Deak Social Justice Coordinator

Year 7 and 8 Saint Ignatius College Homeroom Teachers are collecting goods to donate on your behalf to Geelong Mums. Geelong Mums does an outstanding job, ensuring that the children of Geelong do not go without. They provide an extensive range of baby goods right through to items and clothing for up to 16 year olds.

The Year 7 and 8 teams are role modelling to students just how easy it can be to get involved in your local community. On Wednesday 1^st August staff will take all collected items to Geelong Mums and spend the afternoon packing these items away on their shelves. We are asking each Year 7 and 8 family to make a donation towards this very important organisation.

Please find below a list of items that the Geelong Mums have specifically requested.

However, if you are unsure of specific items that you have in mind please visit their website at: https://www.geelongmums.org

Items needed:

• Children’s clothing, size 12-16 in particular (new or used)
• Baby formula- stage one
• Nappies- all sizes
• Baby wipes
• Children’s toiletries, e.g. shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes
• Baby toiletries, e.g. nappy rash cream, bath wash, shampoo etc.

Please note that as staff are using their personal cars to transport items, we are unable to receive large goods, such as prams and cots. Geelong Mums are more than happy however to accept these items during drop off times at their Geelong site, should they be deemed suitable. Please ensure that all used items that are donated are in good condition and please ensure that used clothing is washed. Each Year 7 and 8 homeroom will have a box where items can be donated, donations will be accepted from the first day of term three.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Ms. Tory Wood Year 7 Co-ordinator and Mrs. Deborah Hodge Year 8 Co-ordinator

Saint Ignatius College and the Student Wellbeing team have been working on the ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ benchmark of the Achievement Program. During the Term 2 school holidays they received acknowledgement that they had successfully achieved this benchmark, naming it as having met ‘state wide benchmarks for mental health and wellbeing’ and recognising it as a healthy secondary school.

As indicated in previous newsletter articles, Saint Ignatius College have signed up to the Achievement Program which promotes a whole of school setting approach to health and wellbeing. This program is based on the World Health Organisation’s health promoting schools and workplaces model.

The Wellbeing Tem will continue to work on the 7 remaining benchmarks and keep the community informed of the school’s progress as it unfolds.

Tenille Thomson Student Wellbeing Coordinator

During the second week of the Term 3 holidays, all Unit 3 & 4 Students will undertake practice examinations for all subjects.

These are important examinations as they provide detailed feedback to students on their progress and what needs to be studied in the final weeks leading up to VCAA written examinations.

The Unit 4 English practice exam will be held Friday September 21st with the remaing subject practice exams scheduled for October 1st to 4th.

Ms Anna Oliver VCE Coordinator

Starting July 23rd

Monday 23rd

N. Van Vliet, T. McMurray, Needed

Tuesday 24th

L. Tigani, C. Duncan, N. Robinson

Wednesday 25th

R. Murray, B. Downey, L. Vella, D. Worrell

Thursday 26th

L. Hamer, E. Carpenter, Needed

Friday 27th

M. Di Pasquale, E. Stokie, Needed

Starting July 30th

Monday 30th

B. Rees, Needed, Needed

Tuesday 31st

L. Vella, Needed, Needed

Wednesday August 1st

C. Ford, V. McKee, Needed

Thursday 2nd

M. White, Needed, Needed

Friday 3rd

D. Kennedy, K. Every, Needed

If unable to attend, please make sure you get a replacement.

Sandra Woodall Tel: 0417 050 258

Entertainment Book

Order your NEW 2018/2019 Entertainment Membership (Book or Digital) from: Saint Ignatius College Geelong.

To order your Book or your Digital Membership securely online visit:

https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/11317f0

Just $60 – giving you over $20,000 worth of offers the whole family will love.

Flying Brick Cider House, Hoggs, Timezone, Sealife Melbourne, Sovereign Hill and much much more…

Help us raise funds for our fundraising by buying an Entertainment Membership, and you can enjoy value the whole family will love this school holidays. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers to keep the kids 'entertained' and help our fundraising at the same time.

2018 Major School PFA Fundraiser: Sports Trivia Night

The date is set for Saturday October 27^th Please put this date in your diary and on the fridge.

This Fundraiser is still in the planning and preparation stage.

• If you have any experience in organizing or hosting a Trivia Night…
• If you would like to help in preparation for the event or on the night…
• If you are able to donate anything towards the prizes and raffles…

…or anything else?

Please email us your contact details. We would love to have you on board. sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

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 Meeting

Our next Parents and Friends' Meeting will be held on: Tuesday August 7th at 7pm in the Food Tech. rooms.

New Members are always welcome

Contact us at: sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

And we encourage, support, challenge, pray for one another – we can’t be Christians on our own we need a community to help us!

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for the Holy Trinity Parish

A journey of Faith – we are all on this journey and we are on it together!

And we encourage, support, challenge, pray for one another – we can’t be Christians on our own we need a community to help us!

Are you someone who may like to be part of this journey with us?

Maybe you…

Have been encouraged by Fr. Michael, or our new priest, Fr Darien, to learn about the Catholic Faith because your child is preparing for Holy Communion or Confirmation;

• Want to know more about what your child is learning at the catholic school;
• Are seeking to understand more about God’s place in your life;
• Are looking for something to give more meaning to your life;
• Want to belong to a community whose beliefs & values you want to know more about.

A leaflet entitled “RCIA, A Journey in Faith” can be downloaded here and is also available from the school office.

Leonie Hamer (a St Ignatius mum) came with us on a previous ‘journey’ and should you wish to talk to her about her experience, or to a member of the RCIA team, contact details can be obtained from the school office.

Please be in touch with Fr Darien on 5258 1673, or Sandra Gould on email: sandra@salmandra.com if you wish to know more – a friendly reception awaits you – no question is a ‘silly one’!

An Enquiry Night will be held on Tues 21st August; if you wish to attend that night please contact Fr Darien or Sandra by the 15^th August.

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