Saint Ignatius College Geelong
At around this time over recent years I have promoted through the newsletter an important College event that we hold in November – our end of year celebration evening called the Mosaic Evening. We expect that all students and their families attend this special College function at Costa Hall at Deakin University’s waterfront campus. This gathering will provide the opportunity for parents and students to celebrate the part school has played in family life for another year and build a stronger sense of school community.
The date is Thursday 22nd November 2018. The Art & Technology display commences at 6.00pm in the Costa Hall foyer followed by the celebration evening that begins at 7.00pm in the main auditorium. This year’s Mosaic evening will have a similar programme to last year’s.
The evening will acknowledge and showcase student talents and achievements from a range of areas. As in previous years, tickets will not be required to attend. All you will need to do is turn up at Costa Hall, and you will be ushered to a seat. There is no cost to attend, and you are most welcome to invite Grandparents, other family members and family friends. In the meantime, please put this date in your diary to ensure you can attend. Students are expected to wear their school uniform with blazer.
We have consistently received very positive feedback about Mosaic evenings over many years. This unique celebration evening builds a stronger school community and a sense of belonging and hopefully inspires all students to strive for making the most of the opportunities they have at the College. I ask our community to give this evening a priority when students, families, friends and staff of the College can come together to celebrate special achievements of some, and the contribution we all make to Saint Ignatius College.
Congratulations to Year 10 students Jools Bond, Darby O’Meara and Marcus Vaughan who recently completed the 2018 Geelong Future Leaders of Industry program. I was delighted to attend their graduation ceremony at Deakin University’s Centre for Advanced Design Engineering Training (CADET) Centre on Tuesday evening last week. This program is a learning and career development opportunity for students typically considering a trade or tertiary pathway and, potentially a career in advanced technologies, innovative manufacturing, design and engineering. The program provides the students with the opportunity to build awareness of the exciting STEM-related advanced manufacturing options available for future employment and raise awareness of the skills and knowledge required to work in advanced technology sectors. The program included:
• Visits to selected advanced manufacturing businesses and educational institutions
• An exploration of leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in advanced manufacturing along with STEM-related skills and knowledge
• Student work experience of 2 – 3 days duration engaging with real-world challenges facilitated by the work placement manufacturing enterprise
This program was previously delivered by the Geelong Regional Vocational Education Council Inc., and we are grateful to the Geelong Manufacturing Council which provided this valuable learning experience for 25 students from Geelong region schools this year.
Jools, Darby and Marcus and their parents provided me with very positive feedback about the program. We have had two or three Yr 10 students participate in this annual program for many years, and I encourage our current Year 9 students to consider applying for next year’s program. (They should keep an eye on the Daily Bulletin for the advertisement or see Mr Connor.) I am grateful to Mr Bruce Connor, our Work & Further Education Coordinator, for facilitating our students’’ involvement.
On Friday 12th October 2018 we welcomed local State Government MP, Lisa Neville to our ‘Ground Breaking’ Ceremony to celebrate the commencement of construction.
Construction has commenced on an $8.5M Multi-purpose Centre at Saint Ignatius College Geelong. It is expected to be completed mid-next year.
Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects have designed this great facility that will include two indoor basketball courts, large foyer, offices, change rooms and three classrooms. The builders are Commercial Industrial Constructions Group (CICG.)
Ms Neville, together with College Captains, Kerry Kingsbury and Dean O’Brien, marked the commencement with digging some of the soil at the site.
Although they will not be the beneficiaries of the new building, Kerry and Dean are very excited for the younger students and the many future students who will benefit from the enhancement to the College’s programs that will be possible as a result of this wonderful new facility.
This new Centre could also be used by the community, as is the case with some of the College’s current facilities.
On behalf of the College community, I express my gratitude to Lisa Neville for her enthusiastic support and the State Government’s contribution of $2M toward the funding of this project.
On Thursday evening last week the Year 12 class of 2018 and their families gathered with staff for Mass at our College Gym. As a Christian community, it was an important way for us to celebrate and reflect on the finish of the Year 12 student’s school journey.
The Mass was a very special occasion, and I was delighted that many grandparents, relatives and family friends were able to be present. Thank you to Fr. James Puppady and Fr Gerry Healy SJ for concelebrating the Mass for us. Our choir and musicians, led by Mrs Linda Pape did a great job leading us with the singing and providing some songs for reflection. Thank you to Mr Paul Lewis, Mr Brendan Nicholls, Mr Joe McLean and the staff who helped organise this Mass.
Last Monday’s Full School Assembly was a memorable occasion. The primary focus of this assembly was to farewell our Year 12 students. We congratulated these students on completing secondary schooling, we thanked them for their part in our College story, and we prayed for our Year 12 students’ future successes. It was very pleasing that many parents were able to be present at the assembly and in particular, it was great that many parents of Year 12 students were able to share in this milestone for their daughter or son.
The College Captains, Kerry Kingsbury and Dean O’Brien, made a presentation to the College community, on behalf of the Year 12 class, of a thank you gift of a beautiful blue glass plaque with indigenous motifs from Wathaurong Glass & Arts. The giving of artwork has become a tradition over the years. These artworks are displayed on the corridor walls of the McKillop Building.
The College Captains for next year were announced at Monday’s assembly. I am grateful to our Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Mr Anthony Gravener, for planning and managing the selection process. Congratulations to Maddie Crothers and Sam Salisbury.
Last Monday saw two different events held in our gym – the farewell to the Year 12s and then in the evening our very well attended welcome and information evening for the parents and students of next year’s Year 7 intake.
It is very pleasing that due to demand, we will be taking an extra class for Year 7 next year. I have enrolled 250 students (10 classes) for next year. The number of enrolment applications was high again with many unfortunately missing out on a place. Currently, we have a long waiting list. The significant demand for places at Saint Ignatius continues to reflect very well on the work our community has done to develop our college into a great place for secondary school education.
Thank you to Ms Tory Wood (YLC,7) and the team of staff for organising this evening.
On Tuesday the Year 12 students participated in their “Celebration Day.” The day was celebrated in a positive and fun way, and I congratulate the “Class of 2018” on the overall way they have respectfully and appropriately approached this final week of classes – well done!
I hope all goes well for them as they study for their exams that commence next week. On behalf of the school community, I wish them all the best.
The Senior School staff prepared thoroughly to ensure that the final phase of the year was well organised with parents and students being well informed about the program and the school’s expectations. Thank you to Mr Joe McLean (YLC, 12) and the Senior School team of teachers.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton Principal
As our Year 12 students leave us this week to study independently and make final preparations for their final exams we become aware that the end of another school year is not far off. It seems amazing that the weeks have gone past so quickly and that we will soon celebrate the end of the year formally at our Mosaic awards evening! At this time of the year students begin to think about the opportunities they will have next year in their new subjects. Teachers begin to think about what subjects they will teach, spend time reflecting upon the year past and enthusiastically enter into thinking about what improvements they might make next year. Our Year 12 students and families of course are the most excited about the end of the year and the future that is yet to be uncovered.
With this excitement comes varying levels of anxiety or concern about the unknown. There is so much yet to be completed before the future is revealed. For those of us who will return to the College next year we know that although different the following year has a pattern that is known and safe. Our senior students are stepping out into the unknown. Everything will change! All that they hope for is yet to be achieved as the final weeks are vital if those goals are to be realised.
As a Jesuit Companion School or an ‘Ignatian College’ we would do well to pause and consider St Francis Xavier moments like this. His life can offer us much to contemplate and apply when change occurs.
St Francis Xavier was one of St Ignatius’ closest friends and one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits). He was born in 1506, leaving his home to journey to Paris and study when he was nineteen. By the age of thirty he had earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy. He lectured at the university for a number of years and entered into a Theology degree, where he met Ignatius. Although slightly older than Xavier the two became close friends. He completed the Spiritual Exercises under the spiritual direction of Ignatius and with the other founding members took vows and then was ordained in 1537. The Society was approved in 1540. A year later Xavier left Europe on his mission to the East.
He journey was hazardous and extreme in its vision. Accounts recorded that Xavier willingly entered into his mission with great joy and enthusiasm. Travelling from Rome (Italy) he travelled to Lisbon (Portugal), Maputo (Mozambique), Melindi (Kenya), Socotra (an island off the coast of Somalia) and Goa (India). He then achieved a feat that no other missionary had ever done in entering Japan where he evangelized for two years. He then was able to achieve another first by securing passage and entry into mainland China to spread the Gospel. Sadly, whilst waiting for transport to the mainland he died of fever in sight of his destination.
Our senior students have much in common with St Francis Xavier at this time. They are about to enter into a busy time where they will embark on a journey where the goal is known but the path and outcome not a guaranteed. Our students know what is required over the final weeks of their secondary schooling. Having confidence in those who have guided them and their own abilities will ensure that they are able to achieve all that is desired.
Just as Ignatius mentored Xavier, our students have many people who they are able to gain support from even though they have officially ‘finished’ classes. Being focussed and trusting in all that has been learnt is vital now as they journey onwards. Unlike Xavier our students are able to come back whenever required to seek guidance. But generally most will seek to spread their wings and over the coming weeks will seek to rightly trust in themselves.
Francis Xavier was enthusiastic and confident in his abilities, through faith in God. Our students can also aspire to possess these virtues. At the College we hope that they enter into these final weeks with enthusiasm and a level of excitement. Although tension will be experienced during the exam period and the wait for results, it is an exciting time. A positive mind set throughout will guarantee great outcomes. After six years living in our faith community they know our God and are able to trust in him.
At the final assembly on Monday Fr James Puppady spoke to the senior students. As president of the Canonical Administrators he cares very much for the College and our community. His pastoral concern was summed up in his final comment about trusting in God. He used four points to emphasise the love of God that is with them always and can be relied upon as they conclude their studies and exams.
He said:
"Every day God thinks of you" - Psalms 68: 19.
"Every hour God looks after you" - 1 Thessalonians 3: 3.
"Every minute God cares for you" - 1 Peter 5:7.
" Because every second he loves you" - Jerimiah 31: 3.
Inspired by Fr James’ message and the life of St Francis Xavier our senior students can place any concerns they have with Our Lord and trust in his love and protection. They will achieve all they hope for. Enthusiasm, courage, joy and faith are virtues that will make this period of their lives positive and fulfilling. All of these virtues can be observed in the life of St Francis Xavier and his mission to the East. Inspired by him our senior students may also achieve feats that have never been accomplished before now and in their future lives.
As our Year 12s complete their secondary school ’mission’ I encourage you to pray for the intercession of St Francis Xavier who knows well the excitement and tension present at this time. I also hope that you will continue to pray for them after this year ends as they begin their next ‘mission’ in service of God and all people – Amare et sevire.
Yours in Christ,
Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator
Our Year 12 students have now completed their formal education and time at Saint Ignatius College.
A series of Celebration Events have taken place over the past week to recognise, to celebrate, to reflect and to come together as a school community to pay tribute to the Class of 2018. It has also been a time for the Year 12 students to extend their gratitude and appreciation to all who have supported them throughout their journey.
Thursday 18th October was an exceptionally rewarding and special occasion as the students, parents, grandparents and staff attended the Year 12 Valete Mass. It is so important for the school community to gather in prayer and sacrament as well as socially as the Year 12 students were presented with a College gift. “Finding Gods Traces” is a beautiful book given to all graduating students from Jesuit Colleges. The book is designed to remind our graduating young men and women of the importance of daily prayer and we hope it will further encourage them to seek and to continually find God in all aspects of their lives.
Monday 22nd October was the final College Assembly for Year 12 students. The atmosphere on the day was one of emotion, humour and appreciation. The assembly began by farewelling our Year 12 students in a positive and dignifying manner, celebrating their achievements and the end of their six-year journey at Saint Ignatius College. There was also a handover of our leadership candles from the current College Captains to the 2019 College Captains.
And finally on Tuesday 23rd October, the Year 12 students respectfully celebrated their final day of schooling. They began “Celebration Day” by walking around the College in their fancy dress themes before participating in team challenge activities. The final Year 12 Assembly was held and a shared lunch was enjoyed by the parents, students and staff of the College.
We are immensely proud of the ‘Class of 2018’, who during these last weeks have ended their school days with so much good will. I hope the coming years ahead will continue to ignite their potential and provide our students with much happiness, success and the inspiration to make their dreams a reality.
On behalf of the school community, I wish them well for their future endeavours. I would like to genuinely thank all the staff that made a positive contribution and assisted the Year 12 students throughout the year and to the parents and family members for supporting the Year 12 events over the past week.
Mr. Joe McLean Year 12 Coordinator
It was a glorious day for our rebranded Loyola Market last Friday, 19th October. The Year 7 & 8 students were industrious entrepreneurs, showcasing their talents and skills in selecting, organising and running their very own market stall. Whilst developing skills such as budgeting, advertising, food preparation and school spirit, students this year were strongly encouraged to focus on a specific global social justice goal and project within the Catholic organisations of Jesuit Mission or Mary Ward International. They were also contributing towards raising awareness of our school motto –“Amare et Servire” - To Love and to Serve”. The day proved a huge success thanks to the hard work of both the students and Year 7 & 8 homeroom teachers who spent endless hours creating posters, collecting ingredients, doing rosters and fostering a great sense of community amongst our College.
With stalls such as the mystery jar, lucky dip, gender equality cupcakes, bakery delights, fairy floss and popcorn, candy corner, ice-cream parlour, lolly bags and toffee apples, soft drinks, chocolate coin toss, pizza, milkshakes, iced donuts, sausage sizzle, smashed avo, basketball challenge, ‘pie the teacher’, chocolate wheel and Nutella and ice-cream doughnuts, our senior students and staff had an array of food and games to choose from and were kept entertained and well fed. A grand total of $5151.00 was raised on the day. Special mention to Molly Cross, a Year 12 student, who was fundraising for the Jesuit Cardoner Project (an immersion program where Molly will help build communities in Guatemala and Belize next year) and can now donate almost $1000 from her Ignatian school community. Plus, Jack Woodfine and Callum Branch who provided the musical entertainment for us.
Thanks to all who supported this wonderful event and to Mr Alexander for the great photos.
Below are some student reflections.
Mrs. Deb Hodge and Ms. Tory Wood (Year 7 & 8 Coordinators)
Loyola Market – Sustainable Development Goal Action
It was great to see the whole school come out on what was a beautiful day for Loyola Market. This was an opportunity for Year 7 & 8s to give back to the Global community. This year was slightly different in that the money we raised will go to two different Jesuit organisations that conduct projects working towards the Global Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs set out a framework of 17 Goals to tackle the world's most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges in the lead-up to 2030. Our hope was to raise funds and create awareness about the global issues facing our world. During the set-up of the market, it was wonderful to see different classes collaborating with each other and helping each other out, whether it was with moving signs, tables or goods; everyone was willing to lend a hand.
In Personal Learning, we learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals and researched some of the projects undertaken by Jesuit Mission and Mary Ward International to combat these global problems. An example of one of the stalls incorporating an SDG were the Gender Equality cupcakes. They were decorated in gender signs to promote awareness of the need for gender equality… and they were delicious! Loyola Market was made successful through hard work and determination. It is such a good feeling knowing that our hard work is going to a good cause and everyone should be proud of what they achieved. This year’s Loyola Market has been one of our best yet.
Laura Maertzdorf, 8 Montserrat
Loyola Market Day
Last Friday, we held our ‘Loyola Market Day.’ At the start of our planning, we all had to decide what we thought the students would most likely buy, so we chose lollies. We also thought that this was a great idea as we are currently studying the text, ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’ in English class, and Percy’s mum, Sally Jackson, works at a lolly store in New York City. Every member of our class bought $10 to buy the lollies. Our Global Goal was number 6: ‘clean water and sanitation,’ and we chose a Jesuit Mission project about providing clean water in Timor Leste. We were all assigned a job to do and the jobs consisted of labelling, posters, pack up, setup, first lunch and second lunch. After we set up our ‘Carroll Corner Candy Store’, we started taking all the boxes of lollies to our designated spot in the Senior Quadrangle. We realised that we had just over 1000 lollies to sell, and at the conclusion of Loyola Market Day, we had sold out and raised about $700.00. We were so proud of ourselves! We enjoyed Loyola Market Day as we were able to work on a project with our classmates and raise heaps of money on the day for worthwhile causes. We can’t wait for next year to do it all over again!
Remi Reilly and Noah Collins, 7 Carroll
Reflection on Loyola Market
At the end of last week, we celebrated Loyola Market. Loyola Market is when all the Year 7 and 8 homerooms create stalls for the rest of the students to come and enjoy and buy from. This year, 8 Castillo chose the Global Development Goal of ‘good health and wellbeing’ and the Mary Ward International Baby Milk Project to research. We sold pizzas and it was a big hit! We sold out within the first hour. And our homeroom worked superbly together, with everyone helping out. When we saw people were getting stressed, we would just go and start helping them by serving or assisting with the money. It felt great to see our product sell out. It meant that we could go and enjoy ourselves for the rest of the day and it also felt amazing that all the money we raised was going to a good cause and that we were helping people in need.
Lachie Verlin, 8 Castillo
We are so proud to be able to support a previous student, Patrick Malone, in applying to become a UN Youth Representative for 2019.
He is a Saint Ignatius Alumni who graduated in 2013. He is currently preparing for an interview for the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations. The role involves running consultations all around Australia for around 10,000 young people (under the age of 25) and communicate to both our politicians and the Australian Public, what young people genuinely care about.
The 45 minute workshop he ran with one of our Year 10 Religious Education classes analysed the United Nations Sustainable development goals and more importantly aims to discover which stakeholders are affected, how the goals are funded and what difference does the outcome create in our communities.
Growing up in Ocean Grove, he is aware of how important your community can be and an intended outcome of the workshop was for young students to share what they want their community to look like in 2025 and our country to look like in 2030. Within the workshop he intended to explore why these goals are set, why are the important and who do they impact (both positively and negatively).
Previously working with young people in the realm of wellbeing, leadership and work skills, he knows how impactful and insightful young people’s comments and opinions are and if successful in this final round interview, he intends to take these opinions, ideas and goals to the national community.
Good Luck Paddy!!!
From the 7th to the 13th October 2018 is Mental Health Week and the Student wellbeing team decided to celebrate this week with a range of activities that helped promote looking after yourself and your friends.
On the 8th they handed out little self-help cards to students and staff to promote seeking help and self-care.
On the 9th Ms. Shaw came and ran a mindfulness/meditation session at lunchtime for any student interested that focused on taking time out to stop and be in the moment as a way of promoting positive mental health.
On the 10th a FREE and healthy breakfast was provided to about 250 students of yoghurt, muesli and fruit as well as the Lions club providing a hot breakfast in partnership with Bellarine Community Health’s Youth hub. This was to promote starting the day with a healthy breakfast to encourage positive mental health through healthy diet.
On the 11th a celebratory lunch was provided to the Year 12 students to acknowledge their hard work throughout the year. Their resilience and determination are a great example of how perseverance can lead to great success. The funding for this lunch was obtained from the Achievement Program – Healthy Eating and Oral Health Benchmark.
On the 12th a game of staff vs. students dodgeball was due to be played but unfortunately needed to be cancelled due to not having enough staff – perhaps they were a little scared of the students beating them?
All in all we had a fantastic week of promoting positive messages around looking after your mental health and reducing the stigma around accessing help.
Saint Ignatius College and the Student Wellbeing team have been working on the ‘Tobacco Control’ benchmark of the Achievement Program. At the beginning of term 4 they received acknowledgement that they had successfully achieved this benchmark, and Congratulated on working through another health priority area of the Achievement Program. They have stated that this ‘demonstrates your commitment to further embedding health and wellbeing within your 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 remaining benchmarks and keep the community informed of the school’s progress as it unfolds.
A number of new photo galleries of recent College events have been added to our website.
These include:
Year 12 'Celebration Day', 'Year 12 Farewell' Assembly, Loyola Market day 2018, Valete Mass 2018, Visual Arts Exhibition 2018, Ground Breaking ceremony, RU=OK Day 2018, VCE Soiree 2018 and the College Instrumental Night.
Click here to go to the Photo Galleries page of our website.
The Saint Ignatius College 'Class of 2013' is holding a '5 Year Reunion' on Friday November 16th.
The reunion will be held at The Inn Hotel, 58 Corio Street Geelong starting at 6.30pm and we invite all members of the 2013 cohort to attend.
RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/XHYO
Hope to see you there!
Saint Ignatius College presents a night of music on Monday October 29th at the Potato Shed Drysdale, 6.30pm start.
For more details contact Mrs Linda Pape: papel@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Dear St Ignatius College community,
You will have noticed that construction of the Drysdale Bypass is well underway. Over the coming weeks you will notice even more progress being made.
Blue gum removal
From Monday, 29 October 2018, works to remove a portion of the blue gums near the school boundary along Andersons Road, will begin to make way for the new bypass. Only trees required to build the road will be removed and a strip of gums will remain to provide a good level of cover between the school and the road.
To offset tree removal the Major Road Projects Authority (MRPA) has a landscaping plan in place, developed in partnership with Bellarine LandCare, to revegetate the area with native flora.
Please be assured that the work is being conducted to the very highest standards of safety and care, and to ensure minimal disruption.
Earthworks
Earthmoving and levelling activities for the bypass will continue over the coming weeks.
Water carts and dust monitoring equipment will be in place to ensure dust from truck and scraper movements is kept to a minimum.
Safety fencing
Temporary fencing will be installed along the school boundaries this week. The temporary fencing will be replaced by a permanent fence prior to the project completion.
Have a question?
If you have any questions or want to register for project updates, email contact@roadprojects.vic.gov.au . You can also call us on 1800 105 105, or visit our project office at 230-242 Colac Road, Highton.
Thank you for your support and patience while we complete this important project.
Drysdale Bypass Project Team
The original document as supplied can be downloaded here:
Urgently Looking For Volunteers
If you can help in the shop, or on a specially scheduled day, or if you require more information, please email sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Scheduled Open Dates: Wednesday October 10; Monday October 22; Wednesday November 1; Monday November 19
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Orientation Day Uniform Sales – Tuesday December 11
Drawn December 11, 2018 – Orientation Day
Prizes include: School Fees for 2019; Campion Book Voucher; Noone Uniform Voucher; Secondhand Uniform Shop Vouchers
You gotta be in it to win it!
Tickets $25.00 each
See the flyer here for more details on prizes and how to buy tickets:
New members are always welcome.
Please email your details to us at: sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au
We look forward to hearing from you.
Our next meeting is the Annual General Meeting: November 13th at 7pm in the Food Tech. Rooms
Starting October 29th
Monday 29th
J. Gray, B. Rees, E. Don
Tuesday 30th
V. Durbidge, R. Harris, L. Tigani, K. Robinson
Wednesday 31st
V. McKee, D. Worrall, D. Ford
Thursday November 1st
M. Binion, Needed, Needed, Needed
Friday 2nd
D. Kennedy, Needed, Needed
Starting November 5th
Monday 5th
No Canteen. Student Free day
Tuesday 6th
No Canteen. Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday 7th
K. James, S. Peters, E. Carpenter
Thursday 8th
M. White, C. Duncan, L. Eastwood
Friday 9th
V. McKee, S. Jenkins, T. Dowd-Hamilton
If unable to attend, please make sure you get a replacement.
Sandra Woodall Tel: 0417 050 258
Many teenagers today are sleep deprived. They should be getting between nine and 10 hours sleep each night, yet most get only seven or eight hours. Some get less.
Sleep deprivation is akin to jet lag. It causes young people not to function at their optimum. It can be the cause of poor behaviour, mental health problems and low functioning in the classroom.
Sleep maximises the brain growth that occurs during adolescence. It also consolidates learning.
Sleep research has shown that when a young person is asleep, the brain practises what it has learned during the day. So sufficient sleep consolidates past learning as well as keeping a young person fresh to maximise their future learning.
Sleep experts stress that while adults may not have control over biology we can assist young people to establish good sleep patterns. The first step is to eradicate some of their bad habits, starting with the following:
1. Being glued to a digital screen
The digital devices a young person uses to roam through cyberspace are as addictive as
cocaine, with similar arousal effects as well. The blue light emitted by mobile devices stimulates the brain into keeping kids awake well into the night. Tip: Get your kids away from digital devices at least 90 minutes before bedtime.
2. Doing homework in bed
The brain associates activity with location. When young people are at their desks in school it’s easy to get into study mode. They associate learning and productive activity with their classroom and its furnishings. The same principle applies at home. If they fire up their laptops and work while on their beds, it is hard for them to mentally switch off from their schoolwork when the light finally goes out. Tip: Keep homework out of bedrooms. If they must work in their rooms, confine study to a desk.
3. Spending all day indoors
Moping around the house is a huge part of the adolescent experience. However, spending all day away from natural light is shown to lead to anxiety and depression, which are both causes and symptoms of lack of sleep. Put a cap on moping about and encourage them to go outside – take a walk, meet a mate, do an errand.
Tip: A minimum of 1 hour outside a day helps keep insomnia at bay.
4. Sleeping in late on weekends
The sleep–wake cycle for teenagers is delayed by up to two hours. That is, they get sleepy later and wake later than when they were children. In most teens, melatonin – which makes them sleepy – is secreted around 11 pm.
Cortisol, the chemical that wakes them up, is secreted at 8.15 am for many. So the adolescent brain wants to be asleep just when most them need to be waking up to go to school. Many teenagers catch up on this lost sleep on the weekend. However, if your teen is sleeping in until midday on weekends then his whole sleep cycle is being thrown out of whack. Tip: Keep sleep-ins to no more than an hour longer than normal to keep the sleep clock operating on a regular basis.
5. Talking on their mobile phones
A mobile is an extension of the person for most teens. Unfortunately, there’s no getting away from the fact that mobile phones may be harming our health. One study (https://www.emf-portal.org/en/article/15274) found that radiation thrown off by mobile phones can seriously throw off sleep in heavy phone users. The study found that regular mobile phone users reported more headaches, took longer to fall asleep and had difficulty experiencing a deep sleep.
Tip: Encourage young people to limit the length of their calls and place a moratorium on mobile use 90 minutes before bedtime.
6. Consuming caffeine and other stimulants
It’s a familiar story. It’s seven o’clock in the evening and your teenager hasn’t started a big
assignment that’s due the next day. Needing to stay awake for the big job ahead, she drinks a coffee or a caffeinated soft drink or two to keep her adrenaline high. Consuming caffeine in any form after dinner is like throwing a wrecking ball through regular sleep patterns. The brain needs to calm down rather than be artificially stimulated if sleep is to occur.
Tip: Confine caffeinated drinks to mornings to minimise their impact on sleep.
According to beyondblue, one in seven teenagers experiences a mental health disorder. Many experts agree that if they were to choose only one strategy to improve young people’s wellbeing it would be to increase the quality and quantity of sleep that teenagers have. That’s how important sleep is to a young person’s wellbeing.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.
Join Saver Plus and we'll match your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500 for school costs.
To join Saver Plus, you must have a Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Consession Card, be at least 18 years old, have some regular income from work (you or your partner), and have a child at school or attned vocational education yourself.
Contact: Amanda Vernon your local Saver Plus Coordinator
Phone: 03 5278 8122 Email: AVernon@bethany.org.au Web: www.saverplus.org.au
See PDF flyer for details:
Powercor has launched a new program called Energy Partner in areas on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula over summer, and to support the introduction of this program we are offering a competition benefiting local schools.
The school with the most nominations from families, who register and participate in Energy Partner Events, will receive a grant of $10,000*.
And as your school falls within the Energy Partner area, you are in the running to receive this grant.
Every time a household registers as an Energy Partner, they are asked to nominate a local school and once a household participates in an event, their vote is allocated to the school they nominated. The school with the most nominations at the end of the program will receive the prize.
Powercor Energy Partner is open for registration now for those living within the Bellarine Peninsula and parts of the Surf Coast. Program details and the registration page can be found here powercor.com.au/energy-partner.
About Energy Partner
That’s extra pocket money for families or it can go towards energy bills.
From 1 December 2018 to 31 March 2019, residents within areas of the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula can partner with Powercor to help reduce demand through air conditioning units in their home, for a few hours, on a few really hot days over summer.
It’s a simple thing the community can do to help.
Local Community and Sporting groups you may be interested in.
Suburban Sandcastles presents 'May I be Happy'
This film explores the importance of Mindfulness practice in transforming the lives of young people. By learning tools to become more present we can teach students to recognise their emotions as a healthy process, align with their inner truth and build resilience for what life presents. Given the stress that our world currently presents us with, this film is an insightful opportunity for principals, teachers, lectures, parents, students and welfare supports to explore the importance of mindfulness practice to assist in improving learning outcomes. Throughout this film Mindfulness practice is modelled in these American Primary, High School and Youth Service settings by mindfulness teachers.
Suburban Sandcastles is very much about bringing community together to communicate about important issues of our time. We thank you in advance for considering sharing this event. The film has the potential to impact on everyone and I’m sure a movement that will only increase over the coming years.
Here is the ticket link to learn more:
http://www.suburbansandcastles.com/events-1/2018/11/21/may-i-be-happy
A flyer for the event can be downloaded here:
Coastal Conscience Presents: How deep are your pockets
Barwon Coast has partnered with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria Police, CFA, City of Greater Geelong and Ocean Grove Coastcare under the Share Our Shores campaign to advocate behavioural change amongst youth engaging in destructive and dangerous dune behaviour.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management Inc. is appointed by state government to manage 13km of coastal Crown land from 7W Collendina to 42W Connewarre on behalf of all Victorians. Our main charter is for the protection and enhancement of natural values within our estate, whilst providing a place for people to recreate. In addition to natural resource protection, a key responsibility for us is to manage risk to ensure the safety of all users of our reserves.
Our coastal reserves are under constant pressures as populations both locally and visiting the area increase. As a consequence Barwon Coast launched our Share Our Shores campaign late 2017 to create awareness on a number of coastal issues the community has identified. Issues identified are beach-overcrowding, littering, dogs’ off-leash, threats to wildlife and sand dune damage. Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in youth parties within the dunes, which has led to vegetation vandalism, dune destruction, significant littering and the lighting of fires. We anticipate the stronger message will change this dangerous behaviour and engage the youth to take ownership of the natural environment in a positive way.
For more details see the flyer below:
Queenscliff Coastgaurd Open day
Queenscliff Coastguard is holding an Open Day on Sunday 18th November, 2018, from 10.00am – 3.00pm.
The open day is to promote boating safety, and is supported by CFA, SES, Water Police and Highway Patrol.
For more details see the flyer below:
Drysdale Football Club ' Come and Try Day' for all females
Drysdale Football Club is having a free ‘Come and Try Day’ for all females, girls and women, on Sunday, November 11th. This is for a variety of age groups, including U12, U15, U18 and Senior players.
For more details see the flyer below:
St. Margarets 2018 50 Year Reunion - Class of 1968
'Class of 1968' - St Margaret's PS Reunion will be held on Saturday December 1st starting 1pm.
For more details go to www.stmargarets1968.org or see the flyer below:
Alumni of 'Our Lady of the Sea' Primary School
Rhonda Boyd is retiring from Our Lady Star of the Sea School after 21 years as Principal. The school is reaching out to past students who would like to contribute a short video message as part of a farewell gift to Ms Boyd.
Example messages could include a fond memory of your time at the school, congratulatory message to Ms Boyd or any other contribution you would like to make.
Please share your short video message (can be a link to Youtube or mp4 or other file) via email to Andrew Rayson arayson@staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au.
Barwon Health Immunisation Services
Year 10 students who missed the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine can catch up through Barwon Health Immunisation or GP prior to 31/12/18 when funding ends.
See timetable attached:
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