Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Welcome to the 2023 school year!
Seeing our students return this week for the new year was uplifting. Thank you to parents for all you have done to prepare your daughters and sons, so they start on a positive note. Our staff have used the last week or so very productively to ensure all is in place to welcome the students and get the year off to a smooth start.
We have commenced with 1,422 students and 28 new staff members. The 2023 staff list is included below. There are over 170 staff members. Last year’s beginning-of-year enrolment number was 1,387. We are well-planned for this growth and ready for a great new year of learning.
Click to see College Staff and Roles 2023
The construction of the new MacKillop Senior Centre is continuing according to the schedule, with an anticipated completion date in late January 2024. Watching the builder’s progress as the new building takes shape and becomes a striking feature on the school grounds will be exciting.
Our overarching theme encapsulating our improvement drive this year is “Building community to become a better learner.” Therefore, our Annual Action Plan focuses on building better connections, belonging and learning.
The new House system was announced last year, and we have commenced its implementation this year. This change is purposefully aimed at improving student connections and belonging: further building our school community that will lead to improved student learning outcomes.
Our students will be provided many fantastic opportunities throughout 2023 for learning, developing relationships and enjoyment. I encourage families to prioritise their membership of our school community and ensure their daughters and sons are guided and encouraged to make the most of these opportunities. This will strengthen our school’s learning and active participation culture, enhancing student outcomes.
A strong school culture is supported by active and constructive parent involvement. Parent attendance at school functions communicates a strong message to students about the value you place on membership of our school community. And, of course, you will be better informed about our programs and student progress and have the opportunity to meet staff members and other parents. Please check the College calendar (on ‘Xuno’ or under ‘Our School’ on our website) for events and activities you could attend. Also, please monitor your emails for updates from the College about events and activities. (The College Facebook/Instagram page often promotes upcoming events.)
The first Parents and Friends Association meeting is next Wednesday, 8th February, at 7 pm in the Loyola Centre. Parents would be welcome to attend.
Tomorrow, the whole school will gather for the Commencement Assembly, where we formally welcome our new students and staff members. At this assembly, we traditionally welcome back the Year 12 student high achievers from last year to congratulate them on their significant achievements and present academic excellence awards to high-achieving Years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 students from last year. Parents are most welcome to attend. Please report to the College Office at 8:45 am. The Assembly will finish at about 10:30 am.
The whole school will also be gathering for our ‘Beginning of the Year’ College Mass on Monday, 6th February, at 11.05 am in the Multipurpose Centre (MPC.) This will be a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate our Catholic and Ignatian identities and ask for God’s blessing on the new school year.
This is our production year, and preparation is well underway for the musical “Anastasia” performances in mid-September 2023. Auditions will commence soon.
We look forward to a rewarding year as we work together to nurture the growth and development of our students.
Best wishes for 2023,
Michael Exton | Principal
The English Faculty is excited to welcome several new staff members to the team and has been busy working this week to finalise the teaching and learning program for English across the College.
Along with new staff, the faculty is excited to introduce a new English pathway for VCE students with the introduction of VCE English Language Units 1 & 2. Students in VCE can now select from General English, Literature or English Language for their final years of study.
From VCE to our youngest members of the College, students in Years 7 and 8 will again participate in the College’s ReadOn! Program with weekly visits to the ILC. The program aims to foster a love of reading and support classwork to build reading and literacy skills. Students in Year 8 can also look forward to participating in the Complete Works Theatre- Australian Poetry workshop in Term One to support their current poetry unit.
Other year levels will also enjoy a variety of performances and presentations, from Shakespeare performances to author visits, in an effort to further support the learning happening across the English classrooms.
We look forward to working with students across the College and once again welcome the new staff to our teaching team.
Emma Balkin
Connor Butler
Ethan Colllins
Amanda DaRiva
Domenica Kiely
Kim Lanigan
Jacinta Lis
Rachael Plummer
Nicole Sadler
Suzanne Wynack
Robyn Jackson | English Learning Area Leader
Year 7 2023 - First Day of School
Saint Ignatius College welcomed 250 new Year 7 students on Wednesday, and welcomed back our Year 12 students for their first day for the academic year.
We look forward to watching our junior students embrace being Ignatian learners, and our senior students continuing to develop as young men and women for, and with others.
2023 COLLEGE THEME
At our recent Academic and Leadership Investiture Assembly the 2023 College Captains announced this year's College theme 'Lean into the Wind,' and provided the College Community with an in-depth explanation of why this theme was chosen. Matilda Stephto, one of our College Captains also gave a presentation to our Parents and Friends' Association (extracts are below).
We look forward to all students embracing the 2023 College theme, "With one foot grounded, one foot raised, hand on heart, lean into the wind."
Extract from PFA Presentation
Good evening everyone I’m Matilda Stepto and I am one of the 2023 College Captains and I am honoured to have the opportunity tonight to introduce the theme for 2023
Last year the College Captains (Ross and Myself) and Vice-captains (Zac and Amy) attended the JACSA student leadership conference at Xavier College in Melbourne. This is an annual event where the newly appointed captains of Jesuit schools and Jesuit Companion schools around Australia, meet together to learn about Jesuit leadership and how it can be applied in our schools. Meeting the other captains was a great opportunity since we all came from different types of schools and experiences.
Despite these differences however, we all had the same common goal; to pick a school theme for 2023. This created a collaborative environment where we could bounce ideas around, and consider different opinions and perspectives, before deciding on a theme to inspire and challenge our College Community.
On the first day of school we met with Mr Exton to propose our idea - with little to know back up plan so we were really relying on it being approved.
Thankfully it was approved. and Ross, Zac, Amy and I stayed up late on Facetime last Wednesday writing, editing and practising our speech for Friday, to present the theme to all the staff and students.
The College theme for 2023 is ‘lean into the wind.’ This originated from a statue of Saint Ignatius where it is accompanied by the phrase “one foot grounded, one foot raised, hand on heart, lean into the wind”
One foot grounded staying true to ourselves, it is our foundation and steadies us as with one foot raised we are able to explore new opportunities and take risks, which we do with our hand on our heart to remember our values and beliefs whilst leaning into the wind wind symbolises a challenge, adversity a community may face.
It is a Jesuit and Ignatian approach to challenges which can be interpreted in many different ways and applied to challenges inside and outside of school.
Leaning into the wind also represents the concept of striving for the Magis; to be more for others, and highlights the perseverance required to do so.
“Leaning into the wind” may require you to build resilience, especially when you are faced by challenges that will try to blow you off your track. But as you build resilience, the wind will begin to feel more like a breeze, one that may even cool you down during the heat of the moment.
New challenges we face at school include the new house system for seniors and for the junior school many new opportunities we may be presented that may put us out of our comfort zone. By leaning into the wind we are able to overcome fear, finding ourselves immersed in these new experiences.
The idea of leaning into the wind is important to keep in mind when undertaking community service in the form of social justice activities. By taking inspiration from the Jesuits' work with marginalised people we can aim to support communities to solve the challenges they face. This is relevant to us as a Jesuit companion school to have a strong focus on community service as many initiatives lean into the wind against social injustices.
With this theme for 2023 we encourage students - and staff to have one foot grounded, one foot raised, our hands on our heart and lean into the wind, as we face challenges this year.
Matilda Stepto | College Captain
Extract from Academic and Leader Investiture Assembly
Ross:
Hello everyone, my name is Ross de Lange and standing alongside is my co-captain Matilda Stepto, and the vice captains Zac Dwyer, and Amy Thompson. We are very honoured to be your 2023 college captains. We look forward to continuing the great legacy of past Ignatian leaders, as well as paving the way for future leaders sitting here today.
Late last year the four of us went to the JACSA student leadership conference at Xavier College in Melbourne. This is an annual event where the newly appointed captains of Jesuit schools around Australia, meet together to learn about Jesuit leadership and how it can be applied in our schools. Meeting the other captains was a great opportunity since we all came from different types of schools and experiences.
Despite these differences however, we all had the same common goal; to pick a school theme for 2023. This created a collaborative environment where we could bounce ideas around, and consider different opinions and perspectives, before deciding on a theme to inspire and challenge our College community. Now I will hand it over to Amy to tell you this year’s theme.
Amy:
Hi, my name’s Amy and it is my pleasure to announce the College theme for 2023 is ‘lean into the wind’. This originated from a statue of Saint Ignatius (that you can see on the screen) where it is accompanied by the phrase “one foot grounded, one foot raised, hand on heart, lean into the wind”. This of course, can be interpreted in a myriad of different ways, but I am going to break it down how we have come to understand it. Having one foot grounded symbolises a connection to the earth. It steadies you. It’s the anchor that stabilises your boat. It’s your friends, your family, your support network. With one foot on the ground you can then have one foot raised - a step toward change, a step toward embracing opportunities, but also a risk. You cannot see the future, you can only see one step ahead of you, and you will never know if it is the right step until you take it. But take it… and do so with a hand on your heart. A hand on your heart symbolises your connectedness with your values. For Saint Ignatius that was his utter faith in God, for you that might be your care for others, whatever it is that guides you forward. Ultimately this culminates into leaning into the wind, and wholeheartedly embracing challenge and change in any form it comes to you. Here’s Zac to explain a bit more.
Zac:
Hello everyone, my name is Zac. Another interpretation of “lean into the wind” is that it represents the concept of striving for the Magis; to be more for others, and highlights the perseverance required to do so. There will be challenges you may face that may seem overwhelming, that you don’t want to lean into, however, by having one foot grounded, having one foot raised, and having a hand on your heart you can instead embrace the wind, the challenge, and continue to strive for the Magis.
“Leaning into the wind” may require you to build resilience, especially when you are faced by challenges that will try to blow you off your track. But as you build resilience, the wind will begin to feel more like a breeze, one that may even cool you down during the heat of the moment. However, by holding your hand on your heart and knowing your beliefs, you will remain true to your values and your character.
Lastly Matilda will touch on how this translates into our school life and community service.
Tilly:
Hello everyone, my name is Matilda. This year, we are presented with a challenge that is the new house system. But in line with the theme, if we lean into the wind, be open to meeting new people and having new experiences, we will be able to form new connections that we may have never made otherwise. As we commence the new school year we are also provided with new opportunities that may put us out of our comfort zone or lead us down an unpopular path. By leaning into the wind we are able to overcome fear, finding ourselves immersed in these new experiences. The idea of leaning into the wind is important to keep in mind when undertaking community service in the form of social justice activities. By taking inspiration from the Jesuits' work with marginalised people we can aim to support communities to solve the challenges they face. This is relevant to us as a Jesuit companion school to have a strong focus on community service as many initiatives lean into the wind against social injustices.
As we face challenges this year let's have one foot grounded, one foot raised, our hands on our heart and lean into the wind.
Our College Captains
Saint Ignatius College is delighted to welcome Jelena Dokic as this year's International Women's Day guest speaker on Thursday March 9th, 2023.
Guests will enjoy drinks and nibbles from 5.30pm with the main address commencing at 6.30pm.
This evening is a highlight on the College calendar with previous IWD evenings selling out quickly.
Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment via the following link;
https://www.trybooking.com/CFMEF
We look forward to welcoming our College Community to this evening.
Elana Cole | Director of Community Engagement and Development.
The Old Ignatians warmly invite the Saint Ignatius College Community to our annual Golf Day, at Lonsdale Links on Sunday March 26th, 2023.
Attendees will enjoy a brekky snack, a two course lunch, 18 holes of golf, before a brief College presentation.
There are also tickets available for lunch only. Proceeds from this day will go towards student resources at the College.Format of the day is teams of 4, '4 Ball Ambrose.'
Individuals can still register with team allocation occurring on the day.To secure your place, please register for golf/lunch only via the below link;
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1001783
Elana Cole | Director of Community Engagement and Development.
W/C 6/2/23
6th: N.Yates, NEEDED.
7th: K.James, S.Peters.
8th: M.Jackson, NEEDED
9th: NEEDED, NEEDED
10th: L.Taylor, NEEDED.
.............................................................................
W/C 13/2/23
13th: E.Musella, NEEDED.
14th: M.Dunstan, M.Portelli.
15th: C.Ford, C.Wake.
16th: NEEDED, NEEDED.
17th: M.Davitt, C.Coleman.
If you are able to assist on the above mentioned dates, please contact Canteen Manager Mrs. Sandra Woodall on woodalls@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Volunteers must hold a current WWCC. New volunteers must fill out the form provided via the link below.
Mrs. Sandra Woodall | Canteen Manager