Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,
I am pleased to inform you that Fr Jim Clarke has been elected by the Geelong region Parish Priests as the new President of the Association of Canonical Administrators of our College. Fr Jim is the Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels Geelong and has been a College Board member for many years. I look forward to welcoming him to our College in his new role.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic restrictions, we could not farewell the previous President, Fr James Puppady, at a school assembly. However, as I wrote in the newsletter to recognise his term as President, just before his move to Melbourne to take up a new appointment, I thank Fr James for his dedicated and enthusiastic support of the College.
Other appointments that were ratified at the most recent meeting of the Canonical Administrators are:
Fr Jim Clarke and Fr Darien Sticklen will continue as members of the College Board.
Fr Sang Ho will continue as a member of the College’s Finance Committee.
Fr Darien will join the Ethos and Identity Committee.
The current Canonical Administrators are:
Rev Fr Jim Clarke (President) St Mary of the Angels Basilica Parish (Geelong/East Geelong)
Fr Raymond Bugeja St Thomas Parish (Drysdale)
Fr Sang Ho St Bernard’s Parish (Belmont/Highton)
Fr Ray Zammit St Thomas Aquinas Parish (North Geelong)
Fr Charles Balnaves St Joseph’s Parish (Meredith/Bannockburn)
Fr Daryl Monticello St Francis Xavier’s Parish (Corio/Lara)
Fr Minh Tran St Michaels Parish (Bell Park/Manifold Heights/Geelong West)
Fr Darien Sticklen Holy Trinity Parish (Queenscliff)
Fr Linh Tran Nazareth Parish (Grovedale/Torquay)
Although there has been a change to the role of the Canonical Administrators since the start of this year, the Parish Priests continue to have a vital role in the life of our College. Our College is now under the governance of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and is referred to as a MACS College.
As a result of this change, the role of the Canonical Administrators has changed, moving from priests being responsible for governance, employment and other responsibilities in conducting schools to focusing on being the custodians of the mission of schools.
The Canonical Administrators will continue to play a key role in our College’s liturgies and year-level retreats, staff faith formation programs, family outreach and other forms of pastoral ministry.
I express our gratitude to the Canonical Administrators for their continuing involvement and support of our College.
There has been a recent report of nature strip trees being damaged and cars parked in a driveway on Gillies Road during the afternoon pick-up time. Please do not block driveways and look out for the nature strip trees if you are dropping off or picking up students in Gillies Road.
A reminder that you could pick up your daughter/son in Andersons Road. As a part of the Drysdale Bypass construction, parking spaces have been made available along this road. It is only a short walk from school via the new underpass for students.
Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton Principal
And we return! The pandemic continues to dictate our lives due to the required compliance of lockdown restrictions. We are fortunate and grateful that we have been able to once again return to face to face learning. Of course these events draw the following article to the theme of isolation which I have previously explored. I hope the following offers an interesting extension of this theme and a reflective insight as we think of those still in lockdown, and pray that we have endured our last.
Sneaky Jesus Song #1
Artist: Charlie Puth (b. 2 December 1991).
Song: One Call Away (released: August 2015).
This song was the second single released from Charlie’s fourth album ‘Nine Track Mind.' It peaked at Number Three on the Australian ARIA charts and finished in 14th position for singles in 2016, going platinum twice along the way!
Although written as a song about unrequited teen love it speaks to people of all ages, and with a strong pop overlay and underlying Gospel tone and drive, it instantly grabs the attention of the listener. If you have not heard this song, or can’t remember it, hit the link below and you will soon be tapping your foot and singing along with the chorus!
Although unintended the song is surreptitiously Christian and by substituting one word the lyrics change from the love song it is to a song that offers us the love of Christ. We could paraphrase the song to highlight these themes through the following:
We know that Jesus is ‘one call away’,
And that he will ‘be there to save the day’,
‘Superman has nothing on’ Him.
He is our ‘friend’,
He is ‘reaching out’,
and we are called to ‘take a chance’.
If we follow Him we should not be ‘scared’,
That He wants to ‘set us free’.
We can take Him ‘anywhere’ and He is everywhere.
That if we ‘sit a while’ and rest in Him, we will be restored,
And that he just wants to ‘see you smile’.
As you listen to this song found in the link below close your eyes and visualise the Risen Lord, Jesus, as the focus of the lyrics. He is there for you, he offers you all that you need, can solve any problem you have and is reaching out for you, offering his love.
We pray for all artists who help us find God in the wonder of their art. We pray especially for Charlie Puth, who we pray is blessed with good health, continued success and happiness as he continues to give so much to so many through his talent. May we all find Christ, who is only one call away, and live in Him as so beautifully offered in this song as our joy is found in knowing Him.
Yours in Christ,
Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator
Thank you to the staff who conducted the recent Year 9 and 10 Pathways Interviews with our students, parents and guardians. It was pleasing to see how well prepared and engaged our students were with the process. We welcome parent and student feedback on the process.
We once again held our Senior Pathways Information sessions online but included Year 9 into 10 and a VCAL Information evening. They were all well attended. There were great questions and dialogue and we came away from this new format feeling that it had been worthwhile for those who attended.
It has been a team effort on the part of the administration staff and teaching staff. Thank you to all involved for putting together very informative evenings, presenting the diverse opportunities that the College offers. The videos and documentation in our Subject Selection Canvas page have been a valuable resource for students and parents. Again we welcome any feedback or suggestions.
2022 Year 9 - 11 forms are due this Friday, 13 August. The Accelerated Studies Application process has also been finalised. The next stage is to create blockings based on student selections. The College will keep students informed of this process and will meet with any students who may need to make other subject choices.
We continue to encourage our students studying a Unit 4 subject and Senior VCAL to remain focused on the end task. Thank you to all who attended the recent VCE and VCAL interviews. It is important to consider the advice from teachers as we prepare for final assessments.
We will let parents / guardians and students know of the new GAT date once released by VCAA. Just a reminder to students that we will run Trial examinations in the second week of the Term 3 break. The Trial examinations are an important learning opportunity for the final VCAA examinations and are compulsory for all students who are undertaking scored assessments.
Just a reminder that we have unfortunately cancelled the Staff PL day on Wednesday 25 August. The College feels that at these uncertain times, it is more important that we run normal classes for our students.
Bernadette Donnelly Deputy Principal [Learning & Teaching]
As members of Saint Ignatius College, we endeavour to act with competence, conscience, and with compassion. As a result, Coco Bullock has assembled a group of student leaders to put these values to good use.
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is a non-profit organisation that assists and empowers asylum seekers in our community.
The organisation has developed from an informal foodbank to Australia's largest independent humanitarian agency aiding persons seeking asylum, having been founded in 2001 and is based in Footscray.
The ASRC receives no government support, allowing them to remain an independent voice that pushes for change. As a result of COVID-19, ASRC has had a difficult time raising funds to help those in need. That's where we can help. We are hoping that students will bring in food to donate to the ASRC so that we can make a difference as a community.
The food drive will run from 16th - 27th of August. Food lists will be distributed to homerooms, and sent to parents / guardians and staff. Thank you so much for your generosity. Together, we can help hundreds of families have agency over their own future, in our community and beyond.
Janelle Nichols Year 11 SRC Representative
Open Days 2021 will take on both a Virtual and Face-to-face opportunities for students wishing to research more about future courses of interest.
If your part-time work commitments clash with certain Open Days, then it will be worth you having a discussion with your immediate supervisor to arrange a shift change.
Why go to an Open Day ?
If you have any general questions regarding Open Days, please make contact with me.
Bruce Connor Work & Further Education Coordinator
From Monday 9 August, eligible adolescents aged 12-15 years can receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
This change has been implemented following recommendation from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) that people aged 12-15 years be prioritised for vaccination with Pfizer. ATAGI has also reviewed available evidence on specific medical conditions in children that have been identified to be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19.
The following groups of children aged 12–15 years can now receive a priority vaccination using the Pfizer vaccine:
Young people aged 12-15 years receiving COVID-19 vaccination at state vaccination centres will book through the normal booking process (online portal or call centre). They must attend a vaccination centre with a parent or guardian or other person with parental responsibility for the child who will give consent and accompany them
during the vaccination process.
As well as meeting the usual eligibility requirements as a person with an underlying medical condition or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, proof of age must also be provided to ensure the young person is at least 12 years old. For example, a school ID card, birth certificate, passport, doctors letter with date of birth or
other proof of age.
Recommendations for all other young people aged 12-15 years will be made in updated advice in the coming months.
If a child in your care is eligible, you can make a booking the following ways*:
* If you child has a complex disability and requires additional support please contact the Disability Liaison Unit (0434 856 014) after making your booking to discuss ways to assist.
We need your support for our 2021 Mega Raffle!
There are 3 prizes up for grabs, 1st prize is valued at $2,400 with a combined prize pool valued over $3500!
Go to https://www.rafflelink.com.au/sicg-pf-mega-raffle to purchase your tickets. Get in quick as there are limited tickets available and prizes are drawn on 25th August 2021. All funds raised go directly to supporting the Saint Ignatius College Community.
Do you shop at Rebel Sport? You can support our school every time you shop by linking your Rebel Active Membership to our school. 5% of what you spend is given to PFA to purchase sporting equipment for our school. If you’re not a member it’s free to join either online or ask a team member in store.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday September 14th at 7.00pm in the Food Tech Room. We look forward to seeing you there. Even if you cannot make it to the monthly meetings, but think you might be able to be on call to help at the different things we are involved in, please get in touch with us by emailing sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Uniform Shop Opening Days and Times are as follows:
Wednesday 18th August 2-4pm
Wednesday 1st September 2-4pm
Wednesday 15th September 2-4pm
The above dates are dependent on current visitor restrictions within Catholic schools.
Do you know the Uniform Shop also sells brand new socks, ties and hats?
Items to be sold or donated can be dropped off on any of the above days or anytime at the front office.
Please ensure any item that is sent in for sale has been freshly laundered, if not it will be returned to you.
We are always seeking Volunteers to help in the uniform shop. If you are available and have time to help out contact Kate Callaghan by emailing uniformshop@ignatius.vic.edu.au . Training is provided.
If your teenage children live wound-up, highly scheduled lives then they need to rediscover the lost art of down-town.
Down-time is like mucking around except that it’s passive. It’s about kids relaxing, doing whatever it is they feel like doing – whether that’s watching a screen, hanging around with siblings or mates, reading a book or simply daydreaming.
There are three compelling reasons to allow kids down-time:
Toddlers are too active for down-time. Their physiology ensures that when they have some free time they’ll generally keep moving and exploring.
Kids in primary school start to learn the value of down-time. They generally spend down-time on their own or by mucking around with their friends.
Teenagers are natural down-timers. They do it without trying. Teens take up a lot of space during down-time at home, tending to sprawl out and fill living rooms. Many don’t mind down-time with their parents if their friends don’t see them.
Many parents feel uncomfortable when their kids spend too long in down-time. Busyness is seen as a virtue. Sure, it’s good for our kids to be occupied a lot of the time, but active lives need to be balanced with opportunities for inactivity.
Brooding, like ruminating, involves a young person repeatedly visiting their thoughts, going over past mistakes, or worrying about the future. Down-time is different as it enables a young person to chill out and relax. It’s free-range mindfulness, or unstructured meditation.
Down-time is a lifetime mental health, relationship-building, and happiness habit. It’s something to be encouraged, rather than clamped down.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s an award-winning speaker and the author of 12 books for parents including Spoonfed Generation, and the bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It . Michael is a former teacher with 15 years experience, and has 30 years experience in parenting education. He also holds a Master of Educational Studies from Monash University specialising in parenting education.
The College canteen menu uses the 'traffic light system' to inform students, staff and parents of the College the healthier choice’s available at the College canteen (See 'Healthy Food @ School Guidelines' in our 'College Policies and Procedures' section for full details).
Canteen duty provides a much appreciated service to the school. It gives you the opportunity to meet and talk with other parents and also enables you to see your child’s school in action.
Five helpers are needed each day. Helpers will need to be at the canteen by 9:00am and will generally be finished by 1:30pm. If you can only be there part of the day, your help is greatly appreciated.
If you are able to assist, please contact Sandra Woodall at the College on 5251 1136.
Week starting August 16th 2021
16th Aug: C. Hewitt, N. Elliston
17th Aug: J. Johnston, M. Jackson, S. Twaits
18th Aug: C. Ford, C. Poyton, Needed
19th Aug: M. White, S. Sarauer, Needed
20th Aug: S. Nyga, D. O'Brien, Needed
Term 3
Week starting August 23rd 2021
23rd Aug: L. Hart, L. Kelly
24th Aug: L. Strachan, M. Dunstan, Needed
25th Aug: Needed, Needed, Needed
26th Aug: M. Farrell, C. Browne, Needed
27th Aug: E. Stokie, S. Nyga, K. Royle, L. Taylor
Local Community and Sporting groups you may be interested in.
Bellarine Basin Rehabilitation
Barwon Water is embarking on a project to transform the disused Bellarine Basin site in Wallington into more than 30 hectares of environmental and public open space to be enjoyed by the community for years to come.
Have your say and help us reimagine this space
We are seeking feedback from the community on the draft vision, principles and objectives for the site. This will help guide our decision making around any potential activities for the site.
Learn more and complete the online survey:
www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/bellarine-basin
Hard copies are available on request.
Closing date for feedback: Monday 6 September 2021
For enquiries, please contact Barwon Water on projects@barwonwater.vic.gov.au or 1300 656 007.
Parent Education Events - Geelong Region: Term 3 2021
All Regional Parenting Services programs are free and will be offered face to face or online via Zoom, however, bookings are essential.
To book visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/parenting or call us on 5272 4781.
There are a number of events planned for Term 3. Please see attached flyer for details: