Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,

Welcome to term four

Late last week, we received the very good news that Years 7 – 11 will begin the staggered return to onsite learning in regional Victorian schools, joining the Year 12 students who returned for the last week of term three. We know how important it is for our young people’s wellbeing and learning to be at school with their teachers and friends. I hope all students have had an enjoyable and restful break (with some revision and preparation for the new term) and are looking forward to finishing the year off on an excellent note.

The Parent/Student/Teacher conferences held at the end of term three will have helped identify and affirm good progress to date, provided a valuable opportunity to discuss areas of concern and helped set some directions for an effective term ahead.

The Year 12 VCE students sat their trial exams during the second week of the holidays. VCE Coordinator, Mr Michael Brown and Year 12 Coordinator, Ms Kristin Williamson, reported that they were very pleased overall with how the students approached this very important assessment preparation.

COVIDSafe

This term brings further changes to our school operations, as the wider community now works to function with the presence of coronavirus. To assist us in getting students back to school and keeping our school open, we must continue our diligence regarding COVIDSafe practices, adopt several additional measures, and revise our programs, events, and activities.

I am sure everyone will work together to ensure we have as smooth and safe a return to onsite classes as possible. However, we mustn't drop our guard about consistently following the ‘COVIDSafe’ guidelines and insist that our students follow them. Having been away from the regular routines at school, we will need to establish these routines again and remind students and insist that they comply with the expected health and safety practices. These include mask-wearing, hand washing/sanitising, physical distancing where possible, ventilation (windows & doors open or class outside), and not coming to school if unwell.

Vaccinations

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has determined that vaccination will be mandatory for staff who work in schools. All staff are required to be fully vaccinated by 29 November 2021 unless a medical exemption applies.

To keep school communities safe and support the plan to reopen Victoria, our school encourages all eligible students to be vaccinated for their safety and support the community's safety. Vaccinations for our students are voluntary; however, the more vaccinated students, the more protected our community and our school will be. Please talk to your doctor about any health concerns you may have regarding COVID-19 vaccines/testing. I also encourage you to consider the information at <www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au> regarding COVID-19 vaccines/testing.

Shade sails

The Victorian government’s ‘School Shade Sails Fund’ provides grants to schools for shade development to facilitate outdoor learning. Schools can apply for up to $25,000 per school campus. This fund aims to help schools maximise the use of their outdoor learning areas and environments by creating new safe and shaded outdoor learning spaces in schools to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). I expect that our College will be eligible for a grant, and we will work on a proposal to increase the shaded area available that students could be used for outdoor learning.

Air purifiers

In addition, I expect our College will receive some of the Victorian Government air purifier units as per the government’s recent announcement. As yet, I do not know how many and when we will receive these units. However, initial advice is that these air purifiers are to be prioritised for higher risk areas. These areas include where there are high levels of mixing of staff and reduced mask use when eating, higher levels of exertion and increased aerosol projection, and areas of lower ventilation and possible exposure to illness. Examples include sick bays, staff rooms, canteens, school receptions and student centres, gymnasiums and music rooms. Further advice will be provided on air purifiers when we receive an update from the CECV.

Year 9 Camps cancelled

Unfortunately, after assessing the likelihood of conducting the Year 9 camps, which had already been postponed twice, we have decided to cancel these camps. This will be very disappointing for our Year 9 students, who would have been looking forward to this valuable outdoor education experience and time away with their classmates. Parents of Yr 9 students will receive a letter via email about the cancellation with more information.

Year 12 celebrations

As we reviewed the College calendar for the remainder of the year, we have had to curtail our usual Year 12 celebrations very disappointingly. I am very mindful that our senior students have experienced the impact of the pandemic restrictions during their final two years of secondary school. Our Year 12 Coordinator, Ms Kristin Williamson and her team have planned for what we can under the circumstances to mark this milestone and make it somewhat special for our Year 12 students.

We will hold our traditional farewell from the whole school assembly on Monday 18th October. On this day, the Yr 12s can come in appropriate costumes or casual clothes, and there will be a pizza lunch provided for them. Their last day of classes will be Tuesday 19th October. (This will be a normal day of classes.) After the VCE exams, we will invite them to return for a formal occasion on the late afternoon and evening of November 18, the Graduation Mass and assembly. Hopefully, the restrictions will have eased by then, and if we can, parents might also be able to attend. Ms Williamson will write via email to Year 12 students and their parents with more details.

There are less than two weeks of formal classes for Year 12 students remaining. It is very important that the Year 12s remain as focused as possible on their studies right through to the last exam. A lot depends on their ability to apply themselves well during this time. I wish our Year 12 students and their families, as best they can under these uncertain and challenging times, a special and memorable time during the last phase of their secondary school journey.

Mosaic

Another event that has been affected by the restrictions is our annual end of year College community celebration, “Mosaic.” 

We usually hold this special evening at Costa Hall in November, and it is a wonderful celebration of student achievements from across most aspects of the school year. I am very disappointed that we will not be able to conduct this special evening in the usual way. Our plan to recognise the student achievements usually presented at Mosaic is to run a day of level assemblies at school early next year to make the presentations. In this way, students will still receive their awards, and hopefully, this will be another way to inspire all students to make the most of the opportunities available in the new year.

Production of “Wicked”

I thank everyone for their patience with the uncertainty about whether we will be able to conduct the performances in early December. Unfortunately, the latest report from the Production Team is that things are still tentative. I am very pleased that there remains a strong desire for the performances to go ahead; however, it remains uncertain regarding what the restrictions will allow at the time, and we are still waiting for confirmation from the licenser granting permission to run the show at the rescheduled times. We will keep you updated about this.

School Improvement Surveys

Each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as an effective school community and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.

A significant and formal way in which we engage and gather data is through ‘MACSSIS,’ the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys. These surveys have been built specifically for Catholic schools by the Learning Services team at MACS, in partnership with researchers at ‘Learning First.’

In the following few weeks, students at our school will be provided with supervised sessions to complete the online survey, where teachers are on hand to help and answer any questions.

Staff will complete the survey at a Staff meeting next week.

Parents will be invited to complete the survey anytime over the two-week window via an emailed link and password. Our school’s MACSSIS Survey Coordinator, Deputy Principal Paul Lewis, will be providing you with more information next week.

Your opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school.

All participation is invited, welcomed, and 100 per cent voluntary. The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Everyone has the right to refuse to participate or withdraw from the survey at any point before, during or after completion of the survey.

Thank you, in anticipation, for your support in this important feedback process.

Magis 2020

During the next week, parents of Years 8 to 12 students will receive their copy of the College’s 2020 Annual Magazine. Parents of last year’s Year 12 students who do not have a current student at the College will receive their copy in the mail.

‘Magis’ is a fantastic record of College life for the previous year. I hope you enjoy looking over the year’s records in this annual magazine, and over time it will become a treasured memory of your daughter or son’s 2020 school year.

On behalf of the College community, I express my gratitude to our Communications Officer, Mr Tony Berryman-Long, for his coordination, design work and development of the ‘Magis’ for another year.

Michael Exton  Principal

In two weeks our Year 12 students will complete there final face to face classes and leave the daily routine of school behind. This year the transition will be more disrupted as what is normal has not been possible. The time we have had together in the classroom this year has been more important for academic progression and connection to others as it has been so limited. When this journey ends it will for some be more challenging than it would be in a ‘normal’ year.

This transition from secondary education will also be more stark as all of the other events that we normally celebrate to acknowledge and soften the change have been postponed, or altered due to the ongoing restrictions. These celebratory events however, are simply a dialogue about change and transformation. They will occur a little later and a bit differently to our original plan, and in the interim I hope that the following contemplation sums up what we gain from these experiences.

Over the next two weeks I hope that the following letter to our Year 12 students is a fitting contemplation for them and for you.

Dear Class of 2021,

What a final year you have had! When you walked through the gates early in 2016 there is no way known you could have guessed how your final year would play out. As you enter your final two weeks it’s time to reflect upon your journey, the change that is about to occur and what your future might be.

What were you thinking when you ‘arrived’ on your first day? Who were your friends back then? What did you look forward to the most, and what did you ‘want to be’? Your first year was a new beginning, a great adventure: reflect upon the excitement and joy of 2016.

Over the next four years you grew as a student, a young adult and a member of our Ignatian Community. From Year 8 to Year 11 consider all the things that occurred. Reflect upon how your friendships became stronger, more diverse or the reasons why some faded. How did those friendships nourish and support you? Consider acknowledging these people and offer them gratitude for all they have done to help you become who you are today.

What academic challenges have you encountered? Did your ‘favourite’ subjects change over time as you grew? What have you learnt about yourself and your vision for life from the subjects you have completed? What difficulties did you encounter and overcome, and how did this perseverance and success open your eyes to what you are capable of with the support of those who guided you?

Have you become the person our community hoped that you would become? Have the virtues we respect and your ability to love others been embraced and refined by you over the years? Did you hear the wisdom offered in your Religious Education classes about who we are because of Jesus, who provides all that we need?

Have you learned to love those who are different? Did you embrace the opportunities to serve people on the margins? Have you become aware of the power you have and the change you can bring to the world as an advocate for those who are voiceless? Did the story of St Ignatius of Loyola inspire you? Are you prepared to embrace the life of a disciple as you begin your next pilgrimage?

Reflect upon your final year. What a challenge it has been to stay focussed amongst all of the disruption. What did you learn about life and yourself this year? Who helped you and who did you help when things were tough? How do you want the last two weeks to play out? How do you best celebrate the journey and enjoy your final classes? How do you balance the excitement and distraction of your last class in two week’s time against preparing for your final academic challenge at secondary school?

As you finish your time as a student at Saint Ignatius College Geelong know that we are proud of you! We know you and have seen you become someone who we believe in. We know you are destined to become a ‘big deal’. We hope that you have learnt that being a big deal is finding your vocation in life and doing it with passion. Some of you will become doctors, others political leaders, some of you will be tradies, others will work in a variety of jobs that serve others. It doesn’t matter what your future job may be, you are valued and if you live your life the way we have encouraged you to, you will be happy and successful. You will change the world by being you!

As St Ignatius would say, “cuídese”. Take care, we know that it’s time to say goodbye. We will miss you but you have outgrown the need for secondary education. There are bigger things for you to do now. Although you may be leaving as a Year 12 student, you will then become a member of our alumni community, and perhaps in the future you will entrust the education of your children to us.

Most importantly know that we are excited for you, that you are a loved member of our College and that you always will be.

In Jesus’ name cuídese,

Brendan Nicholls (on behalf of our College community)

In 2014 there was a speech made by a Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven at the University of Texas in Austin. In his speech, the Admiral discusses the importance of ‘making your bed’ on a daily basis. He outlines that starting the morning with one small accomplishment can lead to so many other achievements throughout the day. The Admiral considers that this small accomplishment can create a sense of pride and breed success, which will further encourage the individual to complete other tasks. Mr McRaven considers that the little things in life do matter, he highlights that “if you can’t do the little things right, you will never be able to do the big things right”.

This life lesson I consider can be easily transferred to young people in a school setting. Doing the little things right certainly matters and can most definitely breed success, doing the little things right could be as simple as wearing the school uniform correctly and with pride.

Recently I was asked by a group of students why wearing the school uniform is so important. The explanation I gave them was based around student achievement, establishing a sense of belonging and creating a level of self-efficacy.

Wearing the school uniform correctly is as simple as making your bed daily, it takes no real thought and it can provide an individual with some significant benefits:

• Wearing the school uniform correctly gives students a sense that they belong to the school. This notion is supported by a significant amount of research that suggests students who feel a sense of belonging also achieve at a higher level. Having a sense of belonging is also a protective factor against mental health conditions.
• Students who wear the uniform correctly can boost their confidence levels, which in turn will also assist them in their learning and achieving their best.
• A standard uniform creates a sense of equality amongst all the students, making students feel equal amongst their peers which further develops a sense of connectedness to the school and assists in developing the intrinsic motivation to achieve.
• Research has found that students who wear the uniform correctly, are more likely to listen in class, which enhances the learning environment and subsequently leads to greater results.

When considering all of this, it is easy to see the importance of wearing the school uniform correctly, and the impact it can have on your son/daughters learning. It also shows how one small accomplishment in the morning, whether it be making your bed or wearing your school uniform correctly, can significantly increase a young person’s opportunity to achieve at their highest possible level.

I look forward to welcoming all students back onsite in some capacity over the next three weeks. As we have moved into Term 4, students are now required to be in full summer uniform. I have attached the uniform policy for parents/guardians reference.

Michael Timms  Deputy Principal [Students]

Welcome back to Term 4

We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to the College. We hope to have a great Term 4.

Year 12 Trial Exams

The Year 12 Trial exams ran smoothly and the results will be available via Canvas on 11 October. These results are indicative of how the students are currently placed in terms of their learning. It is important that students regard these exams as a learning opportunity and take the time to go through them and focus on or ask questions about any areas in which they can improve. A special thanks to all the Year 12 teachers who have been frantically marking the exams to return them to the students in record time.

Year 12s

It is great to see that students are continuing to approach their study in a consistent manner. A most effective way to accomplish this is to complete as many practice papers and questions as possible. The teaching staff are always available during regular school hours to correct practice papers and assist in any way.

Support and encouragement from family and friends is very valuable at this time, in order to keep up spirits and momentum. We’ll be thinking of you all and wish you the very best!

The last day of classes for Year 12 students is Tuesday 19 October.

Learning and Teaching Professional Learning Day

All teaching staff will be involved in a 2022 curriculum planning day on Friday 22 October. Teaching staff will work in subject teams to review 2021 courses and learning activities. Therefore, there will be no formal classes on this day. However, students will be able to take the day to complete any set work. Unit 4 students will be on Swot Vac and will be able to contact their Year 12 teachers on this day for assistance.

2022 Subjects and Booklists

Students will receive their final list of 2022 subjects and access to the 2022 Booklist later this term. As part of supporting our 2021 goal ‘helping students learn to a higher level’ we have arranged with Campion Booksellers to make 2022 books available prior to Christmas. This will allow students to read their novels and make themselves familiar with any of the subject text books prior to 2022. In order to facilitate this, Campion will home deliver the book orders. This will also save parents lining up in late January to collect their child’s books.

Important S dates

To assist students with their organisation and planning we publish S dates which refers to the final date for any Year 7 – 12 summative or reportable task to be completed. The

Year 7 -11 Semester 2 S days are as follows:

Year 11: Thursday 11 November

Year 10: Thursday 18 November

Year 9: Tuesday 23 November (Core subjects only)

Year 9: Wednesday 1 December (Elective subjects only)

Year 7/8: Thursday 25 November

Year 9 – 11 Examinations

Just a reminder that of the Semester 2 examination dates:

Unit 2: Friday 19 November

Year 10: Friday 26 November

Year 9: Wednesday 1 December (Core subjects only)

Bernadette Donnelly  Deputy Principal [Learning & Teaching]

Year 7 Jump Rope for Heart kicks off this term!

Jump Rope for Heart is a fantastic physical activity and fundraising program that has been run by the Heart Foundation for over 36 years. It’s a great way for your child to keep fit and learn new skills, but it also helps raise funds for vital heart research and education programs.

Since Jump Rope for Heart started in 1983, schools like ours have raised more than $104 million for the Heart Foundation’s lifesaving work.

It’s important you register your child online, so they can receive the full benefits of the program and participate in online fundraising, simply follow the link to get started: www.jumprope.org.au/parents

Students will be skipping during breaks for five weeks starting next week. During this time you can share their online fundraising page with family and friends to help raise money for this great cause.

We will hold our class Jump Off Days in Week 6 of Term 4. This will mark the end of the program and is a chance for everyone to come together to skip and show off their newly learned skills. 

Students will have access to short and long ropes at school but you might like to dust off some ropes at home and join in.

Thank you for supporting the Jump Rope for Heart program!

Leonie O’Brien  Year Level Coordinator: Year 7

R U OK? Day provides us with an opportunity to recognise the power we each have, each day, to benefit others. This year on Thursday 9th September the Wellbeing Team took the opportunity to celebrate R U OK? Day as a reminder that one simple question can at times help people in immeasurable ways.

All staff, friends and family were encouraged to wear at least a splash of yellow, or better yet an R U OK? t-shirt. This, of course helps raise awareness and reduces unnecessary stigma so that we can all talk about mental health freely. The Wellbeing Team received many fun photos as people took the opportunity to dress in their daggiest or most ostentatious yellow!

Our student wellbeing leader, Sam Hines, shared a short presentation encouraging the community to reach out to each other, and resources for supporting teenage mental health were sent to parents. Sarah from the Wellbeing Team developed a way to practice and workshop various ways to ask R U OK? In Personal Learning sessions, we practiced how to see the signs that someone might need support and how to ask questions, listen and encourage people face-to-face and online.

The theme this year was ‘Are they Really Okay? Ask them today’. This might be a good takeaway to keep in mind as we go forwards. We all know sometimes we tend to say we are ‘okay’ when really, we need help. Sometimes we are glad that someone asks if we are okay but we might feel embarrassed or shy. That’s why this theme – Are they really okay?’ – reminds us to look a little closer and try a little harder in reaching out to friends, to listen to people's behaviour as much as their words and that a simple question can really help.

From the Student Wellbeing Team (Dylan, Sarah, Mel and Liv)

Learner Perception Surveys

Over the course of 2021, all teaching staff have been working through a Professional Learning Cycle during their Professional Learning Time (Stages 1 – 4). As part of this cycle, Stage 4 requires teachers to gain quality feedback through a learner perception survey.

Learner perception surveys are conducted in order to find out what learners are thinking, learning, and feeling. They differ to academic assessments as they check in with the thoughts and perspectives of the learners rather than testing their academic skills. Learner perception data, on its own or combined with other data, can help teachers learn what is working and what is not. Learner surveys can be undertaken at any time and, unlike academic assessments, are less likely to result in stress or pressure on learners.

This enables teachers to:

• Measure changes in learners’ perceptions over time.
• Understand what learners feel has stayed the same and why.
• Measure learners’ perceptions of the impact of a new practice.
• Measure learners’ perceptions of the impact of the teacher’s professional learning.

Learner perception surveys look at learners’ thoughts on their class and teacher, providing feedback on what is working or not working in class.

It can help to categorise exactly what information is being sought from the learners. The method that will be used is the ‘7Cs’ (Ferguson et al., 2015) and a focus on the teacher development goal for 2021.

Each of these cover an aspect of a teacher’s practice.

Care: Teachers’ care for learners, and support for the emotional wellbeing of learners.

Confer: Welcoming and valuing learner viewpoints.

Captivate: The teacher’s ability to engage learners.

Clarify: The ability to explain and clarify concepts and content.

Consolidate: The ability to review and ensure information is retained.

Challenge: Pushing learners academically and supporting them when they struggle with this.

Classroom management: The ability to organise a class and ensure it runs smoothly.

Goal focus: Related to the Professional Development Goal of the teacher.

Students will be supported through this survey to help them understand the importance. Individual and class responses will be collated. Individual responses will be kept confidential by the teacher. Students to access the survey (once published) through Canvas in the chosen class. Each of the questions in the survey will be explained to help students understand and feel comfortable through the process.

The survey can be completed within 10minutes.

The PDF Below is an outline of the Learner Perception Survey Questions. Students will respond to each of the statements by selecting one of the four responses.

Joe McLean  Director of Teacher Development

Support our School Through Rebel Community Givebacks

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.

Become part of the Parents and Friends’ Association

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday October 12th at 7.00pm via Zoom. 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

The Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop Opening Days and Times are as follows:

Wednesday 20th October 2-4pm

Wednesday 3rd November 2-4pm

Wednesday 17th November 2-4pm

The above dates are dependant on current visitor restrictions within catholic schools. Please check the Saint Ignatius Facebook/Instagram pages for updates regarding open days and times. Email the uniform shop at uniformshop@ignatius.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.

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 by emailing uniformshop@ignatius.vic.edu.au . Training is provided.

The College canteen menu uses the 'traffic light system' to inform students, staff and parents of the College the healthier choices available at the College canteen (See 'Healthy Food @ School Guidelines' in our 'College Policies and Procedures' section for full details).

Canteen Duty for Parents

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.

Canteen Roster

Term 4

Week starting October 11th 2021

Please note: due to COVID restrictions and the staggered return of students to onsite learning there is no roster available. If this changes parents will be contacted by text if they are rostered on and to check availability.

Everyday resilience lessons for kids

Muscles needs to be exercised daily if they’re to remain strong, flexible and do their jobs. Resilience is no different. If it’s not exercised regularly our resilience will waste away.

Resilience is developed through regular daily use. Here are some simple ways you can encourage a child or young person of any age to flex their resilience muscles every day.

Wait until mealtime

Discourage them from random snacking when they are hungry. Encourage them to wait until mealtime. By tolerating minor discomforts such as hunger, thirst or even some worries, kids get the practice needed to help them manage bigger future hurdles that may come their way. You can build your child’s tolerance of discomfort by encouraging them to delaying immediate gratification even just for a few moments.

Do more than expected

Great sportspeople routinely train more than others and push through mental and physical boundaries. Encourage your child to push through boundaries and do more than expected in small ways. Perhaps they don’t just clean their bedroom but tidy the living room as well. They may aim to shoot 10 goals in a row at basketball practice but keep going until they reach fifteen. Going past the finish line is wonderful resilience practice. What else can you do that would encourage your child to do more than expected on a regular basis?

Save pocket money

Did you know that when you encourage your child to save some of their pocket money rather than spend it immediately you are teaching them to delay gratification, an acknowledged resilience attribute? Asking a child to set aside some pocket money for saving, some for charity and some for spending will help develop a balanced use of pocket money. It helps if a child can develop their own savings goal, and parental suggestions can assist. The delay of an immediate reward to achieve a greater or later reward needs to be practiced if it’s to become part of a child’s pattern of behaviour.

Make the bed

Resilience comes from doing things that we don’t feel like doing and making a bed is one thing few people enjoy. The daily habit of making a bed (to the best of a child’s or teen’s ability) is a brilliant discipline to develop, which has the bonus of setting kids up well for a productive day at school. What other simple habits that fit into the “don’t-like-to-do” basket that benefits either your child or others in the family?

Help when you don’t feel like it

It’s easy to help at home when they’ve had a good day at school or the weather is fine. It’s much more difficult to step up and help set the table, put out the rubbish or hear a sibling read when they’ve had a bad day at school or the weather is stinking hot. The seemingly small act of sticking to commitments even though they help develop discipline and conscientiousness that contributes to a sense of resilience

Smile when you don’t feel happy

Feelings may be difficult to manage, but behaviour is a choice. Encourage kids to choose happy, or at least act happy by smiling rather than putting on a grumpy face. The brilliant thing about this strategy is that smiling changes their mood so that they begin to experience pleasant emotions.

It’s the small, everyday behaviours we encourage in kids that have the greatest impact on their behaviour, wellbeing and resilience.

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.

Local Community and Sporting groups you may be interested in.

Surfcoast Basketball Association

Surfcoast Basketball Association are seeking support from schools to re-engage U16 and U18 girls back into basketball. This age group is statistically when we see girls drop out of sport. The focus would be on health, well-being and creating a fun and social environment with friendly competition. With this in mind the teams would be limited to having 3 Representative players, as all domestic competition adhere to.

Individual players interested in playing can register and be joined with a team. The games for this age group will be played at the new WurdiBaierr Stadium in Torquay on Monday evenings.

Humans in Geelong Expo 2021

Sunday 10th of October 10am – 3pm at Deakin University Waterfront Campus and Online on Humans in Geelong YouTube.

This is a free community event with everyone welcome and something for everyone. There will be face-painting, henna, crafts and wooden toy making.

Uplifting speakers include Chloe Hayden who is Princess Aspien and The Streets Barber. Be entertained by live performances and inspiring exhibitors. For the complete program as it unfolds: www.humansingeelong.com

Ocean Grove Cricket Club: Cricketers Wanted!

Ocean Grove Cricket Club is looking for boys and girls (and men and women) interested in playing local cricket.

Any Age, Any Gender, Any Ability

We have 4 teams in Senior Mens, 2 Senior Womens teams, Under 17, 15 and 13 Junior Boys teams, 2 Girls Junior Cricket teams, Mixed under 11 teams and Woolworths Blast program for mixed youngsters 5-8 years old

We love a social atmosphere but we are also a competitive and family orientated local Cricket Club

If interested contact Paul Madden – 0400 912 167 or email maddenpaul59@gmail.com

Parent Education Events - Geelong Region: Term 4 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 4. Please see attached flyer for details: