Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Saint Ignatius College Community Members,
Farewell to our Year 12 students
This week has been a significant one in the life of the College. We recognised, celebrated and farewelled our Year 12 students. Most will now prepare for VCE exams, others will commence jobs or apprenticeships, and some will take a break. It was great we could return to our traditional rituals with the considerable easing of the pandemic restrictions. We wanted to make this milestone very special for our senior students, their families, and our College Community.
For the first time this year, we gathered as a whole school under one roof for an assembly to farewell the Yr 12 students on Monday afternoon. This was an uplifting occasion that included speeches and musical items. The assembly concluded with a walk around the College by the Yr 12’s with the Yrs 7 to 11 students and staff cheering and clapping. A custom that has been established for some time now is the presentation of a gift to the College by the graduating class. I was delighted to receive, on behalf of the College, two bird baths (in College colours of red and blue) that will be placed in the ANZAC Memorial Garden.
Tuesday was the Yr 12s final school day - Celebration Day. I commend our students for how they participated in the day in a respectful, fun and happy way. Like most schools, we have worked with our students over the years to shift from a ‘muck up’ to a ‘celebration’ atmosphere. Well done to our senior area staff team and our students for working together to ensure the finish-up was positive and enjoyable.
On Tuesday evening, Yr 12 students, their families and staff gathered at our Multipurpose Centre for the formal Valete Mass and Graduation Ceremony. This was a very special and memorable large gathering of members of the College community to worship, pray for our graduating students, express gratitude and acknowledge this milestone for the Year 12s. In addition, each student was presented on stage and received a certificate. Our final gathering, the Valedictory Dinner, will be after the VCE exams for Yr 12 students, their families and staff at GMHBA Stadium, Kardinia Park, on the evening of Friday, 25 November 2022.
On behalf of the College community, I wish our Yr 12 students every blessing for their futures and thank them and their families for their contribution. I also express our gratitude to Ms Kristin Williamson (Yr 12 Coordinator) and her staff team for all they’ve done to support our senior students over the year, particularly during these final weeks for the Year 12’s.
Mosaic Evening – Thurs. 17th November 2022
Our College community end-of-year celebration occurs in mid-November. We call this evening ‘Mosaic’ because we endeavour to showcase many and varied pieces of student achievement from the year. We expect as many students and their families as possible 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, 17th November 2022. The Art & Technology display commences at 6.00 pm in the Costa Hall foyer followed by the celebration evening that begins at 7.00 pm in the main auditorium.
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 the blazer.
We have consistently received very positive feedback about Mosaic evenings over many years. This unique celebration evening, our seventeenth, builds a stronger school community and a sense of belonging and hopefully inspires all students to strive to make 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 the extraordinary achievements of some and the contribution we all make to Saint Ignatius College.
Reminder about forthcoming student-free days
Students will not be attending school as follows:
Friday 21 October – Curriculum Day
Monday 31 October and Tuesday 1 November – Melbourne Cup/Mid-term break.
Best wishes for the next fortnight,
Michael Exton | Principal
It is over! The daily obligation to attend school has ended for our Year 12 students. For the last thirteen years the routine of school has guided everything about their day. They have completed their farewells and celebrations and now prepare for their exams with support and encouragement but no requirement to attend each day. This is a significant moment for all; students, staff, families are all impacted by this change. Everything that was certain and planned is now a choice and not all things are guaranteed. Change is exciting but can also be unnerving.
A key aspect of our formal farewells is our Valete mass. The mass is significant as it announces who we are as a community and affirms our trust in God. The readings of the mass remind us of the hope we have and the promise that has been made to us. The first reading is from Exodus (Ex 16:6-18) where God provides for the Israelites in the desert. Each have their fill no matter how much or how little they gather. All are satisfied.
This is a wonderful illustration of our God. No matter the depth of faith or how consistent we are in relationship with God we are nourished and are needs provided for.
The Gospel reading is from Luke (Lk 12:22-29) and speaks in a similar way of God’s providence. In the reading Jesus teaches us of how much God cares for even the smallest things, that we have nothing to be concerned with and that we are much more important to God than even the smallest things that he loves beyond our comprehension. This is the mystery of God. How can we be so loved and how can we respond adequately?
For our Year 12 students the readings lead to some timely contemplation. Just as everything that is normal changes, how do you approach such a complete change with confidence and a vision of how to proceed? I suggest the following contemplative exercise might be helpful in discerning a response. Whether you are a student, parent or staff member we are all entering something new that may be unnerving.
Contemplative Exercise:
Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
Make yourself comfortable.
Remove distractions and if you are able to close your eyes.
Visualise life at this moment. What offers you joy? What concerns you? What fears do you have? What areas need attention?
What changes concern you and why is this so?
What possibilities may occur? What outcomes cause you to be anxious?
What changes would you like to see achieved?
Rest in these thoughts, live them out. Who is there? What are they doing or saying? What is it like to be in that moment?
When do you feel the love of God and how can you experience this more frequently?
What needs do you have that you think may not be fulfilled?
What worries do you have about the future?
What do you need to feel filled?
Who in your life makes you feel loved and known and how can you develop a stronger relationship with these people?
You will know when you have comfortably finished this exercise.
When you have finished, rest for a moment and give thanks for the insights the Spirit has guided you to.
Move into the rest of the day with the plan that has been revealed and a sense of wonder and awe to our God who loves us more than we can understand.
God will always provide. Even when things are difficult or we may be concerned about what is ahead he will provide. You can be sure of that. It is a promise. It is certain. You are loved.
Keep the faith,
Brendan Nicholls | Liturgy Coordinator
Like all year levels at the College, Year 10 is currently busy with work assessments coming in thick and fast and exam revision looming in the not too distant horizon. It doesn’t seem too long ago we were launching the year, and to think in early December our great Year 10’s will be completing this year’s studies and launching fully into their VCE years is staggering. However, they have shown through their commitment and application that they will cope with this transition easily.
In today’s year level assembly we looked at revision techniques and then discussed some inspirational goals via some YouTube clips of Neale Daniher who encourages all to look for opportunities in everything you do, and the importance of conducting yourself well especially in tough times as he has certainly done so through his MND suffering. Kurt Fearnley, a wheelchair marathon athlete also gave the students some great ideas ( via YouTube), about preparation, perseverance and persistence as he prepared for and conquered crawling the famous Kokoda track. What an effort and the message to our Year 10’s was you can achieve anything if you dream big, apply yourself and surround yourself with the right assistance. The last clip showed the value of teamwork through human Casteller structures and students were ask to reflect on who supports them ( parents, teacher, siblings etc) and to show gratitude towards these people who continue to help them achieve their goals.
Our next assembly will be on the more formal arrangements with the end of year exams and the expectations that we are putting in place for that time, and we look forward to all students and families supporting us during this exam time. Not just with exams but with normal study patterns keeping a regular routine for your children which balances school, work, sport, exercise and social activities is such an important plank in the keys of success. If you haven’t already done so, now might be a good time to develop a study timetable with your child.
The Cape York immersion continues to be a big talking point amongst our Year 10’s and I was very impressed with the students who recently reported back to their homeroom peers about their amazing experience. All Year 10’s recently sat in on the Roadsmart talks and these seemed well received to support our young drivers to be safe on roads.
I could certainly continue on about many sporting, academic, arts, music and other accolades that Year 10’s have achieved this semester but I am not sure this current space will suffice so in summary please believe me when I say ALL Year 10’s are doing great things and I am sure will continue to do so throughout the rest of this year.
Brendan O’Brien | Year 10 Coordinator
It’s been an extremely busy and exciting year in the academic portfolio, but I am sure we are all glad that it is wrapping up as well.
Firstly, a massive congratulations to all of Year 12 VCAL and unscored VCE students who have finished up your studies for the year – for the rest of school.
But for everyone else, especially all Unit 3 & 4 students, I wish you the best of luck for your exams. I know first-hand how difficult this year has been, but also how rewarding. So don’t give up for the final push.
It can be difficult to maintain motivation for the end of the year, so I’m going to include some of my tips for keeping up with the end of the year:
This one is obvious but don’t forget to eat breakfast and drink water throughout the day.
Organise yourself – however works best for you. I swear by Google calendar, but some people like the paper of the planners. Either way, schedule out your time and include breaks in your study. This helps the workload seem less overwhelming.
Find a good playlist. Not everyone likes to listen to music while studying, but a mellow, cohesive playlist gets me in the zone for study. Listening to the same thing every time also helps.
Good luck and always strive for the best you can!
Amy Thompson | Academic Captain 2022
The Year 12 students finished their final formal classes on Monday 17th October.
On Monday afternoon, the whole school gathered to celebrate the Year 12s at the Year 12 Final Assembly.
Emily Green and Sam Hines, our 2022 College Captains farewelled the student body and staff on behalf of the Year 12s. They reflected on their six years of secondary school and the growth of the 2022 cohort. A presentation was made to the College with a gift of birdbaths to place in the Senior Quad. A plaque was inscribed with “These birdbaths are presented to the College from the graduating Class of 2022.”
“Birds learn how to fly, never knowing where the flight will take them.” This symbolises their journey of education as they have grown their wings and are now ready to fly. The assembly finished with a graduation mash-up of songs performed by the VCE Music class.
After the assembly students in Years 7-11 formed a guard of honour around the school to farewell the Year 12s as they did their final gratitude walk around the school where they were cheered on by the College Community. This was a fitting end to be acknowledged by all members of the College and to recognise their fantastic achievements. Year 12 students came to school in a wide range of fancy dress costumes on Tuesday morning for their Celebration Day. The bright colours and general sense of fun were great to see at the end of a rigorous year.
After a walk around the school to visit classrooms, students then were involved in an African drumming session. This took them back to their time on retreat and wrapped up their year with some movement and rhythm. Valete Mass and the Graduation Ceremony were celebrated on Tuesday evening.
Students donned their academic gowns and sashes as they joined their families for a moving Mass service led by Father Gerry Healy. Prayers and hymns were shared by some of the graduation students. The graduation ceremony followed this with all graduating students receiving a certificate of the completion of their studies and a personalised copy of “Finding God’s Traces” book.
Thank you to everyone involved to make these last couple of days so special for the graduating Class of 2022. The commitment of all staff involved ensured a memorable finish for our Year 12 classes.
We send all our Year 12 students our very best wishes as they complete their 6 years of education at Saint Ignatius College.
Kristin Williamson | Year 12 Coordinator
Please note that a concrete pour is planned for Tuesday 25th October between 5am and 1pm (subject to weather), at the new MacKillop Senior Centre site, and as such requires truck arrivals/departures during school drop off times.
This may impact student drop offs on Tuesday morning, and College families are encouraged to be vigilant in the area.
Thank you for your support.
Please click here for the latest update on the MacKillop Senior Centre from Plan Group.
The main roadway between The Potato Shed gate and the administration building is not accessible by cars between 8.15 am – 8.45 am and 3.00pm to 3.30pm . This roadway will be used as a pedestrian walkway during these times to allow student access to and from the bus bays and parent drop off / pick up.
If your daughter/son requires collection from the administration building during these times due to sickness or injury, please access the college via Gate 3 on Gillies Road. Access via Gate 3 is strictly limited to these circumstances.
We have undertaken these changes to our traffic management plan to minimise vehicle / student contact during peak student movement times. We will also be looking at streamlining the drop off / pickup area in the not too distant future.
A further reminder that parking on Gillies Road should be limited. This is a local resident only road and should not be used as a thoroughfare.
Michael Timms | Deputy Principal (Students)
Kinglake Adventure Camp at the end of last Term was a fun-filled and action-packed camp! It all started with arriving at the campsite at around 12 o’clock on our first day, having a quick bite to eat and jumping (for some, literally) into the first activity. Some groups were heading off for a nature walk or to do some quiet meditation, whilst others were off to climb great heights with ‘Freefall’ or ‘Leap of Faith’ activities that required much courage in scaling 15-20m heights and letting go… harnessed, of course. This provided wonderful optimism for the following day, with all the activities fellow campers had been talking about to look forward to, but not before some lovely dinner, the film, “Jumanji” and a good night’s sleep.
On our first morning, the Leadership Centre was buzzing with excitement for the activities
ahead in the most gorgeous of bushland settings. Highlights included
feeding the wallabies! The moments of calm and peacefulness were also much appreciated by
weary campers, especially when some groups went out into the forest to listen to the
environment around the amazing Kinglake.
Later on that night, we participated in the “Hunger Games!” This was a lot of fun, but certainly
hard to navigate in the dark. It helped to improve our teamwork and communication skills so
we could figure out the best way to work out the various challenges. One of the challenges
did produce some of the most interesting rope artwork of the Mockingjay teachers had ever
seen! This was the perfect way to end an incredible and busy day.
Our second and sadly last morning, had everyone quickly packed up, eating pancakes and preparing for the Wildergaining team activity where groups attempted to solve quite challenging riddles. We had to go out and collect wooden blocks, remember different points on a compass and use the teamwork skills we had been working on throughout the camp. This was lots of fun for our last day with everyone racing around in the glorious treed environment of Kinglake whilst collaborating against the clock!
Kinglake Camp wouldn’t have run as smoothly without the help of the marvellous teachers
who generously gave up their time for students to have a fantastic time. Campers would like
to thank all the teachers who came along, including: Mr Melli, Ms Anderton, Mrs Tolan, Ms.
K, Ms. Thorpe, Miss Cash, Ms. Losi, Shane Cole and Lisa Turner. A special thanks to Mrs Hodge, who organised not only our camp, but also three other camps. Kinglake Campers are unbelievably thankful to her. She even managed to have a go on the Leap of Faith!
This camp was certainly not one to forget and we have the Kinglake staff, teachers and Mrs
Hodge to thank for our wonderful experience!
Mental Health week newsletter
Mental Health Week was celebrated at Saint Ignatius College beginning Monday 10th of October. Mental Health Week is celebrated annually in October which promotes the importance of mental health and wellbeing amongst students and aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health.
Research indicates that feelings of belongingness are reliable predictors for positive mental health outcomes. Therefore, two activities were created by the Wellbeing Team to create more belongingness and wholeness to the Saint Ignatius school community. The week was kicked off with a pledge for both teachers and students to take part in one activity this week to help promote overall well being. Below are the list of activities and the percentage of students and teachers who participated.
Percentage of year level who responded
Percentage of activities responded to
Secondly, a canvas was formed for both teachers and students to combine their own unique thumb prints with paint. This engaging piece of artwork will be on display to remind students and teachers of something they have all contributed to together as a school. Below are photos of students engaging in the activity from Monday morning.
We’d like to give a big congratulations to all teachers and students who participated in the activities. We are all very grateful to share the week with you all. A big special thanks to Elana Cole for organising the balloons for the gate, Nolan Ruth and the Art Department for supporting us with the artwork, and David Alexander for the photographs.
Presented by the Wellbeing team, Olivia, Sarah, Nicky and Michael
Summer Fun Pack Raffle
Please support our latest fundraiser “Summer Fun Pack Raffle”. Tickets are only $5 each with 1st prize valued at $350.00. To purchase tickets please go to www.trybooking.com/CCUXR. All funds raised go back to supporting our students. The raffle will be drawn at 4pm on 24th October 2022.
Entertainment Book
Yes we are still selling the Entertainment Book however it now is digital and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. If you would like to purchase an Entertainment Book please email us at sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au.
Become part of the Parents and Friends’ Association
We are still searching for a new Treasurer, unfortunately there was no nomination at our AGM. We would like to invite you to consider nominating for this role and be part of our wonderful team.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th November 2022. 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 fundraising events, please get in touch with us by emailing sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au
The Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop is now opening prior to our monthly Parents and Friends meeting in addition to the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Please note this is dependant on current visitor restrictions within catholic schools. Please check the Saint Ignatius Facebook page for updates regarding open days and times. Email the uniform shop at uniformshop@ignatius.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Did you know the uniform shop also sells brand new socks, ties and hats?
Items to be sold or donated can be dropped off at the Uniform Shop during opening times 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.
W/C 24/10/22
24th: K.Allchin, NEEDED.
25th: L.Hart, NEEDED.
26th: M.White, NEEDED.
27th: M.Hiemstra, NEEDED.
28th: E.Stokie, B.Allen, E.Savage.
............................................................................................................
W/C 31/10/22
31st: No Canteen : School Closed
1st: No School: School Closed.
2nd: C.Holland, NEEDED.
3rd: B.Collins, NEEDED.
4th: J.Peters, NEEDED.
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.
Saint Ignatius College is delighted to present this limited sponsorship opportunity to the College Community.
College families, alumni, and members of the College Community are invited to 'purchase a piano key,' with all money raised going towards the purchasing of a new piano.
Sponsors names to be displayed on an honour board, on our College website, and on our social media channels.There are only 88 keys on a piano, so don't leave it too late!
This is a great opportunity for a lasting contribution to our College.
https://www.trybooking.com/CCXIU
Ms Elana Cole | Development Manager
Get Summer holidays ready with your family by purchasing a ticket or 2 in the 'Saint Ignatius College Parents and Friends Summer Pack Raffle!'
https://www.trybooking.com/CCUXR
Tickets are only $5, so you can buy 1 or 10 to go into the draw! 3 Prizes on offer, with the raffle drawn on the 24th of October, allowing you adequate time to book in all of your adventures!All proceeds from the raffle go to student resources at the College.Thanks for your support of the Parents and Friends Summer Pack Raffle!
Click here to view the PFA Summer Fun Raffle Poster
Parents and Friends Association
Relatively small issues, like not being invited to a party, can arouse big, intense feelings in our kids. Because belonging is at stake, friendship challenges will always feel like a life-threatening experience – so be assured that most parents find themselves dealing with powerful tears and shattering disappointments after tricky friendship days.
It is easy for both parents and teachers to fall into the trap of trying to “dial down the drama” when our kids feel overwhelmed. However, minimising or dismissing strong feelings will only tend to ramp them up, because our tween’s brains seek to be heard and understood in the process of regulating. I’d also like to suggest that it denies our children the opportunity to master these big feelings. Our kids need to feel to practise the emotional regulation strategies they need to navigate life well.
I want to share three practical strategies that parents can do to support their tweens during these moments. Friendship challenges are an incredibly rich platform to help kids learn emotional regulation strategies, as well as social skills, and we want to capitalise on both as we coach them forward.
Strategy 1: Let's not fight the intensity
The more I learn about emotions the more I am in awe of our body’s way of coming up with solutions to discomfort, anguish and pain we experience. It doesn’t make any sense to judge that process but rather appreciate it. That’s why we want tweens to know there are no bad or good emotions. There are only healthy emotions, and each one of them is an acceptable and necessary part of being human. Ideally, we want tweens to feel safe to feel, without shame or guilt. This means accepting emotions within our home, in the same way we accept anything else about ourselves (or our experiences) that we cannot change - our age, our height, freckles or ears.
Strategy 2: Ask questions that empower
Although it’s tempting (and much quicker) to offer children prescription answers to friendship problems, it won’t help them in the long term. The problem with childhood conflict always being followed by adult intervention, is that kids can get into the habit of projecting their wishful thinking onto someone else who they perceive as being more powerful than they are.
If our children focus their energy on recruiting support rather than problem-solving, they miss vital learning opportunities. We are best to ask questions that express a sense of curiosity and empower them to take ownership.
Strategy 3: Find a positive expression
Whereas there are times that we suppress our painful emotions for our own survival, emotions are far better off moving through our kids rather than festering inside them.
One of my dearly loved local psychotherapists wisely tells me that children who have imaginations become their own play therapists. Play is a distraction that pulls kids out of their heads and into their bodies. Any type of play including immersing themselves in craft, participating in drama, dance, or sport, or building forts, slides and adventure courses are all helpful..
In closing
Home really is the hero in kids’ lives. It is the emotional shield from all that hurts us, bothers us, and tires us. It’s a place where love is tangible, and we are cared for in ways that make it easier for us to move back into the world with a soft heart. It’s the Utopia that we all yearn for and strive towards. When they feel disappointed, lost, afraid or disoriented it will be the predictability of home that continues to welcome them with open arms and wise words. As you implement these strategies, know you are offering your tween the home they deserve.
Michelle Mitchell presents: Handling tricky friendship days
Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas. As part of this membership, you can attend the upcoming webinar ‘Handling tricky friendship days’ at no cost.
About
In this webinar, Michelle Mitchell offers a set of practical guiding principles to help empower children to handle tricky friendship days.
When
Wednesday 2 November 2022 8:00pm AEDT
To redeem
• Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com...;
• Click ‘Add to cart’
• Click ‘View cart’
• Enter the coupon code FRIENDS and click ‘Apply Coupon’ Your discount of $39 will be applied.
• Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
• Fill in your account details including our school’s name to verify your eligibility. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your webinar and resources
• Click ‘Place Order’
This offer is valid until 31 December 2022. If you’re unable to make the broadcast time, just register anyway and you will get access to the recording.