Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,
It has been great to have students back on site, at least for part of the week for some year levels. As you are probably aware from media reports, we have received further good news. There has been a change to the staggered return of students in regional Victoria to onsite learning. Because of the high vaccination rate, students in regional Victoria will return onsite full time from this Friday, 22 October. However, we have a planned student free day for this Friday because of a Teachers’ Curriculum Day.
This means that all Years 7 to 11 students will be at school from next Monday, 25 October 2021.
It is hard to believe that our Year 12 students had their final formal classes for the year on Tuesday.
The Year 12 VCE students have commenced their ‘swot vac’ period to revise and prepare for their written exams which begin on Wednesday 27 October with English. During swot vac and the exam period, VCE students will be able to pick up and drop off practice exams from the MacKillop Centre, study at school in the MacKillop Centre and access their subject teachers at school or remotely from home during their usual class times up until the exam in that subject.
Year 12 students who attend school must sign in and follow COVIDSafe practices. Deputy Principal Bernadette Donnelly has spoken to the students, and more details have been sent in a follow-up email to students and parents. This email will also inform students and parents about the process for undertaking the exams if a student is a ‘close contact’ or what happens if they are unwell during the exam period.
I wish the VCE students all the best for a productive revision and exam preparation period and exam performance to the best of their abilities.
I wish our VCAL students all the best for their transition to work, training or a tertiary course. Their last classes were also held on Tuesday. (A few students will take advantage of the coming days to finalise their VCAL studies in the MacKillop Centre at school.) Some VET courses may continue for the next while. This will vary according to the VET subject and provider. Students will need to check with their VET Trainer to determine what is required.
An email has been sent to all parents inviting them to complete the annual online survey before next Thursday. The email contains a link and password to access the MACS school improvement survey. Your confidential feedback would be appreciated.
The Parents and Friends' Association (PFA) provides an opportunity to become actively involved in the College community. This highly valued volunteer group actively supports College functions, organises social occasions and promotes other parent activities.
There is a sense of fulfilment in helping our students and their school. The PFA is a committee that works to bring the school community together and enhance student outcomes. All students benefit from the contribution the committee members make. This is one of many ways parents contribute to our school community. Is PFA membership a way you could contribute?
The next PFA meeting will be the Annual General Meeting, and it will be held on Tuesday 9 November 2021 at 7 pm via Zoom.
Recently the PFA President, Ms Leanne Riley and I wrote to all parents to invite nominations for the office bearer positions (President, Secretary and Treasurer.) Please consider nominating yourself or another parent for a position.
The office bearers will need a team around them. So, even if you don’t want to put yourself forward for a position, please consider joining the PFA by attending the meeting. Therefore, I encourage more parents to please ‘step up' and ‘back up’ the 2022 committee by attending the AGM online. The Zoom link for this meeting will be emailed to all parents by our Development Manager, Ms Elana Cole, very soon.
The builder, Lyons Constructions, has advised that the handover date for the new Loyola Centre will now be mid-December 2021. The recent shutdown of the building industry, reduced number of workers on site and challenges obtaining some materials, have led to the later finish date.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the College. I look forward to all Years 7 to 11 students being back at school from next Monday onwards.
Michael Exton Principal
With all of the information about roadmaps and the excitement of our Year 12 students final days this week you may have missed an important campaign that occurs at this time each year. Amongst everything else that is occurring Anti-Poverty Week and it’s call for justice is also happening. As our community transitions from the emotional and financial difficulties of the last two years we have the opportunity to contemplate how we might respond to those in need today.
As a College we seek to empower our students to be aware that service involves more than just a financial response. Our response to Anti-Poverty Week should be diverse and sincere. Although Anti-Poverty Week is a national campaign to raise awareness of the financial struggles impacting many Australians, at the College we also consider poverty more broadly. As our faith tradition is global our awareness of justice issues is also.
Did you know:
These facts are confronting. Although lockdown has impacted our community in many ways we are still able to give and serve. Our Year 9 Journey students have recently unpacked the Gospel parable of the ‘sheep and goats’. The key section explored is the vivid imagery Jesus gives in saying to his disciples, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me”. Matthew 25:31-40
Translating this to the world we encounter requires us to contemplate who the hungry in the world are today, who are at the margins of society, who are the vulnerable or those stripped of dignity, who are the ill and what are their illnesses and who are those locked away and isolated. Each of these questions requires deep reflection. A superficial response allows a shallow response.
When we become aware of the challenge Jesus presents in the parable we gain an insight into the way God sees humanity. The ill are not simply those who are physically sick. The ill are those who are beaten down and are unable to cope with the world around them. Those who are unable to accept or offer love are also ill. People who are unable to encounter God are in need of His care.
Reflecting upon this reading during Anti-Poverty Week we are provided the opportunity to respond. Often when we consider helping others we think of donating money or food to help those in need. Although this is our primary way of donating and helping those in need, there are times when we may not be in a position to do. There are times when we may not be able to donate,or times when this option should be rejected as the lesser option. Our tradition calls us to bring justice to the world. We are prophets who are called to advocate for those in need and offer the love of God to people, especially “the least of these who are members of my family”.
We are called to walk with those in need and support them in seeking justice. Charity is an important but temporary response to those in need. We live in an affluent society and giving financially is often a direct and simple response. Sometimes however we fail in our discipleship when we allow our response to be limited to charity or be based on a transaction. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu beautifully explains justice in his vivid analogy in saying that, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in”. The power we have is found in our freedom and our advocacy. We are privileged people who have the ability to bring justice and change.
This is the work of Jesus. He didn’t simply heal those He encountered, He welcomed and affirmed those whose society at the time rejected. We are called to do the same. Charity alone is limited and brief at best.
When we consider poverty in our nation, and around the world, there is so much need. But we are undaunted by the challenge, we are people of hope and our desire for justice is at the centre of our lived Gospel. Our mission as disciples is to see the world as Jesus does and offer the love and peace that renews and transforms. Pope Francis reminds us that , “with the grace of Baptism and of Eucharistic Communion I can become an instrument of God's mercy, of that beautiful mercy of God”.
As Anti-Poverty Week concludes I encourage you to consider our call to live the Gospel and what means we have to offer charity, justice and advocacy for our brothers and sisters in need. ‘Happy Anti-Poverty Week!’.
Yours in Christ,
Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator
The Year 12 students finished their final formal classes on Tuesday 19th October.
Year 12 students came to school in a wide range of fancy dress costumes. The bright colours and general sense of fun were great to see at the end of a difficult year.
During assembly time, the students watched a pre recorded Final year 12 Assembly that was also sent to parents to watch. Some moving speeches by the Principal and College Captains as well as fantastic music performances by the VCE Music Production class were some highlights of this.
The Wellbeing Team provided each Year 12 Homeroom with a pizza lunch and they had the chance to spend time as a homeroom group.
Thanks to the Wellbeing Team for being so supportive of the Year 12 students this year.
During Period 6, students participated in a Gratitude Walk.
Students donned academic gowns and did one final lap of the school where they were cheered on by the College Community that were onsite. This was a fitting end to be acknowledged by all members of the College and to recognise their fantastic achievements.
Thank you to everyone involved who made these last couple of days so special for the graduating Class of 2021.
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
Good luck to all our Year 12 students as they embark on the next stage of their journey. Our Year 12 VCAL students are accessing the range of opportunities available to them and our Year 12 VCE students have commenced Swot Vac. Good luck to the VCE students on their upcoming VCAA examinations.
Commencing next week, students will receive their final list of 2022 subjects through homeroom. Parents will receive an email with all Book List Information and access to the 2022 Booklist. 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. Online book lists orders are due November 26.
In 2022, we will introduce a new program at Year 7 and 8 called Cura Personalis. Cura Personalis is a Latin term that refers to the care of the whole person. At Saint Ignatius College, we are of course committed to the education of the whole person. The Cura Personalis Program will provide an approach at a dedicated time for our students to enrich their learning.
The aims of the program are:
Year 7 and 8 students will participate in Cura Personalis every Wednesday afternoon, in period 5 and 6. The year will be broken up into Program A and Program B. Program A will have more of a year level focus and target personal learning opportunities. Program B will allow students to choose from a range of enrichment activities, including GISSA sports, STEAM, Performing and Visual Arts, Cooking, Debating, Chess, Writer’s workshops, Service activities to name a few. More details to follow.
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
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]
This October we celebrated Mental Health Week. To advocate for mental health, the Wellbeing Team offered a number of initiatives to the Saint Ignatius community during week 2 of Term 4.
We began at the start of the week with mental health pledges. Staff and students were offered a chance to make a pledge to commit to a self-care activity for the week. Participants had the choice to choose from a number of suggested pledges such as “Tell a teacher or peer that I am grateful for them” or simply “eat a healthy breakfast every day this week”. Participants could also make their own pledge. Some of these included “paint for most of the weekend”, “work out each day”, and perhaps the most fun example “tell my cat I like her”.
We would like to especially praise the special efforts of homeroom teachers Ms Carly Jenkins of 7 Licona, Ms Aleisha Gill of 9 Regis, and Ms Laura Taylor-Payne of 11 Hurtado for their outstanding effort with such a great representation of student participation.
On Tuesday we shared some great video resources for students to watch. One was a now-famous talk by Brene Brown on the importance and power of vulnerability. The other was a short discussion with Demi Lovato regarding the importance of reaching out when you need to.
In addition, Ms Phillips offered a yoga video for students on Wednesday to participate in at home and Dylan from Wellbeing offered a meditation class on Thursday. To bring Mental Health Week to an end, on Friday, Wellbeing shared our ‘Tea and Talk’ tips for families to get together over the weekend to connect and reflect. So much of mental health has to do with supportive and healthy relationships.
We’re grateful to have shared Mental Health Week with you all and would like to congratulate everyone on taking steps to improving their own mental health.
From the Student Wellbeing Team (Dylan, Sarah, Mel and Liv)
Our Junior Debating team achieved wonderful results in the Schools Competition that ran from March until September this year, claiming victory in a total of 7 out of 8 debates.
This winning streak was finally ended on September 9th by Bacchus Marsh Grammar, who successfully argued that: ‘That recreational hunting should be banned’.
With Saint Ignatius College taking the negative position, Curtis McCoughtry (Year 9) quickly established a level-headed approach to this emotive issue, emphasising the positive aspects of hunting by reminding the audience of its rich cultural and historical association with a wilderness that is quickly disappearing. Curtis spoke with deep conviction and his charismatic manner and measured delivery was compelling.
Drew Magtaka (Year 8) then rose as our second speaker, pointing out that recreational hunting contributes to conservation efforts across the globe, including the defence of our native marsupials against invasive predators like feral cats. The animated delivery of Drew’s speech effectively conveyed his growing confidence and competence as a public speaker. In her position as third speaker, Alana Clark (Year 9) delivered yet another powerful summary of the team’s case, dismantling the opposition’s case with her incisive wit and keen perspicacity.
Congratulations goes to these young debaters who managed to advance to the third round of the finals, finishing in the top 16 teams in a competition of over 100 this year. This is a wonderful achievement and bodes well for senior debating at Saint Ignatius College in the years to come.
The Junior Secondary Program continued with the second debate on the 16th September with Ella Downing (Year 7), Gabriela Fernandes (Year 7) and Stephanie Reynolds (Year 8) arguing the affirmative position on the topic: ‘That we prefer children playing team sports to individual sports’.
Up against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, our team was keen to flex its debating muscle after a victory by forfeit in the previous round.
Arguing that team sports help develop patience, selflessness and respect, the Iggies debaters put on an impressive display of debating prowess and came away with a convincing victory, with both Ella and Stephanie being awarded ‘Best Speakers’ in the debate.
With the final round happening this week, we look forward to the results that will see the conclusion of the debating season for 2021.
Michael Tod Junior Debating Coordinator
On Thursday 4th of November, we will be holding our second Indigenous Recognition Day, a now annual event. This day is to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and to raise awareness for some of the many injustices Indigenous Australians continue to fight.
Last year, Sacred Heart College joined us by holding their own event on the same day as us, which they called Unity Day. This was an incredible moment of solidarity during the height of uncertainty during Covid-19.
Students are encouraged to wear casual clothes including a black t-shirt and make a gold coin donation in support of the Opening The Doors Foundation.
Toby Mew
On behalf of the SICG Indigenous Recognition Day organising committee
Are you aged between 12-17 and interested in having a platform where you can use your voice to represent your peers, make a difference and learn more about local government decision-making?
We’re looking for 12 passionate new members from across Greater Geelong to join the 2022 Youth Council.
If you are someone with great ideas, a desire to make a change and would like to represent your peers, put your hand up as a 2022 Youth Council candidate!
If you have any questions or require more information jump on to our Instagram - @geelongyouthcouncil and send us a DM.
Nominations are open from 15 October – 12 November 2021 so keep an eye out on our socials for more information about how to apply.
If you would like to talk to a current Youth Council member to understand more about their experience get in touch with Mackenzie Sinclair, the Junior Deputy Mayor and a student at Saint Ignatius who would love to answer any questions you might have!
Anthony Gravener Student Leadership Development Coordinator
As part of routine inspections of the Drysdale Bypass (Portarlington Road) and during our monitoring we identified some road surfaces that can be improved to increase the longevity of the road and before it becomes noticeable to motorists.
Maintenance works will take place between High Street and Whitcombes in Drysdale between Monday 25 October and Friday 5 November 2021 from 7am and 5pm. Weather and progress permitting, we may finish works early.
Please be advised of the below road closures, with traffic being detoured via High Street:
On Monday 25 October the Portarlington (northbound) lanes between High Street and Murradoc Road will be closed between 7am and 5pm
On Tuesday 26 October the Geelong (southbound) lanes between High Street and Murradoc Road will be closed between 7am and 5pm
From Wednesday 27 October until Friday 5 November, Drysdale Bypass (Portarlington Road) will be open to traffic, with lane closures and speed restrictions during the day to allow our crews to work safely.
Please see below detour map for the road closures on 25 and 26 October:
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 is our AGM and will be held on Tuesday November 9th 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
Uniform Shop Opening Days and Times are as follows:
Wednesday 3rd November 2-4pm
Wednesday 17th November 2-4pm
Wednesday 1st December 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 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 October 25th 2021
25th Oct: E. Musella, B. Rees
26th Oct: J. Johnson, S. Fleet
27th Oct: L. Vella, Needed
28th Oct: F. Ferguson, Needed
29th Oct: E. Stokie, Needed
Week starting November 1st 2021
1st Nov: No Canteen Student Free Day
2nd Nov: No Canteen Melbourne Cup Holiday
3rd Nov: L. Vella, Needed
4th Nov: E. Carpenter, Needed
5th Nov: V. Durbidge, S. Nyga
If your child is a seasoned worrier, you will know how difficult living on high alert can be. Constantly irritated, often anxious and occasionally withdrawn, worriers are in a never-ending state of fight, flight or even freeze.
An upcoming exam or a nerve-wracking event can trigger a flight-or-fight response, flooding the body with cortisol and adrenaline. This response, designed to power up the body to face real threats, helped keep our hunter-gatherer ancestors safe. Unfortunately, the part of the brain responsible for keeping us alert can’t tell the difference between a woolly mammoth and an upcoming exam. Both are seen as threats, so the body responds the same. Fortunately, we have an inbuilt relaxation response that can help counteract this stress. Here are some ways your child can regulate stress and anxiety rather than live in a constant state of high alert.
Taking several deep belly breaths is probably the quickest way to engage the body’s relaxation response. Teach your child or young person to breathe in through the nose to the count of five and out through the mouth to the count of seven. Encourage them to repeat this simple exercise a number of times to switch on the relaxation response. Anchoring belly breathing to regular events such as the start of breakfast or family mealtimes can embed deep breathing into daily life. Make this a part of your child’s regular routine to develop a wonderful stress beating habit.
Next time your child is stressed out suggest that they go out the front of where you live and look down the end of the street. Long distance viewing sends a message to the nervous system that they are safe, signalling to the relaxation response to take over. If a child or young person is stuck at a desk, they can lift their gaze to the horizontal and move their head from side to side to achieve a similar effect. It’s worth remembering that many positive wellbeing habits are physical in nature, a throw back to the times when people spent most of their time in natural environments.
Hardy types who’ve added ocean swimming to their daily routines know just how invigorating cold water can be. Your child doesn’t have to become an iceberg to experience the stress beating benefits that cold water can bring. Plunging their face in cold water for 10 seconds, turning on the cold water at the end of the shower or holding an icepack to the right side of the neck can achieve the same effect. Their body will be flooded with feel-good endorphins taking their worries away. Cold water use has the advantage of stimulating the vagas nerve, making it easier and simpler for kids to move to relaxation mode in the long term.
A warm chat with a friend, a fun family board game or karaoke dance party will move your child into relaxation mode, away from high alert. While extroverts will naturally connect with others, introverts and shyer types may need some parental encouragement to engage with others.
Ensure your child or young person does something fun and enjoyable every day. Play, hobbies, games – anything that’s not screen-based that your child or young person enjoys brings down cortisol levels.
Regulating stress and anxiety in the body gets stronger and more responsive with practice. Knowing how to support the parasympathetic nervous system is a wonderful strategy to place in a child’s or young person’s wellbeing toolkit.
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.
Local Sports Contacts
Attached is a comprehensive PDF document that lists a wide range of current contacts for different sport clubs in our region in 2021-2022. The ones that I have spoken to are very keen to hear from any Saint Ignatius student wishing to be involved in local sport teams this summer.
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.
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: