Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Saint Ignatius College community members,
This is the second last newsletter for 2022. The final edition for the year will be available on Thursday, 15th December.
Our Years 7-11 students have their last day of classes next Wednesday, 7th December, before commencing the summer holidays. Parents can access the Student Semester Two Statement of Results via the parent portal from Thursday, 15th December 2022.
The exam period for Year 12 VCE students finished two weeks ago. Students undertaking Unit 3/4 VCE exams will receive their results on Monday, 12th December 2022.
I hope our students’ results reflect solid gains in their learning for another year, considering the pandemic’s impact, and affirm their determined efforts and positive attitude to their subject courses.
An overview of some key dates on the College calendar over the holiday period:
Orientation Day for next year’s Year 7 students will be held on Tuesday, 13th December.
The College office will close on Tuesday, 20th December and re-open on Wednesday, 18th January 2023, for the summer break. (Textbooks ordered through ‘Campion’ will be home delivered before Christmas. Years 7 & 10 students will be provided with their new laptops in a Mentor period early in the first week back next year.)
Next year's first day of classes for Yr 7 students will be Wednesday, 1st February, and Yrs 8 – 12 students will commence on Thursday, 2nd February 2023.
Year 12 Valedictory Evening
On Friday, 25th November, the annual Year 12 Valedictory was held at GMHBA Stadium with over 1,000 people present. It was a very uplifting event, and we were so pleased we could have this Dinner/Dance with members of the student’s families present after two years of being unable to.
A unique feature of the formal part of the evening was the return of one of our past College Captains to provide the keynote address and promote the “Old Ignatians Association”. Ms Taya Payne spoke encouragingly about how she managed her post-school journey and proactively and constructively acted to provide opportunities to find and make her way forward with her career. In addition, each year 12 student was presented with an “Iggy” Wolf that they will hopefully keep as a sign of their continuing connection to their secondary school. Iggy is our College mascot, and there is a connection to the two wolves on the College crest.
The College Captains, Emily Green and Sam Hines spoke fondly about some aspects of their six years at the College, expressed gratitude to the staff and parents and wished their classmates best wishes for the next stage of their life journey.
VCE Unit 3 & VCAL Orientation Programs
Thank you to the Senior School team of teachers for providing a valuable Orientation Program to prepare the Year 11 students for next year. The program began on Friday, 2nd December, and will conclude on Wednesday, 7th December.
It is essential that these students use some of the holiday period to prepare for their 2023 courses. Teachers will have given guidelines and provided preparatory work. The students are responsible for taking advantage of this and not turning up next year, finding themselves behind the rest of the class. Can I please encourage parents to support this expectation? I expect that our senior students give their academic program the priority it deserves, and other undertakings will need to fit in with their studies. I want all students, as I am sure parents do, to have the best chance of achieving to the best of their ability, and this will be enhanced if the prevailing atmosphere is one where students encourage each other to do their best with their studies.
Trial of a modified student drop off and pick up system.
We will be conducting a trial of a modified drop off and pick up system from Friday, 2nd December, until Wednesday, 7th December. The following information has been sent to parents:
The following safety features will be in place to ensure that the dropping off or picking up of students is undertaken in a safe manner:
• The designated drop-off and pick-up area for students will be located on Manresa Drive (the main College driveway adjacent to the soccer field). Several car parks to the left of the driveway have been set aside to create a 'drive-through' system.
• The new system will allow vehicles to line up and drop off or pick up students and then re-join Manresa Drive by merging before the turning circle.
• Please note that these drop-off or pick-up spaces are no standing bays, and drivers will be urged to move on to keep traffic flowing.
• The drop-off and pick-up area will be clearly marked by signs and bollards.
• In the event a driver misses the drop-off and pick-up area, they must exit the College and turn left before re-attempting drop-off or pick-up.
• The College has also engaged a traffic management contractor to assist with the trial and ensure the changed conditions are adhered to safely. They will be on-site during peak drop-off and pick-up times. Please follow the signs and directions provided.
• Note that speed limits have been reduced along the school's roadways (shared zones) to 5km/h. Vehicle speed has been restricted for the safety of our College community.
• The current temporary Bollard system that stops traffic continuing through to reception will continue to function between 8:15 am & 8:50 am and then between 3.00 pm & 3.30 pm.
We would love to hear from you. Please provide your feedback to info@ignatius.vic.edu.au. Feedback is important to us to help improve and enhance our traffic management.
The final day of classes Wed. 7th December 2022
I am grateful to the Year Level Coordinators and their team of teachers for organising, providing, and managing a productive and well-organised finish to the school year. They have prepared liturgies and final gatherings for our Years 7 – 11 students to ensure we finish well on the students’ last day for 2022.
Next Tuesday, 13th December, we will conduct Orientation Day for the grade six students attending Saint Ignatius next year. We look forward to welcoming our new College members.
Advent Season
Last Sunday, we commenced the Advent period of the Church’s calendar, the beginning of a new Church year. The Advent period is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas.
“Lord, you sent us Jesus your Son to bring light to our darkness and lead us to eternal life. As we begin this Advent season, enkindle within us the deep desire to seek him in all things.
Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less than Your love which overflows for us in Christ. As we journey through Advent, rekindle your gift of hope within us, and turn our expectant waiting into readiness to welcome Him in all persons we meet.
We ask you this in his name. Amen”
Michael Exton | Principal
Faith Matters – The Donkey
The end is drawing near! This will be the last Faith Matters I offer as my time as Liturgy Coordinator ends. This is the time of the year for ‘ends’ and the promise of new beginnings so let us explore these things together for a little while.
As our year concludes we enter into Advent and a new liturgical year in our church. There is so much excitement and anticipation as school draws to a close and Christmas comes ever close that at times it’s hard to truly value the present. It may be that we need to stop and enter into a period of contemplation if we are to draw profit from this moment. Let us take a moment to consider the end of the school year and Advent by reflecting upon donkeys!
Donkeys are amazing creatures but as a rule the image we have of them is incomplete and ignorant. Donkeys are supposedly stubborn and therefore problematic. Donkeys are in fact very intelligent and reliable animals. The reason a donkey is considered stubborn is because you can’t force it do to something that puts it in danger. Donkeys are strong an sure footed, they have an enormous amount of stamina and will keep on going long after a horse needs rest. Donkeys are smart creatures that will pick the best path to travel on and will avoid bumping or scraping into ledges or trees. Donkeys are loving and will bond with people or animals and protect them with ferocity and a variety of attacking techniques. Donkeys are truly amazing – but so often viewed one dimensionally.
In his autobiography, St Ignatius relates the following account about a donkey;
“Shortly after his conversion, the ex-soldier and courtier Ignatius was riding down a dusty road in Spain in the company of a Muslim Moor. They were discussing religion, and, not surprisingly, they disagreed on a few points. The Moor angrily ended the discussion and rode off. As a parting shot, he made some insulting remarks about the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Ignatius was outraged. He thought it might be his knightly duty to defend the honor of Mary by killing the Moor, but he wasn’t sure that would be consistent with his new faith. He left the decision up to the donkey he was riding. They were approaching a crossroads. If the donkey took the road that the Moor took, Ignatius would follow and kill him. If the beast took the other road, he would let him go. The donkey took the other road.”
The donkey is present as wise. It made the right choice and in humility Ignatius was shamed by his anger and lack of love. The donkey helped the crippled Ignatius complete his pilgrimage and in a way became his first companion. One who walks with and can be depended upon to become close to God the Father and act more like Jesus, the Son. Discernment by donkey is probably not the best method but for Ignatius at that point it helped him understand himself more clearly and gave him a great insight.
As we consider the humble donkey we of course think of the journey Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On the journey Mary is carried by a donkey as she is pregnant. This long journey is made safe by a dependable, loving creature that by nature will protect both itself and its rider. Surely this choice was intentional. A horse would not have made the journey and would have cost more than Joseph had and a camel is uncomfortable to ride and truly a cantankerous beast. In the stable the donkey was at home and comfortable as the Holy Family was. As a loving protector the donkey also fulfilled an essential role during those chaotic days of the census.
Throughout Jesus’ life we see Jesus ride a donkey into Jerusalem. As a King he enters with humility and grace. Knowing what is going to happen he reveals himself fully to the world – a servant king who suffers for his people and the world. Just like the donkey, the understanding the people had about Jesus was based more on what people wanted to believe than the truth.
As we journey throughout Advent take time to connect with the intention of the season. Be excited. Prepare for the coming of Jesus. Consider donkeys and how they, although a maligned creature, are important to ‘our’ story and are truly amazing animals. Maybe the season of giving will lead you to donate to a donkey sanctuary and redress some of the negativity our world has in regard to this beautiful creature.
Yours in faith,
Brendan Nicholls | Liturgy Coordinator
This past month has been extremely busy in the Performing Arts. Rooms at lunchtime have been alive with rehearsals for the many events taking place. Just in one month, students have been involved in the following activities:
*The College Feast Day Mass.
*Talent Quest.
*Year 10 Theatre Studies Concert.
*Public Speaking Recital.
*Year 10 Music Concert.
*Mosaic
*Year 7 Showcase.
College Feast Day
From all reports, the Feast Day was a wonderful success.
Under the direction of Mrs Brown, the College Choir sang beautifully during the mass.
Conducted by Mr Michael Wilding, the final hymn “Companions of Ignatius” was accompanied by the senior band as selected students sang the verses and the College leaders, choir and all students joined in with the chorus. It was such a thrill to see the students sing our school song together, especially after our Feast Day was canceled due to covid earlier in the year.
Talent Quest
After the Feast Day Mass, many students participated in the annual talent quest.
It was inspiring to see many students get up onto the stage and perform to their peers.
There were dancers, vocalists, bands and even a junior comedian!
Our special guest for the day was Andy Pobjoy from the Piano Bar in Geelong.
Andy assisted in the adjudicating and then entertained the whole school. He had our staff and students rocking in their seats with well known songs with a little of Elton John thrown in.
Prizes for the talent quest:
Junior
1ST Place: Year 9 Band
2nd Place: Mietta Corby
3rd Place: Duet-Ashlyn Pitts and Millie Tognon
Senior
1ST Place: Summer De Vries
2nd Place: Lily Petterwood & Marielle Lewis
3rd Place: Year 11 Band
Ignatius Award: India Martschinke
Yr 10 Theatre Studies and Dance Production- Live in Living Colour
Students recently showcased their amazing talents in Singing, Dancing and Acting in their own original Musical Theatre Variety Evening performed at The Potato Shed Theatre. With showstopping numbers like Jet Set, Cute boys with short haircuts, Live in Living Colour and All that Jazz audiences were captivated by their high energy and incredible talent. Set as a Flight to destination Musical Theatre, students scripted original dialogue with established scenes, Musical numbers, Fractured Fairy-tales and Dance acts. The whole production was student led supported by their teacher Ms Kate Lehmann, with all students taking on responsibility for a Production Role such as Directing, Lighting, Costumes, Choreography, Vocals, Props/Sets, Make up/Hair and Publicity. Students demonstrated great collaboration, cooperation, leadership, initiative and problem solving skills to make the Production a success.
Kate Lehmann
(Dance, Drama, Humanities Teacher)
The Wizard of Oz
It is very exciting that a number of our very talented students have been selected to perform in GSODA’S “Wizard of OZ” which will be held at Geelong Grammar School, 16-17th December.
Liana Whatman (Year 10) is playing the role of Dorothy alongside Mackinley Watson (Year 11) playing Tinman and Oliver Watson (Year 9) playing Scarecrow. There are also multiple other students from various year levels in the show too.
Year 7 Showcase
After 2 years of covid disruption we were fortunate to have a Year 7 Showcase concert to finish off the Year 7 program. Students in the Year 7 music classes in Semester 2 performed in the Multipurpose Centre as part of a massed band. The students were supported by the music tutors who have been working with them in class. The concert also featured performances by the Junior Band and Honours Band.
Students who have enjoyed the musical experience are encouraged to continue next year by joining the Junior Band and enrolling in private music lessons. If you need more information please speak to me or to Mrs Pape: papel@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Michael Wilding
Band Coordinator
Year 7, 8, 9 Music Teacher
Public Speaking Recital
I was very proud of our Public Speaking students recently when they performed to parents and friends in the Loyola Centre.
The topic was on “The Clarity of Communication” and the speeches were very informative and interesting.
Congratulations to Ms Nikki Zhao for her wonderful work with our students.
Please see her comments below.
The Public Speaking students of 2022 have recently achieved their second and final public recital at the brand new building, Loyola Centre. Joined by their parents and siblings, the one hour flew by. I am in awe of what these young speakers are capable of and their attitude towards pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones. Part of the Semester, they have been exploring the art of persuasion, and applying these skills to their speeches on passionate concerns, or advertisements of products they have invented.
What you see on stage from these young speakers, in those short minutes of stage time, reflects a diversity of voices, perseverance and the courage to show up.
I am so happy to have these young minds as my students, they continue to inspire me to guide them to be the unique and authentic communicator that they can be.
Well done, Jeeann, Mazie, Eva, Otis, Hector, Hamish and Owen.
Nikki Zhao
Public Speaking Teacher
Year 10 Music Concert
The year 10 Music Performance class performed a variety of musical styles, ranging from Schumann to Oasis, to many parents and friends in the Potato Shed last week.
Students were very excited to showcase their solo and group works that they have been rehearsing during the semester. I shall be very sad to say goodbye to this talented and fun class and sincerely hope that they will continue to enjoy and make music.
Farewell
Mr Wilding and I are both very sad to say goodbye and a big thank you to our year 12 musicians. Emily O’Kane, Claire Sumner, Zach Elliot, Fraser Sutherland, Veronica Fragapane and Mikaelah Naus have given years of absolute dedication to the College band. Coming to school every Friday morning when many students are still in bed has shown true commitment. We shall miss them all very much.
Mosaic
I was so proud of our Performing Arts students as they shone on stage for our annual award ceremony- Mosaic.
Many thanks to our Performing Arts staff and music students for their very polished performances.
Public Speaking & Instrumental Music Lessons
If interested in private lessons, please go onto Operoo and fill out the form.
As teacher loads are in process, it is important that the instrumental form is completed before December 13th. Late entries will be accepted but it is not guaranteed a place will be available.
Thank you
A big thank you to our maintenance staff who are constantly on call to transport equipment and to set up seating etc for our performances.
A very special thank you to our dedicated Performing Arts staff who continually work above and beyond to ensure our students continue to shine. It has certainly been a team effort.
We wish all our students, parents and friends a very happy and holy Christmas.
We sincerely thank you for your continued support of our Performing Arts department and we look forward to entertaining you again in 2023.
Sincerely,
Linda Pape | Performance & Instrumental Coordinator.
Friday 25th November saw our final celebrations for the Year 12 students – the long-awaited Valedictory Dinner at GMHBA stadium.
The glitz and glamour, bright dresses and sharp suits set the backdrop for a wonderful night of celebrating, sharing stories and memories and dancing the night away. Parents, family and friends shared in a fantastic night celebrating our recent graduates.
2016 College Alumni, Ms. Taya Payne shared with our students her inspiring story about where life can lead after graduating from high school and how she found the strength to change pathways and has ended up in her dream job.
Mr Exton introduced a new friend of the College by presenting each student with their own “Iggy Wolf” as a keepsake and reminder of their years at Saint Ignatius College.
Ms Kristin Williamson | Year 12 Coordinator
2022 Liturgy Adventures
In 2022, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions meant that the school community could finally celebrate mass together again. The Ministry team, inclusive of myself as captain, Mr Nicholls, Jarrod, and Amelia, aimed to quickly foster the importance of the mass as a celebration made not only individually but as a community, helping to build a strong sense of belonging among students and staff members. This immediately began with our beginning-of-year masses, aiming to ground the students in their faith after their school holidays and introduce year sevens to the importance of mass in the school.
Throughout the rest of the year, the team spoke from the Bible and wrote prayers to be shared at several events such as ANZAC Day, Mosaic, the Easter Liturgy, and Feast Day. These served many purposes, including teaching students to role model Jesus Christ and Saint Ignatius. The team has also worked closely alongside Father Raymond Bugeja and Father Gerard Healy in the organisation of mass and prayer, and I thank them for the wisdom and guidance they provided in achieving the most valuable masses suited to the events being held. Lastly, the team fostered the idea that mass comes in many forms by continuing to include the school choir in masses, we thank Ms Brown and the performers for their continuous commitment to this.
Ella Beasley | 2022 Ministry Captain
Senior students studying VCE Product Design and Technology have created pieces that are currently on display in our Reception Area of The Loyola Centre.
College families are welcome to visit this space to see the wonderful work the students have created.
During Semester 2, in Health and Physical Education class, the Year 10 students enjoyed participating in lawn bowls and croquet at the following local community venues: Clifton Springs, Ocean Grove, Eastern Park (Geelong),Queenscliff and Drysdale.
Despite some of the sessions being affected by wet weather, lawn bowls was instead held inside for students to still enjoy the fun. Students were fortunate to learn the technique and rules of both lawn bowls and croquet with the help of each club's volunteers.
We thank all of the clubs and their volunteers for their time, use of their facilities and equipment in order to help our students gain a better understanding of these lifestyle sports.
Grace Hill
10 Garnier
This Semester, the Year 10 Learning for Life students have been investigating homelessness, cost of living pressures on families and all the other problems associated with this issue including mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. Over the last few weeks, we have been making products to donate to the Drysdale Food Bank. Items have included homemade care packages, baked goods such as cookies, chocolate slices, cheesecake slices and hedgehog. We have also made pencil cases filled with toys / stationary products. Some of the students also made scented soy candles.
Each week approximately 80 family ( approx. 150 individuals ) access the services at the Drysdale Food Bank on Jetty Road and this number has grown since Covid and the rise in cost of living expenses. Today we donated about 300 items and Jake the organiser at the Food Bank said, “ …….it’s amazing the effort the students have gone to, to lift the spirits of our families who are really doing it tough. Christmas has certainly come early. Thank you ”.
It was great to be a part of this project. Giving back to the community and supporting them during these hard times make us feel like a real part of the solution because we have helped those people who need assistance.
During the month of November, the college supported the much loved ‘Movember’ campaign. This initiative began in 2003. It was started by two Australians called Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, who jokingly tried to reignite the old-fashioned craze of moustaches. This evolved into a global fund raiser using lip caterpillars to raise money for and awareness of men’s mental health issues, suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer. The campaign has grown to include Move for Movember, which provides anyone with a chance to go the distance and raise funds for men’s health, by connecting their fitness app to the fundraising page. The College’s participation in this worthy campaign is something to be proud of. Thank you to all of those who participated and donated. We raised $926 for men’s mental health and rocked some amazing staches to boot.
Ross De Lange | Student Wellbeing Leader
The Year 11 VCAL students were very excited to run their major project for 2022 as a Colour for Awareness event with the aim of raising awareness and funds regarding people living with a disability. The students worked with organisations such as SCOPE, Bell Park Dragons and Parallel Sports to build their knowledge and understanding of disability and the impacts of different impairments on living life. They explored areas like discrimination, equity and issues specific to people living with a disability. Through these learning opportunities our students became more open and aware of language choices, preconceived ideas they were carrying and the biggest learning of all was to see the person first.
Naturally we felt that the information we had explored could be shared and the Year 11’s designed an interactive lesson with all Year 7 students, followed by the Colour Awareness Event. The event began with a zoom session with our very own Sam McIntosh. Sam is an old Ignatian and paralympian, who offered some insight into his day to day life for our students, as well as his experiences as an athlete. We then headed outside for a variety of challenges run by the VCAL students, and of course the coloured powder. We were so lucky that the weather was great, students were enthusiastic and the activities were well run by the VCAL students.
We are grateful to the support of Cricket Victoria for their sponsorship, the willingness of the Year 7’s to participate and from all the staff who assisted not only on the day but also in the lead up to the event. Overall we raised over $500 to donate to local charities who support people living with disabilities, and hopefully even more importantly we have our students remembering to see the person first.
W/C 5/12/22
5th: E.Musella, NEEDED.
6th: L.Hart, NEEDED
7th: C.Holland, NEEDED
Canteen Closed for 2022.
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.
We wish all the helpers a big Thank you and a Very Merry Christmas.
Mrs. Sandra Woodall.
Canteen Manager.
It's back for 2023, the Parents and Friends 'College Fees Raffle!'
Secure your ticket in the raffle, and support the College's Parents and Friends Association.To secure your ticket, click on the link below;
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