Dear Parents & Carers,

At Saint Ignatius College, we provide a broad range of co-curricular opportunities for our students. Co-curricular refers to the activities, programs, and learning experiences that complement the academic curriculum. For example, sports and performing arts, to mention a couple of areas. We expect our students to participate in such activities where they can.

Our co-curricular program provides opportunities for valuable informal learning, development of skills, challenging themselves, making new friends and building relationships, strengthening a sense of belonging and connection and building school spirit. Research indicates that participation in co-curricular activities is linked to positive academic outcomes, such as students’ achievements and educational aspirations, improved attendance, pro-social behaviours, and more positive development generally. We aim to develop the whole person, and learning and achievement naturally follow when the whole school experience is engaging and positive.

Two co-curricular activities have recently featured – the House Swimming Carnival and the auditions for the College Production of Disney’s “Anastasia”, which will be performed at the end of Term Three.

Last Thursday, we held our annual swimming carnival at Kardinia Pool, Geelong. As mentioned in my article in the previous newsletter, this was the second year of our new format aimed at building a stronger participation culture and House spirit. I commend our students for their engagement. Our Sports Coordinator, Mr Andrew Philp informed me that the number of students competing in races was higher again, there was an increased sense of House spirit, and very pleasingly, more senior students actively participated in the carnival. Well done to the overall winning House - Glowery. Mr Philp will provide more details with the names of the Age Champions in his weekly sports update that he emails to parents and students.

Auditions have commenced for the production to be performed at the end of Term Three in mid-September. The production team currently have a massive task with the auditions. It is great that a large number of students have signed up, and I commend them for putting themselves forward. Hopefully, most will be able to be allocated a part and be involved. While it is a good position to be in, I don’t envy the team’s task of selecting students for the major roles, with so many talented students vying for a part. We look forward to the performances at the newly renovated Geelong Performing Arts Centre and seeing and hearing our students shine in mid-September.

Finally, a reminder that Monday, 13th March 2023, is a public holiday in Victoria, and the College will be closed.

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal

Ethos and Identity at Saint Ignatius College Geelong

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/dotmagis-blog/

The Examen

S. Ignatius developed the Examen and thought that was a gift that came directly from God.

One of the few rules of prayer that Ignatius made for the Jesuit order was the requirement that Jesuits practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day.

It’s a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.

The Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.

Lisa Kelly has developed what she calls an Examen “Cheat Sheet” as a way support us when praying the Examen.

Lisa writes:

I want the power that comes with knowledge of things beyond me and yet the only power I will ever have is how I respond to the feelings within me.

For all their centuries of scientific study and teaching in universities, the Jesuits emphasize the analysis of a situation is not the be-all and end-all of a situation. More important is recognizing evidence of the presence of God, beyond us, bigger than us, and infinite.

In the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius doesn’t ask us only to think about various readings but to recognise what is stirring inside. That can be new ideas or using our imagination, but when those thoughts stir something inside, we are to sit up and take notice. We are invited to name that feeling. Admit it for better or worse and then we can reflect on our feelings and where they are coming from.

Some may find it helpful to have a list of feeling words to use during the Examen, as a “cheat sheet” of sorts. Sometimes the right feeling word will jump out; sometimes the word stirs where I may have felt it during the day, even though I might have missed it at the time.

Naming the feeling moves us from analysing a situation and trying to control or resolve it, to identifying how I am letting the situation affect me and where God is calling me to be in it.

The cheat sheet can allow us to see patterns in our emotions (Yep, I’m feeling insignificant again; what’s that all about?), and that becomes the launching point for reflection. I don’t have to stamp it out or avoid it or embrace it or react at all. I just have to name it and notice it and discern if my feeling is moving me towards or away from the best version of myself.

Kind regards.

Paul Lewis

Deputy Principal - Staff, Identity and Operations

Lent derives from the Old English word Lencten, which simply means the season of spring.

The literal interpretation is the “lengthening” of the days as spring begins.

It is that time of year when, in the Northern Hemisphere, snows melt, the light returns and new foliage begins to bloom and nature is alive again. The winter sleep is ended.

Just as nature awakens to growth and new life, each Lent issues a renewed invitation to us to awaken to the mystery of life and the mystery of God.

In the Catholic Church Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, hospitality, kindness, unselfishness and charity that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection at Easter and represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the devil’s temptations and preparing to begin his ministry.

The Humanities learning area covers four strands:

• History

• Geography

• Business and Economics

• Civics and Citizenship

In Term One, our students have begun the year exploring all of these areas.

Year 7 students are exploring Civics and Citizenship, focusing on ideas of what it means to belong in Australia, for all Australians including migrants and First Nations People. In our efforts to explore First Nations culture and belonging, all Year 7 homerooms attended an excursion to the Melbourne Museum to view the Bunjilaka exhibit. Students spent time in the First Nations Gallery, Milarri Gardens and Forest Gallery.

In Year 8, students are focused on Geography, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of urbanisation, both in Australia and overseas, before they begin their study of mountain landscapes, including volcanoes and the impact these landforms have on the people who live in the surrounding areas.

Geography is also the focus at Year 9, with an exploration of the world’s biomes, including rainforests, grasslands, deserts and tundras, and the adaptations animals and plants use to live more effectively in these areas.

Year 9 and 10 students are also busy upskilling in the Business and Economics strand, through Money Talks (Year 9) and Business Management (Year 10). In Money Talks, students explore practical financial literacy including how compound interest and superannuation work, learning about business awards and enterprise agreement to gain a stronger understanding of pay rates and rights at work, as well as how to read a bank statement. In Business Management, Year 10 students are about to commence their $20 Boss program, in which each student is provided a $20 start up to open a small business, with the aim of providing a good or service to the College Community during a lunchtime in Term 2. It’s always exciting to see the variety of offerings presented on $20 Boss Day, with all profits donated to support a charitable organisation.

Year 10 History students have commenced their studies of World War II and are looking forward to travelling to Melbourne to visit the Holocaust Museum, which will complement their studies in this area. Year 9 and 12 students are excitedly looking forward to their trips to Sovereign Hill to explore the Gold Rush, including the significance of this event and the changes this brought to Australian society (along with lots and lots of raspberry drops).

We would like to congratulate Year 11 student Curtis McCoughtry, whose application to the National Schools Constitutional Convention was successful.

Curtis will fly to Canberra at the end of the month with other student delegates from all over the country to discuss the topic for 2023 - “Constitutional Reform” - students will examine Section 128 of the Constitution and discuss if the requirements for alteration are still appropriate.”

Congratulations Curtis! We know you will represent your school and your state with pride!

PERFORMANCE & INSTRUMENTAL NEWS -FEBRUARY

Performing Arts staff and students are very excited to be rehearsing for our up and coming concerts, soirees etc. Over 250 students have signed up for private music and public speaking lessons and the Performing Arts area is once again becoming a hive of activity.

It is wonderful to see that many students are interested in taking private lessons. The Covid-19 music lessons at home were certainly a challenge.

AWARDS ASSEMBLY

It was a treat to once again hear our talented past student, Storm Randall, sing at our Academic Awards and Student Investiture Ceremony. Our students were impressed as Storm sang a beautiful version of “Maria” from West Side Story.

CHOIR

Under the direction of Mrs Marina Brown, the college choir sang at our beginning of the year mass. Many thanks to Mrs Brown and the students who rehearsed the hymns with such little time-being our first week back. Thanks to our resident guitarist, Italian teacher Mr Francesco Meli, who accompanied the hymns so beautifully.

WISE MOVES IN PERFORMING ARTS.

While the choirs, bands and ensembles are rehearsing during lunchtimes, many students are enjoying activities on the lawn. We not only have excellent dance moves but we also have some very impressive chess moves happening in the Performing Arts area.

SUMMER DE VRIES

VCE music student, Summer De Vries, has written many fabulous songs. In early February, you could feel the appreciation when Summer performed one of her songs entitled “ Waiting for you“ to the students and staff at our college assembly.

KIERA MURRAY REACHES TOP CLASS

TOP CLASS THEATRE STUDIES 2023

Saint Ignatius College Geelong congratulates Keira Murray who will perform her outstanding work from 2022 at the Malthouse Theatre in Top Class Theatre Studies on Thursday 16 March, 10:00 AM as part of the Top Class Theatre Studies, VCE Season of Excellence.

Top Class is part of the VCE Season of Excellence managed by Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. The Season showcases work produced by outstanding VCE and VCE VET students who completed performing or visual arts, technology, design, or research studies in 2022. Events are presented at Melbourne’s major cultural venues, alongside associated education programs.

Congratulations Keira on this outstanding achievement. Congratulations also to Kiera’s teacher, Mrs Rhea Green who hasn’t stopped beaming with pride.

THE JUNIOR BAND IS FIRING

The Junior Band has commenced the year with much enthusiasm. Mrs Janice Wilding is very proud of her students and is looking forward to their first performance for the year.

YEAR 10 BAND

Year 7 parents/carers were entertained by the Year 10 band as they proceeded into the MPC for the Year 7 Information Evening. Many thanks to Oliver Watson, Ethan Cromwell, Zack Jackson and MacInley Watson ( Yr 12) who were very generous in giving of their time and talents.

Thanks also to our Arts Captain, Zoe Walter, who sang “On My Own” from Les Miserables. One parent comented to me that he had tears in his eyes –“It was so beautiful”.

“LET US REJOICE”

The National Anthem was sung by Arts Captain, Zoe Walter, at our College House Swimming Sports.

NEW STAFF JOIN OUR TEAM

We are delighted to have five new staff join our team. We welcome Mrs Sally Turner and Mr Billy Mathieson who will teach piano. Ms Britteny Ling will teach trumpet and piano and Ms Kim Cooper will be teaching vocal. Late last year we welcomed Ms Phillipa McQueen and she is enjoying teaching her vocal students.

This year we also welcome a new classroom teacher, Mr Max Rudd, who will be teaching music and Italian. Mr Rudd had already commenced taking a Rock Band each Wednesday lunchtime in PA1. Please contact Mr Rudd if you are interested. ruddm@ignatius.vic.edu.au

MR BILLY MATHIESON

“Billy (Mr. Mathieson) is delighted to introduce himself as one of the new instrumental music teachers at St. Ignatius this year. He is very excited to meet with students new or existing to gauge where they’re at with piano and to see what they might like to achieve – there is no expectation of skill or ability and it is important to understand that everyone starts somewhere!

A few things about him – new to Geelong having just shifted from Carlton with his fiancé to get out of the big smoke and be closer to family. Grew up in Woodend and since 2010 has been living and working in Melbourne teaching music and performing in bands, trios, duos and solo. Billy is jazz-trained and passionate about helping people find their own musical voice. As well as being a teacher, he is a composer and arranger of contemporary works so has a keen interest in the ensemble program at St. Ignatius.

Billy regards sight-reading, music theory, aural skills and rhythmic awareness to be integral components in one’s tool kit for musical success. Whether the individual aims to go down a jazz or classical route seems irrelevant when it comes to the general foundations required to learn piano and gain well-rounded musicality. Billy’s aim is to provide support for which ever style the student leans toward on their own journey.

His qualifications include -

NMIT: Certificate III (Contemporary Music Performance)
Certificate IV (Contemporary Music Performance)
Advanced Diploma (Music Performance)

Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne): Bachelor of Fine Art (Jazz and Improvisation)

Melbourne Polytechnic HE: Bachelor of Music

Billy urges parents and students to really consider the benefits of getting involved in the Instrumental Music department at St. Ignatius and to enquire with Linda Pape (papel@ignatius.vic.edu.au) regarding availabilities for the remainder of Term One and for the rest of the year.”

MS KIM COOPER

Kim Cooper takes great joy in bringing together her wealth of knowledge and combining it with a gentle and joyful teaching technique to bring out the best in her students. With over 15 years experience singing professionally, including coming 7th on Australian Idol in 2009, 10 years as a vocal coach and a recent completion of a Post Grad in Vocal Pedagogy from world leader Griffith University, Kim is able to offer a unique mix of real world industry experience and the most up to date Contemporary Singing teaching techniques."

"I'm so excited to begin working at St Ignatius College. My ethos is that "The joy of singing belongs to everybody" and I truly believe that with good teaching, practice and lots of encouragement, anyone with a passion can learn to sing! I cannot wait to get started and see the young singers of St Ignatius College flourish in their technique and confidence this year."

MS PHILLIPA MCQUEEN

Phillipa has studied voice and piano since age 8. From the ages of 10-16 she has performed with Gondwana Voices at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Conservatorium of Music and toured the Kimberly, Tasmania, and Taiwan, also composing and performing a choral installation at the Melbourne White Night Festival, which was voted second most popular installation at the annual event.

She has played several lead roles in music theatre and opera in her hometown of Geelong and at Trinity College, Melbourne (‘Brundibar’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Urinetown’). In 2022 Phillipa worked as the Music Director on the student film ‘Sparky’ the Musical.

She was invited as a guest soloist with the Geelong Concert Band and held a permanent position as a lead stage band vocalist and competed with them and the Geelong College Pegasus singers at the James Morrison Generations in Jazz Festival. Phillipa has been invited to perform at public festivals, official ceremonies and events, weddings and funerals since a very young age and has a great deal of performance knowledge and experience to share with others.

After winning several local awards and receiving recognition for her talent she has gone onto further her study and training in classical voice at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, through which she has performed at Melba Hall and St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. She is also a performing member of the prestigious Trinity College Chapel Choir with whom she has toured and recorded in Spain, France, and the UK, singing in iconic venues such as St Paul's Cathedral in London and Windsor Castle. In 2020 the choir did a tour of America and Canada, singing in famous venues such as Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. This year the choir will be touring Italy, Dublin and the UK, performing at notable venues such as St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. With the Trinity choir, Phillipa has recorded three albums (‘Beneath the Incense Tree [2018]’, ‘Land of Dreams [2019], ‘Walking on Waves [2020], ‘Eric Whitacre: The Sacred Veil [2022]’).

Phillipa has been teaching singing and piano since 2017 and is currently studying her Master of Teaching at Swinburne Online.

MRS SALLY TURNER

Sally has been teaching piano for over 30 years, most of those at Sacred Heart College. She loves her work and feels privileged to help students achieve their musical goals. Sally also enjoys working in ensembles, orchestras and choirs. She is excited to be joining the fantastic music team at St Ignatius College. We are so lucky that Sally has managed to fit our students into her busy schedule and we wish her all the best with her new students.

MAX RUDD

Max has come to St Ignatius from teaching instrumental at Melbourne Grammar School and Albert Park College. He grew up in Torquay and went to St Joseph’s College. Within the next few months, Max will submit his PhD in music which he completed at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, with a focus on the guitar music of Brazil. He holds a Master of Music (Performance), Bachelor of Music (Hons) and Diploma of Languages (Italian) from the University of Melbourne, and his A.Mus.A. Max is passionate about teaching and speaking languages and he is thrilled to be working at St Ignatius College Geelong.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for our very exciting musical “Anastasia” are taking place over the next few weeks. Our producer, Marina Brown, will be in touch soon when she will announce the lead roles and ensemble members. My wish is that students who are auditioning, do their very best.

I also want them to understand that if they are not selected this year, we shall be doing more shows in the future. Students need to keep in mind that we have many other exciting concerts that they can be involved in throughout the year.

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

Students interested in taking private lessons may still enrol on Operoo. We have just a couple of vacancies in some instruments.

This first term is dedicated to rehearsing for our future concerts and we hope to see many parents and friends attend the many performances in terms two, three and four.

Dates and times of these events will be advertised early in term two.

I am going on Long Service Leave this week and I shall return in term two. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact Mr Michael Wilding, who will be acting Instrumental Coordinator during my absence.

wildingm@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Thank you for supporting our Performing Arts Department and please keep an eye out for our coming performances.

Regards,

Mrs Linda Pape.

Head of Performance & Instrumental Coordinator.

Music is food for the soul.

Hello everybody, my name is Amy Thompson, and I am one of your College Vice Captains this year. Recently, on Wednesday 1 March, my fellow Captains had the pleasure of presenting a Leadership Development Module to the student leaders called ‘Unpacking the 2023 College Theme’ - which is ‘Lean into the Wind’.

This article is the perfect opportunity to impart the words of advice we shared with our peers, and the excellent responses they had to the discussion prompts we offered.

The theme ‘Lean into the Wind’ is accompanied by the phrase ‘One foot grounded, one foot raised, hand on heart’ which we broke the module into.

When discussing having ‘One foot grounded’ we spoke about the importance of connectedness to community, and connectedness to oneself in the ability to feel steady and centred in your choices. The basis of your comfort zone and reliability is the anchor for stretches and risks to be made beyond what you might expect of yourself.

To have ‘One foot raised’ is to take a step, big or small, toward something you may have been putting off or wish to have done. Every task may feel like a marathon but can easily be broken down into ‘minimum viable goals’, or rather one step at a time.

Taking action is all well and fine, but as students, we are all expected to balance competing priorities by keeping a ‘hand on heart’ we can discern with consideration, which of our goals are the most important and the most achievable. This means we can stay true to our values and make time for everything outside of school that is equally important.

In times of discussion, everyone had incredible insights to offer in response to our prompts, and all I feel is an incredible sense of pride in the student leadership team at Saint Ignatius College this year and a great sense of hope for all we can achieve in the next ten months.

From working on the college’s theme on the way back from the JACSA conference in early December last year to a great presentation of a Student Leadership Module to huge numbers of student leaders this week. Great work Tilly, Ross, Amy and Zac.

SPONSOR A PIANO KEY

As the Performing Arts Department excitedly conduct research for their new piano, Saint Ignatius College Geelong would like to thank the following people, and businesses for their contribution to the 'Sponsor a Piano Key' initiative.

EASTER EGG HUNT 

Saint Ignatius College Geelong is 'eggscited' to host our inaugural 'SICG Easter Egg Hunt' for our College Community on Sunday April 2nd at 10.30am.

With 2 separate sections 'the Little Tackers Section' 0-5 years, and the 'General Hunt Area' 5 years +, there is bound to be fun for the whole family. Tickets are available via the below link, with families encouraged to select which section they will be participating in on the day. 

https://www.trybooking.com/CGDWH

With all profits going towards student resources at the College, we hope that families embrace this new initiative. The 2023 SICG Easter Egg hunt will use palm oil free Cadbury Chocolates in support of our Indonesian language students, and their research into environmental concerns in the region.Saint Ignatius College Geelong would like to thank the Parents and Friends Association for this 'eggsellent' new event.

MEGA EASTER BASKET RAFFLE

The Parents and Friends 'Mega Easter Basket Raffle' has just arrived at Reception!

Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10 - cash only. Swing past and grab a ticket and support the amazing work the Parents and Friends Association do for the College.

Butterfly Foundation - Body Confident Children and Teens Webinar

It can be hard for children and teens to be accepting of and confident in their bodies. It can also be hard for parents/carers to know what to say or how best to support them. Hear from the experts at Butterfly on how to help your child towards a positive body image.

For: Parents/carers of primary and secondary age children

Covers: Body image influences | Importance of positive body image| Positive role modelling | Reducing toxic body talk| Responding to appearance bullying | What to do if concerned | Resources and supports

Date: Monday, 21st March 2023

Time: 7pm - 8.15pm (AEDT)

Format: Live, via Zoom (time limited recording available)

Cost: $15

Register: https://events.butterfly.org.au/portal/event/?id=EP_BCCT_Parent_Webinar3010766952&Name=21/03/23%20BCCT%20Parent%20Webinar

The Old Ignatians warmly invite the Saint Ignatius College Community to our annual Golf Day, at Lonsdale Links on Sunday March 26th, 2023.

Attendees will enjoy a brekky snack, a two course lunch, 18 holes of golf, before a brief College presentation. 

There are also tickets available for lunch only. Proceeds from this day will go towards student resources at the College.Format of the day is teams of 4, '4 Ball Ambrose.' 

Individuals can still register with team allocation occurring on the day.To secure your place, please register for golf/lunch only via the below link; 

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1001783

Elana Cole | Director of Community Engagement and Development.

CLIFTON SPRINGS CURLEWIS COASTCARE (CSCC)

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 10AM - 2PM AT CLIFTON SPRINGS HARBOUR - NEAR OLD JETTY

COME FOR AN HOUR, TWO OR 4 AND HELP CLEAN UP OUR AREA ALL THE FAMILY WELCOME

GLOVES AND BAGS:AVAILABLE OR BYO

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT CSCC SEE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

6th: NEEDED, NEEDED.
7th: H.Nicol, NEEDED.
8th: NEEDED, NEEDED.
9th: C.White, F.Ferguson, S.Sheerin.
10th: L.Taylor, NEEDED.
................................................................................
W/C 13/03/23

13th: Labour Day Holiday = No Canteen
14th: M.Dunstan, M.Portelli.
15th: C.Ford, NEEDED
16th: E.Savage, B.Collins, S.Sheerin.
17th: C.Coleman, M.White.
...............................................................................

Click here to view the 2023 Canteen Price List

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.

Click here for Volunteer Form

Mrs. Sandra Woodall | Canteen Manager