Welcome back to Term 3, we trust our students had a restful break and are excited about returning for the new semester. As we return to our school routines, we look forward to the many opportunities for learning, growth, and celebration that lie ahead. Our dedicated staff have been exceptionally busy planning a wide range of engaging and enriching activities, all designed to ensure that our students not only continue to thrive academically but also grow and develop personally.

Deputy Principal Announcement

As you may be aware the College recently advertised for two new Deputy Principal positions. This was due to the current Deputy Principal (Identity and Co-curriculum), Mr Paul Lewis, transitioning to retirement and Mr Joe McLean, Acting Deputy Principal (Staff and Operations) deciding not to continue in a deputy role from next year.

As a College we looked at the role descriptions and took the opportunity to slightly amend the positions to further align with the College’s School Improvement Plan. This resulted in the new portfolios of the Deputy Principal positions as:

● Faith and Mission

● Operations and Co-curriculum

I am excited to announce the two successful candidates for these roles are:

● Ms Carmen Ahearn (Faith and Mission); and

● Ms Marina Brown (Operations and Co-curriculum)

I congratulate Ms Ahearn and Ms Brown on their appointments and look forward to them both joining the College’s Executive Team in 2025. Please find attached to the newsletter article some detailed information that Ms Ahearn and Ms Brown have provided about themselves for the College Community.

Click here to learn about our two new Deputy Principals in 2025

In announcing these appointments, I also acknowledge that this will be Mr Lewis’ and Mr McLean’s final semester as Deputy Principals. I wish them both a rewarding and smooth finish-up to the year. We will express our gratitude and acknowledge their contribution later in the year.

During the holiday period, the College hosted a variety of activities and initiatives. These programs are designed to enhance the Catholic faith and social justice dimensions of our Ignatian identity, contributing significantly to the development of our young people.

Kairos Retreat

Accompanied by our Director of Ignatian Ethos and Identity, Mr Michael Tod, four of our Year 12 students attended Saint Ignatius’ College, Adelaide over the holidays and participated in their Kairos Retreat. A Kairos Retreat is a transformative spiritual retreat designed to help secondary school students deepen their faith, reflect on their personal relationships with God, and build stronger bonds with their peers. Originating from Jesuit traditions, this retreat emphasises self-discovery, personal reflection, and community building through a series of talks, group discussions, and individual contemplation. The students will use this experience as a learning opportunity to facilitate this program for the students of Saint Ignatius College Geelong in the future.

Cultura Refugee Program

Tuesday 9 July, Saint Ignatius College hosted the four other Geelong Catholic Secondary Colleges for the Cultura refugee program. The program provides activities and creates a space for our students to interact with newly arrived young people to show them and their families that they’re welcomed here in Geelong. Furthermore, such activities break down social isolation, creating connections and opportunities to form new friendships and connections to new places. Thank you to Ms Nicole Sadler, Justice Coordinator, for her organisation of the day and all staff and students who participated.

JACSA East Timor Immersion

Throughout the holidays we had two students, Isabel Gee and Stephanie Reynolds participate in the JACSA East Timor Immersion. The JACSA East Timor Immersion is an insightful and eye-opening experience that offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with the culture, history, and people of East Timor. Organised by the Jesuit and Companion Schools of Australia, this immersion program is designed to foster a sense of global citizenship and social justice. Participants immerse themselves in the local community, learning about the challenges and triumphs of the East Timorese people through direct interaction and service projects. This journey not only broadens students' perspectives but also cultivates empathy, solidarity, and a commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

Change of date

Please note that the Mass to celebrate Fr John McCarthy’s anniversary of 60 years since ordination has been moved to this Sunday 21st July (10:30 am) at Lumen Christi Church Leopold.

As we begin the new semester, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to every member of our school community. May this Term be filled with growth, discovery, and success for all. I am sure all of our students will embrace the opportunities ahead with enthusiasm and resilience, supporting one another every step of the way. Best of luck to everyone!

Michael Timms

Acting Principal

It is an exciting time for our students who commence the process of considering subjects and pathways for 2025. At Saint Ignatius College, we offer a range of subjects to cater for the diverse interests of our students. Our 2025 Subject Pathways course on Canvas serves as a central hub for all subject-related resources, including important dates and Year Level Subject Information Booklets. Whether it's browsing through elective choices, understanding prerequisites, or seeking guidance, Canvas is your go-to platform.

Senior Pathways Information Evening

To further support our students and their families, we invite Year 9 and 10 students, along with their parents/carers, to participate in our virtual Senior Pathways Information Evening. This event, scheduled for Monday, July 22, from 6:00pm to 7:45pm, is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the available subject options and pathways for the senior years. An additional Information Session for Year 10 students and families on the VCE Vocational Major will also be held on Tuesday, 23 July at 7:00pm.The Zoom links to join both of these events can be found on the Canvas 2025 Subject Pathways page.

Click to view Senior Pathways Invite

Year 9 and 10 Subject Selection and Pathway Interviews

Current Year 9 and 10 students will also be involved in Subject Pathway Interviews throughout the day on Wednesday 7 August, by Zoom. Students will meet with an individual staff member on this day to discuss subject options. Parents are welcome to join the zoom meeting. Therefore, there will be no Year 9 or 10 classes onsite, but via Announcements. Further information will be sent to Year 9 and 10 families regarding this process over the approaching weeks.

Accelerated Studies

At ​​Saint Ignatius College, we offer students the opportunity to undertake selected accelerated studies. Accelerated studies are academically challenging and participation in an accelerated study is not automatic. Therefore, a student considering applying to study an accelerated subject must be able to demonstrate that they can cope with the workload, have sound organisational skills, have demonstrated excellence in their chosen Year 10 or 11 subject area, and that the accelerated study will not negatively impact on their Year 10 or 11 studies.

It is expected that any student considering applying to study an accelerated subject meets the following criteria:

• An overall result of 80% or higher in the accelerated subject area studied in Semester One

• An overall result of 75% or higher in all other subjects studied in Semester One

A high level of literacy is beneficial to a student studying an accelerated subject. A student who does not meet the criteria in Semester 1 may reapply at the end of Semester 2 but cannot be guaranteed a place.

Please note that all Accelerated Study Applications for Year 9 and 10 students are due strictly by Tuesday 30 July at 3:00pm, prior to the Subject Selection finishing dates. This year students will also make their application online. The online links are available on Canvas under Forms.

We encourage our students to engage in this process by accessing all the excellent information on Canvas, speaking with their teachers or recommended staff, and perhaps reflecting on what subjects they like or what they don’t enjoy. We wish them well in this process and we are here to guide them.

Bernadette Donnelly | Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching.

Our College continues to grow and flourish as a community of learners under the banner of our Ignatian charism. Saint Ignatius of Loyola always sought to meet people where they were, often starting conversations with ordinary people that would somehow lead to life-changing experiences. We are striving to emulate this example both in the sense of maintaining an ongoing ‘conversation’ where learners listen and respond to their own curiosity, a desire for knowledge and the pursuit of excellence, but also in the literal conversations we have each day. Our interactions with teachers, education support staff and students may yet indeed have a significant influence on our lives, if we listen deeply and respond from the heart.

A recent example of the transformative power of deep listening and speaking was our participation in the highly regarded Kairos Retreat program held in the first week of the school holidays and hosted by our counterparts in Adelaide, also known as Saint Ignatius College. Some of our most committed and engaged Year 12 Youth Ministry students, Alana Clark, Madison Duncan, Tara Lace and Zoe Walter, attended this four day retreat accompanied by our Youth Ministry Trainee, Zach Dwyer, Youth Ministry Mentor, Jarryd Atkison, and myself. This retreat has been a mainstay in Jesuit formation experiences for young people around Australia and internationally for over 20 years. Armed with their own personal perspective of the retreat and inspired by the challenge of passing it on to their fellow students, our retreatants are looking forward to the opportunity to establish our own Kairos retreats here at Saint Ignatius College, Geelong. The commitment shown by these young people in engaging with the themes of the retreat, exploring the highs and lows of a typical life and the faith that informs it, was certainly a powerful demonstration of their maturity and generous nature. It will be a real privilege to witness how the seeds sown by this significant formation experience will sprout and grow in years to come.

Mr Michael Tod | Director of Ignatian Ethos and Identity

Students in Ricci House had a busy finish to Term 2.

Year 10s and 11s competently and studiously prepared for their Semester One exams.

The way in which they conducted themselves was a credit to them and I know their efforts will be reflected in their final grades.

Year 12 students completed Unit 3 and will gear up for the busy end of their year completing their Unit 4 subjects.

The Year 12s also celebrated the end of the Term with the Winter Charity Formal Formal. Students looked wonderful all dressed up and danced the night away with their peers from all the Catholic Colleges in the Geelong region.

Ricci House students are busy preparing for their musical performance at Feast Day. We are looking forward to seeing their musical and performance talents!

We welcome Miss Amanda Da Riva all the best as she takes on the role of Acting Head of Ricci House for Semester 2. We know she will be a wonderful support for all Ricci students and staff.

We wish all Ricci House students and staff a successful Term 3.

Kristin Williamson

Head of Ricci House

And Amanda DaRiva

Acting Head of Ricci House Semester 2

Social Justice Refugee Week Wrap Up

The Cage		3 Guest Speakers	24 hours of detention
17 Students		3 visiting classes	24 hours of camaraderie
6 Teachers/ Mentors		58 random visitors	24 hours to reflect
“My experience of The Cage allowed me time to reflect upon how fortunate we are to live in the way we do. Basic necessities we take for granted are not available to many, especially within refugee camps, which allowed me to appreciate what these individuals go through. I was made aware of how important a sense of community is, and what a sense of purpose can do. Australian society, as it stands, can feel quite unwelcoming to strangers, with not many of us reaching out to those in need that are unfamiliar to us…” Brianna “...The Cage has helped me understand the hardships [displaced people] face, especially when seeking refuge in a new country. It really showed me how hard it can be for people to make connections within their community especially if they are not native speakers. Not only this but seeing how hard it is for refugees to actively participate in their communities due to the fact that they are not Australian, or because they are not of the same ethnicity. The Cage has really been an intensive experience for me and has allowed me to understand the struggles and hardships that migrants have during their time in a new country and coming to a new country.” Tom
Ration Challenge		3-5 days of rations	25140 grams of rice eaten
25 participants	$4906.94 Raised for Act for Peace
“I’ve done this for the past 2 years and I love doing it to feel what it feels like to eat as a refugee and someone in a developing country. My grandma helps with cooking and she made me and my brother flatbread and it was one of the best things I’ve had doing the ration pack challenge. My goal is to not bail out during the 5 day challenge and I have not failed in the past but I was only doing the 3 day challenge. I vomited at the end every time I've done it but hopefully not this time. I ate mush with some stuff in it tasted fine. I lost 1.5 Kilos on the first 2 days but I’ve got the weight back.” Casey “It is currently day 2 for me. I am finding it quite sad that over 100 million people have to eat like this daily if they even eat. On Sunday I looked through the recipe book and found some good ideas, like flat bread. I am very thankful for the organisation that started this because without them I wouldn't be doing this challenge and spreading awareness.” Ruby C “This experience has really opened my eyes to the struggles of refugees around the world. I am ever more grateful for the fact that I have a ready supply of food, and haven't been displaced from my own home.” Lewis
Silent Protest
144 information cards handed out	24 volunteers		Total = 194 silent hours
	24 voices for the voiceless

The EMPOWER (Stress and Anxiety management) program concluded near the end of last Term after a successful 5-week run. Eleven Year 7 students participated in this small group setting to learn about managing stress and anxiety effectively. The Wellbeing Team hosted EMPOWER, which stands for Educate, Mindfulness, Progress, Obstacles, Wellness, Emotions, and Regulation.

The aim of the program was to enhance students' ability to cope with stress and anxiety through emotional regulation and psycho-education. Students received an overview of common stressors and participated in activities to learn about their own triggers and reactions, as well as developing and practising various coping strategies. They were provided with valuable resources to enable physical relaxation and combat unhelpful thoughts - most of which are accessible to all students on the Wellbeing Canvas page under the “Stress 101” tile. Students also created “personal coping menu cards” to take away and refer back to in their day-to-day lives.

Some of the techniques covered included box breathing, five-finger breathing, grounding techniques, and thought reframing.

Student evaluation showed collective positivity towards the program. Some of the feedback included “I have learnt what helps me when I am stressed or anxious” and “[I’ve learnt] how to understand my anxiety”. Many students also spoke about helpful strategies that they were able to take away from the program.

The EMPOWER program is now in its fifth year, and continues to be highly regarded by participating students. It will continue to be offered to the next cohort of Year 7 students.

From the Student Wellbeing Team.

wellbeing@ignatius.vic.edu.au

School may have finished up for Term 2, but sport sure did not. Each week, students still took the court at club and even state levels! Tucker Kooloos (Year 11) represented Victoria for hockey over the holidays, here’s what he had to say:

“I recently went away to the Gold Coast for the Under 18 Hockey Nationals. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to captain my first state team and was pretty happy with this. The tournament brought many learnings and challenges but was overall an awesome experience and another step in the right direction. We finished the tournament in the middle of the pack and it was a great time with a great bunch of boys.”

On the second day back for Term 3, Wednesday, the 17th of July, two of the Year 11/12 Girls Netball teams headed to Geelong Sports Hub, where the 2024 GISSA Senior Girls Netball Championship took place. Saint Ignatius College 2’s took it home, winning against Geelong Lutheran College by 3 in the Grand Final. Saint Ignatius College 1’s also made the grand final after being undefeated, but fell short to a goal after the siren against Christian College.

Keep an eye out for more upcoming sports events this semester!

Building community connections and enriching cultural understanding is what the term 2 break, Community Connections Day was all about.

Thirty five children, recent arrivals from refugee backgrounds, and another 28 students from Saint Ignatius College, Saint Joseph’s College, Iona Catholic College and Sacred Heart College joined together at the Saint Ignatius campus, in the spirit of love and service to engage in fun, sports and creative activities. St Ignatius students received community service recognition and a Loyola Award for their support.

Teachers from our school volunteered to lead activities and groups and some teachers from Iona helped to support the smaller groups.

Everybody loved the barbecue lunch and the freshly baked biscuits generously prepared by Carmen in Foodtech.

This event happens three times per year in school holiday time and is only successful because of the generosity of the college community and its partner schools.

Students wishing to volunteer for similar events should come to the Social Justice Meetings this term - advertised weekly on XUNO.

Click here to view 2024 Year 12 Save the dates

Want to become more involved with the College? Join the Parents and Friends Association Wednesday night for a light dinner, and their monthly meeting.

This month's meeting is complete with a Principal's Report, and a student report from the Environment Captain. 

To RSVP your attendance, please email --> SICGPandF@ignatius.vic.edu.au 

Whether it is for 1 meeting, a Term, a Semester, or year long, everyone is welcome to attend these meetings.

2025 Geelong Youth Council - Nominations Open NOW!

Are you aged between 12-17 and interested in having a say, making a difference, and learning more about local government decision-making?

The City of Greater Geelong is looking for 11 passionate new members from the Geelong region to join the 2025 Youth Council Advisory Committee.

Youth Council is an opportunity to share your ideas, discuss issues affecting young people, provide advice to Council, develop an understanding of local government, build your leadership skills, and make heaps of new friends!

If you are interested in this amazing opportunity, make sure you submit an application for the 2025 Youth Council program.

Nominations are open from 12 August - 13 September so head over to our socials @GeelongYouthCouncil or head to the Geelong Webpage

https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/youthcouncil for more information about how to apply.

If you have any questions or require more information jump on to the Youth Council Instagram page- @GeelongYouthCouncil and DM us, or email Youthcouncil@geelongcity.vic.gov.au