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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Our News // 22 October 2026
Last week was a significant and memorable time for our Year 12 students, their families and the wider College community as we celebrated the conclusion of their formal classes and reflected on their journey through Saint Ignatius College.
On Wednesday evening, we gathered in the Companions Centre for our Valete Mass, a special celebration attended by Year 12 students, their families and many staff members. I extend my sincere thanks to our celebrant, Fr Gerry Healy SJ, for leading this important occasion.
As part of this tradition, each student received a copy of Michael McGirr’s Finding God’s Traces, as is customary in many Australian Jesuit and Companion Schools. This collection of quotations, Scripture passages and reflections will hopefully provide our graduates with inspiration and guidance as they navigate the next chapter of their lives. It is also a lasting memento of their time at an Ignatian school.
On Thursday, our Year 12 students completed their regular classes. In the afternoon, we came together as a College community to acknowledge their growth, celebrate their contributions and pray for their future endeavours. This annual Farewell to Year 12 Assembly was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the many achievements of our students and to celebrate the Class of 2026.
The assembly featured speeches, musical performances and presentations. Our College Captains, Owen McCoughtry and Hannah Dreise, delivered impressive speeches reflecting on their cohort’s journey, expressing gratitude for the opportunities they had experienced and encouraging their fellow students to make the most of what lies ahead. Continuing a College tradition, Vice-Captains Sarah Tolan and Hamish Dallman presented a plant from the Year 12 students to the College community. Another highlight was the heartfelt expression of gratitude on behalf of our Year 7 students, delivered by Jess Counihan and Hayden Gentle. I was particularly impressed by their thoughtful messages and confident presentations.
On Friday, our Year 12 students enjoyed their Celebration Day, bringing their final week of classes to a close in a positive and enjoyable way.
I congratulate the Class of 2026 on the respectful and appropriate manner in which they approached this important week. As they prepare for examinations, commence employment or further study, or take some time to reflect and recharge, I wish them every success and happiness in the years ahead.
I also thank our Senior School staff for their careful planning and preparation, which ensured that this final phase of the students’ school journey was well organised and that students and families were kept informed throughout.
As the school year draws to a close, our College community will come together for Mosaic, our annual celebration of the diverse talents, achievements and contributions of our students.
Mosaic is a special opportunity for students, families and staff to reflect on the year, celebrate the many ways our students have grown and developed, and strengthen the sense of belonging that is central to our College community.
The event will be held at Costa Hall, Deakin University’s Waterfront Campus, on Thursday 19 November 2026.
The evening’s program is as follows:
Attendance is required for all Year 7 students, and I strongly encourage students in Years 8–12 to attend with their families.
Unlike previous years, tickets will be required for organisational purposes. Tickets are free, and students do not need a ticket. https://events.humanitix.com/mosaic-2026 Grandparents, extended family members and family friends are warmly invited to join us.
Students are expected to wear their school uniform, including their blazer.
Mosaic has consistently received positive feedback from our community. Beyond showcasing individual talents and achievements, it reminds us that a strong school is built through the contributions of many people. I encourage families to make this evening a priority in their calendars and join us in celebrating all that makes Saint Ignatius College such a special community.
On Monday evening, we welcomed a large gathering of parents and students who will join our College as Year 7 students in 2027.
In response to the strong demand for places at Catholic secondary schools across Geelong, we have increased our Year 7 intake for next year to 280 students, comprising ten classes of 28 students. These class sizes are comparable with those at other Catholic secondary schools in the region.
The continued demand for places at Saint Ignatius College is a strong affirmation of the work undertaken by our staff, students and families to build a College that offers a rich and engaging secondary education within the Catholic and Ignatian tradition.
We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families and beginning this important partnership as they embark on the next stage of their educational journey.
On Tuesday 20 October, our College community gathered in the Companions Centre to celebrate the investiture of our 2027 student leaders. It was wonderful to see so many parents in attendance, alongside Fr Gerry Healy SJ, as we recognised the students who will take on leadership responsibilities next year. A feature of the assembly was the return of former College Captain, Emily Green as our guest speaker. Emily presented an inspiring address to the students.
Our incoming College Captains and Vice-Captains delivered their inaugural speeches with confidence and thoughtfulness. Their presentations gave me great confidence in the strength of student leadership at Saint Ignatius College and in the positive contribution these students will make to our community.
The College Stage Band and Year 11 Band added to the occasion with excellent musical performances, while Ms Dom Kiely, our Student Leader Development Coordinator, offered an insightful reflection on the meaning and practice of leadership within the Ignatian tradition.
In an Ignatian school, leadership is not simply about holding a position. It is about serving others, recognising the dignity of each person, taking responsibility and using our gifts to make a positive difference. I encourage all our student leaders to embrace these principles as they serve our community in 2027.
Congratulations to all students appointed to leadership positions. I look forward to seeing them lead with generosity, humility and a commitment to the common good.
College Captains
College Vice-Captains
Portfolio Captains
Student Representative Council (SRC)
The College Captains and Vice-Captains will also serve on the SRC.
House Captains and Leaders
Glowrey House
MacKillop House
Ricci House
Xavier House
Arrupe Leaders
Annie Long, Ashlyn Pitts, Chloe Kearney, Imogen Payne, Isabelle Hachem, Luke McTaggart, Sarah Smith, Tess Cirillo and Zane Lowe.
FIRE Carriers
Lucas Bixon Bara, Nuwain de Silva, Saisha Tagore, Hannah Wilson and Frankie Wilkens.
Congratulations once again to all our incoming student leaders. May they embrace the opportunity to inspire others, strengthen our community and live out our College’s commitment to leadership through service.
We are fortunate to have a positive, enthusiastic and committed group of parents who contribute to the life of our College through the Parents and Friends Association (PFA).
At the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 7 October, nominations for the 2027 office-bearer positions were considered, and all current office-bearers were reappointed. On behalf of the College, I sincerely thank each of them for their time, energy and generosity this year, and for their willingness to continue serving our community in 2027.
Our office-bearers for 2027 are:
The PFA plays an important role in strengthening connections among families and supporting College initiatives through fundraising and community engagement. Its meetings also provide a valuable opportunity for parents to hear from senior College leaders and discuss developments and initiatives at the College.
I encourage parents and carers to consider becoming involved. You do not need to make a substantial commitment to make a worthwhile contribution. Every additional connection helps strengthen the partnership between home and school.
Please note the following dates and arrangements for the coming weeks:
Families are encouraged to check Canvas and College communications for any further information relevant to their children.
The final months of the school year can be demanding for students as they manage examinations, assignments, projects and competing deadlines. This is a time when encouragement, structure and support at home can make a real difference.
I encourage students to remain focused, maintain healthy routines and make the most of the learning opportunities available in the weeks ahead. Finishing the year well is not simply about examination results; it is also about demonstrating perseverance, taking responsibility and continuing to grow as learners and as people.
Parents and carers are welcome to contact subject teachers or their child’s Mentor Teacher if they have questions or concerns about progress. Our Student Wellbeing Office is also available to provide support at wellbeing@ignatius.vic.edu.au.
A strong partnership between home and school helps our students navigate challenges, recognise their progress and finish the year with confidence.
Thank you for your continued support of Saint Ignatius College and for the many ways you contribute to the life of our community.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton
Principal
As schools communicate their fees for the coming year, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of Catholic education and to reaffirm our commitment to keeping Catholic schooling accessible and affordable for families.
Thank you for choosing to be part of our Catholic education community of more than 120,000 young people across the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Today, one in five Victorian families choose a Catholic education, and in the past year alone almost 2,000 additional students have enrolled in a MACS school. Together, we share a commitment to providing an education grounded in faith, where every child is known, valued and inspired to flourish.
I would also like to acknowledge the significant work undertaken by principals and school leadership teams across MACS as they finalise plans and budgets for the year ahead. Their careful stewardship helps ensure our schools continue to provide outstanding learning opportunities, strong wellbeing support and vibrant faith communities for every student.
Like many families, our schools continue to face rising costs. We know that cost-of-living pressures continue to place strain on household budgets, and we remain committed to keeping school fees as affordable as possible. At the same time, we have a responsibility to attract, support and fairly reward the teachers and staff who make such a profound difference in the lives of our students each day, including maintaining pay parity with their colleagues in government schools.
Across MACS, we continue to review the way we operate, seeking efficiencies and making thoughtful decisions so that resources are directed where they matter most: teaching and learning, student wellbeing and the faith formation of young people.
Thank you for the trust you place in your school and in Catholic education. The continued growth in enrolments across our system is a sign of the confidence families place in Catholic education and the outstanding work of our principals, teachers and staff. As we continue to grow, our focus will remain on responsible stewardship, strong partnerships with families and a shared commitment to excellence. In doing so, we can ensure that Catholic education remains strong, sustainable and accessible, offering thriving communities of faith and learning for generations to come.
We were recently blessed to have Bishop Martin Ashe and Father Ray visit the College on 9 October to talk and have lunch with various student leaders and teacher representatives. We began with opening prayers and speeches from the Ministry Team, Mr Exton and Archbishop Martin himself. We were then given the opportunity to sit down with Father Ray and Archbishop Martin to eat and talk about their life experiences. Gaining insight into their lives and the sacrifices they had made to pursue their religious journeys was an inspiration to the College community.
The Valete Mass for the Year 12 students took place on Wednesday 14 October, and it was very upsetting to see them go. The Year 12s were blessed by Father Gerry and commemorated for their time at Saint Ignatius. Each student was gifted a book to guide their spiritual journey after leaving the College. They also looked at past photos, reminding them of their experiences at school. We wish them all the best with their exams and future endeavours.
One of our very own alumni, Deacon Rhys Lowther, is set to be ordained at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne on 14 November. Rhys was Liturgy Captain, now known as Ministry Captain, during his time at Saint Ignatius and was very dedicated to his role as a leader. This is a very exciting achievement for Rhys, as he graduated in 2017 and has already accomplished so much. As a College community, we are very proud of Rhys and cannot wait to see where his religious journey will take him.
Saint Ignatius College welcomes our College Community to Mosaic 2026, at Costa Hall Geelong on Thursday the 19th of November from 6pm with stunning foyer displays, with the main door to the auditorium opening at 6.45pm.
Join us as we celebrate all the programs, events and achievements of 2026, with ticket registrations being accessed here → https://events.humanitix.com/mosaic-2026
Mosaic is set to be a night of celebration, achievement and music. We look forward to welcoming families to the evening.
Ms. Elana Cole | Director of Community Engagement
Register attendance here ---> https://events.humanitix.com/m...
Over the last 6 months, Year 11 VCE VM students have been completing a number of tasks and activities, learning, exploring and researching Australian First Nations histories, traditions, customs, language, lore and artwork to better understand the world’s oldest continuous culture.
Students have attended the following excursions this year to support their studies:
The students final major project for their Personal Development Skills subject was to create a piece of artwork at the back of the MacKillop Building and Maker Space area. This large scale mural was painted by the students with support from Jess and Kasey.
Next time your walking around the college, take a moment to enjoy this unique, creative art piece. Year 11 VCE VM students - 2026
World Youth Day (WYD) is a pilgrimage that brings together Catholic young people from around the world. Taking place from Thursday 29th July to Wednesday 11th August, 2027, it offers a unique opportunity for young people to journey alongside like-minded peers, deepen their faith, and be part of something much bigger than themselves.
Applications are now open for students who will be in Years 10-12 in 2027 to participate in the MACS WYD pilgrimage to Seoul. The pilgrimage will be fully funded by the student and their family.
There are no specific eligibility requirements, only a willingness to embrace the experience and participate fully as a pilgrim throughout the WYD journey.
Please explore the WYD Information Pack, which contains everything you need to know about the Melbourne WYD27 pilgrimage, including:
• WYD 2027 Information Booklet
• South Korea, Here We Come! Roadmap
• WYD27 Student Fundraising Toolkit
As you consider this opportunity as a family, there will likely be a period of prayer, conversation and discernment. WYD can be a deeply enriching and formative experience, and we wish you every blessing as you reflect on whether this pilgrimage is right for your child.
Should you have any questions, please contact Carmen Ahearn (Deputy Principal Faith and Mission) ahearnc@ignatius.vic.edu.au or the WYD Team at MACS via wyd27@macs.vic.edu.au
