Saint Ignatius College: Embraces The Victorian Child Safe Standards: Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for Every Student

At Saint Ignatius College Geelong, we prioritise the safety, happiness, and overall development of every child in our care. As part of our dedication to this cause, we have implemented the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards to ensure that our school remains a secure and nurturing environment for all.

The Victorian Child Safe Standards were introduced to enhance the safety and well-being of children in various organisations, including schools. These standards cover a range of important areas, from leadership commitment to creating a child-safe culture, and from ensuring clear policies and procedures to promoting the participation and empowerment of children.

Here's a brief overview of how Saint Ignatius College Geelong is actively incorporating these standards into our daily operations:

1. Leadership commitment to child safety:

Our school leadership is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every student. This commitment is reflected in our policies, practices, and communication.

2. Child safe policy and code of conduct:

We have developed a comprehensive child-safe policy and code of conduct that outlines our commitment to child safety. These documents are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain effective.

3. Human resources practices:

Our staff recruitment processes include thorough background checks and comprehensive training to ensure that every member of our team is equipped to create a safe environment for our students.

4. Training and supervision of staff and volunteers:

All staff and volunteers undergo regular training sessions to increase their awareness of child safety issues and their understanding of how to create a secure environment.

5. Child empowerment and participation:

We actively seek the input of our students, valuing their opinions and perspectives. Student voices are heard through various channels, including student councils, surveys, and regular feedback sessions.

6. Family engagement and communication:

We maintain open and transparent communication with parents and guardians, keeping them informed about our child-safe initiatives and encouraging their active participation in creating a safe school environment.

7. Responding to and reporting suspected child abuse:

Our school has clear procedures in place for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse, ensuring a swift and appropriate response to any concerns that may arise.

8. Cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment for all students, including those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

9. Inclusive and accessible services for children with disabilities:

Our school strives to provide inclusive and accessible services to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, can fully participate in school life.

10. Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse:

We regularly assess and review our practices to identify and address any potential risks to the safety of our students, implementing strategies to reduce or remove these risks.

11. Monitoring and reviewing of child safety practices:

Our commitment to child safety is an ongoing process. We continually monitor and review our child safety practices to ensure that they remain effective and responsive to the evolving needs of our school community.

By actively implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards, Saint Ignatius College Geelong is not only meeting regulatory requirements but, more importantly, creating an environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported in their educational journey. Together, as a community, we can ensure the well-being and success of each and every student at our school.

Thank you for your continued support.

Michael Timms

Guiding Paths to Academic Excellence: Lessons from Our 2023 College Duxes

Last Monday, our College Academic assembly brought the entire College Community together to celebrate our shared dedication to learning. We recognised the outstanding achievements of VCE and VM students from 2023, as well as recipients of the 2023 Year Level Excellence Awards. Among the highlights of the gathering were the insightful reflections shared by our 2023 College Duxes, Emma Fenton and Ross de Lange.

Emma Fenton earned recognition for her exceptional VCE study scores, celebrating a perfect Psychology study score of 50, along with outstanding results in Biology (48) and Chemistry (41), culminating in an overall ATAR of 98.20. Meanwhile, Ross de Lange, 2023 College Captain and joint dux, celebrated his accomplishments in Chemistry (43) and English (42). While their exemplary academic accomplishments were duly celebrated, it was their words of wisdom that truly resonated with our student body, illuminating the path to academic success.

Emma's speech emphasised the paramount importance of discovering one's own unique study method. Her approach to encoding new information involved meticulously typing notes as content unfolded, followed by rigorous practice exams until achieving a state of "auto-pilot" learning. She underscored the significance of mastering one's study method as instrumental to excelling in examinations. Emma's parting advice to the Class of 2024 was simple yet profound: "Find a pen you love; it will make Year 12 exponentially easier."

Ross, as joint dux, imparted invaluable advice to his peers, reflecting on his journey and highlighting four key principles:

1. Establish a consistent and sustainable routine, akin to the habitual act of brushing your teeth. Ross stressed the importance of dedicating consistent time, in a consistent place, for a consistent duration each day, incorporating practices such as commencing with a brief meditation and concluding by reflecting on marginal gains, to enhance learning effectiveness.

2. Listen actively in class, moving beyond passive note-taking to employ metacognitive techniques. Ross encouraged students to critically assess their notes, ensuring comprehension and connection with existing knowledge. He emphasised that “effective study should make your brain feel uncomfortable” in addition to encouraging students to “embrace the discomfort of learning” signifying true understanding of internalising concepts.

3. Cultivate an optimised study environment, free from distractions. Ross urged students to create a quiet space conducive to focused learning, eliminating anything that competes for attention including phones, pets, noise and interruption.

4. Finally, to remember that academic success does not define individual worth. Ross advocated for a balanced approach, prioritising personal interests, friendships, and social connections as essential components of holistic development throughout VCE.

We extend our congratulations to Ross and Emma as they embark on their tertiary studies in Biomedical Science at Deakin University and Science/Physiotherapy at Melbourne University. We eagerly anticipate their continued success. To all students, we wish you the very best for a successful academic year ahead, guided by the invaluable insights shared by our esteemed College Duxes.

Marina Brown | Director of Learning

This year is shaping up to be a big one for the Saint Ignatius College Student Representative Council, with so many new faces and ideas, we are ready for some fantastic new innovation and change. To kick off 2024, the SRC is delighted to announce our Office Bearers for this year:

President - Sarah Tolan

Secretary - Will Hanley

Casual Day Coordinator - Thomas Galan

Promotions Officer - Reuben Cook.

With guidance from Ms Frigo and Ms Losi, they will ensure the smooth and successful running of the SRC in 2024.

In 2024 we aim to engage many students in College activities and allow all students to have their say on matters affecting them. Our mission is to promote leadership, school events and take up suggested changes to higher levels to ensure that everyone has a best chance to reach their highest potential and levels of achievement.

Reuben Cook

Student Representative Council Promotions Officer.

Welcome to 2024 Community BBQ hosted by Saint Ignatius College

Last week, Saint Ignatius College hosted the annual Welcome to 2024 Community BBQ. This is an opportunity for all First Nations students and families from the five Geelong Catholic Secondary Schools to celebrate the beginning of the new year as a community.

Students from Sacred Heart College, St. Joseph’s, Iona College and Clonard College joined our students and families on Thursday evening, enjoying a night of food, drinks and laughter. Students from all schools gathered to talk about their collective experiences, background and hopes for the future. These included participating in events scheduled on the calendar including Aspirations Day, Watta Watnanda Day, Naidoc Week activities and the Yarnda Wokka camp.

Our special guest speaker was Ms Helen Christensen, Aboriginal Education Officer, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools who spoke to those gathered about opportunities and events during the year to learn culture, customs and language.

A great night for all involved

Planned and Organised by the 2024 SICG FIRE Carriers

Last year the college was fortunate enough to have 2 of our talented Science students accepted into the National Youth Science Forum. Catherine Anderson and Tom Galan traveled to The Australian National University (ANU) Canberra in January to participate in this prestigious 10 day STEM focused event. Both of our students were supported by Victorian Rotary Clubs including our local club North Bellerine, we are grateful for their support. Below are the student accounts of the event and as a college we are excited for their anticipated participation in the field of STEM in the future.

Ms Isje Turang-Timmins | Learning Area Leader Science

Early January during the summer holiday, I had the privilege to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in Canberra. Leading up to the event I felt quite daunted; going to a camp in another state with people from all over Australia on my own. In hindsight NYSF proved to be one of the best and most eye-opening experiences of my life proving without a doubt that it was worth it.

Our days were spent filled with a range of different activities; no one day was the same. From social events to other activities focusing on developing our STEM knowledge, NYSF had it all covered through their comprehensive program. Part of the program was being divided into interest groups where we had specialised visits designed to inspire us. My group was one of the engineering groups and we went to the Defence, Science, Technology Group (DTSG) and also the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre in NSW. Together, these experiences showed me that there is a range of different pathways a career in engineering; from creating concepts or solutions to defence problems, to working with teams of other STEM professionals, to improving on existing energy complex to better fill the needs of Australians..

Another amazing event in NYSF was the Careers Day where STEM businesses, professionals and Universities came to talk to use about a future in STEM. Lockey-Martin, Australian Space Agency, CSIRO, DSTG, APCESM and much more were all present and sharing their vision for the future of STEM. This was an eye-opening experience as it showed me the many careers I could pick from in STEM; challenging my plans for my future career that I had thought foolproof.

Arguably, one of the best parts about NYSF was the people I met. I became fast friends with people who, otherwise, I might never have met and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet such amazing people.

NYSF was an incredible two weeks that I was so fortunate to attend; something made possible thanks to Ms Timmins and the generous funding provided by Rotary of Sandringham and also Bellarine North Rotary.

Catherine Anderson | 12 Slocombe

During the summer holidays I went over to ANU in Canberra for the National Youth Science Forum for 10 days, these 10 days were probably the most enjoyable and eye-opening experience I have had and been looking for. The Science forum is a science camp that allows for anyone with a passion in STEM, not only science, to explore what they are thinking of going into for a future career pathway or maybe as just a plan for university. I was lucky enough to be put in the astrophysics group which is not my exact science that I want to go into but it is very similar, however the places and lectures that I got to visit were very interesting and left me wanting more. I got to visit the Mt Stromlo Observatory, the ANU Nuclear physics and Particle accelerator department as well as learning cryptography and seeing the ADF Drone racing.

Throughout the 10 days I would have to say the lectures, CERN; this is the Large Hadron 8Collider in Switzerland, The Great Debate and the closing event - which held someone that had me immersed and listening without a care of what people thought about me. Not only this but the people who I met allowed me to explore my passion for science, mainly Quantum Physics and the quantum realm as a whole at a more indepth interest. The National Youth Science Forum allowed me to explore the realm of physics with an eager passion and has allowed me to keep in contact with the people who I met over there, who all have very similar interests to myself.

Thomas Galan | 12 Mac Nash

Saint Ignatius College is delighted to host Nicole Livingstone OAM as the keynote speaker for this year's International Women's Day celebrations at the College. 

Members of the College Community are encouraged to secure their tickets early for this evening. 

We look forward to welcoming you to another fabulous International Women's Day Evening this year. 

Click here to secure your tickets --> https://www.trybooking.com/CNQTP

STALLHOLDERS WANTED |

Saint Ignatius College Geelong is 'on the hunt' for stallholders for our 'Easter Mini Market' on Sunday March 24th from 9.30am-11.30am.Further details and booking information can be found via this link --> https://www.trybooking.com/CPBVTWe look forward to our Easter Mini Market being a new initiative in conjunction with our 'SICG Easter Egg Hunt.'

To secure your 'Early Bunny Tickets' for the hunt book here --> https://www.trybooking.com/COOMZ

We look forward to a wonderful morning celebrating our faith and chocolate!

Book tickets here >>>> https://www.trybooking.com/COO...

Mathematics Tutoring from Izaak Gillies, a past college graduate (2020)

Online tutoring available for all mathematics subjects, years 7-12!

Third year bachelor of science student, majoring mathematical physics, at The University of Melbourne.

Super patient and friendly. Able to explain concepts which aren't "clicking" in a variety of ways.

Sessions are $40 for an hour, group sessions available for a discount!

Free consultation available so you can meet me.

Contact me at igillies@student.unimelb.edu.au or 0437 895 313.