Dear Parents & Carers,

Time for a Check-Up

As we move beyond the halfway point of Term One, this is an ideal time for students to pause and reflect on how the year has begun. In line with our school improvement theme, Engagement for Excellence, establishing effective daily and weekly routines is essential, particularly as academic demands begin to increase. This includes prioritising schoolwork, maintaining a balanced schedule of activities, developing consistent sleep patterns, and managing day-to-day responsibilities.

Strong routines established early create a solid foundation that will support students as they progress into the more demanding senior years. When students are engaged in purposeful routines, they are better positioned to strive for excellence in all aspects of their learning. I encourage families to take this opportunity to have a conversation with their child about how they feel their routines are developing. Discuss what is working well, what might need improvement, and how they are progressing towards the goals they set at the beginning of the year.

It is pleasing to see so many students actively engaged in co-curricular opportunities. At our College, we are committed to developing well-rounded young people, and participation in activities such as sport, the performing arts, debating, community service, and social justice initiatives plays a vital role in this. These experiences foster confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging, reflecting our commitment to Engagement for Excellence beyond the classroom. As part of your reflection, you may wish to explore whether your child could further enrich their experience by becoming involved in an additional activity.

Parent, Student and Teacher Conferences

Our learning management system, Canvas, continues to be an important tool in supporting student learning. I encourage you to engage with your child in reviewing their courses and assessment tasks on the platform. This can help reinforce positive habits, celebrate achievements, and identify any areas requiring attention.

These discussions will also assist in preparing for our upcoming Parent, Student & Teacher Conferences, which will be held online via Zoom on:

• Thursday 26 March (4.00 pm – 7.00 pm)

Session times are as follows:

• Session 1: 4.00 pm – 4.50 pm

• Session 2: 5.00 pm – 5.40 pm

• Session 3: 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm

Further details regarding bookings will be sent via email by our Director of Learning, Ms Sarah Smith.

NAPLAN testing last week

As you may know, NAPLAN testing was disrupted on Tuesday morning last week due to technical issues with the national assessment platform, affecting schools across Australia. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has acknowledged the significant impact on students during the writing assessment and has issued an apology.

Following ACARA’s guidance, we continued with our planned NAPLAN schedule. The Year 7 and 9 Language Conventions tests that couldn’t be completed on Tuesday were successfully moved to Friday, with all sessions running smoothly.

Measures have been put in place to make sure no student is disadvantaged because of this disruption.

I commend our students and staff for their calm and resilient response to the challenges caused by last week’s outage.

Bus Network Review

The Victorian State Government is reviewing the Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, and Bannockburn Bus Network, including bus services for students to travel to and from school. I encourage you to share your feedback as part of this important community consultation.

I strongly encourage all members of our community to complete the online survey and to share it with family and friends. As our region continues to grow, it is essential that our transport network evolves to meet increasing demand.

The online Review feedback form is open until Sunday, 12 April, offering residents an opportunity to share their experiences and ideas. The review will consider how bus services can better reflect changing travel patterns, support the expansion of suburbs, and improve connections between towns, schools, and workplaces.

The survey can be accessed at: engage.vic.gov.au/Geelong-Bus

It is important that the voices of Saint Ignatius College families are well represented. I particularly encourage you to highlight any concerns or suggestions relating to student transport to and from the College.

Student Uniform Expectations for Off-Site Activities

Participation in excursions and off-site sporting events is a valuable extension of classroom learning and an opportunity for students to represent our College in the wider community. It is essential that students attend these activities in the correct school uniform. Wearing the appropriate uniform fosters a sense of pride and belonging, ensures students are easily identifiable, and reflects positively on our school.

We appreciate the support of families in ensuring students are well-prepared and correctly dressed for all off-site activities. This partnership helps us maintain high standards and reinforces the values we uphold as a community.

Key Dates

• Friday 27 March – Student Free Day (Staff Professional Learning)

• Tuesday 31 March – Easter Liturgy (Period 4, Mentor Time)

• Thursday 2 April – Final Day of Term One (2.20 pm finish)

• Monday 20 April – Term Two Commences

• Thursday 23 April – College Open Afternoon (4.00 pm & 5.00 pm)

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal

At our College, the safety and wellbeing of every student is our highest priority. Child Safe Standard 2 focuses on ensuring that child safety is embedded in the leadership, governance and culture of the school. This means that our leaders, staff and community work together to create an environment where students feel safe, respected and supported. We are committed to maintaining strong policies, clear processes and ongoing professional learning for staff so that child safety remains at the centre of all decision-making. We also encourage students and families to speak up if they have concerns, knowing that their voices will be heard and taken seriously. By working together as a community, we continue to build a culture where every child is protected, valued and able to thrive.

Please find the link to the MACS Care Child Safe Standard 2 Parent / Carer Newsletter Article.

It’s been a fantastic start to the year in the Music Department, with students already engaging enthusiastically in rehearsals, classroom activities, and ensemble work.

On Tuesday our string students attended a combined strings workshop organised by the Geelong Heads of Music network. The event was hosted at Christian College and our students had the opportunity to join students from other schools to play in a large ensemble of 100 performers.. After workshopping the pieces during the afternoon they performed these pieces for family and friends.

We had our first Contemporary Bands Night on Wednesday, 19 March at Flying Brick Cider, which showcased the work of all our Rock Bands. The event provided an authentic experience for our students to perform to a large appreciative audience. The students all performed to a high level especially when the event was so early in the year. Special thanks to our Contemporary Band Co-ordinator Matt Jennings and the staff at Flying Brick for making the evening a success.

Looking ahead, preparations are also underway for our Autumn Concert. This event on Monday evening will feature all of our large co-curricula ensembles, highlighting the progress students have made so far this year. The Stage Band, Junior Band, Senior Band, String Ensemble, Iggy Pop Voices, College Choir and our recently form Senior College Choir will all be performing. The evening will commence at 7pm in the MacKillop Theatre at Saint Ignatius and all are welcome. No need to book a ticket. Students performing need to arrive by 6.30pm in summer uniform.

Our Music and Public Speaking tutors have vacancies available across all disciplines if you are still looking to have lessons. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to further develop their skills, we have experienced tutors ready to support their musical journey.

For more information or to enquire about lessons, please contact us at music@ignatius.vic.edu.au.

Michael Wilding

Head Music

It has been such a positive and uplifting start to the year in Glowrey House, with both students and staff returning with great energy and enthusiasm.

A very special welcome to our Year 10 students and their families, who have joined the Glowrey family this year. We have truly loved welcoming you into our community and it has been fantastic to see how quickly you have found your place within the House. We hope your first term has been a happy and rewarding one, and that you already feel a strong sense of belonging and pride in your House.

One of the early highlights of the year was the Swimming Carnival, where our House performed really well and finished 3rd overall – Go Glowrey!

There have been many other opportunities for students to contribute to Glowrey House this term and the recent Year 8 interhouse soccer competition during Cura Personalis was a great success, with Glowrey coming in 2nd.

Students have also been earning House points through ILC competitions and having their acts of kindness recognised through positive affirmations – keep up your incredible work Glowrey students!

There is still plenty to look forward to this term, including the Interhouse Basketball competition and the Athletics Carnival, as well as our much-loved Hot Cross Bun Drive, which is always a wonderful way to support the House by earning valuable House points whilst also supporting Caritas.

A new inclusion this year is the introduction of the Glow Award, which recognises 2 students who walk in the footsteps of Mary Glowrey through their compassion, service and commitment to others. We look forward to celebrating these students when recipients are announced at our end of term House Assembly.

On a personal note, I would like express my gratitude to the Glowrey Mentor Teachers, Mr David Hatswell, Mr Doug Montgomery, Ms Latasha Slocombe, Mr Ian Anderson, Ms Rebecca Clark, Ms Julie Wilson and Mr Terry Tolan for their continued support of the Glowrey students and myself as the new Head of House.

As we look ahead to Term 2, The House Captains and myself are excited to continue building on this strong start and we will begin our top secret preparations to defend our title in the Casa Del Talente Competition on Feast Day.

I wish all our Glowrey students and families a blessed and peaceful Easter, and I look forward to welcoming you back in Term 2.

On the 10th of March, our school community came together to celebrate International Women’s Day, with an inspiring keynote speech from AFLW star Abbey Holmes. Abbey shared information about the importance of mindset, resilience and believing in yourself, explaining how these qualities have shaped her journey. She reminded us of the importance of confidence, perseverance and supporting one another to help overcome challenges and to foster growth.

Our Easter Raffle is now underway, with tickets only $1 each. Tickets are available to purchase by cash or card next to the canteen on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in the lead- up until the announcement of the winners on Wednesday 1st April 2026. All funds raised will go directly to Caritas Australia, supporting communities experiencing poverty in both Australia and overseas. Every ticket truly makes a difference.

The whole-school Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser has returned this year as a House versus House competition. Each house will compete to sell the most hot cross buns, with the House achieving the highest sales earning the most house points - so don’t forget to select your house from the drop down menu. You can order your chocolate or traditional Hot Cross Buns here. We encourage everyone to get involved to help raise funds for Caritas Australia!

We’re also excited to be hosting Connections Day on Thursday 16th April in the school holidays, open to all students in Years 9–12. Students from Cultura and Geelong Catholic schools will join us for a day focused on building friendships, connecting with others in the wider community and being people for others.

Finally, a reminder that information about student Justice Meetings are posted regularly on Xuno. Everyone is welcome, your voice matters, and we’d love to see more students getting involved in creating positive change within our school community.

Let’s keep building a community where everyone feels supported, empowered and included!

Saint Ignatius College Geelong invites a limited number of students and their parent/carers/grandparents for a special and truly unique evening at the school on ANZAC Day Eve.

Selected students who observe ANZAC Day by attending a local service are invited to our ANZAC Day Eve (24/4) reflective wreath making evening, with the intention of the wreath being placed at a local service on Anzac Day.

Students and their parent/carer are encouraged to apply via the following link (link in bio), with successful partnerships being notified in the coming weeks.

https://forms.gle/54akuS57BXvNjvJn6

Together we will reflect, create, observe, and remember them.Lest We Forget.

PFA MEETING | Members of the Saint Ignatius College Community are invited to the upcoming Parents and Friends Meeting on Tuesday the 31 March.

Register your attendance here --> https://forms.gle/xtRRtbS1xmaw6p1bA

COLLEGE TOURS | Saint Ignatius College Geelong proudly offers two types of College tours for Year 7 prospective families, Guided Tours, and Guided Day Tours.

The College Guided Tours are specifically designed for Year 5 & 6 students and their families with attendees enjoying comprehensive presentations from the College Principal, Deputy Principals, Year 7 Coordinator and current Year 7 students.

Following this presentation, families will enjoy a tour with current students and teachers showcasing the outstanding facilities enjoyed by our teachers, students and support staff.

Our College Guided Tours, held over 2 nights are an ideal way for prospective families to ask questions regarding all aspects of the College to students and staff.

To register for a College Guided Tour click here--> https://www.ignatius.vic.edu.a...

We look forward to welcoming you and your family for our 2026 Guided Tours.

YEAR 7 2027 ENROLMENTS | Saint Ignatius College Geelong embraces the Jesuit theme of 'Cura Personalis' Latin for 'care for the whole person' and provides opportunities for inspiration, and growth through our Mentor Time sessions.

Families who are seeking an Ignatian education that embraces 'cura personalis' are welcome to apply for a Year 7 2027 position via this link 🔗

https://enrol.ignatius.vic.edu...

📆 Applications close on Friday May 8th, 2026.

Students in the senior school are reminded to 'save the date' for the College's annual Careers Panel & Expo which is being held on Tuesday May the 26th. 

Further information will be distributed in due course.

Engagement for Excellence.

Dreaming of a European holiday? Purchase a ticket or 2 in the 'PFA $10k Travel Voucher Raffle' and you could be packing your bags and on your way! Secure your tickets here --> https://rafflelink.com.au/sicgtravel2026

The 'PFA $10k Travel Voucher Raffle' is drawn on March the 26th, with all proceeds going towards student resources at the College.