Dear Parents and Carers,

Engagement for Excellence: Supporting Every Student’s Future Pathway

A key part of our commitment to Engagement for Excellence is ensuring every student is supported to discover their strengths, explore their interests, and build confidence in their future pathway beyond school.

As a College, we recognise that senior secondary education is about more than completing subjects and gaining qualifications. It is about helping young people grow into capable, hopeful and aspirational learners, prepared for an ever-changing world. Whether students pursue university, TAFE, apprenticeships, employment or vocational pathways, we want every student to feel informed, supported and empowered to make decisions that align with their talents and passions.

To strengthen this important work, we have continued to expand our Pathways and Careers Program (PCP). This includes increasing our PCP staffing team to provide more one-on-one support for students, introducing a dedicated Year 10 Program, and delivering a range of career information sessions throughout the year.

As part of this commitment, we are excited to offer our Senior School Career Panel and Expo on Tuesday, 26 May, for students and families in Years 10, 11 and 12.

The evening promises to be a valuable opportunity for students and parents to explore a wide range of post-school options and hear firsthand accounts from those who have already navigated their own career paths.

Evening Overview

Location: MacKillop Theatre
Time: 5:45 pm – 8:15 pm

For workshop bookings click here.

Career Expo

Students and families will have the opportunity to connect with a broad range of external providers and organisations, including:

• ACU

• Deakin University

• Gordon TAFE

• Melbourne University

• Monash University

• Victoria Police

• Victoria University

• RMIT

• Federation University

• Deakin College

• Busy at Work Apprenticeships

• SEDA

• Victorian Training Group
  and many more.

Alumni Panel

We are fortunate to welcome back a number of College Alumni who will share their educational and career experiences. Their stories will offer inspiration, encouragement and practical insights to our current students as they consider their futures.

Workshops

A variety of workshops will also be available to help students navigate the opportunities and challenges of senior school and future planning.

We strongly encourage all invited students and families to attend this important event. When schools and families work together in partnership, we create the best possible environment for young people to thrive, dream big, and pursue excellence in whatever pathway they choose.

Performing Arts strong at our College

Congratulations to the cast and crew of our VCE Unit 3 Theatre Studies production of Come From Away, presented at the Bellarine Arts Centre over the past week. The musical tells the remarkable true story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their hearts and community to stranded travellers in the days following the September 11 attacks.

This outstanding production once again highlighted the College’s strong reputation for excellence in the performing arts across our region. It was a wonderful example of our school improvement theme, Engagement for Excellence, with students demonstrating exceptional creativity, commitment, teamwork, and talent both on stage and behind the scenes.

Congratulations to all students involved and to their teacher, Ms Andrea Broadbear, for delivering such a professional and moving performance.

Canvas Back Online

Our College’s Learning Management System, Canvas, is now back online and operating normally.

The platform’s owner, Instructure, has advised its thousands of education and government clients worldwide that Canvas is fully operational and that its systems and data remain secure.

In addition, our College ICT team has implemented further safeguards within our Canvas environment to strengthen security measures.

I would like to thank our students, staff, and families for their flexibility, patience, and understanding during the disruption to our LMS.

As an added precaution, we encourage all members of our community to continue practising good online security habits, including:

• being cautious of unexpected emails or messages

• avoiding clicking on suspicious links or attachments

• watching for phishing attempts requesting personal information or passwords

• using strong, unique passwords across different services

• resetting passwords if there is any concern they may have been compromised.

Please remember that College staff will never ask you to provide your password or sensitive personal information via email or through Canvas.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our IT Support Team at itsupport@ignatius.vic.edu.au.

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal

Youth Ministry Equipping School:

On Thursday the 7th of May, the MacKillop Theatre was abuzz as the Year 11 Religion Academy students hosted visiting students from Clonard College Geelong, Loyola College Watsonia, Sacred Heart College Geelong and Saint Joseph's College Geelong for a day of celebration, performance, reflection and prayer.

Academy students have been very busy the past few weeks as they devised, scripted, resourced, rehearsed and ultimately delivered the Equipping School. The day consisted of an opening liturgy, team-craft workshops, and closing plenary. It was an opportunity to showcase practical ministry skills developed throughout the RE Academy and Journey programs - employing skills and talents such as public speaking, prayer writing, testimony, liturgy-design, games, dance, drama, music, art, IT, stagecraft, and sound and lighting.

Attending and hosting the Youth Ministry Equipping School satisfies Module 1 of the Australian Catholic University Youth Ministry Academy, contributing to a bonus +5 ATAR points applied to ACU VTAC preferences for Academy students.

Student perspectives from the day:

“The equipping school provided a great opportunity to meet, grow, and work with like minded people, building lifelong connections” - Jasmine H

“Equipping school was a rewarding experience, one of which I will never take for granted” - Addison L

“The equipping school pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and to be sincere with people I didn't know, despite fearing what they may have thought about me.” - Georgia N

“The equipping school was so fun as it brought together faith, new connections and performance.” - Annie L

Well done to all the students involved, and thank-you to our Companion and Geelong-region Catholic schools for supporting this event!

Year 9 Liturgies:

This week, Year 9 Journey students have also demonstrated their leadership and creativity by planning and leading the “God’s Love” liturgies held on the 19th and 22nd of May. Drawing on their class learning about Agape love (selfless, unconditional love for others), Students worked collaboratively to design meaningful liturgical experiences centred on compassion, kindness and service. Through prayer, reflection, music and student-led presentations, the liturgies encouraged the school community to consider how God’s love can be lived out in everyday actions and relationships.

Ricci and Glowrey House Masses:

The team was delighted to join with the senior students from Glowrey House and Ricci House for their patron day Eucharistic Celebrations. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather as one community, and share in such reflective and nourishing experiences. Our thanks go out to Father Gerry Healy SJ, for celebrating Mass with us, and to all of the wonderful student volunteers who served by offering prayers, reflections, vocals, and processions. We look forward to joining the entire College community for Mass on the Feast of Saint Ignatius, 31st July.

Upcoming year 12 Inspire Retreat:

We also extend our best wishes to the Year 12 Academy students as they gear up for their upcoming 2 day-2 night ‘Inspire’ Retreat. We hope the retreat provides an opportunity for reflection, connection and spiritual growth as they continue their leadership journey and consider the theme of “What breathes life into me?”. Year 12 Religion Academy students have been working in small groups of 4 to devise the retreat sessions, with an aim to peer-facilitate the majority of the retreat. We look forward to the amazing days ahead and eagerly anticipate the delivery of all of their hard work!

Prayer:

May we be inspired by the Most Venerable Mary of the Sacred Heart Glowrey to be servants to others, always reflecting the mercy and love of God for our community.

May we be inspired by the Most Venerable Matteo Ricci to always search for deeper meaning as we continue to learn each day, always striving to share the Good News.

May our patrons breathe life into all we do, and lead us towards the Magis.

Saint Ignatius, Pray for us.

Alexie Murray & Declan Parisi

College Youth Ministry Trainees

Student Led Assembly

By Owen M & Hannah D

Our Student Led Assembly was a highlight of the start of Term 2, bringing together students, staff, and the wider College community in celebration of achievement and leadership. Hosted by Vice Captains Sarah T and Hamish D, the day opened with an Acknowledgement of Country from our Fire Carriers and a prayer from Ministry Captain Emily N, who also shared an update on a term that included liturgies, masses, the Caritas Launch, and student retreats.

Arts Captain Heidi B reviewed a busy term, covering events including Contemporary Bands Live, the Combined Schools Strings Festival, and the Autumn Concert. The assembly also included a very well-received from the Year 10 band, and a performance of ‘Somewhere’ by the Unit 3 Theatre Studies cast ahead of their upcoming production of Come From Away.

Academic Captain Ava B encouraged students to reflect on Term 1, outlined the VCE Vocational Major pathway, and promoted the Careers Panel Expo on 26 May. Justice Captain Samantha N and Environment Captain Zoe F reported $4,169.70 raised for Caritas, announced Term 2 fundraising for the Opening the Doors Foundation supporting First Nations students in education, and encouraged the community to take responsibility for the environment. Wellbeing Captain Reuben provided an update on the International Women's Day community evening with Abbey Holmes and outlined upcoming initiatives including an anti-bullying day, Men's Health Week with guest speaker Chris Anstey OLY, and events for R U OK? Day.

Sports Captain Addison L reviewed the term across GISSA competitions and individual achievements, presented Athletics Carnival Age Group Champions, and acknowledged the College's first all-female rowing team who won their final. She also presented the shield to the Ricci House Captains for winning the most points in the recent Athletics Carnival.

SRC President Sarah M and representative Bas G updated the community on the introduction of emergency menstrual products in female bathrooms, ongoing masterplan consultations, new bell music, and the addition of Year 7 representatives Jessica C and Hayden G. House Captains Chelsea H and Ella D outlined current House standings, with MacKillop leading on 1,540 points, and encouraged participation in upcoming Ignatius Day performances.

To close the Assembly, our six Be Bold Be Heard representatives shared progress from the program, in which Saint Ignatius College is participating for the first time, working alongside over 120 student leaders across Geelong and Melbourne on gender equity in sport.

CLOGS Winter Ball

Details for the Year 12 CLOGS Winter Ball are now available. The theme for 2026 is Enchanted Forest. The event will be held on Thursday 25 June from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Iona College Geelong Stadium, 15 Donegal Drive, Charlemont. Tickets are $30 per person and the dress code is formal. Year 12 students are encouraged to secure their tickets quickly.

2026 College Theme Update

At our most recent meeting with Mr Exton, we presented a symbolic image to represent the 2026 College theme of One in Spirit, Show Up, Lift Up, Take Action. This image has now been approved and will be shared with the College community in the coming weeks.

On Friday 8th May, students from the Year 10 Business Management classes completed their $20.00 Boss Enterprise project at lunchtime on the basketball courts.

Students were tasked with creating a unique business enterprise with the theme, Mother’s Day gift. Types of businesses included: Scented Candles, Decorated Coffee Mugs with Brownies, Jewellery, Key Chains, Hand - Made Soaps, Bath Bombs and Gift Hampers full of special treats.

With a small investment of $20.00 for each student, it was now up to them to create, plan and run their own business with students taking on responsibilities such as an Operations Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Finance / Legal Manager and General Manager

Each unique business managed their own stall on the day, demonstrating excellent Employability Skills such as Leadership, Team Work, Problem Solving, Time Management and Communication.

After the investment was paid back, students raised close to $300.00 in profit which will be donated to charity.

Well done students.

National Consistent Collection of Data on School Students With Disability (NCCD)

All schools are required to provide information to the government about the number of students with additional needs currently attending their school.

There is a broad definition of 'disability' that includes students who require minor adjustments to those needing significant additional support to achieve success at school.

The data is provided to the Australian Government to assist in the development of a consistent, national picture of the educational needs of students with disability.

For further information related to this mandated collection process, please read the attached document in this newsletter titled, ‘NCCD Fact Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians’.

Should you have any additional questions after reading this information, please direct these to Ms. Caroline Edmonds, Head of Learning Diversity.

edmondsc@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Saint Ignatius College Geelong is delighted to welcome Chris Anstey OLY as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Men's Health Week Companion Evening on Wednesday the 10th of June. Chris Anstey's 17-year sporting career included playing stints in the NBA, Russia and Spain. A 2-time Olympian and World Champion, Chris also played for the Melbourne Tigers, South East Melbourne Magic and Victoria Titans in the Australian NBL. He retired as a 2x Championship winning captain and MVP, with 3 NBL titles to his name. He became the team's head coach in 2012. Students and their parent/carers are encouraged to secure their tickets here --> https://events.humanitix.com/2026-men-s-health-week...

This evening is a Companion Evening, an evening for students to share with their parent/carer/grandparent. Engagement for Excellence.

Shouting out to the team at McHarry's Buslines for jumping on board to support our '2026 Men's Health Week Evening!'If you are a local business of family who would like to join in on sponsoring this evening, please email communityengagement@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Shouting out to the team at Christians Buslines for jumping on board to support our '2026 Men's Health Week Evening!'If you are a local business or family who would like to join in on sponsoring this evening, please email communityengagement@ignatius.vic.edu.au