Saint Ignatius College - Geelong Catholic Colleges

Our News

From the Principal

Dear Saint Ignatius College community members,

2025 Student Leaders Investiture Assembly

The school community gathered in the College MPC on Thursday, November 8th, to celebrate the newly elected 2025 student leaders. Fr Gerry Healy SJ and many parents attended the event.

Former College Captain Mr Greg Lewis was the guest speaker. He provided an inspirational speech about his post-school journey and leadership. Mr Lewis is studying for the Priesthood after serving in the Defence Force.

The incoming College Captains then made their inaugural speeches. Judging by their excellent presentations, our College community is indeed continuing with strong student leadership for 2025.

Some students also entertained the audience with their musical performances.

And, Ms Robyn Frigo, the Student Leader Development Coordinator, gave an informative reflection on Ignatian leadership.

Congratulations to all students appointed to leadership positions for next year:

College Captains

Bel Gee and Tucker Kooloos

College Vice Captains

Stephanie Reynolds and Riley Molloy

Portfolio

Academic Captain – Owen McCoughtry

Arts Captain - Sienna Davidson

Environment Captain - Nikita Smith

Justice Captain - Sarah Tolan

Ministry Captain - Arabella Gruar

Sport Captain - Phoebe Zahl

Wellbeing Captain - Sarah Manzl

House

Glowrey

House Captains: Lucy Keen and Jacob Irwin

House Vice Captains: Stella Sottile and Addison Lewis

MacKillop

House Captains: Amelie Anderson and Declan Parisi

House Vice Captains: Chelsea Hanks and Chloe Van Den Bosch

Ricci

House Captains: Tiarni Blair and Luke O'Brien

House Vice Captains: Hamish Dallman and Harry Craven

Xavier

House Captains: Poppy Hart and Sam Eales

House Vice Captains: Peregrine Nicholls and Heidi Bush

SRC

Year 8

Dashiell Smith

Elise Tizard

Year 9

Michael Sayers

Tully Reynolds

Year 10

Samantha Nyatsanga

Reuben Cook

Year 11

Hannah Dreise

Gabriela Fernandes

Year 12

Ella Hobbs

Archie Stella

FIRE Carriers

Tiarni Blair

Hamish Dallman

Lex Dowling

Hannah Dreise

Isabel Gee

Ella Hobbs

Charlotte Monaghan

Alexie Murray

Arurpe Leaders

Lex Dowling

Hannah Dreise

Isabella Milne

Charlotte Monaghan

Harriet Stepto

Enda Fitzgerald

Saint Ignatius. Inspiring me to be a leader.

Loyola Market Day

On Tuesday, 12 November, our Years 7 and 8 students organised the annual Loyola Market Day after weeks of planning. The students worked with their Mentor Group to decide what type of stall to put up. The event featured a variety of stalls, from cakes, sweets, games, and raffles to a dunking machine. Overall, it was a successful day of collaboration and enjoyment. The main aim was to have fun while raising money for Jesuit Mission’s programs in East Timor. These include supporting secondary schools: Escola Secundaria Católica Nossa Senhora de Fátima (NOSSEF) in Railaco and Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola (Loyola College) in Kasait. Well done to all involved on raising $4,600.

Yr 12 exams and pathways

Our Yr 12 VCE students have completed their exam period with the final exams held yesterday. Our Year 12 VCE Vocational Major (VM, previously VCAL) students have finished their classes for the year. I know some have already obtained an apprenticeship, and others are enrolling in a vocational course for next year. As a College community, we extend our best wishes and prayers for our Yr 12 students as they make this very significant transition from secondary school.

All students undertaking Unit 3 & 4 VCE Exams will have received via email a letter from me sharing the content of an email message from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s (VCAA) Interim Chief Executive Officer, Dr Marcia Devlin AM, regarding the errors with this year’s VCE exams. Dr Devlin’s message included an apology on behalf of VCAA, an acknowledgement of how hard students have worked over many months to prepare for the assessments, and the process VCAA will follow to ensure each student is marked fairly.

The VCAA has published information, including Q&As, on their website, see: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au

For other questions or additional support, please contact our Senior Certificate Coordinator, Ms Andrea Dart (E: darta@ignatius.vic.edu.au or P: 03 5251 1136.)

My colleagues have informed me that they have been impressed by the way our students have prepared for and approached their exams despite the publicity surrounding the exam concerns; well done to our students! In my message, I encouraged them to continue to focus on doing their best and that I hoped they would feel reassured that VCAA is working to ensure that each student is marked fairly. Also, I wanted them to feel free to contact their Head of House or College Wellbeing Office if needed.

I look forward to celebrating with the Yr 12 students, their families and staff at the Valedictory Dinner at GMHBA Stadium, Kardinia Park, on the evening of Friday, 29th November 2024.

Mr Bruce Connor, our Work and Further Education Coordinator, supported many VM and VCE students and parents when considering possible pathways. Mr Connor remains available for the rest of the school year (and into the next school year) if any student or parent would like some support or information regarding pathways, courses or employment. He can be contacted by phoning our Office (03 5251 1136) or emailing (connorb@ignatius.vic.edu.au)

Best wishes for the next fortnight,

Michael Exton | Principal

Glowrey House Update

Once again it has been such a positive year for all of the senior students in Glowrey House.

Year 12’s at the time of reading this article would have completed their VCAA exams and we could not be prouder of them in how hard they have worked but also the example they have set to our Year 10 and Year 11 students. We miss them already and wish them well for their future journey.

So then the excitement bubbles over to the current Glowrey year 11’s - currently in exams but ordering and trying on the new Year 12 jackets is almost like the passing of the baton.

Our 2024 leaders were outstanding so thanks must go to Ghe Ghe, Christian, Jack and Riley and I look forward to working with and congratulate of 2025 house captains as per below:

Glowrey house captains

Jacob Irwin

Lucy Keen

Glowrey House vice captains

Stella Sottile

Addison Lewis.

Our Year 10’s are now entering a revision period and preparing themselves to do their best with their end of year exams.

Highlights this year included our feast day performance, second in the house supremacy shield ( first next year!) and some amazing fundraising for Catholic Care.

Wishing all Glowrey students and families a positive finish to the 2024 school year and a relaxing and safe holiday break. The beauty of the house system is the connections made from one year continue onto the next so I look forward to again working with such great and supportive families and students in 2025. Go blue!

Mr. Brendan O’Brien | Head of Glowrey House

ILC Update

ILC Lunchtime Activities

The ILC has continued to provide scheduled lunchtime activities each day of the week, throughout Term 4. Like-minded students have gathered in the ILC and participated in the various activities offered.

Monday’s activities included building creations with Lego and competing in Chess games.

Tuesdays have seen the book-lovers unite for The Book Nook to chat all things book related.

Wednesdays provide a time for mindful activities including colouring-in, creating origami creations and bracelet-making.

Thursdays we stepped out of reality on a ride through virtual-reality with VR and Gaming.

Fridays we invited all to the Reset and Relax room, for creative and mindful activities including stone-stacking, puzzles, decorating gratitude rocks and craft activities. It’s a safe space to unwind and take in the lavender -scented ambience.

Holiday Borrowing

Don’t forget to come to the ILC before the end of term and do some holiday borrowing.

Books borrowed from today onwards will be due back in February 2025.

We have many new books available to borrow, as well as the option to borrow Wheelers e-books and Audiobooks, available through the ILC Canvas dashboard or the link below.

https://saintignatiusgeelong.eplatform.co/

Rachel Snowden | ILC Manager

Sport's Captain Update

Sports Captain Report

2024 has been an exceptional year for sport at Saint Ignatius College Geelong, marked by numerous team and individual achievements.

In September, our 1st XVIII Senior Boys AFL team made history as GISSA Champions and Division 2 Herald Sun Shield Champions. Some of the players were even lucky enough to be invited to the 2024 Brownlow.

The younger teams followed suit, with the Year 7/8 Boys and Year 9/10 Boys also becoming GISSA AFL Champions, with the latter team reaching the Herald Sun Shield Finals.

We also congratulate the efforts of the Senior Girls Soccer team, who showcased remarkable skill by winning 3 out of 4 matches at the GISSA Championships held at Kardinia International College.

The GISSA Junior Gaelic Football team were also lucky enough to cap off the year with a championship win.

Closer to home, we have kept the House spirit alive throughout the year with a range of sporting competitions between the four Houses. Most recently, the MacKillop House senior girls team were victors against Glowrey House with a goal in the final 10 seconds of the game!

A heartfelt thank you to the coaches, staff, and volunteers for their tireless efforts. Your support has been instrumental in these successes. Congratulations to all our athletes—you have made 2024 an unforgettable year for Saint Ignatius College Geelong sports!

Bel Gee
2024 Sports Captain

Christmas Hamper Appeal

Donations of non-perishable food and everyday essentials will help make Christmas brighter for families in need within our local community. Contributing to charity also offers us a meaningful way to live out the values of compassion and generosity.

https://youtu.be/UHHZBrmtVUQ

Year 7 - Breakfast items

EG; cereals, coffee/tea/Milo, Pop Tarts, jams, Vegemite

Year 8 - Juices, long life drinks and treats

EG: juice boxes/soft drink, long life milk, custard, Zooper Doopers

Year 9 - Chips, lollies and chocolates

EG: potato chip bags, party mix lollies, chocolate blocks, cake mix, ice cream toppings

SENIORS

Glowery - Christmas specialties

EG: Candy canes, bonbons, tinsel, Christmas decor items, napkins, etc

Xavier- Savory Christmas items

EG: mince pies, savoury biscuits, sauces (apple, cranberry, mustard), jars of olives or pickled vegetables