Dear Saint Ignatius College Geelong community members,

Performing Arts success

On 13 August, our Senior Choir competed in the annual Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod Choral Competition at Federation University, Ballarat.

I am delighted to report that our choir was awarded first place in the Secondary Section of this prestigious competition.

This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the talent, dedication and commitment of our students and the staff who support them. We congratulate every member of the Senior Choir on this outstanding success.

2027 Student Leadership

The process of appointing our 2027 Student Leaders is now well underway.

Leadership at Saint Ignatius College is grounded in service, integrity and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The leadership process provides an important opportunity for students to reflect on these qualities and consider how they can contribute to the life and culture of the College.

I attended the Years 9 - 11 Assembly on Tuesday, where the candidates for College Captain delivered speeches outlining why they would like to take on this important role. I was very impressed by the quality, confidence and enthusiasm demonstrated by our Year 11 candidates.

Each spoke with genuine pride in the College, a desire to serve their fellow students and a commitment to making a positive contribution to our community.

I congratulate all of the candidates on their efforts and wish them well as the appointment process continues. I will communicate the outcome once the process has been completed.

School Community Surveys – your feedback matters

At this time each year, MACS, in partnership with ORIMA Research, conducts surveys of students, staff, and parents to gather valuable feedback about our school and our progress against our School Improvement Plan.

Parents have received an email containing a link to complete the survey online. The survey provides an important opportunity to offer confidential feedback on how you believe the College is performing across a range of areas.

Your feedback matters. The information gathered will help us evaluate our progress, identify areas for improvement and inform our ongoing school improvement priorities. I strongly encourage all parents and carers to take the time to complete the survey. The more responses we receive, the more reliable and representative the feedback will be.

The survey closes on Friday, 18 September, the final day of Term Three.

Students in Years 7–12 will complete the student survey during Mentor time on Tuesday, 8 September, while staff will complete theirs at the designated staff meeting on Wednesday, 2 September.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your feedback and help us continue to improve our College.

Supporting our staff while planning for the future

Like all Catholic schools, we are currently undertaking our planning and budgeting for 2027. This work is important to ensure we are well positioned to support our staff, students and families in the year ahead.

As part of this process, we are considering the implications of the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) for Catholic school staff, including the associated impact on staffing and operational costs.

We also recognise the significant financial pressures many households are currently experiencing. This will be an important consideration as we work through the setting of 2027 school fees.

We will continue to keep our parent and carer community informed as this work progresses and greater clarity emerges.

As always, our focus remains on maintaining a strong and vibrant College community while continuing to provide a high-quality Catholic education for every student.

Important dates on the College calendar

A reminder of some important dates and events coming up:

Tuesday, 1 September – Student Free Day
There will be no classes for students as staff participate in a professional learning and in-service day.

Thursday, 3 September – Parent, Student & Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be conducted via Zoom.

Thursday, 10 September – Parent, Student & Teacher Conferences
A further opportunity is available for students in Years 7–11 and VCE VM.

• Time: 4.00 pm–7.00 pm

• Format: Zoom

• Each interview is allocated 10 minutes, with discussions concluding at the eight-minute mark to allow time to prepare for the following interview.

• Parents and carers will receive information from Ms Robyn Jackson, Deputy Principal (Teaching & Learning), explaining how to book interviews.

Friday, 18 September – Final day of Term Three
Classes conclude at 2.20 pm, with buses departing shortly afterwards.

Monday, 5 October – Term Four begins
Students return for the first day of classes for Term Four.

Best wishes for the next fortnight. I thank our students, staff and families for your continued support of the College and wish everyone a positive and productive remainder of Term Three.

Michael Exton | Principal

Written by SRC President, Sarah M

We are writing as the Year 12 representatives of the SRC (Student Representative Council) on behalf of our cohort. Over the past few terms the SRC have been very busy discussing matters relating to the students at the college, ranging from casual clothes days and Ignatius Day activities to new additions in the Year twelve common area.

Every term the SRC hosts a casual clothes day with the support of a gold coin donation from each student to raise money for those in need. This term, our casual clothes day took place on the 27th of August, raising money for The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre, tying in to our College motto ‘To Love and To Serve’ which encourages the school community to lead through service.

(Find out more about SAFV’s services here: https://www.safvcentre.org.au/contact/geelong/)

Last Term, the College hosted our annual ‘Ignatius Day’ to celebrate the Feast Day of our patron saint, Saint Ignatius of Loyola. On this day of fun activities, the SRC were in charge of the Dunk Tank where students were permitted to throw balls at a target that would release teachers into a pool of water. This was all in good fun and we are grateful for the teachers who volunteered to take part in this activity.

Approaching quickly is our VCE Lecture Series, a group of sessions designed to prepare Unit 3 & 4 VCE students with the resources they need for their upcoming exams. This will be taking place in the first week of the school holidays between the 21st to the 24th of September and it is expected that students attend for their subjects. This program will also act as great revision for the practice exams in the following week. For more information on these lectures please visit the College website or social media pages. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSef3jKkFR9ndQS6_KQ3FafNRwjbQh_HJogLeKmcSsxmQfynCg/viewform

In our next SRC meeting we are hoping to discuss the implementation of more microwaves in the Year twelve common area. Students have shared that it would be beneficial to have extra microwaves to heat their lunches as the kitchenette is often very crowded with all the year twelves. This is something that we as the SRC are able to advocate for and cooperate with community groups such as the PFA (Parents and Friends Association) as a means to better the experience and wellbeing of the students at the College.

The SRC are always open for students to share their concerns and contribute to improving the College for the students to come. We are here to help the students and listen to what they have to say.

Thank you.

Sarah M and Molly W (Year Twelve SRC Representatives)

Have your say – Melbourne Catholic Archdiocese Synod 2026

Our school community is invited to contribute to the Melbourne Synod 2026, an important process of listening and discernment that will help shape the future evangelical and missionary priorities of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The Synod invites people across Melbourne to reflect on three themes – Young Discipleship, Missionary Leadership, and Formation and Participation – and share their experiences, ideas and hopes for the future of our Church.

As a Catholic school community, this is an opportunity for our students, families, staff and broader community to have a voice in this important conversation.

You can participate individually by reading one or more of the Synod theme papers and responding to the reflection questions through the relevant online form. Our school may also provide opportunities for community members to participate in a facilitated discussion and contribute to a collective response.

We particularly encourage young people and families to share their voices and perspectives as the Archdiocese considers how to strengthen faith, belonging, participation and missionary discipleship for the future.

Feedback for this stage of consultation closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday 5 September 2026.

For more information:
Melbourne Synod 2026

Provide feedback on the three themes:

Young Discipleship

Missionary Leadership

Formation and Participation

What a huge term it has been for Glowrey House!

There have been so many moments to celebrate, but undoubtedly one of the highlights was winning Casa del Talento for the third consecutive year. While the result was exciting, what made me most proud was seeing our House spirit on full display. From the students who performed and participated, to those who cheered from the audience, Glowrey came together as one House and supported one another.

A huge thank you to every student who was involved, as well as the additional staff members who gave their time and energy to help us bring everything together. These events simply would not happen without people being willing to step in, get involved and support our young people.

I would also like to thank our Glowrey parents/carers and families. Your support in working alongside us and ensuring your young people were at school on the day, participating and making the most of these opportunities is greatly appreciated. House spirit is built through participation, and we could not do it without your support.

Our Glowrey Word of the Week is “Upstander”, linking closely with Bullying No Way Week. I have challenged our Glowrey students to think about what it means to be someone who does not simply stand by, but instead chooses to act with courage, kindness and compassion. I have encouraged our young people to go out of their way to include others, notice when someone may need support and be the person who helps create a community where everyone feels valued and accepted.

As we move towards the end of the year, we are also preparing to say goodbye to our Year 12 Glowrey students. This is always a bittersweet time. They have contributed so much to our House community, and while we are excited to see where life takes them next, we will miss them.

I would particularly like to publicly acknowledge our Year 12 Glowrey House Captains, Ava G and Mitchell P. Their hard work, dedication and commitment across every major House event this year has been incredible. They have consistently been willing to step up, get involved and do whatever has been needed to support Glowrey. I am incredibly grateful for everything they have contributed to our House and for the leadership they have shown throughout the year.

Have a fantastic end of the term.

With Gratitude.

Alithea Anderton
Head of House - Glowrey.

Celebrating Book Week in the ILC: Symphony of Stories

Our college community has officially tuned in to celebrate CBCA Book Week, joining schools and libraries across Australia to honour the power of literature! Grounded in this year’s theme, Symphony of Stories, our events have been highlighting how diverse voices, narratives, and perspectives harmonise to enrich our shared culture.

The Library has been buzzing with energy since Monday, and the festivities are continuing throughout the rest of the week with daily events, friendly competitions, and great prizes still up for grabs!

Activities & Competitions: What’s Been Happening

Students have been diving into our daily challenges, with entry sheets available in the Library:

• Match the Song to the Staff Member: Students have been putting their detective skills to the test, trying to match teachers with their secret favourite tracks on our Library display wall.

• Library Scavenger Hunt: Sharp-eyed readers have been tracking clues hidden throughout the library, collecting words to reveal the hidden book week sentence.

• Colouring-in Competition: The Library wall is filling up with incredible artwork! Students are taking the time to colour Symphony of Stories illustration sheets to showcase their artistic flair and compete for a gift card voucher.

• Guess the Items in the Jar: Guesses have been pouring in all week! Stop by the ILC to submit your estimate for the number of book pages in the jar.

Celebrating the CBCA Winners & Shortlist

Book Week is also our opportunity to showcase the finest new Australian youth literature. Following the recent announcement of the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award winners, our library displays have been spotlighting all these outstanding titles.

The 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award winners across all categories:

• Book of the Year: Older Readers

  • Winner: Darkest Night, Brightest Star by Barry Jonsberg

• Book of the Year: Younger Readers

  • Winner: Inked by Karen Wasson, illustrated by Jake A. Minton

• Book of the Year: Early Childhood

  • Winner: The Emperor's Egg by Rae Tan

• Picture Book of the Year

  • Winner: Once I Was a Giant by Zeno Sworder

• Eve Pownall Award (Information Books)

  • Winner: Peculiar Parents by Stephanie Owen Reeder, illustrated by Ingrid Bartkowiak

• Award for New Illustrator

  • Winner: Eleri Harris for A Loo of One's Own

All shortlisted and winning titles are currently available to reserve this week on our featured book week display shelf, they will be available to borrow from next week. Be sure to drop by the Library during recess or lunch for the remainder of the week to join an activity, reserve a winning book, and help us continue celebrating the Symphony of Stories!

Debating Report

The Evatt Competition

Three teams of two students from Years 10-12 set out to Kardinia College to represent us in the Evatt Competition. The Evatt Competition is where debating meets diplomacy, negotiation and strategy, immersing young people into the world of peace and security on the ‘international’ stage.

The students, representing the Kingdom of Bahrain, Hellenic Republic and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, engaged in a battle of wits and diplomacy against five other teams, representing Somalia, Denmark, Panama, France and Colombia. Our teams worked together to debate a UN Security Council Resolution both on the chamber floor and out in the negotiation room. There was a first resolution, for which they had a week to prepare, and another resolution proposed on the day where they had to participate in an impromptu debate.

Our students are eagerly anticipating their results to see if they can make it through to the next round in Melbourne, in which the top 30-45 teams across the state convene in the regional finals. If again successful, the top 15 teams compete for the State finals, and there will be a National Final in late November/early December for the winners of each state.

It was a great opportunity for our students to flex their diplomacy skills and collaborate with like-minded peers across the Geelong region.

Debating

We have commenced our Year 7 debating program with meetings and practices happening for our awesome debaters. We have debating upcoming at Clonard College on the 2nd of September, 16th of September, 14th of October and the 28th of October. This will be our first chance for our debaters to engage with students from other schools competitively.

If you are keen to get involved please see Mr Beer or Mr Vercoe

TEDX

We have our upcoming TEDX event on the 7th of September. It is going to be a great celebration of the work our students are passionate about and gives them a chance to be visible on TEDs Youtube channel. We look forward to seeing you there.

PFA RAFFLE | Lets go!

Get behind the 'PFA $1000 Fuel Card Raffle,' and get behind our College Community!

Tickets are only $5, with all money raised going towards student resources at the College. Purchase your tickets here --> https://events.humanitix.com/2026-pfa-usd1000.../tickets

The 2026 PFA Fuel Card Raffle is drawn on September the 13th, with the winner notified by phone, and collection of the fuel card being at the school.

Thanks for your support of our College, and best of luck with your tickets!