Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Parents & Carers,
Welcome back
Welcome to the new school term. I hope that the holiday period provided students ample time for rest, recreation, revision of term one and planning for term two, and that Easter was a time of joy with family and loved ones. Easter is a most significant time to contemplate and reflect on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which are at the core of our Christian faith.
After the high point of Easter celebrations early in the holidays, we finished them with the dreadful news of the stabbing attacks in Sydney. We hold in our hearts and prayers all those who have been affected by the tragic events that took place at a shopping centre in Bondi Junction over the weekend. In addition, there have been media reports of a number of other very concerning and distressing incidents in recent times.
Considering the potential distress or worry that media coverage can cause for children, I want to highlight the resources and supports that we have available for students who may be unsettled by recent events. It is crucial to reassure our students that they are safe in their schools and communities.
For guidance on helping children cope with the impact of disaster-related news coverage, visit the Trauma and Grief Network website.
Please contact our Student Wellbeing Office (E: wellbeing@ignatius.vic.edu.au or P: 03 5251 1136) for guidance around support and resources that may be of assistance if required.
The new term
Saint Ignatius College offers a variety of extracurricular activities to complement the academic program and help students become well-rounded individuals. These activities provide opportunities for the students to find their niche and develop their talents. The College encourages students to explore different areas of interest, whether it be social justice, music, sports, or academics, and to strive for excellence. The goal is to help each student reach their full potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
This will, without a doubt, be another busy term for us all. Apart from the usual teaching and learning activities, there will be many other opportunities for student learning. Tomorrow (Friday, 19th April), we will hold our annual Athletics Carnival at Landy Field Geelong. Next week, our College ANZAC Centenary Commemoration Service will be held on Thursday, and the winter sports season is underway for our Senior and Yrs 9 & 10 boys football teams.
As you are aware, April 25 is the ANZAC Day public holiday, and the College will be closed. I commend our students who will attend their local ANZAC Day ceremony. We have a number of our students involved in laying wreaths on behalf of our College at ceremonies across the Greater Geelong region.
Term 2 is a crucial academic term for students, as it is the time to make significant progress in their studies. To help structure their term program and keep on track, every student should use their Student Planner tool. Organisational skills are essential to develop in students, and the planner can help develop this skill. I encourage parents to monitor their student's use of the planner.
It was pleasing to see so many parents taking advantage of the opportunity to meet online with teachers at the Parent / Student / Teacher conferences held at the end of last term to discuss their son's or daughter's academic progress.
If parents have any concerns about their child's progress, they should contact the specific teacher first. In case of general concerns, they can reach out to the Mentor Teacher. It's essential to have continuous communication between the home and the College. To ensure this, we use 'Xuno', which is our online Student Management System. This flow of information is vital to the success of each individual. You can access 'Xuno' through the parent portal.
Classes commence in the new MacKillop Centre
We are thrilled to announce that classes commenced in our new Senior Centre on Tuesday. This facility is worth $25.5 million and is a state-of-the-art establishment that has been designed specifically to provide our senior students and staff with a modern and inspiring learning environment. It is an essential aspect of our building program, which is aligned with the College's Masterplan and School Improvement Plan (SIP) to ensure that we offer the highest quality education to our students. We are grateful for the grant of $1 million from the State Government towards the funding of this project.
The Masterplan identifies three significant precincts according to the age and stage of our students:
Years 7 & 8 (Xavier Centre);
Year 9; and
Years 10, 11 & 12 (MacKillop Centre.)
Our overarching SIP statement is:
“Building community to become better learners – belonging, connection and learning.”
Our new senior student learning centre is not just a building but a cornerstone in shaping our students' educational journeys during their final years of secondary school. It fosters holistic development, academic excellence, creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community among students and staff. It's a place that prepares our students for the exciting post-school options that await them. This is our goal, and the Senior Centre will help us achieve it.
It is now up to our students to make the most of their new learning environment. I expect them to show their gratitude by the way they apply themselves to their learning, the positive way they interact with each other and staff and by the way they look after the building. This will be crucial if we are to meet our shared goal for this new centre.
The official Opening & Blessing Ceremonies will be conducted later this term. In the meantime, I would like to provide parents (and former parents) the opportunity to view the building. An invitation to attend an after-school tour will be sent via email soon.
Encouraging Respectful Interaction with Office Staff
As we strive to foster a positive and supportive environment here at Saint Ignatius, I wanted to address the importance of respectful interaction with our office staff. Our reception team plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the school and supporting both students and parents alike.
First and foremost, it's essential to remember that our office staff are dedicated professionals committed to serving our school community's needs. They work tirelessly to provide assistance, answer questions, and handle various administrative tasks. Therefore, treating them with kindness, patience, and respect is paramount.
It is rare that we encounter unacceptable behaviour from people interacting with our staff. Our experience has been that the vast majority of people visiting our reception area communicate clearly and courteously. Whether they're dropping off paperwork, seeking information, or addressing concerns, taking a moment to express gratitude and understanding goes a long way. A simple "thank you" or a smile can significantly brighten someone's day. Conversely, rude, demanding and disrespectful behaviour can impact negatively and undermine our positive and friendly atmosphere.
Furthermore, most people are mindful of the office staff's workload and responsibilities. While they strive to assist everyone in a timely manner, there may be instances where they require additional time to address your needs. Patience and understanding during these moments are greatly appreciated and contribute to a more positive and productive atmosphere for all.
In addition to respecting their time and efforts, it's important to recognize the expertise and professionalism of our office staff. They possess valuable knowledge and experience that can be incredibly beneficial to you as parents. Therefore, I encourage you to approach interactions with an open mind and willingness to listen and learn from their insights, which they have gained through years of dedicated service to our school community. In many cases, your concern may be better addressed by a teacher, manager, or leader, particularly when it comes to student wellbeing and discipline matters. In these cases, our reception staff would refer you to the appropriate person for further assistance.
In closing, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your cooperation and understanding in fostering a culture of respect within our school community. By treating our office staff with kindness, patience, and appreciation, we not only create a more pleasant environment for everyone but also set a positive example for our students. Your role in this is crucial, and I thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support for ensuring we have respectful and cordial interactions with our reception staff. You can access our Parent Code of Conduct via the Parent Portal on the College’s website. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Best wishes for Term Two,
Michael Exton | Principal
As we return to school this week, we extend our warmest welcome back to all our students and families and hope that you had a wonderful Easter holiday filled with joy and relaxation.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for your positive support of the new mobile phone policy at Saint Ignatius College. Your encouragement and cooperation in fostering an environment focused on learning and engagement have been invaluable in helping our students thrive academically and socially. A reminder that if your young person has had their phone confiscated, parents/carers will simply receive an SMS indicating that they are required to collect the mobile phone from the College, the office is open until 5.00pm daily.
Maintaining high uniform standards is fundamental to creating a sense of unity and pride within our school community. We kindly remind you of the importance of ensuring your child adheres to our uniform guidelines, as it plays a significant role in shaping their overall school experience. Although there is a two week changeover period from summer to winter uniform, at the commencement of week 3 we expect all our students in the full winter uniform. Some of these requirements are; blazers are to be worn to and from school as the outer garment, school tie worn and long sleeve shirt tucked in.
Regular attendance is essential for academic success and personal growth. We encourage you to emphasise the importance of punctuality and attendance with your child, as every day at school contributes to their future achievements. If your son or daughter is absent from the College, please ensure the office is contacted via email: office@ignatius.vic.edu.au or phone 52511136 ideally prior to 9.15am.
The new MacKillop Centre is now fully functional and operational, which is very exciting for our senior students. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to enhance the learning experience and provide our students with modern resources to support their academic journey. We are thrilled about the opportunities this new space will offer for academic excellence and personal growth and look forward to utilising this amazing new building.
As we embark on Term 2 together, let us strive for an outstanding term filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences for our students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in nurturing our school community.
Warm regards,
Michael Timms | Deputy Principal - Students
Just a brief update about the goings on in Glowrey House as we move into the busy Term Two of the school year. The Year 12’s received and are proudly wearing their new Year 12 jackets this week easily identifiable in the Glowrey House blue! These are the same Year 12’s of which I was lucky enough to spend time with on the recent Year 12 retreat at Don Bosco camp Dromana where their positive engagement in all activities was a highlight. Hopefully your child came home with happy recollections even if a little tired!
We are doing well in the House points competition and had strong participation in chess, trivia, pickleball and dodgeball. Thanks must go to Riley, Ghe Ghe, Jack and Christian who put in a lot of hard work organising the House Trivia competition for all students. Well done for your great leadership.
Our efforts in the Swimming carnival were first class and we look forward to strong contributions in the upcoming athletics and cross country events.
Please note our House mass and patron Saint day will be celebrated on May 14th this year here at the College.
We contributed well to the Caritas fundraisers and I would also encourage strong contributions for the upcoming coat drive where we can also gain house points.
Each mentor group has now elected their Ignatian leaders for 2024 and they will be presented with their badges at our assembly next week. Congratulations to the following students for taking on the leadership role:
Hatswell – Jaymi Woodfine and Drew Magtaka
Slocombe – Thomas Allchin and Maisie Cruickshank
Tolan – Cameron Lewis and Aviva Luna Phieler
Clark – Riley Aquilina and Aspen Morris.
Montgomery – Balin Speight and Isabella Sbrissa
Anderson – Poppy Lydom and Eliza Gay
Le Lievre – Lucy Mawson and Tom Gillson
Once again it is great working with all of the Glowrey senior students this year and to have the opportunity to observe them doing great things individually and collectively and most importantly making a difference to our school very much in the spirit of Mary Glowrey.
Brendan O’Brien | Head of Glowrey House
Saint Ignatius College reminds families to ensure they have completed an online enrolment form for any siblings wishing to enrol for Year 7, 2025.
Enrolment forms are due by Friday May 3rd.
Enrol to learn. Graduate to lead.
Year 7 students and their mums/mother figures are invited to our annual Time & Space Evening at the College. The evening will start with a tour and nibbles of our new MacKillop Senior Centre, followed by our Time & Space Program. Register your attendance via this link (link in bio) --> http://bit.ly/SICG724
This evening is always a highlight on the College calendar, and we hope that Year 7 students and their mums/mother figures are able to attend and enjoy the evening.
The Unit ¾ Theatre Studies class are in the final stages of their production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ which will be performed on the 16th and 17th of May at the Potato Shed. Tickets are currently available via https://www.trybooking.com/CQMVI.
Little Shop of Horrors is a horror comedy rock musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics and a book by Howard Ashman. The story follows a hapless florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh, a performance you won’t want to miss!
Over the Easter Holy Week Celebrations students Oliver Watson, Liana Whatman, Sienna Davidson, Angus Maclean and Zach Jackson performed at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Ocean Grove with their incredible vocals.
The VCE Music Soiree is being held on the 23rd of May at the Piano Bar, with a diverse program from a mixture of instruments and students the night will be extraordinary and a fun time. The concert will have jazz, rock, musical theatre and much more all performed by the year 11 and 12 music classes.
Any students interested in the upcoming Feast Day Talent Quest should begin their planning as more information will be sent out very soon!
Saint Ignatius College is delighted to welcome our College Community to our Men's Health Week Community Evening on Wednesday June 12th, as we host 2 time Olympian, Kieren Perkins OAM OLY.
The evening will commence with light refreshments from 6pm, with the main address starting at 6.30pm.Whilst this companion evening is free to attend, guests are encouraged to register their attendance via this link (link in bio) https://www.trybooking.com/CQZDR
We look forward to welcoming our community to this exciting, engaging, and informative evening.
We need you! The planning for the 2024 SICG Careers Panel & Expo is well underway, and we are seeking the support of our Old Ignatians for our panel. Old Ignatians (Alumni) are invited to a student led tour, dinner with current staff, before inspiring our Years 10-12 students with their respective journeys beyond the College.
This evening is being held on Monday May 27th, 2024.
Alumni can register their information for this exciting evening via this link --> (link in bio) https://forms.gle/PgMF79iMQqXyTUZY7
We look forward to another wonderful night with our Alumni.
Saint Ignatius College Alumni.Connect. Assist. Belong.
St Bernard’s Church Annual BOOK FAIR - Sun 5th May
Clairvaux School Hall, Reynolds Rd. Belmont : 8am to 2pm
Come along & browse through a huge selection of quality pre-loved books - fiction, non-fiction & children’s - all at bargain prices.
Jigsaw puzzles, board games, DVDs & CDs & Scrumptious Scone Stall. Something for everyone.