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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Mr. Michael Exton | Principal
College Feast Day
Our school community celebrated the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola on Thursday, July 27th. While the actual day falls on July 31st every year, we decided to schedule our celebration earlier due to calendar considerations. It was a special day for our community.
Thank you to Deputy Principal, Mr Paul Lewis for coordinating the day. Well done to the students for the way they enthusiastically participated. And thank you to the staff for all they did to make this day a special one.
The day commenced with a full school assembly. It was great to see that a number of parents were present. Fr. Gerry Healy SJ (School Advisory Council member), together with our Student Ministry Captain, Madison Duncan, led the liturgy to commence the day.
Other items at the assembly included the following. A number of our students provided some very entertaining musical items. The College Captains, Matilda Steptoe and Ross de Lange, delivered very impressive Feast Day addresses. Alannah Clark (Justice Captain) and Curtis McCoughtry (Academic Captain) shared stories and insights about their recent JACSA Student Leader East Timor Immersion trip. And Loyola Awards were presented to two outstanding senior students:
Platinum - Erika Slevin (Justice Captain); and
Gold – Amy Thompson (Vice Captain).
As has become our tradition on Feast Day, we acknowledged long-serving staff members. The staff attended a special afternoon tea on the previous afternoon to celebrate our colleagues’ milestones of service to the college community. Congratulations to the following staff:
Ms Kirsty Allan - 10 years of service.
Mr Johnny Clatworthy - 10 years of service.
Mr Caleb Ryan - 10 years of service.
Ms Kristin Williamson - 10 years of service.
Ms Colleen Boland - 15 years of service.
Ms Donna Quigley - 20 years of service.
Mrs Linda Pape - 35 years of service.
After the assembly, the students were involved in a variety of enjoyable activities followed by a talent quest. Money raised on the day will go to the Jesuit Mission East Timor initiative.
Well done to the senior student organising committee for the Feast Day activities.
Concern about vaping
This term, there has been an increase in the number of students caught vaping, and I am concerned about the number of reports by students about other students vaping in toilets and consequently limiting access to these facilities. As a College community, we all need to be in alignment with the expectation that our students do not smoke or vape. Parents, Carers, Schools, and the community all play an important role in protecting young people from and educating them about the harmful effects of smoking and vaping. Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows that many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.
Vapes are used to smoke, and they are sometimes called e-cigarettes. They can come with or without nicotine. It is against the law to have a vape that has nicotine without a prescription in Victoria. In Victoria, it is illegal to buy (or have) a vape with nicotine without a prescription from a doctor. People who are 18 or over can buy vapes that don’t contain nicotine.
It is illegal for someone to sell any kind of e-cigarette (it doesn’t matter if it contains nicotine or not) to someone under 18 years of age. It is also illegal for someone else to buy a vape for someone under 18 years of age.
Vaping is banned on all school grounds in Victoria. This includes in school buildings, gardens, sports fields, car parks and within 4 metres of any pedestrian entrance to school premises. Vaping is also not allowed during school events, and excursions held off school premises.
At Saint Ignatius, we also have our own rules about vaping at school. We updated our Drug, Alcohol & Smoking Policy and Procedures earlier in the year to cover Vaping. Deputy Principal, Mr Michael Timms wrote about this in the March 16 Newsletter.
The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help the community learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents
Parents and Carers can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.
In addition to having clear expectations and providing education about the harmful effects of vaping, in response to the increased incidence of vaping, we will increase surveillance of areas where students have been known to vape and increase the discipline level for damaging or gathering in the toilets:
Any students found gathering in the toilets in groups of three or more or found in a cubicle with another student, or if in Years 9 -12 found in the Xavier Centre toilets, will receive an after-school detention.
And any student found vandalising or graffitiing any part of the toilets will be suspended, required to pay for damages, and a parent meeting arranged.
Deputy Principal (Students), Mr Michael Timms, has emailed all students about this. I ask all Parents and Carers to discuss this matter with their daughter or son. Hopefully, we will see an improvement in the number of incidents of vaping, damage, and inappropriate congregating in toilets.
Vale Fr Des Panton
Our local Parish Priest, Fr Ray Bugeja posted the following message on the Parish Facebook page on Wednesday. “It is with sadness that I share with you all the passing of Parish Priest Emeritus Fr Des Panton earlier today. Fr Des served as Parish Priest here in St Thomas Parish from 1980 to 2012, and we recently celebrated his 60th Diamond Anniversary of Ordination in July 2022.”
Fr. Des strongly supported Saint Ignatius College Geelong. We are very grateful for the work he did as President of the Canonical Administrators and Board Chairman. Over the years, he expressed his pride in the growth and development of the College, and at assemblies, he encouraged the students to “carpe diem” (seize the day), “see the significance in others” (Anthony Padovano), “Amare et Servire” (to love and to serve), know that God loves you - “I have carved you on the palm of my hand,” Isaiah 49:15, and make the most of the variety of opportunities available at the College. Fr Des was very proud of the work he did as President to enable the College to become a Jesuit Companion School. As President, he liaised between the Canonical Administrators and the Australian Jesuit Province and Xavier College to set up the Memorandum of Understanding so our College could adopt the Ignatian charism and become Saint Ignatius College Geelong. And as a very practical support, in 2021, Fr Des generously established a scholarship fund to assist families who find it difficult to pay fees at the College. Fr Des prayed for our College community each day following his retirement. Thank you Fr Des.
Eternal rest grant unto Fr Des, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Feature
Events
Our News // 15 August 2024
Article by Mr. Michael Exton | Principal
College Feast Day
Our school community celebrated the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola on Thursday, July 27th. While the actual day falls on July 31st every year, we decided to schedule our celebration earlier due to calendar considerations. It was a special day for our community.
Thank you to Deputy Principal, Mr Paul Lewis for coordinating the day. Well done to the students for the way they enthusiastically participated. And thank you to the staff for all they did to make this day a special one.
The day commenced with a full school assembly. It was great to see that a number of parents were present. Fr. Gerry Healy SJ (School Advisory Council member), together with our Student Ministry Captain, Madison Duncan, led the liturgy to commence the day.
Other items at the assembly included the following. A number of our students provided some very entertaining musical items. The College Captains, Matilda Steptoe and Ross de Lange, delivered very impressive Feast Day addresses. Alannah Clark (Justice Captain) and Curtis McCoughtry (Academic Captain) shared stories and insights about their recent JACSA Student Leader East Timor Immersion trip. And Loyola Awards were presented to two outstanding senior students:
Platinum - Erika Slevin (Justice Captain); and
Gold – Amy Thompson (Vice Captain).
As has become our tradition on Feast Day, we acknowledged long-serving staff members. The staff attended a special afternoon tea on the previous afternoon to celebrate our colleagues’ milestones of service to the college community. Congratulations to the following staff:
Ms Kirsty Allan - 10 years of service.
Mr Johnny Clatworthy - 10 years of service.
Mr Caleb Ryan - 10 years of service.
Ms Kristin Williamson - 10 years of service.
Ms Colleen Boland - 15 years of service.
Ms Donna Quigley - 20 years of service.
Mrs Linda Pape - 35 years of service.
After the assembly, the students were involved in a variety of enjoyable activities followed by a talent quest. Money raised on the day will go to the Jesuit Mission East Timor initiative.
Well done to the senior student organising committee for the Feast Day activities.
Concern about vaping
This term, there has been an increase in the number of students caught vaping, and I am concerned about the number of reports by students about other students vaping in toilets and consequently limiting access to these facilities. As a College community, we all need to be in alignment with the expectation that our students do not smoke or vape. Parents, Carers, Schools, and the community all play an important role in protecting young people from and educating them about the harmful effects of smoking and vaping. Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows that many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.
Vapes are used to smoke, and they are sometimes called e-cigarettes. They can come with or without nicotine. It is against the law to have a vape that has nicotine without a prescription in Victoria. In Victoria, it is illegal to buy (or have) a vape with nicotine without a prescription from a doctor. People who are 18 or over can buy vapes that don’t contain nicotine.
It is illegal for someone to sell any kind of e-cigarette (it doesn’t matter if it contains nicotine or not) to someone under 18 years of age. It is also illegal for someone else to buy a vape for someone under 18 years of age.
Vaping is banned on all school grounds in Victoria. This includes in school buildings, gardens, sports fields, car parks and within 4 metres of any pedestrian entrance to school premises. Vaping is also not allowed during school events, and excursions held off school premises.
At Saint Ignatius, we also have our own rules about vaping at school. We updated our Drug, Alcohol & Smoking Policy and Procedures earlier in the year to cover Vaping. Deputy Principal, Mr Michael Timms wrote about this in the March 16 Newsletter.
The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help the community learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents
Parents and Carers can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.
In addition to having clear expectations and providing education about the harmful effects of vaping, in response to the increased incidence of vaping, we will increase surveillance of areas where students have been known to vape and increase the discipline level for damaging or gathering in the toilets:
Any students found gathering in the toilets in groups of three or more or found in a cubicle with another student, or if in Years 9 -12 found in the Xavier Centre toilets, will receive an after-school detention.
And any student found vandalising or graffitiing any part of the toilets will be suspended, required to pay for damages, and a parent meeting arranged.
Deputy Principal (Students), Mr Michael Timms, has emailed all students about this. I ask all Parents and Carers to discuss this matter with their daughter or son. Hopefully, we will see an improvement in the number of incidents of vaping, damage, and inappropriate congregating in toilets.
Vale Fr Des Panton
Our local Parish Priest, Fr Ray Bugeja posted the following message on the Parish Facebook page on Wednesday. “It is with sadness that I share with you all the passing of Parish Priest Emeritus Fr Des Panton earlier today. Fr Des served as Parish Priest here in St Thomas Parish from 1980 to 2012, and we recently celebrated his 60th Diamond Anniversary of Ordination in July 2022.”
Fr. Des strongly supported Saint Ignatius College Geelong. We are very grateful for the work he did as President of the Canonical Administrators and Board Chairman. Over the years, he expressed his pride in the growth and development of the College, and at assemblies, he encouraged the students to “carpe diem” (seize the day), “see the significance in others” (Anthony Padovano), “Amare et Servire” (to love and to serve), know that God loves you - “I have carved you on the palm of my hand,” Isaiah 49:15, and make the most of the variety of opportunities available at the College. Fr Des was very proud of the work he did as President to enable the College to become a Jesuit Companion School. As President, he liaised between the Canonical Administrators and the Australian Jesuit Province and Xavier College to set up the Memorandum of Understanding so our College could adopt the Ignatian charism and become Saint Ignatius College Geelong. And as a very practical support, in 2021, Fr Des generously established a scholarship fund to assist families who find it difficult to pay fees at the College. Fr Des prayed for our College community each day following his retirement. Thank you Fr Des.
Eternal rest grant unto Fr Des, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
