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Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Article by Mr. Michael Exton | Principal
Dear Parents & Carers,
Finish up to Term One
It is hard to believe that next week is the last week of term one!
The last day of classes for this term is Friday, 4 April 2025. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter article, students will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m. on that day. The afternoon bus timetables have been adjusted accordingly.
Students will have only three days of classes in the first week of the next term. The first day of classes for term two will be Tuesday, 22nd April 2025. Monday, 21st April, will be the Easter Monday public holiday, and Friday, 25th April, will be the ANZAC Day public holiday.
Principal leave
Deputy Principal Ms. Bernadette Donnelly will be in charge while I’m on leave from next Monday. I will be ‘back on deck’ from the beginning of term two.
Please see Ms Donnelly for any matters you would normally contact me.
Parent engagement in student learning
As you know, we held our Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences via Zoom on Wednesday last week and again on Thursday this week. Overall, there was a high level of participation, which is encouraging; however, in some areas, parents' ability to connect on Thursday was affected by a power outage. The conferences foster a strong learning culture at our College, enhancing our students’ learning outcomes. I trust that this feedback and the opportunity for discussions about improving student learning have set the stage for a productive Term Two. As is our practice, summative reports for Semester One will be available at the end of next term.
Alleviating afternoon Peninsula Drive congestion
In recent weeks, there have been several reports regarding traffic congestion on Peninsula Drive in the afternoons. Please avoid obstructing the traffic flow and continue past the College until you find a vacant parking space.
The Council is aware of the limitations of the present public road infrastructure. The connection of Peninsula Dr to Belchers Rd, which will alleviate traffic congestion, seems to be quite some time away. In the meantime, it is important that access to all facilities on this road is maintained at all times, especially for emergency service and school bus access.
Whenever possible, parents and carers should use alternative drop-off and pick-up locations to lessen the traffic and parking burden on Peninsula Dr, such as:
Andersons Rd (now McKiernan St), with pedestrian/cyclist access under the Drysdale Bypass.
Reserve Rd, with pedestrian/cyclist access via the walking track.
Drysdale Railway station, with pedestrian/cyclist access via the walking track.
Gillies Rd, with pedestrian/cyclist access to the rear of the school.
We need to work together to ensure everyone gets a fair go and that traffic can flow at all times on Peninsula Drive. The congestion along Peninsula Drive is only for a short period, so if you must use this way, please exercise patience and follow the road rules.
We will continue to raise this matter with the Council
Yr 7 Enrolments for 2026
Parents of current students, please note that the deadline for Year 7 applications at Saint Ignatius College Geelong is rapidly approaching. If your child is in Year Six this year, be sure to submit their application by Friday, 9th May 2025. Even if you already have a child enrolled at the College, a separate application is required for each student. Application forms can be accessed through the College website.
House Athletics Carnival
On Friday, 4th April, we will conduct our College House Athletics Carnival at Landy Field Athletics Track, South Geelong. Similar to the Swimming Carnival, we will not involve the whole school. All Years 7 & 8 students and only those Years 9 to 12 students who register for events will be bused to Landy Field. The remaining Yrs 10 to 12 students will have classes at school for the day. In the case of Yr 9 students, they are not required at school on this day as they will have been away on camp (Monday to Thursday). However, if a Yr 9 student wants to compete on the day, they need to register and come to school to join with those going to the Carnival.
Our Head of Sport, Mr Andrew Philp, has provided details via email to students.
Uniform Term Two
All students are required to wear full winter uniform for terms two and three. As there may be some hot days early next term, students may wear summer uniforms on any warm days for the first two weeks of Term Two.
Please check the Student Planner for details about what can and cannot be worn. Note that the summer shirt with the logo is not to be worn as part of the winter uniform since it is not designed to be worn with a tie. The College uniform long-sleeve shirt must be worn with a tie and is compulsory for both boys and girls in the winter uniform. Additionally, the kilt should be worn no longer than mid-calf with navy blue tights or stockings.
Staff changes
When | On leave | Replaced by |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Ms Nicole Sadler | Ms Penny King |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Mr Giovanni Natali | Ms Jill Schultz |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Mr Matthew Jennings | Ms Mary Turner |
First three weeks of Term 2 | Mr Greg Walton | Mr Gary Kane |
Deputy Principal, Mr Michael Timms will be on leave for the first two weeks of Term 2. Please see Ms Kirtsy Allan or the appropriate Year Level Coordinator for student matters that would usually be referred to Mr Timms.
Best wishes for a happy & holy Easter
The middle Sunday of the school holidays is Palm Sunday, the commencement of Holy Week. This special week is the final one in our journey through Lent. It is especially significant and sacred for Christians as it calls to mind the last week of Jesus’ life in preparation for his death and, most significantly, His resurrection.
On Tuesday, the whole school will gather together to participate in a liturgy to reflect on this special week and help prepare our students for the celebration of Easter.
Holy Week, and indeed all other events and seasons in the Church’s year, are a lead-up to the most important celebration of the year and at the very heart of our Christian beliefs, Easter.
Easter is the high point of the Christian year – the most important of our celebrations. Please consider taking your family to one of the many Church services over the Easter break to support your daughter/son’s faith development.
I wish everyone a very enjoyable Easter. I hope all students have a restful break, including some time spent revising work and preparing for next term.
Happy Easter, everyone, and best wishes for the Term One holiday,
Michael Exton | Principal
Feature
Events
Our News // 27 March 2025
Article by Mr. Michael Exton | Principal
Dear Parents & Carers,
Finish up to Term One
It is hard to believe that next week is the last week of term one!
The last day of classes for this term is Friday, 4 April 2025. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter article, students will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m. on that day. The afternoon bus timetables have been adjusted accordingly.
Students will have only three days of classes in the first week of the next term. The first day of classes for term two will be Tuesday, 22nd April 2025. Monday, 21st April, will be the Easter Monday public holiday, and Friday, 25th April, will be the ANZAC Day public holiday.
Principal leave
Deputy Principal Ms. Bernadette Donnelly will be in charge while I’m on leave from next Monday. I will be ‘back on deck’ from the beginning of term two.
Please see Ms Donnelly for any matters you would normally contact me.
Parent engagement in student learning
As you know, we held our Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences via Zoom on Wednesday last week and again on Thursday this week. Overall, there was a high level of participation, which is encouraging; however, in some areas, parents' ability to connect on Thursday was affected by a power outage. The conferences foster a strong learning culture at our College, enhancing our students’ learning outcomes. I trust that this feedback and the opportunity for discussions about improving student learning have set the stage for a productive Term Two. As is our practice, summative reports for Semester One will be available at the end of next term.
Alleviating afternoon Peninsula Drive congestion
In recent weeks, there have been several reports regarding traffic congestion on Peninsula Drive in the afternoons. Please avoid obstructing the traffic flow and continue past the College until you find a vacant parking space.
The Council is aware of the limitations of the present public road infrastructure. The connection of Peninsula Dr to Belchers Rd, which will alleviate traffic congestion, seems to be quite some time away. In the meantime, it is important that access to all facilities on this road is maintained at all times, especially for emergency service and school bus access.
Whenever possible, parents and carers should use alternative drop-off and pick-up locations to lessen the traffic and parking burden on Peninsula Dr, such as:
Andersons Rd (now McKiernan St), with pedestrian/cyclist access under the Drysdale Bypass.
Reserve Rd, with pedestrian/cyclist access via the walking track.
Drysdale Railway station, with pedestrian/cyclist access via the walking track.
Gillies Rd, with pedestrian/cyclist access to the rear of the school.
We need to work together to ensure everyone gets a fair go and that traffic can flow at all times on Peninsula Drive. The congestion along Peninsula Drive is only for a short period, so if you must use this way, please exercise patience and follow the road rules.
We will continue to raise this matter with the Council
Yr 7 Enrolments for 2026
Parents of current students, please note that the deadline for Year 7 applications at Saint Ignatius College Geelong is rapidly approaching. If your child is in Year Six this year, be sure to submit their application by Friday, 9th May 2025. Even if you already have a child enrolled at the College, a separate application is required for each student. Application forms can be accessed through the College website.
House Athletics Carnival
On Friday, 4th April, we will conduct our College House Athletics Carnival at Landy Field Athletics Track, South Geelong. Similar to the Swimming Carnival, we will not involve the whole school. All Years 7 & 8 students and only those Years 9 to 12 students who register for events will be bused to Landy Field. The remaining Yrs 10 to 12 students will have classes at school for the day. In the case of Yr 9 students, they are not required at school on this day as they will have been away on camp (Monday to Thursday). However, if a Yr 9 student wants to compete on the day, they need to register and come to school to join with those going to the Carnival.
Our Head of Sport, Mr Andrew Philp, has provided details via email to students.
Uniform Term Two
All students are required to wear full winter uniform for terms two and three. As there may be some hot days early next term, students may wear summer uniforms on any warm days for the first two weeks of Term Two.
Please check the Student Planner for details about what can and cannot be worn. Note that the summer shirt with the logo is not to be worn as part of the winter uniform since it is not designed to be worn with a tie. The College uniform long-sleeve shirt must be worn with a tie and is compulsory for both boys and girls in the winter uniform. Additionally, the kilt should be worn no longer than mid-calf with navy blue tights or stockings.
Staff changes
When | On leave | Replaced by |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Ms Nicole Sadler | Ms Penny King |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Mr Giovanni Natali | Ms Jill Schultz |
First two weeks of Term 2 | Mr Matthew Jennings | Ms Mary Turner |
First three weeks of Term 2 | Mr Greg Walton | Mr Gary Kane |
Deputy Principal, Mr Michael Timms will be on leave for the first two weeks of Term 2. Please see Ms Kirtsy Allan or the appropriate Year Level Coordinator for student matters that would usually be referred to Mr Timms.
Best wishes for a happy & holy Easter
The middle Sunday of the school holidays is Palm Sunday, the commencement of Holy Week. This special week is the final one in our journey through Lent. It is especially significant and sacred for Christians as it calls to mind the last week of Jesus’ life in preparation for his death and, most significantly, His resurrection.
On Tuesday, the whole school will gather together to participate in a liturgy to reflect on this special week and help prepare our students for the celebration of Easter.
Holy Week, and indeed all other events and seasons in the Church’s year, are a lead-up to the most important celebration of the year and at the very heart of our Christian beliefs, Easter.
Easter is the high point of the Christian year – the most important of our celebrations. Please consider taking your family to one of the many Church services over the Easter break to support your daughter/son’s faith development.
I wish everyone a very enjoyable Easter. I hope all students have a restful break, including some time spent revising work and preparing for next term.
Happy Easter, everyone, and best wishes for the Term One holiday,
Michael Exton | Principal
