Ignatian Ethos and Identity

Our College continues to grow and flourish as a community of learners under the banner of our Ignatian charism. Saint Ignatius of Loyola always sought to meet people where they were, often starting conversations with ordinary people that would somehow lead to life-changing experiences. We are striving to emulate this example both in the sense of maintaining an ongoing ‘conversation’ where learners listen and respond to their own curiosity, a desire for knowledge and the pursuit of excellence, but also in the literal conversations we have each day. Our interactions with teachers, education support staff and students may yet indeed have a significant influence on our lives, if we listen deeply and respond from the heart.

A recent example of the transformative power of deep listening and speaking was our participation in the highly regarded Kairos Retreat program held in the first week of the school holidays and hosted by our counterparts in Adelaide, also known as Saint Ignatius College. Some of our most committed and engaged Year 12 Youth Ministry students, Alana Clark, Madison Duncan, Tara Lace and Zoe Walter, attended this four day retreat accompanied by our Youth Ministry Trainee, Zach Dwyer, Youth Ministry Mentor, Jarryd Atkison, and myself. This retreat has been a mainstay in Jesuit formation experiences for young people around Australia and internationally for over 20 years. Armed with their own personal perspective of the retreat and inspired by the challenge of passing it on to their fellow students, our retreatants are looking forward to the opportunity to establish our own Kairos retreats here at Saint Ignatius College, Geelong. The commitment shown by these young people in engaging with the themes of the retreat, exploring the highs and lows of a typical life and the faith that informs it, was certainly a powerful demonstration of their maturity and generous nature. It will be a real privilege to witness how the seeds sown by this significant formation experience will sprout and grow in years to come.

Mr Michael Tod | Director of Ignatian Ethos and Identity