World Challenge Expedition

Fifty-eight Year 10 and 11 students (divided into four groups) and staff members, Mr Byron Mitchell, Ms Leonie O’Brien, Mr Nathan Patterson, Mr Angelo Scotto and Mr Michael Brown, depart on Saturday for an overseas adventure to spend a month in Northern India. Our school groups will be travelling under the guidance of World Challenge Expeditions who will provide Guides for each group. Accompanying the group will be three past-students of the College who went on a World Challenge expedition during their time at school. The groups fly into and out of Delhi. They will travel in northern India trekking in the Himalayas and travelling in Rajasthan. Their trip will include a service project as follows:

Team 1 - Jodphur

The Sambhali Trust is based in the city of Jodhpur in Western Rajasthan. Since its creation in 2007, Sambhali Trust works towards achieving gender equality in India. Team 1 will be based at the Jodhpur Empowerment Centre, where local women are taught literacy and a broad education, as well as crafts & sewing. On site there are facilities for the attending women's children to attend classes.

Team 2 - Udaipur

The Girls Senior Secondary School, Tekri is a Community School based in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The school has 10 teachers and about 296 children (Boys 31 and Girls 266) studying at the school from 1st class to 12th class. Most of the children coming to the school are from a minority and poor background.

Team 3 - Manali

This school is located in a small village just outside of Manali and is run by the local village government. The school has three teachers for about 50 children studying most of whom come from underprivileged families of the local community.

Team 4 - Manali

The John Wesley Public School was established to cater to the underprivileged children living in and around the village of Sarsai. There are about 170 children, both boys and girls studying at the school. Most of the children coming to the school are from a minority and poor background.

On behalf of everyone, I wish the group a very healthy, happy and safe time away. I look forward to their safe return on July 10th and the many stories they will have about their Indian adventure.

East Timor Immersion experience

On Sunday 23rd June, two of our Year 11 students, Jessica Breckon and Hannah Lace and, our Ignatian Coordinator, Ms Alicia Deak will travel to Dili, East Timor with a group of Year 11 students and teachers from Jesuit and Jesuit Companion Schools from across Australia. This “immersion” experience for the students will involve them visiting the Jesuit school and touring some of the surrounding areas. They will return early in the second week of the holidays. I wish them all an enriching and safe experience.

We look forward to finding out about Hannah and Jessica’s experiences through the newsletter early next term.

Kokoda trip

A new initiative this year is the parent – student Kokoda trip, Papua New Guinea. This trip is one of the opportunities we provide as part of the ‘Companions Program’ to support parent – daughter/son relationships. The inaugural trip departs on June 24th and will return on July 4th 2019. Teacher, Ms Stacey Learmonth will accompany the group which will be under the guidance of Mick O’Malley’s Australian Kokoda Tour Group.

I wish all participants a very safe and rewarding experience.

Congratulations to Sean Neylan (Year 12)

Congratulations to Year 12 student and pianist, Sean Neylan who was awarded “Runner-up” at the Regional Finals Concert of the Australian Youth Classical Music Competition on Sunday 2nd June. It is a very high achievement to be selected to participate in this competition organised by the Trustee of the Geelong Advertiser Music Scholarship Trust. Twelve finalists were competing, and the College congratulates Sean on his award which includes a $1000 prize. Many of us have watched and listened to Sean playing the piano over the years at many school-related concerts.

His performances have been outstanding and a delightful part of each of the programs. We wish Sean all the best for his future.

Congratulations to Mitchell Bond (Year 10)

Congratulations to Mitchell Bond (Year 10 student) who was recently named Junior Sportsperson of the Year at the Victorian Disability Sports and Recreation Awards. As you are aware, at Saint Ignatius College we encourage leadership development for our students, and it is a credit to Mitchell that his award recognised his leadership and commitment as a member of various wheelchair basketball teams. Mitchell’s involvements have included the Under 23 Victorian wheelchair basketball squad, South Australian wheelchair basketball team and the Australian wheelchair basketball squad. We wish Mitchell all the best for his future. An article published in the Geelong Advertiser on May 31st is included in the newsletter.

Staff news

Congratulations to teacher Ben Collyer and his wife, Michelle on the arrival of two beautiful little girls, Zoe Jade and Lucy Mae.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Archbishop Peter Comensoli places a high priority on the formation of our young people. This is based in part on his experience that events such as the Australian Catholic Youth Festival and World Youth Day provide young people with a living and compelling encounter with the Lord, strongly present amid young Catholics who are committed to their faith. He has acted on this priority in his desire to take a very large contingent of students across to the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) in Perth in December.

To realise his vision, Archbishop Peter has asked for the support of Catholic secondary schools to organise a group from each school to attend ACYF. The Archdiocese will generously subsidise half the cost for each student attending. I hope our College will be able to send a group to Perth.

Our RE leader, Mr Brendan Nicholls, is coordinating this trip for us. Mr Nicholls has commenced promoting this event to our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. I ask parents to discuss this wonderful opportunity with their daughter/son and encourage her/him to apply if they are interested in and would benefit from participating in what promises to be a tremendous youth faith experience.

More details of the ACYF are available at https://youthfestival.catholic.org.au

Year 10 Work Experience Week

Best wishes to Year 10 students as they undertake their Work Experience placement in the last week of term.

The aims of the program include the following:

• to build self-confidence and independence by learning to cope with new situations and new people;
• to learn about the changes taking place in society and the workplace;
• to learn practically;
• to explore a variety of career opportunities and decide how these relate to the student’s interests, skills, values and goals; and
• to prepare students for life after school and provide an insight into the world of work.

Some Work Experience positions were made available through school; however, students and their families were encouraged to use their initiative to secure a suitable and interesting place themselves. When I signed the Work Experience forms, it was interesting to see the diverse range of placements that our students have been able to obtain.

Thank you to Mr Bruce Connor (Work and Further Education Coordinator) for his efforts to coordinate this program and Mr Brendan O’Brien (YLC) for his support in this area and the Year 10 Teachers involved.

Arrangements for the last day of Term Two

On the last day of this term, Friday 28th June 2019, the students will be dismissed at 2.20pm due to the special school bus timetable for the afternoon of the last day of term two. We will run six shortened periods so that all Friday classes will have some time on the day.

Commencement of Term Three

Please note that classes for Term Three resume on Tuesday 16th July 2019. (Year 12 VCE students will complete a mid-year English exam at the College on Monday 15th July between 9 am and 12:15 pm.) Monday 15th July 2019 will be a Staff professional practice day.

Best wishes,

Michael Exton Principal

Privacy and information collection - Saint Ignatius College Geelong is bound by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1998. In relation to health records, the School is also bound by the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic.). A copies of the College’s Privacy Policy and ‘Collection Notice’ that take into account these laws, technology and changes to the School’s operations and practices is available on our website. You can find the link at the bottom of the College’s web page.

At the end of the week a large number of our staff and students will leave our shores for immersion experiences to Kokoda, Timor Leste and a World Challenge expedition to Northern India. For our students in particular these experiences are extraordinary and for many life changing. When we go beyond the ordinary and experience new things we grow and our perception shifts. In a similar way the Apostles experienced this profoundly at Pentecost and through the Spirit were able to do impossible things.

As our students enter into their adventures they will have a sense of awe and wonder. The world is so diverse and beautiful that initially many will feel overwhelmed. Observing a new place is a revelation, often seeming brighter and more spectacular than it is as our senses struggle to take it all in. These moments are truly special. When we see something new or see something in a new way we are changed and become more whole.

As our students travel to these places they will also encounter many challenges. The most difficult being a variety of different languages and their inability to communicate effectively with others. From experience I can say that this is the single most frustrating situation you can be in! Speaking loudly, slowly or with an accent suited to the other does not help. Inevitably we fall into a form of pigeon English and a primitive version of sign language, or charades, to bridge the gap.

If we are persistent and engage in the process with good humour we are able to communicate with those who we do not share verbal language with and in fact find that a stronger bond of friendship is developed.

When we engage with others what we say and do matters equally. However, when we cannot speak with the other person due to differing languages what is most important is what we do because this is the only form of communication we have. As people made in the image and likeness of God we are called to serve others and love. So in situations where communication is difficult the first thing we do is to show love and friendship through the act of smiling. A smile lights up our face and welcomes the other. Our desire to offer friendship is expressed best in our face and then I affirmed by our actions.

At Pentecost the Apostles were given the gift of speaking in other languages. Because of this they were able to communicate with others and evangelise. As our students travel to new places and meet new people they may not be able to speak the same verbal language but they are well equipped to speak the universal language of friendship and in turn offer the love of God to strangers. This is a form of evangelisation and an expression of our faith.

Interestingly when we consider communication we should note that each person has an accent. This accent may be literal or metaphorical in the way in which we form and maintain friendships. As our students travel they will overcome the challenge of verbal language but they will also grow as they form new friendships with the people they travel with. On this level they will encounter challenges as their ‘accent’ and the ‘accent’ of others may hinder the formation of these relationships. What they will learn through this process is that through patience they will in particular become more comfortable with the non-verbal ‘accents’ of others and more clearly understand and value them.

Verbal and non-verbal languages can cause many problems in our lives. In being patient and maintaining a desire to communicate there is however no limit to what we can achieve in life. To grow and become multi-lingual we need to understand the purpose of communication. The only purpose of language is express ourselves in love and service. This is the Gospel and we all are well equipped to live it and spread it each day.

We pray for our staff and students as they head off. We ask God to open their eyes so that they may see new things with a sense of awe and wonder. We call upon the Spirit to provide all that they need so that they can communicate with others and build new friendships as happened at Pentecost. And we ask God to bless them and keep them safe, in the palm of his hand, until the return safely to our community and their families.

I hope you also enter the world with these thoughts in mind keen to develop new friendships, serve others and work through the ‘language barriers’, and accents that might otherwise limit your opportunities. May you become a polyglot when it comes to ‘speaking’ with others as you journey forward.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator

Can you remember back to when your child first read to you? Does it nearly bring tears to your eyes, at the miracle of it all? Whether it was a phonetics approach or whole word or a combo of both, it is an incredible and empowering feat for any child. You would have seen the immense pride evident as they developed skills for decoding language. You may have shared the joy as they found the funny reader, and they couldn’t read the next lines because they were laughing too much, (this humour probably revolved around an accident or a fart!)

Well why stop your engagement with reading there? The event held in the ILC on May 30th titled ‘My book doesn’t have a charger’ involved the local community including authors, parents, students and staff who all gathered to chat about reading and books.

Sue Lawson, Michael Panckridge and Mark Smith engaged the audience in a panel discussion about the joys of reading and the incredible process of writing short stories and novels. It was fascinating to hear how each author became motivated to create fiction for the young adult audience.

There were broad ranging discussions about the sources of inspiration for writing, the long process of drafting and editing and the absolute joy of being able to publish texts that resonate with young readers. All of the authors admitted that great writing was all about having an idea that is interesting and draws the reader in. They strongly conveyed the message that students may not be the most accomplished writers but that shouldn’t ever stop them writing their stories. The role of a good editor was discussed and there were students asking pertinent questions about the whole process of creating a work of fiction.

There was a great atmosphere in the ILC as all the authors on the panel were speaking about the importance of finding the right book and discovering the joy of reading. The loud and clear message was that – Reading matters!

Sue, Michael and Mark’s advise to PARENTS included

Modelling reading - particularly Dad’s

Reading the novels/ plays/ short stories/ and films that are set for study and talking about what you’re reading

Accessing audio books ( Saint Ignatius College ILC & Borrowbox Geelong Library) and downloading these to a phone/ ipad.

Some suggestions for what to read included books by the following authors:

Vicki Wakefield, Scot Gardner, & Jay Krsistoff

Specific recommended titles included:

Lenny’s book of everything by Karen Foxlee (highly recommended)

Wildfire by Fiona Wood

Inheritance – by Carole Wilkinson

After the lights go out - by Lili Wiklinson

Promise me happy – by Robert Newton

Detention by Tristan Banks

I’d like to share some comments from students who attended the night with a parent/s:

It was really interesting to hear about the authors pasts and what inspired them to become a writer and all about their books and what inspired them to write them.

Grace Woollard

The literacy evening was an excellent experience that taught me so much. It taught me that you do not have to be excellent at English like punctuation or spelling, as long as you have a great story others can help you with the English language component. The food was delicious and it was a great night.

Maya Eastwood

The night was really good and well organised. There was lots of food (maybe a bit too much) and the authors were really nice and gave good feedback and advice. Overall it was a great night and I really enjoyed it.

Meg Swinton

Finally – acknowledgement must go to Ms Elana Cole our (Companion’s Coordinator)

as this evening came from ‘a spark of an idea’ and she worked hard to bring it together. Elana was passionate about kids ‘unplugging’ from screens and picking up a book. The evening could not have been possible without the generous support of Librarians Mrs Leonie Stephenson and Mrs Rosemary Kelleher.

Thanks to all the parents, students and staff who attended and if you didn’t make it - there is always next year.

This evening proved that - ‘A book doesn’t need a charger’ - it is the ‘charger’.

Jane Alexander Literacy Coordinator

Over the past week, students from Year 7 Carroll, Coudere, Licona, Ricci and Strada attended a Tech Taster at the Geelong Tech School called ‘Tinker Time’.

The full day program required students to create an automated mini golf course using, cardboard and the Hummingbird microcontroller. The students began the day with a briefing followed by research and design of their golf course. While designing, they needed to make sure that they included the required components, a DC motor, servo motor and LEDs.

It was great to see the room buzzing with students working productively while creating imaginative mini golf courses. Some examples of what the students built included; windmills, Ferris Wheels, conveyor belts and see-saws, all with flashing lights. After the students made their courses, the instructor of the program tried to complete their hole before having the students explain what worked well, what they had trouble with and how they overcame the problems. It was a fantastic day that allowed students to be creative and to develop their skills with Digital Technologies.

A big thank you to Mr Moody, Mr Nash and Mr Reid for accompanying the classes.

Brenton Reid Learning Area Leader: Digital Technology

On Monday 27th May our Year 11 students travelled to Beckley Park for a full day Road Safety Workshop presented by Road Safety Education Victoria.

Students attended 6 different workshops that they found very beneficial in preparing themselves to be safe and responsible road users as they approach this important time in their lives.

The workshops were titled Speed & Stopping, Drive S.O.S., The ‘I’ in Drive, Road choices, Crash Investigators and Genevieve’s story. All of these workshops gave students information to become informed drivers and see the impacts that can happen when bad road choices are made.

All students that attended were impressed with the quality of information that they received and the messages they were given.

Ms Kristin Williamson Year 11 Coordinator

Standardised tests such as NAPLAN are used to provide a snapshot of literacy and numeracy standards across the country. Proponents of the standardised test suggest that a uniform assessment tool is required in order to measure these standards efficiently and effectively, but opponents are concerned that these tests draw focus away from wider learning.

Our junior debaters including Jett Johnston, Laura McMahon and Laura Maertzdorf debated that standardised testing should not be abolished and argued how Naplan, and other standardised tests, could be better used to benefit students and teachers. Jett Johnston made his debut in debating as first speaker, arguing that standardised testing should be maintained and improved as it is a beneficial tool to improve teaching and learning. Jett also argued that schools should adopt a system where students can track their own growth.

Laura McMahon was a passionate second speaker, arguing that standardised testing is important as it allows for transparency in results and makes schools accountable to teach literacy and numeracy. Laura Maertzdorf finished the debate as third speaker with a collected and calm approach finding flaws in the opposing team's arguments. Despite their gallant efforts, unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in their debate, going down by only a very small margin.

The last few weeks, the Junior Debaters have also been preparing for the next debate; "That convicted criminals should not be allowed to publish accounts of their crimes". They have thoroughly enjoyed researching and debating both sides of the topic. I congratulate all those involved who have given up their time to be a part of the DAV competition. Please remember, if anyone is interested in joining the debating team to contact Ms Dart or Ms O’Brien.

Brooke O’Brien Junior Debating Coordinator

By Olivia Reed

Appeared in the Geelong Advertiser, Friday May 31st

The hard work of two locals have culminated in winning gold at the Victoria Disability Sport and Recreation Awards.

The awards are a celebration of the achievements of sportspeople with disabilities and the coaches, organisations, officials and volunteers who support them.

Leopold’s Mitchell Bond was named Junior Sportsperson of the Year for his leadership and commitment as a member of various wheelchair basketball teams.

The 15-year-old was diagnosed at six months old with transverse myelitis, which paralysed him from the neck down. He has since regained arm and leg movements through hours of rehabilitation.

Mitchell has participated in the under-23 Victorian wheelchair basketball squad, South Australian wheelchair basketball team and Australian wheelchair basketball squad.

Grovedale’s Jenny Forssman was recognised as Official of the Year for her contribution to gymnastics, including Special Olympics gymnastics. She officiates at a local, regional, state and national level, requiring travel of up to 100km from her home 20-30 times a year.

“As a result of her efforts to educate and upskill the judging community, the participation of people with an intellectual disability in gymnastics continues to grow steadily each year,” her nomination read.

Entrants in the awards are nominated by state sporting associations, local government, teammates, coaches club members or their community.

Pictured: Victorian Disability Sport and recreation Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner Tamika Simpson, Junior Sportsperson of the Year Mitchell Bond and Official of the Year Jenny Forssman. Photo taken by Mike Dugdale.

On Friday the 31st of May the Melbourne Theatre Company led a workshop for our Unit 1 and 3 VCE Theatre Studies students at The Potato Shed.

The purpose of the workshop was to enhance the student’s understanding of the Melbourne Theatre Company’s performance of The Violent Outburst that Drew Me to You in preparation for their Outcome 3 assessment.

We were lucky enough to have the director of the show, Prue Clark leading the workshop along with MTC’s Education Coordinator, Nick Tranter who shared their insight and encouraged the students to work alongside the director on the rehearsal room floor in a practical exploration into the theatre styles, character depictions and design elements featured in Tuesday’s matinee performance.

Rhea Walker VCE Theatre Studies Teacher

Open Days a really good opportunity to explore the campus and get a feel for the university or tertiary institution. There are lectures held for the courses of interest and explainations of what you might be studying and how to apply for the course. It is also an opportunity to meet staff and current students and get a feel for the institution you would like to attend.

A list of the VTAC Open days for 2019 can be viewed here:

A PDF of our Canteen Price List can be downloaded here

Starting June 17th

Monday 17th

E. Musella, T. Smale, L. Grist, C. Kopec, E. Don

Tuesday 18th

S. Twaits, R. Morris, L. Vella

Wednesday 19th

C. Whitworth, K. James, S. Peters, R. Murray

Thursday 20th

M. White, J. Martino, L. Eastwood, C. Duncan

Friday 21st

Student Free Day

Starting June 24th

Monday 24th

N. Van Vliet, A. Schneider, T. McMurray

Tuesday 25th

L. Tigani, M. Jackson, N. Robinson

Wednesday 26th

L. Vella, L. Hamilton, Needed,

Thursday 27th

M. White, N. Lowther, E. Carpenter, C. Swinton

Friday 28th

K. Every, L. Grant, E. Stokie, S. McKay

If unable to attend, please make sure you get a replacement.

Sandra Woodall Tel: 0417 050 258

Become a part of the Parents and Friends' Association

We invite you to join the Saint Ignatius College Parents and Friends' Association - whether it be attending our monthly meetings, helping out at fundraising events , you can receive some up to date information on events coming up at and around the College by emailing your details to sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

After our last meeting we were given the opportunity to join the “Digital Tattoo Session” conducted by Lee Bartlett from Batforce. The session opened our minds to recognising that we still have a huge impact on our children through our actions and words – both of which are detrimental on how we use modern technology today – and how this modern technology effects the everyday life of our children. Well done Lee and Juddy for organizing and presenting this session.

Parents and Friends' Meeting for June 2019

Please come and join us on Tuesday July 16th at 7.00pm in the Food Tech Rooms.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Email your details to us at: sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Even if you can’t make it to the monthly meetings, but think you might be able to be on call to help at the different things we are involved in, please get in touch with us.

The Uniform Shop

Please note that Uniform shop will be open every second Wednesday from 2pm to 4 pm. Remaining dates for Term 2 are: Wednesday June 12 and 26.

If you are able to assist and help us out in the Uniform Shop we would love to hear from you!

Please email sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au Training is provided.

Entertainment Book (2019/2020)

It’s on again – please help support Saint Ignatius College by purchasing an Entertainment Book - feel free to visit the front Office for details, or email Sandi Clark on: sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Buy a new membership before 11.59pm JUNE 1st, 2019 and get a bonus $10 Priceline eGift card!

Terms and Conditions:

$10 Priceline eGift card. Limit one per membership order.

Offer valid for Entertainment Book or Digital Memberships purchased between 12am Tuesday May 28th and Saturday June 1st 11.59pm 2019 AEST.

eGift card will be sent by email within 14 days of order.Priceline eGift cards expire after 36 months of the issue date.

Priceline eGift Cards Terms of Use: HTTPS://WWW.PRICELINEGIFTCARD.COM.AU/PRICELINE/CMS/PAGE/GIFTCARDTERMS

If your child feels anxious reassure them that these feelings are a normal response to new people, events or potentially challenging situations. Help your child understand that there is a great deal they can do to manage their anxious feelings, so they can get on with the activities they enjoy.

Explain anxiety

If your child is anxious they may struggle to explain how they feel. An important first step in anxiety selfmanagement is explaining to your child how anxiety works.

Teach your child that the amygdala, the part of the brain that protects them, is always on high alert when they are anxious.

Explain that the amygdala sees danger where there is none, but the body prepares to fight for life or flee from danger as if it’s protecting them from a hungry lion.

Talk about the changes that happen in their body to power them up to fight or flee including; increased heart and breathing rates and the pumping of the blood from the stomach to the arms and legs, which can cause nausea and even vomiting for some.

Help recognise anxiety-inducing events

Help your child to recognise the specific situations and events that make them feel anxious such as meeting new friends, sitting tests and fear of rejection. In this way you can help your child manage and minimise his feelings of anxiety.

Respond with empathy

When your child feels anxious, the part of the brain that controls rational thinking, decision-making and concentration temporarily goes offline. They can feel easily overwhelmed by simple, everyday events and situations. Rather than protecting your child by allowing them to avoid meeting these challenges, or dismissing them as trivial, validate their feelings with statements such as “I can see you’re feeling worried about going to camp without your brother.”

Managing anxious moments

Help your child develop the tools to regulate and push their anxious feelings to the background. Practise these anxiety management tools when your child is feeling calm, and it will be easier for them to practise when they are nervous.

These include:

Taking some deep breaths: Deep belly breathing from the diaphragm calms the amygdala, reducing feelings of anxiousness.

Bringing their attention back to the present: Use their senses to bring their attention to the present moment and away from their worries – “Tell me five things you see, four things you hear and something you smell”.

Getting them moving: Physical exercise is not only a great distraction but it releases feel-good endorphins that help children and young people feel better and more optimistic about the future.

Defusing their thoughts: Help your child to distance themselves from their thoughts by using distancing statements. Replace “I’m going to fail the test” with “I had a thought that I’m going to fail the test.” Rather than changing their thinking, assist your child to distance themselves from unhelpful thoughts.

There’s a great deal you can do to help your child manage their anxiety. Start by assisting your child to understand the fundamentals of anxiety, show your understanding of their feelings and be ready to support them emotionally to push their anxiety to the background.

Michael Grose

Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.

Join Saver Plus and we'll match your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500 for school costs.

To join Saver Plus, you must be at least 18 years or over, have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself, have regular income from paid employment (you or your partner), have a current Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card and be in receipt of an eligible Commonwealth social security benefit, allowance or payment.

Contact: Your local Saver Plus Coordinator

Phone: 03 5278 8122 Email: GeelongSP@bethany.org.au Web: www.saverplus.org.au

See PDF flyer for details:

Information for Parents

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between a student’s background and their outcomes.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

School camps provide children with inspiring experiences in the great outdoors, excursions encourage a deeper understanding of how the world works and sports teach teamwork, discipline and leadership.

CSEF is provided by the Victoria Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is:

• $125 for primary school students
• $225 for secondary school students CSEF

For more details and how to apply for CSEF see the attached PDF.

Local Community and Sporting groups you may be interested in.

Fr Rob Galea ' Coming Home' Tour

The ‘Coming Home’ concert tour features Fr Rob Galea and his band performing songs from Fr Rob’s latest album, his eighth music production, ‘Coming Home’.

The tour will be Catholic music as you have not heard before in a new contemporary style for Fr Rob and his band. A quality and uplifting presentation of Christian music with outstanding lighting, visual and sound production. Fr Rob’s music brings a positive message in a modern style appealing to all ages and will include a selection of his much loved songs from previous albums during a 2 hour show which will have you singing along from the start to the finish. It is a rare public concert and one not to be missed.

The Victorian concert date announced for 2019 is: Melbourne – The Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds, 14th July at 5pm

Portarlington CFA Open Day

Portarlington Fire Brigade are hosting an Open Day on Sunday, 16th June from 1.00pm – 4.00pm.

The community is invited to attend and inspect the newly completed Fire Station. See PDF below for details.

What's On in July at the Potato Shed!

The Potato Shed have a variety of performances to suit people of all ages. Please find attached the What’s On poster for events coming up in July. You are advised to book early as many events sell out.

Lions Club of Norlane Open day 2019

The Lions Club of Corio Norlane is holding an Open Day on June 15th from 10 to 4 at Centenary Hall, Cox Rd Norlane.

This Open Day will have many items and project initiatives on display, run by our club and Lions Australia. All Lions Clubs have a healthy appreciation and major support for their local community, many local projects go unnoticed.

GSODA Junior Players: 'Hercules the Panto!

GSODA Junior Players are very excited to be presenting 'Hercules the Panto!’

He’s strong, mighty, a hero, all singing, all dancing, and here in Geelong!

In a venue as big as he is, get ready for Hercules - The Panto to take to the stage in The Geelong Arena in 2019.

Let the GSODA Junior players transport you to Athens, to the theatre of Dionysus, in a pantomime that promises to have you clutching your stomach, rolled over in balls of laughter, tapping your toes along to a catchy catalogue of multigenerational hits, and dancing away in your seats.

A classic tale with a healthy dose of twists and turns, this story is unlike any version of Hercules that you have ever seen or heard before. Will Hercules find his true love? Will Medusa run a successful hair styling business? Will the Kings daughter marry a pop star?

Confused? Come along to the Geelong Arena to see Hercules - The Panto, and all will be revealed!

Directed by Nicole Kaminski, Vocal Direction by Shayne Lowe and Choreography by Jana Kolacz

Group Parent Education Events Calendar: Term 2 Scedule

The Parent Education Calendar has been collated by the Regional Parenting Service with the aim of providing information on the mainstream parent education groups that are happening across the barwon South West Region. If you have any questions regarding these programs or parenting activities, or want to be added to the mailing list please email: rps@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or contact Regional Parenting Services on 5272 4741. Outside of Geelog Freecall 1800 11 078

City of Greater Geelong Free Parenting Forum: Calming Our Kids

This forum presented by the City of Greater Geelong with guest speaker Maggie Dent who is an advocate for healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities. Thursday June 27th, 7.00pm to 8.30pm with a light supper available from 6.30pm and the Moolap & Barrabool Hills Baptist Church in Highton. Pleae see the attached PDF for details and how to book tickets.

Did your Year 7 students miss their vaccines at school?

See the list below of Immunisation Centres and Hours:

Belmont Community Health Centre

Barwon Health 1-17 Reynolds Road, Belmont, 3216.

(Please note that this is the Barwon Health building, not the Maternal Child Health building)

Wednesday morning (Appointment only) 9 am - 12.30pm

Open sessions (No appointment required) Wed and Friday afternoons 1.30pm - 4.45pm

Saturday morning (Appointment only) 08.30am – 12.15pm

Corio Community Health Centre

Barwon Health 2 Gellibrand St, Corio, 3214.

Every Wednesday 9.30am - 11.45am (No appointment required)

Newtown “Ariston”

245 Pakington St, Newtown, 3220.

1st Friday of each month 9.30am -11.45am (No appointment required)

Ocean Grove - Boorai Centre (behind Aquatic Centre)

4-50 Shell Rd, Ocean Grove, 3226.

2nd and 4th Friday of each month 9.30am -11.45am (No appointment required)

Newcomb Library meeting room (upstairs)

Corner Wilsons Rd & Bellarine Highway, Newcomb, 3219.

1st and 3rd Friday of each month 9.30 – 11.45am (No appointment required)

Bell Park Parish

Holy Family 147 Separation St, Bell Park, VIC 3215

Sunday: 8.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am Croatian, 12.15pm Slovenian 2nd Sunday Only

Ss Peter & Paul’s Cnr Mercer & Malone St, Geelong West, VIC 3218

Saturday: 5.00pm Vigil

Holy Spirit Cnr Bostock Ave & Nambool St, Manifold Heights, VIC 3218

Sunday: 11.00am

Belmont Parish

St Bernard’s 74 Fryers Rd, Belmont, VIC 3216

Sunday: 9.00am, 10.30am

Saturday: 6.30pm Vigil

Corio and Lara Parish

St Francis Xavier 143 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, VIC 3214

Sunday: 10.30am

Saturday: 7.00pm Vigil

St Anthony’s Kees Road, Lara, VIC 3212

Sunday: 9.00am

Drysdale Parish

St Thomas Peninsula Drive, Drysdale, VIC 3222

Sunday: 9.00am

St Patrick’s 10 - 14 Harding St, Portarlington, VIC 3223

Sunday: 9.00am

St Phillip & St James 1345 Murraduc Rd, St Leonards, VIC 3223

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

Lumen Christi 66 Kensington Road, Leopold, VIC 3224

Sunday: 10.30am

Geelong Parish

St Mary of the Angels Basilica 150 Yarra St, Geelong, VIC 3220

Sunday: 7.30am, 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.15pm Polish, 5.30pm

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

Grovedale, Anglesea and Torquay Parish

Nazareth 10 Griffith St, Grovedale, VIC 3216

Sunday: 10.30am

St Therese’s 43a Surfcoast Highway, Torquay, VIC 3228

Sunday: 8.45am

St Christopher’s 72 Bingley Parade, Anglesea, VIC 3230

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

Meredith Parish

St Joseph’s 28 Lawler St, Meredith, VIC 3333

Sunday: 11.00am Alternate Sunday

Sacred Heart 70 Hamilton Highway, Inverleigh, VIC3321

Sunday: 9.00am except last Sunday of the month when it will be at Bannockburn gymnasium

St Brigid’s 2439 Ballan Road, Anakie, VIC 3221

Sunday: 11.00am Alternate Sunday

St John the Baptist 4 Harding St, Winchelsea, VIC 3230

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil

St John the Evangelist 24 High Street, Bannockburn, VIC 3331

Sunday: 9.00am Mass in the Stadium last Sunday of the month

Queenscliff Parish

Holy Family 101 Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads 3227

Saturday: 6.00 pm

Our Lady Star of the Sea 68 John Dory Drive, Ocean Grove 3226

Sunday: 9.00 am

Holy Trinity 34 Stevens Street, Queenscliff 3225

Sunday: 11:00 am