Year 12 student final days of classes

Over the past week, there have been several significant College events. Three of these recognised a milestone for our Year 12 students, their families and our school community. The Year 12 students finished their usual classes on Monday. So, we have taken the opportunity as a school community to express gratitude for their growth and development at and contribution to our College, prayed for their future success and celebrated the Class of 2019.

On Thursday, we gathered in the evening for the ‘Valete Mass’ in the gym. The Mass was a very special service involving all Year 12 students, members of their families and many staff members. Thank you to Celebrants Fr James Puppady, Gerry Healy SJ and Darien Sticklen. After Mass, each student, as is the custom in most Australian Jesuit and Companion Schools, received a copy of Michael McGirr’s, “Finding God’s Traces.” This book is a compilation of quotes, scriptural verses and commentaries that will hopefully be a source of reflection and inspiration as well as a beautiful memento of the student’s time at an Ignatian school.

On Monday, the whole school gathered for the annual 'Farewell to Year 12' assembly. We recognised and celebrated many excellent student and team achievements since our last assembly and of course the fine young women and men of the Class of 2019. There were many speeches, some musical items and presentations. College Captains Maddie Crothers and Sam Salisbury provided impressive (and emotional) speeches that captured something of the Year 12 students’ journey through their College years, expressed gratitude and delivering encouraging messages about making the most of school opportunities to the assembly. As has become the custom over many years, Maddie and Sam presented a gift of an artwork from the Year 12’s to the school community. This gift was very different from the previous ones – a metal sculpture in the shape of the cross (pictured below).

Another highlight of the assembly was the expression of gratitude, on behalf of the Year 7 students, by three students: Stella Burke, Lily Flight and Elliott Renton-Gibb (pictured above). I was very impressed with their speeches (and the way they delivered them!) and include them as follows:

Stella Burke:

Hi, my name is Stella.

I joined the St Ignatius family this year and have felt welcomed and encouraged throughout my time here.

The truth is the Year 12s are kind of scary, I mean, when we’ve been used to little, itty, bitty primary schoolers running around at knee height and we were the king of the kids, and suddenly here we are, the little fish in a big pond with no clue what to do.

However, the Year 12’s eased our transition to College life by providing guidance and clarity.

During Term 1 at the Year 7 camp, I was inspired by the admirable effort made by a number of Year 12 students, who gave up their time to travel to Angelsea and speak to us about the importance of embracing leadership and extracurricular opportunities. They shared their personal experiences of overcoming their fears and being proud of the achievements they have made during their journey towards the end of their high school experience.

The Year 12 students have been inspirational role models and given us all a hopeful glimpse of our future selves.

And so, on behalf of my fellow year 7’s. Thank you to the Class of 2019. We wish you the best of luck.

Lily Flight:

Saint Ignatius is an amazing school, and all of its students follow the Motto: Amare Et Servire, which means to Love and to Serve. This year’s Year 12’s have set an exceptional example of this because they love the school and serve the teachers and students inside of it! Unfortunately, these exceptional Year 12’s have to say goodbye to our loving school and enter a new milestone in their life!

This year the Year 12’s have accomplished many things! In the Seniors Footy Grand Final, against Westbourne Grammar St Ignatius won by one hundred points! They clearly deserved that amazing win against last year’s Premiers of the Herald Sun Cup. Also, this year’s Feast Day for St Ignatius was all organised by the Year 12’s and was an amazing event for everyone to enjoy. And let’s not forget the amazing success of the senior debating team!

Possibly the greatest moment for Year 7’s was meeting our Year 12 buddies at the House meetings! Thank you to all of you for supporting us as we started our high school experience.

Lastly, the Year 7s thank you for all of the poems you have given us this morning; it is well appreciated!

I wish you all an exciting and bright future as you leave high school and head on your own paths.

Thank you!

Elliott Renton-Gibb:

I’m standing before you today to celebrate the Year Twelves, and the time they have spent here. As a Year Seven I can see that they are the glue that holds the school together for example, during the recent production of “School of Rock” they showed great kindness and leadership to younger kids like me new to this school and their productions.

Another example being the Year Twelve Buddy Program. My buddy helped me a lot in showing me around the school and familiarising me with the amazing programs and activities it has to offer.

Thanks for listening and good luck to the Year 12’s.

On Tuesday, the Year 12 students participated in their “Celebration Day.” The day was celebrated in a positive and fun way. I congratulate the “Class of 2019” on the overall way they have respectfully and appropriately approached this final week of classes – well done!

I hope all goes well for them as they study for their exams that commence next week. On behalf of the school community, I wish them all the best.

The Senior School staff prepared thoroughly to ensure that the final phase of the year was well organised with parents and students being well informed about the program and the school’s expectations. Thank you to Mr Joe McLean (YLC, 12) and the Senior School team of teachers.

Mosaic Evening – Thursday November 21st

Our College community end of year celebration occurs in late November. We call this evening ‘Mosaic’ because we endeavour to showcase many and varied pieces of student achievement from the year. We expect that as many students and their families as possible attend this special College function at Costa Hall at Deakin University’s waterfront campus. This gathering will provide the opportunity for parents and students to celebrate the part school has played in family life for another year and build a stronger sense of school community.

The date is Thursday, 21st November 2019. The Art & Technology display commences at 6.00 pm in the Costa Hall foyer followed by the celebration evening that begins at 7.00 pm in the main auditorium.

The evening will acknowledge and showcase student talents and achievements from a range of areas. As in previous years, tickets will not be required to attend. All you will need to do is turn up at Costa Hall, and you will be ushered to a seat. There is no cost to attend, and you are most welcome to invite Grandparents, other family members and family friends. In the meantime, please put this date in your diary to ensure you can attend. Students are expected to wear their school uniform with the blazer.

We have consistently received very positive feedback about Mosaic evenings over many years. This unique celebration evening builds a stronger school community and a sense of belonging and hopefully inspires all students to strive for making the most of the opportunities they have at the College. I ask our community to give this evening a priority when students, families, friends and staff of the College can come together to celebrate extraordinary achievements of some, and the contribution we all make to Saint Ignatius College.

College Captains 2020

The College Captains for next year were announced at Monday’s assembly. Congratulations to Heidi Bakker and William Palmer. I am grateful to our Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Mr Anthony Gravener, for planning and managing the selection process (Heidi and William are pictured below with our 2019 College Captains Maddie and Sam).

Year 7 2020

Last Monday we held two different events held in our ‘old’ gym – the farewell to the Year 12s and then in the evening our very well attended welcome and information evening for the parents and students of next year’s Year 7 intake.

It is very pleasing that due to demand, we will be taking an extra class for Year 7 again next year. I have enrolled 250 students (10 classes) for next year. The number of enrolment applications was high again with many unfortunately missing out on a place. Currently, we have a long waiting list. The significant demand for places at Saint Ignatius continues to reflect very well on the work our community has done to develop our College into a great place for secondary school education.

Thank you to Ms Leonie O’Brien (YLC,7) and the team of staff for organising this evening.

Best wishes,

Michael Exton Principal

Our Year 12 students have left us! Tuesday was their final ‘school day’ and in a little over a month they will not return to the College again. For some students this is what they have been waiting for. They are ready for new beginnings. For some this is a cause of anxiety and distress. The end of school also affects the whole family. The routine of school has come to an end and a very different future begins. The removal of ‘rules’ that ensured daily attendance of school dramatically change the relationship between parent and child. The end of Year 12 is a time of upheaval and growth.

When change occurs we adapt and grow. Change is vital to our future and a necessary component of life. Viewing change positively and entering into the unknown with confidence ensures success. The process of change is however difficult. We feel comfortable and safe when things remain the same. We are habitual in nature and are content when routines are maintained and the future is known.

As the students leave our College their vision for the future is open ended. Anything is possible. In finishing their schooling they also come to the realisation that a number of things ‘die’. Sadly, some friendships will end. Networks that affirmed one’s place and value will break down. The end of these examples and many other things will lead to discomfort or agitation. Because of these endings new things will develop, change will happen and growth will occur.

In the Gospel Jesus teaches that, “…unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:25) This is true for our senior students. There are things that must ‘die’ if they are to grow and produce more than is possible currently. When the seed dies it germinates and produces much more than it originally was. As our students head out into the world they illustrate this. At school they were capable of certain things. When their schooling ends they enter into apprenticeships, traineeships or University degrees, which enable them to do so much more in the world. Through this process they grow and become more whole.

Whilst there is some sadness in the seeing the students leave us, we as a community are hope filled. We know that their formation was sound and we have seen glimpses of their capabilities. In the future we know that with commitment and discernment they will achieve their potential, and give back to society and guide their families.

Life is a pilgrimage. There are many sections that we journey through in our own way. Our students continue their journey on a new road. Each of them will take a slightly different route to get to their next waypoint. We believe that this journey will lead them in many years to their destination, which is eternal life with the Father. As they travel outward our community commissions them to follow and spread the Gospel in their unique way, that they develop their relationship with Jesus and that they will live the College motto, amare et servire, always.

The memories the students have of their time at the College will become very precious and valued for what it was. In time they will realise that the last six years are the ‘best time of their lives’. Nostalgia is important and gratitude for what we have received is a virtue. The future will give so much but the time spent at Saint Ignatius College will forever be a remembered and treasured.

We pray for the students as they move through their final exams and their daily connection with our community. We know that the end of school is exciting and challenging, but also know that to germinate and bring much more into the world they must leave us. As alumni we pray that they go out connected to Jesus and their connection to our community does not completely end. We pray for the families who have supported them and provided all that they need to achieve are also excited and hopeful for the significant changes that will occur over coming months. Our deepest desire and what we call upon the Lord to respond to most is that they remember the importance of community and the exigency of love and service: amare et servire.

Yours in Christ,

Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator

On Thursday 17th of October, the Year 12 Students, their parents, family members and staff came together to farewell the Class of 2019 at the Valete Mass. As a very important and special occasion for all involved and most importantly the Year 12 Students, they were presented with a gift. This gift was a book called “Finding Gods Traces” and is presented to the graduating students from Jesuit Colleges.

The whole school gathered on Monday 21st of October to farewell our Year 12 students. They were the last to enter the gym and were enthusiastically and respectfully welcomed by the school community, who were already seated.

During the assembly, the College Captains Madeleine Crothers and Samuel Salisbury spoke on behalf of the Year 12 cohort. As part of their farewell, the current College Captains lit the leadership candles and gave them to the incoming College Captains for 2020.

A video was shown of the varied activities of the Year 12 students during the year and there were a number of special performances by the VCE Performing Arts students. Fr. James Puppady gave his farewell blessing to all the Year 12 students and provided a meaningful reflection to all.

On Tuesday 22nd October was Year 12 Celebration Day, where the students enjoyed a range of organized activities, had their final Year 12 assembly and a celebratory luncheon with their parents and staff.

The day was celebrated in a positive and fun way and I congratulate the Class of 2019 on the overall way they have respectfully and appropriately approached their final days of scheduled classes.

We would like to congratulate and thank all the Year 12 students for their efforts, respectful nature, contributions and achievements during their time at Saint Ignatius College. The values learned at Saint Ignatius College have helped shaped our Year 12 students to act as agents of change in our communities and to continue to strive towards personal growth in order to help others.

On behalf of the school community we wish them all the best.

Thank you to the Senior School team of teachers for their support and help during the final weeks of the Year 12 students.

Joe McLean Year 12 Coordinator

On Friday 8th of November, Year 11 VCAL is hosting a ‘Colour for Awareness’ event.

Our aim is to promote a sense of equality for everyone and encouraging the view of seeing the person, not the disability. We are demonstrating these views by having students experience what it might be like living with a disability and by providing some fun challenges with a different restrictions accompanying them.

These activities will show that despite the challenges that may be faced, there are different ways they can be overcome.
We are going to be using the funds we raise to support Blackwood Special School Outdoor Education Camp (BSSOE), which we attended in Term 3, to help them access better equipment, or to improve their facilities. This will hopefully allow BSSOE the ability to better accommodate the variety of youths they take charge of. We were very humbled by the experience that we had working with a variety of different young people.

By attending our Colour for Awareness event students and staff are heading towards a future of equality and promoting a better perspective of inclusion of all people.

We hope to see you there,

Year 11 VCAL

Many senior students and staff gathered at lunchtime on Wednesday 9th October for the very first Students Vs Teachers Debate at SICG. Ms Adams chaired the debate and set the tone for the occasion, ensuring that a positive atmosphere prevailed and there was plenty of good spirit throughout the proceedings.

Students took the affirmative position with the topic being “That school uniforms should be compulsory for students”. Represented by William Palmer, Noah Gullan, William Bothe, and Joshua James, they presented some compelling and very entertaining arguments. They focused on the value and pursuit of equality and how students feel when wearing a uniform, even suggesting that uniforms make students smarter. Taking the negative position, the teachers were represented by Ms Walker, Ms Falconer, Ms Viljoen, and Mr Tod. Most of their arguments centred on the importance of developing and celebrating individuality and the value of time spent focused on learning rather than on non-compliant socks.

The speeches were fun and entertaining for everyone and the audience enjoyed the witty, sparkling rebuttal as well as some of the “research” that was offered as evidence.

Adjudicators Madeleine Crothers and Ms Dart awarded the debate to the teachers and the students respectively, with William Bothe and Ms Falconer awarded the honours as best speakers.

Thank you to all of the students and teachers for their participation. We look forward to more of the fun and great spirit that was evident at the next Students Vs Teachers Debate.

Ms Dart (Senior Debating Co-ordinator)

The debate was really entertaining, there was a lot of excitement in the room from the students who were supporting their peers and teachers. Overall, it was extremely funny as well as persuasive. Both sides to the debate had good counter arguments and included everyone. It was good how both the teachers and students were involved.

Emily Henry Year 11

I would like to extend a huge thank you to the College Community, and particularly the Year 11 students, for their support of the 'Share the Dignity' Drive in August.

I have received the wonderful news that Saint Ignatius College had the largest collection of sanitary items for the whole of Victoria!

This is a marvellous contribution that we have made to the homeless and drought-affected women of Victoria in helping them maintain their dignity.

Thank you all so very much. Attached below is the Certificate of Appreciation the College received recently.

Kristin Williamson Year 11 Coordinator

On the 24th -25th August Saint Ignatius had two students represent the school in the interschool snowsports championships at Mt. Buller: Fergus Cotter and Samuel O’Brien from Year 8.

Fergus competed in the giant slalom event and the snowboard cross. Samuel competed in the snowboard cross and the slopestyle competition. Both boys finished in the middle of the field for snowboard cross which was a great effort. In the slopestyle event, Samuel came 6th in the state and qualified for nationals.

Slopestyle is a freestyle event where the snowboarder completes a course with a variety of obstacles including rails, jumps and other terrain park features. Points are scored for amplitude, originality and quality of tricks.

Samuel returned on the 7th September to Mt. Buller (in blizzard conditions) for the national competition and came 11th.

Congratulations Samuel and Fergus on your achievements at the interschool snowsports.

On the last week of Term 3 the Year 11 VCAL students went to Blackwood Outdoor Education Specialist Camp to assist the staff with fire prevention, site clean-up and helping the students with special needs. Our theme for Semester 2 has been Mixed Abilities and attending this camp allowed us to put our learning into practice.

We arrived at the camp site we were met by Abbey and Eliza and they helped us set up our tents and beds. After we settled in we had a briefing and then set up for our afternoon activities. We went for a walk down to the shed and got rakes and wheel barrows and came back to the camp site and started to clean up the site to make it fire safe. While some raked up leaves others went with the staff to collect and split wood for camp fires.

We had a relaxing evening where we reflected on our day, discussed the plans for tomorrow and also brain stormed ideas for our major project. Over the next few days we worked with a veracity of students and helped them with night walks and fun activities at that camp such as high ropes and archery. One of the highlights of the camp was being able to help the students – it pushed us out of our comfort zone but was so rewarding.

What I took away from camp was that at first you just see the disability and I didn’t really know how to talk to the students, so it was awkward at first but when you actually start talking with them you found out they aren’t so different and they are easy to talk to and I learnt how to step out my comfort zone and talk and take care of younger people in need.

Thanks to the VCAL team for the experience. Blackwood has been one of the highlights of this year.

Swaye Mitchell-Falce

Our journey continues to move along at an astonishing pace! We have traveled some 4830 kilometres. I am astounded at the progress and can assure you I authenticate every entry. Currently the number of kilometres 'run' and 'walked' is almost equal, so our aim to celebrate activity is being achieved.

Since the last update we have travelled from Prosopine (QLD) to Innisfail (FNQ). We look forward to 'visiting' Jajikal country, the area our students visited during their Cape York Immersion.

As spring continues draws us outdoors keep up the activity and help us reach the 'top' of Australia over the next few weeks.

Brendan Nicholls

Please click here for the latest edition of Catholic Education Today https://www.cem.edu.au/News-Events/Catholic-Education-Today.aspx

The articles reflect a common focus on encouraging young people to care for what’s important: from understanding current social issues to protecting the environment for their future, from engaging with their faith to looking after their health and wellbeing. This edition highlights the vision of Catholic schools to provide an education in more than the academic, as well as including the regular celebration of events taking place ‘Around the Archdiocese’.

A PDF of our Canteen Price List can be downloaded here

Starting October 28th

Monday 28th

N. Van Vliet, A. Schneider, B. Brinfield

Tuesday 29th

L. Tigani, M. Jackson, Needed

Wednesday 30th

N. Condon, L. Vella, Needed

Thursday 31st

E. Carpenter, L. Eastwood, M. White

Friday November 1st

S. Jenkins, N. Lowther, Needed

Starting November 4th

Monday 4th

No Canteen - Student Free day

Tuesday 5th

No Canteen - Student Free day (Melbourne Cup Holiday)

Wednesday 6th

D. Worrell, Needed, Needed

Thursday 7th

Needed, Needed, Needed

Friday 8th

C. Ford, E. Stokie, Needed

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

Sandra Woodall Tel: 0417 050 258

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:

Annual Parents and Friends' Association College Fee Raffle

Saint Ignatius College School Fees – for 1 year (2020)

Campion Voucher ($200) - Books

Uniform Shop Vouchers (4 x $25 each)

… more to come…

Tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased via trybooking using this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BGHUX

Ticket sales open at 8.00am on Wednesday October 23, 2019 and close at 12noon Tuesday December 10, 2019

The Raffle is drawn at 2.45pm on Tuesday December 10th

Thank you to everyone who supported our PFA "Big Night Out" Fashion Parade fundraiser held on Friday October 18th.

Form all the businesse and families who supported the evnt through donations / vouchers and products to the families from the College who donated goods and $$$ towards the event ... we thank you with all our hearts! It was a fun, fabulous and totally successful night!

Sponsorship and Donations List Please support these businesses in your day to day purcases

Piano Bar, Little Creatures, Flying Brick, Adventure Park, Peninsula Hotel, Baker's Delight, Bellarine Memories, Body Shop at Home (Sam Hargreaves – independent consultant), Yoga Classes (Be Broomhead – ‘yogaforthepeople’ St Leonard’s), Pistol Pete's Food and Blues Bar, Barwon Seefods (on behalf of Mantzaris Fisheries), Kay Gibbons-Buckwell Loca Artist, Cotton On, Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Dan Murphy's, Mind Body Salt (Ryrie Street), Sleek Custom Resin Design, Plant & Co., Town & Country Pizza - Leopold, Direct Chemist Outlet - Leopold, D&M Butcher - Gateway Plaza, Leopold Sportsmans Club, Geelong Flower Farm - Bellarine Highway, Rolling Pin Pie and Cake Shop - Leopold, McGlashan Winery - Wallington and Montana's Fashions and Accessories - Portarlington.

Donations received from College families

Browne Family, Wilgrave Family, Gordon Family, Hay Family, Sims Family, Lace Family, Johnson Family, Williamson/Sumner Family and the Penfold Family.

Thank you to our Models:

The Infamous dynamite Paul Lewis, Classy Claire Hewitt, Luscious Lucy Carpenter, Effervescent Eva Hay, Lovely Liam Robinson, ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ Jacky Humphrey and Elegant Erin Carpenter.

Call for nominations for the Parents and Friends' Association Committee

Positions: President, Treasurer and Secretary

Nominations are to be directed to the Principal (Michael Exton) by November 4th. If you require more information or a nomination form, please email Cathy Dykes (PFA Secretary) sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Parents and Friends’ Meeting for November 2019

Please come and join us on Tuesday November 12th 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.

Become 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

The Uniform Shop

Please note that Uniform shop will be open every second Wednesday from 2pm to 4 pm. Remaining opening dates for this term are:

Term 4 Dates are: October 30th, November 13th and 27th

Extra! Extra! Special Uniform Shop Openings:

Tuesday December 10th 2019 – Year 7 Orientation Day from 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Thursday January 23rd 2020 – Book Pick-up Day from 9.00am – 2.00pm

We are always seeking Volunteers to help in the uniform shop. If you are available and have time to help out Please email Samantha (Sam) Wells sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au Training is provided.

Yes! We are selling the Entertainment Book – (2019/2020)

You can still purchase your copy! Please help support Saint Ignatius College by purchasing an Entertainment.

Books are for sale at the College Office or you can email Sandi Clark sicgpandf@ignatius.vic.edu.au

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:

Many teenagers today are sleep deprived. They should be getting between nine and 10 hours sleep each night, yet most get only seven or eight hours. Some get less.

Sleep deprivation is akin to jet lag. It causes young people not to function at their optimum. It can be the cause of poor behaviour, mental health problems and low functioning in the classroom.

Sleep maximises the brain growth that occurs during adolescence. It also consolidates learning. Sleep research has shown that when a young person is asleep, the brain practises what it has learned during the day. So sufficient sleep consolidates past learning as well as keeping a young person fresh to maximise their future learning.

Sleep experts stress that while adults may not have control over biology we can assist young people to establish good sleep patterns. The first step is to eradicate some of their bad habits, starting with the following:

1. Being glued to a digital screen

The digital devices a young person uses to roam through cyberspace are as addictive as cocaine, with similar arousal effects as well. The blue light emitted by mobile devices stimulates the brain into keeping kids awake wellinto the night. Tip: Get your kids away from digital devices at least 90 minutes before bedtime.

2. Doing homework in bed

The brain associates activity with location. When young people are at their desks in school it’s easy to get into study mode. They associate learning and productive activity with their classroom and its furnishings. The same principle applies at home. If they fire up their laptops and work while on their beds, it is hard for them to mentally switch off from their schoolwork when the light finally goes out. Tip: Keep homework out of bedrooms. If they must work in their rooms, confine study to a desk.

3. Spending all day indoors

Moping around the house is a huge part of the adolescent experience. However, spending all day away from natural light is shown to lead to anxiety and depression, which are both causes and symptoms of lack of sleep. Put a cap on moping about and encourage them to go outside – take a walk, meet a mate, do an errand. Tip: A minimum of hour outside a day helps keep insomnia at bay.

4. Sleeping in late on weekends

The sleep–wake cycle for teenagers is delayed by up to two hours. That is, they get sleepy later and wake later than when they were children. In most teens, melatonin – which makes them sleepy – is secreted around 11 pm.

Cortisol, the chemical that wakes them up, is secreted at 8.15 am for many. So the adolescent brain wants to be asleep just when most them need to be waking up to go to school. Many teenagers catch up on this lost sleep on the weekend. However, if your teen is sleeping in until midday on weekends then his whole sleep cycle is being thrown out of whack. Tip: Keep sleep-ins to no more than an hour longer than normal to keep the sleep clock operating on a regular basis.

5. Talking on their mobile phones

A mobile is an extension of the person for most teens. Unfortunately, there’s no getting away from the fact that mobile phones may be harming our health. One study (https://www.emf-portal.org/en/article/15274) found that radiation thrown off by mobile phones can seriously throw off sleep in heavy phone users. The study found that regular mobile phone users reported more headaches, took longer to fall asleep and had difficulty experiencing a deep sleep. Tip: Encourage young people to limit the length of their calls and place a moratorium on mobile use 90 minutes before bedtime.

6. Consuming caffeine and other stimulants

It’s a familiar story. It’s seven o’clock in the evening and your teenager hasn’t started a big assignment that’s due the next day. Needing to stay awake for the big job ahead, she drinks a coffee or a caffeinated soft drink or two to keep her adrenaline high. Consuming caffeine in any form after dinner is like throwing a wrecking ball through regular sleep patterns. The brain needs to calm down rather than be artificially stimulated if sleep is to occur. Tip: Confine caffeinated drinks to mornings to minimise their impact on sleep.

According to beyondblue, one in seven teenagers experiences a mental health disorder. Many experts agree that if they were to choose only one strategy to improve young people’s wellbeing it would be to increase the quality and quantity of sleep that teenagers have. That’s how important sleep is to a young person’s wellbeing.

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.

Local Community and Sporting groups you may be interested in.

Leopold Youth Space Term 4 Program

Leopold Youthe Space @ the leopold Hub, every Wednesday in Term 4. 12 - 25 year olds 3.30pm to 5.00pm.

Regular drop in activities include Nintendo Switch, table tennis, making a blanket and free food! See the attached flyer for program details.

Geelong Regional Libraries 'Mental Health and Young People' Free Mental Health Panels

During National Mental Health Month, Geelong Libraries are hosting four panel sessions that are being held in different branches across the region . The panel will have representatives from headspace, BCYF Family Services, Jigsaw, Bellarine Health Care, Pritchard Health and Barwon Health Carers Services.

The topic of the sessions are three fold – how to recognise the signs of concern when a young person may be struggling with their mental health, where and how to access support for the young person, and how to get support for yourself as the carer.

The sessions are being held at the Torquay, Newcomb, Lara and Belmont branches. Please the flyer below for details and here is the link for people to book into this free community eventhttps://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/whats-on/mental-health-and-young-people

City of Greater Geelong Regional Parenting Program

The City of Greater Geelong, in conjuction with other stake holders, presents Parenting Programs which may interest parents and guardians.

In November they are presenting a Free Parenting Forum entitled 'Parenting tools to help your adolescent thrive'. This will be held Tuesday November 12th, 7.00pm to 9.00pm

See the flyers below for more information and booking details.

Discover Sailing Day

Enjoy a free day of sailing with friends and family at the 'Discover Sailing Day' at the Portarlington Sailing Club on Sunday October 27th starting at 11.00am.

Discover sailing Day is your chance to visit your local club and get out on the water. See attched flyer for further details.

What's On in October and November 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 October and November. You are advised to book early as many events sell out.

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