Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear Parents and Friends,
Final weeks of Semester One
We have two weeks remaining in Term Two. It is indeed a busy time for students and teachers with assignments due and tests or examinations being conducted to conclude Semester One. These assessments will provide valuable feedback about students' progress with their learning. While Semester One Statements of Results will be made available on Friday, June 23rd, parents and students can monitor student results and feedback using our Learning Management System, ‘Canvas.’ If parents are not familiar with Canvas, I suggest you ask your daughter or son to show you how to access their information. Parents will receive an email about accessing the Semester One Statement of Results.
Please note the following student-free days during the remaining time of this term:
Monday 12th June – King’s Birthday Holiday
Friday 16th June – Teacher Professional Practice Day
Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd June – Staff Inservice Days
This term's final day of classes will be Wednesday, 21st June. Students will finish at the usual time of day.
Classes for Term Three will commence on Monday, 10th July 2023.
Opening & Blessing of Yr 9 Centre
We held a belated opening and blessing ceremony on Tuesday 6th June 2023 with the Yr 9 students, College Captains and guests. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and being unable to find a suitable date between the College and the availability of a government representative, we had to delay this event for quite some time. The Yr 9 Centre has been in use since 2020.
In attendance were:
Ms Libby Coker, local MP and representative of the Federal Government;
Mr Fergus Chisholm, General Manager for Infrastructure Services and Capital Delivery (MACS);
Fr Darien Sticklen, Queenscliff Parish Priest, Canonical Administrator and member of the College’s Advisory Council;
Fr Gerry Healy SJ, Jesuit representative and member of the College’s Advisory Council; and
College Advisory Council members – Ms Marie Emmitt, Ms Jo Britt and Mr Bernard Lewis.
Gratitude was a predominant theme throughout the ceremony. We acknowledged with thanks:
Past and present members of our school community. It has taken many years of saving to raise the funds needed;
The Australian Government for providing a grant of $2.1M towards the overall cost of $5.5M;
The architects – Clarke, Hopkins, Clarke;
The builders – CICG (Commercial Industrial Construction Group);
Our previous Yr 9 Coordinator, Mr Joe Pannuzzo and his team for steering the transition from the ‘old’ to the ‘new’ Yr 9 Centre;
Our College School Advisory Council (previously the College Board – and Chairperson, Mr Tony Frizza); and
The College’s Canonical Administrators.
Our students were encouraged to show their gratitude for this wonderful building by:
Applying themselves to their learning;
Looking after the building;
Looking after each other with acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and respect;
Working with our current Yr 9 Coordinator, Mr Ryan and the Year 9 staff team to build our school community.
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 our students have obtained.
Thank you to Ms Dot Vajda (Work and Further Education Coordinator) for her efforts to coordinate this program and Ms Kirsty Allan (Director of Senior School) for her support in this area and the Yr 10 Teachers involved.
Best wishes,
Michael Exton
Principal
Last week, students across year levels studying Indonesian took part in the regional heats of VILTA's Indonesian language competition, Sayembara Lisan. Sayembara Lisan is an inter-school competition, and approximately 40 of our students engaged in a three part conversation in Indonesian - general questions, a presentation, and an unrehearsed discussion. We have been impatiently waiting for the grand return of this opportunity after it was put on hold thanks to COVID-19, and it was a great opportunity for everyone to test and expand their language capabilities, pitting their skills against other students in the region. Everyone gave it their all, and the real winner was everyone who put themselves out of their comfort zone to use their Indonesian skills in the wild.
Several students came out on top in their year level and are now eligible to compete in the state finals later in the year. Congratulations to Year 11s Hayley Eastwood and Ghe Ghe Goh, Year 10s Amelie Anderson and Indiana Colley, Year 9s Simone Choong, Jade Cowdery, Hannah Dreise, Jessica Harris, Lily Keyburn, Pippa Scutchings and Emerald Williams, and Year 8s Reuben Cook and Isabelle Hachem. Selamat atas hasilnya!
Meanwhile, Year 8 Indonesian students enjoyed a day out at Melbourne Zoo. Using their knowledge of Indonesian directions, places and animals, students enjoyed finding animals such as harimau and orangutan. With thanks to Bu Spencer and Bu Cole for organising this opportunity, students also gathered information for use back in the classroom. The Year 8 Italian students are looking forward to their big language day out, with a visit to Club Italia a highlight for next term. Selamat belajar!
Over the last few weeks, the Year 8s have had many opportunities to participate in GISSA events and Cura Personalis. It is always so lovely to hear the chatter, as our young people return from local activities full of news.
On June 25th, 125 of our Indonesian language students caught a bus to the Melbourne Zoo and spent a few hours walking around, visiting enclosures and learning about the animals. A focus of the excursion was Indonesian directions and following their way around the zoo using the language as a focus. Students were also able to read signs around the zoo that are written in Indonesian and see many native animals from the archipelago.
On Tuesday 30th July, all Year 8s participated in their Retreat Day held in St Thomas’ Church. It was organised and facilitated by students studying “Journey” and it was pleasing to see the passion and commitment shown by these young adults. A highlight was the performance by our very own Year 8 Rock Band. They raised the roof of the church with their talent and had everyone in awe.
Bookings are being finalised for a Careers Day in Melbourne in Term 4. Two classes at a time will be heading over to the city by ferry. One of the components of the day will be a tour of the Metro Tunnel Project. We will also visit a city university for lunch and catch the talking tram.
The Year 8s are on track to finish the Semester strongly. It is so pleasing to see how classroom culture is developing in each Mentor group as students make new friends and validate old friendships from last year.
Early in Term 3, we will be looking at subject selection, the Wollangarra Leadership application process and our Year 9 Indigenous Immersions. Whilst students are ready for a break, I encourage them to dig deep, work hard and finish this Semester strongly.
Ms O’Brien
Year 8 Coordinator
The SRC has been working as hard to implement more change in our school community! In our recent meetings, we have discussed our recent Casual Clothes Day, possible new planter boxes and provided updates on projects from earlier in the year. We also had a visit from Mr Timms and Mr Lewis.
In our most recent meeting, we were lucky enough to hold an open meeting in the Xavier Centre, where we had some Year 7 students come along to watch how the SRC runs and how it operates. Applications have recently closed for the Year 7 SRC Applications and we look forward to welcoming the 2 new members upon their election, best of luck to all applicants!
Students are invited to submit their ideas via the SRC - Your Voice Google Form located on XUNO or alternatively chat with their SRC representative or shoot them an email. We look forward to hearing from any and all students.
Sarah Tolan | Year 9 SRC Representative
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Tadhg Kennelly has had to withdraw from presenting to our College Community on Wednesday evening as our keynote speaker for Men's Health Week.
Whilst the cancellation is disappointing, we are delighted to introduce the replacement as; Mark Squirrell OAM.
Mark was a member of the Australian Special Forces with deployments to Timor Leste, the Gaza Strip, and Pakistan, who has successfully climbed Mt Everest, and continues to be dedicated to humanitarian work.
This informative evening is free, with members of the College Community encouraged to register their attendance via the below link;
https://www.trybooking.com/CIKNN
We look forward to welcoming members of the College Community to this exciting evening next week.
‘Postcards To The Front’ is a campaign set up to send messages of support to the Defenders of Ukraine.
Defenders are not just soldiers, these are the health workers, teachers, civilians defending the Ukraine borders.
In support of this wonderful campaign, the Social Justice and Ministry Teams are working to organise this drive for Term 3.
We are looking for unused postcards, or cards that have NO text on the front, such as ‘Happy birthday’, Wedding, Engagement etc. Plain fronts are better.
We are also looking for Christmas cards too, for a Christmas drive later in the year.
I look forward to receiving great donations.
Many thanks for your support.
Kerry Horbowsky, on behalf of the Social Justice Team
9 am to 2.30 pm
Wednesday, 28 June @ University of Melbourne (uoM), Swanston Street, Parkville
Year 11 and 12 students are invited to experience a taste of university life these school holidays. Throughout the day students will take part in two areas of study workshops, sit in on a panel of current students to hear about their experiences, speak to staff 12:1 about study interests, and discover a broad range of student clubs and societies and participate in student accommodation tours. Fabulous opportunity to taste-test and discover! Limited places so please be quick!
Register to attend: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/qz8s
11 Workshops over 2 Days! 1st and 2nd July
Open to Year 10, 11 and 12 students - $15 per ticket
Audio and Music, Animation, Fashion, Digital Design, Interior Design, Performing Arts, Photography, Social Media Content
Fantastic way to taste test your creative side. Limited places.
Register www.collarts.edu.au/holidayworkshops
Tuesday, 27 June 2023 – 10.00 am to 12.00 pm – Discover Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedicine
Wednesday, 28 June – 10.00 am to 12.00 pm – Discover Allied Health, Biomedical Science, Exercise Science
Thursday, 29 June – 10.00 am to 12.00 pm – Discover Law and Criminology
These events are FREE! You will need to Register as these places fill fast! Visit campus/facilities/chat with students and staff and see what it is like to be an ACU student for a day. Parents are more than welcome to attend and there will be a dedicated parents’ session on the day.
Start your career in sport with the Melbourne Cricket Education Academy (MCEA)
Launched in October 2022, and the first of its kind in Australian Cricket, MCEA students are based at Cricket Victoria in the CitiPower Centre at Junction Oval in St Kilda. The Academy is a unique opportunity for select students to kick-start a career in sport while studying a dual Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management, delivered by RMIT University.
In addition to the dual diploma, students will have the option to select from two elite sporting streams: the Cricket Development Program – where students will spend one day per week (on average) undertaking a range of cricket technique development activities at the CitiPower Centre in St Kilda, OR the Sports Business Placement Program where students undertake 100 hours of real life work-experience provided across Cricket Victoria, including Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades and its partner network.
Entry requirements are successful completion of VCE Yr 12, VCE VM. Some fantastic opportunities for sports minded cricket people!
Further info – See Dot Vajda, Acting Work & Further Education Coordinator.
Stay tuned …. Defence Force Recruitment … coming to Saint Ignatius College Term 3. Open to all students and staff.
Thinking of taking a GAP year in 2024?
The Department of Home Affairs have some positions available for 12 months (temporary contracts). Successful applicants will gain valuable experience supporting the processing and administration of essential business areas with excellent working conditions and remuneration.ome Affairs
This falls under the Australian Public Service (APS) 2 classification. Full time salary will be $54,439 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation.
The Department of Home Affairs will provide comprehensive on-the-job training, mentoring and further development opportunities through the 12 months and offer the opportunity at the end of the program to continue with Home Affairs through a part time APS3 internship program while completing tertiary studies. You do NOT have to continue after 12 months. This is just an option.
ATAR is NOT required. Must be an Australian citizen and prepared to undertake and pass an Australian Government security clearance process.
For any Yr 12’s thinking about taking a break (GAP year) this is a great opportunity. There is a bit of work to do if seriously interested. Want more info?
Please see Mrs Dot Vajda, Acting Work and Further Education Coordinator if you would like to get more information and/or assistance with your Application. (I am happy to assist with any individual Yr 12 application/s).
NOTE. Applications CLOSE Sunday, 2 July (no extensions)!
University of Melbourne Science and Engineering Day 2023.
Thursday, 29th June. 9.30 am to 2.15 pm – UoM
Interested in Science and Engineering? This is a great taste-tester program, organised by the Robogals Melbourne.
Workshops for young women to participate in a 1 day workshop. Aims are to promote innovation and exploration through hands-on projects, STEM-based workshops. Whilst this event if open to all genders, they are encouraging girls and gender diverse students to register to align with the core aims of the Science Challenge. (Parent/s may attend too). Catering will be provided.
Activities include Sustainability and Space, Catapult and EV3 Lego Mindstorms.
What next? Interested in above, exciting STEM workshops? These are numbers-based. Be QUICK!
Please see Mrs Dot Vajda, Acting Work and Further Education Coordinator for further info.
New 2024 University/TAFE Course Guides have been replenished and have arrived!
Please feel free to pop into the Careers Office to collect what you need.
Any students in Yr 12 that require 1:1 consultations to discuss tertiary/work options for 2024, please remember that the door is always open for chats and follow up chats. Look at free $$$ - Scholarships.
Please see Mrs Dot Vajda, Acting Work and Further Education Coordinator Term 2 or
Mr Bruce Connor in Term 3.
GOLDEN PLAINS CAREERS EXPO – SATURDAY, 24TH JUNE, 10 AM TO 3 PM
FREE entry.
Don’t need to register
Bannockburn Cultural Centre – 27 High Street
Visit and chat with ACU, Deakin Uni, Fed Uni/TAFE, Vic Uni/TAFE, Gordon TAFE, South West TAFE, Collarts, VFA Learning
If you missed the above attending St Ignatius Careers/Pathways Expo held at the College on Monday, 22 May then this is another “local” opportunity to attend and ask questions, gather course guides, learn about scholarships (“free” $$$).
Any questions, please see Mrs Dot Vajda, Acting Work and Further Education Coordinator
CONNECTING THE BELLARINE COMMUNITY – JOBS AND TRAINING EXPO
Bellarine Training and Community Hub, Ocean Grove
Monday, 26th June from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
In 2023, schools are asked to provide information to the government about the number of students with additional needs currently attending their school.
There is a broad definition of 'disability' that includes students who require minor adjustments to those needing significant additional support to achieve success at school.
The data is provided to the Australian Government to assist in the development of a consistent, national picture of the educational needs of students with disability.
For further information related to this mandated collection process, please read the attached document in this newsletter titled, ‘NCCD Fact Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians’.
NCCD fact sheet for parents guardians and carers
Should you have any additional questions after reading this information, please direct these to Mrs. Caroline Edmonds, Learning Diversity Coordinator, during school hours or via her school email:
The ILC have launched their annual ‘ILC Winter Book Fair’ on Thursday 8th June, supplied and supported by Torquay Books.
We bring this online Book Fair to our school community to celebrate, embrace and support literacy and a love of reading.
This year four books have been selected for each category with a great selection of books to choose from.
The ILC Winter Book Fair will run from Thursday, 8th June until Sunday, 18th June 2023.
This is a way we showcase to our students that literacy is an important part of our College teaching and learning.
Here is the link to Torquay Books website for the book fair orders.
https://www.torquaybooks.com.au/c/st-ignatius-winter-book-fair-add-homeroom-in-notes
Books will be delivered to the school in the final week of Term 2.
If you have any further queries regarding our Winter Book Fair please speak to ILC staff or email library@ignatius.vic.edu.au.
- The ILC Team
W/C 12/06/2023
12th: No Canteen - King's Birthday Holiday
13th: M.Dunstan, Mportelli.
14th: M.Jackson, M.Portelli.
15th: S.Sheerin, M.Hiemstra, M.White.
16th: No Canteen - Student Free Day
.....................................................................................
W/C 19/6/2023
19th: K.McCauley, K.Allchin.
20th: H.Nicol, S.Twaits.
21st: C.Ford, L.Dowling.
22nd: No Canteen - End of Term
23rd: No Canteen - End of Term
NEW Streets Icecream prices from this term.
Mini Calippo. $1.50
Paddle Pop $2.50
Pop Icy Twist $2.00
Cyclone $3.50
Click here to view the 2023 Canteen Price List
If you are able to assist on the above mentioned dates, please contact Canteen Manager Mrs. Sandra Woodall on woodalls@ignatius.vic.edu.au
Volunteers must hold a current WWCC. New volunteers must fill out the form provided via the link below.
Mrs. Sandra Woodall | Canteen Manager