St Mary MacKillop

Each year on the 8th of August we celebrate St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's beloved first saint and patron saint of one of our Colleges Houses. On this day, we recognise the important role she played in making education accessible for children in our country. Mary MacKillop devoted her life to ensuring a holistic Catholic education for children from rural, poor families.

St Mary MacKillop's impact on Australian education was remarkable. She was a trailblazer and a leader who passionately advocated for the education of underprivileged children and children in remote areas where others either would or could not go. For such children and their families, Mary opened a door of hope into the future.

Over the years there have been many quotes that have been attributed to St. Mary MacKillop, such as “Never see a need without doing something about it” and “Let no obstacle deter us from proceeding with courage.”

The first quote reflects St. Mary MacKillop's commitment to taking action in response to the needs of others. It suggests that whenever we encounter a situation where help is required, whether it's a person in need, a social injustice, or any problem that demands attention, we should not hesitate to step in and make a difference. The second quote encourages perseverance and bravery in the face of challenges. St. Mary MacKillop is emphasising the importance of not being discouraged by difficulties or barriers that might arise in our path. Instead, she advocates for moving forward with determination and courage, no matter what obstacles may stand in the way.

St. Mary MacKillop is an outstanding role model and these quotes are exceptional examples of the impact and direction she can have on our young people today.

First Nations performer, Tjupurru

On Monday 5th August, we had a First Nations performer, Tjupurru, come in to present to our Year 7 and Year 8 students. Tjupurru is a proud Djabera Djabera man from the Kimberly region of WA.

Tjupurru's performance, celebrates his Djabera Djabera heritage and the rich cultural traditions of the Kimberly region. His high energy performance included stories of creation, ancestry and personal recollections of growing up in the remote Australian bush. Using the didjeribone, face bass and cutting edge music production equipment, Tjupurru's unique performance transformed the MacKillop Theatre into the Australian outback with sounds of haunting winds, howling dingoes and laughing kookaburras.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the First Nations people and Child Safe Standards, this presentation naturally aligns with the principles of inclusivity and respect for diversity. By sharing stories of creation, ancestry, and personal experiences, Tjupurru provided a platform for our students to engage with and appreciate Aboriginal culture. Thank you to Mr Attel Martschinke, our Intercultural Perspectives Coordinator, for organising this event.

Pathways Interviews

All Year 9 and 10 students participated in Pathway interviews last week to support them in determining their subjects for next year. All students were allocated to specific teachers throughout the day for a 15min ZOOM interview to discuss the subjects they have enjoyed; the potential stream they would like to pursue; subjects for 2025 and possible career pathways. Participating in these interview’s myself, I found the process to be a great way for the students and their parents/guardians to be guided through this important selection process.

Winter Sleep Out

This week we had several students participate in the Winter Sleep Out. This event is designed to raise awareness and support those who sleep ‘rough’ on a regular basis. In 2018 the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that on any given night 122,000 Australians are homeless. As a Catholic school it is important for us to offer these opportunities for our students to support those on the margins of society. We feel these opportunities develop a level of empathy that can only be achieved through experiences such as the Winter Sleep Out. Thank you to all students and staff that supported this initiative, specifically our Justice Coordinator Nicole Sadler for her organisation.

MACS Annual Report

The Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) have released their 2023 Annual Report. The report outlines a number of the changes that have occurred and specifically discusses the progress in a number of the initiatives. The report also highlights the successes that were achieved after the first full year of the MACS2030 strategy. The report can be found by clicking on the note here.

Business Manager Retirement

I would like to acknowledge the retirement of our long-serving Business Manager, Mr David Fitzgerald. Mr Fitzgerald has been a dedicated member of our staff for 32 years. We thank him for his long-standing service to our school and to Catholic education in the Geelong region.

He began as the first Business Manager of Catholic Regional College in 1992. Over the years, he has been an integral part of the College's leadership team and has been fully involved in the College community. Despite the numerous challenges and changes for the College over the years, he has remained a dedicated and constant staff member. In his capacity as Business Manager, he has been instrumental in ensuring the College's financial stability. David's unwavering commitment and support have made a significant contribution to the College's progress and success.

Through our continuous work in ‘Building Community to Become a Better Learner’, one of the guiding principles for professional learning at Saint Ignatius College Geelong in 2024, has been to empower teachers to ‘stive, thrive and inspire’ not only the students we teach but one another through a strong culture of collaborative practices.

This culture has been nurtured through a wide range of Professional Development opportunities across the College and is evident in all contexts where teachers meet together, work together, and learn together every day.

Currently, all teaching staff are completing their annual ‘Professional Learning Cycle’ that will culminate in an exciting showcase of achievements at the end of the year. All individual or team learning goals are linked to our Learning Area priorities and will inform very real and tangible outcomes for professional practice across the board. In addition to this whole school process, a large number of teachers have become involved in regularly scheduled Focussed Workshop Time for small group collaboration. This regularly designated time for self-nominated teaching teams to develop new curriculum, moderate for assessment and undertake targeted professional learning together has significantly strengthened the foundations of our College wide commitment to move forward together as a collaborative learning community. Further testimony of this culture is visible in our teacher-led and initiated professional learning sessions held after school to address specific areas of staff interest and our collective ongoing commitment to the MACS Vision for Instruction. The MACS Vision is grounded in evidence from cognitive science research. A recent highlight of such offerings was a ‘Writing Masterclass’ led by Steph Gillies - Pedagogy Literacy Leader.

As the College steps into the next phase of our Connected Curriculum programs at Years 7 and 8 in 2025, we will be embarking upon a journey of Instructional Coaching and Leadership. A large group of College leaders from across our Pastoral and Learning Area teams have been undertaking training to be coaches since early Term 2 as they prepare to lead this ‘one to one’ classroom based instructional coaching, with teachers in Years 7 & 8, as well as other nominated areas of the school. Our aim here is to purposefully support individual teachers achieve their professional goals related to evidence-based high impact practices within our new and developing knowledge rich teaching and learning programs. Our teachers at Saint Ignatius College have much to be proud of and a great deal to look forward to indeed!

Jemma Morris | Director of Teacher Development

What a busy and energetic start we have had to Term 3. Our Year 10 students have settled into their new classes. Our Year 10 and 11 students have been busy with Pathway meetings to select their 2025 subjects. Our Year 12 students have also started the process of researching and applying for University courses. Two weeks ago our College Feast Day was held and three of our Xavier House Students, Sienna Davidson, Zachary Jackson and Paddy Noble beautifully performed the song “Let it Be.” Although we didn’t take out first place (well done to Glowrey House), these 3 should be super proud of their performance.

Moving forward, we have our Xavier House Mass next Tuesday and this will be a wonderful time for all senior students in our house to come together. I am sure the students will also enjoy the pizza lunch after the mass!

The countdown is now on for our Year 12 students. Only yesterday one of the Year 12s informed me it was 78 days until their last exam. The next 78 days will fly by. Preparation has already commenced in organising their final school assembly, Graduation and Valedictory. We look forward to helping our Year 12s look back over their final year and celebrate the closing of this chapter.

Julie Wilson | Xavier Head of House

On Monday 5th August, the Year 7 and Year 8 students were invited to join Tjupurru, an Australian First Nations performer from Djabera Djabera country in the Kimberly region of Western Australia, to explore and learn Indigenous cultures, languages, histories and storytelling in a unique and engaging manner.

Using his Didjeribone, a homemade traditional instrument that is part Didjeridoo and part Trombone, Tjupurru quickly had the audience transported to the remote Australian outback full of howling dingoes, haunting winds and humorous kookaburras.

His 60 minute performance was highly entertaining but also deeply truthful and personal as he share his story of displacement, discrimination and growing up on a mission camp site in Australia in the 1970’s. An honest and real recollection of how our First Nations people have been treated since federation.

A very powerful story but his message to all the students who attended was of hope and hope for the future. Hope that we can all stand side by side as friends, as brothers and sisters and as one proud Australian people acknowledging all our genuine and unique life experiences, family histories and cultural backgrounds.

SICG Intercultural Perspectives Coordinator | Attel Martschinke

This year Saint Ignatius College is participating in ‘Bullying No Way Week,’ a week to promote standing up against bullying and instead spreading and encouraging kindness. Bullying No Way Week runs from the 12th to the 16th of August, with Saint Ignatius College recognising this important event on Friday the 16th of August.

When participating in a day such as this, it is important to remind ourselves why this is important and relevant at our school. In Term 2, the senior students were surveyed to help us understand their experiences with bullying. From these results, 12% of our senior students report having been bullied at school at some stage, however, 50% of our senior students report having engaged in or seen 'upstander' behaviour. When asked to finish the sentence "Students at Saint Ignatius have the right to...", the responses included “learn and be happy,” “be treated kindly,” “enjoy the time at the school without feeling worried about being bullied,” and “be safe.”

To kickstart this week, the Wellbeing Team organised a “Be Kind Competition” where students from all year levels were able to spread the message to ‘Be Kind’ in the form of a drawing, painting, poem, photo, etc, drawing on student creativity to spread an important message. We received some amazing submissions from students, with selected submissions being awarded prizes, and displayed around our school. As your Wellbeing Captain, I would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry and went out of their way to spread the message of kindness in their own unique, creative way.

On the morning of the 16th of August, students were greeted at the school gate by their teachers and peers who will invite them to sign their name on a chalk pledge, as a way of showing support against bullying. When students get off the bus, music will be playing and teachers will be wearing ‘Be Kind’ t-shirts, all of which will act as a reminder throughout the day to spread the message of kindness.

This event is sure to spread an important message for students whilst walking into school, and I hope they bring the message with them throughout the day and continue to implement it in their own lives as they grow and become people for others.

Lucy Keen | Wellbeing Captain

One in seven young Australians aged 4–17 faces mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Schools play a crucial role in offering early support to prevent these issues from escalating. Batyr is a leading organisation in prevention and stigma reduction, using stories of lived experiences to normalise mental health discussions and encourage students to seek help.

On the 7th and 8th of August, Batyr delivered tailored presentations to our Year 9–12 students. The key themes were -

• Year 9: Focused on creating a supportive environment for mental health discussions.

• Year 10: Emphasised the importance of peer support and "looking out for your mates."

• Year 11: Provided coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

• Year 12: Addressed balancing life and academics, and developing advocacy skills for the future.

One example of the stories shared during the presentations was about a person who felt trapped in the cycle of anxiety and depression, exacerbated by experiences of bullying. They spoke about their decision to seek help. In doing so, they became equipped and motivated to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This individual’s goal is now to share their journey with mental health and encourage others to do so.

Students received this program very positively and formal evaluations are currently being collated. We extend our sincere thanks to Batyr for their continued support. For more information on Batyr, visit https://www.batyr.com.au/our-s...

From the Student Wellbeing Team, Olivia, Sarah, Leanne, and Michael

Year 8 students and their fathers/male mentors are invited to the upcoming 'Time & Space Evening' on Tuesday August 27th from 6.30pm.As a prelude to this evening, attendees are also invited to enjoy the fun of the 'Paper Planes and Pizza' program which commences at 5.45pm.

Year 8 students and their fathers/male mentors are asked to register via this link --> http://bit.ly/SICG824

Saint Ignatius College looks forward to welcoming Year 8 students and their fathers/male mentors for 'Paper Planes and Pizza' from 5.45pm, followed by the 'Time & Space Program' from 6.30pm.

Click here to view 2024 Year 12 Save the dates

Friendship Fix: How to Manage Difficulties with Friends

Navigating friendships can be tricky, especially during our teenage years!

If your young person is experiencing some friendship turmoil at the moment, it could be worth discussing some of the below tips with them to support them in navigating these tricky and distressing times.

It's normal to encounter challenges and disagreements with our friends, but it's important to know how to handle these situations in a positive and healthy way. Here are some tips on managing difficulties with friends:

1. Communication is key: If you're having a problem with a friend, it's important to talk about it openly and honestly. Share your feelings and listen to their perspective as well. Remember, communication is a two-way street.

An effective communication tool is using the sentence…

“I feel…. When you…. Because…. Can I ask…”

1. Choose your battles: Not every disagreement is worth fighting over. Learn to pick your battles and let go of minor issues. Focus on the bigger picture and the long-term value of your friendship.

1. Set boundaries: It's okay to establish boundaries in your friendships. Let your friends know what you're comfortable with and what you're not. Respect each other's space and opinions.

1. Seek support: If you're struggling with a friendship issue, don't be afraid to seek support from a trusted adult or wellbeing. They can provide guidance and help you navigate the situation.

1. Practice empathy: Put yourself in your friend's shoes and try to understand where they're coming from. Empathy can help you see things from a different perspective and find common ground.

1. Take a break if needed: Sometimes, it's okay to take a break from a friendship if it's causing you stress or negativity. Give yourself space to reflect and recharge, and come back to the relationship when you're ready.

Remember, friendships are an important part of our lives, but they can also come with challenges. By practicing good communication, setting boundaries, and seeking support when needed, you can navigate difficulties with friends in a healthy and positive way.

From the Wellbeing Team (Liv, Leanne, Sarah & Michael)