Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Dear members of our College Community,
It certainly has been a busy week across the College with students enjoying the many academic, and extracurricular opportunities that have been made available to them.
It was wonderful to see so many parents/carers attend last week’s Instrumental Showcase held at the College MPC. The hard work, dedication, and talent of our musicians shone through with both their individual and group performances. Congratulations to our students on their respective performances, and to our dedicated and enthusiastic music staff who provide so many opportunities for our musically talented students to shine.
This week our Unit 4 Outdoor and Environmental students have embraced the opportunity to put their classroom studies into practice by attending the Alpine Experience, being greeted by fresh snow on arrival, the first snowfall since June. Students have been afforded the opportunity to witness the effects of El Nino and climate change first hand with the rugged snowfields of the Bogong High Plains looking more like spring than winter.
Over 50 students participated in the '2023 Winter Sleepout' last night and were able to live out our Ignatian value of being 'people for others' last night, preparing spaghetti bolognese and apple muffins for local community centres. Students witnessed the inspirational and moving story of Agum in the Xavier Centre, before listening to the incredible story of Sammy in the ILC. Sammy shared his faith journey, and the incredible support he has received from Jesuit Social Services and Launch Housing.
Before setting up their swags, students and food technology staff supported our students in making meals for Lazarus Community Centre, and The Salvation Army Northside Geelong Community Centre, with all meals being delivered to our grateful recipients this morning.
Students and staff are to be commended on their endeavours with the ‘2023 Winter Sleepout’ to be ‘young people for, and with others.’
It is with great excitement that the College announces its collaboration with Noone Uniforms in providing our College Community the opportunity to purchase their child’s/children’s uniform requirements here on site. The Noone Uniform Shop will stock all the usual uniform items that you would find in the Moorabool Street store, but in a more convenient location for our community. The uniform shop will be open Monday & Wednesday 12.30-4pm and Friday 9am -1pm.
As we approach the ‘halfway mark’ of the Term, students across the College are reminded of their commitment to being students who ‘love and serve’ by ensuring that they collate and record their community service hours for the year. Students in Year 7 are required to complete 5 hours, whilst students from Years 8-12 are required to complete 10 hours over the academic year. These hours can be recorded on the CANVAS page, which will then transfer to the poster that is in each Mentor Group.
Whilst the extract above is a snapshot of the many opportunities that our students have the opportunity to embrace, I recognise that this is merely a snippet of these opportunities.
I encourage all families to take a moment to read the article written by Year Level Coordinator Mrs Deborah Hodge who, along with Ms. Kristin Williamson accompanied a group of students to the Top End for an experience that they won’t forget.
Next fortnight’s calendar continues with major event days such as the Xavier House Mass, Science Week, Indonesian Independence Day Celebrations in Canberra, GISSA/Cura Personalis, the Vocal Evening and much more!
Don’t forget to take a moment to purchase your Anastasia tickets, it is a production that you don’t want to miss!
Wishing our College Community a wonderful weekend, and a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Ms. Elana Cole | Director of Community Engagement.
OUR CATHOLIC AND JESUIT/IGNATIAN SCHOOL – WHY?
We are here because of and for:
1. Jesus 2. St Ignatius 3. Our students
The “flow of connection/the core” for our Catholic and Jesuit/Ignatian School |
Jesus - his life/his role model
St Ignatius – his life/his role model
SICG VISION AND MISSION
Saint Ignatius College is a Catholic community in the Ignatian tradition, that is learning-centred and supportive.
The College is committed to the education of the whole person
and the development of young adults of competence, conscience and compassion
who will be of service in the community.
We strive to recognize God’s presence in all things, to celebrate the pursuit of personal excellence
and to live with hope and respect for all creation.
4. OUR STUDENTS
Women and men for others – humble service to others.
‘Our present students will, in time, assume various roles… in service to others, in the administration of justice,
in medical and education fields, others in all sorts of responsible occupations…the young people of today are
the adults of tomorrow, so their good formation in life will benefit many others… to the greater glory of God’
(Saint Ignatius)
“In the footsteps of Ignatius” “Humble service to others”
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
by Sieger Köder
Kind regards
Paul Lewis
DP: Identity and Co-Curriculum
PERFORMANCE AND INSTRUMENTAL NEWS—AUGUST
FEAST DAY CELEBRATION
On Thursday, July 27th, students were treated to a wonderful day of activities. The talent quest was so much fun and special thanks to our arts captain Zoe Walter who organised the acts.
We were so delighted to have Jaron Mulholland as our guest artist and chief judge. Jaron is a past student who has worked extensively with his band in Europe. He has also worked for Universal Studios in writing film music and advertisements. Jaron was impressed with the acts and he also performed to the College.
Many thanks to the Senior Band, the Choir and Alana Whatman for performing at the assembly.
Talent Quest prize winners.
Junior
1st Place: Year 7 Rock Bands-Millie Tognon, Grace Taylor, Will Bosnan, Troy Stibbard,
Fabian Cordoza, Ava Burke.
2nd Place: Stella Nichol
3rd Place: Samantha Farnsworth
Saint Ignatius Award: Lucinda Zuidema
Senior
1st Place: Summer De Vries
2nd Place: Dancers-Marielle Lewis & Jemma Kevich
3rd Place: Senior Band- Oliver Watson, Zach Jackson, Mackinley Watson, Ebony Plowman
Saint Ignatius Award: Thomas Galan.
INSTRUMENTAL SHOWCASE -AUGUST 2ND
The annual Instrumental Showcase was certainly a winner this year. Over 100 students performed in the MPC to the many parents and friends of the college.
Many thanks to our very competent compere, Zoe Walter. A big thank you to our ensemble directors, Mrs Grant, Mr Wilding, Mrs Wilding, Mr Neal and Mr Rudd for all their hard work.
We were incredibly proud of all our students and the way they conducted themselves. All the ensembles are growing in numbers and the rock bands are rocking!
Year 7 & 8 Rock Bands
The Year 7 and 8 Rock Bands have been hard at work all year rehearsing their songs for debut performances at Feast Day and Instrumental Night. Both bands have shown enormous dedication by giving up their lunchtimes to rehearse each week. Above all, they have supported each other's success through teamwork and collaboration within the Ignatian tradition, each bringing their own strengths and talents to the groups.
Congratulations to Millie Tognon, Ava Burke, Fabian Cardozo, Troy Stibbard, Grace Taylor, Will Bosman, Tess Cirillo, Blayke Mifsud, Sebastian Stante, Ebony Binnion, Zoe Furber and Imogen Payne
Mr Max Rudd.
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VOCAL NIGHT
The annual vocal night will take place this Wednesday 16th at 7pm in The Potato Shed.
All parents and friends are welcome.
Tickets for our College production “Anastasia” are selling very fast so please go online to purchase your tickets. It’s going to be fabulous!
More concerts to come next term so please stay tuned.
Regards,
Mrs Linda Pape.
Performance & Instrumental Coordinator.
Over 10 days from the end of July to early August, 21 Yr 9 students and two teachers ventured to the top end of the Northern Territory for the Red Earth Indigenous Immersion Trip. The expedition was full of adventure, learning, and fun; it was an experience we will all treasure for years to come as we listened to captivating stories from Elders and immersed ourselves in rich and authentic encounters with First Nations people and their landscape. It was a far cry from the comforts of life back home yet left an indelible mark on us all.
After much preparation, we were in high spirits as we travelled to the airport for our evening flight to Darwin. Despite a few complications with our flight and a speedy change of plans, our enthusiasm and anticipation remained strong on arrival to Free Spirit Resort at 12.30 am. Waking to warmth and a glorious blue sky, we set off on the short drive to Berry Springs and were rewarded with a beautiful waterhole that is a popular swimming spot with several pools and a small waterfall offering crystal clear spring water and a lush bush surrounding. The next day we visited more stunning waterfalls in Litchfield National Park, hiking the 3 km over the top of Wangi Falls and underneath the canopy of trees for some spectacular sights and then having a refreshing swim at Florence Falls. That night, Gazza, our Red Earth leader, set the scene for our Homelands experience by sharing the story around the campfire of Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji people’s fight for their land via Paul Kelly’s song, “From Little Things, Big Things Grow”. It reminded us of the shocking treatment Indigenous people were subjected to in the 60s and 70s, and the changes their brave struggles brought about.
On arrival to our first homeland, Banatjarl, on Jawoyn Country, we noticed the compound we were to live in surrounded by barbed wire and quickly learnt about water buffalos and not to leave the compound gate open at night. The community and elders – Aunty Chyo and Aunty Betty – shared in our evening meal and we sat in a circle listening to the myriad of bush sounds, some unusual, as we marvelled at the bright, starry night. Seeing the relationships of Barnatjarl really opened our hearts and made us rethink the concept of what we call family. When the community kids wanted to stay and play with us, Shantel (nicknamed Shorty) stayed to look after them and keep them safe from the water buffalo on their walk home. We developed a strong connection with the children through a common interest, football! The boys vs girls game in the shed got competitive at a fast rate yet it built a sense of belonging and teamwork throughout the group. Our bus driver, Norm, even commented during our nightly shoutouts in circle time that it was the quickest a school group had ever bonded with the family and he was amazed at our willingness to just open up and engage.
Next day, the girls took part in a weaving and bush medicine session which really opened our eyes to how much we pay for medicine, made by big companies with all these chemicals, when it’s all out here on Country. We watched as the Traditional Owners made an antiseptic cream from lemon grass that we all got a sample of to take home. However, before we could start, one of the men in the community saw beady eyes in the mat which turned out to be a small carpet python, so we were all quick to retreat to the safety of the table whilst it was returned to the wild. The boys made clap sticks and learned a traditional dance with Shane and Shandon, Auntie Chyo’s nephews, which they presented that night.
At sunset, the girls were shown how to make damper and the boys how to cook kangaroo tails (by burning the skin first and then cooking it in hot coals) which was a really eye - opening experience. Some said it tasted like lamb whilst others described it more as pulled pork; either way it was delicious and reminded us of how readily Indigenous men can hunt for food. The elders then took us for a walk to sit on the cliff edge and watch the sun set, reflecting on the ancestors who have walked this land before us and how carefully they cared for it in a sustainable way. After dinner, we all sat around the fire and got our skin names and found out who is part of our families Then the boys presented their dance using the rhythm of their clap sticks, the girls joined in waving leaves. We then learnt some of the Jawoyn language and heard a few Dreamtime stories before settling to sleep and waking up to Mitch Tambo music and Tully’s clap sticks. Although the realisation was a bit confronting, it began to dawn on us that the privileged life we lead back in Geelong was not synonymous with the life of many up north who shared this great land of ours. We discovered that Jawoyn Country is a place where First Nations stories are told and their ancestors belong, where vast landscapes of sandstone gorges, cascading waterfalls and rocky terrains, hold and bring alive their Dreaming. It’s a land that has sustained life for millennia, incorporating all these different plants and animals that are a source of nourishment and healing.
Next stop was in a remote part of land west of Katherine. This Homeland was situated on Wardaman Country in the rugged wilderness surrounded by wild donkeys, horses, dingoes and freshwater crocs. From the moment we arrived at Menngen Homeland, the learning began – from being Welcomed to Country by Emma as she placed water over our heads so the ancestors could protect us whilst on their land, through to the conversations we had whilst sitting around a campfire listening to the raw, and at times, sad stories told by the 93 year old Elder and accomplished artist, Bill Harney, whose love for his people and land was inspiring. He recalled being hidden by his mother as a child so the welfare men didn’t get him, living in caves and beneath rockfaces at MoonDreaming where ancient art still remains today and as a stockman challenging the wealthy station owners to improve working conditions for Indigenous men. He explained why living on the Homeland is so important to reconnecting with one’s identity and played his clapsticks, asking us all to get up and dance. It was so much fun! We fished and had swims in the billabongs, painted our story against the backdrop of ancient stories on rock walls, witnessed the land management of burning off, painted our bodies with rose gold ochre (girls) and white/yellow ochre (boys), visited the newly established School of the Air and woke early to witness mesmerising sunsets. We also made kangaroo stew, tenderising it in the coals for 3-4hrs; saw a friendly water monitor and heard the howls of dingoes late one night. Uncle Bill was quite reassuring of our safety, reminding us how to live with potential dangers in the bush and to not disturb these creatures’ path: “Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone.” Each day was filled with learnings – learnings that were stimulating and real. During our time at Menngen, we were exposed to ways of thinking that many of us hadn’t considered before and these insights developed in us greater understanding and respect. In Bill and his art forms, we saw a celebration of his Wardaman Aboriginal heritage and his unique ability to “walk in both worlds” and communicate the joy of his culture to others.
After four days, we farewelled Menngen and began the closing day of our trip with a visit to Nitmulik National Park and a cruise down the gorge with its fruit bats, towering sandstone cliffs and ancient rock art sites. On the drive back to Darwin, we made a quick stop at Edith Falls for a final swim before having tea, packing our bags and getting ready to leave the Top End for home. We were grateful that we had learnt how to survive without any devices, pack up campsites without leaving a trace on the environment, and live off the land in a way that was cultivated through thousands of years of Indigenous practices.
This Immersion was such a transformative experience. Ms Williamson and I were constantly in awe of our students’ willingness to learn and grow. At times, their capacity to adapt astounded us! The pride we felt for them as they immersed themselves in this rich and authentic learning on Country was immense. They also learnt what is truly important… to listen, to value, to honour and to be the future voices for Indigenous rights. Each of us took away memories, jammed packed with experiences that we will take with us throughout our life. Thanks to families for supporting this program, to our students for being so vulnerable, to Ms Williamson for accompanying us and sharing duties on this journey, to Mr Exton, our Principal, for believing in the importance of the lived experience and to Red Earth for being a driver of reconciliation by providing Traditional Owners in remote Australia the means by which to welcome and open the hearts of others to their Country, culture and way of life.
In closing, they use this expression in Jawoyn language to say goodbye, “Bobo”…until we meet again, whether in the present or Dreamtime. And so we gratefully say goodbye to all our Indigenous brothers and sisters in the Northern Territory and thank them for their hospitality, memories and for the opportunity to broaden our minds to remote Indigenous life. We hope to return one day!
Deb Hodge & Kristin Williamson
2023 Immersion Leaders
.
Saint Ignatius College Geelong is excited to announce the opening of a Noone Uniform Shop onsite at the College.
Commencing next week, College families will be able to purchase all of their uniform requirements from The Noone Uniform Shop, which is located on the ground level of the Loyola Building.
The Noone Uniform Shop will stock all of the usual uniform items that you would find in the Moorabool Street store, but in a more convenient location for our College families.
Donations have now closed for our upcoming Term 3 Mega Raffle, and what a list we have!
Thank you to all the local businesses/individuals who have donated to our Mega Raffle, further information, including ticketing will be available next week.
PICASSO AND PIZZA NIGHT | Join us for a night of fun, painting and pizza on Thursday, 31st of August at Ground Zero!
This is a great night to connect with other College parents.
Further details, including ticketing can be found via the below link;
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/.../saint-ignatius-picasso...
Saint Ignatius College thanks the Parents and Friends for this exciting evening.
W/C 14/08/2023
14th: E.Musella, NEEDED.
15th: C.Rivo, S.Twaits,
16th: C.Ford, NEEDED.
17th: NEEDED, NEEDED
18th: E.Farnsworth, L.Taylor.
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W/C 21/08/2023
21st: K.McCauley, NEEDED.
22nd: K.Nailon, NEEDED.
23rd: Student Free Day.
24th: S.Sheerin, M.White.
25th: NEEDED, NEEDED.
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