Saint Ignatius College Geelong
Semester Two Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences
We invite you to take part in our upcoming Semester two Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday 7 (4pm - 7pm) and Friday 8 September (9am - 12pm), via Zoom. These serve as a vital platform for open communication between you, our dedicated educators, and your child. These conversations allow us to discuss your child's progress, achievements, and any areas where additional support may be beneficial. Our educators are enthusiastic about providing you with valuable insights into your child's classroom experience. These insights will illuminate their progress and development during the initial phases of this academic year.
Additional information, including details about scheduling and instructions for booking your appointment slots, will be communicated in an upcoming email that you should anticipate receiving within the upcoming week.
During these conversations, we encourage you to ask questions, share your observations, and collaborate with our teachers to establish milestones for your child's academic journey. Your active participation holds a crucial role in cultivating a positive learning atmosphere and ensuring that we meet your child's individual needs effectively.
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): Monday 28 August – Friday 15 September 2023
The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACSSIS) School Improvement Surveys is scheduled this year between Monday 28 August and Friday 15 September 2023.
Annually, we take moments to actively listen to our students, families, and staff, gauging the progress of our learning community. This feedback, deeply valuable for enhancing our effectiveness as school communities, is founded upon evidence-based research and best practices.
MACSSIS is a set of surveys that have been built specifically for Catholic schools in Melbourne by the Learning Services team at MACS, in partnership with researchers at Learning First and in wide consultation with principals in our schools.
In 2023, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys. The MACSSIS survey platform is operated by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd. The platform meets with the high security and privacy standards for handling student and school data.
On Tuesday, August 29, students will complete the survey during Mentor time, guided by their teacher's assistance to address any questions.
200 families will be randomly selected to participate in the survey, with an email to be sent out on Monday 28 August with a password and link to the survey.
All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary.
Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school.
On Thursday 10th of August, 50 students and 7 staff participated in the ‘Saint Ignatius College Vinnies Winter Sleepout’ to support and raise awareness for homelessness in Australia. This was the first time since 2019 the College has been able to conduct the Sleepout in person. After lockdowns forced the session onto Zoom, it was with much enthusiasm that the Social Justice Team launched the program in person again.
The evening commenced with students gathering in the Xavier Centre for an acknowledgement of country, prayer and welcome. Students were then led by Youth Minister Amelia Waters in some icebreaker games. Immediately friendships began to form as students got to meet people from different classes and year levels.
We then heard powerful stories from two guest speakers from the Jesuit Social Services Just Voices Program. Agum shared her emotional story of moving to Australia and healing from family trauma. Sammy, who is now a successful rapper, shared his personal story and challenges of homelessness. We thank them both greatly for sharing their story with us.
Students from Years 7-10 spent the rest of the evening in small groups run by Year 11 and 12 leaders. The first session was an information session, run by Ms Doble and Youth Minister Jarryd Atkinson, about the key issues associated with homelessness, causes and support. This session also involved games and simulations, including ‘Cost of Living’ and ‘Spent’, which challenged students to survive on a wage under the poverty line.
The second session involved students cooking and packaging meals, including spaghetti balayage and spiced apple muffins, for local community members. The food was delivered the next morning to Lazarus Community Center and The Salvation Army North Side Geelong Community Center.
Students ate a simple dinner of soup and bread before setting up their cardboard and sleeping bags in the gym. The night ended with an Examen, giving students the opportunity to reflect on their experience and all they had heard throughout the night.
Overall, the experience was very rewarding and offered an opportunity to express solidarity for those facing homelessness. Homelessness is an ongoing issue around us that we are all vulnerable to. But homelessness is temporary. Throughout the Winter Sleepout, we all learned that there is a lot of help needed, but there is also a lot of help we are each capable of giving.
A huge thank you to all staff and students who participated and helped out on the night.
Alana Clark
2023 Social Justice Captain
This week the ILC has been celebrating Book Week.
The theme this year is Read, Grow, Inspire.
Activities and competitions have been run during recess and lunch times.
Activities have included build a book out of Lego, Create a favourite Book Daisy, a colouring competition, Word find, A-Z Book week activity, Fill in the frame, upcycle books into artwork and Kahoots.
Competitions have included 100 word short-story or poem, Guess the number of bookworms in the jar, Guess who? Guess which staff member is behind the book they are reading & Guess the bookshelf! Which staff member owns which bookshelf?
Prizes will and have been awarded.
Last week 17 of our Year 9 students participated in the Science and Engineering Challenge at Deakin University.
This full day activity is designed to provide students with a positive experience of Science and Engineering. Students worked in small group teams and engaged in hands on STEM activities, such as a Mars exploration task where the students were challenged to construct a buggy with a basic suspension, system to transport loads securely over undulating Martian terrain.
The students competed against 7 other schools on the day and had a great experience. We look forward to more experiences in STEM learning in the future. Well done to all of the students who participated enthusiastically on the day!
Bullying. No Way!
On Tuesday August 15th, Saint Ignatius College lit up with a powerful message as students united to mark Bullying. No Way! Day. This day was all about standing up against bullying and recognising the importance of a school culture where everyone enjoys a sense of belonging. The driving force behind this event was none other than our incredible Student Wellbeing Leader, Charlotte Punton.
The day kicked off with the signing and decorating of our Chalk Pathway. Students etched their pledges against bullying as they walked into school, sending a clear message of unity and support. This creative expression was followed by mentor time activities that focussed on recognising and responding to bullying. The day was also marked by a very popular sausage sizzle! All funds raised are being donated to our local youth mental health provider, Headspace Geelong.
In 85% of bullying incidents, peers are bystanders, and simply by observing the bullying, play a central role in it continuing. At Saint Ignatius College we emphasise the rights of every individual to be treated respectfully and to feel safe from any form of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse. We pride ourselves on cultivating an environment where respect is lived by all members of our community, every day. This day was an important reminder that everyone has a role in calling out bullying in all its forms.
From the Student Wellbeing Team
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.
The 2023 Parents and Friends Mega Raffle with almost $9000 in prizes, is ready to be won!
With 6 prizes on offer, there is something in it for everyone.
Purchase your tickets via this link -->https://rafflelink.com.au/2023-mega-raffle
All proceeds of the Mega Raffle go towards student resources at the College, prize drawn at 2.30pm Monday September 4th, 2023.
W/C 28/08/2023
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