Edition 21 december 17th 2015 (hr) by Saint Ignatius

T IGNATIUS COLLEGE SAIN

Newsletter

Edition 21, December 17th 2015

Merry Christmas & a happy new year from Saint Ignatius College Geelong! Isaiah 7:14: “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel”. Matthew 1:23: Emmanuel, “God with us.” May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you always. Coming Events

From the Principal

Term 4 December

Welcome to this year’s last newsletter!

Fri 18th Office/Support Staff Last day

January 2016 Mon 18th College Office Opens Thurs 21st Book Collection MacKillop Centre

Term 1 2016 February

Mon 1st Years 7,11 and 12 Commence Tues 2nd Years 8,9 and 10 Commence Thurs 4th Year 7 Parents Welcome Mass Fri 5th 1st Whole College Assembly A more detailed calendar is on the last page.

Congratulations to Year 12 Students The 2015 VCE Units 3/4 results were released on Monday this week. I congratulate the VCE Class of 2015 and I am very pleased to report that overall our VCE results are very pleasing and again above the state averages. Reflecting on our students’ achievements, they reinforce that the key to success is consistent effort and persistence. I acknowledge the importance of the positive partnership between parents, teachers and students that has supported our students over the years to develop the skills and attitudes that underpin successful VCE achievement. And I recognize the dedication and efforts of the Year 12 teachers. As well as the demands of Year 12, many students have been actively involved in the College’s co-curricular program. Examples include Leadership, Sport, Music, the Production, Community Service and Social Justice.

Many of our students achieved outstanding results and I congratulate them. Some noteworthy achievements are as follows. Dux of the 2015 Class was Maddison Hammond with a very impressive Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 97.9. The following students received an ATAR in the top 10% of the State: Maddison Hammond 97.9 Jacqueline Seiffert 97.3 Rylan McCracken 95.8 Nathan Low 94.7 Dayne Diment 94.65 Emily Harwood 93.7 Harry Stannard 93.6 Kyla Thebes 93.4 Meg Wiffen 92.35 Maddison Sideris 91.4 Hannah Sjodin 91 ...Continued on Page 2

A Jesuit Partner School

In Brief

From the Principal (cont.)

This Page: ‘From the Principal’

Over 52% of our students received an ATAR above 60, which puts them in the top 40% of the State.

The Blackwood Special School has “… allocated these funds to helping us build an Observatory at Blackwood in 2016.

Two key statistics were: 8.5% of study scores were over 40. The median study score was 31.

While regularly implementing night walks at Blackwood, many of our students have a genuine interest in the night sky asking many questions on a clear night.

Page 3: ‘From the Principal’ Page 4: From Rev. Fr. Kevin Dillon and Important Dates Page 5: Alumni Function Photos Page 6: Faith Matters Page 7: Year 7 2016 Orientation Day Photos Page 8: Year 12 VCE Results 2015 Page 9: Canteen Roster, Parents and Friends’ Association Page 10: Scholarships Open for Year 7 2017 students and Making the Most of Summer Page 11: Year 11 Soirée Photos Page 12 and 13: ‘Stay sane when travelling with kids’ by Michael Grose Page 14 and 15: Community Notice Board Page 16: School Calender

There were three perfect scores of 50, all in Further Mathematics. Well done to students Claudia Beattie, Jessica Madden and Campbell Revie. I congratulate their teacher Mr. Anthony Gravener. There were many other very high results in this and other subjects and I congratulate the students who achieved at such a high level and their teachers. The results reflect the students’ commitment to learning, the hard work and encouragement of their teachers and the love and support of their parents and families. I wish our Class of 2015 all the best for their futures.

Congratulations I was delighted to receive a letter from the Chief Commissioner of ‘Scouts Victoria’ to inform our school community about the achievement of one of our students. Congratulations to Year 9 student, Catherine Nitz who was presented with the Australian Scout Medallion on Saturday November 14 in a presentation attended by hundreds of people from across Victoria. It is the highest award that can be earned by the 11 to 14 year old members of Scouting. Catherine is a member of the 1st Queenscliff Scout Group. To receive this award, the Scout needs to demonstrate organisation, drive, determination, resilience and high level practical Scouting knowledge like camp craft and hiking. Well done Catherine!

While the development of an Observatory at the camp will be a unique concept for a camp environment – it will help us create an appropriate Astronomy Curriculum and answer many of their questions.” Well done to our VCAL students and staff on this Community Service project. I am sure there have been valuable learning outcomes for the students involved as well as a sense of reward for the positive outcomes they are helping the Blackwood Special School achieve.

Farewell to some staff Thank you to the following staff members who finished their contract at the end of this term. Rob Freeman (Replacement Teacher) Breeanna Redden (Replacement Teacher)

Magdalena Romanuik (Replacement Teacher) Thank you to Flaminia Pace, Italian Language Assistant, who was placed at our school for the year. Flaminia returns to Italy after her year-long placement by ‘Coasit’ in Australia at our school.

Semester Two Reports

Well done to our Year 11 VCAL Students and Staff

Just a reminder that the Semester Two reports are available via the Parent Portal.

I recently received a letter expressing gratitude for the Community Service work of our Year 11 VCAL students and staff members have done over the past three years to help with the Blackwood Outdoor Specialist School’s maintenance.

I trust that the Homeroom and individual subject reports record achievements, identify strengths and areas for improvement and acknowledge effort.

This school delivers valuable programs exclusively to students with special needs from a range of Victorian Special Schools. The letter also thanked our College for a donation of $1,598.45. This money was raised by the VCAL class.

I encourage you to make some time with your daughter/son to reflect on progress this year in the light of the report and lead the conversation towards setting some goals for 2016. ....Continued Page 3

A Jesuit Partner School

From the Principal (cont.) Some 2016 dates I provide the following overview of early next year’s college events for your perusal to help with your planning. You will find more details, where appropriate, about these events in the newsletters early next year. You can also access the College Calendar through our website www.ignatius.vic.edu.au Monday 18th January College office re-opens Thursday 21st January Book Collection Wednesday 27th January Teaching staff return Monday 1st February Years 7, 11 & 12 students return Tuesday 2nd February Years 8, 9 & 10 students return Thursday 4th February Year 7 Welcome Mass (7pm, families attend) Friday 5th February Full School Assembly (9am, Parents invited) Monday 8th February Years 8 and 10 Parent Information evenings Thursday 11th February House Swimming Carnival (Kardinia Pool, parents invited) Monday 15th February Years 9 and 12 Parent Information evenings (6.30pm)

Merry Christmas and happy new year With the school year coming to a close it is a very busy time and we are eagerly looking forward to the summer break. In this end of year busyness it is easy to forget that we are in the Advent season that prepares us for the Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus and calls us to reflect on God’s entering into the human story by becoming one of us. As partners in the Christian education of our Saint Ignatius College students, it is a challenge for us all to ensure that we keep “Christ in Christmas.” At the final day year level assemblies I was able to attend I encouraged the students to ensure that Christmas was more than just receiving gifts, although this will be an enjoyable part of the celebration, by attending their church service and/or attending a carols event or including an act of giving or service for someone in need – someway of helping them to reflect on and more deeply enter into our faith story. As this is the last newsletter of the year, on behalf of the College may I wish all families a very happy and holy Christmas and safe and restful holiday break. Thank you to our Saint Ignatius College community for your contributions and support during the past year. Best wishes

Michael Exton Principal

Thursday18th February Student photos Friday 19th February Beginning of Year Masses (Years 8 and 10 at 9am; Years 9 and 11 at 11am; Years 7 and 12 at 1.20pm in St Thomas Church) Monday 22nd February Year 11 Parent Information evening

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The Melbourne Cricket Club is facing a large social media backlash for refusing to suspend the membership of a man who has been missing for more than four years. The club said the rules do not allow memberships to be put on hold, but that decision has been labelled “archaic” and “pathetic”. Daniel O’Keeffe went missing from his Geelong home four-and-a-half years ago, and every year since the O’Keefe family has paid his MCC membership , hoping he would soon return. This year the family applied to suspend his membership and they received this response:“Suspension isn’t something we can do, and we would need to speak with Daniel about this request because he’s the account holder,”. The O’Keeffe family was then charged a late fee. The MCC defended its position: “Unfortunately, the club’s rules do not allow for an individual’s membership to be placed on hold, regardless of the circumstances. The committee can restore a membership if it decides there are exceptional circumstances, and can also waive fees for unused years at that time. This option remains open to the O’Keefe family.” The backlash to the MCC statement was virtually unanimous. Fiona Merrin wrote “Have you thought that cancelling the membership for this family might mean the end of their connection to their son?”

From Fr Kevin Dillon Tom Hanks’ magnificent 2000 movie “Castaway” told the story of a man who survived more than four years on a desert island following a plane crash. Eventually rescued, he finds his family has “moved on”, having lost all hope of him ever returning. It was a poignant portrait, not only of the missing man, but of the plight of those who suffer the trauma of a loved one who has “gone missing”, and for whom losing hope of their return is simply not an option. A Facebook correspondent read this clearly in recognising the pain of the family of Geelong’s Daniel O’Keefe. Daniel has been missing since mid-2011, and his family still live in hope that he may one day be restored to them. Within the context of that all-important hope, the refusal of the Melbourne Cricket Cub to allow compassionate flexibility of its membership regulations and permit suspension of Daniel’s membership seems somewhat unfortunate. The telling phrase in the Club’s initial statement was: “regardless of the circumstances”. But “circumstances” are the setting of life itself - they are our upbringing and our surroundings, our friends and our opponents, our culture and our history, and innumerable other elements that make up our individual lives.

“Policies and procedures”, “rules and regulations” cannot embrace all the circumstances of life. That’s why they need interpretation according to wise and prudent judgment, where the rule book is a respected guide, but not a rigid brick wall. The Club’s acknowledgement that Daniel’s membership can be restored should his hoped and prayed for return eventuate provided a more positive and helpful approach. But it was a shame that this flexibility was not offered to Daniel’s family when it was first requested. Facebook’s Fiona Merrin was right even the smallest connections of hope are important. .And rigid application of “rules”, especially when an alternative can do more good than harm, should always be part of the solution.

Fr Kevin Dillon, Geelong Deanery Coordinator and Association of Canonical Administrator President

ABC News, Wed. Dec. 9

Important Dates

College Office Closes: December 18th

2016 Dates to Remember

College Office Opens: January 18th Book Collection Day: January 21st Years 7,11 and 12 Commence: Monday, February 1st Years 8,9 and 10 Commence: Tuesday, February 2nd A Jesuit Partner School

Alumni Function photos by Claire Hewitt

A Jesuit Partner School

The Five Steps of the Ignatian ‘Examen’ Prayer Thanks I give thanks for the graces, benefits and good things of my day. Help I ask the Holy Spirit for help to discern my day with openess. Review I review my day, hour by hour, to see how God is working in my life. Response I respond to what I felt or learnt in the review of my day. Resolve I resolve with hope and grace to amend my life tomorrow. ‘Examen’ adaption by Fr. Michael Hansen SJ)

Faith Matters In Your Hands The year is complete. Teaching staff and students have completed their year and final results have been received. It is at this time that we should pause and take stock of the year that has passed. What have we have achieved? What have we learnt and learnt from?

confronted with a financial crisis. It is during such times that we should acknowledge that Jesus too felt this same emotion, when he was dying on the cross he said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:35). We know that although terrifying this was not real. God did not abandon Jesus on the cross, nor will he ever abandon any of his children.

Congratulations must go to the students from Yr 7-12 who have achieved all that they were able to. As a community we especially pay tribute to our high flying Yr 12 students who now have the choice of what University course or pathway they would like to pursue.

I would like to encourage all within our community to reflect on the year that has past. In particular we must reflect on the support we have been offered by our loved ones, peers and the community as a whole.

I also acknowledge those who are not satisfied with the results they were awarded. For a few these results may mean that they must reassess their preferences and possibly their pathway.

Student and parent, teachers and support staff; we would all benefit from following the example of St Ignatius. If we are to discern the movement of the Spirit in our lives we need to stop and seek God. We need to listen for our Lord in the silence that only reflection can provide.

We celebrate with great joy for those who have achieved success. Whether this is evident in a high VCE result, through overcoming difficulties and achieving grade that were unachievable in the past. At times like these we should always remember to stop and give thanks for the blessings God has afforded us. The psalmist eloquently expresses this gratitude in proclaiming “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3) When we are presented with set backs in life it can be tempting to dwell on the negatives of the situation and wallow in self-pity. For those who may not be happy with their results I suggest that the following should be considered before we succumb to frustration. Remember always that we have been blessed with all we need to fulfill God’s plan and also that you will never be left wanting in life. We are blessed and have been given gifts that make us unique. Although, if we are to achieve what we are truly capable of, we are obliged to put in the hard work. Sometimes this approach brings the results expected, at other times we feel disappointed with the outcome. Regardless of our evaluation, we must remember that have everything we need to achieve in life, although sometimes our plan does not seem to match God’s as we expect. St Peter assures us that “His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). There are times when we may feel lost, or abandoned; even spiritually. For some the trigger may be final results that are upsetting, it may be the loss of a loved one or when

When the Spirit reveals to us the gift of peace we will be freed of worry and personal desires. Those things driven by ego and what we want to occur in our lives. In seeking God we invariably find that everything is as it should be. That we have confused ourselves and have not been working to God’s plan. In this revelation we find peace. We are then again bold in our faith and are able to trust completely God’s plan. The Creator of the universe has everything in hand, all that is required of us is faith and that do our best. Everything else will be taken care of. As the Gospel teaches we are more valuable to God than we can imagine (Matthew 10:30-31). He knows us, we are loved and he has a plan for each of us. The spiritual exercises of St Ignatius have the Examen at the centre. As we finish 2015 let us all spend some time in this prayer. Whether we are satisfied or disappointed with where this year has ended, let us attempt to discern where God is in our lives and be guided by the Spirit as we move into a new year. In the words of Jesus and the Psalmist let us all exclaim with confidence “into your hands I commend my spirit”, deliver us Lord for you are a faithful God (Psalm 31:5 and Luke 23:46). Yours in Christ, Brendan Nicholls Liturgy Coordinator

A Jesuit Partner School

Year 7 2016 Orientation Day photos by Claire Hewitt

A Jesuit Partner School

Year 12 VCE Results 2015 Congratulations to all Saint Ignatius Students on successfully completing their VCE this year. The College had 100% of students who completed the full VCE program gain their Victoria Certificate of Education. Many of our students received fantastic results, whether it is the ATAR that they wanted or high study scores in particular subjects. VCE teachers are extremely proud of the efforts of our 2015 cohort and hope that students can now relax and enjoy their summer break.

A perfect study score of 50 in Further Mathematics was achieved by 3 Saint Ignatius students, Year 12 Campbell Revie, Year 11 Jessica Madden and Year 11 Claudia Beattie. This is an exceptionally good achievement for these three students and it is a true testament that hard work really does pay off.

was Meg Wiffen. With her highest results being 49 in Health and Human Development.

The 2015 Academic captain and Kwoen Lee Dow scholar, Emily Harwood, also achieved great results. Emily thinks that she may now need to re-consider her University preferences in light of a fantastic ATAR.

Also over 9% of our students received an ATAR of 90+ and another 10% of 80+.

Another student who worked incredibly hard and received 4 study scores of 40+

In total 8.5% of our VCE students received a study score over 40, which put their study score in the top 10% of the state.

Congratulations to all VCE students and good luck for whatever the future holds. Anna Oliver VCE Coordinator

The College ATAR Dux for 2015 is Maddison Hammond with an impressive ATAR of 97.9. Maddison also received fantastic study scores for Further Mathematics and English. She was certainly surprised and pleased with her results and is now hoping to gain entry into her chosen university degree at Deakin. Our College Captains for 2015 also performed very well in their VCE, with Harry Stannard receiving 40+ study scores for English and Physical Education and Genevieve Nicholls receiving 40+ in Health and Human Development.

A Jesuit Partner School

Canteen Roster Would you like to help out in the Canteen in 2016? If possible we would like to have five helpers on each day. Helpers will need to be at the canteen by 9:00am and will generally be finished by 1:30pm. Canteen duty provides a much appreciated service to the school. It gives you the opportunity to meet and talk with other parents and also enables you to see your child’s school in action. If you are able to assist, please contact Sandra Woodall at the college on 5251 1136.

Merry Christmas and many thanks to all the parents who helped out in the canteen during the 2015 College year. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Parents and Friends’ Association:

Meetings

Uniform Shop New Location

The Parents & Friends’ Association cordially invite all those interested to their meetings for 2016 held from 7.00pm onward in the Food Tech Centre on the following dates: The Minutes for all meetings can be found on the College website in the Parents and Friends’ Portal when available. The Agendas for up-coming meetings are also available from the website just prior to the meeting date.

The uniform shop is now located in the Music / Performing Arts Area (access off Gillies Rd) and is now open Monday afternoons between 2 and 3.30pm.

Orientation Day Year 7s in 2016 on Tuesday December 8th the Uniform Shop will be open from 2.30pm to 4pm

Parents and Friends’ Association Raffle We are currently conducting their annual raffle during Term Four 2015. Last Chance: Ticket sales close December 4th. First prize is paid tuition fees for a student for the 2016 school year and the Association looks forward to your support in conducting this fundraiser. The raffle winner will be drawn on Tuesday December 8th and notified subsequently.

Year 9 Students Students undertaking VCE Mathematical Methods, Pre VCE Maths or General Maths in Year 10 2016 must have a TI-Nspire CAS calculator. These are to be purchased directly through ABACUS calculators. Order forms have been posted home. If you require another order form please email perkinsk@ignatius.vic.edu.au Karen Perkins Maths Learning Area Leader

A Jesuit Partner School

Scholarships Open for Year 7 2017 students The College Scholarship Application Link is now open on our College Website. The Scholarship which provides $1200 towards the yearly fees if successful is open to students looking to enrol in Year 7 2017. If you are interested in having your child sit the scholarship exam go to the College website: http://www.ignatius.vic.edu.au/ enrolments-Scholarships and click on the scholarship link. An application fee of $25 is payable with the College funding the remainder of the cost. Close of Scholarship Applications will be close of office on Friday 19th February 2016.

The Scholarship test date will be Wednesday March 2nd, 2016 The Scholarship Selection Test (SST) we will use is produced and marked by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). Scholarship level - LEVEL 1 is Year 7. Please drop your child at the College Office by 3.45pm on the day of the test and pick them up from the office at 6.40pm. Candidates will have a 10 minute break during the examination.

Results Parents will be informed via mail as to whether their daughter/son has either been awarded or not awarded a scholarship.

If after registering, your child is unable to attend the SST, please inform our office on 5251 1136 as soon as possible. The SST is quite costly to the College and we would need to inform ACER immediately so we are not charged for your child. Please note this application is for a Scholarship Test only, you must still apply for a College Enrolment for 2017 through the normal process (Please see our College Website for details). Saint Ignatius College Enrolment applications for 2017 close on Friday 20th May, 2016. Mrs Gail Myers Registrar

It is anticipated that letters will be mailed around mid June 2016.

Making the Most of Summer Ideas for making the most of your summer holiday. 1 Get fit.

Pick a sport or activity and do at least thirty minutes of exercise a day swimming, running, football, basketball, cricket, roller-blading, skateboarding, dancing. Or just go for a brisk walk.

2 Get creative.

A film, a story, a painting, a song, a dance routine, a blog...It doesn’t have to win any awards – just enjoy doing it. You will have created something unique.

3 Learn a new skill.

Have a go at something you’ve never done before: juggle; chords on a guitar; cook a meal; catch, gut and fillet a fish; sew a garment; change a tyre.

4 Become an expert.

Become an expert on any subject you want – cricket, Taylor Swift, Ferrari, Doctor Who, Siberian tigers, Roald Dahl, Emmeline Pankhurst, chocolate, Leonardo da Vinci; things your parents can do and you would like to learn - anything at all that interests you. Do some research online, go to the library, go to a relevant museum and keep a special notebook of pictures, facts and figures.

5 Get to know your family.

Surprise your Mum or Dad or grandparents by sitting them down and asking them to tell you what it was like growing up in the sixties, seventies, eighties or nineties. Get them to reminisce about their favourite music, TV programmes, social activities, friends. Did they make any bad fashion decisions? And do they have photos?

6 Grow your own.

You only need a window sill or a large bowl to grow chillies, herbs or flowers. Or all three. If you have more space then plant some tomatoes, lettuces, radishes or courgettes. It’s a good feeling to eat something you have grown.

7 Read a book.

Get into some holiday reading. If you’ve never enjoyed a book, you’ve been reading the wrong ones. Find a genre and an author that fire your imagination.

8 Do things for free.

9 Relax in style.

Why lie in bed all day when you could lie on a beach? Or on a river bank? Or in a garden? Find a park or a local beauty spot and take a picnic.

10 Keep cool in style.

Make ice cream sundaes and cold drinks there are plenty of recipes online. Or swim in the sea, or your local pool, or just lie in the paddling pool. Before you know it, the holidays will be over, so make the most of the time you have. Next term is a fresh start - new timetable, new classes, new teachers, new challenges and possibly even new subjects. It’s the ideal opportunity to turn over a new leaf, so over the summer break set yourself some targets for the new school year. This is the time to renew and re-invent yourself.

Reproduced with the permission of the “Principal’s Digests’ Vol. 21 No. 58

Check out all the free stuff that is happening in your area. There might be free holiday programmes and courses, free concerts, performances and displays. You could volunteer your services for free. Many organisations will be running holiday activities for little children or for disabled people and they may be grateful for your help.

A Jesuit Partner School

Year 11 SoirĂŠe photos by Claire Hewitt

A Jesuit Partner School

INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Renee Klaassen

Stay sane when

travelling with kids

The thought of travelling with children can cause some parents to reconsider their travel plans, but there are some practical, easy ways you can make the trip enjoyable for the children and the parents and keep your sanity in the process! Family holidays are amongst my most treasured childhood memories. I remember trips to Lakes Entrance, our flappy red tent and running free amongst trees leading into the sea. Although my memories are happy, my mother often reflects that these holidays were quite stressful for her – but I never would have guessed; they must have been well prepared! In order to ensure your children have happy memories and you reduce your stress, here are a few things you can do to remain sane these holidays when travelling with your kids.

Prepare yourself mentally before you leave Parents should begin to use a Mindfulness technique at least a week before departure such as this Mindful Breathing exercise.

MINDFUL BREATHING Research shows that even five minutes of relaxation per day has a cumulative, beneficial effect.  Come into the present

moment  Accept any unwanted

feelings without judgment  Focus on the breath,

feel it go in and go out of your body until you sense calm  Ground yourself by

feeling your feet on the ground or noticing your posture  Return to present

moment.

Prepare Mindfulness activities to relieve boredom and for ‘mental time-out’ MINDFUL ACTIVITY 1 Bring craft along to do in the car, simple wool and icy-pole sticks create a gods eye. Craft activities require your full attention to the present moment and therefore distract away from both boredom and anxiety provoking thoughts. Make great mementos too! MINDFUL ACTIVITY 2 Mindful colouring books are becoming well known and feature detailed images that provide opportunity for children and grown-ups alike to unwind and focus on creativity. Your brain cannot be stressed and in creative flow at the same time. MINDFUL ACTIVITY 3 Liana Taylor, Mindfulness coach, advocates creating a Mindfulness Breathing Space. Do it in the car as you’re driving or pull over. Ask children to close their eyes and take a deep breath. Ask them to begin the activity by scanning their body from the very tip of their head down through their face, neck, chest, tummy, legs and finally feet. Have them notice whether there are any places in their body that feels ‘uncomfortable’ or ‘tingly’.