From the Head of Senior School

After a relaxing few days to celebrate Easter, we have returned for the last two weeks of Term 1. In addition to the usual activities, on Friday we held the House Swimming Carnival at the Norwood Swimming Centre. In week 11, our Year 10 students have a week filled with activities such as a Work, Health, and Safety Training Day, a Day of Reflection in Sevenhill, a visit to the University of Adelaide, first aid training, and a Leadership Development Day. Next Wednesday, the Year 7 and 11 students will be involved with the Peer Support Challenge Day. They will participate in activities such as Olympics Unleashed, Kite Decoration, Silent Disco, Journal Reflection, and a shared barbecue.

During the holidays, a group of our Year 11s and 12s will participate in Kairos #94 at Woodhouse Activity Centre. The Kairos experience offers an encounter with faith and friendship that many remember for life.

Twenty-eight students and four staff, including me, will take part in the 14^th European Cultural Tour. We will travel to Rome, Berlin, Amiens, and Paris and visit sites including the rooms of St Ignatius and the Vatican Museum in Rome, the Allied and Sachsenshausen museums in Berlin, the Australian War Memorial in Le Hamel, the Amiens – Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum in Paris. We are very grateful to Mr Rocco D’Onofrio as tour leader and the other staff for their work in leading this important learning experience for our students.

We look forward to seeing you at the Senior School for the Ignatius Fair this Saturday. Many have worked hard to ensure this is an enjoyable event for our College families.

My sincere thanks go to all who have assisted in the various activities of Term 1. On behalf of our staff, we hope the holiday break is a re-creating and enjoyable one for our students and families.

Phil Donato
Head of Senior School

Please take note of some special events at the Senior School during Week 11 and the holiday break:

Saturday 7 April to Saturday 20 April
European Cultural Tour

Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April
Year 10 Gonzaga Week

Wednesday 10 April
Years 7 & 11 Peer Support Challenge Day

Friday 12 April
Dismissal Blessing

Tuesday 16 April to Friday 19 April
Kairos #94, Woodhouse Activity Centre

Tuesday 30 April
Commencement of Term 2

Please note the Senior School Front Office will be closed from Monday 15 April and reopens Monday 22 April.

During this term, a Challenge Program Parent Night was held at Saint Ignatius’ Senior School in the Bellarmine Room. It was wonderful to see so many parents attend the evening. A presentation was given by the Gifted and Talented Coordinator (Kathy Wills) about the many opportunities that are offered in the Gifted and Talented Program at our school and the program that we offer to engage and support students.

Our guest speaker, Dr Rebecca Napier, from the consultancy service, ’Gifted Pathways’, delivered a presentation on ‘Characteristics of Gifted Students’ and then she conducted a workshop about issues that affect gifted students and how to talk to your gifted child. ‘The night provided many opportunities for discussion and interaction. It was an informative and thought provoking event for all.

Kathryn Wills
Gifted and Talented Coordinator

On Wednesday the 3 April (Term 1 Week 10), the Stage 2 and Year 10 students of French attended the annual French Film Festival at Palace Nova in the city as a part of their study of French cinema. Together, we watched a heartwarming movie entitled Princes of the Desert, which was about the special bond between a young boy and an orphaned camel. At the conclusion of the film, there were both tears of joy and sadness. The French Film Festival concludes on the 16 April, so do yourselves a favour and purchase a ticket!

Vous ne le regretterez pas !

Madame De Conno et Madame Capitaine