From the Head of Senior School

Last week our 148 Year 7 students went as a year level for three days to Woodhouse Adventure Park in Piccadilly for their 'Igxperience'. It was an opportunity for students to get to know each other better in a different context. Activities included a variety of outdoor learning experiences such as Challenge Hill, Pioneer Bridge – construct a bridge, Tube Slide, Camp 101 – learn to use a Trangia and put up a tent, Frisbee Golf, Liturgy, Peer Support activities – Tug of War and Music Quiz, and a night walk. We are very grateful to our Middle Years House Leaders, Mentors, and staff for supporting the Year 7 students throughout the week.

Congratulations to the swimming team who backed up the great results in the Catholic Coeducational Swimming Carnival at last week’s SA School Sport B Grade Swimming Secondary Championships at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre. We are most grateful to Mrs Lisa McDonald and the Sports Office for their thorough planning and dedicated work to make this an enjoyable event for all.

We celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday with a wonderful sold-out gathering after school, hosted by Jodie Oddy, Nova 919 announcer and journalist for The Advertiser and Network 10. Our Principal, Mrs Lauren Brooks, was joined by a panel of special guests including Adrian Stenta, Mary Harben, and Maggie Centenera.

This week we were reminded that Lent is a time to consider the following questions: What do I hope to do during Lent this year? How can I make a difference to those around me this Lent? Who can I be for those less fortunate than me?

Phil Donato
Head of Senior School

Please take note of some special events at the Senior School during weeks 7 and 8:

Monday 11 March
Adelaide Cup Holiday

Tuesday 12 March
SACSSGSA Athletics, Athletics SA Stadium

Wednesday 13 March to Friday 15 March
NAPLAN, Years 7 and 9

Wednesday 13 March
Challenge Program Parent Evening, Flynn Theatre – 6:30 pm

Saturday 16 March
Head of the River, West Lakes

Wednesday 20 March to Friday 22 March
Senior School Music Base Camp

Wednesday 20 March
Euro Tour Parent Information Evening, Kranewitter Hall – 7:00 pm

Thursday 21 March
Concussion Information Session, Flynn Theatre – 6:00 pm

Friday 22 March
Project Compassion Casual Clothes Day

After a busy start to the term, the Year 7 cohort travelled to Woodhouse Adventure Park in Week 5. There are around 80 new Ignatians in the cohort this year and so this was a wonderful opportunity for students to spend time getting to know each other and for Mentor Teachers to continue to build relationships with their students.

It was with much excitement that the students arrived at the campsite and they were eager to get involved in all of the activities on offer. Whether it was bridge building, challenge hill, tube sliding or group dynamics, all students engaged positively and made the most of the experiences offered to them. On the second night, the Year 11 Peer Support students joined us on camp and the Year 7s thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend time with their Peer Support leaders in a relaxed environment.

Through journalling, examens and liturgy, all Year 7s also had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of relationships and self-awareness. These opportunities were welcomed by the students as they had the chance to experience how an Ignatian education extends beyond the classroom.

The Igxperience program is designed to allow students to challenge themselves, build relationships with others and experience the outdoors. During the Year 7 Igxperience we focus on belonging and engagement in relation to the College’s Wellbeing Framework as well as providing time for students to connect with their Mentor Teachers.

Year 7 Igxperience 2024 was a great time for all involved. After 3 days and 2 nights away from home, the students were happy to be heading home, confident that their time away has set them up for a good year ahead.

Miriam Doyle
Kostka Middle Years House Leader

Do you love making Art or Craft?
Want to learn new skills like sewing or printing?

Join Art Club! The Senior School will be offering students the opportunity to try Art Club starting Wednesday 6 March at lunchtime in the Art rooms near the top Oval.
Our first workshop will be painting on pots - a possible Mother’s Day gift! We are initially limited to 20 positions so first responses will be accepted. If students would like to attend, they are to email Ms Minucci at m.minucci@ignatius.sa.edu.au to register their interest.

As a preliminary task to relief printing, students were introduced to Notan, a Japanese term that means “light-dark harmony”. Artists use “notan studies” to explore different arrangements of light and dark elements in an artwork using contrasting areas of space. Students were asked to use a scalpel blade to cut out shapes from a square of black paper and reset these shapes against the four edges. The results were some intricate and impressive papercut designs.

Maria Minucci
Leader of Learning Visual Art and Design