From the Principal

The creative spirit is in the air in Adelaide at the moment, with the world-renowned Fringe and the Writers’ Festival bubbling along in the background as we attend to our daily work. Creativity takes on many forms both internal and external; it can be in thinking and planning and in the way we carry out the work we do. We can also demonstrate creativity in the outward actions we take to solve problems, provide solutions, or entertain others. No matter what the endeavour when we are being creative, we demonstrate that we are a human fully alive. At SIC we see a daily representation of creativity from our students and our staff. Together, in the learning environment students work with each other and with staff to find interesting and innovative solutions to the problem at hand. Outside the traditional learning environment in the co-curricular space, we see our young students excel as well, putting themselves forward to lead others in music and drama, on the sporting field, or in the area of leadership. It seems every day that we are experiencing that ‘fun’ Albert Einstein describes. Not only, then, are we exercising our intelligence, but we are growing our creativity along the way.

Recently, our students have been generous in their service by leading the recent College tours in both the junior and senior campuses. Many families hope for a place at the College because they have come in contact with you, our families, in their daily life. Prospective families follow how the College is progressing to grow the young people in our care. They examine whether our students are connected to the virtues and mission as we describe when we speak about the College. The families that hope for places at the College recently experienced our students confidently lead them around the campuses answering many questions clearly and honestly without any prompts or practice. This quiet confidence is impressive, and many parents expressed this on the day. We always say that we could ask any student to assist as all the students are cheerful volunteers. Thank you to those students in Years 11, 8, and 6 who gave up their time to take new families on the recent tours and to the staff that arranged the days of welcome.

This week our students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 have commenced their NAPLAN examinations. NAPLAN as we know is widely discussed in the media and in society at large. At its inception it was, and it still is, a diagnostic tool that gives schools very rich information for teachers to use to grow the students in their care. Often, we hear NAPLAN results are used to help families select a school. As we know, academic performance alone is not the only measure of a school, and at Saint Ignatius Adelaide, whilst we excel in external examinations, we believe that good academic results are the result of a great education of the whole person.

This weekend we will attend the Head of the River regatta to cheer on our rowers at their final and most important regatta for the season. The early-morning drop offs for parents and the rowers will end but not before they give it their all this Saturday. We wish all rowers, their parents, and the coaches every success on the day.

This weekend marks the fourth Sunday of Lent, which marks the halfway point. This Sunday we express joy and our belief in the hope of the resurrection to inspire us as we move into the final weeks of Lent.

With prayers of peace and hope,

Barbara Watkins
Principal

OREMUS (Let us pray)

We remember all in our College community. May our prayers comfort those suffering at this time. May God’s blessing be a source of support in their sorrow and loss, and bring courage, patience, and hope.

For those who have died:

- James Goldrick (Class of 1975)

“Ask and you shall receive … knock and the door will be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7)

If you would like someone to be remembered by the College community in prayer (even anonymously), please provide details to the Rector, class or Mentor Teacher, or House Leader.