From the Principal

This week I write for Father Hosking who is on retreat in Gerroa, NSW. As you know, Father Hosking is integral to the Saint Ignatius community. He is generous and kind and lifts us all with his thoughtful and wise words that stimulate our thinking and guide us as people who are called to love one another. We keep Father Hosking in our prayers at this sacred time of retreat.

Our College has been high-octane this week with preparations for all the weekend activities as well as the Junior School Art Show of student work, Year 12 play, state aerobics competition for our Junior School teams, and Intercol, which starts next week. As well as those activities, the annual Handball Competition in the Senior School is in full swing. The skill, the laughter, and the camaraderie are evident as students vie to be the winner of the competition. The positive energy and hard work on all campuses are most evident at the moment, and I thank students and staff for supporting each other as they do each day, and our parents who support the College more generally.

Colleges like our own every five years or so must undertake compliance audits, and this week we experienced two of them. It is rare that they would fall on the same day of the same week, but this year that was our blessing. On Wednesday at the senior campus, we had a site inspection from the Education Standards Board. Last term the College submitted very comprehensive paperwork ranging from student learning programs and scope and sequence documents from Reception to Year 12 to policies and operational documents. The inspection on Wednesday was to confirm that this work is evident in the day-to-day operations. The inspectors were very happy with the College and gave us very positive feedback. The words that spoke to me the most in their feedback were those that suggested that the culture of the school was so visibly positive as they toured the grounds.

At the junior campus on Wednesday and Thursday morning, we experienced the Catholic Safety Health and Welfare SA, WHS site inspection. As you can imagine, this was very comprehensive, and I am pleased to report that we have passed with flying colours. We give thanks to those who had the carriage of these most important audits and know that this independent, third-party feedback through these audits is central to the good governance of the College and reinforces the fact that we have the care of our community top of mind.

The “Light it Up” College Ball is on this Saturday evening at the Convention Centre, and I look forward to enjoying the fun of the spectacular event with the parent community on the night.

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.

“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.