From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope students and families have had a chance to be together and enjoy a different pace during the vacation period. The school is again alive with new energy as the staff and students return with a ‘business as usual’ approach to the term. Joyful greetings and laughter signal the positive way our community comes together on our three campuses each day. The students have settled well to their studies, their Music Camp (JS), their rehearsals for the College musical (SS), and training for their many and varied sporting and co-curricular commitments. Today, we farewell the musicians who will be part of ‘Generations in Jazz’ in Mt Gambier, a premiere competition of student jazz musicians from across Australia. We wish the music staff and students every success in the competition over this weekend.

During the school vacation, we commemorated Anzac Day. As we do every year, we commemorate those who have fallen in war and those who have fought valiantly during wars so that we may live in peace. It was very special to hear the interviews with elderly veterans in the media and hearing the responsibility they felt for future generations. Unfortunately, it seems we will never be a world free from war. So, as we focus annually on Anzac Day on the sacrifice others have made to protect future generations, it is important to always promote peace: in our hearts, in our relationships, in our community, and in our wider world.

On Monday the College staff came together for a day of formation. The focus of the day was on Catholic social teachings and how they continue to impact how we work in a Catholic, Jesuit school and community. We had the privilege of hearing from Mrs Pauline Connelly DCSG, Deputy Director of Centacare SA, and past parent of the College. Pauline spoke to the staff passionately about how we must be clear on our values and act Christ-like in all we do. She left us with a quote from Bishop Eugene Hurley that it is “not about being the same but about being clear about what makes us different”. At Saint Ignatius we remain committed to working hard to live our virtues and staying committed to promoting human dignity, supporting our students and families in their growth and formation.

Congratulations to the Parents and Friends Association for the College Fair. This week at the P&F meeting, it was revealed that $26,000 profit was made at the fair. Not only did we have such a fun day, we also supported the school to raise these funds, which will be put to good use throughout the year. The P&F Executive will be working with the Heads of School at each campus to put these funds to work immediately. Congratulations to the committee, the organisers, and those who contributed and attended on the day.

This year the College will embark upon the development of a new Strategic Plan. We hope to engage as many parents as possible in the process by gathering their views in the months ahead. We will begin this process in the coming weeks by holding some ‘dreaming nights’ at all three campuses. The College will be in touch next week with these dates and details and we hope that parents can attend.

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.

Those who have died:

• Moira Patterson
• Gerard (Gerry) McGrath
• Margaret Tucker
• Patrick Ian McCarthy (Class of 1980)
• John Anthony Marshall (Class of 1965)

“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.