IONA 14

Welcome Back

Schools are what they are because of our students and staff, so it was a great pleasure to have everyone back on site for Term 4 last week. We are looking forward to another term filled with learning and connection, encountering new opportunities for growth.

Reunion Event

Excited chatter, squeals of delights, and expressions of wonder were heard at the College on Sunday 11 October, as Alumna who graduated from the College in a “6” year returned for their reunion afternoon. Stories of enduring friendships, favourite teachers, and good-natured hi-jinks filled the College grounds. It was a pleasure to connect with so many women who have been formed by our tradition, who are now making a positive impact in their families and their communities. Special thanks to Siobhan Browne, our Alumnae Coordinator and to the Alumnae Committee, led by Ellen Kennedy who ensured that this event was one to celebrate, enjoy and remember.

Funding for Catholic Schools

Many of our families may be unaware of how Catholic schools are funded. Of the total government funding (which equates to approximately 50% of the College’s income), the Australian Government contributes approximately 80% and the Victorian Government contributes 20% of our school’s total government recurrent funding/income. The Victorian Government has to date provided recurrent funding for non-government schools at no less than 25% of per-student recurrent funding for government schools. Families, through fees, contribute about 50% of the College’s recurrent income. Capital works are funded by the College through loans, a portion of fee income, and government grants. Due to our school’s socio-economic demographic, we are generally not eligible for grants to support capital works.

In a recent development, the VCEA (Victorian Catholic Education Authority) understands the Victorian Government is considering changes to the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic), which provides for the longstanding 25% funding link. The guarantee was introduced by the Labor Government in 2015 to provide funding certainty for Catholic and independent schools.

VCEA has been actively pursuing a commitment for many weeks from the Opposition and the Government not to change the legislation, after becoming aware that changes were under consideration.

The VCEA has welcomed a recent commitment from the Victorian Opposition to retain existing recurrent funding arrangements for Catholic and other non-government schools if elected, and called on the Victorian Government to provide the same certainty. VCEA are calling on the Government to retain the 25% link and rule out any cuts to existing recurrent funding arrangements for Catholic schools.

This is significant for all Catholic schools. Budgets are under pressure due to increasing staffing costs, as a result of bargaining negotiations (which are supported by the College), as well as cost of living and other pressures which affect schools.

I will share more about the funding situation as information emerges. I urge you to keep abreast of the various policy announcements coming from the various sectors in relation to education, and in particular, the commitment to a thriving Catholic education sector, supporting families with their choice for a faith-based education for their children.

From their teachers, in their final week of school

Loving God,

As our Year 12 students begin their final week of school, we pause with grateful hearts to give thanks for the journey we have shared.

We remember the young people who first walked through our gates, full of possibility, perhaps a little uncertain of what lay ahead. We give thanks for the friendships formed, the challenges overcome, the laughter shared and the many ordinary moments that have become treasured memories.

As their teachers, we have had the privilege of watching them grow, not only in knowledge and understanding, but in confidence, character and compassion. They have challenged us, inspired us, made us laugh and reminded us of the joy and purpose of teaching.

Loving God,

As they prepare to leave the familiar behind, may they carry with them the values of Truth, Justice, Hope, Love and Compassion.

May they have the courage to stand for what is right, the wisdom to recognise the dignity of others, and the generosity to use their gifts in service of a more just and compassionate world.

Help them to embrace the opportunities ahead with open hearts, trusting in their own abilities and in Your guiding presence.

And as we say goodbye, may they know that they leave with more than our good wishes. They leave with our gratitude, our pride and our hope for all they are yet to become.

May they always remember that while their time in our classrooms is ending, they will forever be part of our community.

We entrust them to Your loving care, today and in all the days ahead.

Amen.

Technology is an important part of our children’s lives, but helping them use devices safely and responsibly can sometimes be challenging. The eSafety Commissioner recommends creating a Family Tech Agreement — a simple, collaborative way for families to agree on how technology will be used at home.

A Family Tech Agreement is more than a list of rules. It provides an opportunity for parents and children to have open conversations about technology, online behaviour, privacy, screen time, appropriate apps and websites, and what to do when something doesn’t feel right.

eSafety recommends involving children in creating the agreement so they feel that their views are heard and expectations are fair and achievable. Parents and carers can also model the behaviours they want to see, such as putting devices away during family time or before bed.

Importantly, the agreement should grow with your child. What works for a younger child may not be appropriate as they become more independent and begin using different devices, games, apps and online platforms.

Families are encouraged to revisit their agreement regularly and remind children that they can always ask for help if they encounter something online that worries or concerns them.

Why not create your own Family Tech Agreement this week? eSafety provides free, age-appropriate templates for children under 5, 5–8, 9–12 and 13–15 years.

Explore eSafety’s Family Tech Agreement resources

Our school theatrette was buzzing in the last week of term as students, staff, families and the wider community gathered for a special screening of the powerful new documentary This Plastic Country. Organised and hosted by our dedicated student Green Team, the event was a massive triumph, with nearly 100 reserved seats and money raised for future activities. 

Our incredible MC, Imogen, guided the audience through the evening with energy, warmth, and sharp insight. After the powerful film shed light on Australia’s growing plastic challenge, the audience was treated to an inspiring panel discussion that bridged expert knowledge with student curiosity..

The guest panel featured:

• Erin Rhoads (aka The Rogue Ginger) –  a prominent zero-waste advocate, who shared practical, everyday strategies for reducing single-use plastics without overwhelming your lifestyle.
• Dr Rachel Lamarche-Beauchesne  – an environmental researcher and senior lecturer at Torrens University Australia. Her research sits at the intersection of fashion, veganism and consumption. 
• Clara & Maya – Student Green Team leaders, who asked insightful questions and started the vibrant audience discussion.

The overarching message of the night was clear: while the plastic crisis is vast and complex, meaningful local action starts right here with us. A huge thank you to everyone who reserved a seat, joined the conversation, and supported the Green Team’s work. Keep an eye out for details on the Green Team’s next project!

In September, in partnership with our sister school, Catholic Ladies’ College, we participated in the Cape York Immersion. During the immersion, we were reminded that some of the most meaningful moments in life are found in the simplest things: sharing food, learning from one another, creating with our hands, and gathering together in community. With the warmth of the land around us and the generosity of Traditional Owners in Hope Vale, Cape York, we spent time deeply reflecting on exploring the importance of forgiveness, resilience and finding joy, even when life gets a little sticky. 

We discovered that simple experiences became our most cherished memories. We found deep connections while sitting together by the evening campfire, taking a dip at Isabella Falls, crafting handmade jewellery, creating sand paintings, preparing and sampling damper alongside Gurrma, and sharing warm laughter as we navigated the lighthearted struggles of setting up camp. 

The immersion gave us opportunities to listen, learn and reflect on connection to Country, culture, respect and community. We left the experience with lasting friendships, newer perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the people and stories that welcomed us. 

CGSAV Netball competition (Inters/Seniors and Juniors A-C) 

On the 8th of September, we took over 65 students, making up our Junior A-C, Inters A-B and Senior teams to Parkville to play in the CGSAV Netball Competition. It was an amazing day out for everyone, all getting to showcase their skills and put into work all the work they have done at our training sessions. 

With 7 teams at the event it was an amazing turnout with 6 of our teams making it into the semifinals. Our Junior A, B and C didn’t quite get there in the semi final but all finished up the day in 3rd place! Our Inters A, Seniors A and Seniors B all headed through to grand finals and all won their respective games!! A special shout out to Milla H for being named best on in the Inters A Grandfinal. 

All the girls should be extremely proud of their efforts on the day and we hope they all come back to play next year.

CGSAV Table Tennis competition 

On Tuesday the 6th of October we saw 26 students participate in the CGSAV table tennis competition.  

All girls had a fun day together and saw new competition as we moved up to Div 1. The Intermediate and Senior teams both made it to the Semi Final but finished the day in 3rd position. Our Juniors didn’t have much luck but made lots of new friends and have learnt some new skills which we hope will help them when they come along again next year. 

A big thank you to Nathan, Mr Ivas, Mr Kelly and Mr Pino for their patience and persistence with sharing the coaching at the training sessions and for Mr Ivas and Ms Murton for guiding the teams on the day. 

Catholic Association Shield (CAS) Basketball competition 

This year we were invited to compete in the CAS basketball competition. This is a new competition hosted by the CGSAV, along with ACC and SACCSS associations. This Catholic Associations Shield offers both the Girls and Boys senior Basketball teams the opportunity to represent their associations at the next level. These teams all finished in 1st position in Division 1 earlier this year in their annual association competitions. 

We saw 9 students go to this competition to represent CGSAV. 

Our team was made up of year 10, 11 & 12 students and they won their match against St Monica’s College, Epping. The player of the game was awarded by the opposition team to Ruby B. 

Congratulations to all competitors on an amazing performance. 

Thank you to Mr Pino for being the team coach for this game and helping to motivate and guide them to achieve this result.

In Year 8 Geography, students have been exploring how natural processes such as waves, erosion, transportation and deposition work together to create and change coastal landscapes. As part of a hands-on learning activity, students worked in groups to use kinetic sand to construct their own coastal landscapes, incorporating 10 of the 11 coastal landforms they had been studying.

Once their models were complete, groups swapped landscapes and challenged each other to identify and correctly label the different landforms. Students then explored how their coastal landscapes might change when exposed to different natural events, including destructive waves, heavy storms and earthquakes. This collaborative activity gave students the opportunity to apply their geographical knowledge in a creative and practical way, while developing their understanding of how coastal landscapes change over time.

What a fantastic week we had exploring the vibrant city of Melbourne with the St Bernard’s College boys! Each day was filled with exciting experiences as we wandered through busy streets, famous laneways covered in colourful street art, unique shops and iconic landmarks. We heard the sounds of trams passing, people chatting and street performers bringing the city to life. We also discovered fascinating art galleries and historic libraries, learning more about Melbourne’s rich history and culture.

Throughout the week, we had specific times to be at different locations, which meant we had to stay organised, manage our time carefully and make sure we arrived on time. This taught us the importance of being responsible, planning ahead and working together as a group.

My favourite part of the week was building connections with the St Bernard’s Colege boys and getting to know everyone better. I also really enjoyed learning about the history of Melbourne and discovering the stories behind its famous buildings, landmarks and streets. It was amazing to see how the city has changed over time while still holding onto its unique character. Overall, the week was a wonderful opportunity to explore, learn new things and create lasting memories together!

As part of our Year 12 PDS Community Project, Olivia S, Matilda C, Mikayla M and Monique E returned to Ryman Raelene Boyle Retirement Village to create a memorable evening for the residents.

Earlier in the year, we had the opportunity to take part in an intergenerational project with the Raelene Boyle community. Through this experience, we were able to spend time with the residents, build connections, and learn more about their experiences. We enjoyed the experience so much that we wanted to continue our connection with Raelene Boyle for our community project.

After speaking with Nicole, the Activity Coordinator at Raelene Boyle, we were allowed to help with an upcoming Rock ’n’ Roll-themed Fine Dining Night. We saw this as a great way to use our skills while creating an enjoyable experience for the residents.

Our project focused on social connection and inclusion. We wanted to create an evening where residents could come together, participate in activities, and enjoy something different from their usual routine.

Bringing the event together involved a lot of planning. Our group used Trello to organise tasks, communicate responsibilities, and track progress. We also communicated with Nicole through emails and many phone calls to discuss our ideas and make sure everything was suitable for the residents.

We helped plan and prepare a range of elements for the evening, including Rock ’n’ Roll decorations, music, invitations, the menu, table decorations, trivia and a photo booth. We also helped with setting up the dining area and making sure everything was ready for the residents when they arrived.

On the night, the dining area was transformed into a Rock ’n’ Roll-themed space. Residents enjoyed a fine dining meal, music, Rock ’n’ Roll trivia, and the photo booth that we had created and designed ourselves. The activities encouraged residents to participate, socialise and enjoy the evening together.

The project allowed us to develop important skills including teamwork, communication, organisation, leadership and problem-solving. It also allowed us to apply what we have learnt through PDS to a real community project.

Most importantly, returning to Raelene Boyle allowed us to continue the relationships we had already started through our intergenerational project. Seeing the residents enjoying the evening made all of the planning worthwhile and reminded us of the importance of creating opportunities for connection within our community.

We are grateful to Ms Hicks for her contribution to our project, including helping us organise and make our project come to life. Nicole for her amazing communication and enthusiasm in involving us in their fine dining event, and to the Raelene Boyle team for their coordination in our antics and going with the flow of our ideas. It was an amazing opportunity to contribute to such a special evening, and we are grateful to carry the beautiful memories with us.

St John Bosco’s Church is 60!

On October 18, St John Bosco’s parish celebrates the 60th birthday of the church since its Blessing and opening on 18 October 1966. Mass will be celebrated at 10.30am on Sunday October 18 2026, followed by a morning tea in the parish hall. All are welcome to come and help the parish celebrate.

St John Bosco’s Church, 29 Muriel St Niddrie.

Enquiries to: Niddrie@cam.org.au

VIEW ARTICLE HERE

Term 3: CAREER NEWS – Newsletter 25 | Monday 12 – 16 October

Please find below the link and summary of all the information in the Career Newsletter:

Careers Newsletter

In this edition:

– VTAC 2027 Upcoming Key Dates

– Useful Websites & Links

– Studying Abroad     

– Monash University News: Maths & Science Prerequisites, Discover Engineering, Webinar – Science

– Melbourne Uni: Subject prerequisites, Explore the Uni Ready Enabling Program, Online October session and Extension Program Information

– AIE: Online Campus Day

– William Angliss: 2027 Course Guides 

– RMIT: 2027 Course Guides, RMIT UniReady & Meet English Requirements

– Box Hill Institute: Diploma of Nursing Pathway

– AIM: Courses offered

– Federation Uni: Course Guide & Early Entry

– Deakin: Accelerate Webinar & Deakin Uni Ready

– Collarts: Information

– Torrens University: Information

– SAE: Online information session

– Carlton College of Sport: information on courses

– Vic Uni: Early Entry

– VCE Extension Studies on offer in 2027

– Australian National University: information

– ADHD Webinars

– Open Universities Australia: courses and no ATARS

– Could a career as a kindergarten teacher be for you?

– Pilot Jobs: Open Day

Happy reading! If you require any further assistance, please DM a member of the Pathways team at  pathways@columba.vic.edu.au

On Tuesday the 16th of September, we were lucky enough to have the experience of attending the Year 9 Mock Interviews. We had a lovely interviewer that welcomed us and it made all our nerves go away. We were able to practise answering questions, communicating confidently and presenting ourselves in a professional way. It was a fun, immersive, and an enjoyable experience in which the night began with many nerves and excitement. The Mock Interviews involved being asked questions about specific job roles that we were given the opportunity to choose. Having the freedom to choose what job we applied for, allowed us to have more fun with the night. The experience allowed us to role play how a real interview is set up. It was a great opportunity to step outside our comfort zones and experience what it may look like to enter the workforce.

Before going into the Mock Interviews, I was incredibly nervous. This was my first time doing anything close to a job interview, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Walking into the interview, my nerves settled quickly, as I realised the interview was not nearly as daunting as I initially thought.

I found the Mock Interviews to be a valuable experience as they provided me with insight into what a real job interview looks like as well as a rough idea of the questions that would be asked. I was also provided with feedback which told me what I did well during my interview and where I could improve, giving me a better idea of my strengths and weaknesses, which I am now able to apply to future job interviews. Anonymous

Our 2026 Mango Drive is now open. Orders close on October 24.

If you have already ordered, thank you! We will let you know when they are due to arrive. We estimate that they will come in the first week of December.

This year, we have pick up locations in:

• Essendon
• Diamond Creek
• North Ryde
• Via Amy Horan

If you would like to order, visit our website: www.btpa.org.au/mangoes

Be sure to order to the correct pick up location and give an accurate email address so we can let you know when to pick up your mangoes.

Hayfever & Allergies

It’s hay fever and allergy season, and I am seeing a significant number of students presenting to First Aid with hay fever symptoms.

Please note that I am unable to administer any antihistamine medication to students without a completed Medication Authority Form and the medication being supplied to the school.

I kindly remind parents and carers to check in with their children, particularly if they are prone to hay fever symptoms, to determine whether they require medication before coming to school.

Alternatively, please complete the attached Medication Authority Form and provide the required medication to the school so that it can be administered when needed.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Sanitary Products Reminder

I would like to kindly remind families to ensure that students have a supply of sanitary products in their school bags or lockers, should they need them during the school day.

We do keep a supply of sanitary products in First Aid for emergency situations; however, these are being accessed quite frequently. Having their own supply readily available will help ensure students are prepared and have what they need when required.

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain our emergency supplies for students who may need them unexpectedly.

19 Oct – Year 12 Graduation

27 Oct – VCAA Exams Commence

28 Oct – Instrumental Music Concert

30 Oct – World Teachers’ Day

2 Nov – Student Free Day

3 Nov – Melbourne Cup

10 Nov – Art Exhibition