The establishment of Iona College was in response to student places in the Catholic Secondary Colleges in Geelong reaching capacity. As the population continues to grow in Geelong and the Surf Coast, Catholic Education Melbourne recognised the need to establish a second co-educational College for the region. Subsequently, 16.33 ha of land was purchased on the corner of Boundary and Horseshoe Bend Road in Charlemont, a key part of the Armstrong Creek growth corridor. At the end of May 2018, the then Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart DD, officially announced that the new co-educational school would be known as Iona College Geelong. Archbishop Hart stated that the name Iona was inspired by one of the most significant Catholic sites in the British Isles. “The Monastery of Iona was a centre of learning by the sea. Just as Iona College will serve and underpin a growing community,” Archbishop Hart said at the time. In 2020, Iona College Geelong welcomed 152 Year 7 students along with 23 teaching and support staff as the foundation staff and students of the College.
The Present
The College has completed three of four stages of its master plan providing our students with modern state-of-the-art facilities befitting of a 21st-century education. Our dynamic learning spaces incorporate specialised equipment for science, visual and digital art, technology (wood, metal, plastics and electronics), STEM, digital technology, media and performing arts. The MCG-size AFL oval, College Stadium, Music, Food Technology Centre are just a few of the many facilities available to foster a well-rounded educational experience.
Faith is at the heart of who we are and as such we work with our students to practice their social and community responsibilities in order to make a difference to those who are marginalised in our community.
The Iona teaching staff have established a learning program that caters for each individual and is focused on differentiation and integration. The intention has been to capitalise on being able to implement modern educational theory and practice with a focus on maximising student academic outcomes. Wellbeing is at the heart of Iona with the College priding itself on the holistic approach to the wellbeing of both staff and students. Our curriculum has been designed to support teachers and enhance their knowledge and experience in delivering social-emotional learning (SEL), Mindfulness, Respectful Relationships and Positive Education.
Iona champions four aspirational values: Compassion, Leadership, Excellence and Courage. These values are celebrated and promoted during our students’ educational journey and reinforced through opportunities to take practical action to uphold the College motto:
“Learning to Change the World”
We provide a wide array of co-curricular activities designed to enhance our students’ educational journeys. Our committed team of educators takes pride in offering ‘immersion’ experiences, overseas and interstate camps and a variety of opportunities for personal development. In the realm of sports, we are rapidly establishing ourselves as a prominent contender in the GISSA Sports Program. We offer a diverse range of sports and extracurricular activities, all overseen by dedicated and enthusiastic coaches.
At the end of 2023, we commenced the next stage of the Iona building project. This stage will include establishing fifteen general-purpose classroom facilities and associated office spaces and facilities, duplication of the College gymnasium inclusive of retractable seating for 1000 people, staging and associated audio-visual enhancements along with the duplication of the Food Technology facility. Significant car park works will also be undertaken which will allow for an increase in bus services.
Once this phase is completed the development of the new library, student services and administration centre will begin. This will allow for the relocation of music and performing arts to our current temporary College Administration and Student Services building.
These new facilities will accommodate the learning needs of students from Years 7 to 12 as well as enhance the future provision of VCE, Vocational Major, VET and equivalent programs undertaken in the future at Iona.