Building progress, enrolments, funding, staffing, and uniforms.

As you can see from the pictures, the roof is starting to appear on our main building. Every day that we see the building, we witness subtle changes that piece by piece are connecting the wonderful new facility that we will have in our possession at the end of the year. There are so many individuals applying their skills and trades to ensure that we have the best possible facility and we give thanks for their diligent work. When Damian drives to school each day, he thinks that he’s “the luckiest Principal in the world being able to be part of this exciting journey.”

Whilst enrolments have officially closed, we are still happy to have a chat to potential families considering their education options for 2020. Over the next two weeks, we will be working to finalize our offers of enrolment and notifications of success or otherwise will be emailed to parents during the last week of this term. Instructions of how to accept or decline this offer will be contained in this email. Acceptance of an offer will also require the payment of a non-refundable acceptance fee of $200 that will need to be paid by the specified date in the email.

Last week we received official notification from the State Government of the success of their election pledge of $5 million dollars towards the establishment of our AFL standard oval, Gymnasium and Food Technology Centre. Our first priority is the establishment of the oval. We are moving quickly on this project and we believe that it will be ready for use at the start of the school year. The Gymnasium and Food Technology building should be complete by the middle of 2020. At this point in time, stage 2 of the building project will commence in August/September 2020 in readiness for the 2022 school year. How exciting it is to move from one building project to another! Damian met with our local State member for South Barwon, Darren Cheesman to pass on his appreciation for this funding support.

At the end of next week, we will advertise for teaching staff for 2020. Advertising will be via our College Website, Geelong Advertiser, www.teacher.on.net and seek.com.au. Applicants will have a two-week period to apply with interviews commencing at the start of Term 3. Support staff roles will not be advertised until a later point in the year. (Update: Applications have now closed).

We are also pleased to announce that an in-principle agreement has been reached with uniform supplier PSW who has a store at 164 Malop Street Geelong to provide the Iona uniform for 2020. We are mindful that this is a major purchase for families, so once acceptances have been received, we will provide families with a price list of our uniform so that the necessary plans can be made.

In the next e-news bulletin, we will introduce the members of the inaugural Iona College (interim) Board. We have attracted some high calibre individuals whom I believe will lend great support in the establishment phase of our College community.

Remember, if you are talking to families who still may be considering education options for 2020, please feel to pass on Damian’s phone number (03) 5229 0004.