We are Ionian: Shaping our future together
For Iona College, the release of We Are Ionian – Strategic Plan 2026–2029 represents just such a moment. It is both a statement of direction and an affirmation of who we are as a community, grounded in faith and shaped by relationships.
At the heart of this new plan sits a simple but powerful notion: ‘We Are Ionian'.
For many years, the phrase ‘I Am Ionian’ has carried deep meaning within our community. It affirmed the dignity, pride and personal responsibility of belonging to Iona.
Each student, staff member, Old Boy and family member has been invited to carry our values of Faith, Integrity, Respect, Excellence and Service into their own lives and decisions.
The Strategic Plan does not replace this identity; it builds upon it.
Inspired by the African wisdom of ubuntu, which means “I am because we are”, and echoed in the words Je suis toi (“I am you”) written on the doors of our Chapel, ‘We Are Ionian’ invites us to see ourselves not in isolation, but in relationship.
It reminds us that our individual gifts find their fullest meaning when shared, and that our strength as a College has, since 1957, always been found in community.
This understanding of shared identity shapes every part of the Strategic Plan.
The priorities set before us include:
- Strengthening Catholic identity
- Inspiring educational excellence
- Nurturing student and staff wellbeing
- Engaging technology ethically
- Planning for a sustainable future, and
- Leading with accountability
These are not separate ambitions. They are interconnected responsibilities that call us to act with and for one another.
Faith and mission, for example, are not private pursuits. They are lived and strengthened in community through prayer, service, formation and relationship, animated by the daring spirit of St Eugene de Mazenod who urged us to “leave nothing undared for the kingdom of God”.
In the same way, excellence in education is not simply about individual achievement, but about lifting each other up so that success for one becomes success for all.
The Strategic Plan, therefore, places particular emphasis on the holistic growth of our young people through academics, spirituality, culture, and social and emotional development.
Through a strong focus on wellbeing, leadership development and authentic service, we seek to form community members who are grounded, confident and ready to engage with a complex and changing world – people who understand that leadership is not about status, but about service.
Our staff, of course, remain central to this vision. The Strategic Plan affirms the importance of professional growth, collaboration and wellbeing, recognising that flourishing students are always shaped by flourishing educators.
Likewise, our commitment to sustainability, ethical engagement with technology, and strong governance reflects our responsibility to future generations to ensure that Iona remains an accessible and aspirational Catholic school for years to come.
Importantly, this plan was shaped through listening, dialogue and shared discernment. It reflects the voices, hopes and wisdom of our community and the belief that growth and development at Iona is never a solitary endeavour.
Ultimately, the success of the Strategic Plan will not be measured only by milestones or metrics. It will be seen in the strength of relationships across our community, in the way our faith is lived with integrity and compassion, and in the courage with which our young men step forward to live, learn, lead and serve.
As we enter this new chapter, ‘We Are Ionian’ calls each of us as Ionians to recognise that while each “I” matters, together we form a “we” that is strong, hopeful and daring.
Scan here to read the Iona College Strategic Plan 2026-2029 or go to qrco.de/bgjtV3
