Ignatius Park College eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

The weather is certainly continuing to keep Townsville and the surrounding communities on our toes, with yet another wet week where some schools in Townsville closed for a day and where bus delays and suspensions caused ripple effects on students being able to attend school. We thank you for your patience regarding the suspensions of the bus services and be rest assured that we advise our school community as soon as information is received from Kinetic. We do this via our Facebook page and when possible email in the first instance. For very urgent matters, we will send an SMS to all parents/carers.

Thank you to those who attended our Open Day on the 6^th March – this was a great turnout and well supported by our community and it was great to introduce our refurbished Quad to the community. It was great to see so many excited faces of possible Iggy boys of the future. Off the back of open day, our bulk enrolment interview afternoon is being held next Tuesday for our Year 7, 2026 positions. Invites for these interviews have already been sent out and the next round of interviews will be advertised next term via our newsletters and on our School Calendar, but we encourage you, if you are thinking of Ignatius Park College for your son’s education, to lodge your application via our online application process.

Last Friday we hosted the International Women’s Day breakfast in conjunction with Soroptimist International Townsville Breakwater. The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 was “Accelerate Action”. I have had people ask me why it is that we host an event such as this rather than one of our girls schools? The reality is that as the only boys school in Townsville, I believe that we need to be leaders in the way that we engage young men with positive masculinity, and gender based discussions. Positive masculinity is about being a strong man at times, and being a gentle man at other times, but being a good man at all times.

On Friday last week, our boys all wore purple ribbons to celebrate International Women’s Day, and we are also proactive in ensuring that our boys are exposed to engaging guest speakers and workshops on topics that support this aim. These sessions are then reinforced through the work of teachers in our pastoral program that is taught to all boys from years 7 to 12. An example of this is that this year our College will once again host Dave Kramer, from the Small Steps for Hannah Foundation, who will speak with our boys about the concept of the man box, and unpacking the impact of different types of masculinity, and ensuring that they are aware of how they can be agents of change for gender equality.

Next week exams commence, and it is essential that the boys prioritise their studies for these mid semester exams. I would encourage you to discuss with your son what assessments are due, ensuring drafts are submitted for feedback and deadlines are met. These assessment marks contribute to his overall end of semester marks.

Stay safe throughout the continuing rain we are receiving and take care.

Luke Thomson | Principal

Curriculum Corner

Key dates for Term 1 (dates subject to change)

Wednesday 19 March – Thursday 27 March	Year 11 Exam Phase
Monday 24 March – Friday 28 March	Year 7-10 Exam Phase
Monday 31 March – Thursday 3 April	Year 12 Exam Phase – Blocked (from Tues 1 April)
Friday 4 April	College Learning Habits Reports Issued

End of Term Exams

All Year 7-12 exam schedules for this term can be found on the College website here: https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/exams-assessment-study-documents/. Parents are asked to review this schedule with their sons to ensure all are aware of their commitments.

Please note for Year 12 students, this exam phase is blocked from Tuesday 1^st April, meaning students will only be at school if they have a scheduled examination.

Variations to Assessment – Absence, Extensions

It is timely to remind parents that requests to vary the conditions or due date of any assessment item can only be considered following the submission of the appropriate form and supporting documentation.

Year 7 – 10: The completed Variation to Assessment form should be submitted to their Subject teacher. Documentation may be required (i.e. standard medical certificate)

Year 11 – 12: The completed AARA form, along with required documentation (i.e. detailed medical certificate and details of absence) must be submitted to their Subject Faculty Leader or the Edmund Rice Office.

End of Term Exams

All Year 7-12 exam schedules for this term can be found on the College website here: https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/exams-assessment-study-documents/. Parents are asked to review this schedule with their sons to ensure all are aware of their commitments.

Please note for Year 12 students, this exam phase is blocked from Tuesday 1^st April, meaning students will only be at school if they have a scheduled examination.

Variations to Assessment – Absence, Extensions

It is timely to remind parents that requests to vary the conditions or due date of any assessment item can only be considered following the submission of the appropriate form and supporting documentation.

Year 7 – 10: The completed Variation to Assessment form should be submitted to their Subject teacher. Documentation may be required (i.e. standard medical certificate)

Year 11 – 12: The completed AARA form, along with required documentation (i.e. detailed medical certificate and details of absence) must be submitted to their Subject Faculty Leader or the Edmund Rice Office.

A copy of the forms are available at the school website at: https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/exams-assessment-study-documents/. Alternatively, hard copies of this form are available from the Edmund Rice Office.

Reporting

Term 1 reports will be sent home via email on Friday 4 April. These reports will provide a snapshot of how students are progressing in each of their subjects. This information will also be the focal point for discussions at Parent teacher interviews early in Term 2.

Parent and Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in the Edmund Rice Hall on Wednesday 30 April, commencing at 1:40pm. Interviews will be conducted by your son’s subject teachers and students are welcome to attend with their parent/carer. Bookings will open on Wednesday 16 April at 3pm and can be made via the Parent Lounge. Bookings close on Monday 28 April at 3pm.

Students will finish lessons at 12.55pm on this day.

Supervised study will be provided in the Learning Resource Centre until 3pm for students who are unable to make travel arrangements. If students are not travelling directly home, they must change out of their school uniform before leaving the college grounds. There will be no Homework Program operating.

Unavailable Teachers – Some teachers may be unavailable for interviews. In this case, please contact Parent Reception info@ipc.qld.edu.au to request them to contact you at a later date.

Assistance with Parent Lounge – If you have used the ‘Forgot Password’ link and are still unable to log in, please contact Mrs Kerry Shephard on 4796 0222 or enrolments@ipc.qld.edu.au

2025 NAPLAN

Congratulations to all Year 7 and 9 students on completing their NAPLAN exams over the last two weeks. NAPLAN is a significant time, as it provides information as to how a student is progressing with both Literacy and Numeracy. Information around results for NAPLAN will be available

Lesley Gardner | Director of Curriculum

Identity and Mission

Living the Easter Message Through Gospel Spirituality

As we journey through the season of Lent, we are reminded of the profound message at the heart of the Christian story: the selfless love of Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection invite us to live out the Gospel in a way that transforms both our own lives and the lives of those around us.

In Edmund Rice Education Australia schools like ours, we strive to embody this call through the Touchstone of Gospel Spirituality—creating communities where the Gospel is not just taught but lived. Lent/Easter is a time when this Touchstone comes into sharp focus, as we reflect on Christ’s ultimate act of love and sacrifice and question, how can we do this ourselves?

At Easter, Jesus gave of Himself completely, showing us that true love is self-giving and life-giving. His resurrection is not just a moment of triumph over death; it is a call to action for each of us to be living witnesses to the Gospel. This is where Bishop Tim’s powerful message from teh recent CARITAS Project Compassion launch resonates so deeply: “Don’t just give money—giving of yourself to help others is the most important.”

It is easy to think of generosity only in terms of financial giving, and while charitable donations are valuable, the Easter story reminds us that the greatest gifts come from the giving of ourselves—our time, our energy, and our love.

How can we live this out in our communities especially here at Ignatius Park College?

Be Present for Others: In a world that is often too busy, taking time to truly listen and be present for someone who is struggling can be a profound gift.
Serve with Compassion: Whether through volunteering, mentoring, or simply reaching out to someone in need, acts of kindness reflect the selfless love of Christ.
Live with Integrity and Action: The Gospel calls us to more than words; it calls us to action. Standing up for justice, advocating for those without a voice, and working to build inclusive and welcoming communities are all ways we can embody the Easter message.

Just as Blessed Edmund Rice responded to the needs of his time by giving himself wholeheartedly to the service of others, we too are called to do the same. This Easter, may we go beyond mere giving and offer ourselves in love and service, living out the Gospel in a way that brings hope, dignity, and life to others.

Let us take Bishop Tim’s words to heart and make this Easter a season of genuine giving—not just of our resources, but of our very selves.

Please do not forget to keep supporting our Project Compassion initiatives here at the College between now and the end of Term.

Mark Holmes | Director of Identity & Mission

Director of Students

Respect at IPC

At Ignatius Park College, we uphold the importance of respect and kindness within our community. Being physical at our college is rare, and because we are a close-knit community serious altercations happen seldom. Our "Hands Off" policy is designed to ensure that all students feel safe, valued, and respected. It is essential that everyone, regardless of background or differences, is treated with dignity and compassion. By respecting one another and adhering to the "Hands Off" policy, we create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Every student has the right to feel like they belong and are safe, and together, we can build a positive, supportive community at IPC.

Please communicate with your son about anything that may be troubling him at school and feel completely at ease about contacting the school if there is something we can act on to ensure your son is having a good day at school. Whilst our Pastoral team is very good at what they do, they are not mind readers. We do a lot of proactive work to ensure our school understands respect but students make mistakes. As parents you can help by mirroring the message that being physical with others is not a way to solve your differences at school, nor the outside world.

Long Live Swimming Carnivals

As I was driving to work this morning, I heard on the radio a news segment declaring that school swimming carnivals in some schools are being cut back or not run at all. A similar article can be found here. I felt a real sense of sadness in hearing this, and also a feeling of guilt. Where are the voices of the parents and students in this space? Do we want our children to go to schools without souls and character? The impetus seems to be a concern over the lack of swimming ability with a concerning drop in swimmers nationwide. Surely there is something we can do to improve the situation, rather than just cut swimming carnivals in the future. This is not solving the issue – it is creating new ones.

I like to believe that at Ignatius Park College, our core business is learning, but it is our culture, history and global aims that separate us from other educational institutions. At Ignatius Park College, events and community building play a vital role in shaping well-rounded young men. By engaging in school activities, students develop a strong sense of brotherhood and camaraderie, fostering lifelong friendships and support networks. These experiences teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience, which are essential for success in the real world. Our school events are designed to create opportunities for personal growth, cultural awareness, and shared achievement, ensuring that our boys are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the character and confidence needed to thrive in life beyond school.

I hate to think that these events have numbered days in some schools and that schools will become all about classrooms and classrooms only. Not only do I not apologise for our IPC running these events, but we do them bigger and better than most places I have seen and our students benefit from them enormously. It is all about balance. Our next event is our house choir on Friday of next week and I cannot wait to hear our boys sing.

The Importance of Being on Time for School

Here at IPC, we believe that punctuality is an essential part of fostering a successful and productive learning environment. Being on time sets the tone for the day, allowing students to engage more fully in their lessons and be prepared for the challenges ahead. We are closely reviewing our attendance data, and we’ve noticed an increasing trend of students arriving late without valid reasons. Timeliness not only respects the learning time of others but also promotes responsibility and discipline, which are valuable ideologies to take into later life.

Moving forward, we will have an increased presence around students’ punctuality, ensuring that those who are frequently late are addressed appropriately. We encourage all students to arrive at school on time, prepared, and ready to contribute. Parents and caregivers are asked to support our efforts by reinforcing the importance of punctuality at home. If for some reason, your son will be late to school, please write a small explanation in his diary, or send his Pastoral Leader an email explaining the situation. Together, we can maintain a positive and focused learning environment for all.

John Deer | Director of Students

Pathways Hub

Vocational Education Students in years 11 and 12 participated in a week of Industry Placement last week where they were ‘on site’ and working alongside various trades. Throughout the week students were visited by teachers from Ignatius Park. This week of industry placement is invaluable and sets Ignatius Park apart from other secondary schools, with many of our boys being offered post-high school work opportunities. Reports from staff throughout the week were very positive about the attitude and commitment of these young men; some boys had to wake up in the early hours of the morning to be on site for a 5am start. Well done gentleman on a week of work and representing yourself and your school with pride and commitment.

We had some real success stories that should be celebrated with 2 of our young men offered school-based apprenticeships while on industry placement and others asked to ensure they contact these employers about jobs post-high school.

Moving forward, if your son would like to change his placement, he will need to complete a change of placement form in the Pathways Hub and submit this to Ms. Hansen.

Year 10 boys will be given the opportunity to undertake a week of work experience in week 10. Preparation for this is well underway. Please speak with your son in year 10 about his work experience, if he has not returned his signed forms, he will not be able to attend. All paperwork needs to be in the Pathways Hub by Wednesday of week 9, 26^th March. Students who do not have an organised business or trade to attend in week 10 will remain at school.

Australian Defence Force and James Cook University Hospital work experience days are also running throughout the year. If your son would like further information on these specialist programs, please see me in the Pathways Hub.

Kirsty Clarke | Program Leader - Skills & Training

Industry Placement Week - Term1, 2025

Can you help make a difference? Check out the first of our Project Compassion fundraisers here:

Friday 21 March - World Down Syndrome Day

Students are invited to wear crazy socks on Friday 21 March as we recognise and raise awareness of World Down Syndrome Day.

Student Wellbeing

In exciting news, Ignatius Park College has partnered with Wellio this year.

Wellio helps students proactively improve their mental wellbeing using research-backed habits and techniques. Their programme supports students in improving their sleep, managing social media use, building healthy relationships, improving physical well-being, and reducing anxiety.

Wellio will form an integral part of the schools Pastoral Care (PACA) program which takes place each Thursday during Period 5. This program is designed to educate all students on key components of their development as they move through a dynamic period of their lives.

Alongside their work inside the classroom, Wellio also deliver a free webinar each term for parents. These sessions are designed to equip parents with practical tools to support the wellbeing of their children throughout the year.

The upcoming webinar for this term is titled Owning Your Role as a Parent: Knowing When to Step In and Step Back. Acknowledging that parenting can, at times, be a constant balancing act of guiding, stepping in, and allowing children space to grow, this session will explore three key parenting strategies to help you navigate challenging situations with your children.

This 60-minute webinar is scheduled for Thursday 27 March at 6:30pm (AEDT). You can register at https://collections.humanitix.com/2025-parent-webinar-series

Wellio will record the event, so please register if you can't attend but want access to the recording.

Year 11 Engineering with Mr Lucas

For two weeks the Year 11 students were applying their knowledge of beams and trusses to build bridges. Congratulations to the 2025 winners Jean Pierre Katende, Jack Whelan and Minh Nguyen who won both the best strength-to-weight ratio and most load held with over 102 kg (photo attached). After their exam, the class will be issued a portfolio task where they will apply their Engineering theory to solve a real-world problem.

Sport Representatives from IPC

Ignatius Park College men have had huge successes in NQ representative teams recently.

Congratulations to you all!

Art Supplies Wanted

2024 Graduates' Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

School TV

School_TV_Flyer.pdf

Students on School Grounds Outside School Hours

Ignatius Park College has an enviable co-curricular program that operates outside school hours for a number of activities. All these activities are supervised by College staff and operate with parent and/or College permission.

For students arriving at school before the school day begins and remaining behind after the school day concludes, supervision is provided by school staff from 8.10am until the start of homeroom at 8.30am and after the school day concludes at 3.00pm until 3.20pm. School bells ring at 8.10am and 3.20pm to indicate the beginning and end of this supervision.

Parents are reminded that unless students are taking part in supervised outside school activities, they will not be supervised by school staff except during the period from 8.10 am and until 3.20pm. Parents should ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to ensure the supervision of their students outside these times. While school gates will be open before and after these times, this is to provide access to staff and for students attending these supervised activities.

School Fees

The College Fee Schedule for 2025 can be viewed at https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrol/fees/

Please be informed that timely payment of the school fees is mandatory. If you have defaulted a timely payment or have outstanding fees, please pay in full as soon as possible. Please contact the College Finance Team at finance@ipc.qld.edu.au or call 4796 0222 if you need further information.

School Fee Platform - Edstart

From Term 1 2025, all school fees including annual and periodic payments will be managed by Edstart. You can set up your Edstart account at edstart.com.au/ipc

Vilton Crasto | Director of Business Operations

Term 1 Week 8 College Newsletter