Term 3 Week 2 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Welcome back to term three. In particular, I would like to welcome the twelve new students and families who have joined our College community this term.

As you are aware last term I was on leave and I would sincerely wish to thank Mr. John Doolan who ably lead the school as Acting Principal, Mrs. Johanna Smith who was Acting Deputy Principal, Mr. Matthew Mitchell who was Acting Director of Students and Mrs. Nadine Burnett who was Acting Pastoral Leader for Nolan and is now Putney Pastoral Leader for the rest of this year. Thank you to all staff who were appointed to acting roles for your leadership and dedication throughout term two.

This term we welcome the following new staff members:

• Ty Mills who joins our community from St Anthony’s College as a teacher and has held various leadership roles.
• Debbie O’Brien – Executive Assistant to the Principal with experience in many corporate businesses.
• Kerry-Anne Shephard – Admissions and Enrolments Officer who has been enrolment officer at Ryan College, and
• Michele Hoedt – College Reception who comes to us with a diversity experience in local government and private enterprise.

Mr. Grant Rossiter has been successful in gaining a position as Career Consultant at JCU. It is great sadness that Mr. Rossiter is moving on after being at the college for 23 years. He has enriched this college not only in his varied senior leadership roles but also through his dedication and commitment to the college. This has been a hard decision for Mr. Rossiter who touched the lives of so many students at the college. He will be finishing at the college in week five.

Mr. Bill Jarvis is retiring this week after twelve years working in property services. As a college we thank Mr. Jarvis dedicated service to the school. Mrs. Wendy Greig will be finishing at the college next week. Mrs. Greig has been a full time cleaner at the college for the past six years. We thank Wendy for her contribution to the college. We wish them all the best with their journey beyond Iggy Park.

Living the Iggy Spirit

It has been wonderful to come back to the College this term from my leave to continue to witness the great spirit we have in this College. As we enter the second half of the year my challenge to all students is to look forward, to aim high, to contribute, to seize the day, and continue to build the spirit of this school. 

But it is a challenge that involves everyone. School Spirit means we are all called to get involved and be part of building something great. As the famous saying from Abdul Basit goes: ‘Life is a journey. Don't be a passenger - get in the driver's seat and keep your eyes straight ahead.’ It only takes a handful of passengers, who care little for this place, to bring our spirit down. 

The word ‘spirit’ comes from the Latin word for breath, meaning that it animates life. In the context of a community, school spirit is about creating an environment where everyone has a sense of belonging, inclusion, ownership and passion. It’s about supporting each other and celebrating our diversity as a source of strength. It’s about taking the risk to do something new that will benefit others in the community. The success of our college is about building trust. We build trust every day in our school, not in the big things we do but in the small moments such as taking care of each other and asking for help when we need it.

An important element in trust is our College value “integrity”. Brenan Brown (social scientist) believes if we are to “Rise Strong” integrity should be three things:

1. Choosing courage over comfort
2. Choosing what is right over what is fun, fast and easy, and
3. Practicing your values not professing them

It is living this value that takes our school from being good to great.

Celebrating our successes

Congratulations to Mr. Steven Lansley and 1^st XIII students who won Confraternity this year – back to back since we last competed in 2019. The team had only two tries scored against them thorough out the competition. I was fortunate to be at Confraternity in the first week of the holidays and the students were exceptional in their behaviour. A great example of integrity was an Iggy Park mother spoke to me at Confro that she had been approached by a St. Brendan’s parent who was amazed with our students, when we defeated St. Brendan’s College in the semi-final, the students were upset with their loss to Iggy Park and our students consoled them after the game. Our boy’s displayed what gracious winners they were and a wonderful example of our Iggy spirit. This is practicing your values and not professing them.

Likewise, I would like to congratulate the rowers who competed in the Central Queensland regatta in Rockhampton. We have only some 35 rowers, but they won some 17 medals with winning a gold in the Open 8 for the first time. Overall, we came third in the regatta that included schools from southern Queensland. These students displayed courage over comfort and worked hard to compete against many competitive schools to show we are becoming a recognised school in rowing.

Also, congratulations to Jacob Fowler who has been invited to be a member of the Queensland Representative School Sport Boys’ Water Polo Team 13yrs to 18yrs.  He has been invited to participate in the in the Australian School Sports Interstate Water Polo Challenge to be held in Noosa from 22^nd of July to 24^th of July.

Also, good luck to all our Houses that will be competing in the interhouse athletics carnival tomorrow.

 Improving our school resources

During the holidays we have been working actively to improve the College infrastructure. We have placed seven new refrigerated water coolers around the school for our students. We also are refurbishing rooms: T1, T2 and T3. This will include the ceiling in these three rooms being lowered, new lighting installed, acoustic cells placed on the walls to absorb sound and a sound system throughout the room. These rooms have been designed to support all our learners, providing a learning environment that is contemporary and engaging to learners.

Likewise, our Edmund Rice Hall is being refurbished. So far, we have built a new stage, replaced the façade of the stage area, installing an updated AV system, new lighting above the stage and electronic curtains for the stage area. This will be the first phase of the redevelopment of the hall with further renovations next year.

Our Learning Resource Centre is currently progressing well and is due for completion in November 2022. This week the building is being rendered and external painting will occur. Within the forthcoming weeks windows and awnings will be fitted and interior work will commence. In addition, to the Learning Resource Centre, the car park near the pool entrance will be expanded in the term three holidays with a designated drop off and pick up area for students that will provide another option for parents than the parish car park and the front of the school. As a Principal, I am proud of the new infrastructure we are developing and the improvement of resources for our students.

Motor Safety

I have recently received a letter from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads stating that the government has approved the installation of flashing school zone signs in Albert Street. These lights will be installed in the forthcoming weeks and hopefully will serve as an active reminder for motorists to slow down and keep our students safer in this area.

I would like to remind parents to be aware of the safety of our students at the entrance of our College on Ross River Road. After school it can become extremely congested with parents queueing from Holy Spirit School and Ignatius Park College picking up students. Please follow the road rules as the Police are going to have a presence out the front of our school.

Catholic Education Week

Next week is Catholic Education Week and celebrates that important role catholic schools have in the educate and faith development of students in Queensland. This year’s theme is " Communities of Faith, Hope and Love". Some of our students will be attending the official launch of Queensland Catholic Education Week 2022 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville next Monday. Congratulations to Keegan Elrick (Year 12) who has won the Deus Caritas Est Award for 2022 through his commitment to living his faith every day in the college.

NAIDOC Week

During the holidays we celebrated NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme was "Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!" and calls us all for action to bring about systemic change and be one voice for all.

The following prayer was written by Rev Tim Matton-Johnson, a former Deputy National Chairperson for UAICC, and an Aboriginal person from Tasmania. It is a version of the Lord’s Prayer.

Great Spirit, Creator of all,

From the stars to all the earth,

Loved and respected be your name,

May it happen that all should live your way,

Following your purpose for all creation.

Enable us to fine what we need for today’s journey.

Forgive us when we go wrong

As we forgive those who wrong us.

Have compassion on us when we are being tested,

Do not abandon us to fear and evil.

Our hope is in your new community.

You are the one who can transform all creation,

making everything new, now and for all eternity.

AMEN

Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever.

Shaun Clarke | Principal 

Identity and Mission

This Term is a big one in the life of the college; Identity & Mission wise. There is a very strong Social Justice theme in Term 3 which sees lots of activity and community work happening. Just a few of the things to look out for when your son comes home discussing them: Catholic Studies Volunteering with Year 11’s, Year 10 Religion & Ethics students starting their CERT II in Active Volunteering qualification, SVDP Homeless Sleepout, Brooklea Elderly visits, Holy Spirit Reding Club, Year 12 Drop-in-Centre visits… just to name a few!

Please encourage your son to get involved in as many of these initiatives and causes as possible, a little from many goes a long way! In planning all these events, it got me thinking about how we are teaching our students not just to “do” these things blindly, but the advocacy behind “why” we “do” these things. How do we prepare them? How does the work we do flow through to the boys lives outside of school? All things we aim to answer with each and every social justice action we undertake.

Jesus sent out his disciples without a degree in theology, without a certificate from a diocesan training program, and without a catechism. Two by two, they walked along with no more than a pair of sandals and a walking stick, both crucial to keep them on the journey. With so little, they still summoned the authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and preach repentance.
 
This amazes me, having the degree, pedigree, and reference books by the score to keep me in the arena of orthodoxy. Yet I’m not certain that demons are at all intimidated by these things. Though institutions may grant credibility, only God can provide the authority for ministry. And God grants it to slackers like Peter, not much of a fisherman but possessed of interesting impulses; to James and John, much admired by their mother, at least; and even to Judas, more loyal to himself than to the Lord. It seems God favours those who are willing to stay on the road and travel light. The walking stick is the best credential of all.
 
What do you carry, in your heart and on your back, that limits your ability to serve?
 
Time to lighten the load! I encourage every reading this to identify one element in your life - a relationship, attitude, behaviour - that chronically keeps you from progressing on the spiritual journey. Take steps to reconcile, heal, and move forward.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK IN QUEENSLAND

Catholic Education Week is an annual state-wide event that promotes the distinctive mission of Catholic schools throughout Queensland. 

The week 25th - 31st July is celebrated by all schools through a range of liturgies, events and activities. 

The Catholic Education Week 2022 theme is " Communities of Faith, Hope and Love". 

A Mass to mark the official launch of Queensland Catholic Education Week 2022 will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Townsville on 25th July 2022 and in the Archdiocese of Brisbane on Tuesday 26 July 2022, both are live-streamed and links available on social media pages. We will have a number of students attending to represent IPC with the added bonus of awarding our Dues Caritas Est Award Winner for 2022 during the Mass as well.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. 

Have a great fortnight.

Mark Holmes | Director – Identity & Mission

SUBJECT SHOWCASE

Invitation to Subject Showcase
Year 9 and 10 students and their families are invited to our Subject Showcase to consider their subjects for Year 10, 2023 and Year 11, 2023.
 
Faculty Leaders and Teachers will be available at the event to discuss subjects on offer.
 
Students currently in Year 9 and 10 this year will be required to nominate subject preferences after the event, and this is an ideal opportunity for students and parents/carers to speak with teachers about subject requirements.
 
 Monday, 25 July 2022
 Year 9 students going into Year 10 – 5.30pm Prompt start
 Year 10 Students going into Year 11 – 7.00pm Prompt start
 Edmund Rice Hall
 
Parents, Carers, and students are encouraged to read through the Subject Information Handbook which can be found online:  https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/handbooks/

 Key dates:
 25 July 2022 Subject Showcase
25 July 2022 Subject Preferences Portal Opens at 6.00pm
 31 July 2022 Subject Preferences Portal Closes at 5.00pm
 
Information and unique login details on how to access the Subject Preferences Portal will be sent to each student’s email.
 
Should you have any queries or difficulties accessing the portal, please do not hesitate to contact the College.

Shane Dove | Director of Curriculum  

CHEESEBURGERS FOR SALE

Tomorrow lunch time (Friday 22 July) we will be having a fund-raiser for both the IPC Netball Team and the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride. 

CHEESEBURGERS $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00

SOFT DRINKS $2.00 each

CASH ONLY PLEASE.

Pudy Timbs | Netball Coach

Tuckshop

Due to an increase in prices by our suppliers  the Tuckshop can no longer absorb these costs.  Price increases have been kept to a minimum however, some food and drinks will be increased by 50 cents per item.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kay O’Connor | Tuckshop Convenor

Pathways Hub

School-based Apprenticeships

Following on from our recent industry placement in Term 2, we are happy to announce that there were a number of students who secured school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. This week we acknowledge:-

• Kym Nuth (year 12 Nolan) - Electrical Apprenticeship with CV Services.
• Nelson Kennedy (year 11 Treacy) -Carpentry apprenticeship with Glenn Sexton Pty Ltd.
• Angus Bamford (year 11 Treacy)- Carpentry apprenticeship with McDonald Construction and Development Pty Ltd.

This evidences how valuable the industry placement program is to our senior students looking to enter the workforce post school.

JCU UniX Experience Day

On Wednesday the 13^th of July we had 50 year 10 students, and 70 year 11 and 12 students attend this event.  Students who attended had the opportunity to talk to both JCU lecturers and students about courses that might interest them and prerequisite subjects and necessary ATARs.  

During the first week of the term, our senior school students had the privilege of visiting James Cook University on Wednesday afternoon to get an early look at Uni life. After being welcomed and greeted with a goodie bag, Iggy Park students hit the floor running with free access to the JCU campus. Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to walk around the campus and interact with all the various fields that JCU provides. Many stations were filled with fun and eye-catching challenges, whilst also providing a further insight about study options and future career opportunities. Multiple engaging tours and sessions were also available where students could get a behind the scenes look at some of JCU’s most popular degrees. The sports and exercise science tour were a favourite for our boys where they were given a look at the on-site performance and testing facility. After a few hours of walking around, many students took the time to refresh and grab some of the food and drinks provided. After a quick recharge, the boys were back at the stalls where they could talk to both teachers and current students about their experiences at JCU. Overall, it was a great day walking around with slushies and learning more about future opportunities that JCU provides.

Riley Innes | College Captain 

June/July Holiday Placements

We had 10 students who did work experience during the June/July Holidays.  We would like to thank these businesses below for taking the time to show them what work could be like for them in the future.

We would encourage all year 10,11 or 12 students to do work experience as it either consolidates their ideas about a chosen career or rules out a career from their possible / probable list of post school options. Please see Mr. Rossiter or Mrs. Vignale in the Pathway Hub if you have questions or need work experience paperwork.

QMEA Trades Camp Mt Isa

On the second week of the school holidays, Allan Wharton, Thomas Radford, Lachlan Hardy and myself, accompanied by Mr Anderson went on a trade camp run by Queensland Mining and Education Academy (QMEA) in Mt Isa.  We left Townsville on the 3^rd of July at 8am and flew to Mount Isa. On the first day while waiting on the Brisbane group to arrive we attended a fossil tour at the Mount Isa information center.  Our task for the week, in groups of four, was to turn a push bike into a motor bike. My group considered many mounting options for the motor and finally decided that we needed to cut the frame of the bike under the seat to be able to fit the carburetor. On Thursday, after installing the motor and painting the old push bike we started to test the bike. Ours had a maximum speed of 47km/h and was a great success. Friday saw the final presentation for the bikes and then we had to fly home later that day.

The practical problem-solving and the experience was thoroughly worthwhile. The students who attended will also be preferenced for future employment opportunities.

Connor Browning | Year 11 Carew House

Change of placement forms

If your son wishes to change his current placement for Term 3, then they must have the purple Change of Placement form completed.  This must be lodged with the Pathways Hub by Friday 29 July 2022 (Week 4).

Apprenticeship applications are now open for Wilmar Sugar Australia

Starting in 2023 they have 49 apprenticeships available in electrical, boilermaking, fitter and turning and diesel fitting.

Apply today and launch your career:

Closes 7^th August 2022

Grant Rossiter | Dean of Pathways

School 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 (07) 4796 0222 if you need any further information.

Edstart

Ignatius Park has partnered with Edstart to assist parents to manage their School Fee payments. You can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly by choosing a plan that suits your budget. This is an application-based process. There are no credit applications and no transaction fees or interest charges when using Edstart Pay+ for your IPC fees.
Visit edstart.com.au/ipc for more information on Edstart payment options.

Vilton Crasto | Business Manager 

Community