Term 3 Week 8 College Newsletter
Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Introduction
As always, life continues to be extremely busy at Iggy Park – and life in general no doubt! What is one of the ironies of this time of the year is that we are not only finishing off this year but are having to work extremely diligently in all our preparation for 2023! This includes preparing budgets, finalising student numbers and hence advertising for new staff, guiding students and families through the subject counselling processes and at the same time continuing to do our best in our core business – teaching and learning.
Keeping up the Focus
It has been an extremely busy term and with just over two weeks to go until we break for holidays, it is timely to offer our students a heads up that the rules and expectations do not change just because we are entering the last weeks.
Many students are getting excited at the prospect of holidays. I am sure that many of the staff would share similar sentiments. It has been a long term and the finish line looks enticing. However, finishing well is an important life lesson. It is important for all students to stay on track until the very end. In terms of study, it would be a shame for a student to dip in their results through lack of focus, after all the hard work that has been invested throughout the term. Likewise, in terms of behaviour, to let standards slip would be disappointing. We continually remind our students that the rules do not change for the last weeks of school. Our expectations of behaviour and effort are high and will remain so to the very end. Youthful exuberance is no excuse for poor behaviour.
One thing that most teachers will report is that, from time to time, students will ask the question “Why do we have to learn this?" More regularly is the question “How is this going to be useful to my life?" The following story entitled “The Magic Pebble" illustrates that we can never predict the value of what we learn as it impacts further down the journey of life.
One night a group of nomads were preparing to retire for the evening when suddenly they were surrounded by a great light. They knew they were in the presence of a celestial being. With great anticipation, they awaited a heavenly message of great importance that they knew must be especially for them.
Finally, the voice spoke, "Gather as many pebbles as you can. Put them in your saddle bags. Travel a day's journey and tomorrow night will find you glad and it will find you sad."
After having departed, the nomads shared their disappointment and anger with each other. They had expected the revelation of a great universal truth that would enable them to create wealth, health and purpose for the world. But instead they were given a menial task that made no sense to them at all. However, the memory of the brilliance of their visitor caused each one to pick up a few pebbles and deposit them in their saddle bags while voicing their displeasure.
They travelled a day's journey and that night while making camp, they reached into their saddle bags and discovered every pebble they had gathered had become a diamond. They were glad they had diamonds. They were sad they had not gathered more pebbles.
(by: John W. Schlatter, A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul)
When speaking to students, I regularly remind them to keep their focus on their studies. While co-curricular activities are beneficial to a well-balanced life, the main game happens in the classroom and the need to identify academic goals is a priority. Academic character is an important concept for school students. Like sporting character, it is not necessarily defined by ability. Rather it is defined by one of our College values - commitment.
Every student at Ignatius Park College is expected to strive to use their God-given abilities to the fullest. For some, this will mean seeking and attaining A+'s, while for others it may mean an almighty effort is placed into the necessary work required to attain a C. It is not the natural ability of our students, but the level of commitment and dedication that defines the academic character of our College.
At times students may struggle to see the relevance of their studies and find it difficult to stay focused. That's when they need to remember the “magic pebble" and trust that, by remaining attentive to their studies, they will be benefited in the long term. The holidays around the corner and the final Term of 2022 looming large, I hope that every student will feel challenged to give their best and, as an academic community, we will soar to new heights.
National Child Protection Week
While Child Safeguarding is our focus every week, the week of 4-10 September is designated National Child Protection Week to raise community awareness and bring a spotlight to the work of keeping young people safe. The theme for this week is ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’. Next week the College will be promoting this theme through activities and information.
Taking inspiration from the https://www.aracy.org.au/the-nest-in-action/the-nest-overview there is an opportunity to reflect on the many things that every child and young person needs in order to grow up safe and well. They include:
- feeling loved and safe
- having a positive sense of identity and culture
- having material basics
- being healthy
- learning
- participating
A number of resources are available on the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect www.napcan.org.au. I would promote parents to take time to view the resources available. National Child Protection Week is particularly relevant in the Catholic Church culminating in Child Protection Sunday at the end of next week.
Father’s Day
I would like to wish all our fathers in the College community a Happy Father’s Day this
weekend.
A Prayer for Fathers
God our Father,
We give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; May they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for our own Fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; May they know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.
We remember fathers, grandfather, and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.
Amen
Car Park Redevelopment
The redevelopment of the carpark, off Ross River Road, near the IPC pool will be commencing Monday 5.9.22 through to Friday 14.10.22 and during this time the carpark will be closed.
Please take time to view the full letter and map for your information.
We have provided an alternative drop off/pick up zone in Albert Street, in addition to the current drop off/pick up zone in the Holy Spirit carpark.
Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever.
Shaun Clarke | College Princpal
Identity and Mission
Drop in Centre – Wrap for 2022
Well its been a big few weeks for the Year 12’s who have been working tirelessly every morning to engage with the homeless in our community, through the Townsville Drop in Centre we participate in each year. Every day for a month, a small group of Year 12’s meet at school early to jump in the van and head to the centre in Morehead St, South Townsville and cook ahot BBQ breakfast donated by the College. It is a humbling and sometimes eye opening experience for the boys who listen and interact with members of the community less fortunate than ourselves. We look forward to this experience each year and I am sure the 2023 Year 12’s will do the program justice as well.
True story: I attended a meeting held in a conference room. The chairs arranged in the usual circle looked typically uncomfortable except for one large, ornate, padded chair which no one had yet claimed. I had walked far to be there and was tired, but the idea of taking that particular chair seemed selfish. So, I passed on it, choosing a tin folded chair instead. More people arrived. They eyed the beautiful chair wistfully. Each chose another place to sit. Finally, a pert little woman walked in and, without hesitation, made a beeline for the best chair in the room. As she plopped into it, there was a creaking sound, and the bottom fell out and she went through it! As we helped the poor woman up - bruised only in the ego - we all laughed at having coveted that precarious chair. We need it the Chair of Humiliation. It looked appealing but led to embarrassment. Sometimes the comforts we seek and the honours we claim have a way of backfiring. Humility beats humiliation by a mile!
Who is your best teacher of true humility?
Practice humility. Surrender the larger portion. Let someone get ahead of you. Allow the quiet person to speak. Seek wise teachers. Listen to their words, watch their actions, imitate their example.
“Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be - and experience - a blessing”.
Mark Holmes | Director - Identity and Mission
Curriculum
Year 11 and 12 Exams – Week 9 and 10 – Block Exams
A reminder to all Year 11 and 12 students about the upcoming assessment period. The schedule for week 9 and 10 extended assessment period can be found HERE.
Important things to remember:
- Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 September 2022 is normal scheduled classes
- Wednesday 7 to Thursday 15 September 2022 is BLOCKED. This means, students will only attend school if they have an exam, with the exception however of students undertaking any VET subjects
- VET Students will be required to attend school until their course requirements are up to date and complete
- Students must be in full school uniform if attending school during this time
Year 7 to 10 Exams – Week 9
All students have been emailed the upcoming exam schedule which can is also be found on our website HERE.
Normal classes will continue until the final day.
Shane Dove | Director of Curriculum
Pathways Hub
Industry Placement
Last week we had about 150 Year 11 and 12 students participating in our Industry Placement program. This program is invaluable for enhancing our students’ employability skills and provides the opportunity for them to have a ‘real life’ work experience. We truly hope the students gained valuable life skills and now better appreciate the world of work.
Term Three
Change of Placement forms
If year 11 students wish to change placements for term four, they must have the purple Change of Placement form completed and lodged with the Pathways office by Friday 21 October 2022 - week three.
Green Cards
On Monday the 29 August 2022 any student in year 11 and 12 doing a certificate course will receive a green card. This card must be signed by their teacher/s to confirm that their work has been satisfactorily completed. If this green card has not been returned to the Pathway Hub by Tuesday, the 6 September 2022 with their teacher/s signature then the student must come to school during Exam week to complete their studies. An email will also be sent to parents advising of this
Holiday Placements
We have seven students doing work experience during these holidays. It is now too late to register for anymore. However, you can still register for Christmas/New Year Holidays. Work experience is a great opportunity for students to gain an insight into possible career matches and determine potential future pathways post school. If you would like more information about how to organise work experience, please contact Miss Campbell or Mrs. Vignale in the Pathway Hub.
Kelsie Campbell | Acting Program Leader - Pathways
Science Week
Japanese Speech Competition 2022
Townsville Catholic Schools Japanese Speech Competition 2022
The Catholic Schools Japanese Speaking Competition has returned after several years break due to COVID. I would like to congratulate all the boys for their excellent speeches and the way they represented Ignatius Park with Integrity, Pride and Commitment.
Year 9 students- Kai Burchell, Ethan Cavanagh, Seth Chun Tie and Joshua Symons gave well practiced self-introductions as well as interesting information about their hobbies, likes and daily routines. It was a very close competition but in the end one performance stood out and it was Iggy’s very own Ethan Cavanagh that took out first place! – Well Done Ethan!
The competition was even more fierce in the year 10 round with the choice of topic for their speeches being up to the students. Connor Kenyon gave a speech about his part time job and despite his nerves gave the judges and interesting and informative presentation. Ronald Ryan chose the topic of life longevity and ikigai. Ikigai is the Japanese way of living focusing on your life purpose. A difficult topic to discuss and he did so with passion and precision.
It takes a lot of courage to speak to a native Japanese speaker and all the boys worked through the nerves and showed great commitment to preparing, practicing and presenting their speeches. Congratulations to you all!
Ms Rebecca Irvine | Teacher in Charge Languages
Japanese Speech Competition 2022
Counsellors' Corner
Rugby Union
RUGBY UNION NEWS
The IPC Rugby Union program had its annual breakup on Monday night – thanks to all those that attended.
It was a great night for the rugby union program, and a fitting end to a very successful season, which would not happen without the sponsors who once again unselfishly assisted in providing a large number of IPC students with a variety of rewarding opportunities.
Major Sponsors include:
- SMW PASTORAL HUGENDEN
- HGW CONTRACTING HUGHENDEN
- A1 FINISHES – PAINTING AND DECORATING
- ADRIAN GABRIELLI CONSTRUCTIONS
- BROTHERS RUGBY UNION
- COLLIERS
- GOUGH PLASTICS
- H & M HOGAN & McHUGH
- KEY MOTORS
- LEN DOWD ELECTRICAL
- STURT BUSINESS CENTRE
Community Sponsors include:
- BFQ Accountants
- Cameron & Co Dental
- Connolly Suthers Lawyers
- Dillion Bowers Lawyers
- Fulton Hogan
- Holcim
- Mackey Wales
- Mark O’Brien Chiropractor
- Opteon
- Stihl – Garbutt
- Supreme Paintworks
- Townsville Intensive Care Services
- Townsville Office Furniture
- W & F Constructions
- Zambrero
Awards recipients included:
Perpetual Awards
John Alloway Most Potential Player 2022
Myles Rosemond
Peter Elliss First XV Player’s Player
Named after Peter Ellis who moved to IPC from Our Ladies Mount in 1969 in Year 11 when the school opened and graduated in 1970. He was always a staunch supporter of the school assisting in organising both a 20 year and 50 year reunion for his grade. Peter played Rugby Union for Brothers before he left to travel overseas in 1973.
Max Gough
2022 Rugby Union Break Up
Enrolments News
The College are accepting Enrolments for Year 7 students starting in 2024. We encourage all our existing families if you have a younger Son/s due to attend in 2024 to please enrol them as soon as possible.
2023 Enrolment confirmations
Current families we wish to confirm enrolments for 2023 for Years 7 to 11. If you are planning on exiting the College at the end of 2022, please email Enrolments@ipc.qld.edu.au.
Thank you
Kerry Shephard | Admissions and Enrolment Officer
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