2023 Commencement Information Newsletter
Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Ignatius Park College for the start of a new school year and, in particular, to our Year 7 students beginning their secondary schooling. This is IPC’s 54th year and will be another significant year for the College as it continues to provide quality Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition.
Congratulations to our Year 12 Graduates of 2022. As a College community, we are incredibly proud of their achievements. We wish to acknowledge that their results are a testament to their individual and collective strength, resilience and determination to achieve their personal best in a highly challenging year.
Academically, the College achieved well in our ATAR results, with over 43% of Year 12 students gaining an ATAR of 80 and above. Harry Gallagher-Smith is our College Dux with an ATAR score of 96.3. In addition, we continue to experience success through our VET courses, with some 70 students awarded VET Qualifications and Year 12 School Based Trainees gaining employment before leaving the College. I congratulate students on their results. I also wish to acknowledge the work of our staff in supporting our students.
It is pleasing to see the majority of our ATAR students were successful in gaining entrance to tertiary courses that included Engineering, Law, Education, Business, Medical Science, Sport and Exercise Science. Congratulations to all our students on their diligence and hard work throughout the year.
The school year will commence on Monday, 23 January 2023, for our new Year 7 students, who will meet in Edmund Rice Hall at 8.30 AM. They are to wear their Formal Uniform on this day.
This day is to allow our Year 7 students to have one full day at the start of the year where they have the College to themselves and are our sole focus for the day. Our Year 11 Peer Mentors will support our Year 7 students on this transition day.
We welcome our new students in Year 7 who join our Iggy community.
The school year will commence for our Year 8 to 12 students on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, and they will meet in their House Groups. Students are required to wear their Formal Uniform on this day.
2023 Staffing
Our teaching staff have returned to the College to commence Professional Development this week in the lead-up to the new year.
The College Leadership Team for 2023 is:
Mr Shaun Clarke | College Principal
Mr John Doolan | Deputy Principal
Mr Vilton Crasto | Director of Business Operations
Mr Shane Dove | Director of Curriculum
Mr Mark Holmes | Director of Mission and Identity
Mr John Deer | Director Students
Deans:
Mr Tim Lindeberg | Dean of Pedagogy | Acting
Mrs Meagan Waldon | Dean of Student Wellbeing
Mr Matthew Arnold | Dean of Co-curricular
Pastoral Leaders:
Mr Michael Turner | Baillie House
Mr Paul Bruce | Carew House
Ms Kylie Tillack | Nolan House
Mr Ben Williams | Putney House
Mr Liam Dunne | Reid House
Mr Matthew Groves |Rice House
Mr Christian Quabba | Treacy House
I also take this opportunity to welcome the following new, returning and internal changes in staff to the College:
New Staff:
Mr Zeb Kyle | Program Leader – Skills and Training
Mr Dylan O’Connor | Program Leader - Indigenous & Multicultural
Ms Fiona Williamson | Careers Office (Business/Legal Studies)
Ms Janis Carver | Human Resources Co-ordinator
Ms Lynn Armstrong | Tuckshop Convenor
Mr Greg Shephard | Groundsman
Mr Cathal Mullins | HPE/Humanities
Mr Owen Flanagan | Industrial Technologies & Design
Mr Hue Plumtree | Industrial Technologies & Design
Mr Conor O’Reagain | English & Humanities
Ms Khouloude Rachidi | Maths
Ms Maria Alroe | English / HASS
Mr Sam De Waele | English / HASS
Ms Annie Bow | Science
Mr Daniel Lyne | Indust Tech & Design Aide
Ms Altovise Twist | Learning Support Aide
Ms Pari Ghiafi | Learning Support Aide | 2 days per week
Courtney Fitzgerald |Learning Support Aide | Contract Term 1
Returning Staff:
Mr Greg Christ | Returning from a year abroad.
Internal Staffing Changes:
Mr Jaelen Feeney | Indigenous Education Worker
Ms Adriana Rossi | Faculty Leader of Humanities | Acting
Mrs Alyssa Deer | Faculty Leader of Science
Ms Katrina Guazzo | Faculty Leader of the Arts
An essential point about appearance. The College has an enviable position within the Townsville Community. The appearance of our students, how they conduct themselves and how they present themselves reflect how we are perceived and see ourselves. As such, there is an expectation that the uniform code is followed without exception. You will see further details in this Newsletter, and you can quickly refer to our uniform code at any time in the Student Diary, which all students will receive on their first day.
Our first Assembly for the year will occur on Wednesday, 25 January 2023, and all students will be expected to wear their full Formal Uniform.
Please note that Assemblies occur every second Thursday, and students are required to wear their Formal Uniform on this day.
This year we have over 200 new students commencing at the College, and it is shaping to be another great year. Critical to a successful year is the establishment of a strong partnership between parents/caregivers, staff and students. I encourage all families to embrace this partnership and ensure 2023 is a successful year for all within the Iggy Park community.
Please peruse this Newsletter for the information you need to know for the commencement of the 2023 Schooling year and throughout.
I look forward to welcoming all students to the College next week on what we expect will be a fruitful and engaging experience for them during their time at Iggy Park.
Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever
Shaun Clarke | College Principal
Important College Information
Helpful information for weeks 1 and 2
Year 7
Monday 23 January
- Formal Uniform required
- Swimming trials; please bring Togs, Towels, Goggles
- Don't forget your locker combination locks
Tuesday, 24 January - Sports Uniform required
Wednesday, 25 January- Formal Uniform required
Friday, 27 January- Sports Uniform required
Monday, 30 January - Formal Uniform required
Tuesday, 31 January - Formal Uniform required
Wednesday, 1 February - Sports Uniform required
Thursday, 2 February - Formal Uniform required
Friday, 3 February - Sports Uniform required
Year 8 - 12
Tuesday, 24 January
- Formal Uniform required
- Swimming trials; please bring Togs, Towels, Goggles
- Don't forget your locker combination locks
STUDENT TIMETABLES ARE NOW LIVE
- Returning students can access their timetable via Student Café.
- New students will receive their timetable upon commencement.
- Subject changes can be made until Friday, 3 February. Please see staff in the Edmund Rice Office to collect a subject change form.
Parking
The College now has two new designated drop off / pick up zones that will operate as a stop, drop and go. These are located at the pool carpark entrance directly in front of the pool area and the Holy Spirit Carpark directly out the front of the side of the College. We ask Parents / Caregivers to refrain from using the physical Carparks as drop off / pick up zones as this can cause congestion and put our Students at risk.
Please note there is a 10KM/H speed limit in place in the Carparks.
Flashing lights now active at Ignatius Park College
During the holiday, flashing light school zone signs were installed on Albert Street. Ignatius Park College was nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety.
You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs, with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve the visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.
So next time you’re dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.
Northern Beaches Bus Service
This coach is a private service for Ignatius Park College students who travel to and from the northern areas. This bus service runs daily morning and evenings; bookings are essential as there are limited seats.
Further information/ expression of interest can be accessed here:
https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrolment/buses/.
Route information is as follows:
Parent Information Evenings
Several Parent Information evenings at the beginning of the year will offer information about your Son/s Academic year ahead.
Year 7 Parent Information Afternoon | Wednesday, 25 March 3:30 PM EDMUND RICE HALL
Year 11 Parent Information Evening | Wednesday, 1 February 6:30 PM EDMUND RICE HALL
Year 12 Parent Information Evening | Wednesday, 1 February 7:30 PM EDMUND RICE HALL
Communication
The College Calendar can be found on the IPC website and in your Parent Lounge Portal. This Calendar is the most up-to-date information for important dates happening.
At the end of each week, parents/caregivers and mentors are asked to view students' diaries and sign in the appropriate space. Students and Parents are requested to familiarise themselves with the policies and procedures outlined in the Student Diary. Effective communication between home and school is an essential component of successful schools. The College encourages communication through various channels, including:
Subject Teachers | For specific classroom academic issues (Submission of assignments, due dates, extended absences etc), please get in touch with your son/s classroom teacher.
Pastoral Leaders | For any pastoral care issues, please get in touch with your son/s Pastoral Leader.
You can email Subject Teachers and Pastoral Leaders directly through your Parent Lounge Portal. Alternatively, contact information can be found in the Student Diary and the IPC website.
The Parent Lounge Portal, IPC App and the College Website will continue to be your most up-to-date information source for anything happening at the College. Parent Lounge allows parents/carers to view and update information, including contact details, add funds to their son/s tuckshop account, accept events and excursions, add the payment for fees or co-curricular activities, view your son/s timetable and curriculum activities and email teachers.
See below to view the College Communication Tools.
See below to view the how to download the IPC APP.
Stationary List
From the Director of Students
To all Ignatius Park College families, a genuine and warm welcome to a new school year. I am very excited to particularly welcome families new to our school who are just embarking on their Iggy Park journey. My name is John Deer, and although I have been at Ignatius Park College for many years, I am beginning the new role of Director of Students for the first time in a full-time capacity. I look forward to ensuring all students are accountable and responsible as they spend their time at Ignatius Park College. It is a place of belonging, enjoyment, laughter and hard work – the uniqueness of which is impossible to replicate. The pastoral team at Ignatius Park are equally excited to see our students' faces back once again as we continue transitioning our IPC boys to young men. Our focus for 2023 is that students are accountable for themselves in all areas of their schooling.
The College has a proud history of turning out good graduates who will contribute meaningfully to society and the workforce. This comes about with a lot of hard work and planning. The expectations of IPC students place them well to be prepared for the wider world and the expectations which are in turn placed on them by their employers or tertiary education and society more broadly. In keeping with these expectations, we require students to meet expectations around presentation (hair, shaving and uniform) from the first day at school.
UNIFORM
The College has clear expectations about wearing the correct uniform.
All parts of the uniform must be maintained in good order and worn in a manner that will not draw attention to themselves.
• Clean
• Good condition
• Without graffiti
The College uniform must be worn correctly by students at school and whilst travelling to and from school. If students cannot wear the correct uniform at any time, they must carry a note from their parents.
HAT
1. The College hat is a compulsory uniform piece and must be in your son's possession at break time. The College hat must be worn at all times during recess and lunch breaks as well as to and from school.
2. The College hat must have its white internal band intact with your son's name on it.
FORMAL UNIFORM
1. The Formal Uniform must be worn on Thursdays and every day the student timetable does not feature PE. Socks must be worn up, and the shirt must be tucked in at all times.
2. Grey Formal Shorts with a black belt.
3. Black dress shoes with laces are the only shoes to be worn with the formal uniform. Black dress shoes are identifiable by a visible heel. Black skate shoes and black suede shoes are not acceptable.
SPORTS UNIFORM
1. Only the complete sports uniform may be worn.
2. House shirt.
3. School sports shorts.
4. White sports socks, which must finish above the ankle. Sports brands of a reasonable size are acceptable.
5. A laced-up running shoe below the ankle. (No slip-on / Skate shoes).
Sports uniforms can only be worn on days with timetabled PE classes.
The College Uniform lookbook can be found here:
https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrolment/uniform/.
VET UNIFORM
1. Students completing VET subjects must have a College VET Uniform. It will be worn during Industry Placement Weeks and may be worn during VET classes.
WINTER JUMPER
1. Only the formal school jumper is acceptable.
2. In Year 12, students may wear a Senior Jersey. It must be removed for Assembly or formal occasions.
GROOMING
HAIR
1. Blade 2 (6mm) is the shortest blade acceptable for hair cuts.
2. Hair must be washed regularly.
3. Hairstyles that draw attention to the student will not be permitted. This includes 'afro' hairstyles, dreadlocks, mullets, rat tails, undercuts, and shaving patterns of any form. No dramatic changes in length are acceptable.
4. If hair is coloured, it must be a natural colour. Streaks/tips or bleached hair are not permitted.
5. Hair must be out of the eyes and not touch the collar; ponytails, headbands or clips are not allowed.
6. No facial hair is allowed.
7. It is a requirement that all students' hair should be kept clean and well-groomed at all times.
For students with hair that falls outside the expectations, parents/caregivers will be contacted to collect the student and have the situation rectified immediately. Students will not be permitted to return to school until their hair meets College guidelines.
JEWELLERY
1. No jewellery is permitted except a watch and a thin gold or silver chain. A Christian religious emblem may be worn on the chain. No piercing of any type is allowed.
TATTOOS
1. Visible tattoos are unacceptable. If a student has a visible tattoo, it must be covered at all times by the student.
ABSENTEES
In the best interest of your son/s safety, you must contact the College before 8:30 am with your son/s name, year level, house and reason for absence, including if he will be late to school or leaving early. This can be done via the following channels.
- Parent Lounge Portal
- College Office 07 4796 0222
- Email: student.absences@ipc.qld.edu.au
- Text 0416 905 246
If your son has not arrived and no notification has been received, you will be sent an SMS message asking you to contact the College and verify your son/s absence.
Student/s absences during the term for holidays and travel are not recommended. The College does not modify assessment schedules to accommodate such absences. Any requests for leave of this type should be directed to the student/s Pastoral Leader.
LOCKERS
Each Year 7 to 12 student is issued a locker in the first week of Term 1. It is mandatory for your son to secure his locker with a school combination padlock, which will need to be purchased from The School Locker before commencing. Please ensure your son/s brings this combination padlock with them on the first day of school.
TRAVEL
In general, it is expected that students would travel directly between their homes and school. Visiting nearby Shopping Centres in school uniform is not permitted unless accompanied by a parent.
USE OF BICYCLES:
1. Bicycles should ordinarily be stored in the locked compound provided.
2. All cyclists must wear helmets to and from school.
3. Cyclists are to obey all traffic rules. Footpaths are not to be ridden on.
4. The main road should be crossed on foot only at designated pedestrian crossings/traffic lights where possible.
USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Bus stops
• Standing quietly at least 1m back from the road.
• Not approaching the bus until it has come to a complete stop.
• Lining up appropriately.
• Using manners when paying the driver.
• Following the instructions of the driver.
Bus / Ferry travel
• Being seated at all times.
• Wearing the uniform correctly.
• Not causing unnecessary distractions for the bus driver/ferry staff. Students are not to throw objects. Loud and exuberant behaviour is a significant distraction and will not be tolerated.
• Being courteous and well-mannered to all members of the community. No rude gestures, swearing or bullying.
• Treating the bus/ferry and all its fittings with respect.
• Adhere to those guidelines already established by the bus/ferry company.
DRIVING PRIVILEGES FOR SENIOR STUDENTS
1. Driving a motor vehicle to school is a privilege, not a right for senior students.
2. The School's approval must first be obtained before students are permitted to drive to school.
3. Other than your brother(s) and sister(s), you may not carry passengers without written permission from the College and both sets of Parents/Carers.
4. A student is not permitted to drive on any part of the School Grounds.
5. A student must not park in the visitor's or staff car parks.
MOBILE PHONES
1. Students are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school. The school accepts no responsibility for mobile phones or music devices brought to school and undertakes no obligation to investigate their misplacement, loss or alleged theft.
2. Ignatius Park College recommends that mobile phones be switched off and placed in lockers by 8:10 am and not taken out until 3:00 pm. Where a phone rings or is seen by a teacher in class, Assembly,
or during school hours, the phone will be confiscated by the teacher and secured in the school office.
3. The phone will be returned when the student has discussed the school's policy and the student's breach of it with the relevant Pastoral Leader.
4. Where parents need to contact their children during the school day, the school's telephone switch is the appropriate method.
5. Mobile phones equipped with camera facilities are not to have that facility accessed at ANY time whilst on school property.
6. Mobiles phones or other electronic devices which double as storage devices for school work are prohibited. All electronic files need to be stored on a device specifically designed to store computer files only.
7. If a mobile phone is seen or heard, it will be confiscated.
TOAST ROOM
For those families new to Iggy Park, the Toast Room provides breakfast for our students every morning from Tuesday, which is available until the bell at 8.30 am.
Toast Room opens Wednesday, February 22.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MASS
The Eucharist is celebrated in the Chapel at 8:00 am every Wednesday. Our initial community Mass will be on Wednesday, 15 February. All members of the Ignatius Park community are encouraged to participate and feel welcome each week at this important time for our faith community.
TEXTBOOKS
The College provides free textbooks to all students. Please be aware of the conditions and use of textbooks as per our attached Textbook Hire Policy.
CULTURE
The College offers an outstanding Cultural program that compliments the solid academic and spiritual dimensions of College life and contributes to the holistic education of the Iggy boy. The College provides opportunities for students to participate in our music programs that enable students the opportunity to play a musical instrument and be involved in our ensembles and choir. The College also offers debating and chess as part of its cultural program.
SPORT
The sporting program offers students a range of sporting activities. The College actively promotes a student participation program and allows athletes to reach their potential through a range of sporting excellence programs. Sport is not compulsory; however, we strongly encourage all students to participate. The College expects students who commit to a sport to fulfil their training and playing commitments and to always display the highest level of sportsmanship when competing.
Laptops
Existing families will be familiar with the College moving to leased laptops in 2023. While moving to this model, we are still improving support for existing students in the BYOD program.
A critical step forward in 2023 will be implementing the Microsoft Intune software. Intune is a cloud-based endpoint management solution.
(https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/fundamentals/what-is-intune)
It manages user access and simplifies app & device management across the range of devices used on the college network. What this means, in simple terms, is that it will improve safety on the college network by actively managing malicious software and threats on the student's laptops. It will also allow greater use by individual users through automatically downloading new software utilising a zero-touch approach and without having to undertake time-consuming individual uploading of the software.
Year 7 Students and any who have opted into the College's new 121 Laptop Program can commence collection of your laptops this week beginning today, Tuesday, 17 January.
Alternative days and times are listed below:
- Wednesday, 18 January | College Office Closed - No collection available.
- Thursday, 19 January, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Friday, 20 January, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Collection point - Old College Library, Level 1
Once the student laptop has been collected, the set-up process is simple, and we request this be carried out at home. Below you will find the onboarding guide, which contains all the relevant information required for set-up.
Username and Passwords were sent out last week via email from Enrolments. Please refer back to this email so that your Son/s can log in and begin the set-up process.
Please ensure the laptop set-up process has been completed prior to Monday, 23 January, your Son/s first day of school.
Should you have any problems arise with the set-up process, the College IT Department will be available to assist students on Monday, 23 January.
Please find below a copy of the 121 Laptop Program Prospectus that will provide detailed information and frequently asked questions.
School Photography
Student ID and Homeroom photographs will take place on the following days:
Year 7 Students: Monday, 23 January
Year 8 - 12 Students: Tuesday, 24 January
All students must wear the College Formal Uniform and meet the College Grooming Policy. Any student who does not meet the Uniform or Grooming policy will be refused a photograph on these days and will need to present themselves with the correct appearance on the catch-up photography day scheduled for February.
The College uses Advanced Life Photography; as they are a third party to the College. All photography order questions will need to be directed to their Parent Team via the below email.
Group and portrait photographs can now be pre-purchased by following the link below. Please note expected delivery of Group Photograph Packs that have been purchased will likely be Term 2. Student ID Cards are expected to arrive at the College towards the end of Term 1.
ORDER NOW:
www.advancedlife.com.au - Enter online order code: XGN L8P RBG
- Online orders - do not require an envelope to be returned to your school
- Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
- Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately in Term Two. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and other photography days at your school.
- Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs, including sports, co-curricular and representative groups, are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past
NEW - advancedlife now offers Latitude Pay!
To take advantage of Latitude Pay and split the cost of your order into 10 small easy payments, simply order your school photos online as usual, set up a Latitude Pay account in just a few clicks and pay no interest or fees when you pay according to your payment schedule: it’s that easy.
3 easy ways to purchase:
- Latitude Pay - Set up an account during the online order process and split your payments across 10 weeks with no interest or fees, if you pay on time
- Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
- Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day
School Fees
The College Fee Schedule for 2023 can be viewed at https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrolment/fees/. With increased costs and expenditures overall, College tuition fees have increased by 4% from 2022.
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 further information.
Edstart
Ignatius Park has partnered with Edstart to assist parents in managing 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 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 | Director of Business Operations