Term 3 Week 8 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Child Protection Expo

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, Ignatius Park College has at its very centre, a genuine concern for the safety and welfare of every student. While delivering specific curriculum pathways and providing a variety of opportunities and experiences for our students is the means by which we assist in their formation, their ongoing health, safety and wellbeing is of particular importance. The respective formation programs, pastoral support structures, health and fitness curriculum, and the support we provide through our school mentors, pastoral leaders, and Child Safeguarding Officers are all evidence of such care within our school. The safety of your son is our priority at the College. Our aim is to have an environment at the College where our students are happy and feel safe.

At a time when aspects of children’s physical and mental health are becoming increasingly topical within our wider society, it is most encouraging to see the efforts of our staff and student leaders to focus on student safety and wellbeing as part of our upcoming “Child Protection Expo”, next Thursday. Our theme is “Protecting Children is Everyone’s Responsibility”. Students will receive a gift bag and will have an opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities. The expo has been organised through our peer mentors, facilitators and senior leaders and will provide information and strategies to keep themselves safe and healthy. Furthermore, our students will be immersed in important health and welfare information sessions and have access to resources that focus on their personal wellbeing and safety. I encourage parents to speak to their sons about being involved in the many activities available. Further to this, it could present an opportunity to speak more generally about their own well-being and safety.

Leadership Qualities

Three weeks ago, our Year 11 commenced their leadership journey by attending a Leadership Retreat entitled “Rise” at Camp Gedling to explore the qualities of a leader, as they prepare for leadership positions in 2024. Selecting potential student leaders is not just nominating the most popular student or sports person in the school, but instead one who contributes to the values of the college and has a vision that inspires others to follow them. We have often heard the comment, “He is a born leader?” There are certain characteristics found in some people that seem to naturally put them in a position where they’re looked up to as a leader.

Whether, in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. However, there are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality. In our College community, a good student leader must have an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a student leader is trustworthy to lead others. He needs to be trusted and be known to live his life with honesty and integrity. In other words, he needs to “walk the talk” and, in doing so, earn the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads. We expect that a good leader will be enthusiastic about their college and be a source of inspiration to others, to be a motivator who agitates people to be faithful to the gospel values.  It is important that the student leader is seen to be part of the team working towards a goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up his sleeves and get dirty.

The college has an expectation that any student leader is committed to excellence. This means that he not only maintains high standards but also is proactive in raising the bar in the school in order to achieve excellence in all areas. These qualities may seem demanding for young people in the role as student leaders, but they are foundational to good leadership. There may be some characteristics that are more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, there is an enormous leadership talent within our student body, and our aim is to continue to develop and strengthen their leadership abilities and skills. Our Year 11 students who have nominated themselves have had an interview with the Principal and today presented a speech to their colleagues and will be elected by their peers.

I wish all candidates all the best for leadership in 2024.

As you would be aware, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday announced that the referendum vote will occur on Saturday, 14 October 2023. For some of our Year 12 students, this will be the first time they are voting, as young adults, they have a responsibility to be informed surrounding their legal requirement to vote if eligible. For further information, please visit the Australian Electoral Commission website. 

https://www.aec.gov.au/

Smoke-Free Zones

Queensland Health has advised that new smoke and vape-free public places come into effect from 1 September 2023. These new laws apply to school carparks and are intended to complement the existing bans that apply across and around school campuses.

Smoking and vaping is already prohibited at public and private school facilities and in a 5-metre buffer zone extending from the boundary of the school.

The new law extends the smoke and vape-free protection to include all carparks provided for school communities. This includes carparks located on council land that are intended for school community use.

The smoke and vape-free requirements for schools always apply. This means school carparks are also smoke and vape-free areas outside of school hours, on weekends and in school holiday periods.

The laws apply to all persons using a school car park, including students, teaching staff, parents and guardians of students, other employees of the school, visitors and persons providing a service or volunteering, clubs and organisations accessing school facilities.

Happy Father’s Day

Thank you to all fathers and significant males who attended our Father’s Day liturgy and breakfast this morning. 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

Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever.

Shaun Clarke | Principal 

Important Dates

Friday, 1 September - All School Student Free Day

Monday, 4 September - Year 12 ONLY

Year 12 Students Full Cohort Photograph - 8.30 AM

• Please arrive at school on time otherwise you will miss out on the Photo. 
• Students are to assemble on Oval 1 at 8.20 AM
• ALL Year 12 Students MUST wear the full formal uniform, White Senior Shirt, Senior Tie, Grey Pants, Black Belt, Socks and Black Shoes. If a senior does not have the FULL uniform, they will be excluded from the group photograph. 
• College grooming policy must be abided by, students who have unacceptable hair or facial hair will be excluded from the group photograph.

Tuesday, 5 September - Year 11 and 12 ONLY

All normal classes finish today - Students now enter a block exam phase.

Monday, 11 September - Friday, 15 September

Year 7 and 8 Students

Monday 11 September - Wednesday 13 September | Activities and Assessment at school (No regular classes)

Thursday 14 September & Friday 15 September | Student Free Days

Year 9 Students

Year 9 students will be on camp. These camps are specific to their house, and attendance is compulsory. Students go on camps in two groups. The camp is a three-day experience, and students are not required at school on the other two days of the week.  Please accept permission and verify medical details in your Parent Lounge Portal. The information and what-to-pack list can also be found in your Parent Lounge Portal. 

Monday 11 September - Wednesday 13 September - Compulsory Camp 1 - Baillie House, Nolan House, Putney House and Treacy House Students only.

Monday 11 September & Tuesday 12 September - Reid House, Rice House and Carew House - Student Free Days.

Wednesday 13 September - Friday 15 September - Compulsory Camp 2 - Reid House, Rice House, Carew House students only.

Wednesday 13 September - Friday 15 September - Baillie House, Nolan House, Putney House and Treacy House - Student Free Days.

Year 10 Students 

Year 10 students will be on camp. These overnight, two-day camps are specific to their house, and attendance is compulsory.  Please accept permission and verify medical details in your Parent Lounge Portal. The information and what-to-pack list can also be found in your Parent Lounge Portal. 

Year 10 students go on camp in three groups. House allocations are as follows:

REID and CAREW: Attend camp on Monday, 11 September, and Tuesday, 12 September.

Students are not required at school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday - Student Free Days.

PUTNEY, NOLAN and BAILLIE: Attend camp on Tuesday, 12 September, and Wednesday, 13 September.

Students are not required at school on Monday the 11th, Thursday the 14th  or Friday the 15th - Student Free Days.

TREACY and RICE: Attend camp on Wednesday, 13 September, and Thursday, 14 September. 

Students are not required at school on Monday the 11th, Tuesday the 12th or Friday the 15th - Student Free Days.

Year 11 and 12 students

All year 11 and 12 students undergo a block exam period. Students will be required to be at school for specified exam times only. Tuesday 5^th September is the last day of timetabled classes.

Please be aware of the requirements for your son and ensure to assist him with knowing his responsibilities for this period of time. Thank you for your ongoing support, and enjoy the upcoming holiday break with your son/s.

From the Director of Curriculum

IMPORTANT CURRICULUM DATES FOR TERM 3 (Dates are subject to change)

Week 9/10

• Monday 4-13 September | Year 7-8 Exam phase
• Monday 4-8 September | Year 9-10 Exam Phase 
• Monday 4 - 14 September | Year 11 End of Unit 2 Exams
• Monday 4-14 September | Year 12 Mock Exams + Assessment Phase
  

YEAR 7 – 12 EXAMS

During weeks 9 and 10, students in all year levels will be entering their examination period to end the term. It is important that students are aware of their scheduled examinations and are prepared with the equipment required (i.e. calculator, ruler, pens). 

We would ask that all parents be conscious of their son’s exam timetable in setting appointments, as staff will not be able to assist with collecting students from exam rooms. During the exam period, the front office will not be able to call up to classrooms as this will disturb students.

All exam schedules are published on our website here:

https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/exams-assessment-study-documents/

Please note this schedule only covers exams. Please refer to Student Café / Parent Lounge for the assignment draft and due dates.

VARIATION TO ASSESSMENT – AARA‘s (Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments)

A general reminder about our AARA process:

• As per the College’s Assessment Policy, requests to vary the conditions or due date of any assessment item can only be considered following the submission of an Access Arrangement and Reasonable Adjustment (AARA) form and appropriate supporting documentation.

• 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 AARA form is available on 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.

STUDY TIPS

GET ORGANISED

Taking the time to get organised will set you up well and help you achieve your learning goals.

• Use the college diary to keep track of current assignment deadlines.
• Bring all the material and devices you need to class, so you can participate. You may find it helpful to pack your bag the night before so you’re ready to go first thing in the morning.

TAKE NOTES

• To keep your brain engaged during class, take notes, which you can refer to later.
• Underline or highlight key points.

TALK TO YOUR TEACHER & ASK QUESTIONS

• Your teacher is, in a way, a resource who is there to be used!
• Your teacher will no doubt be impressed with your initiative and happy to help.

SPACE OUT YOUR STUDYING

• If you break up your study load over several days, you’ll retain information far more readily than if you crammed in one long session.

CREATE A STUDY PLAN – & STICK TO IT

A study plan will:

• motivate you to study, as you’ll have time dedicated to learning.
• keep you organised around work, hobbies, and other commitments, as you can plan ahead.
• break your study load into manageable blocks.
• give you time to complete your assignments, ensuring they’re not rushed or last-minute.

SET UP A QUIET STUDY SPACE

• It is important to have a designated study area that is free from distraction and will allow you to study effectively.
• Don’t study at a dining table when you’re going to be constantly distracted by family members moving in and out of the kitchen!

TEST YOURSELF

• Getting someone to quiz you – or quizzing yourself – is great retrieval practice.
• You might find it helpful to create flashcards each time you learn a new topic. The act of creating them alone will help you better retain information and is an effective study technique.

2024 SUBJECT SELECTIONS – YEAR 8 INTO YEAR 9

This week all students in Year 8 have been emailed with a link to submit their ‘elective’ subject selections for year 9 2024.

In Year 9, students will:

• continue to study the 6 Core Subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, HASS, Religious Education, Health and Physical Education. These Core subjects do not need to be selected for 2024 – they are automatically allocated.

select 2 (+ 1 reserve) Elective subjects per semester from the following:

• Design and Technologies
• Digital Technologies
• Food Technologies
• Industrial Technologies
• Japanese
• Music
• Drama
• Visual Arts.

Subject selections will close on Friday, 8 September. For any questions, please email curriculum@ipc.qld.edu.au

Shane Dove | Director of Curriculum 

From the Director of Students

This year’s National Child Protection Week will take place from Sunday, 3 September to Saturday, 9 September and is an opportunity to raise awareness about the community’s collective responsibility for the care, safety and well-being of children and young people.

This year the focus is “Every Child in every community needs a fair go.” As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition, this focus provides an opportunity to emphasise our strong commitment to the safety and wellbeing of young men in our care and the important role they play to help nurture safe environments at school, online, at home and in the community.

In other College news in the pastoral space, we have had a visitation from Glen Gerreyn from The Hopeful Institute. He spoke passionately to all of our year groups in two different sessions, targeting age-appropriate content and discussing strategies to get the most out of their lives. Glen also spoke with parents on Monday evening, and I would like to thank the attending parents, as well as Mrs Meagan Waldon, for organising this guest for our community.  In other news, the IPC handball competition is up and running, heading into the business end of the competition. Eight men remain standing, and the grand final will take place on Monday at lunch in the Edmund Rice Garden.

We will be crowning a new champion this year – who will it be?

Information on camps for year 9 and 10 students as well as assessment and organisational priorities, has been communicated to parents through email. If you have not read this yet and are not familiar with the events of week 10, please do so. Can I also thank all of the parents who prioritise their son’s assessment and attendance right up until the last day of school.  This is an important value to hold.

There is a wealth of resources available on our schoolTV website to help guide parents through tricky circumstances and situations. Please take a few minutes to take a look and read some important articles that may help in the development of your young man.

From the Pastoral Team, enjoy your time with your family over the upcoming break, and we look forward to seeing your sons back in week one for the final run home.

Identity and Mission

Drop in Centre – Wrap for 2023

Well, it's 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 a hot 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 2024 Year 12s 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 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!

“Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be - and experience - a blessing”.

Prayer for Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, grandad's and everyone else in the IPC and wider community who is male and plays an important role in their families' lives... this role is now more important than ever. Have a great day on Sunday. 

We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives.  Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.  We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed. 
 
This Father's Day, we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families and the ways--both big and small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach. 

 So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent, grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, coaches and the women of our families. 
 
For those who are fathers and for those still to become, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.   In Your Holy name, O God, we pray.

Mark Holmes |  Director Identity & Mission

Indigenous and Multicultural

Year 7 Indigenous Activities Day

During term 3, the year 7 HPE students have been exploring Indigenous Games as a part of the practical component of the HPE subject. As a part of this unit, the Indigenous and Multicultural team partnered with the local group Wulgurukaba Walkabouts on the 2^nd of September to deliver Indigenous games, dance and reflection sessions to all year 7 students. Some of the games included ‘Kangaroo Tail’ and a range of traditional dances, students were also encouraged to talk about their thoughts and feelings. Student feedback from the day was hugely positive, and all students engaged positively during the sessions. Special thanks must also go to Ash and Floyd from the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts, they were highly engaging and passed on important traditional knowledge and stories to our students.

Naidoc Week 

Week 6 was NAIDOC week here at the college, and both staff and students were kept busy with a range of activities and celebrations. We started our week with a short presentation in house assemblies on Monday outlining the importance of NAIDOC week and introducing this year’s theme, ‘For our Elders’. During lunch breaks on Tuesday, the Indigenous and Multicultural team ran spear-throwing competitions on the oval, with prizes given for the most accurate throws. Congratulations to our winners Joseph & JP (yr 9), Maurice (yr 10), Keelin, Steven & Geoffrey (yr 11).

Wednesday was an early start for the Indigenous & Multicultural staff and student volunteers as set up was required for our NAIDOC Kup Murri. Staff and students met at 5 a.m. to begin the process of building and lighting the fire and preparing the food. On the menu was pork, chicken, rice and potatoes. The Kup Murri was a huge success, with over 250 staff and students able to sample the traditional cooking methods. Special thanks to senior Indigenous students Orlando, Jonah, Jack, and Izaya for their assistance with cooking and serving.

Thursday was a special day for us here at the college as we welcomed a number of community elders into our house parades to share their history, wisdom and stories. A massive thank you to Auntie Dorothy Savage, Auntie Pat Hoolihan, Uncle Ray Dennis, Auntie Kamara Thompson and Uncle James Gaston for their attendance. Feedback from staff and students was hugely positive, with many students expressing their gratitude to our guests.

We concluded our NAIDOC activities and celebrations on Friday with the first annual IPC Indigenous Old Boys vs. Current Seniors touch football match. We were fortunate enough to welcome ex-students back into the college for a tour and a highly competitive match resulting in the IPC Seniors getting the win 7-6. The game was played in great spirits, with a large crowd of students present to surely support the staff and old boys team. Well done to the IPC seniors on winning the first annual event.

The IPC Indigenous & Multicultural team would like to again thank staff, students and community members for their engagement in our 2023 IPC NAIDOC Week. We are looking forward to being back bigger and better in 2024!

2023 Naidoc Week

2023 Deadly Awards

The 2024 annual IPC Deadly Awards are being held on Wednesday, the 11^th of October, in the IPC hall. The Indigenous and Multicultural team are hard at work planning and organising to ensure the night is once again a great success this year. The Deadly Awards recognize and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and student achievements throughout the year. The evening will begin at 5:45 p.m. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Please RSVP for catering purposes via the link below. 

Journey 2 Jobs

It has been a very busy Term for Journey to Jobs here at the College. Our accelerated learning program recommenced in Week 3, and we have seen greater numbers attend each week. This Term, we have had J2J students attend ‘Try A Trade’ skill day and obtain work experience through those businesses as well as the continued partnership with our volunteer program at Vincent State School. This program provides 25 of our year 11 and 12 Indigenous students the opportunity to volunteer in classrooms as Teacher aids, groundsmen and PE assistant teachers. This is a valuable experience for participants to build on prior and developing skills.

Pathways Hub

Industry Placement

Last week, we had about 160 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.

Change of Placement forms

If year 11 students wish to change placements for Term 4, they must have the purple Change of Placement form completed and lodged with the Pathways office by Friday, 6 October 2023 (Week 1).

Green Cards

On Tuesday, the 29 of August, any student in Years 11 and 12 doing a certificate received 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, 5 September, 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 8 students doing work experience during these holidays.  It is closed now for the September Holidays. Please also start thinking about registering for the Christmas/New Year Holidays.  Work experience is a great opportunity for students to gain 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 Mr Kyle or Mrs Vignale in the Pathway Hub.

Vet and Industry Placement

Current year 11s who are doing Industry Placement would have received an email this week. This is to organise their Industry Placement for 2024, even if they are returning to the same employer, a new contract needs to be signed. This must be completed and returned as quickly as possible to the pathway hub by Friday, 6 October (Week 1). This helps us to make way for the new year 11s in 2024.

Industry Placement Packs from Year 10s Set Plan Interviews

The paperwork your son was given following his SET plan needs to be completed and returned to the Pathway Hub by Friday, 10 November. If he did not receive any paperwork at the end of the SET plan interview, please let me know.  I can follow up with your son and provide him with a pack to complete.

Advanced Manufacturing Showcase

I recently sent out an invitation to the year 10 manufacturing students in regard to an advanced manufacturing field day excursion that is taking place on Wednesday, 6 September. The excursion will see students visit TEI, JCU and Well Hung Glass & Aluminium as they open their doors to students to demonstrate their innovative and cutting-edge processes, systems and technologies, including robotics, automation and software integration. I would like to invite all year 10’s the opportunity to attend this event if they have an interest in the manufacturing industry. Please put your name down at the Pathways Hub.

Two-day Tradies event

This event, sponsored by Glencore MIM, will see students attend Glencore’s Copper Refinery on Wednesday, 13  September, for a tour of the facility and QMEA’s traditional Tradies for Day activities on the 14th of September hosted at Kirwan SHS. If you are in grade 10 and interested in attending, please come and put your name down at the Pathways hub.

Zeb Kyle |  Program Leader Skills and Training 

Counsellor Corner

PEER MENTORING PROGRAM

It is that time again when all Year 10 students are invited to apply to become IPC 2024, Peer Mentors.  As a college, we know that when most young people have problems, they are more likely in the first instance to talk to their peers.  Thus, to assist year 7, students transitioning to high school, two students from each house will be selected to mentor the 2024 year 7 students.

The Year 10 students who are selected to be Peer Mentors will attend the Peer Mentor camp on November 7^th & 8^th at Gumburu.  Over the 2-day workshop, students will learn skills to enable them to provide appropriate support and assistance to the Year 7 students. The Peer Mentors will continue to be supported by the Peer Mentor facilitators, Pastoral team, homeroom teachers and other teaching staff throughout the year. 

As a college, we look forward to the impending Peer Mentor applications and the initiatives that come from the Peer Mentors that build on our positive and supportive college environment. Applications will open soon – so watch this space!

On Thursday, 7 September, in periods 3 and 4, the College will partake in its first Child Protection Expo, which promotes the value of children and focuses attention on the issues of child abuse and neglect. This is part of National Awareness Week for Child Protection. The objectives of Child Protection Week are to: 

• raise the profile of all issues connected with child protection, including child abuse prevention, treatment, research, education, service provision and support for children, young people, and families. 
• create a statewide umbrella focus for child protection allowing government and non-government agencies to present a cooperative and coordinated community-oriented campaign. 
• support and value professionals and volunteer child protection workers by providing 'best practice' training and a forum to exchange ideas and information. 
• offer a framework to recognise advances in the field, thereby contributing to better outcomes for all children and young people, especially those who have been harmed or are at risk of harm.  

The aim of the expo is to bring awareness of children's rights to our students and the assistance/services available to them outside the College. We have 11 organisations within the Townsville community holding a stall with information that highlight the services they provide to the community.

Students will rotate through 3 sessions (stalls/services, information talk, and interactive art display). There will also be a sausage sizzle at lunchtime beforehand. 

ALL students are encouraged to submit a piece of art that focuses on the theme “Child Protection is Everyone’s Business”. The art will be displayed at the expo, and they have the chance to win 1 of 3 prizes:

• First place: $50 gift card
• Second place: $30 gift card
• Third place: $10 gift card

Students can produce a model, a painting, digital art, a collage – anything that can be displayed for others to enjoy. Entries are to be given to Mrs Burnett in week 8.

Parents, carers, and families are welcome to attend. Please email Nadine.burnett@ipc.qld.edu.au if you have any questions.

Val Derwent and Jess McLeod | Student Counsellors 

Waterford Place Learning Resource Centre Garden Opening

This month, we celebrated a milestone at the College with the full completion of the Waterford Place Learning Resource Centre Gardens.  Amongst the lush rainforest surrounds, we paused and reflected upon the occasion. This event marked the culmination of a journey that saw the College transform the site from its former standing to a haven of knowledge, reflection and remembrance.  

Memories of the past now stand with the hopes for the future. The site transformation sees the Waterford Place Learning Resource Centre stand in the position of the Brothers House as a beacon of education and the future of the boys who will learn here for many years to come. The extension of the car park has paved the way for greater accessibility, and the carefully sculpted gardens at the entrance welcome all with open arms. 

Amongst the Garden are two memorials. The first is the defence memorial, unveiled by College Defence Student representative Dylan Thomson, a proud member of a defence family, this memorial stands tall to honour the men and women who have given their all for the freedom we cherish. The ceremony saw Federal Member Phillip Thompson, Brigadier David McCammon, Councillor Kurt Rehebin, Defence Families, Students and staff members plant rosemary bushes around the memorial to symbolise remembrance. 

The second is the Christian Brothers memorial, with a history spanning 112 years, The Brothers' memorial consists of 52 bricks taken from the original Brother's House building that once stood in the place of the Waterford Place Learning Resource Centre. The memorial was unveiled by Br Jon Hansen and Br Paul Conn cfc with the planting of the Edmund Rice rose on either side as a living symbol. 

As we reflect upon this opening, please enjoy the image gallery as a visual testimony. Turning the old into new, the honour bestowed upon the fallen and the homage to the past are all captured within this fabulous new space. 

LRC Garden Opening Gallery

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Student Achievements

Blah Communication Challenge

Recently, two of our students participated in the Blah Communication Challenge, where they were required to write and present a speech to an audience in an engaging manner. They competed against many other students from a variety of Townsville high schools. We are delighted to announce that both students walked away with prizes! Riley Johnstone in Year 8 won the Year 7&8 division, and Gordon Richards in Year 10 won the Audience Choice award in the Year 9&10 division of the competition. Congratulations to both students!

Touch News

Congratulations to our Touch teams who recently participated in the NQ All Schools competition.

1st place - IPC U/13

1st place - IPC U/15

1st place - IPC Opens

Debating News 

Winners! We are proud of our youngest debaters for taking home the win on Monday, 28 August after arguing the topic 'that pocket money should be earned, not just given.' Congratulations!

Legal Conference 

Year 11 and 12 IPC Legal students recently attended the annual legal studies conference at JCU. Engaging sessions covered crucial topics such as youth crime, human rights, and legal advocacy. Industry experts led informative discussions, providing valuable insights into the legal field. It is an enriching experience for budding legal minds.

Drama News

This term in year 8 Drama, the students have been working on improvisation skills and, more specifically, a performance in the style of Melodrama. By creating stock characters such as heroes and villains, the students have been able to construct some entertaining and comedic performances. Through the study of the Elements of Drama, such as Time and Place, the boys have been able to learn about the essential tools that make up performances.

Enrolments

If you have a Son/s who is due to commence Year 7 in 2025, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Year 7, 2025, enrolment interviews will begin in October.

Please follow the link below if you have not yet enrolled. 

Thank you

Kerry Shephard | Enrolments and Admissions Officer

School Fees

Please be advised that All Term 1 & Term 2 fees are now OVERDUE – please make payment as soon as possible if you have outstanding fees. For those families on pre-arranged payment plans, please continue your regular payments as arranged. If you didn’t receive an email from us, please check your Junk or Spam email folder, otherwise all fee statements are accessible via logging into Parent Lounge.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to apply for a fee concession, please contact us for a confidential discussion and application. However, please note that any accounts in arrears where contact has not been made with the College may be referred to an external debt collection agency.

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.