Term 2 Week 2 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2.  It was great to welcome the young men back to the College last Tuesday for what is traditionally an extremely busy term.  Along with the usual assessment and exam period that comes with the end of the semester, we have block sports, students involved in the combined musical and the Confraternity Shield in the first week of the June-July holidays.

I had mentioned in an earlier newsletter that we are looking to redevelop our Quad area.  The Quad is in the heart of the College and is a central gathering space for our students before, during and after school.  We have now worked with Landscape architects to finalise our design, and we are moving to the tender process as soon as possible.  Ideally, we would like to start this project in the June/July school holidays, however any start dates will be dependant on availability of trades and contractors.  I look forward to bringing you updates of this project as we move through the term. 

In Week 7 of Term 1 we began the renovation of two more classrooms as part of our improvement plan that began last year.  We hope to have these two classrooms back online within a week, with our construction team then immediately starting on three more rooms.  We are then hoping to continue these improvements in Term 3 bringing the number of refurbished rooms in 2024 to 10.  These improvements come at a significant cost however the end result produces a learning environment that is far more conducive to learning for all students, and a much improved teaching experience for our teachers.  Improvements to these rooms include;

• Installation of Autex panelling (noise absorbing material).
• Installation of hearing augmentation systems.
• Construction of false ceiling to remove visibility of metal beams and dampen noise.
• New carpet, lighting and paint.
• Centralised lighting, air and technology switches.
• Improvements to windows, air conditioners and storage where required.

I look forward to sharing the finished product with you in the near future.

With one term down, students should now have established routines outside of school to support their studies inside of it.  Next week we are hosting our Parent Teacher Interviews, and this is an ideal time to build those connections between the College and home, in an effort to establish genuine partnership in your sons learning.  I would strongly encourage all parents to take up the opportunity of meeting with teachers to discuss student progress, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

The country will pause this week for ANZAC Day. Even though this event occurred many years ago, it is the spirit of ANZAC that continues to unite and motivate us as a nation to reflect upon our identity as Australians, our freedom, and its significance for our nation.

We will have our marching band taking part for the first time in this year’s Strand march, in addition to our students and teachers, in what is always a reflective and sobering event. I thank the staff and students who will be representing the College. 

The Poppy

I am not a badge of honour,
I am not a racist smear,
I am not a fashion statement,
To be worn but once a year.
I am not glorification,
of conflict or of war.
I am not a paper ornament,
a token,
I am more.

I am a loving memory,
of a father or a son,
A permanent reminder
of each and every one.

I’m paper or enamel,
I’m old or shining new.
I’m a way of saying thank you,
To every one of you.

I am a simple poppy,
a reminder to you all,
that courage, faith and honour,
will stand where heroes fall.

Luke Thomson | Principal

Curriculum Corner

Key dates for Term 2

May 01                  Parent and Teacher Conferences

May 07                  Year 12 Essential English CIA Examination

May 14                   Year 12 Essential Mathematics CIA Examination

May 20-30           Year 11 End of Unit 1 Examination and Assessment Phase

June 12-20           Year 7-10 and Year 12 Examination and Assessment Phase

June 13                   Year 10 Subject Talks

                                                              June 14                   Year 11 and Year 12 Reports Issued

Year 10 Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans - Choosing the Right Subjects for 2025 and 2026

This term in Pastoral Care (PACA) lessons, Year 10 students will embark on their SET Plan Journeys. Every Year 10 student in Queensland is required to develop a SET Plan.

Developing a SET Plan helps students:

• investigate possible careers and future study options they may be interested in post-school
• structure their learning in Years 11 and 12 around their abilities, interests and ambitions
• ensure their learning options allow them to pursuit preferred study, further education and training, and career goals
• map their pathway to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Parents play an extremely important part in this process. Some important dates for parents include:

Monday 22 July, Subject Showcase Evening:  parents have an opportunity to talk to teachers about Year 11 and 12 subjects for their son as well as develop their understanding about the Senior Phase of Learning in Queensland. Additionally, representatives from industry and tertiary institutions will be in attendance to answer questions about pathways after school.

Friday 16 and Monday 19 August, SET Plan Interviews: in these interviews, students will explain to interviewers their preferred subjects for year 11 and 12 and justify their reasons for choosing these subjects. Parents are asked to attend these interviews to ‘sign-off’ on their son’s SET Plans and ensure they are fully aware of his intended learning pathway.

Parent and Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conference bookings are currently open and can be booked via Parent Lounge. Parent Teacher bookings will close 5pm Monday 29 April. After this time, we will be unable to accept any further bookings. 

A reminder that these will be held in the College Hall on Wednesday 1 May 2024, commencing at 1.40pm. Interviews will be conducted by your son’s subject teachers and students are welcome to attend with their parent/carer. 

Lessons will finish at 12.55 pm on this day. Supervised study will be provided in the Learning Resource Centre until 3pm for students who are unable to make travel arrangements. If students are not travelling directly home, they must change out of their school uniform before leaving the College grounds. There will be no Homework Program operating.

Parent Webinars – Supporting Your Son to Maximise his School Outcomes

Ignatius Park College has teamed with Elevate Education to provide all parents with access to a series of free webinars. The webinars are targeted at provided parents with clear strategies and practical tips to support their child through high school.

The schedule of webinars for term 2 is:

Wednesday May 8, 6:30pm:        How to Get (and Keep!) Your Child Motivated

Wednesday 22May, 6.30pm:      Help Your Child Prepare for Exams

Wednesday 5 June 6.30pm:         Help Support Your Child During Exams

Wednesday 19 June 6.30pm:         Live Q and A – open question time with the presenter

Parents can register for the webinars via the following link: https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Shane Dove | Director of Curriculum

Mission and Identity

ANZAC Day holds a profound significance in the hearts of Australians and New Zealanders, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. At its core, ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance, reflection, and reverence for the bravery, resilience, and camaraderie displayed by the ANZAC soldiers during World War I, particularly during the Gallipoli campaign.

This week we gathered as a community to show our respect and appreciation for the continued sacrifice many individuals and families make, and honoured the bravery which our soldiers show when faced with war. Thank you to our special guests from Brooklea Village and our guest speaker Warrant Officer Class One Bridget Pearce.

Next week we will gather again for our annual Edmund Rice Day Mass, celebrating the founder of our College and Edmund Rice Education.

ANZAC Prayer

Gracious God, on this Anzac Day,
we bring before you all those who have and continue to serve in our Defence Forces.
We remember and give thanks for their service to our country.
We pray for all those who suffer in war and continue to suffer from the trauma of war.
We pray for comfort in their grief.
We pray for supportive communities to journey with them in their struggles, healing and recovery.
We thank you for their response to your call to offer spiritual leadership and pastoral care to Defence Force personnel and their families.
We pray for all those who are negotiating for peace in situations of war and conflict throughout our world. Bless them with wisdom, strength and resolve to find ways we can live together in harmony and respect for one another.
We pray that we might be bearers of your peace.
Through Christ, who is our Peace, we pray.

Amen.

Live Jesus in our Hearts

Forever.

Mark Holmes | Director of Identity & Mission

Wellbeing Report

A SPECIAL REPORT: Vaping

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://ipc.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au

Christian Quabba | Dean of Student Wellbeing

Pathways Hub

During the Easter holidays we had 6 enthusiastic young men took the opportunity to gain experience in a career of choice or to trial for a school-based apprenticeship. Work experience is a great way for students to determine their interest and suitability for a role and to also develop much needed skills and attitudes necessary for a positive career outcome. One of the main priorities is to promote and place as many students in work experience as possible to ensure that future decision processes have experience in the job as a necessary factor. If you are in year 10, 11 or 12 and would like to participate in a week of holiday work experience, please come to the pathway hub to discuss options and possibilities with me.

Industry Placements Dates for 2024

Please find below the industry placement dates for 2024. It is an expectation that all industry placement students attend every day. We ask that appointments, sport and work commitments are organised outside work time on these weeks as to not interfere with attending industry placement.

If you have any concerns or queries about anything in this article, please call me on 0438 185 403 or my email is zeb.kyle@ipc.qld.edu.au.

Zeb Kyle | Program Leader of Skills and Training

IPC Overseas Trips Fundraising

In September this year IPC has two overseas trips for students and staff. Our Football students embark on a UK tour whilst Year 10 and 11 students will experience cultural immersion in South America. To support these students in their endeavours we are holding a Trivia Night on Saturday 11^th May in the Edmund Rice Hall. Get a table together, dress up and come along to enjoy a fun evening of trivia.  

St Patricks College Trivia Night

Hey Wire Competition

2024 Awards for Excellence in Art Design

Entries are open for the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Art Design. Further info is available at the below link:

https://ieuqnt.org.au/competitions/

Students on School Grounds Outside School Hours

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

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

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

John Doolan | Deputy Principal

School Fees

The College Fee Schedule for 2024 can be viewed at https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrolment/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 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