Term 1 Week 2 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

It almost seems like history has repeated itself with our start to the year. Last year we had school closures due to the cyclone, and this year it was due to the rains.  I hope that you all remained safe and dry throughout the recent weather event, and I know that I speak for the staff (and I am sure many of the boys) when I say that it has been good to get back to work and get the boys back into the routine of school and learning. 

It was lovely to see the return of our boys after what seemed like a very long break, and it was even better last Thursday to start the year with our academic assembly where we took the time to recognise those students from the class of 2024 who topped their subjects, and our existing students who were awarded diligence awards. 

Diligence awards can be achieved by all students.  They are based on effort and engagement in class and home learning tasks and are equally able to be gained by a student who is achieving A’s or C’s.  These awards tell me that the student is working hard no matter what level they are achieving, and in a vibrant and diverse College such as ours, this is all I can ask for.  If students are producing their best effort they will achieve their best result, no matter what pathway or level they are working at.  While we had a long list of recipients, I challenged each student to set a goal of achieving that same award next year, because we should always be aiming for our best, in everything that we do.

Last Friday was a significant rain event, and I appreciated the patience of our parents/carers as they waited for boys to be called when they were getting collected early.  The situation on Friday evolved quickly, and I am grateful to those who collected their boys early as the roads would have been chaos if all schools had waited until 3pm.  While we have had two occasions over the last four months where we have had significant events which have resulted in early departures for students, it is rare, and in my career of 25 years, it has only happened twice.  Nonetheless, we are developing a new set of procedures for student collection should a situation like this happens again, and I will share these procedures with the community once finalised.

I know that I have spoken at length about the work around the College, but it was great to see the new Quad up and running prior to the rain coming (see Facebook link here: https://fb.watch/xzRTjcBBSI/ ).  The boys are clearly enjoying the renovated space, and it will only be enhanced in time as the trees grow and provide a large natural shade canopy.  Our K-block classrooms are also complete and have reinforced to me the thinking that most of our learning spaces are now among the best in North Qld.

Luke Thomson  |  Principal

Curriculum Corner

WELCOME  

Welcome to the start of the 2025 school year. We, at the Edmund Rice Office, would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our families, both returning and new. This year will be an exciting one in the Curriculum space as we continue to focus on engagement within the classroom.

UPCOMING PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS

Over the next few weeks, Parent Information Evenings for each grade will be taking place (see the dates below). These evenings are designed to provide information from both the Curriculum and Pastoral Teams to help make the transition into the 2025 Academic year smoother.

Due to unexpected weather conditions, the Year 11 & 12 Information Evening was unfortunately cancelled.

Acknowledging that this is the start of the Year 11 Senior Journey, we have rescheduled the Information evening which will now be held on Tuesday 11 February commencing at 6.30pm.

Year 12 parents, please keep an eye on your emails, as the College will be sharing important information regarding the Year 12 journey soon.

Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your continued support

YEAR 9-11 SUBJECT CHANGES

Subject changes for all year levels will close this Friday 14th February. Forms can be collected from the Edmund Rice office. Any questions should be emailed to curriculum@ipc.qld.edu.au.

HOMEWORK PROGRAM - ALL STUDENTS

Our homework program will be fully operational from week 3 this term. All students can take advantage of some quiet study time in our Learning Resources Centre every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3.15pm until 4.00pm.

SENIOR STUDY AFTERNOON

Our Senior Study afternoons will commence from Monday, Week 3 (10 February) and will run every Monday from 3.15pm until 6.00pm in the Learning Resource Centre. Please note that this is only open to Year 11 and 12 students.

THINGS TO REMEMBER AT THE START OF A SCHOOL YEAR 

1. Maintain Open Communicate with the College

Ensure the College is aware of any illness, absence or settling issues your son may experience at the start of the year. Our Pastoral Leaders are often the best first point of contact. If this absence is during assessment time, please also contact either Mrs Kristen Harrison, Dean of Senior School (kristen.harrison@ipc.qld.edu.au) or Mr Tim Lindeberg, Dean of Junior School (tim.lindeberg@ipc.qld.edu.au).

2. Help your son establish a Routine

Structure is important, especially for teenage boys. Assist your son plan out his weeks to include time for:

- Homework/study

- Exercise/Sport

- Family time

- Recreational time – including tech free time from phones, game consoles and PC’s

- Sleep

3. Stay Informed of College Events

The College has a range of formats to keep you informed including:

- Parent Lounge: assessment due dates, exams schedules, results, attendance data, pastoral activities, excursions details

- College Social Media: Facebook, IPC Student App

- College Newsletter: emailed each fortnight.

Interacting with these forums will ensure you are up to speed with college events impacting on your son.

Lesley Gardner  |  Director of Curriculum

KEY DATES FOR TERM 1 (dates subject to change)

Identity and Mission

Strength in Community: Finding Faith in Times of Challenge

Dear Ignatius Park College Community,

In recent days, we have witnessed the devastating impact of the North Queensland floods, a force of nature that reminds us of both our vulnerability and our incredible strength as a community. As the rain falls and rivers rise, so too does the spirit of Townsville—one built on resilience, compassion, and unwavering faith.

It is in times like these that we are called to remember that God walks with us in our struggles. Natural disasters can shake our homes, disrupt our lives, and test our endurance, yet they cannot break the human spirit. As people of faith, we trust that even in the storm, God’s presence is steadfast. The floods, though difficult, are part of the natural cycle of life, reminding us of our connection to creation and our responsibility to care for one another.

In moments of hardship, our true character is revealed. We see it in the tireless efforts of emergency responders, the generosity of neighbours helping one another, including our own young men visible out in the community lending a helping hand and the strength of families who rebuild together. The wider Townsville and Ignatius Park College community has always stood strong in the face of adversity, and this time will be no different.

I look forward to updating you next fortnight with news of rebuilding and a fresh start to our year after the Beginning of Year Liturgy which we are all looking forward to coming together as a community to celebrate next Thursday afternoon. 

On a positive note, this year marks 150 years of Edmund Rice & Christian brother influence and involvement in our great state of Queensland, which is being celebrated through a series of breakfasts over the course of the year with guest speakers. The first Edmund Rice Breakfast is fast approaching on February 19th at Nudgee College. Dr Mary Murphy is the main guest and a wonderful speaker and will be insightful about the women who deeply influenced Edmund. Please see the flyer below if you would like to arrange to "zoom in" to the breakfast as a few of us here will be at the College or email me for more details and information - mark.holmes@ipc.qld.edu.au. 

To those impacted by the floods, especially our family and friends further north, and reading this, know that you are in our prayers. Together, we will rise above this challenge, just as we always have.

Let us pray:

Loving and compassionate God,

In the midst of floodwaters and uncertainty, we turn to You for strength and hope.

Bless those affected by these floods—give them courage, patience, and the assurance that they are not alone.

May our community be a beacon of love and support, rallying together as we always do.

Grant us resilience, wisdom, and a spirit of generosity, so that we may lift each other up in times of need.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Mark Holmes | Director of Identity & Mission

Director of Students

Pathways Hub

Welcome to 2025 new and returning families. I would like to firstly introduce myself; my name is Kristy Clarke. I have recently joined the Ignatius Park College team as the Program Leader, Skills and Training. I will be working in the Pathways Hub alongside Mrs Williamson and Ms Hansen if you have any questions, concerns or queries regarding your son and his senior pathway, particularly vocational education please reach out.

The Senior School and Vocational space within Ignatius Park College is something to be commended, with varied pathways and options available to ensure the success of the young men at this school. This first week I have had several students across year 11 and 12 speak with me about opportunities with TAFE at schools, School Based Apprenticeships and general subject choices. There are many supportive and experienced staff within the Curriculum and Pathways team who want to see your young person achieve to their potential and leave Ignatius Park with a qualification.

Schools are very busy, lively places and information regarding work industry placement, work experience and additional courses including the ‘white card’ (General Construction Safety Induction) will be communicated to parents and families via this newsletter, email and the school’s social media. Please take note of this information as it is made available to you.

Industry Placements

There will be approximately 150 students attending industry placement this year. Finding placements for such a large group of students is a mammoth task. Some of the placements have already been finalised, but many more still need to be matched with a willing employer.

If you have personal contacts and can assist with finding your son a placement, please contact Nicole Hansen as soon as possible – pathways@ipc.qld.edu.au

Once placements are organised, we are hesitant to change them (until the following placement) so we do not inconvenience employers.

Industry Placement 2025

Please find below the industry placement dates for term 1 2025. It is an expectation that industry placement students attend every day of their scheduled placement. We ask that appointments, sport and work commitments are organised outside ‘work time’ on these weeks as to not interfere with attending industry placement. Boys who have a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship can attend their place of work during this week.

White Card Course

A mandatory requirement of the construction industry is that all workers, including industry placement students, undertake a General Construction Safety Induction prior to entering a construction worksite. This is necessary to ensure their safety and so that they understand and know what all signage and signals mean and how to wear all relevant PPE. Once the induction is completed students are issued with a White Card.

This course is compulsory for all students enrolled in Construction, Engineering Pathways and Resource Infrastructure. However, students undertaking Certificate I in Construction will not be required to pay the fee for this course, as it is included in their subject. For non- construction students the cost is $79 payable by the 26^th of February 2025.  While it is not a mandatory requirement for other VET students, it is highly recommended.  Your son will not be placed on industry placement in a construction trade if he does not have a White Card.

The College will be offering this safety induction through a third-party provider and will be conducted at the College, during school time. Two White Card course will be run on the 5^th and 20^th of March.  Your son will be advised via email which course he will be attending, if necessary for his industry placement.

If you have any concerns or queries about anything in this article, please call me on 4796 0263 or my email is Kristy.Clarke@ipc.qld.edu.au.

I look forward to working with you as the year progresses ensuring quality educational outcomes and pathways for your sons at Ignatius Park College.

Kristy Clarke   |   Program Leader Skills and Training

International Women's Day Breakfast

We are excited to team up with the ladies from Soroptimist International Townsville Breakwater for their annual International Women's Day Breakfast, which will be held at our Edmund Rice Hall on Friday 14 March.  

Tickets are on sale now - please see more information and QR Code below. 

As part of the fundraising for the Townsville Womens' Centre, raffles are run at the breakfast. If you are able to donate a raffle prize, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact events@ipc.qld.edu.au 

School TV

School TV is a wonderful resource for parents to receive credible and current information from wellbeing experts. 

See the flyer below and link on our website, for more information: https://ipc.qld.schooltv.me/ 

School Photo Orders

School Photos were taken in Week 1 with information on how to place your order, given to students on the same day. Orders are due to MSP Photographers by 12 February.

To place your order, you will need to visit this website https://orders.msp.com.au/ordering/access with your SHOOTKEY code (on the envelope provided at photo day).

If you need assistance with placing your order, or have questions about the photos generally, please contact MSP (using the contact details below)

Combined Schools Musical Ensemble Auditions

Interschool Chess Tournament

Our first Interschool Chess Tournament for the year will be held at IPC on 04 March. Students are invited to register their interest at the LRC. 

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.

School Fees

The College Fee Schedule for 2025 can be viewed at https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/enrol/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 4796 0222 if you need further information.  

School Fee Platform - Edstart

From Term 1 2025, all school fees including annual and periodic payments will be managed by Edstart. You can set up your Edstart account at  edstart.com.au/ipc

Vilton Crasto | Director of Business Operations