Term 2 Week 8 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Call for Expressions of Interest – College Advisory Council

Each school within EREA has a College Advisory Council that work with the College Leadership Team in supporting the direction and growth of the College.  Members typically serve a 3-year term, with meetings held approximately 9 times throughout the year.  As a general rule, the make-up of the Advisory Council is based on skills and experience with the aim being that we look to recruit members with varied experiences that allow the Council to best support the leadership of the College. 

On behalf of the Council Chair, I am calling members of our College Community for Expressions of Interest in joining our College Advisory Council.  If you are interested in becoming a Council member, please complete the form via this link CAC Expression of Interest Form.  If you would like to speak further about this opportunity, I would encourage you to contact principal@ipc.qld.edu.au

Our Science Build is nearly complete, with the building starting to be handed over in week 10 of this term.  Our science staff and our science students have been very patient while we have undertaken this full refurbishment, and I am sure that the end product will be well worth the wait.  It will be wonderful to start moving our equipment and desks in over the school holidays in readiness for Term 3. 

Tuesday marked a fantastic start to our Phoenix Flyers program. The first of three sessions designed to welcome our 2026 Year 7 students and help them get a feel for high school.  Around 140 students participated in an engaging afternoon filled with sports, team-building activities, and an introduction to our school's culture and expectations. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to begin forming connections and feel more confident about the transition into secondary school. Our next Phoenix Flyer afternoon will be held Tuesday 2^nd September. 

School Officers Day was celebrated yesterday, and on behalf of the staff and students at Ignatius Park I would like to thank all the support staff who work often behind the scenes to ensure our school is at its best each and every day.  We appreciate their dedication and commitment to the college and the duties that they perform every day.   

Last weekend, the combined musical production of We Will Rock You, in partnership with St Patrick’s College and St Margaret Mary’s College, lit up the stage at the Civic Theatre. 

The show was a fabulous success, showcasing incredible talent, energy, and passion. A special shout-out to the Iggy boys, whose acting and singing were absolutely outstanding — they did us proud! Congratulations to all students and staff involved in bringing this spectacular performance to life. What a brilliant example of collaboration, creativity, and school spirit! 

It’s that time again, as the end of term approaches, so does a number of exams and due dates for most students.  It is essential that boys are organised so that their studies are prioritised, especially at this time of the year.  I would encourage you to discuss upcoming assessments with your son, as your support and encouragement will help ensure that deadlines are met, and revision is completed. 

While organisation is one element that supports student success, so too is attendance.  Our student wellbeing team tracks attendance, with the aim that ninety pe cent of all students are attending school ninety percent of the time.  Ninety percent attendance equates to one day off every fortnight, which in turn equates to twenty days off per year.  This is still a significant amount of time off school and would mean that even a student with 90% attendance is missing out on 120 hours of education and instruction per year than someone who is present each and every day.  If you are having challenges with attendance in your household, please discuss these issues with your son’s Pastoral Leader to see how the College can support you. 

And finally, I would like to congratulate our year 8 students and thank the staff involved for the success of the recent Year 8 camp.  The year 8 camp is often a challenge for many of our boys as it does involve hiking and being more self-sufficient over the three days.  The boys did extremely well throughout the week.

 Luke Thomson  |  Principal

Curriculum Corner

Key dates for Term 2 (dates subject to change) 

Year 10 Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning

This term, Year 10 students have embarked on their Senior Education and Training Plan (SET Plan) Journeys. Every Year 10 student in Queensland is required to develop a SET Plan in order to:

• investigate possible careers and future study options after school
• structure their subject selection for Years 11 and 12 around their abilities, interests and ambitions
• map their pathway to a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Parents play an extremely important part in this process. This process and timeline for SET Planning and subject selections is outlined below:

End of Term Exam Schedule

A reminder that the exam schedule for week 9 and 10 of this term has been published https://www.ipc.qld.edu.au/studies/exams-assessment-study-documents/. Parents are asked to review this schedule with their sons to ensure they are all aware of their commitments.

Variations to Assessment (7-10) and AARA (11-12) – Absence, Extensions

It is timely to remind parents that requests to vary the conditions or due date of any assessment item can only be considered following the submission of a Variation to Assessment Form (Year 7-10) and Access Arrangement and Reasonable Adjustment (AARA) form and appropriate supporting documentation.

Year 7 – 9: The completed Variation to Assessment form should be submitted to their Subject teacher and then the Faculty Leader for approval. Documentation may be required (i.e. standard medical certificate)

Year 10 – 12: 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 forms are 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.

Term 2 Assessment

Parent Lounge is the quickest and easiest way to keep track of the assessment your son has coming up towards the end of Term 2. This can be a busy time with assessment and extra-curricular activities. Being organised is essential.

Log onto Parent Lounge and click on the “Curricular Activities Due” tab on the left-hand menu. This will open a page that lists the assessment items your son(s) will complete this term along with key dates for drafts and final copies to be completed. Alternatively, you can review unit outlines for each subject on the Parent Lounge to see an overview of assessment (see diagrams below, for more information).

Lesley Gardner  |  Director of Curriculum

Identity and Mission

Dear Parents & Carers,

Christians around the world this weekend celebrate Pentecost Sunday, marking the moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the Church was born. More than just the close of the Easter season, Pentecost reminds us that faith is not meant to be kept behind closed doors. The Spirit calls us to go out, speak boldly, and build communities of hope, justice, and peace. As we mark this feast, may we open our hearts to the Spirit’s guidance and be renewed in our mission to live and share the Good News.

Recently, two of our Year 11 students were lucky enough to be involved in the St Vincent de Paul Oznam Leadership camp. The students had to apply, interview and be chosen to attend out of many from the Townsville region who did the same. The camp was a great way for the boys to network with others their age they may not normally get the chance to do so with, as well as develop their understanding of their own leadership qualities as they move into Year 12 next year. Below is a summary of how Matthias viewed the week: 

The OLP Camp, run by the St Vincent de Paul Society, is a transformative leadership experience designed to build resilience, values, and community spirit. Held at Emu Gully, a military reenactment site, we spent three intense days crawling through Vietnam-style tunnels, hauling cannons through mud, carrying teammates on stretchers, and racing quad bikes—pushing ourselves physically and mentally. These experiences taught me the importance of teamwork under pressure, supporting others, and staying positive through challenges. I became more confident, empathetic, and inspired to lead with heart and purpose.

This terms Touchstone focus is liberating education. I share below a great prayer used at a staff briefing recently, that drives directly to the heart of what it means for us, to be lucky enough to educate your son/s at this great College. 

Loving God,

 We thank You for the gift of our students and the privilege of shaping their journey.

 Help us to see each young person through Your eyes — full of potential, purpose, and promise.

 Guide us to build relationships rooted in trust, patience, and care,

 So that our classrooms may become places of growth, freedom, and joy.

May we teach not just with our minds, but with our hearts,

 Always remembering that in liberating others, we too are transformed.

We ask this through Christ our teacher and guide.

 Amen. 

In faith and service,

Mark Holmes | Director of Identity & Mission

St Vincent de Paul Oznam Leadership Camp

Director of Students

Skills & Training Hub

Well done to the young men who went on Industry Placement week last week. We have had many positive reports from industry and the Townsville community about the work ethic and commitment of the young men of Iggy Park. The Industry Placement program is fundamental in providing our students with opportunities to make and build on connections in the community and often leads to post high school work opportunities.

Year 12 students will have one more opportunity to undertake Industry Placement in term 3. Please use this time to reflect on previous placements, including your strengths and areas for improvement. This last round of placement will be a chance for our year 12 students to put their best foot forward and ask questions about trades and apprenticeships for life after high school.

If your son is wanting to make a change to his Industry Placement for term 3, he will need to come to the Pathways Hub and complete a change of placement form (this will need to be completed before week 3 of term 3).

Congratulations to those boys who have picked up school-based apprenticeships throughout the year – we are continuing to see students be successful in their trade areas and this is fantastic. Well done!

Apprenticeship intakes are starting to be sent out to schools and the community for 2026 – please keep an eye out on notices from the Pathways Hub regarding these offerings. If you need any support with applications Mrs King and I are in the Pathways Hub and are happy to assist.

2026 TAFE at Schools intake will open in August – I will provide more information as it becomes available.

Kristy Clarke | Program Leader - Skills & Training

Careers Hub

It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the Careers Hub. In week 7, we had Year 11 and Year 12 students out in the workforce on Industry Placement with lots of positive reports from employers. The Industry Placement program is a great chance for our young men to build relationships within the community, which may often lead to opportunities after school.  Year 12 students who remained at the College during week 7 had the opportunity to sit in on a very important session about QTAC and the application process for Tertiary study. Students interested in this pathway will receive further communications toward the end of the term and will meet with me next term to submit their applications.  

Apprenticeships Intake Programs  

ERGON Applications open tomorrow, Friday, 13 June 2025. Below are a variety of trades on offer through the apprenticeship program. More information about trade types – skills required, positions and locations, program structure and support, career paths, recruitment process and tips are available on Apprenticeships | Ergon Energy 

WILMAR will be opening applications for their apprenticeships next Monday (June 16). Wilmar are currently finalising their information but recommend students register their interest so they can be kept up to date when the program goes Live. Refer here for more information https://www.wilmarsugar-anz.com/our-people/apprenticeships 

Hastings Deering 2026 Apprenticeship Intake - I’m pleased to share that the 2026 Apprentice Campaign is officially underway!  Applications have officially opened and will remain open for three weeks, closing at midnight on Sunday, June 15th.  Students can apply here: Hastings Deering Apprenticeship Intake 

Apprenticeships Central – scroll through all the amazing opportunities currently available in various industries. Search Here Now.  

JCU Heroes Programs  

JCU’s Heroes programs are open to all year 11 and 12 students and give you behind-the-scenes access into what your dream career may look like. JCU works with our industry partners, including the Mater Hospital, Northwest Hospital and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Glencore, Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Queensland Country Bank and the North Queensland Cowboys to give you a chance to meet the experts and experience a day in their lives.  

Upcoming Programs include: 

Engineering (31 July), Sport (18 & 20 August), Business (2 September), Vet (5 September). View all the upcoming programs and for more information and registrations, refer here > JCU Heroes Programs - JCU Australia 

JCU Webinars 

JCU offer a range of webinars for you to gain knowledge, develop new skills and find inspiration. See what’s on offer HERE.  

QTAC (Qld Tertiary Admissions Centre) Guide 

QTAC guides for 2026 have arrived and have been handed out to students last week. You can also find the guide online HERE.  

Defence Work Experience  

Work experience opportunities are being offered by Defence Recruiting over the next few months. If you’re interested in applying, please see me in the Pathways Hub to discuss. More information can be found HERE.  

Work Experience: June/July Holidays – Years 10, 11 & 12 

Work experience for the next set of holidays is open – you must see the Pathways Hub by the end of this week to organise. For more information or email pathways@ipc.qld.edu.au  

Sheena King | Careers Counsellor  

Student Wellbeing

School TV

Year 7, 2026 & 2027 Enrolments due now!

Cowboys Community Foundation Fundraiser

Cowboys Community Foundation have their first major fundraiser, with an incredible prize up for grabs - a Toyota RAV 4 Cruiser!

This fundraiser plays a vital role in keeping their community programs running. Tickets are $25 each with only 12,000 available and all funds directly support the delivery of Cowboys Community Foundations across North Queensland. See below, and scan the QR Code, for more information.

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 termly 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