Term 4 Week 2 College Newsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Welcome back to the busy final eight weeks of Term 4 – and for our Year 12 students, their last seven weeks of school. It has been wonderful to see so many early offers being received by our seniors for university placements and apprenticeships over the past 4 weeks, and I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on our social media pages for the latest news.  Iggy is always a busy place, but the last few weeks seem to have been the icing on the cake.  Please keep reading to find out some of the great things that our students have been involved in over the past three weeks.

Over the school holidays, our Rowing team competed at the State Championships, with our senior rowers proudly securing two bronze medals. Congratulations to Jack, Rory, Logyn and Seth on their much-deserved success.  The Rowing Awards Evening was held last Friday at St Patrick’s College – a fitting celebration of the team’s dedication and achievements throughout the season.

The Townsville Eisteddfod also concluded recently, with our students receiving a special award from the adjudicator for their outstanding Drama Ensemble performance. Congratulations to all students involved, and thank you to the staff who supported them.

Over the holidays, we also had one of our Prefects, Ethan Cavanagh travel to Brisbane to be presented with the Order of Australia Secondary Schools Citizenship Award – one of only twelve recipients across Queensland this year.  This is a huge achievement and is a testament to Ethan's commitment to his community service activities.  Wonderful recognition for many years of commitment.

Our Deadly Awards were held last night and were a wonderful celebration of culture, talent and community. The evening featured a spectacular dance performance from our dance troupes, delicious food, and the presentation of awards to those students who had excelled and stepped up within this program.  I would also like to thank Sean Choolburra (College Old Boy ‘86) for his entertaining speech, which included humour, life lessons and the greatest Michael Jackson impersonation that I have seen for a long time.  Great to see an old boy still so connected to this school after such a long time and such success all over the world.

Looking ahead, our College Awards Evening will be held next Wednesday. This event is one of the most significant events on our college calendar, and a wonderful way to recognise the success of our students across all aspects of the College. 

Our Year 12 students are fast approaching the end of their secondary schooling.  Next Thursday will be their last day before entering their exam phase.  The Curriculum team will be in contact with all families with important information regarding external exams (rules, procedures and processes) and I would ask that all families take the time to go through this information with their sons.  Please keep in mind that these exams are external exams and are administered at school but under the umbrella of the QCAA.  On behalf of our College Community, I would like to wish our seniors well for this phase of assessment.

I had the privilege of completing our first round of enrolment interviews for year 7 - 2027 yesterday afternoon, along with 13 other staff.  At this stage we have close to 150 applications for a place, and I anticipate that we are still to receive another 100 odd between now and this time next year.  First round offers of enrolment will be sent to families on the 24^th April 2026, and I would encourage any current families with sons in year five to ensure that they lodge their application asap.

Last week, our three touch teams travelled to the Gold Coast for the State All Schools Carnival.  Our teams performed extremely well in the pool phase, topping their pools, and our under 13 and 15 team went on to make the Grand Final.  Sadly, it was not to be our day as both teams went down in nailbiters by being beaten by a single try.  Our open team also played well but were unlucky and were defeated in the round sixteen game. 

A small group of students spent last week on our first college Immersion to Palm Island.  This is a new aspect of our service learning program, and our group had a fantastic week.  Keep an eye out on social media for some photos and more information on this trip, and well done to the staff and student for embracing this new initiative.

In addition to this we have had teams at CBSQ basketball, rugby league trials, safe driver training, Art excursions, debating, hockey championships, school discos and we will have a team of boys at the state finals for AFL this weekend.  As always plenty going on at Iggy Park.

Luke Thomson  |  Principal

Curriculum Corner

Year 12

As we approach the final weeks of Year 12, we would like to share some important information about external assessments and end-of-year expectations.

External Assessments

All students enrolled in General subjects are required to sit external assessments as part of their QCAA certification.

• Commencement: Monday, 27 October (Week 4)
• Location: John Fisher Building, Ignatius Park College
• Exam Timetable & Tutorials: The full schedule, including tutorial sessions, can be accessed

If a student is absent during an external assessment, they must contact the External Assessment Coordinators immediately. Please note that events such as family holidays, sporting commitments, birthdays or weddings are not considered valid reasons for absence or venue variation under QCAA guidelines.

ATAR Pathway Students

Students working towards an ATAR received their latest predicted ATAR results last week. These results provide valuable insight into current performance and key areas for improvement leading into external exams. We encourage students to use this feedback to guide their final study efforts.

Non-ATAR and VET Pathway Students

Students who are not sitting external exams but have outstanding VET competencies or are at risk of not achieving a QCE are required to attend school during the external assessment period. This time will be used to complete any remaining work or training modules to ensure all QCE requirements are met.

Finishing Strong

As the Year 12 journey comes to an end, we encourage all students to remain focused and make the most of the support available. Staff are ready to assist with final preparations, whether that’s exam revision, completing VET work, or providing well-being support during this important stage.

We sincerely thank families for their ongoing support throughout the year. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2025 in the weeks ahead.

Year 11

Students have now commenced Unit 3 work, which officially marks the start of Year 12. From this point forward, all assessment completed will contribute towards their final Year 12 results.

It is essential that students remain focused and maintain consistent effort throughout the remainder of this year to set themselves up for success in 2025.

The Year 11 Exam Timetable can be accessed here

Please note: If a student is unable to attend an exam, an AARA (Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments) application must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the scheduled exam date, accompanied by supporting documentation. All applications should be directed to the Edmund Rice Office.

Years 7 - 10

By now, students in Years 9, 10 and 11 for 2026 have made their subject choices. These will be confirmed and communicated to students in Term 4. We thank families for their support throughout the subject selection process and look forward to working with students as they begin planning their future pathways.

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 (Yr’s 11 and 12) and Variation form (Yr’s 7-10) 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.

Have a safe and enjoyable break. We look forward to welcoming all students back for Term 4.

Identity and Mission

Palm Island Outreach: A Tale of Two Journeys

The Palm Island Outreach was a tale of two journeys.

The first journey was one of faith and growth for the seven young men who represented Ignatius Park College. Throughout the week, they were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and embrace their faith in new ways. Lifted by the Gospel and guided by the incredible team from YWAM, the boys learned what it truly means to serve others — discovering that faith can be the driving force behind adventure, connection, and purpose.

The second journey unfolded on Palm Island itself, among its beautiful people and breathtaking land. The boys spent time at Bwgcolman Community School, where they worked, played, and laughed with the students. Their presence became a beacon of light for the children, and everywhere they went, seeds of joy and hope were planted.

But perhaps the real outreach took place at the Jetty — fishing, swimming, and simply being part of the community. Those simple moments of connection reflected the true heart of service: building relationships and sharing life together.

This trip was far more than just a visit. It was a reminder to the people of Palm Island that they are not alone — and a promise that IPC will continue to carry a flame for the island and its people for many years to come.

In faith and service,

Mark Holmes | Director of Identity & Mission

Palm Island Immersion Experience

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Director of Students

Skills & Training

Welcome back to term 4. Term 4 is a very quick term, full of celebrations and the Skills and Training Department has hit the ground running again with year 12 students finishing up their courses here at school and at TAFE.

Year 12 students are in the final weeks of their secondary education; many are starting the next phase of their lives with post-school commitments: apprenticeships, traineeships and full-time work. We wish all the year 12 students who are still to complete their final exams well and hope that they are successful in their chosen pathways.

For those year 12 boys who do not have external exams and are school-based apprentices, you are able to work for your employer during this exam period. Be sure that you negotiate dates/times with your employer. For those year 12 students who are seeking work experience during these external exam weeks, please ensure that you have been into the Pathways Hub and have completed the necessary insurance paperwork.

TAFE:

Year 11 and 12 students are reminded that their final TAFE classes for 2025 are scheduled as the following:

• Last day of TAFE at School Classes for Year 12 students will be week ending Friday 24^th October 2025
• Last day of TAFE at School Classes for Year 11 students will be week ending Friday 31^st October 2025

All TAFE students must ensure that they are attending these last days of TAFE to complete all qualifications and bank QCE credits. If you do not finish your TAFE course, you will not receive the full qualification or QCE credits.

Year 10 students moving into year 11 2026 – TAFE classes are being developed, and students will receive emails of class confirmation in the coming weeks directly from TAFE.

Year 12 students who completed a Vocational Education Qualification here at Ignatius Park College, please take the time to complete a quick survey about your experiences in your class. Scan the QR code and follow the prompts.

Year 11 Industry Placement – Week 5 (Monday 3^rd November – Friday 7^th November)

The final round of Industry Placement for the year will take place in week 5 – this week is for year 11 Students. If your son is seeking a change in his work placement location or wants to go on an industry placement, please encourage them to come into the Pathways Hub. We need to finalise these places within the next week.

As always, we are happy to support students with work experience. If your son is in year 10 and is seeking work experience, please encourage him to come and see us in the Pathways Hub. We are happy to negotiate times and dates for those year 10 students who are seeking work experience.

Thank you for a wonderful year. Good luck in your final exams and with finishing all your class work, assessments and TAFE. Thank you for your continued efforts in this area of education.

Kristy Clarke | Program Leader - Skills & Training  

Careers Hub

Welcome back to Term 4 — the final stretch of the year! We’ve hit the ground running in the Careers area with an exciting start. Last week, a group of our Year 10 and 11 students attended the Lavarack Barracks Experience Day, where they had the opportunity to explore what a career in the Australian Army could look like. Students got a first-hand glimpse into the skills, discipline, and teamwork involved in this unique pathway, and many walked away feeling inspired about their future options. 

Meanwhile, our Year 12 students are continuing to work hard — staying focused on their upcoming exams while finalising their plans for life beyond school. Whether they’re heading into further study, apprenticeships, employment, or taking a gap year, it’s an exciting time filled with big decisions and opportunities. 

Although Term 4 is short, it’s always a busy one. I’ll continue supporting students with career planning, applications, and pathway advice. I encourage students to keep asking questions, exploring options, and making the most of the opportunities available. 

Here’s to a productive and successful term ahead! 

JCU Early Offers 

A very big congratulations to all of our Year 12 students who have so far received an early offer from James Cook University to study with them in 2026; 

• Brady Campbell – Bachelor of Education (Primary) 
• Ashley Hudson – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• James Brice - Bachelor of Exercise Science – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology 
• Cody Chanthagoon - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• Brooklin Robinson - Bachelor of Exercise Science – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology 
• Logyn-John Webster - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) 
• Ashton Deer - Bachelor of Exercise Science – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology 
• Joshua Symons – Bachelor of Education (Secondary) 
• Felix Keir – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honour)  
• Robbie Girvan - Bachelor of Information Technology 
• Jack Montgomery - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws 
• Azhagan Slingsby - Bachelor of Commerce 
• Blake Pearce - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• Bentley Duncanson – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) 
• Billy Curley – Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) 
• Conor Towers – Bachelor of Business  
• Dane Craperi – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• Daniel Spicer – Bachelor of Business  
• Jordan Daniels – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• Lochie Linden – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Maritime Engineering)  
• Mitchell Hardy – Bachelor of Exercise Science – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology 
• Riley Kerr – Bachelor of Education (Primary) 
• Tyler Pannach – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• William Pearson – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 
• Benjamin Hore – Bachelor of Arts 
• Ethan Catt – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
• Lachlan Kiehne – Bachelor of Pharmacy 
• Braeden Johnstone – Bachelor of Exercise Science – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology  

Boeing Success  

Congratulations to the following students who have secured apprenticeships as aircraft Maintenance Engineers with Boeing Australia commencing in February 2026; 

•  Isaac Whelan 
• Kallen Wallace-Carr 
• Kalan Melvin  

Rowlands Surveys – Surveyor’s Assistant Opportunity  

Rowlands Surveys Pty Ltd is an established Land Surveying company, servicing North Queensland from its Townsville Office. Rowlands Surveys are looking for an enthusiastic person who may be interested in a career in Surveying.  We would like to offer work experience with the possibility of casual employment over the school holidays for a suitable applicant. Refer Flyer for more information.  

Cowboys Leagues Club – School Based Traineeships 2026 

The Cowboys Leagues Club is excited to welcome applications for our 2026 School Based Traineeship programs! They will be holding 2 information/enrolment sessions in October, and interested students are encouraged to register their attendance and bring along a parent/guardian. Refer attached flyer.  

In these sessions we aim to explain the various Traineeships, what’s involved, and why the Clubs traineeships are an incredible opportunity for students interested in developing a career in Hospitality or obtain a nationally accredited qualification. 

Available Traineeships in 2026 are: 

• Certificate III in Hospitality 
• Certificate III in Business 
• Certificate III in Commercial Cookery 

  To be eligible students will be. 

• Entering years 10 or 11 in 2026 
• Able to have a weekly release day from school 

Podiatry Traineeship Opportunity – Applications close 24 October  

The Podiatrist Trainee Program (Queensland Health) provides an opportunity for eligible students to study Podiatry while working as a Podiatrist trainee in a Queensland Health facility. The successful applicant will study a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine at Charles Sturt University.  If students or parents would like to find out more about an exciting career in Podiatry, THHS will be hosting an information event on Thursday 23rd October, 2025 at 4:30pm. JOIN THE MEETING HERE  

To find out more about this great opportunity please contact Trent Johnston our Director of Podiatry at Trent.Johnston@health.qld.gov.au.  

JCU Scholarships 

With over 50 scholarships available, there’s real support to help cover the costs of starting uni, from textbooks and travel to tech and other essentials. Whether you're heading into your first degree or exploring your options, a scholarship can give you the confidence to focus on your future. 

From study area scholarships to financial help for students who live in regional, rural or remote areas, find a scholarship applicable to you. Visit the Scholarships webpage to view the full eligibility criteria for each scholarship opportunity HERE.      

The Ville – School Based Traineeship & Apprenticeship Opportunities  

In partnership with the team at CTA Training Specialisist (RTO Code 31607), The Ville Resort-Casino are recruiting senior students to be a part of our 2026 programs. Applications close Monday 10 November. See flyer for more information.  

QMEA STEM Unearthed Workshop  

Year 10 students will soon be invited to attend the QMEA STEM Unearthed full-day event. The event is offered to students in year 10 who are seeking an academic pathway of study in year 11 & 12. STEM Unearthed encourages the pursuit of excellence in science and science-related subjects. Students work in small groups to complete STEM based activities focused around the life cycle of resource operations through themes of exploration, extraction and rehabilitation. Industry representatives act as mentors to the students while they work through the activities.  

Job Application Support  

Students who are looking to apply for casual jobs, apprenticeships, or other opportunities, I am available to support you with preparing your resume, cover letter, and general application tips. A strong application can make a big difference, so please take advantage of this assistance if you need it.  

Ms Sheena King | Careers Counsellor  

Year 11 Visual Art

Year 11 Visual Art incursion with Lavinia Letheby.

Awesome mural artist Lavinia Letheby facilitated a large-scale art painting workshop for our year 11 men on Tuesday. The combined ideas of all students were blended into a story of life beneath the sea and included both real and fictional animals in the design. The work progressed in stages, from the initial design brainstorm and sketches, to laying down a background for the work to follow. Lavinia taught us a contemporary method for enlarging designs – potentially up to the size of a multi-storey building – and we applied this method to a series of large canvases. All our young men worked tirelessly all day to establish the groundwork for their large-scale collaborative painting, including creating the background in which the action takes place. The skills that our men learned today will support the development of their body of work over the course of their year 12 artmaking journey. The work on this painting will be continued in class time over the coming weeks and we will keep you updated with the finished results in a future newsletter. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures in the world of senior visual art at IPC!

2025 World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10^th October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

At Ignatius Park College, we took time in our Pastoral Care Lesson on Thursday to go out on the Oval and participate in some old school ball games. This followed by a discussion on Assembly that highlights the importance of fun, sun, friends and being physically active and how this can positively shape mental health and wellbeing.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://ipc.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au

Spirit Squad Youth Group

Changes to Family Details

Please ensure the College is kept informed of any changes to your family circumstances. Residential addresses can be updated directly via Parent Lounge, while any other updates should be advised to the College Office.

Bus News

Please see flyer below, including important information regarding the School Transport Assistance Scheme. 

The following families should reapply for 2026: 

• New families who have not previously applied for STAS
• Families with students going from Year 6 to Year 7 (Year 6 students get dated off the Translink system the day after school finishes this year)
• Families who are changing their children's schools for 2026

If families are already approved for the STAS and any of the above criteria does not apply - THEY DO NEED TO REAPPLY as students automatically roll over to the new year. 

Students who currently have smartcards for all year levels, keep the cards for use again next year.  New cards are no longer issued each year.  Any changes to the students details on the cards are amended automatically on the cards.

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

Voluntary Contributions: With your child’s outcomes at the heart of what we do, voluntary contributions are crucial to the sustainability and advancement of our school. If you did not select to include these optional levies when setting up your Edstart account for the year and you would like to contribute - Please contact Edstart to let them know you would like these levies included in your payments.

Vilton Crasto | Director of Business Operations