Phoenix - Term 4 2023

Acknowledgement of Country

The Ignatius Park College Community would like to humbly acknowledge the Wulgurukaba peoples on whose land our College is located, as well as the Bindal peoples on whose land many of us live and travel across daily. We respectfully thank the elders of this traditional land both past and present for guiding us through the journey of time to where we are today. This spiritual and cultural journey is significant in allowing the freedoms our society has today. As a community we reflect on the history of Australia and its First Nations peoples and ask all elders to guide us to a promising and enriching future. As a community we will continue to develop our minds to be respectful and learn from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders as well as all people who make up this country of Australia.

From the Principal

Dear Alumni,

Welcome to our fourth edition of “The Phoenix” for 2023. As the academic year draws to a close, it is with mixed emotions that I write my last introduction as I will be finishing my principalship of this College and will be enjoying retirement to spend some time with my grandchild. It has been an incredible journey over the past six years filled with academic accomplishments, personal growth, and countless memories that will forever be etched in the history of our beloved institution.

As the principal of Ignatius Park College, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative journey of many students through our school and the wonderful legacy they have each left. This was apparent at our recent final liturgy for our 2023 Year 12’s, although they were emotional leaving the school, they were proud to be part of the College and to continue to live the “Iggy Spirit” to be men that live our values of integrity, pride and commitment. In my final address to the Year 12’s, I stated: “Gentlemen, you have now completed your education here at Iggy Park, an education grounded on the values of Jesus Christ, informed by the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice. I encourage you to use the lessons learnt and values witnessed to serve as a very sound platform to launch yourselves into your future. While we know Iggy Park has been an important part of your life journey, it is now your time to create your own destiny.” 

Every year I have farewell our graduates I am continually inspired by the exceptional character, leadership and commitment to excellence of the men who leave this College. Whether it is through participating in extracurricular activities, engaging in community service, or collaborating on innovative projects, they have always embodied the spirit of Iggy Park. It is the same spirit that I see in many of our old collegians whom I have met over the past six years at functions or conducting many tours around the college.

I hope this edition of “The Phoenix” brings back good memories of your time at Iggy Park. I also hope my short summary of some of the events that are covered in this edition will enable you to reconnect with the story of the College. When we look at all thriving organisations, whether it be schools or your own workplace, all of them have a strength through their connection to stories and traditions. This sense of connection is about building this story at Iggy Park and honouring our past. While the connection to our past is important, our future rests in how this story also connects with our relevance and innovation. I trust that as you read this edition, you will see this in the events and the initiatives at the College.

2023 has proven to be a very successful year once again for the College, giving us much to celebrate regarding the character, commitment and achievements of our students. This year we have continued our focus on academic excellence with 12 students from Years 11 and 12 studying a Diploma of Business at CQU, our Year 10 students won the regional science and engineering challenge, our Year 12 students gained a high distinction in the regional RACI titration competition, and in languages, Ronald Ryan received a 15/15 in his Japanese speaking skills for his FIA3. This was the first time full marks have been awarded for this assessment.

In 2023 the College continued to build strong partnerships with external providers. Our strategic plan calls for us to enhance learning and well-being by pursuing productive partnerships with organisations in our community. This year we have continued to work with QMEA and have been selected by the state government to be a hydrogen focus school in the exploration of using hydrogen in the future. This year we have also partnered strongly with JCU engaging within the university through our Engineering and Legal Studies curriculum. In addition, our Physical Education Faculty has been working collaboratively with the JCU sport and exercise science department and VALD systems to explore how technology can be used to measure human performance. Next year Ignatius Park College will be the second largest deliverer of the Certificate III course in Fitness in Queensland.

Our VET program continues to grow within the College, with this year some 140 students in both Years 11 and 12 involved in work placements. This has included 16 students who, from this experience, have gained school-based apprenticeships. The success of this program is that some 15 Year 12 students will finish at the end of the year and will walk straight into employment.

This year we continue to have success in sports at the College, with over 109 students selected to represent North Queensland School Sports teams. As a College, we also had eleven students selected as Queensland representatives and two students selected to be Australian Representatives. Congratulations to Marcus Bell, who was selected for the U18 Australian mixed touch, and Sean Weir for the U18 Australian Schools Boys Rugby Union. This year we won the Melton Black Shield for Interschool Swimming, Cross Country, and Athletics. At the Interschool Swimming Carnival, we set a new Townsville School Sport Swimming record with Joshua Eggins, Ben Hatchard, Matthew Lynch and Drew Roberts beating the standing record by five seconds. Also, our Year 9/10 soccer team won the EREA National Football Tournament in Brisbane, won the grand final of the U18 Queensland All Schools Touch Football at the Gold Coast and we won the Townsville Senior Debating.

This year our College’s Master Plan has been approved by the EREA. This Master Plan will occur in two stages with the full reconstruction and refurbishment of the whole college which will include new technology areas, an auditorium, a well-being centre, staff facilities and specialist arts area. Next year it is planned to commence the first stage of the Master Plan, which includes refurbishment and upgrade of all our science laboratories. The master plan includes a number of significant projects, and it is an outcome of the College’s Strategic Plan. M3 Architects have carefully examined the opportunities and constraints of our site, including heritage, and developed a master plan that reflects the College’s mission and vision.

In continuing the development of the College, our 2023 Year 12’s has raised money to install an electronic scoreboard on field one. This has been an ambitious task by our students who wanted to leave a legacy at the school by their year level. This year they have engaged many fund-raising activities, including a car raffle that was drawn at their graduation night. We are currently having discussions with Brothers Rugby Union Club who will also contribute to the costs of instalment. This is a wonderful achievement by the 2023 Year 12 cohort.

For our new old collegians who maybe reading this newsletter for the first time. As you embark on new adventures and pursue your diverse goals, please remember that you will always have a home here at Iggy Park. Our doors are forever open to welcome you back, and we eagerly await the opportunity to hear about your future successes and endeavours.

I encourage you to stay connected with your alma mater and fellow alumni. The bonds forged during your time here are the foundation of a lifelong network that can offer support, guidance, and camaraderie. Our college's success is measured not only by the achievements of its current students but also by the accomplishments of its esteemed alumni. You are now part of that proud tradition.

Finally, as we enter the season of Advent, we are reminded that Christmas is a celebration of love and compassion—the extraordinary act of kindness that occurred in a humble manger more than two thousand years ago. It is the story of a miraculous birth, a symbol of hope and redemption that has inspired countless generations. The birth of Jesus Christ, heralded by angels and witnessed by shepherds and wise men, signifies the arrival of a saviour—a beacon of light in a world that often grapples with darkness.

Beyond the religious narrative, Christmas serves as a universal call to compassion and generosity. It is a season that prompts us to look beyond ourselves and reach out to those in need. Whether through acts of charity, volunteering, or simply extending a kind word, Christmas beckons us to embody the spirit of giving. In a world often marked by division, as we see currently in the Ukraine and between Israel and Palestine. Christmas provides an opportunity to unite in the common pursuit of making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Thank you to all old collegians for your support as principal of this great College. It has been an honour and a pleasure.

In the spirit of Christmas, I wish each and every one of you a joyous and meaningful celebration. May the essence of Christmas continue to resonate in our hearts throughout the coming year.

Remember to always be proud to be an Iggy Boy!

Live Jesus in our Hearts.

Forever.

Shaun Clarke | Principal 

Blue and White Malaria Award

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge a student who lives the Edmund Rice tradition through his actions. Recently, we received information from a student who wanted to recognise one of his peers for an action he had taken in the community.  

He wrote the following: 

Mr Clarke, 

I want to talk about a student I believe is a true catholic brother. 

A year 9 student on Monday, 16 October, helped save a man's life. This student and his family were on their way to drop him off at school, when they came across a motorbike accident. Instead of driving away like many others have, this student convinced his parents to stop and help a man that he didn't know and didn't have to help. This student helped gather other cars to the location and collected all the medical kits from the cars he could find. He comforted the man while another tied a belt around his leg to stop the bleeding. The man had lost his whole calve and a lot of blood as well as sustaining a serious head injury. This student helped in preventing this man from dying for multiple hours. When the ambulance arrived, they told the group that without the combined efforts of this group, that man would have surely died. 

This student has only told me that he didn't want to try to claim credit for this act, as he called it 'doing the right thing'. I truly believe this is a heroic act that the school should recognise.

 I, too, believe, along with this student, that this should be recognised, and I believe that he is truly living the Edmund Rice tradition and being a brother to others. Edmunr RIce wanted his students to be change agents, and this student truly lives our tradition established over two hundred years ago. 

It is with great pleasure that in my final term at the College, I will present the third Blue Malaria Shirt for the year. The Blue and White Malaria Shirt is a shirt that is given to a student who actively lives our College values to live the Edmund Rice Spirit and make a positive difference in the world where they are not thinking about themselves but the wellbeing of others, where their actions move from the ordinary to the extraordinary. 

Only five awards have been given out during my six years at the College. 

Can we please, as a community, acknowledge this Year 9 student who was a real brother, thinking of the wellbeing of another before himself.

We have presented the Blue Malaria Shirt to Year 9 Baillie Student - Kevin Ross. 

Shaun Clarke |  College Principal 

2024 Confraternity Carnival

We will have sponsorship packages up for grabs for the upcoming Carnival, it's a great way to put your business in front of 10,000 + People over a 1 week period!

If you are interested in taking a look, please reach out to the Confraternity Organising Committee: 

confro2024@ipc.qld.edu.au

Old Boy Visits 

This term, we were thrilled to welcome back Iggy Old Boy and current RSL committee member Mr Colin Mosch! Mr Mosch presented the 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 to our Year 7 students. This initiative has been launched 𝙍𝙎𝙇 𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿 to teach students about the significance of Remembrance Day and encourage remembrance through art. The activity has connected veterans with students from participating schools, each nominated by a local RSL Sub Branch.

Blue Tree

Mental Health Week 2023 saw the Healthy Minds Crew establish the Blue Tree which now stands proudly in our brand new landscaped area in the LRC Gardens.

This one will surely go down in the history books for the Iggy Park College community with the very special launch of our Blue Tree.

Check out this video that explains the journey and the why!

Success Stories

In the world of Schoolboy Rugby, it's not often that you come across a talent as exceptional as Sean Weir, a student here at Ignatius Park College, Sean recently made waves in the Townsville Rugby Union scene as he donned the green and gold to represent Australia in the U18 Rugby Union Schoolboys side during the September school holidays. With a remarkable performance, Sean left an indelible mark on the Rugby field, proving himself as a true rising star. 

The pinnacle of representing Australia is an honour few schoolboy athletes experience, representing their country on the international stage! In his first encounter, Sean faced off against the Australian Barbarians team, once known for strong competition. The match was an intense battle with spectators on the edge of their seats. In the end, though, the Australian team emerged victorious with a scoreline of 24 to 17. This victory set the stage for the test match against Tonga, and Sean again played a critical role in securing another victory for the Aussie team! The final scoreline between Aus and Tonga read 50 to 26, firmly establishing the Australian Schoolboys as a dominant force on the Rugby Field. 

The selection in this team is a testament to Sean's talent and hard work. As a community, we are proud of his incredible achievements and how he represents the College. We hope that other students look up to Sean as an example of what they can do when they set their minds to something. 

The College looks forward to seeing Sean continue his success in school and on the Rugby Union field. 

From the Iggy Park Community - Well done, Sean. 

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