Phoenix - Term 1 2022
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 first edition of “The Phoenix” for 2022. Thank you for the positive feedback we have received at the College. I hope you continue to enjoy reading our quarterly newsletter in our second year, providing opportunities, not only to connect as Old Boys, but also to keep you updated on what is happening at Iggy Park. COVID has certainly impacted upon the College this year, not only delaying the commencement of the school year by two weeks, but also restricting many activities that the College would normally celebrate at the beginning of the year such as our Year 12 Awards, beginning of the year Mass and swimming carnival. Despite the restrictions, we were still able to celebrate these events via online using live stream and only had champion swimmers competing in the swimming carnival trialing for the interschool carnival. We will be celebrating our classic swimming carnival later in the year.
Earlier this year we celebrated the achievements of our 2021 graduates who were a magnificent year group. They taught us all how to rally, to “get on with it”. 90% of this cohort gained tertiary offers – 16 in Engineering, 9 in Education, 3 in Law and others in Business, Science and Pharmacy. As Old Boys we were proud of their overall achievement. Academic success doesn’t just happen, it occurs with hard work, dedication and commitment. I would like to acknowledge and applaud our VET students, with over 50 of our school-based apprentices or post school, receiving employment and apprenticeships and 30% of our Year 12 ATAR cohort obtaining an ATAR score greater than 80. I would make a special mention of our 2021 College Dux, Keegan Gedling, who received an impressive ATAR of 97.45 and Lucas Dummett who gained an ATAR score of 94.30. Lucas addressed our College community on behalf of the 2021 Graduates and as an Old Boy, of his gratitude to the College and the need to develop sound study habits. This address to the College is in this newsletter.
Every year as our graduates move through our College and beyond our gates, I am inspired by the quality of young men this College produces. Young men who dream big, who strive hard to be the best they can be and to live the spirit and values of Blessed Edmund Rice in their daily lives making a positive difference in the world. Recently, I received the following email from Orlando Sartori (2021 Graduate) who expressed his reflection on his time at Iggy Park.
Firstly, I would like to express how proud and honoured I am to have graduated from Ignatius Park College as the newest Old Boy 2021. I would like to thank everyone from the Head of School to the teachers and all the support staff at Ignatius Park for their consistent guidance and encouragement over the last 6 years.
It was quite emotional and heartwarming walking into the school once again to attend the 2021 Academic Awards Assembly, and I felt a real sense of pride walking across the stage to accept the Dux of Health and Physical Education.
Ignatius Park College has given me the tools, exposure and confidence to move forward towards my goals for the future. Having thoroughly enjoyed my schooling life and learning under some of the most incredibly impactful teachers, it has inspired me to direct my studies towards education.
I am thrilled to have been accepted into JCU Senior Education this year, majoring in Health and Physical Education and Biology. I have a passion for mentoring and coaching and with my Certificate lll in Fitness and in the final stages of completing an internationally recognised Tennis Coaching Course, I believe I am gaining an abundance of tools, exposure and experience towards my chosen field.
Our 2022 College theme is “Every stride done with pride” which places the ideology that students need to have an innate sense of pride in all that they do in order to realise their potential as they become proud Ignatius Park men. This year is our 53rd year as a College and we aim to acknowledge those who have gone before us and continue to work hard to instill strong interpersonal relationships, respect and community connection in order for Ignatius Park College to stand as a respected educational institution for young men in the North Queensland region.
To stride is to move forward and upwards, it is more than just taking a step, it is taking a risk, covering large ground and setting clear goals and intentionality. “Every Stride done with Pride” is both a nod to the Old Boys of the College and their accomplishments, as well as a connotation that our current students can forge new and exciting directions for the College, while respecting the history and the traditions of the Ignatius Park College through their spirituality, dedication, conduct, dress and academic application. Our vision for our students of 2022 is to encourage them to embrace this ideology that they can make individual choices to be better each day, exposing the entire community to their positivity, excellence, pride and rejuvenation.
If you have driven passed Iggy Park recently you would have noticed the changing landscape at the front of the College. Last year the Brother’s House was removed, and this year, construction has commenced on our new Learning Resource Centre. W&F Constructions were successful tenderers and are constructing this new state of art building. This new building will have flexible spaces to support students in their learning, to encourage their curiosity, problem solving skills and build a sense of innovation. The two story centre is larger than our current library and will have meeting rooms, a media and communication room, break out spaces, a tiered lecture area, a café and outside working area underneath the already established rainforest. This is an exciting development for our college, and we expect the Learning Resource Centre to be completed by August/September this year.
I hope you enjoy our first edition of “The Phoenix” for 2022. Please use this newsletter to share success stories – whether this is our legendary stories from our past of games won or lost on the fields or individual success beyond the gates of Iggy Park, to organise reunions and promote local business amongst other Old Boy’s. If you are organising an Old Boys Reunion, please let us know and we can publicise the event. If you have any stories to share or would like to promote your business, please contact Alix Harrington at the College by email Alix.Harrington@ipc.qld.edu.au
As we enter the Easter season it calls us to be people of change, to reach out to others in love and compassion which may result in us being criticised and crucified for our efforts. God expressed his extraordinarily love for Jesus in the resurrection. We to as a community need to celebrate Jesus’ love for us during Easter and how we can be a voice for those broken, lost and marginalized in our society. I wish all Alumni a Holy and Blessed Easter.
Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever.
Shaun Clarke | Principal
Reflection from Lucas Dummett
Dear Students and Teachers,
I just want to start by thanking you all for gathering here today and celebrating the achievements of all the old boys from 2021. For those who don’t know me, my name is Lucas Dummett, and I was the prefect for Liberating Education last year. Since Graduating I have been accepted into James Cook University to study Engineering with honours.
Today I was asked to give a summary of any lessons that I picked up while studying last year. The main idea that repeatedly came to mind when thinking of what I had learnt, was to give yourself the time of day to breathe. Sometimes last year, I felt as if all my schooling, sporting, and working commitments were crushing down on me so much that I couldn’t breathe. But to get out of that trap, I occasionally took time off work every couple of weekends so that I had the chance to reset. I also tried to let people know when I needed some help. We all have heaps of people in our lives – family, mates, teachers – who are there to give us a hand; we just need to ask.
Burning out is a real thing, but if you can keep working hard throughout the year to keep track of not only your work but yourself and how you’re travelling, you’ll be able to keep up with school and stay healthy.
To the senior lads and Year 11’s, I know a lot of you are probably stressed about your grades, your exams and your current predicted ATAR. Just remember though, that focusing on what your current marks are, and what a random ATAR calculator you found on google says about your predicted score, isn’t going to get you the ranking you want to achieve. You just need to focus yourself on working as hard as you can for each assessment, one after the other, and worry about your ATAR scores after you’ve put all your energy into every assignment or exam.
But aside from the stress of grades and schooling, the major thing I struggled with throughout the year was coming back from breaking my leg. It hit me hard to watch my best mates play footy with the First XIII while I sat on the sidelines, but instead of giving it up like I considered so many times, I pushed harder to make the team. I know that not all of you play footy, and hopefully won’t be breaking your leg, but the same message goes with academics because everyone has setbacks. You might fail an assignment or bomb an exam; your ATAR score might not be what you were aiming for. Even if you do have plans to go to university the year after you’ve graduated, it doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. But remember that you don’t have to make life decisions as soon as you leave the gates for the last time. There’s plenty of time to decide when you’re ready. Most importantly, you can get back up from adversity lads. No matter what grade you are, don’t let anything break you. Keep pushing for what your goals are, and don’t stop until you reach them.
Thank you for listening, and especially thank you for having us Old Boys back to receive these awards. I think I can speak on behalf of all of us in saying how appreciative and proud we are to accept them. I know that Iggy Park meant a lot to all of us and we’re proud to be heading into the future as old boys.
Lucas Dummett | Graduate 2021
Reflection from Br. Jon Hansen cfc
Our Lady’s Mount, St John Fishers, Ignatius Park Old Boys and the School Community,
As many of you are aware, I, Br Jon Hansen, have been at IPC from 1992 under the Principalship of Br Tony White, Br Steve Grundy, Br Paul Conn, Mr Michael Conn and Mr Shaun Clarke.
Before 1992 I had taught at St Josephs, Gregory Terrace , 1971 -1972.
St Stanislaus College, Rockhampton, ( now Emmaus College ), 1973 – 1985.
Nudgee Junior College, Indooroopilly, Brisbane, ( now Ambrose Treacy College), 1986.
St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane, 1987-1991.
In 1992 the school population was around the 500 mark. Since then it has grown to 1100 students due to a number of factors including the growth of Townsville, the influx of Defence Personnel and the expanding Voc ED Student Program and Curriculum choices at IPC, including the Cultural and Sporting opportunities in their development programs.
During Br Tony White’s 2nd tenure as Principal, 1990-1994,(His first was from 1974 to 1979 during which time the School Pool was built ) we saw the Celtic Cross from Our Lady’s Mount erected in the Quadrangle; The Honour Board for Old Boys who had served in the Armed Forces set up near the Library; The quadrangle with improved shade and trees and the 25 years Jubilee in 1994. We also won the Christian Brothers’ National Cricket Week in 1994.
Br Steve Grundy’s time at IPC, 1995-1998, saw the Edmund Rice garden and statue established; The Mervyn Smith Performing Arts block built; Expansion of Computer Graphics; and the Commerce / Business area set up. This included the Ben Bonomini Auditorium now known as “Big Ben “.
Developments during Br Paul Conn’s years, 1998 – 2002, included the opening of a Sacred Space and the appointment of a Director of Mission for the spiritual formation of our students; The Uniform Shop; The Edmund Rice room for members of the Leadership Team; The Hospitality area and expansion of Science Facilities; Work on the rainforest; The introduction in 2000 of the new House system with 5 Houses named after 5 Christian Brothers, Baillie (The first Principal of St John Fishers ), Nolan (The first Principal of Our Lady’s Mount ), Reid (The first Principal of IPC ), Rice (the first Christian Brother ), Treacy ( The first Christian Brother in Australia ) The Blue and White Ball, 2001, celebrating 90 years of the presence of the Christian Brothers in Townsville. 2001 also saw the inaugural Rugby trip to England and Ireland during the September holidays.
Mr Michael Conn’s Tenure as Principal, 2003 – 2017, saw the most significant opening of the new Administration Office at the entrance to the school in 2007; The expansion of the House system with 2 new Houses, Carew and Putney , to allow for the increasing student numbers; The introduction of the TCLC Program with our Senior students working with the younger students at the Townsville Community Learning Centre; The 40 years Celebration in 2009; The opening of the new Year 7 Building in 2014, in preparation for the first group of Year 7’s in 2015. This was also a successful sporting time with the College being QLD, Rugby League Champions in 2004 and winning the 2008 Confraternity Carnival for the first time. As Edmund Rice Australia expanded, so did the opportunities for our students to be involved in South Africa visits, India Immersion excursions and Edmund Rice Beyond Borders experiences.
And now Mr Shaun Clarke’s time as Principal starting in 2018. A welcome history of the College and of the Christian Brothers from 2011 has been put on posters around the College; The long promised School Chapel was opened in late 2018; A very successful 50th Jubilee was held in 2019 and the new Learning Resource Centre is underway on the previous Brothers’ House site which sadly but ultimately had to be replaced since there were no longer residents there.
The Brothers’ House at IPC has always been a place of welcome. Both the Staff and the Old Boys knew that they could always call in at any time for a visit and many did. In pre-mobile phone days, all students were aware that they could approach the House in order to use the phone if they were stuck after school hours. They were also aware that they were welcome on weekends if they needed to get access to the school area or their lockers. There was a motel style area downstairs used by many visitors to IPC and by new staff to the school while they were trying to find their own accommodation. It was also a pleasure to have Mr Paddy Carew live with us in the nineties and early 2000’s. Most recently the House was used to shelter some single people from out of town and some small family groups seeking refuge during the 2019 floods.
Finally, may I ask you to keep in your memories and prayers the following members of staff who have passed away in the last two years:
Br Rocky Rochford
Br Peter Coe
Mrs Marilyn Parsons
Mr Keith Brady
Br Dennis Pottinger
Mr Paul Fanning
May they rest in peace
Br Jon Hansen
Australian Rowing Championships
Last week we wished Goodluck to Year 12 Student Noah Lau and Iggy Old Boys Zachary Skipp and Reilly Williams who are competing at the Australian Rowing Championships from 28th March - 3rd April on the Nagambie Lake, Victoria.
You can cheer the boys along via the live stream here:
First XIII Rugby League
The First XIII Rugby League played their first trial match this month against Kirwan State High School, we are chuffed to announce Iggy Park victorious over the Bears 20 - 14
As always, the IPC Rugby League programme would not be possible without the many generous sponsors, we have on board many of whom are Iggy Old Boys.
Thank you to those sponsors;
- Brothers Leagues Club
- Waltlec Industries
- Battery World
- 102.3 Triple M
- Pacific Islands International
- Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers
- RMS Engineering
- TEM
Old Boy's Week
Ignatius Park College would like to invite Old Boys from all over Australia to be a part of our annual ‘Old Boys Week’. This is an opportunity which several old boys supported last year, and we are hoping for this to grow again in 2022. The week involves Old boys sharing their schooling and post-schooling experiences with the current student body and giving them advice on what they have been through. We have found that the students respond very positively to seeing and hearing from our past students regardless of what exposure they have had in their careers. Whether you are a builder, an artist, an accountant or an engineer, our students would benefit from hearing your story. There will also be an opportunity for old boys to reconnect with one another throughout the week. If you feel you can offer something, whether it be a talk with our some of our students, or a full school presentation, please contact Alix Harrington at the College by email Alix.Harrington@ipc.qld.edu.au to confirm your availability.
At this stage we are looking at the 13th – 17th of June 2022.
John Deer | Dean of Well-Being
Sponsorship Opportunities
Our Ignatius Park College Open and Junior Basketball teams will be travelling to Brisbane to compete in the Champion Basketball School of Queensland competition in Brisbane later this year. We have some incredible sponsorship opportunities up for grabs.
If you have a business or know someone with a business who might be interested in sponsoring our Basketball programme, please contact Alix Harrington at the College by email Alix.Harrington@ipc.qld.edu.au
Congratulations
Iggy Old Boy, Connor Anderson who this month graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honours.
Iggy Old Boy 2015, Kaylyn Ponga who was announced to Captain the Newcastle Knights alongside Jayden Brailey this year in the NRL Telstra Premiership Season.
Iggy Old Boy, Andrew Walters, who was awarded the Seniors Sports Award at the Townsville Australia Day Awards Ceremony in January.
Iggy Old Boy, Luke Jack who was awarded the Senior Burdekin Sportsperson of the year award at the Burdekin Australia Day Awards Ceremony in January.
Vale
The College passes their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the following Old Boys and any other member of our College who has passed away.
- Frank Kolodziejczyk sadly passed away in March
Old Boys Advertising
Please contact oldboys@ipc.qld.edu.au if you would like to advertise your Old Boy business FOR FREE in this section.