Phoenix - Term 3 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,

I hope this third edition of The Phoenix newsletter brings back good memories of your time at Ignatius Park College. 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 story and traditions. This sense of connection is about building this story at Iggy Park and honouring our past. While 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.

In term three we celebrated our 53^rd anniversary as a College with a mass celebrated by Bishop Tim Harris, Bishop of Townsville. It is always a pleasure to have the bishop celebrate eucharist at the College, not only is he Patron of the College but brings a wonderful insight into our ethos through his own education in an Edmund Rice school. Our 2022 theme “Every Stride Done with Pride” was the focus of our mass and challenged our students to show pride in themselves, to be creators of their future and to take responsibility to leave a positive legacy at the College. A legacy based on the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, who lived Jesus’ teachings to create a school that actively engages in the Gospel values. It was fitting that our Anniversary mass was an opportunity to reflect upon our own heritage and ensure that we are authentic as a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition. A tradition past down by the Christian Brothers, staff and past students.

Our new Learning Resource Centre is expected to be completed by mid-November. There is great excitement within the College community as we can see this vision coming to fruition. The exteriors of the building are almost completed, and the focus will be the interior designs. The current library at Ignatius Park College was built when the school was established in 1969. This new centre will have state of art technology and will be contemporary in its design supporting students in their learning, to encourage their curiosity, problem solving skills and build a sense of innovation. The skills that are needed in the 21^st Century. The new Learning Resource Centre will have a deck where students can work outside, a café, large lecture theatre, meetings rooms, virtual reality room and furnishings that promote collaborative learning. It is envisaged that the new centre will be occupied by students at the beginning of the 2023 academic year.  

The College will be landscaping the area surrounding the new Learning Resource Centre that will include a walking trail from the Edmund Rice statue to a yarning circle. There will be opportunity for alumni to purchase a brick to place along this trail so your name can be part of our history. If you are interested in purchasing a brick, please refer to the flyer in this edition of “The Phoenix” for more information

The College has recently launched its 2022 – 2025 Strategic Plan. Our strategic plan is entitled “Future for All” and looks towards the future, empowering our students to take risks, be innovative and seize any opportunity thrown your way.

The Alice Springs Education Declaration that was agreed by all states and territories in 2019 calls us to be places of excellence and equity where our students are confident individuals, successful lifelong learners, global citizens and active and informed members of the community. It states: “Our vision is for a world class education system that encourages and support every student to be the very best they can be, no matter where they live or what kind of learning challenges they may face”.

Our strategic plan is about preparing our students for the world as they experience it. It is a world of increasing and rapid change, where adaptability, flexibility and the ability to read the signs of the times are imperatives to liberating their human potential – to becoming who they can be and equipping them to contribute to their world through our Touchstones and the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice. Please take some time to read our strategic plan.

Despite the busyness of the College term, our co-curricular programs continue to be a big part of enhancing student wellbeing and the pride they have representing the College in the blue and white. In term three we had most of our students engaged in a wide variety of sport, including chess, debating and theatre sports. This year Iggy entered for the first time a netball team to compete at a regional level, we ultimately won the regional and ventured onto Brisbane and won the grand finale, to become the best boy’s netball school in Queensland. Likewise, the College has continued to have success in winning the Confraternity in Mackay, Aaron Payne Cup, Townsville Interschool Athletics Carnival, Queensland open basketball championships (2^nd Division) and two students who became the Queensland Open Boys Pair champions at the state regatta. Our junior ensemble also won first place in the Townsville Eisteddfod. All our students continue to excel in our co-curricular program and living the Iggy spirit.

Also, congratulations to Mr. Mark Moxon (Old Boy) who was selected as head coach of the Australian Schools Rugby Union Team that are touring Japan. Mark has been a great advocate of our rugby union program at the College for many years and his appointment reflects his total dedication to this sport.

Currently, the College is developing a new Master Plan for the College. M3 Architects are overseeing the development of the College’s Master Plan. We have just commenced a process of consultation and will be inviting alumni to provide input into this plan. An invitation will be sent to all alumni. The Master Plan is a ten-year plan on the future development of the College, the process of consultation will provide an opportunity to prioritise development that is reflective of the needs of education in the 21^st Century. The master plan will hopefully include several significant projects, and it is an outcome of our 2022 – 2025 College’s Strategic Plan. M3 Architects will carefully examine the opportunities and constraints of our site, including heritage, and develop a master plan that reflects the College’s mission and vision.

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 organize reunions and promote their local business amongst other old boy’s. If you are organizing any Old Boys Reunions, 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 final term please keep in our prayers and thoughts our current Year 12’s, who at the end of the year will be Old Boys, as they prepare for their final assessment and finishing six years at Iggy Park.

Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever.

Shaun Clarke | Principal 

Old Boys Success

Great to see Iggy Old Boys Jai Nuth and Bryce Kenyon kicking goals at UNI QLD becoming a part of the 2023 Executive Team.

Peter Taifalos Iggy Old Boy 2009 has recently opened FRESNO espresso & wine bar.  Located in the heart of Townsville City at 139 Sturt Street be sure to pop in have a coffee or a cocktail and support one of our own!
Follow Peter and his business partners journey here: 

IPC SPORT

RUGBY LEAGUE FIRST XIII 

It was a big year for our IPC First XIII 

The Team took out the Confraternity Shield in June and the Aaron Payne Cup in August.  Unfortunately going down in the final of the Phil Hall Cup to Ipswich State High. 

Thank you to the Townsville businesses who year on year invest in the IPC Rugby League program. Without your generosity we couldn’t have grown and be running hands down the best schoolboys Rugby League program in the North. 

Brothers Leagues Club
Waltlec Industries
Pacific Islands International
Battery World
Townsville Earthmoving
Triple M Townsville
Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers
RMS Engineering & Construction - Australia
Top Notch Turf
EV2 Sportswear Australia
SUPREME PAINTWORKS

THANK YOU

Expressions of interest are now open to sponsor the IPC Rugby League Program, if you would like to look over a sponsorship package, please reach out to Alix.Harrington@ipc.qld.edu.au

Check out EP 3 PART TWO 'THE PARK' Confraternity Carnival 

CBSQ Senior Basketball 

Taking the win in Division 2 at the CBSQ Championships on the Gold Coast!

We sincerely thank  the generous support of local businesses some of which are Old Boys for sponsoring our IPC Basketball Program for 2022.

THANK YOU

Paul Fitzgerald - Grill'd Townsville 

Adrian Garbielli - A Gabrielli Constructions 

Gavin Markwell -  The Markwell Group 

George Gatis - Sixt Car Rental 

Reunions

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. 

• Heather McGuire - Heather was a keen member of the ladies committee in the late 90's and early 2000's and a very active participant of the College Tuckshop.

Old Boys Advertising