Phoenix - Term 4 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 final edition of “The Phoenix” for 2022. This is our second year of producing our newsletter and I do hope you have enjoyed reading our quarterly newsletter providing opportunities not only to connect as old boys but also to keep you updated on what is happening at Iggy Park. It only seems like yesterday that we were commencing the academic school year and have now farewelled over 150 Year 12 graduates who have become old boys of the College. It was an absolute privilege to attend their final liturgy, as it was a celebration of their time at Iggy Park and the deep sense of “Brotherhood” that they had for each other. The liturgy through word, poetry, and music allowed them to reflect on their cherished memories and experiences that they have encountered over the past six years at the college that has made them truly “Iggy Men”. Both Riley Innes (College Captain) and Oliver Oh (College Vice-Captain) gave a heartfelt speech on what the College has given them, and they will always remember “The Park”. The liturgy was an important Rite of Passage not only through the “Tunnel of Love” where the whole College community farewell the students, symbolizing that this chapter in their life closes and a new one opens, but also that their character and values have been formed through their presence at Ignatius Park College and living the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice.

My messages to the students were:

Your time at Iggy Park began as young boys, you leave here as fine young men. I hope you leave this College with a strong moral compass; you respect women and never forget where you are coming from. I am so proud of each of you and I hope that you continue to be gentlemen who make a positive difference in the world.

Please remember that: Being Male - Is a matter of birth, Being a Man - Is a matter of age, and Being a Gentleman - Is a matter of choice. Year 12 go forth in your journey being Gentlemen, with Jesus by your side.

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.

It has been an honour and a pleasure to watch you grow into the young gentlemen that are here before me, today.  As a College: We will miss you. We will miss the bantar. We will miss the interactions. We will miss the stories and successes of your life journey.  Remember to keep in contact. We will miss your friendship, but now it is time to go forth Class of 2022, with pride and the acknowledgment that you are sons of Ignatius Park College.

As the 2022 school year draws to a close, we have much to celebrate within the College. Our co-curricular program continues to grow in strength as our boys have been successful in winning the following: Rugby League Confraternity Shield and the Aaron Payne Cup, Queensland Basketball Championships, All Schools’ Touch Football Competition, and the State Netball Finals. Our Rowing team has received eight medals at State Championships. As a College of 950 students, we have had over 135 students selected for NQ representation with many students continuing on to represent their sport at both state and national levels.

Likewise, our College has continued to build strong external partnerships to provide opportunities for our students to engage in skills and abilities to prepare them for a changing world. This includes our work with QMEA that has given students experiences through the HyWay Program - students discovering the future use of hydrogen to generate power, students participated in Engineering and Trades Camp in Mount Isa and a STEM Unearthed workshop sponsored by Bravus Mining and Resources.  The College has been in partnership with Zenva Academy to provide students with access to Digital Learning and Resources where our students are now involved in robotics incursions and events such as RoboRave. We’ve continued to build our relationship with James Cook University and are excited to see our students having an opportunity to engage more closely with disciplines such as Engineering.

In 2022 our creative arts continued to flourish. We now have music ensembles, including Junior, Middle and Senior bands as well as vocal ensembles. The College won 1^st and 2^nd in senior drama at the Townsville Eisteddfod. Senior Drama students attended a Queensland Theatre residency and were chosen to participate in Sparks, a program that supports First Nations playwrights. Our Instrumental Co-ordinator, Ms Tess Higgins, this year developed a new school song, writing the music and lyrics that are now performed at assemblies.

This year our focus has been the upgrading of our infrastructure at the College. As part of our Master Plan this year we have commenced upgrading classrooms. The new design of the rooms is not just about delivering content or information but are communities of learners that allow our young men to experience collaboration, communication, and teamwork. This year we have refurbished seven classrooms to ensure they reflect the contemporary design. New furniture which better enables group work, appropriate lighting, improving the acoustics of the rooms to reduce background noise, improve clarity and reduce listening fatigue.

Classroom Refurbishments

One of our greatest achievements this year has been the construction of our new Learning Resource Centre which is almost completed and will be open at the commencement of the 2023 academic year. This development will be the centrepiece of the College and will provide modern contemporary learning spaces for students to learn. The new Learning Resource Centre is going to be flexible, with state-of-the-art technology (including a Virtual Reality Room) and innovative spaces that support students in their learning that encourage their curiosity and problem-solving skills and build a sense of innovation. This building will be officially opened and blessed by Bishop Tim Harris on 22^nd March 2023. Further information on this opening will be distributed in January.

This year we have a few staff who have been at the College for a significant period of time and that includes Marg Hodgson (20 years), Andrew Keane (28 years) Brian Geaney (34 years), Grant Rossiter ( 23 years) and Andrew Kirkpatrick ( 16 years) All have touched the hearts of many students over their years at the College. Each leaves a great legacy at Iggy Park and we will always be indebted for the gift of their presence and years of service. We wish them all the best on their journey beyond Iggy Park.

As we prepare for next year, we congratulate our new student leaders who will leave their legacy to the College. Congratulations to:

College Captain | Nicholas Rowan

Vice-Captain | Daniel Mosch

Prefects

Gospel Spirituality |  Jude Foyle

Justice and Solidarity | Nate Rasink

Liberating Education | Liam Sutton

Inclusive Community |Mitchel Waldon

House Captains/Vice Captains

Putney Captain | Nathaniel Barton | Vice – Matthew Parker

Treacy Captain | Angus Bamford | Vice – Drew Roberts

Rice Captain | Samuel Keir | Vice – Ryan Sutton

Reid Captain | Isaac Seri | Vice | Alvine Njau

Nolan Captain | Matthew Lynch |Vice – Hayden Moore

Carew Captain | Christopher Heagney | Vice – William Buttigieg

Baillie Captain | Scott Swain | Vice – Orlando Parker

Like our 2022 graduates, as alumni, you all leave an important legacy to our College. As Principal each year I am always touched by the way our students have grown from boys to become fine young men – members of a “brotherhood” that will always be connected. I believe Iggy Park is not just about education, it is about how we help young men find purpose in their life, discover their giftedness and to live the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice in the world beyond school.

I wish all Alumni a Holy and Merry Christmas.

Pope Francis calls us to be the light of Christ this Christmas.

“In switching on the light of the Nativity scene, we wish for the light of Christ to be in us. A Christmas without light is not Christmas. Let there be light in the soul, in the heart; let there be forgiveness to others; let there be no hostilities, which are dark. Let there be the beautiful light of Jesus. This is my wish for all of you, when you turn on the light of the crib.”

Shaun Clarke | Principal

Learning Resource Centre Update

As we near the completion of the new Learning Resource Centre we are excited to welcome students into their new learning spaces in January.  It is an exciting new development for the College equipped with technology that will ensure we are future-proofing studies at IPC.

Take a sneak peek inside!

LRC November Update

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Become a part of IPC history

The College will be landscaping the area surrounding the new Learning Resource Centre, including a walking trail from the Edmund Rice statue to a yarning circle. There is an opportunity for Iggy Old Boys to purchase a brick to place along this trail so your name can be a part of our history. If you are interested in buying a brick, please click the link below:

We hope to be able to share with you the landscaping drawings for the space in the new year. 

Old Boys Success: Ticket to NIDA 2023 | Austin Keane

Congratulations to 2022 Graduate Austin Keane, who was recently accepted to NIDA for 2023. Austin will commence studying Theatre at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney.

NIDA is a highly prestigious institute with many of Australia's leading actors and directors trained here. Including Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson, Judy Davis and Baz Luhrman.

Austin studied Drama during his six years at Iggy Park and was also a part of this year's Combined Schools Musical Beauty and the Beast.

Well done, Austin; we can't wait to follow your NIDA journey!

Old Boys Success: 42KM in picturesque Athens | Tristan Nelliman-Adams

Iggy Park Old Boy and current Journey to Jobs officer Tristan Nelliman-Adams was recently given the opportunity of a lifetime through the IMP program! Tristan opened up about his journey to Athens and again about the gruelling mental battle of running 42km uphill! 

We're incredibly proud of Tristan and his dedication to the IMP program throughout 2021 and 2022 and we couldn't be prouder to have him as an Iggy Old Boy and current staff member.  

Read about his journey below!

Athens Marathon Recap

"This has taken me quite a very long time to write this post as I just haven’t been able to put what I experienced into words but I owe it to everyone to share with you all the highs and lows of what took place during the Athens marathon

Exactly 1 month ago to the day I as well as a member of 2020, 2021 and 2022 IMP Squads were on the other side of the planet to participate in the Authentic Athens Marathon, the original marathon! The overseas experience and travelling internationally were my highlight of the trip for someone who was an international newbie, it was a privilege to be given the chance to travel to the other side of the planet through the Indigenous Marathon Foundation!

The lead-up to the race was amazing, hanging out with the IMP family was amazing, seeing the Old Olympic Stadium where we would be finishing was amazing, seeing the sights of Athens was amazing and the excitement of the Race Expo was amazing! It was all building to a pretty special run that was going to take place!

On the day of the marathon, the vibes were high not just from us but the other 17,000 participants that were about to take place in the Athens Marathon! We walked from our hotel to the bus that would take us out to the starting line and I remember it being absolutely freezing for a Far North Queensland boy! The bus took us out to the town of Marathon where we would be starting the race. I remember watching the sunrise over the coastline of Greece out the window of the bus and it was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life.

Before the race it was absolutely phenomenal having music pumping, thousands of people getting ready and our little IMP crew from all over Australia about to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the world stage! And before too long, the starting gun fired and we were off…

For the first 6-7km’s, I eased into the race and ran in a little pack with Verhonda Smith, Clinton Bennell and Morgan Lane and we had so much fun as the excitement was high that we were running an international marathon! We would have people run past us yelling “Go Australia” and then also had people running past us saying “Wallabies suck” so we certainly had an enjoyable start to the race! At around the 8km mark, I fell into a really good groove and ran ahead of our little IMP pack running comfortably and taking in the mountains that surrounded us as well as the beautiful Greek culture that was on display through the older ladies traditionally dancing and the kids handing out olive branches on the side of the road!

At around 15km is where things go downhill. I was running and due to the uneven ground, I stepped awkwardly in a little divert and instantly felt a sharp intense pain both underneath and on the top of my left foot. This severely affected me and due to this, I began to find it extremely uncomfortable to run after a while I stopped and walked. This broke me because I didn’t expect to be walking so early into the race/not at all but the pain was too intense. I found it extremely painful to even put any weight on my foot and literally hobbled/limped on one leg for 10km. At that stage, Clinton, Morgan and Bonnie had caught up to me and overtaken me I was proud of them for pushing through their own demons. The 15-25km mark was probably one of the darkest moments in my life where I was unable to run or walk and literally limped/hobbled on 1 leg for 10 km. I was in so much pain physically and mentally in a very dark place.  At the 25km mark, I saw a tent that had physio tables set up so I approached the team and told them I was hurting. They told me to take off my left shoe and once I did I remember my foot swelling up to the size of a balloon at that stage visually seeing what was causing me pain broke me. They assessed the pain and ushered me into a nearby ambulance, where the paramedics believed I had several stress fractures in my foot combined with my previous history of Plantar Fasciitis. I spent about 30mins in the ambulance before the paramedics told me my race was done and they would give me a lift back to the finish line.

Imagine training for months, trying to be accountable to me and everyone else who supported my journey in the lead-up to Athens, travelling all the way over to the other side of the world to hear people say “You’re done”. It hurt mentally and emotionally and as I sat in the ambulance crying I thought to myself I didn’t travel to Greece and put on the Yellow IMP Singlet to not finish this marathon. At that stage, they had taken my left shoe off me and as unfortunate as it was another man had passed out nearby so the paramedics rushed over to help him out. When they left to assist him, I put my shoe back on (without even tieing my shoelace), had some Panadol and I remember telling myself “You’re going to finish this damn marathon” and off I went back on the course….As the Panadols began to kick in and the pain subsided, I knew I had 17kms to go before they would most likely wear off and I would be back experiencing the same hurt I was beforehand so I mustered everything I had in me and began to run again. I ran/walked for the next 14kms and to say it was an effort was an understatement. I probably cried at least every km because of the pain I was in. I was delusional and remember seeing things and having conversations with people in my head that weren’t there in real life. I remember speaking to Coach Damian in my mind saying “It’s just so hard coach, I don’t know if I can do this” and he spoke back to me saying “I know Trist but you’re nearly there just keep moving”…all of this happening within my own brain. I was in a whole different world of mental pain that I had never experienced before.

With about 3kms to go, I finally came to the realisation that I was going to finish this marathon and tears of joy streamed down my face. As I made my way through the streets of Athens and enjoyed the last part of the race and atmosphere of the Greek people, I saw ahead what looked like a yellow singlet turn a corner. I raced ahead and realised it was Bonnie and Clinton who were also hurting and seeing them gave me my 2nd wind for the last 3kms. We ran together, laughed together and cried together about what we had just been through and we thought “Let’s just finish together hand-in-hand”…and we did exactly that. As we ran down the home stretch all 3 of us were filled with such elation and adrenaline. I remember the stadium was packed but in the distance, you could see the rest of the IMP crew waiting for us with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag flying proudly in the air!

We crossed the finish line hand-in-hand and completed the Authentic Athens Marathon! Coach Damian Tuck embraced me and handed me the Torres Strait Islander Flag to which I cried uncontrollably to him but he quickly assured me that what I had just been through was tough and I had just become a 2x Marathoner!

So many things went wrong for me and it has taken its toll on me mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It has taken me 4 weeks to post about it because in my head whenever I think of the marathon I think of a nightmare run where I was in agonising pain for the majority of it…but I know deep down in my mind and in my heart, I’m so proud of myself. I faced some demons and was in a pretty dark place but I pulled myself out and continued when most people would have quit.

I’ve always been the most positive person in the world with a glass-half-full mindset.

Was the marathon the most physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually toughest thing I’ve ever done in your life? Yes, it was.

Would I run another marathon? Yes, I would.

Thank you everyone for sending your congratulations to me and for reaching out to me after the last month.

Thank you to The Indigenous Marathon Foundation for giving me this incredible opportunity and for showing not just me but other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women what we are truly capable of.

Since coming home I’ve been very drained mentally and have tried to bottle up my emotions and have been a bit “quiet” but I am starting to get back into the groove of things. Thank you for the love and I hope I made you all proud and you now know what I went through in the Athens Marathon.

I started this journey trying to inspire Indigenous First Nations People all around the world but quickly grew into just inspiring everyone regardless of race, colour, language or culture.

I used the hashtags #WeAreProud #WeAreStrong #WeAreStillHere as my mantra…and I’m honestly proud to say…#IAmProud #IAmStrong #IAmStillHere

Tristan Nelliman-Adams | IMP Graduate #119

2x Marathoner 

Athens Marathon

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Old Boys Success: Shibasaki signs for 2023

Congratulations to Gehamat Shibasaki, who has inked a one-year deal with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys for the 2023 Season. 

Since graduating from the College in 2015, Gehamat has made 13 NRL appearances for the Brisbane Broncos, 14 for the Newcastle Knights and returned earlier this year from playing Japanese Rugby. 

Shibasaki will be joined at the Cows in 2023 by his younger brother and 2022 graduate Jamal Shibasaki who will join the Young Guns program.

Seeing these two talented football players remain in North Queensland is fantastic.

Co-Curricular

RUGBY LEAGUE FIRST XIII

The final episode to wrap up a fantastic 2022 season for the College's First XIII Rugby League Team.  

THE PARK | Episode 5

IGNATIUS PARK COLLEGE APPOINTS NEW COACHING STAFF FOR RUGBY LEAGUE PROGRAM

Ignatius Park College has stamped itself as delivering one of the best Rugby League Programs in the country for School Boys' football, creating elite pathways for the  Hostplus Cup and the NRL, all while delivering a quality boy-friendly education.

With the departure of long-term Head Coach Steven Lansley at the end of the 2022 Season, the College has restructured the Rugby League Program to ensure we can continue to deliver this elite program for many years to come.

2023 COACHING ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR FIRST XIII AND COWBOYS CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENT TEAM:

First XIII Head Coach | ZEB KYLE

Zeb joins the College in 2023 bringing with him a wealth of experience in the Rugby League space, an ex-player himself at QCUP Level for South’s Logan, Super League U/17 NQ Cowboys, NQ Marlins, QLD Outback and Mount Isa Foley Shield, Zeb is a welcomed addition to the IPC Rugby League Program.  His coaching experience speaks for itself having been at the helm for Brothers U/19 and the assistant coach for Townsville Black Hawks U/18 and U/21.

Zeb is currently coaching the Townsville Blackhawks U/18s and North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns Assistant.

Zeb states “The Ignatius Park College Rugby League Program is arguably one of the best in the country at giving graduates the opportunity to play top-level rugby league while prioritising becoming quality young men first and foremost. I have a passion as a Coach to help young Rugby League Players reach their potential both on and off the field, which is why I am humbled and grateful to be given the opportunity to coach the First XIII at Ignatius Park College.”

Joined by

ASSISTANT COACHES | Tristan Nelliman-Adams and Jaelen Feeney

Strength and Conditioning Coach | Matthew Stark

FIRST XIII TEAM MANAGER | Mark Holmes

U/15 COWBOYS CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENT TEAM COACH | Gerry Escalada

U/15 COWBOYS CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENT TEAM ASSISTANT COACH | Liam Dunne

U/15 COWBOYS CHALLENGE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH | Matthew Johnston

U/15 COWBOYS CHALLENGE DEVELOPMENT TEAM MANAGER | Mark Holmes

This new look structure and coaching lineup for the IPC First XIII and the U/15 Cowboys Challenge Development Squad further cements Ignatius Park College as a leader in elite pathways for School Boys Rugby League and ensures a prosperous future for the Program to continue to expand in the coming years.  The College is proud to welcome students into the program from Regional QLD, NSW and across the ditch in New Zealand.

Ignatius Park College Principal Mr Shaun Clarke speaks about the appointment of the new look Rugby League Program Team “The College is excited to have Zeb Kyle join the Rugby League Program, his wealth of experience and knowledge was hard to look past when recruiting for this role.  Zeb will be supported by a great team around him to continue the development and success of our Rugby League Program at Iggy Park.  Zeb will bring an exciting new dimension and dynamic to the teams which will allow us to excel further during competitions and build upon an already successful program in 2023.”

Read more here: https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/i-dont-want-boring-new-coach-zeb-kyle-vows-to-electrify-ignatius-park-college-rugby-league-team/news-story/9627578aae05ae0b89fd602d4e06bc7d

COMBINED SCHOOLS' MUSICAL 2023

He’s a quirky 1976 gangster movie spoof, substituting machine guns that fire gobs of whipped cream instead of bullets.

Strap yourselves in for the musical of the century as we turn the Townsville Civic Theatre into the back alleys of New York City and Chicago.

In partnership with St Patrick's College Townsville and St Margaret Mary's College, Ignatius Park College presents the 2022 Combined Schools’ Musical.

BUGSY MALONE

1 JUNE – 3 JUNE 2023

Townsville Civic Theatre

Reunions

If you're planning a reunion let us know: oldboys@ipc.qld.edu.au

Vale

The College passes its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the following Old Boys and any other member of our College who has passed away. 

• Linda Ryan - Linda was the Principal PA from 1984 until 2009.

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