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Phoenix - Term 2 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 of Iggy Park,

Living our motto “Seek Truth”

Welcome to our second edition of “The Phoenix” for 2023. As always, I hope the newsletter finds you well, and reading it gives you fond memories of your time at Iggy Park. I often get asked by potential parents - what is the “spirit” of the College? I believe the “spirit” of the College is not in our buildings, but in the character of the graduates who leave the College each year. It is always my hope that we at Iggy Park provide a safe and happy environment where students can be the best they can be, encouraging them to succeed in their academic achievements allied with involvement in co-curricular activities, including drama, music, and arts in order to assist their social and personal development. What makes “Iggy Park” a special place is not just our academics and sports, but the charism and values of Edmund Rice that permeate the life of the College and is witnessed in all our interactions and relationships that occur between members of the school community. This is central to the very fabric of our College and is lived out in the myriads of actions and interactions that are part of the daily life of our school. The characteristic spirit of Iggy Park I believe is to provide a strong moral and spiritual compass where our graduates continue to contribute to the good of society and make a difference in our world.

An example of this “spirit” was the presentation of the Blue and White Malaria Shirt to two Year 12 students. The “Blue and White Malaria Shirt” is a shirt that is seldom given out. It is given to students who actively live our College values and 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.

Both William Buttigieg and George Ogilvie (Year 12) who through their altruistic action supported an elderly person at risk. On the way home from school, both students saw a woman with no shoes walking along the middle of the road. They stopped to ask the woman if she needed help and she stated she did not know how to get home. They assisted her off the road, went to the local Night Owl, and purchased her some shoes so she wouldn’t injure her feet. The students tried to ring some nursing homes to see if any of their residents were missing but to no avail. The elderly woman was agitated and wanted to keep walking in the middle of the road. George sat down with the woman to make her feel calm while William called 000 to get an ambulance to assist this elderly woman who had dementia. She wanted to move again so the students walked with her to the nearest bus stop, ensuring her safety until the ambulance arrived. The ambulance was able to successfully take her back to her residence. This action by William and George reflects our call to live the Touchstones in an authentic way.

Both students could have said this is not my problem and drive on, but they didn’t. They didn’t have to buy her shoes, but they did. They could have left her walking along the road, but they didn’t, and they didn’t have to ring any of the aged homes or the 000 but they did? They stopped because they cared for her safety and well-being and truly lived out our motto to “Seek Truth” and were definitely living the true understanding of brotherhood – to reach out to others.

During the past school holidays, our 1^st XV Rugby Union students participated in a tour of New Zealand. This is the first overseas tour the College has engaged in since the pandemic. I was pleased to also receive the following email from a business owner of thermal springs in New Zealand again typify the “spirit” of Iggy Park.

I would like to express my pleasure in observing the manners of your 1^st XV Rugby team that is currently on tour in New Zealand. We had the pleasure of their company at our beautiful park, Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

It was truly beautiful to see that young men representing not only their sport and school but their town and community with outstanding manners. Each young man that I served used their manners and wished me a lovely or a good day. You should be very proud to know that as they tour New Zealand that you should have no concerns while they are away.

As a College, we are always proud of our academic achievements with over 43% of students last year achieving an ATAR of 80 and above, and the educational outcomes of many of our students who have undertaken a vocational pathway and completed a Diploma, Certificates and/or School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Our aim also is our vision to develop and educate boys to become men of wisdom, service and quiet strength. In a complex and fast-paced world, our young men get mixed messages about what it means to be a man. It is important we continue to provide a full education that goes beyond academic learning. Our Iggy Park values provide an important spiritual and moral framework for us to deliver an education that not only delivers an engaging and challenging classroom curriculum, but one that also develops social skills and compassion to the needs of others. This is reflected in our stories above with our students engaging in the wider community.

While I am sure you remember some of those fine teachers who inspired you in the classroom, I trust that your fond memories of Iggy Park will also include the many co-curricular activities and the many things outside the classroom and the values that were instilled upon you in the College.

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 their local business amongst other old boy’s. If you are organizing and Old Boys Reunion, please let us know and we can publicise the event. This year we already have four school tours organised by old boy reunions. If you have any stories to share or would like to promote your business please contact Alix Harrington at the College by email marketing@ipc.qld.edu.au

Live Jesus in our Heart. Forever.

Shaun Clarke | Principal

54th College Anniversary Mass

This term the College celebrated our 54^th Anniversary of Ignatius Park College. This was celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven. It signifies the Blessed Virgin’s passing into eternal life. The Feast of the Assumption has always been an important day for the Christian Brothers. Blessed Edmund Rice devoted his prayers to Mary and prayed before a picture of the Assumption. The congregation was proclaimed on this feast day, Br Ambrose Treacy and three other brothers left Ireland for Australia on the Feast of the Assumption in 1868 and the opening of Ignatius Park College in August 1969 with Br. Reid as the first Principal.

This year is also 150 Years of Catholic Education in the Townsville Diocese. The commencement of Catholic education in this diocese was the result of many men and women from various religious orders who ventured to Northern Queensland through their faith and commitment to providing an education for students that reflected our Catholic values. The Christian Brothers have had a significant part to play in our diocese as it was Father William Walsh, the second parish priest in Townsville who was concerned Catholic families had no educational facilities for boys. It was Father Walsh who invited the Christian Brothers with Bishop James Duhig, Bishop of Rockhampton and the brothers arrived in August 1910 and opened Our Lady’s Mount in 1911 with Br. Nolan as the foundational principal.

The mass was celebrated by Bishop Tim Harris, Townsville Bishop, Fr. Rod Ward, College Chaplain and Fr. Emene Kelemete. Fr. Kelemete is an old boy of the College and it was wonderful to have him celebrate mass with our College community. The mass was an opportunity to give thanks to Mary and her devotion to God and reflect on 150 Years of Catholic Education in the Townsville Diocese and the significant part our three Edmund Rice schools, Our Lady’s Mount, St. John Fischer, and Ignatius Park College have played in providing catholic education in this diocese over the past 112 years.

Fr Emene Kelemete - Reflection

My name is Fr Emene Michael Kelemete and proudly a former student of Ignatius Park College. My brief story is one of generosity, faith and love.

Coming from an underprivileged family of Tokelauan, Samoan and Cook Islander descendants, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into Ignatius Park College back in 1993, thanks to the generosity of Edmund Rice, his Christian Brothers and staff, assisting young men in need, and the Townsville Catholic Diocese who paved the way for our unique family to settle down in Townsville.

Son to Joseph and Peteli Kelemete and brother to many siblings, our Catholic faith played a major role in our lives. My grandmother, Luta Kelemete, the matriarch of the family, insisted that all her grandchildren would receive an education in a Catholic school and that God would provide this opportunity. She had an amazing faith and trust in the Lord that influenced all her grandchildren.

Since 1993 to the present time, Ignatius Park College has educated and continues to educate well over 40 of the Tokelauan young men in Townsville. Like Edmund Rice, it is through education and love of our Catholic faith, that has enabled me to become the man I am today - serving God’s people with generosity, faith and love.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ignatius Park College for providing a faith-based education that enables young men to form profound relationships with God and His people. Let us continue to pray for each other and all who have helped us.

Fr Emene Michael Kelemete

Captain Walk - Pathway

Ignatius Park College this year celebrates its 54^th anniversary as a school in Townsville. In doing so, we also acknowledge the wonderful legacy and spirit that has been left to us by the previous Edmund Rice schools, Our Lady’s Mount, and St John Fischer College that continues to exist in Iggy Park today. As a College, it is important we recognise the many stakeholders including the Christian Brothers, staff, parents, and students who have collectively enriched this College to develop young men who make a positive difference in the world and authentically live the ethos of Blessed Edmund Rice. Over the past few the number of old boy’s wanting to come back to the college and have tours has increased to see the development over time but also to reminisce about their time at the College. The Captain’s Walk is an acknowledgment and reminder to our current and past College community of the students who were leaders, who left a legacy for others to follow and passed on the baton to ensure the spirit of Iggy Park continues on into the future. Every year a new captain’s name will be added to the walk to honour those leaders who actively lived our motto to Seek Truth.

2024 Confraternity Carnival

Have you heard the news?

QISSRL Confraternity 2024 Carnival | Destination Townsville

Ignatius Park College is immensely grateful to announce we will be hosting the 2024 Confraternity Carnival at the renowned Brothers Leagues Club whilst also utilising some fields at Ryan Catholic College right here in beautiful Townsville. This exciting opportunity fill us with motivation and a deep sense of College pride as we prepare to welcome schools from all over Queensland. The significance of hosting this prestigious event goes beyond the competition, it is a chance to showcase the warmth and hospitality that Townsville exudes at arguably the best time of year!

As we prepare to host schools from far and wide, we are excited to showcase the Townsville region's stunning natural wonders and cultural richness. Our beautiful coastal setting, with its tropical landscapes and captivating wildlife, will leave a lasting impression on those who visit us. What we are most excited about, other than the football playing, is the warmth and friendliness of the Townsville community that will undoubtedly make each participant, coach, manager and families feel at home and create a genuinely inclusive and uplifting carnival atmosphere.

The Confraternity Shield Carnival promises to be an incredible event that will not only showcase the outstanding talent and sportsmanship of the participating schools but also significantly boost the Townsville region. This Carnival will allow businesses in Townsville to shine and thrive, attracting visitors who will explore and appreciate the diverse offerings of this vibrant city.

Ignatius Park College thanks the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League President, Mr Peter Elmore and his entire committee for this opportunity and also extends a special thank you to Mr Justin Wilkins, CEO of Brothers Leagues Club, Mr Adrian Thomson, Football Operations Manager Townsville & Districts Mendi Blackhawks and Mrs Candi Dempster, Principal Ryan Catholic College for their ongoing support in being the host fields for 2024. We cannot wait to welcome the schools, their families and all the Carnival attendees to Townsville.

Together, let us make the 2024 Confraternity Shield Carnival a resounding success, celebrating the spirit of the competition and the unity and camaraderie that binds us all!2024 CQ University Confraternity Carnival - Destination Townsville.Sunday, 23 June 2024 to Friday, 28 June 2024See you there!

As always, we thank our incredible IPC Rugby League Program sponsors:

Waltlec Industries

Brothers Leagues Club Townsville

Townsville Earthmoving TEM

Battery World

Pacific Islands International

102.3 Triple M

Top Notch Turf

Ausfield Services

Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers

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

1973 Class Reflection

Ignatius Park College Class of 1973 Fifty-Year Reunion

On the weekend of 18 - 20 August, former pupils of the college descended on Townsville to celebrate 50 years since finishing school at Ignatius Park.

Reunion organiser, Phil McNamara, did a fantastic job of coordinating the event with a Meet and Greet on the Friday night at Brothers Rugby League Club,

a tour of the college at 12.00 noon on the Saturday, attendance at the Blackhawks V Burleigh Bears game that afternoon, a dinner at the Kirwan Sports Club

Saturday night and a recovery and farewell at the Seaview hotel on the Sunday morning.

Each event was well attended, and it was obvious by the banter going on that everyone was having a marvellous time catching-up and reminiscing about our days together at Ignatius Park. A highlight was the tour of the college, which was hosted by the Principal, Mr. Shaun Clarke, who had arranged to meet us at the main entrance in the memorial garden area. It was obvious right from the start that Shaun had a real passion and zest for his role of Principal at such an outstanding college.

As Shaun took us around the college giving us the history and reasoning behind some of the special rooms, as a group we all thought "wow, how great it would have been to have had these facilities in the 70's" - the study room area, the manual arts building, the Edmund Rice Hall, the gym, the covered area for lunch breaks out of the sun and oh the pool.

We laughed at the memory of having to go to Kokoda pool for our swimming lessons and how hot it was standing in the sun in the quadrangle at each morning assembly.

The memories came flooding back to us as we walked around the college and to see that it was probably three times the size of what it was when we attended was simply amazing.

The large number of various activities that can now be undertaken by the current students is such a credit to all of those involved with the college.

As our tour came to an end I can only think that each one of us was truly impressed with the school that Ignatius Park College has become since our time at school. We too had

very dedicated teachers who guided us through our scholastic journey and it would seem the tradition continues.

On behalf of our group, we thank Shaun for his time and his detailed talk on the college. We wish the teachers, associated staff, parents and, of course, the students all the success in the world with their future endeavours. A special best wishes to this year's senior students who will finish their time at Ignatius Park .

Shaun presented each of us with an Iggy Park stubby holder and a school badge to remember our visit back to our old school.

Cheers

The Class of 1973

Co-Curricular

COMBINED SCHOOLS' MUSICAL 2023

If you missed out on seeing the musical live on stage - or just want to relive some of the best moments - check out this amazing promotional film put together for the College by Iggy Old Boy Bailey Simmons!

The College is proud of the evergrowing performing Arts space and we're thrilled with how our 2023 Hosting of Bugsy Malone turned out!

RUGBY UNION - NEW ZEALAND TOUR

Recently Mr Moxon, Mr Denny and Mr Alloway took a group of students over the ditch to explore and play some very cold Rugby Union matches! The team had an incredible time exploring New Zealand culture. You can read all about their daily journey here in their travel blog:

https://sway.office.com/CpT2JkaYJOj71BUq?ref=email