College Year 12 Leaders

Name: Alexander Demopoulos

Leadership Role: College Captain

When did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Peer Mentor, AFL First XVIII both junior and senior (2021,2022,2023), TCLC visits, Toast Room volunteer, inter-school swimming team, Brooklea Retirement Home visits and Phoenix Flyers. 

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? Ignatius Park College is a great school because the school provides numerous opportunities for everyone, including opportunities in sports, sciences, debating, culture, leadership, and the arts. It’s not just a school but it’s a home away from home, supporting young men to grow into community leaders, and it has a strong sense of brotherhood.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? My fondest memory of IPC was participating in Year 8 camp at Camp Gedling, where we discovered that 20 people could fit into an 8-person tent (despite some teachers' doubts) quite easily!. The laughter, the shared jokes, and the late midnight snacks have all contributed to a strong connection that has lasted through to Year 12 and surely beyond.  

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? The thing I’ll miss the most will be the everyday connections I have with my mates. I will miss the opportunity to be together and have our usual morning chats, where we share stories and support each other. I will also miss the welcoming and inclusive environment of Iggy Park where everyone has a sense of belonging and being a part of the school community.

Name: Kynan Purdy

Leadership Role: College Vice Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Qld All schools Year 7, Junior Rugby League Years 7-9, Cowboys Challenge Rugby League, First XIII Rugby League, Interschool Athletics, Healthy Minds Project, Peer Mentor, Toast Room volunteer, Blue Brigade, Aitkenvale State School Breakfast Club volunteer.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? It's truly a school like no other. The sense of brotherhood, the mateship, the unshakable bonds forged within the school's culture and environment is unbelievable. No matter your strengths, weaknesses or your beliefs and cultures, this is a place where you experience an unwavering sense of belonging. Often described as a ‘home away from home', it seamlessly becomes part of your identity. Everything you learn, do and are is a direct reflection of the invaluable teachings and lessons of IPC.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? Among my fondest memories looking back on those created at the park, the one that stands out is the Year 9 Camp. We all gathered around the big screen as we awaited for Mr. Reyes, one of the teachers, to find reception on his Samsung Galaxy so that we could watch State of Origin. It turned out to be an unforgettable night, filled with the excitement of a great game of footy. But aside from the game, the brotherhood and connection between each of us grew stronger that night.  We all sat around and enjoyed each other's company while a bit of banter was thrown at the Blues supporters. The mateship, competitiveness and sportsmanship between each other was in full display that night.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? As briefly listed above, everything the school represents will be sorely missed. The laughter, the tears, the lively lunchtime discussions, the passionate debates, the classrooms filled with memories, and the countless kilometres covered on the school grounds. Yet, most importantly, what I will treasure the most is the daily sight of my brothers. The profound bond forged over six years here is something truly special and will last a lifetime. 

Name: Wesley Kerr

Leadership Role: Prefect of Liberating Education

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Peer Mentor, member of the Healthy Minds Team, Middle School Leader,  Phoenix Flyers volunteer, Open Day volunteer, Toast Room volunteer, Challenge Games volunteer, Interschool Football, EREA Open Football and Opens Volleyball Team.

What makes IPC a great school? There are many things that make Ignatius Park great: connections, brotherhood, and diligence among students. The connections within our community branch across not only within Townsville, or even Australia, but to those across the other side of the globe who follow in the Edmund Rice Education Tradition. Brotherhood at Ignatius Park College is something you can’t find anywhere else. The friendships we make last a lifetime and allow everyone to express their true selves among those who accept them for who they are. Students at Ignatius Park College hold a deep sense of pride in their academics, striving for the best possible results they have learnt through the quality teaching provided by the IPC staff.

What is the fondest memory of IPC? My fondest memories at Ignatius Park would have to be the camps I have been on from Years 7-11, the Sports Carnivals where everyone goes all out for their costumes, and afternoon study sessions with my mates where we spend half the time talking or eating instead of studying.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of Year 12? In all, I’ll miss being able to come to school and see my mates every day, the lunchtime battles playing soccer on the oval, and Mr. Groves playing his guitar with Mr. Dunne and Mr. Mills.

Name: Jacob Sexton

Leadership Role: Prefect of Inclusive Community

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Year 7 and 8 Rugby League, Bill Turner Football, Challenge Games volunteer, Interschool Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country. Toast Room, EREA Easter Football Tournament, Interschool Football and Gala Day Football Carnival.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? For me, what separates our school from others is the genuine care for each member of our college community. From teachers to students to support staff, each member works to improve our College. This is the foundation of our outstanding culture, which sets us apart from any other schooling environment.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? The memories which stand out to me the most come from Camps over the years. From Year 7 camp where I stepped in as a shy boy with one or two friends and left with a cohort of mates that I had grown up with. From an all-in footy game on the back oval to three years later sitting up at Camp Gedling for our second last time. No phones, no distractions, just a handful of boys, a fire and a guitar.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? Most boys would say seeing each other every morning, lunchtime and after school, and although this is also true for me, what I think I will miss most is the teachers. The teachers who will give up hours upon hours of their own time just in case we need help with homework. The teachers who are willing to have the awkward conversations on how we’re going as students and further yet, people. Teachers in this school have seen me at so many different times in my life and every single time they have helped, given advice or challenged me, all for the sole purpose of making me a better person.

Name: Joshua Morton

Leadership Role: Prefect of Gospel Spirituality

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvements: Rugby Union First XV, Junior Rugby League Years 8-9, Junior Rugby Union Years 7-10, College Spelling Bee, Brooklea Retirement Village visits, Phoenix Flyers, Challenge Games volunteer, Toast Room volunteering, Interschool Cross Country and Peer Mentor.  

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? There is no other school in North Queensland that offers as many opportunities in all areas of life such as sporting, culture, arts, and education. There is also no other school in the world that is able to compare to the culture, brotherhood and love we have for, teachers, parents and each other. The school truly sets up young boys to become outstanding young men.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? Year 11 Leadership Camp, the whole cohort was around the fire singing country songs and the infamous “You Raise Me Up”. I remember I stopped singing for a second or two and I could truly hear the voice of the future seniors, or as I like to call them, my best mates. It gave me goosebumps looking around and seeing the passion everyone had for the College.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? What I’m going to miss most about the College is waking up on Monday and not being able to see my best mates every day. Not being able to get a helping hand by simply raising my hand. I’ll miss the relationships I have with many teachers, and finally, I’ll miss the opportunities that are offered to me daily.

Name: Adam Sievers

Leadership Role: Prefect of Justice and Solidarity 

What year did you commence at IPC: Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Football team, EREA Football Carnival, Interschool Cross County, Middle School leader, Toast Room volunteer, Aitkenvale State School Breakfast Club volunteer and Help a Brother Out.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? The College is a supportive community that allows students to excel. The supportive teachers and staff provide students with academic, sporting, and co-curricular opportunities. They truly care about students' development. The College gives students a sense of belonging which allows students to succeed and create memories.  

What is your fondest memory at IPC?  One of the fondest memories during my time at IPC was at Year 10 camp where we watched State of Origin using a projector on the side of the school bus. Even though we were freezing cold we all had fun watching the game together and cheering when Queensland won. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? At the end of the year, I will miss the sense of spirit which this school has. The Swimming Carnivals, Eddie Rice Days, and Battle of the Bands where the school come together as a community to compete, have fun, and encourage one another. 

Name: Trey Horan

Leadership Role: Baillie House Captain

Commenced: Year 7 (2019)

Involvements: Junior Soccer Years 7-8, Challenge Games volunteer, Peer Mentor, 2023 EREA Easter Soccer Tournament, Gala Day Soccer Tournament, Blue Brigade and Toast Room.

What makes IPC a great school? The culture this school upholds is unmatched. There are opportunities left, right and centre, both on the sporting field and off it. Academics? Sorted. Trades? Here’s your Apprenticeship. So many boys see this place as a second home, where they feel like they can belong, and grow as a young man. Think about some of the athletes that have been through this school, Valentine Holmes, Kalyn Ponga, and that’s just a few. The spirit we have towards events is out of this world, and its only up from here with the Blue Brigade being introduced.

Fondest memory: The usual would be the impeccable School Camps, but it would have to be the 2023 EREA Easter Carnival for me. It couldn’t have been any more perfect. Playing on the beautiful Nudgee grounds, representing the Park in my favourite sport, and making the bond with my mates even stronger. Also, despite being branded a “Poor Townsville School” by some of our competitors, ending the tournament as national champions is a memory I will always keep with me.

 What will I miss the most? The simple things like knowing where to go when I want to see my mates, catching up in homeroom, or even celebrating when discovering we have a relief teacher for a class. I will definitely miss the rivalry between the other houses, it’s full of such culture and excitement. Finally, my homeroom teacher, who has watched me grow up while I have watched her grow up. She is like a second mother to me.

Name: Sean Weir

Leadership Role: Baillie House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: First XIII Rugby League, First XV Rugby Union, Touch Football, Peer Mentor.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? Ignatius Park has an unrivalled culture of brotherhood and mateship. The values shared by not only my cohort, but the whole school strengthens the bonds that have been formed through experiences, laughs, and memories that will last a lifetime. Additionally, Ignatius Park offers a wide variety of co-curricular activities, accommodating to a diversity of student interests. To me, IPC offers a second home. The friendships forged with not only my peers, but mentors and teachers alike, offers a safe and enjoyable environment in which students are encouraged to embrace their differences and speak up when needing assistance. 

What is your fondest memory at IPC? Personally, my fondest memory comes from the Year 11 Leadership Camp. After a long day of activities, we were privileged with the chance to sit around the fire and sing songs with Mr Groves on his guitar. This truly opened my eyes to the pinnacle of what we had been working towards for the past 5 years; forming a brotherhood to lead our final year at IPC. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I will miss the lunch tables every day. My highlight of the day is simply sitting around eating lunch with my best mates. The stories and laughs shared strengthen the bonds between us. The bonds I’ve formed during my educational journey are some of the strongest and most enduring relationships in my life. I’ll also miss the structured learning environment and the guidance of teachers and mentors who have played a significant role in my personal and intellectual growth. Finally, I will miss the sense of belonging and the shared experiences that come with being a part of the IPC community. 

Name: Samuel Chittleborough

Leadership Role: Carew House Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? 2023 (Year 11)

College Involvements: Teachers vs students touch games, First XVIII AFL, Interhouse lunchtime sporting activities. St Benedict's visits, Help a Brother Out program and Toast Room. 

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? I can go on forever about this school and what makes it great but the one thing that stands out from the rest is the community and the brotherhood. Everyone gets around each other, and compared to other schools I've attended, IPC has no competition. 

What is your fondest memory at IPC? It is difficult to pick a single fond memory. Like many of my peers, I've made memories that I will cherish and keep forever. But if I I must pick one, I would say it was the trip to Mackay to play AFL. The banter was un-matched, but when it came time to play footy we had each other’s backs, and when someone kicked a goal the whole team got around them. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? Like most boys, I will miss the banter within my group but overall the brotherhood. Iggy Park has become a second home for myself. The support from teachers and peers has been unmatched and I will be forever grateful.  

Name: Billy Harrold

Leadership Role: Carew House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvements: Junior Rugby League, Junior Interschool Cricket, TCLC visits, St Benedict’s visits and Interhouse Carnivals.  

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? One of many primary attributes that makes Ignatius Park great is the culture. All students are treated the same no matter who they are. Encouraging each other to shine in what they are best at. I truly believe that Ignatius Park College is the best at getting behind every student in the school. This goes for the teachers and staff as well. They teach us to be not only smart, but respectful young men. They bring the best out of the students. Turning boys into young men.  

What is your fondest memory at IPC? My fondest memory at the college would have to be my first Swimming Carnival in 2019. It was seriously a huge eye opener and much different to what I had experienced before. The spirit of everyone encouraging others, the chants between houses. It was my first experience of the strong culture at Ignatius Park. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I will miss the pleasure of being able to see my mates after a good weekend. The Touch footy games at lunch. The culture at the Carnivals, consisting of cheering for our houses and supporting the younger year levels.

Name: Lucas Partridge

Leadership Role: Nolan House Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: First XVIII AFL, Junior Touch Football, Junior and Senior Football, Phoenix Flyers, Help A Brother Out mentor, Toast Room volunteer and Aitkenvale State School Breakfast Club volunteer.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? What I believe makes Ignatius Park College a great school is the brotherhood and connections that students form. The bonds you make last a lifetime. Also, the wide array of opportunities that the college offers us. Whether your strengths are in the classroom, on the field or even up on stage, there is something for everyone and you will be supported by your brothers and the generous staff. 

What is your fondest memory at IPC? It’s difficult to single out just one memory from my time here. If I was to pick one, I’d have to say on Year 9 Camp when Kynan McMahon’s shoes had disappeared after one of our activities. Little did we know, that Hamish Keyes-West had put them on thinking they were his. We were all looking for the shoes for hours, including Hamish. We finally sat down late at night and realised Hamish had them the whole time.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? Honestly, everything about the place. The teachers, the environment and the brotherhood. But I’m really going to miss the little things like having a laugh with the boys at lunch and just talking about what we did last weekend or our plans for the weekend coming.

Name: Miach (Cooper) Hemphill

Leadership Role: Nolan Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 8 (2020)

College Involvement: Phoenix Flyers, Challenge Games volunteer, Opens Block Sport Basketball, Cross-Country, Battle of the Bands and Hockey Gala Day.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? The opportunities are endless. The Park gives you the opportunity to do anything you’re interested in whether it's sports, theatre or instrumental opportunities. The Park is really the home for all walks of life. IPC is a great school to me because everyone gets a fair chance.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? My fondest memory would have to be attempting to give Mr. Rowan a haircut in the last week of Year 10 in Mr Raeside’s Religion and Ethics class. He asked for a #1 length, but I shaved off half the back of his hair accidentally because I thought the #0 was the #1, so that day he ended up having to go bald. Despite his misfortune, he was in good spirit anyways. That day I knew there was no school like Ignatius Park.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I will miss many things I haven’t and won't fully comprehend till I’m gone from here. But I'll miss most the community, everyone is there for each other through thick and thin. I’ll miss the brotherhood and I’ll miss the freedom and opportunities IPC provides.

Name: Andre Corradini

Leadership Role: Putney House Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Cowboys Challenge U15 2022, Rugby Union First XV 2022/2023 and Rugby League First XIII 2023/2024.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? Since commencing my journey in 2019 as a Year 7 student here at Ignatius Park I can happily say there is no other school that better embodies the Colleges values of Integrity, Pride and Commitment. The Park has allowed us to grow in culture and build school spirit as we mature. Iggy is like no other school in Townsville, I enjoy each day walking from class to class saying hello to my brothers and teachers. The close-knit community cultivated here at Iggy make it the best school.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? I have had two memories, the first was Year 8 camp in which the two home rooms came together and formed one almighty Putney house. The second was the opportunity to follow in my older brother’s footsteps in leading Putney, it has given me a clean slate in my final year to be part of a legacy of creating memories.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I will miss the mateship, the lunch time gatherings, the footy games on the oval, the swimming carnivals and the relationships I have built with my teachers since joining the Park in 2019. All in all, I'll miss the BROTHERHOOD.

Name: Fletcher Ferres

Leadership Role: Putney House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Rugby League, Football, Basketball Block Sport and Open Day usher.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? The culture that has been created in terms of school-work, relationships and sports has been an overarching presence throughout my time at Ignatius Park College. Working hard, representing your school with pride and treating everyone like a mate is something that every school wants to have and Iggy has fostered it in every student.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? Year 9 Camp was something I'll never forget. The bus trip there with Mr. Alloway, the 10 km walk to the camp, the shenanigans everyone got up to at camp, and the fun we had on the way back with Mr. Alloway. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? The rivalry between houses, lunchtime chats, homeroom mischief and ultimately seeing 110 students that share the same love for the school. .

Name: Michael Paine

Leadership Role: Reid House Captain

What year did you commence at IPC: Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Junior and Senior Rugby League from Years 7-11, College Spelling Bee, Interhouse Athletics and involvements, Red Track Athletics from Years 7-9 and Battle of the Bands.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? What makes Iggy such a great school is not just the brotherhood that is formed between each year level and classmate at the school, but the family that is created within each house. This connection will never be found at any other school and only continues to increase every year. I can’t express enough how grateful I am to have gone to this school and for all the memories it has provided me over the years and the family I have created away from home.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? My fondest memory at Iggy was the Year 10 Camp when I got to see a new side to the teachers and to myself. I won’t reveal to much about the camp activities themselves but getting 3 days away from school with my cohort and the teachers was the best experience I’ve had. Getting to know the teachers more and create real and everlasting bonds was amazing, and getting to see my boys out of their school uniform and in their own skin was amazing. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? What I will miss when I leave Iggy will just be my friends and the teachers. As much as I want to say the events or sports, none of that would be possible without the teachers and support staff. Not being able to see every teacher and student every day and make them laugh or smile will take a long time to get used to because it’s become my life at this point. I know though, no matter where I make it in life, the support of the College and all I’ve learnt from it will have my back. 

Name: Joe Briskey

Leadership Role: Reid House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvements: First XIII Rugby League, Rugby League from Years 7-10, Interschool Athletics team, Interschool Swimming team, visits to TCLC and St Benedict’s Primary School.  

What makes Ignatius Park a great school? I strongly believe the history and culture of this school is what really makes Ignatius Park College a great school. 

What’s your fondest memory at IPC? My favourite memories in this college are probably school camps. They are my favourite moments because you create memories with your mates that you will never forget. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I guess I’ll miss all the memories that this college has provided for me and giving me opportunities that no other school can. I'll miss the school activities and little events that happen at this College.

Name: Connor Sexton

Leadership Role: Rice House Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019).

College Involvement: Junior Rugby Union Years 7-10, Junior Rugby League Years 7-8, Interschool Athletics, Challenge Games volunteer, First XVIII AFL, EREA Senior Football Squad and Junior Interschool Debating.

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? Beyond the chances to excel and accomplish our aspirations, our school offers much more. What truly sets Iggy Park apart is its unique culture. The remarkable support, genuine care, and strong sense of brotherhood fostered here create an unparalleled spirit and sense of belonging. It's the deeply ingrained morals and values within our community that make it truly special, particularly our commitment to prioritising the well-being and empowerment of others before ourselves.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? If I had to pin my greatest memory down to one thing it would have to be Year 8 Camp where we crammed 12 boys into a 4-man tent. Among the laughter and camaraderie, we formed an unbreakable bond that elevated us from ordinary classmates to a brotherhood that has stood through the years.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? There are many things I will miss about Iggy, but nothing will ever compare to having a laugh with the boys at lunch, the banter thrown around on house competition days, or the Monday morning chats with your favourite teacher about what happened over the weekend.

Name: Charles Glover

Leadership Role: Rice House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Grade 7 (2019).

College Involvement: Year 7-8 Block Sport Football, Year 9-10 Block Sport Basketball, Phoenix Flyers and Open Block Sport Basketball. 

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? To me, Ignatius Park College has an unmatched spirit of brotherhood and trust. IPC builds upon Edmund Rice's values as a foundation for the College. It’s also the relationships between students. A friendship lasting only a year at Iggy can feel like it has been life-long. IPC's spirit and involvement are untouchable compared to other schools. The pride we have in Inter-house Carnivals and volunteering makes us one of the best in Townsville. That is what I believe makes Iggy such a great school.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? It’s hard to pick just one. Whether it was Year 8 Camp at Gedling bonding in a 10-person tent, or Mr Anderson’s Year 8 RE class. But I think my favourite memory was just starting Year 7. A small, chubby, and scared Year 7 student meeting my best friends, greeting the Year 12s on the first day, and learning about the park’s history was a defining day for me.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? I'll miss the simple days of waking up early to go to school and see my mates. Sitting around the tables talking about whatever, going out to the courts to get into heated games of basketball, and then 20 minutes later sitting in Math Class. But the thing I will miss the most is not being able to see my brothers whom I had the privilege of meeting and sharing my 6 years of schooling with. 

Name: Reagan Knowles

Leadership Role: Treacy House Captain

What year did you commence in IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Rugby Union in Years 7-12, Rugby League in Years 7-10, AFL in Years 9-12, Peer Mentors’ Program and Phoenix Flyers. 

What makes Ignatius Park such a great school: The thing that makes Ignatius Park College a great school, is how much the boys get around the school on the Iggy days, such as Athletics Day and Swim Carnivals. The other thing that sets Iggy apart is the spirit in which each and every house chooses to participate in these events. 

What is your fondest memory at IPC? The fondest memory at IPC that I have had was when I went on the New Zealand trip to play Rugby Union and spend it with all of my mates. Another one of my fondest memories I have about the Park is when Treacy won the Swimming carnival, when Mr Clarke said that Treacy had won and seeing every Treacy member run and jump on each other was one of the best times for me at the Park.

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? The thing that I will miss the most about the Park is waking up almost everyday and getting to see my mates. Another thing that I will miss dearly is the brotherhood at the Park, so often expressed with the way we support each other in our inter-school events.

Name: Reuben Hilbourne

Leadership Role:  Treacy House Vice-Captain

What year did you commence at IPC? Year 7 (2019)

College Involvement: Anzac Day March, Battle of The Bands, Open Day usher, Open Day photographer, Help A Brother Out and JCU Legal Studies Conference. 

What makes Ignatius Park College a great school? I believe that it is the relationships between students. I cannot count how many times I've shook a stranger’s hand, only to be their friend within minutes.

What is your fondest memory at IPC? My favourite memory at IPC would have to be when I was in the old library, in Year 8. During that time, I would have card game tournaments with my friends. Even though I lost every single match, I enjoyed every bit of it. 

What will you miss when you leave at the end of the year? Without a doubt, it would have to be the people. With inspirational teachers and great friends, I know I am going to miss Ignatius Park College.