Last week marked a significant moment in the life of our College as our Year 12 students concluded their formal classes and gathered for their Valedictory Mass and Dinner on Thursday evening.

These events were moments filled with pride, gratitude, reflection, and prayer as we celebrated the journey of our Senior students and the contributions they have made to our College throughout their time with us.

As they now turn their focus to their final external exams, we encourage every Year 12 student to approach this final chapter with determination and discipline.

These exams are not just a culmination of their academic efforts; they are an opportunity to finish strongly and honour the commitment they’ve shown throughout their time at Iona.

We wish them every success and remind them that their teachers, families, and College community are behind them every step of the way. They are certainly in our prayers.

While our Year 12s prepare to take their final steps, we also look ahead to the end of the year for all other year levels.

While there is still some time to go, the final weeks of Term 4 will be upon us sooner than we realise and these next few weeks are crucial for consolidating learning, completing assessments, and preparing for transitions.

We ask parents and caregivers to continue encouraging the students to stay focused, study hard, and finish the year with purpose. A strong finish sets the tone for future success and reinforces the values we hold dear at Iona.

Last week also saw us gather for our Foundation Day Assembly. This is a day to celebrate our College’s history, mission, and sense of community.

It was a joy to welcome back past students and staff who joined us for the occasion. Their presence reminded us of the legacy we all share and the community that continues to grow around us.

Fr Bill Ousley OMI, the first student enrolled at Iona and now an Oblate priest, joined us in person and through video to remind us of the commitment and dedication of the early Oblates, families and students.

During the assembly, we also witnessed the symbolic handing over of leadership responsibilities from our 2025 Year 12 leaders to the newly appointed student leaders for 2026.

This moment was more than a mere ceremony. It was a powerful reminder that leadership at Iona is about service, example, and continuity.

Holding it on the same day that we celebrate our College’s foundation was intentional. It reminded us of what we are a part of, and the need for all of us to leave a legacy for future Ionians.

We congratulate our new leaders and look forward to the energy and vision they will bring to the College and their contribution to our continuing story and growth as an educational and faith community.

As we move through the final weeks of the school year, we hope everybody can continue to embrace the call to make a contribution to Iona and finish well - whether it’s preparing for exams, supporting one another, or celebrating milestones, every effort matters.

As we reflect on these milestones and look ahead, we are reminded of the deeper truth that guides our community: We are Ionian. This phrase will become more readily identified through our new Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, which will be formally launched at the start of 2026.

It speaks to the strength we find in one another and the shared responsibility we carry.

Whether it’s our Year 12s preparing for their final exams, our younger students approaching the end of term, or our new leaders stepping into their roles, each moment is an opportunity to finish strong and not just as individuals but united as Ionians.

We encourage every student to give their best, and every family to offer support and encouragement, knowing that together, we shape a community that is hopeful, purposeful, proud and successful.

We are Ionian. And together, we finish strongly.

God bless,

Trevor Goodwin
Principal

Fr Joe Antony OMI
Rector

We are only three weeks into Term 4, and it has already been an exciting and eventful time in the Iona College calendar.

We have already celebrated several key milestones this term — the induction of our 2026 College Leaders during the Foundation Day Assembly, the Valedictory farewell marking the graduating class of 2025 as they completed their final day of classes, and our Year 10 students’ current adventure on Wilderness Camp.

Still to come is the presentation of white shirts and felt hats to our Year 9 students, another important milestone in their Iona journey.

We take this opportunity to wish our Year 12 students, who are currently on SWOTVAC, all the very best for their external exams, which commence on Monday 27 October.

Achieving Personal Excellence: The PEA Approach

At Iona College, we believe personal excellence starts with everyday choices. This term, we have updated our PEA acronym to emphasise Persistence, Engagement, and Attitude.

Students are encouraged to persist through challenges, engage actively in their learning, and maintain a positive attitude. These qualities help our young men take ownership of their education and strive for success in all areas — classroom, field, and stage.

Uniform Expectations

We ask for your continued support in upholding our high standards for student presentation. Key reminders include:

• Black leather school shoes and belt
• Iona long grey socks (or dark socks with trousers)
• Shirt tucked in, clean shaven
• Senior Years: Iona felt hat and College tie
• Hair: No faux mullets. Blended sides, above the collar, clear of eyes and face

Students arriving with inappropriate haircuts will be sent home or lose break privileges until rectified (up to three days). For full details, refer to page 117 of the Iona College Diary.

Phones & Social Media Ban

Mobile phones must be off and away upon arrival at the College.

As we approach the National Social Media Ban for children under 16 (effective December 10), we encourage families to review the CTRL SHIFT guide, which was shared by Mr Adam McPhee with all families via email in Week 1.

This transition may be challenging for some students, and we are committed to working together to support them as they move away from platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Public Transport Etiquette

We commend students for their improvements in public transport behaviour. Please continue to:

• Pay for travel
• Offer seats to the elderly and pregnant women
• Respect quiet-carriage protocols
• Regulate behaviour for a pleasant journey
• Be an upstander – intervene or report poor behaviour to your Head of House

Seniors: Starting Strongly

Year 11 students have begun Unit 3 this term, marking the start of summative assessment for the 2026 graduates. Every mark counts towards ATAR and QCE qualifications.

Set clear goals, plan your strategies, and seek support from Mrs Connors (academic goals) or Mrs Cooper (pathways in the PROSPER building) as needed.

As we discussed at the Senior Years phase assembly earlier this term– don’t be a passenger in the classroom, take control and drive your learning.

Attendance Matters

The school improvement target is 91.4% attendance. There is a strong link between attendance, academic outcomes, and belonging.

Homeroom teachers and the Wellbeing Team will monitor attendance and contact families if concerns arise.

For absences, please use Parent Lounge or the Absentee Line (3893 8889). Early departures must be registered at PROSPER before collection.

2026 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

Year 12 students, please check that your contact details are correct in your learning account with the QCAA student portal, https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/.

In March 2026, you will receive a letter from the Minister for Education and the Arts inviting you to participate in the Next Step Year 12 Completers survey, following up on your activities after graduating.

You may also receive an email or phone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.

Your feedback helps our school improve services for future students, and you can win a laptop for participating. For more information visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

I look forward to seeing Iona students achieve success this term through their persistence, engagement, and attitude.

Mr Ben Devlin 
Dean of Senior Years

Sacramental Program congratulations

Congratulations to the Iona students who recently completed their Sacramental Program. On Saturday, the boys joined with their families in the College Chapel to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation, which includes Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Sincere thanks to Mrs Kate Carmichael, Fr Josh Nash OMI and Mr Mark Dimento for leading the boys with care and faith. The Sacramental Program invites our students to grow in understanding, deepen their relationship with God, and live out their faith in service and community.

Primary students

Elijah M, Kylan M, Vincenzo K, Jude A, Marcel B, Samuel W, Patrick H, Alfie Q.

Secondary students

Manith F, Casper G, Callum J, Sonny W.

Year 5 Camps

We are looking forward to introducing our youngest Ionians to the College’s campsite, Glendalough, next week. Please see some important reminders below.

• Camp #1 – 5B, 5C, 5J - Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 October
• Camp #2 – 5A, 5O, 5V - Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October

Departure

Students are to arrive at the Primary Handball Courts no later than 7.35am on their day of departure - Monday 27 October for Camp #1 and Wednesday 29 October for Camp #2. Buses will leave at 8am sharp. 

Arrival

Buses should return to the College on Wednesday 29 October (Camp #1) and Friday 31 October (Camp #2) at approximately 2.30pm. Students will return to the Primary Handball Courts upon arrival for a 3pm dismissal. Please ensure your sons are aware of travel arrangements home after camp.

Year 6 Wellbeing Day

Last Thursday, our Year 6 boys took part in their Wellbeing Day — a program designed to help them explore how to care for their wellbeing and navigate the changes ahead as they prepare for high school.

Guided by Lea Waters’ Visible Wellbeing SEARCH Framework, the boys spent the day moving, reflecting, laughing (a lot), and learning through hands-on sessions that brought wellbeing to life.

• Dance Curriculum had the boys discovering how movement supports emotional expression and confidence — and revealed some dance moves we didn’t know existed.
• Sound Off for Schools encouraged mindfulness and calm as the boys traded chatter for chimes, realising that sometimes silence really is golden.
• Rhythm Culture got everyone drumming, laughing, and connecting through rhythm and teamwork.
• Mrs Vardanega led open and honest conversations about change, and what makes high school something to look forward to.
• Guest speaker Joshua Ditchmen inspired everyone with his remarkable story of recovery and resilience and how having a positive mindset can help students embrace their “new normal”.

The day concluded beautifully with Mass in the College Chapel — a fitting reflection on gratitude, growth, and community.

LEX Primary Leaders Day

On Monday, Mr Condon took our Primary Leaders and House Leaders to St Laurence’s College to share in a formation opportunity alongside students from St Laurence’s, Padua, All Hallows, Lourdes Hill, and Loreto College, as well as St Anthony’s Primary School Kedron.

The objective of the day was to focus on servant leadership and carrying student leadership experiences into Year 7 with an understanding that you can continue to lead without the badge, regardless of the situation. The success of the day revolved heavily around student and staff participation in all activities.

Throughout the day, leaders were provided opportunities to become well-versed in when to ‘Step Up’, when to ‘Step Back’ and when to encourage others. They were challenged to see the strengths in themselves and others. They were asked to stand on their own two feet and offer positive words of affirmation to peers they admired throughout the experience to highlight the importance of encouraging others.

We thank St Laurence’s for hosting the day and the collegial nature of staff and students from the other schools that participated. The future of those school communities certainly look bright. Iona looks forward to hosting the LEX Leadership Day in 2026!

Year 6 End of Primary Years Celebration

In just over four weeks’ time, our Year 6 cohort will cease being Primary school students and will become members of our Secondary school community.

In recognition of this milestone, the College will host an End of Primary Years Celebration on Tuesday 25 November at 8.45am (for 9am start) until 11.15am.

Please find below the invitation to this event, to which families and extended families are welcome to attend. Year 6 students will be seated separately, so do not include them when booking your seats.

Uniforms for this event

• This is a formal event, so students are required to wear their grey school uniform, including ties to school.
• As this is also their year-level sport day, students will need to bring their sport uniform with House shirt for their sport lesson later that day.
• If students are travelling home in their sport uniform, they will also need to bring their black and white polo shirt to travel home in.

I am pleased to advise that this event will be live streamed for those who are unable to join us in person.

Further information will be emailed to Year 6 families this week.

Mr Brayden Teece
Acting Dean of Primary

Bagpipe Program

We are excited to announce that we have spaces available in the highly successful Bagpipe Program.

The Bagpipe Program runs throughout the school term, and students must commit to at least two terms of participation.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Music Supporters Group, Practice Chanters will be available for students until the end of Term 1, 2026. These will serve as their primary learning instrument before transitioning to the full bagpipes.

The Bagpipe Program will provide a comprehensive introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipe. Students will learn to read music, play tunes, develop marching drills, and maintain their instruments.

The first semester will focus on foundational skills, gradually transitioning students from the practice chanter to the full bagpipes.

While a musical background is not required, students should bring enthusiasm, dedication, and a strong work ethic to master this unique instrument, which offers lifelong opportunities within the piping community.

Key Information:

• Sessions will be held every Monday afternoon in the Shortall music rooms from 3pm-4.30pm, and a Thursday lunchtime practice.
• The program will be tentatively named ‘Iona Pipers’.
• Attendance is required each Monday for the duration of the program.
• To support families in this inaugural year, the College will subsidise the cost of the program.
• Families will be asked to confirm their six-month commitment.
• Students already learning an instrument must demonstrate they are meeting the practice and attendance requirements before taking up a second instrument.

What Students Will Learn:

The Bagpipe Program offers a comprehensive introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipe, covering:

• Reading music and playing traditional tunes
• Developing marching drills and performance skills
• Proper maintenance of the instrument
• Gradual transition from Practice Chanter to full bagpipes
  
  

For enquiries, please contact Acting head of Music Mrs Madonna Forster at forsterm@iona.qld.edu.au or program coordinator Mrs Megan Vardanega at vardanegam@iona.qld.edu.au

We look forward to welcoming our future pipers!

Co-Curricular Bands and Guitar Ensembles Launch

On Tuesday 14 October, we launched the 2025 line up for Symphonic Winds, Concert Band and Guitar Ensembles 2 & 3. 

Students gathered in Period 5 (some following school) for a quick meeting with their new ensemble members, a brief workshop, and then we all boarded a bus to Bounce at Tingalpa for an afternoon of gravity defiance.

Thank you to our new Music Captains, Rhys O'Malley Jones, Ethan Gardener, Oliver De'Ath Woodbourne and Aidan Fuller for coming along to help serve afternoon tea.

Our thanks to the Music Supporters Group whose generosity makes these events happen. The boys gave them three cheers on the bus coming back to school.

Chamber Strings 2 and 3 and Ionian Chorus 2026 members will also enjoy their ensemble launch with a similar event on 10 November.  Details of the event will shortly be available to view and acknowledge in TASS.

TASS and Co-Curricular Music

Some students are still finding navigation of TASS challenging when looking to locate their music lessons.  To help your son find their lesson time:

1. Go to calendar tab drop-down menu and select My Calendar. In this view you can choose Day or Week in the top right-hand corner.
2. Ensure Extra Curricular is selected on the far-right side of the page under Calendar Feeds.

This view will show both their lesson time and their ensemble time for that week.

For music department events, all parents will receive the following in advance:

There is an event in TASS awaiting your acceptance. Details of the upcoming event can be found in Parent Lounge under the Accounts & Payments tab, then Events and Payments.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could acknowledge the Terms and Conditions and verify your son's Medical Details and Accept.

Staff Movement

This week Dr Kennedy gave us the news that he would be moving to a full-time brass teaching position at Marist Brothers Ashgrove.  Whilst we are very sad to see him leave, we do wish him all the very best with the new position.

Mrs Karen Corkeron will be on long service leave in Weeks 4-6.  To cover the absence of Mrs Corkeron and Mr L’Huillier, we welcome Jesse Hall and Jeremy Stafford. 

With staff movement, it is important that all students check their lesson times in TASS as some changes may have occurred.

Upcoming piano concert

The final piano concert for the year is on Tuesday 28 October from 6.30pm in IPAC.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see the progress our young keyboard students have made across the year.  Performers should remember to wear their performance uniform to this event.  Parents can acknowledge attendance at the event in TASS.

Valedictory and Foundation Day Assembly with Iona Singers

Congratulations to the Iona Singers, who had a very busy week singing at both the Foundation Day Assembly and then the following day travelling in to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre to sing for the Valedictory Mass.

Mrs Madonna Forster
Acting Head of Instrumental Music

As part of Iona College’s ongoing digital evolution to enhance communication and engagement between the College and our families, you will soon be invited to join a new platform called ‘Schoolbox’.

Schoolbox will give staff, students and parents easy access to Iona’s resources, including assessment and exam schedules, subject selection, calendars, College news and co-curricular updates in one secure location.

In preparation for the launch of the new platform, and to make it more aligned with life at Iona, we are inviting all students and families to suggest a new name for this platform which will become a central point for daily life at the College.

While the College’s preference is to avoid the platform being named after any single individual, a new name that is distinctly Iona and talks to our history, identity and culture is the ultimate goal.

Nominations will close at 9am on Friday 31 October.

This week, our MaPPs (Māori, Pasifika, and Papua New Guinea) students had the incredible opportunity to connect with the Fetu Samoa Women’s Rugby League Team during their training session here on Quandamooka Country at Iona College.

Our Year 12 Seniors, Tyler Pereira and Banji Captain Nate Hughes, proudly welcomed the team, delivering an Acknowledgement of Country that honoured the traditional custodians of the land and celebrated the shared spirit of culture, respect, and connection through sport.

The moment carried special meaning, as the team’s coach, Jamie Soward, is a proud First Nations man himself – bridging two worlds of Indigenous identity and Pacific pride.

Students were genuinely excited (and a little nervous!) as they shared time with the players – taking group photos, asking thoughtful questions during interviews, and watching the team train with intensity and joy.

The afternoon was alive with laughter, encouragement, and mana, leaving everyone inspired by the dedication and strength shown by the Fetu Samoa team.

It was a truly memorable cultural exchange one that highlighted unity, respect, and pride across our First Nations and Pasifika communities.

We wish all our MaPPs students playing in this weekend’s Pacific Youth Rugby Union Tournament the very best as they carry that same spirit of connection and pride onto the field.

Ms Tamekin Pearce
Cultural and Engagement Support Officer

Big Blue Table at Iona College

During Mental Health Month in October, Iona College is proudly supporting Beyond Blue by hosting our own Big Blue Table event.

In Week 4 on Wednesday 29 October, our Wellbeing Portfolio will be selling Zooper Doopers, blue jelly cups, and blue clouds to raise funds for Beyond Blue - supporting Australians facing anxiety, depression, or suicide.

The Big Blue Table is about more than just sharing a meal – it’s about starting meaningful conversations, checking in with one another, and showing that no one has to face mental health challenges alone.

Did you know that 45% of Australians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime? Yet, many won’t reach out for help.

Every dollar raised will go towards funding Beyond Blue’s Support Service, ensuring that help is available anytime, anywhere. 

You can make your own donation to Beyond Blue at Iona College • Big Blue Table 2025

Let’s come together as a community to start the conversation, raise awareness, and make a difference.

Term 4 Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3.30pm

Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 8am – 3.30pm

Thursday CLOSED

Friday 8am – 3.30pm

2026 Book Lists 

Ordering from the Uniform Shop

Orders can be sent home with your sons.

• Email orders to: uniformshop@iona.qld.edu.au
• Phone orders with credit card details: 07 3893 8863
• Online shop

All stock is available for purchase now at the uniform shop or through the online store.