This week has been one of those rare moments in the life of a school where multiple threads of our Iona spirit have come together in such a powerful and visible way - through sport, service, and community.

On Monday evening, I had the privilege of attending part of the Cross Country Presentation Dinner. It was a celebration not only of athletic achievement, but of the camaraderie, character, and commitment that define our runners. There was joy in the room - genuine joy - in honouring one another, sharing stories of the season, and recognising the quiet and consistent efforts that have led to success. That same spirit carried into Wednesday’s AIC Championship event, where our Primary team achieved equal first place with Marist College Ashgrove and our Year 7–12 team secured a proud second, behind Marist. These results speak volumes of the culture within the team: a culture of pushing hard for one another, celebrating the journey as much as the outcome, and giving their all in the black and white.

That same energy and pride will no doubt carry into this weekend’s highly anticipated Old Boys Day of sport, as we face much respected opposition, St Laurence’s College. Old Boys Day is always a special time. This Saturday, we will welcome back men from all eras of Iona’s history - from the early founding years right through to the recent past. Their presence reminds us of the strong and enduring legacy they have built, and the responsibility we now carry to live up to and build upon that tradition. It’s a moment of generational connection, where past and present come together in a shared connection and identity as Ionians.

This week has also seen our community turn red for Rosies Week, a time to focus on the heart of what it means to serve. Across the week, students have participated in Milo Mornings, service activities, and tomorrow a free dress day designed to raise both funds and awareness for Rosies’ work with those who are homeless or socially isolated. The Rosies Sleep Out will take place this weekend, offering our young people a first-hand encounter with the discomfort and dignity involved in understanding the experience of others. Importantly, Rosies will also be present on Old Boys Day - a timely reminder to all in our community that the Iona spirit is not just about strength in competition, but also about compassion in action.

As I reflect on this remarkable week, I’m reminded that being an Ionian is about so much more than any one achievement or event. It’s about relationships - those we forge in the tough training sessions, the early morning or late night service efforts, the classroom, and the stands. It’s about striving for excellence, but never at the cost of our values. And it’s about remembering, always, that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and carry the torch for those yet to come.

Let us carry this spirit with us through the weekend and beyond.

God bless,

Mr Trevor Goodwin
Principal

Dear Iona Community,

At the very outset, a warm and heartfelt welcome to our Old Boys joining us this Saturday.

As we recently observed National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3), we are invited to reflect not only on where we have come from, but also on the journey ahead. This year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” calls us to face the truth with courage and to walk together toward a future grounded in justice, healing, and lasting unity.

From a Christian perspective and in the light of our faith in Jesus, reconciliation is both a spiritual and practical act. It is rooted in the eternal truth that every person is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). From this sacred truth flows our responsibility to restore relationships, honour each person’s dignity, and build communities where all are respected and included.

As St. Paul proclaims: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). This ministry is a clear call to action. Bridging Now to Next means healing the pain of the past, while embracing the promise of the future - by embodying Christ’s love in our families, our communities, and the wider world.

As we approach the Feast of Pentecost this Sunday, we remember the moment when the Holy Spirit breathed new life into the Church, uniting people of every nation in one Spirit and one mission (Acts 2:1–4). Pentecost is not only a celebration of what was, but a call to what is yet to come.

Today, that same Spirit speaks to us in the language of reconciliation. It invites us through the charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod to be a Church and a community that lives out the Iona values: hospitality, compassion, justice, peace, and inclusivity.

In the words of St. Matthew, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). So let us be peacemakers. Let us be bridge-builders. And let us, filled with the Holy Spirit, continue the ministry of reconciliation in our hearts, in our communities, and across this land we all call home. 

God bless,

Fr Joe Antony OMI
Rector

Social Justice

Milo Mornings

In Weeks 7 and 8, treat yourself to a delicious warm Milo with all proceeds going towards supporting Rosies.

Rosies Appeal - Closing Soon

There’s still time to contribute to the Rosies Appeal! Bring your donations to your homeroom or Student Reception by tomorrow, Friday 6 June.

Thank you for your support.

Ms Sam Ryan
Social Justice Coordinator

Year 6 Mother’s Day Liturgy

On Friday of last week, we welcomed nearly 160 mums, some nannas and even a couple of older sisters, to share in the annual Year 6 Mother’s Liturgy.

It is always difficult to find the exact right day or time for such events and unfortunately there are always occasions where some Mums are unable to attend. I know how difficult this can be for those who end up in this position, but please know that you were most certainly represented within the photo story, the prayers and hopefully a very special ‘card’ made its way home to you (or you may have found it under a lunch box or sports gear), but you were all in our thoughts.

Iona Catholic Primary Schools Leadership Day

Today we welcomed leaders from St Luke’s, Guardian Angels’, St John Vianney’s, St Oliver Plunkett, Lourdes Hill and of course, Iona, to our annual Leadership Day in IPAC. All students were given an opportunity to make connections and share with each other the different ways they lead within their communities. 

They were inspired by our guest speakers Mr Oliver Foran, Mr Joshua Ditchmen and Mrs Kate Carmichael who shared individual stories of perseverance, grit and how individual faith can be strengthened as they move into high school. The hope for all leaders who attended, was that they could take something out of the day which energised them and allows them to be the best they can be within their communities for the remainder of this year and beyond.

Primary Years Disco

We are looking forward to our Disco next Friday 13 June. Sales are now at 550 with limited tickets available. Please note that ticket bookings close on Wednesday 11 June.

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to assist on the night. Our volunteer spots were snatched up within hours – even our parents want to enjoy the disco!

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit the Trybooking link below.

Mr Peter Holmes
Dean of Primary Years

Please note that it is Iona policy that Schedule 4 & 8 medications are brought to the Health & Wellness Centre to be signed in/out to the staff attending the camp. We ask that these medications are brought to school in the week leading up to the camp to help with preparation, ideally this would be week 9 of this term. The HWC is staffed from 7.30am and 4.30pm to facilitate this.

All medications must be in the original packaging with a pharmacy label attached with the correct dosage. Please only send the required number of tablets for camp and please provide them in a named zip lock bag.

Please note that Iona Nurses will be in attendance Friday 20 June and Monday 14 July (student free day).

We thank you for your cooperation with this.

Iona Nurses

Reminder: Return Overdue Library Books

As Semester 1 draws to a close, the St Eugene de Mazenod Library will be following up on overdue books. To help ensure your son’s library account is up-to-date, here are a few ways to check for overdue items:

• Encourage your son to log into his Library Account and view “Checked Out Items.” Any overdue books will be highlighted in red.
• Email assistance: Contact the library directly at library@iona.qld.edu.au  for a detailed update.
• Classroom notifications: Lists of overdue books will also be shared during Homeroom and Library lessons.

Thank you for helping us maintain a well-stocked and organised library for all students!

Year 9 & 10 Students Inspired by Author Josh Donellan

Last week, our Year 9 and 10 students were captivated by a visit from the multi-talented Josh Donellan—an author, musician, poet, and teacher renowned for his vibrant storytelling and adventurous spirit.

Josh shared engaging anecdotes and practical advice, sparking curiosity and creativity among the students. His insights into the art of writing, storytelling, and navigating the creative process left a lasting impression, with many students actively participating and eager to learn more.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Josh for sharing his expertise and passion. We’re confident his words will inspire our budding writers for years to come.

Exciting New Additions to the Library!

The library is thrilled to unveil the latest arrivals, handpicked during our visit to the Mad Hatter Bookshop. Thanks to our students’ enthusiastic recommendations, we’ve added a fantastic selection of titles to our collection.

These eagerly awaited books are now displayed on our New Releases table and are ready to be borrowed. Don’t miss the chance to explore these fresh reads—selected by students, for students!

Workshop with Dannika Patterson

On Monday, Iona College welcomed author Dannika Patterson for a special workshop presented by the Queensland Family & Child Commission. The session centred on children’s rights, inspired by Dannika’s latest book, The Big Book of Rights.

Students engaged in meaningful discussions about the book’s themes and created individual artworks reflecting the powerful message: “Every Queensland child is loved, respected, and has their rights upheld.”

We extend our thanks to Dannika and the Commission for facilitating this enriching and thought-provoking experience for our students.

Art Competition Opportunity

Students are invited to showcase their creativity by entering an art competition hosted by Children’s Rights Queensland (CRQ) and the Queensland Family & Child Commission (QFCC).

With $2,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, this is a fantastic chance to express your artistic talent while supporting the theme of children’s rights.

For more details and submission guidelines, visit: childrensrightsqld.org.au/art-competition-2025

Author Dave Lowe Inspires Year 5 Students

On Tuesday, Iona College had the pleasure of welcoming Dave Lowe, a celebrated author of children’s books and co-writer of the Bluey episode Café.

Dave captivated our Year 5 students with stories from his childhood and shared invaluable writing tips to spark their creativity:

1. Grab attention: Start with a compelling opening sentence.
2. Think "What If?": Craft unique and unusual scenarios.
3. Build strong characters: Create a grid detailing your characters’ likes, dislikes, fears, and talents.
4. Plot with purpose: Introduce “pebble, rock, and boulder” problems to drive the story.
5. Edit relentlessly: Rewrite, rewrite, and always read your work aloud.

We thank Dave for his engaging session, which has left our budding writers inspired and eager to put pen to paper!

Holiday Reading Made Easy with Sora

The school holidays are fast approaching - why not make reading part of the adventure?

If you’re heading out on a road trip, audiobooks on the Sora platform are a great way to keep your son entertained during the drive. For those traveling by plane, eBooks are a convenient choice to save luggage space while providing endless reading options. If you’re staying home, Sora offers hundreds of magazines on topics like cooking, music, nature, sports, and more - perfect for relaxing and exploring new interests.

Encourage your son to log into Sora and discover the perfect holiday read, no matter where the break takes you!

Ms Donna Stephens
Head of Library

Uniform Shop Term 2 Opening Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am – 3.30pm.

Closed Friday 20 June. 

Uniform Shop Term 3

Week 1 Opening Hours

Tuesday 15 July 8am – 3.30pm
Wednesday 16July 8am – 3.30pm
Friday 18 July 8am – 3.30pm

Week 2 Opening Hours

Normal hours will resume from Week 2
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am – 3.30pm

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

Compulsory items for Term 2 and Term 3 include:

• Ties for Years 5-12
• Long grey trousers for all Seniors (Years 10-12)
• Blazers for Years 11 and 12 (optional for Year 10)
• College tracksuit jackets to be worn over the College striped polo shirt on sports days - no other jackets are permitted. Tracksuit pants are optional.
• Rain jackets are also in stock and available for purchase at the Uniform Shop.

All stock is available for purchase now at the uniform shop or through the online store: https://iona-college.mybigcommerce.com/.../winter-uniform/