Ironside State School eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Ironside State School acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land and pay our respects to the Elders past, present, and emerging for they hold the traditions, culture, memories and hopes of Indigenous Australia. The Turrbal Aboriginal Nation, who spoke the Jagera Language, roamed these lands.

News from Mrs Kelly

From the Principal

Hi Everyone,

Happy Father’s Day for yesterday! I hope you had a wonderful day Dads! Thank you to Chappy Thu and the plethora of staff helpers who put on the Father’s Day Breakfast last week, what a beautiful morning!

Whatever you did yesterday, I hope you know how important you are in our community, and we appreciate you.

The Junior Athletics Carnival was a wonderful success last week and I thought it was fantastic that we could hold it here! Thank you to Mr Jorma Bushnell and the PE Team for all of the organising and running of this fun opportunity for our little people, where they got to showcase their athletic talent and channel their inner Olympian!

Thank you to our Sport’s Captains who did a wonderful job helping and encouraging. Thank you to all of our staff and to the families who came and supported and of course to the children - what a great day! I managed to take a few photos for the gallery down below.

We have had so many other events on over the last fortnight, make sure you check out the write-ups on these proud moments further down in our newsletter - the Maths Team Challenge, Regional Athletics, our Debating Team in their competition and a lucky bunch of children who got to attend a performance by the Symphony Orchestra!

Book Week was a whole lot of magic fun! Thank you again to Ms Sharyn Pinkerton and the Events Committee, as well as our librarians Ms Cath Roche and Mrs Annika Sauvage for helping us to have a truly wonderful week celebrating the magic of books! I was able to snap a few photos, check them out in the gallery below.

This Friday we will have a P-2 Merit Assembly but please don’t forget that our final assembly for the term on Friday 13 September is a P-6 Whole School STARS Assembly.

This will be our last newsletter for the term and so I need to include some staffing news. We are farewelling Mrs Annabelle Houlahan at the end of this term, as she is going on maternity leave. I want to thank Mrs Houlahan for all she has done for Ironside State School and wish her and her family all the best during this special time. I know the 2E children will be very sad to see her go. We thankfully have another wonderful teacher returning from leave to take the class. Welcome to Mrs Renee Graham, it will be wonderful to have you back at Ironside.

I will finish by reminding you that every 4 years schools create a strategic plan through a Quadrennial School Review process. Part of this process is to ascertain feedback from parents and caregivers to help shape this plan. Our wonderful P&C is supporting us in this process by putting on a ‘Have Your Say’ BBQ this Friday 6 September at 2pm in our hall - thank you P&C!

If you can make it, can you please indicate this via our survey for catering purposes. The survey will be sent out in a separate newsflash tomorrow.

If you can’t make it, please do not worry, you can drop anonymous feedback into our front office or via the form.

The categories to help frame your thinking are:

Facilities
Academics
Behaviour Management
Communication
Opportunities - Camps, excursion, incursions etc
Any other feedback.

Thanks for your feedback, it will help us to move forward positively as a school.

Have a wonderful fortnight everyone!

Yours in Education

Angie Kelly

PS I believe Ironside Alumni is making an appearance at the Paralympic Games! Keep a lookout for Katja Dedekind in the swimming - how incredible! :) Congratulations Katja!

https://www.paralympic.org.au/athlete/katja-dedekind/

Important Term 3 Dates

A message from Queensland Education

Every day Counts

Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.

Further, research shows that poor school attendance is associated with:

lower academic achievement including literacy and numeracy
leaving school with fewer qualifications
reduced opportunities for students to learn and access educational resources, further limiting achievement
further absenteeism in higher year levels

If you're concerned about your child's attendance or absenteeism, please contact your school for further information. In the meantime, please see below for further information.

For further resources please head to the following link:

https://education.qld.gov.au/initiatives-and-strategies/initiatives/every-day-counts/for-parents-and-community

News from Mr Weston-Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

School Values and Expectations: Weeks 7 & 8

Our focus for this past fortnight has been:

Bridge Builders – Skill of the week

The skills we’ve been practising.

(Week 7): Ignore and Don’t React

Ignoring or not reacting to conflict is much easier said than done. Without clear guidance about how to do this, and when to do it, many children will quickly say, “That doesn’t work.” This means that they lose a powerful toll that does have its place in dealing with difficult behaviour.

Ignore and Don’t React should be used either when the child doesn’t know the other person and there is no need to resolve, or when the other person is trying to get a rise or reaction out of them.

Some tips for effectively ignoring and not reacting are:

Take a deep breath and relax your body
Don’t look at the person
Thinks of something else
Move to a safe place

When children choose not to react, they are showing they have the power to stay emotionally calm.

(Week 8): Share and Take Turns

Not sharing or not taking turns is often one of the biggest causes of conflict in a home. Helping children to recognise that when they choose this skill there are three benefits for them including:

They might share with you.
You become better friends.
You feel good.

Help your child to practise sharing. You could stay nearby and encourage them, so they don’t forget to share. When your child does try to share, be specific with praising what they shared and add ‘You must feel so proud of yourself to be so generous. Well done.’

You can build your child’s sharing skills by watching for and praising good turn-taking, encouraging fairness and explaining about sharing. Simple activities that involve sharing and taking turns like kicking soccer goals or shooting basketball hoops can be helpful. Model sharing in your behaviour with others. At home, look for opportunities to share things with your partner. When you and your friends are together, make a point of sharing and describe it as you do so. Young children are great observers and imitators.

“Empowered for Life”, Jocelyne Chirnside

2025 Prep Enrolment Process

Pre-Enrolment Information

Prep Information Video: Our pre-enrolment Prep information video is now accessible on the school website. The purpose of this video is to provide an overview and general information in regard to the enrolment process and what you and your child can expect in the first year of school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmFRPHlZNuQ

Enrolment Applications (from Term 3)

Prep 2025 Enrolment Pack is available on our website.
Applicants must be currently living in the Ironside Catchment and be able to supply supporting evidence as per the criteria in the State School Enrolment Management Plan.

Enrolment Management Plan (from 02 August 2024)

Please see the following links for more information on the school's Enrolment Management Plan (EMP)

1. https://education.qld.gov.au/parents-and-carers/enrolment/management-plans/ironside-state-school

2. https://education.qld.gov.au/parents-and-carers/enrolment/management-plans#enrolment-policy

Enrolment Interview

After your application has been reviewed and approved by our Enrolments Officer, you will be provided details regarding an enrolment interview. Four days have been allocated to this process.

Friday

11 October

Friday

18 October

Friday

25 October

Friday

01 November

Further details about our Prep enrolment interviews are available on the school website.

https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/enrolments/prep/2025-prep-enrolment-information

If you have any questions regarding the enrolment application and required documentation, please contact enrolments@ironsidess.eq.edu.au.

Around the classrooms - Prep

In Prep we have been looking at story books and learning how to retell stories through writing and speech. We were super lucky to have a famous Author, Michelle Worthington, come in and talk to us about her books and the how she makes them. We learnt that we can be authors too- all you need it’s an idea, an imagination and a can-do attitude. We also participated in our first ever book week. The parade was very exciting and there were some amazing costumes.

Around the classrooms - Year 1

Last week we went on a magnificent adventure to Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Centre. We explored the boardwalk to spot various creatures including crabs, snails and the Mangrove mouse! Next, we wandered down to the beach and built our own Mangrove Crab habitats. We loved learning about how to protect our environment and the importance of natural features such as mangrove trees.

Around the classrooms - Year 2

This term Year 2 students have been busy designing and creating their very own EKKA Showbags. This has formed part of their Media Arts lessons. After the initial design process, students received teacher feedback before finalising their designs. Students then commented on their own design ideas and gave feedback to their peers. It was a long process but definitely worth the effort. Students were delighted to show off their final products!

Scott Weston-Murdoch
Deputy Principal P-2
and the P-2 Team

News from Mr Corbett

Dear Families,

Over the past few weeks, 4B has been buzzing with exciting activities and learning opportunities!

Book Week brought a wave of enthusiasm as students explored their favourite stories and participated in engaging literary activities.

The Prep Buddies Session was a highlight, where students taught their younger friends about sustainable practices to help protect the animals they've been learning about. It was heart warming to see the students share their knowledge and enthusiasm for conservation.

In maths, 4B have been busy creating ‘fish scales’ to practice reading scales related to mass. This hands-on activity has made learning about measurements both fun and practical.

Students have also had the opportunity to showcase topics of their choice. This opportunity helped them develop their public speaking skills and build confidence.

Ironside State School Shines at QDU Competition!

Last Thursday three teams showcased their exceptional debating skills as the Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Competition held at St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace. The students showed remarkable skill, passion, and teamwork as they tackled the challenging topic: "That we should ban advertising aimed at children."

We are thrilled to announce that two of our three teams emerged victorious! The students engaged in spirited debates, presenting well thought out arguments and demonstrating their critical thinking and persuasive speaking skills.

Congratulations to all of our debaters for their hard work and dedication.

Reading is Magic in 3F!

3F embraced their love for reading with great enthusiasm during Book Week! The students had an amazing time dressing up as their favourite characters and participating in a variety of fun activities.

The highlight of the week was the costume parade, where the class got to showcase their creative outfits. There was a special buzz as the students spent the day trying to guess which Harry Potter character their teacher was dressed as (hint: it was the Golden Snitch!).

The excitement didn’t stop there! The students' costumes also made quite an impression with their impressive character choices.

Heating Up Science: 3A Investigates Heat Energy

In 3A, students have been exploring the fascinating world of heat energy and how it transfers in various ways. Over the past few weeks, students have been engaged in hands-on activities and experiments to explore this essential concept in science.

They started by learning about the three main methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. Students conducted experiments to see how heat moves through materials and affects different substances. They observed how heat travels through solids, liquids, and gases, and discussed real-life examples of each type of heat transfer.

A highlight of their learning was an experiment where students tested how heat is conducted through various materials. They were amazed to see the differences in how quickly heat transferred through different substances.

Exploring the World of 3D Shapes in 3E

Student in 3E had the opportunity to collaborate with visitors from Haga Elementary on an exciting math project! Together, they explored the properties of 3D shapes through interactive activities. The collaboration demonstrated an exchange of ideas and techniques, with both groups learning from each other’s perspectives. It was a great way to deepen understanding of geometry while making new friends and having fun.

A Special Visit from Haga Elementary: 4A’s Pokémon Card Creations

In 4A, we were thrilled to welcome students from Haga Elementary to our classroom for a unique and creative exchange! During their visit, students participated in an exciting project that combined our love for Pokémon with an appreciation for native wildlife.

The activity involved creating custom Pokémon cards featuring Australian and Japanese native animals. Students had a fantastic time designing their cards, incorporating unique traits and abilities inspired by the animals they were learning about. This project not only allowed us to explore biodiversity but also to celebrate the cultural exchange between our schools.

Year 4 Excursion to the Towards Zero Waste Centre

In 4E, students have been enjoying a heart warming experience visiting their Prep buddies and sharing the joy of reading. Over the past few weeks, 4E students have spent time reading stories to their younger friends, promoting a love for books and building strong connections.

The sessions have not only been educational but also a lot of fun, with laughter and excitement filling the classroom. Our students are developing their reading and communication skills while making a positive impact on their Prep buddies.

Warm regards,

Thomas Corbett
Deputy Principal Y3-4
and the Y3-4 Team

News from Mrs Bailey

Hi Everyone,

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Please enjoy updates below from some of our Year 5-6 students and teachers.

Year 5 News:

Camp is coming!

Tyalgum Ridge camp is Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th October. A friendly reminder that medical/dietary consent forms are due this Friday 6^th October. Thank you for your attention to detail with this form to ensure we have all the information required. Please email kbail140@eq.edu.au with any questions.

Payment is due by Wednesday, 2^ndOctober (Week 1, Term 4).

Year 6 News

Headspace mental health education sessions

Last week the Headspace Schools and Communities organisation ran mental health education sessions tailored for Parents and Carers incorporating practical advice on supporting students as they transition to High School. Two topics covered that were particularly useful included the stress bucket (see link below) and using the “NIP it in the bud!” (notice, inquire & and provide) framework to guide a conversation with your child. If you were unable to make the session, you can find the notes via the link below.

All young people experience transitions differently, but there are a lot of common concerns during this period, such as:

Fitting in
Increased pressure with homework
Managing their time and tasks
Peer pressure
Differences in physical development
Fear of being bullied
Worry about travelling independently to school
Navigating different systems and environments
Planning and getting organised
It’s important to acknowledge these are normal and are to be expected.
What can we do to help?
- Visiting the school and encouraging your young person to go to any secondary school orientation days/programs
- Doing a trial run with travelling to school, including taking public transport and using a travel card
- Inviting older siblings or friends to share information about the school system ie. timetable, changing classrooms
- Practising ‘what if?’ scenarios
- Establishing routines including relaxing and fun activities
- Stay connected and interested in your young person’s learning

Stress Bucket

Headspace Digital Information Pack

Languages

Ms Aboud would like to thank the following students for their efforts and skill at being bilingual MCs at the three welcome ceremonies for our Japanese school visits. Thank you for going the extra mile... Mason D, Madeleine D, Prudence Y, Kai G, Ira K and Lucas H.

Warm regards,

Katie Bailey
Deputy Principal Y5-6
and the Y5-6 Team

News from Chappy Thu

Parent Group

Thank you to all the parents who are joining us on Tuesday afternoons to discuss all the wonderful things about school, parenting & life. It is an absolute pleasure spending time with you all.

If you are interested in getting a copy of any of the presentations given at the Parent Group, please email me at tklet0@eq.edu.au.

Chappy Squad

Chappy Thu

tklet0@eq.edu.au
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
8am to 4pm

HPE NEWS

Congratulations to all our athletes who competed at the Met West Regional Track and Field trials last week. We had some great results:

Samara D A - 3^rd in 100m, 2^nd in 200m and 3^rd in Long Jump
Jocelyn B - 12^th in 800m
Hana C-W - 11^th in Shot Put
Alicia T - 5^th in Discus
Selene A - 14^th in Discus
Jason C - 14^th in 800m

A big congratulations to Samara who has made the Met West Track and Field team and will be competing at the State Championships in early October.

11 and 12-year-old boys and girls are invited to register for the Met West Aquathon trials by going to https://www.triathlon.org.au/qld/allschoolstriathlon/ and signing up. See the information below for more.

Mr Clarke-Okah
HPE Specialist

Library News

Annika Sauvage & Cath Roche
Library Teachers

PS check out the wonderful entries we've received for Get Caught Reading so far. We can't wait to see yours!

Junior Carnival Photo Gallery

Payment due dates

As we start to approach the end of the school term, we'd like to remind you about the importance of making timely payments for excursions, incursions or other school event.

Many of the events we organise throughout the year involve a great deal of planning and organisation. Transport and entrance costs need to be paid in advance, and in many instances, numbers need to be finalised with third parties before the actual event day.

We'd hate for your child(ren) to miss out on these fantastic learning opportunities and for this reason, we kindly ask you to make a note of payment due dates for any upcoming event.

If making a payment via BPoint, please allow at least 48 hours for the payment to appear on your account.

Thank you for your co-operation and support.

QParents

In our continuous efforts to enhance communication and streamline administrative processes, we will be transitioning to QParents for the following areas: reporting of school absences, invoice & payments, consent for activities, and accessing school reports.

QParents will eventually become the main hub for all these tasks.

In order make this transition a success it’s important for all parents to be registered and have access to QParents.

Here’s what you’ll be able to do with QParents once registered:

View and download report cards online as soon as they are published
Provide us with a reason for unexplained student absences, anytime and anywhere
Notify the school of a future student absence at any time
Pay your invoices. No cash or waiting at reception required, simply log in and pay online at any time
Forget having to fill out and deliver a paper form for consent. Instead, provide consent for excursions and events using the QParents app.

The registration process is straightforward but it’s simpler if you use a home computer or laptop rather than your mobile phone*.

* After registering you can download the QParents app to log in and use on your mobile phone.

Please see below on how to register.

Please note, you will be asked to provide your child’s EQI number. You should be able to find this on a recent invoice. If you still cannot find this, please email enrolments@ironsidess.eq.edu.au and request it.

STEPS TO REGISTER

Locate your invite code (check your email. If you don't have this, please email the above)
Click the following link: https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/registration/account-owner/invitation/
Follow instruction to get your ID verified.
Once verified you will have full access to QParents. Now you can download the app for your phone.

Please note, for the majority of parents, you will be able to get your documents verified online. If, however, you do not have the 100 points needed to register, you will need to come to the school to present your documents.

Invoices

BPoint is the preferred payment method for Department of Education, due to the efficiencies that automated receipting brings to schools. BPoint is an online payment system which provides schools with a secure and efficient method of collecting payments for parents/customers. BPoint allows a parent to pay their child's invoices directly from home and receive the receipt immediately.

Click directly onto the link on your invoice (example one) at the bottom left-hand corner of your invoice. By clicking on the link on your invoice it will automatically fill in your CRN (Customer Reference Number) and invoice number. All you need to do is fill in the amount you want to pay. You cannot pay multiple invoices on the one link.

If you want to pay all your invoices online, you can do this by clicking the link in the box and entering the exact six-digit invoice number from your statement (example two).

If you prefer, click the link below and follow the steps to make a payment.

Log on to: www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete External link
Enter your Customer Reference Number (CRN). It is always the same for your child. It can be found on the bottom left hand corner of your invoice.
Enter invoice number
Enter student name
Enter amount $

Ironside OSHC

Tuck Shop

Advertising

For all advertising enquiries please email: communications@ironsidess.eq.edu.au

Join the Fun these School Holidays with Little Lifesavers!

Looking for an exciting and educational activity for your kids during the school holidays? The Little Lifesavers program is the perfect way for children aged 5-11 to have fun while learning vital water safety and lifesaving skills. Running at various beach and pool locations across Queensland, this program offers a hands-on experience where kids can learn everything from surf awareness to rescue techniques, all in a safe and controlled environment.

No need to be a surf pro—Little Lifesavers is designed for kids of all abilities! It’s a great way to build confidence in the water while making new friends and enjoying the outdoors.

Don’t miss out! Spots fill up fast, so sign up today and give your child the chance to be a Little Lifesaver this holiday season!

For more details and to register, click here