Ironside State School eNewsletter

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,
PARENT TEACHER PHONE INTERVIEWS – MAKE YOUR BOOKINGS
Parent/Teacher interviews are being conducted via telephone in Weeks 8 and 9 of this term (Monday 31 August – Friday 11 September). We will again be using the online booking system available through https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au.

Bookings have been opened to parents as of 3:00pm, Thursday 13 August, and the system closes for parent bookings at 3.00pm, Friday 28 August.

Each teacher, within that period of time, has ensured that there are adequate timeslots available to cater for all students in their class. This is totally dependent on their personal circumstances; however, we appreciate that any time outside of school hours is the teachers’ own time and their commitment to this important communication process is acknowledged and appreciated.

If you are unable to co-ordinate a phone interview in one of the timeslots provided, please contact your child’s teacher to negotiate a mutually suitable time. For the most part though, it is expected that parents book according to the times made available on the booking website.

Please follow these instructions to book your parent teacher interview with your child’s teacher:

Go to https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au
Access the Ironside SS booking page by entering the following case-sensitive Event Code: qy7cb
Follow the prompts to provide your email address, your name and your child’s name.
*Please include your current and preferred contact number in this information.
Select your child’s teacher from the drop down box.
Select one of the timeslots available with your child’s teacher. Press Go.
A confirmation email will be sent to you.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your booking, you can do this by following the link in the email you have received.

Please contact the school office if you require assistance with this process.

SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY 24 August
The next meeting of the Ironside School Council will take place this coming MONDAY, 24 August. The School Council meets in the staff room commencing at 5:30pm and concluding by 7:30pm.

P&C AUGUST MEETING – TUESDAY 25 August
Next Tuesday the 25 August is the P&C Meeting for this month. The Ironside P&C meets in the staffroom commencing at 6:30pm. Meetings are concluded by 8:30pm at the latest. The P&C is a warm and friendly environment, new members are welcome.

All the very best for the week ahead.

The Pocket - Early Education and Care

****Advertisement****

Hi Ironside State School families!

Are you looking for a fabulous childcare centre?

The Pocket Early Education and Care, St Lucia’s newest child care centre is opening in early July.

Just a three minute drive from Ironside, our purpose-built centre offers a fun and supportive learning environment for your child, with state of the art facilities, engaged staff, nutritious meals prepared daily and our very own FUNdamentals program.

As an early learning centre, we at The Pocket believe that each child is unique. Because of this we cater to your child’s individual needs and developmental pathways, through our ‘learning by playing’ philosophy. This allows your child to better understand the world in which they live, through our planned early education programs which engages their capacity to participate, communicate, investigate, create, and reflect.

To support your child’s growing body as they develop and learn, we provide fresh, homestyle meals prepared on site, each day, by our Chef, Eliza. We also provide clear and regular communication daily about your child’s progress, routine and activities using Storypark.

Our degree qualified Early Childhood Teachers in our Kindergarten programme, ensures your child receives the best start to life before starting Prep. Our Centre Manager, Shandelle Banditt, and our friendly staff are committed to providing your child with incredible learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment that will foster a lifetime of benefits.

Educating and caring for your child 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year, 6.30am-6.30pm to support you and your family.

To join our Pocket community, call Elise, our Enrolments Manager, on 3568 5800 or 0476 997 332 or email enrolments@thepocketchildcare.com.au to discuss your children’s requirements.

****Advertisement****

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

Prep
In Prep D, students have been learning to make their sentences more interesting by using descriptive and rhyming words. Check out these ‘Fox in Socks’ creations from Emma and Sara.

Year 1
During English, 1B students have been working on their retell writing. We have read several different cultural stories as well as other children’s books, and learnt how to write a retell. Students have done a fantastic job of including the characters, the setting and the key points from the beginning, middle and end. They have also been learning to write a character preference to show which character they like the most and why.

Year 2
In 2G, students have been reading “George’s Marvellous Medicine” and learning how to write procedures. Students have had a fantastic time creating all sorts of marvellous recipes. Thanks to Aiden, Nadia and Selene for sharing their work.

News from Mrs Vecchio

YEAR 4 ICAS
Parents who have chosen to register their children for the University Of NSW ICAS Tests are reminded that ICAS testing occurs across the week within the testing periods as per the UNSW guidelines. That is:

Mathematics – Week 7: 24 August – 28 August
English – Week 9: 31 August – 3 September

Our office staff is not able to answer parent queries about specific test times. Days and times for students and classes vary depending on the number of students registered for the tests, availability of devices and staff administering tests. ICAS tests are done on-line using school iPads and administered by our Heads of Curriculum. Please be assured that, if your child has been registered for an ICAS Test, this will be conducted in accordance with the UNSW guidelines during the appropriate timeframe.

YEAR 4 EXCURSION – NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Year 4 students are getting excited about their excursion to the Queensland Museum & Science Centre SparkLab. Many of our students have a keen interest in Science and experiences such as these are great for deepening their knowledge and understanding.
Excursion dates are:

Tuesday 1September - 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E
Wednesday 2 September - 4A, 4F, 4G

Buses depart Ironside at 9:30am and should arrive back at school by 2:45pm for 3:00pm pick up. Students must wear their full and proper school uniform (Ironside SS jumper/jacket or navy blue jumpers/jacket) and bring their hat, water bottle, morning tea and lunch packed into a small bag or back-pack.

Queensland Museum has COVID-19 restrictions in place to ensure a safe experience for our students and staff. As well as social distancing, maximum capacity numbers and hygiene protocols, adult attendee numbers are limited to 5 per class (including the teacher). Parents who have any safety concerns can refer to the Queensland Museum fact sheet available from your class teacher. We fully respect the decision of parents who choose not to approve their child’s attendance at the excursion. Students not attending will spend the day with another Year 4 class back at school.

AFTER SCHOOL PICKUP
Afternoon pick-up works beautifully when parents of students in Years 1 – 6 delay their car pick-up until 3:10pm. Students in Years 1 – 6 are dismissed at 3:00pm and it often takes them at least 5-10 minutes to get to their correct zone.

Drivers who are spending more than 2 minutes in the pick-up zone are breaching regulations and causing traffic congestion. If your child is not at the pick-up zone when you arrive, please go around the block and be patient!

Thank you to community members who are co-operating with the pick-up protocols and routines.

Your care and consideration is valued and appreciated.

News from Mrs Bairstow

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THANKS
Last week’s virtual trip to Canberra, powered only by the imagination and commitment of the Year 6 teaching team, was a highlight of the disrupted year that 2020 has been. The spirit of the trip was captured and it was an absolute pleasure to see the students enjoy the exciting and interactive experiences that their teachers worked so hard to design and implement. The Year 6 team and I have received several emails and messages of thanks for the day, and I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know, that these gestures of appreciation are very valued.

Below is a snip of a card, which was part of a thank you package, created for the Year 6 teachers. A group of girls spent their own time over the weekend to show their appreciation for the opportunities their teachers provided them. This is evidence of, and a credit to the sense of gratitude being instilled in these students – even through challenging times.

STUDENT LAPTOP PROGRAM – TERM FOUR OPEN NOW!
If you wish to purchase a student laptop for your child in Years 4, 5 or 6 through the school’s bulk purchasing agreement with HP for the commencement of Term 4, please follow these procedures detailed below.

• Refer to the Laptop Info Sheet below. This document details the specific details of the program.

• Complete the Student Parent Agreement below and return pages 11 and 12 to the school office.

• Pay a $400 non-refundable deposit – an invoice will be generated after this payment is received.

• The deadline for deposits is Thursday 3 September.

• On Monday 7 September, a bulk order will be placed with HP. Laptops are usually delivered by HP over the following one month period, meaning they can be delivered and processed in the early stages of Term 4. Please note that the Covid-19 pandemic led to significantly delayed delivery of our Term 2 and 3 orders. These circumstances are beyond our control and families need to be aware that delivery timelines are not as reliable as in previous orders.

As previously communicated, there will not be the opportunity to purchase a student one-to-one laptop in 2021. Next year will be a ‘pause year’ while we reassess the program and plan for the emerging digital needs of our curriculum. Therefore, if your student is currently in Years 4 or 5, this is the last opportunity for you to purchase through the school’s program for at least 12 months.

Please contact Mrs Bairstow if you have any queries about this process at jbair51@eq.edu.au

Laptop Info Sheet

2020 Student Parent Agreement

STUDENT COUNCIL – RUOK!?
Please help support the Student Council in raising funds and awareness for RUOK? Day.
The Student Council are passionate about raising awareness of mental health, particularly considering the difficult circumstances of 2020 for much of our community.
We can’t collect gold coin donations because of Covid – but that won’t stop us from doing good work for a good cause.
Students are encouraged to wear YELLOW on the following dates:
Years 2 – 6: Thursday 10 September (This is RUOK? Day)
Prep & Year 1: Friday 11 September (This date is different to accommodate the Year 1 Cross Country event)
Please help us to raise funds as you normally would, by making a ‘gold coin’ donation for wearing free dress on these special days. Any amount is appreciated and will help the Student Council in contributing to our wider community.
Donations are now open on QKR! and will close on Friday 11 September.
How to make a donation:

1. Log in to the QKR! App and click on the P&C Menu:

2. Choose the RU OK? option:

3. Follow the prompts to make a donation:

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS
A full schedule of instrumental performances are planned for assemblies leading into the end of this term. Performances are being filmed and emailed to the parents of the students in the IM Program. Tomorrow morning, the Intermediate Strings will perform for the audience. We wish them well in their first opportunity to perform in 2020.

It was wonderful to see the Bands resume their full ensemble rehearsal schedule this week. The tunes echoing from the Hall are beautiful, and it is lovely to have the return of music in our mornings.

150th Orchestra Experiences

On Sunday I was proud to be part of the Historic 150 year Ironside Orchestra's first rehearsal.

A group of musicians ,made up of many different ages and abilities came together for a great session under our fantastic Orchestrameister , Antoni Bonetti. Our connection to Ironside is varied. Many are past students, graduates from different decades-from the 70s, till 2019. Parents of Ironside past and present and from the local community.

From where I sat, I felt some of the sounds produced were excellent, however, some were a little unintentional and unexpected.

I enjoyed the afternoon very much, and look forward to our next rehearsal , after a bit of practice.

Mara Christa- graduating class of 1980 and parent at Ironside

Bassoon2

It was such a bizarre feeling, walking back on to the grounds of Ironside with my violin in hand, preparing to play with a room full of mostly strangers. In more recent years I've been a teacher and a parent, but it has been a long time since I was a student! I was thrilled that two of my Ironside classmates were there to catch up with though (go class of '89!)

With everyone appropriately socially distanced, and music handed out, we were raring to go (albeit a little scared). There was a lovely mix of students from recent years all the way to past staff and students from decades ago. Sitting in the violin section, we were a little intimidated with the principal QSO violinist sitting in the concert master's chair! But he was lovely and we all rose to the challenge. All things considered, I think the first rehearsal was a resounding success and with a couple more rehearsals, they will be an impressive orchestra. What a lovely way to celebrate 150 years.

Music was such an important part of my time at school and paved the way for me to go on to a good high school, and to go on and study music. I'm now working for the Department of Education in music, and Ironside was the place it all began. I'm so proud to be able to join in this celebration of the school. A massive congratulations to Phoebe Anderson for getting it off the ground and to Antoni Bonetti for taking on the task of conducting us all.

Harmony Wollett – Graduating class of 1989 and past parent of Ironside

Violin

It was a joy and a privilege on Sunday to be included with current and past musicians from Ironside, (staff and students, as well as parents), in the first rehearsal for the orchestra preparing to perform at the 150th Anniversary. What a great way to showcase the ongoing standard of music at this great School for all of those years. For my part, while teaching strings there from 1993 to 2001, I was forever impressed with the standard of music students under the age of 13 were able to reach with such excitement and passion. The support from the administration and parents enabled music staff to attain these goals… long may it continue.

Léone McNaught – String Teacher at Ironside 1993-2001

Walking through those front gates this Sunday for the first time in almost three years triggered a euphoric nostalgia within me. Everything was almost exactly as I remembered, like coming home from a long and eventful vacation. I took great pleasure, as the first musician to arrive, to slowly wander towards the hall, noticing little forgotten details as I pass them, as though I’m exploring a thick jungle of memories.

It is always such a great experience to be immersed in all these people that have the same musical passion as me, regardless of whether their ability ranges from young high school students to years of full-scale professional performers.

Daniel Rosenbaum – Graduating class 2017

Community Providers

To enquire about advertising please send an email to news@ironsidess.eq.edu.au

P&C Fundraiser - Entertainment Book

The 2020 | 2021 Entertainment app is available for purchase, so you can save money AND help raise funds at the same time (20% / $14 per membership will go to the P&C).

For the first time ever, we will raise an extra $10 or $20 on top of the 20% we receive from every Membership sale from August 14 to September 13. Amazing!

Check out some of the most popular everyday savings…

5% off Woolworths groceries and fuel
5% off Dan Murphy’s & BWS
10% off Rebel Sport
10% off Lorna Jane
5% off JB-HIFI and Big W

Start saving today whilst supporting us and the local community! $220 raised.

**Order online at http://www.entbook.com.au/2y22817.

If you need further information, please email Treena: ISSEntertainmentBook@gmail.com .

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is currently available only by appointment. Please click the following link to schedule an appointment: Uniform Shop Appointment.

Tuckshop

Hi, kindly reminders to parents:

Tuckshop still not open over the counter at this stage. Please order your child’s lunch online. Please do not give money or credit card to students to buy at the tuckshop.

When you order lunch, please double check with the date and child’s name. Most orders that are not delivered are due to details entered as the wrong day, the wrong name or the wrong class.

If you need to cancel an order, you can cancel up to 8:00am in Qkr on the day of delivery. After that we cannot cancel/refund but can save snacks or cold items until another day of your choosing.

Tuckshop now open from 7:30am to 11:30am. If you are calling to confirm your birthday order or for a general enquiry, please avoid calling during 10:00am to 11:00am, if at all possible. This is our busiest time getting orders out to the students.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Tuckshop Roster