27 August 2020 - Term 3, Week 7

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,

REFLECTIONS ON LEARNING @ HOME
As we continue to live in our COVID impacted world, it’s important to both reflect upon the road travelled as well as the one ahead. I believe that as a whole school community we did a terrific job through what might be described as ‘the thick of it’ at the end of term one and through second term.

COVID, while presenting us significant challenges and many personal heartaches, also provided an opportunity for empathy, understanding, patience, kindness and calmness to shine through.

As we still find ourselves in somewhat uncertain times, I wanted to take this opportunity to share (say) the following to our school community.

• As both a system and an individual school within that system – we have reflected and we have contingency plans in place should we ever find ourselves in a similar situation again;
• We would do things differently. Having listened widely and reflected on the feedback, I share the following generalisation. ‘The younger the student (lower down the primary years we went), the more challenges and frustrations were experienced with Learning @ Home’.

The leadership team met with our partners in the School of Education at UQ to discuss and reflect on our experiences. We were both informed and supported by some wonderful work from UNESCO. I have included a link to this research below. I urge everyone to have a read of “Thinking about Pedagogy in an Unfolding Pandemic”.

• https://www.oitcinterfor.org/sites/default/files/file_publicacion/2020_Research_COVID-19.pdf

So what would we do differently? In thematic terms we would:

• Have a greater focus on wellbeing and connection (Maslow before Bloom);
• Less is more in context of the academic work content;
• Include ‘live’ teaching / connection (through Teams) into the process (provide the mix of both Synchronous and Asynchronous Instruction); and
• Adjust the approaches more deliberately in the earlier primary years.

While I remain proud of our efforts, I acknowledge we can always do better (being a ‘learning centre’ this should be a core visible behavior that we model). I wanted to take this newsletter time and space to both share with you and keep you informed of our work and thinking here at Ironside.

I hope that this newsletter finds each and every member of school family well. In these ‘new normal’ or possibly ‘not so normal times’, it’s the connection and care for one and other that binds and sustains us.

SWIMATHON / LAPATHON – SPONSORSHIP FORMS DUE
A reminder that TOMORROW FRIDAY 28 AUGUST is the required date for the return of Swimathon and Lapathon forms. Thank you to all our families for their support of this 2020 fundraiser.

Ongoing thanks to Mrs. Isobel Khursandi, Mrs. Fiona Hynd and Mrs. Kelly Sedgman for the effort and volunteer hours put into the organization of this annual event.

NEXT FRIDAY – 4 SEPTEMBER PUPIL FREE DAY
Next Friday the 4 September is a pupil free day (PFD). This is the corresponding day to what was previously, the pupil free day in October (Term 4, Week 3) every year.

The scheduling forward of this PFD is due to the move to the new ATAR system.

Ironside Staff have worked this flexible day as a part of our January Staff Professional Development Days. Therefore, there will be no teaching or non-teaching staff on site.

Ironside OSHC is running a full day program. This will resemble a vacation care day. I understand bookings are still available. Ironside OSHC 3870 9849

IF YOU ARE SICK – STAY HOME!
I need to stress to families that the ‘previous normal’ of students heading to school if mildly unwell and “seeing how you go” does not apply in the current COVID-19 context.

I understand there is a clear difference between some anxious tummies, allergies etc. However, if your child displays cold or flu like symptoms – cough, fever, runny nose, aches, lethargy etc. They need to be at home. In these present times we need to ensure both the health and wellbeing of the individual as well as the group.

Thank-you in advance for your support.

All the very best for the week ahead.

10 YEAR BOYS – SEQ FUTSAL CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to the 10 years (Boys) futsal team. This group were the winners of the South East Queensland Schools Competition. Both our 10 and 11 year old boys have been invited to participate in the South Queensland Championships in October. Well done!

*The Pocket - Early Education and Care*

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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.

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Merit Certificates - Friday 21 August

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,
2021 Prep Enrolment Process

1.    Pre-Enrolment Information
• Prep Information Evening: Typically, this is a general information session about our Prep program and enrolment process conducted in our school hall.
Due to the social distancing measures and health restrictions currently in place, this presentation is now available online.
• ISS Website contains up to date enrolment information and Enrolment Packs https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/Enrolments/Prep/Pages/Prep.aspx.

2.    Enrolment Applications (from now)
• Prep 2021 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 Ironside State School Enrolment Management Plan. 
There is no waitlist and no cap on enrolments.
Enrolment Management Plan (from 30 June 2017) 
• No out of catchment enrolments.
• No sibling policy.
• Must be intending to stay for 12+ months.

All applications require the execution of the Ironside State School Statutory Declaration which confirms the student’s residence in the

3.    Enrolment Interview Days 
       (Four enrolment days) 
• Interview: The enrolment interview will take one hour and will consist of:
o    Parents (10mins) – Meeting with Deputy Principal (Prep - Year 2).
o    Parents (30mins) – School tour with Mrs Tina de Wolfe de Wytt (small group)
o   Children (60mins) – Engaged in a series of age appropriate activities under the guidance and observation of a Prep Teacher for the purposes of determining equitable class allocation. 
Due to the social distancing measures and health restrictions currently in place, we ask that only one parent attends the interview.

Staff Professional Development Day:  Friday 4 September
Please be advised that next Friday will be a pupil free day.  The staff professional development day previously scheduled for Monday 19 October 2020 was moved to Friday 4 September 2020.

REMINDER:  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 again will 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: 
1. Go to https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au
2. Access the Ironside SS booking page by entering the following case-sensitive Event Code: qy7cb
3. 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.
4. Select your child’s teacher from the drop down box. 
5. Select one of the timeslots available with your child’s teacher. Press Go. 
6. 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.

News from Mrs Vecchio

YEAR 4 EXCURSION – UNIFORM REMINDER
Year 4 students going on excursion to the Science Centre SparkLab are reminded about uniform expectations.  Students must wear their full and proper school uniform, including school hat and Ironside SS jumper/jacket or navy blue jumpers/jacket.   Excursion dates are:

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

Please look out for correspondence from your child’s Class Teacher about changes to excursion arrangements in light of recent Stage 3 COVID restrictions.

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.  If your child is not at the pick-up zone when you arrive, please go around the block and be patient!

It’s also very helpful if drivers display a sign with the child’s NAME and CLASS clearly printed.

Drivers who are spending more than 2 minutes in the Stop, Drop and Go zone are breaching regulations and causing traffic congestion. 

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

Your care and consideration is valued and appreciated.

FUTSAL
Congratulations to the Ironside 10 year old boys Futsal team who won the 2020 South-East Queensland School Championship. 

Accolades also to their dedicated coaches – Mrs English and Mr Cortes.

Bravo, boys and coaches!

News from Mrs Bairstow

RI ASSEMBLY TOMORROW
Professor of Physics Ross McKenzie, who teaches Christian RI to Year 3 and Year 6 students at Ironside SS, and is a former Ironside SS parent, will be speaking on “A scientist looks at God’s amazing world”  at a special RI assembly this coming Friday 28 August. Professor McKenzie will also be doing some amazing science demonstrations. The assembly will be held as follows:

9.50am Years 4-6
10.20am Years 1-3

Students with current consent to participate in Catholic RI or Christian RI will be attending the assembly. Students participate in RI based on parent consent on enrolment information or written communication to the school at any other time. Parents can update their preferences for their children in relation to RI by writing via the classroom teacher or Administration Office at any time. 
At this stage we are planning for regular weekly 30 min RI classes for all students in Years 1-6 with consent to participate in Islamic RI, Catholic RI and Christian RI recommencing in Term 4.

CONGRATULATIONS DILA!
As part this year’s National Science Week, Dila from 5F, entered a short film to the competition Queensland Academy of Science & Mathematics and Technology.  The film had to focus on a scientific concept, discovery or invention that captured the theme “An Ocean of Opportunity”.  Dila won the competition with her documentary video about the Mariana Trench.  Congratulations Dila!!

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

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:

Community Providers

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

News from Spanish

Next week at Ironside, students in years 5 and 6 who are enrolled in Spanish will have the opportunity to enjoy an amazing Latin dance class, from one of the best Cuban dancers living  in Australia.

Yasim Coronado, an experienced dancer from the world renowned Cuban Ballet has over 15 years of professional experience in dance and choreography and has prepared an incredible lesson specially designed for our students.

​At the end of the lesson we aspire to have stepped outside the box and created an inspiring choreography.

Maria Cesar
Spanish Teacher

News from HPE

3 Pin Tournament Standings as of Thursday 27 August

P&C Fundraiser - Swim/Run-a-thon

Swim/Run-a- thon forms are due back tomorrow, Friday 28 August.  Please refer back to the full article in the 13 August newsletter for the complete details.  Forms can be downloaded below:

Tuckshop

Dear Ironside parents:

As Tuckshop still not open over the counter at this stage, please order your kids’ lunch online. Please do not give money to kids to buy at the tuckshop.

We will continue to practice the Covid-19 Safe Plan for Catering in the tuckshop. We will continue to check the temperature for staff and volunteers when they come in. We will continue to maintain our high standard of hygiene for food preparation and delivery.

At this stage we can no longer take the home bake donations. We thank you for all the delicious home bake the parents provide.

Tuckshop Roster

P&C Fundraiser - Entertainment Book

The NEW 2020 | 2021 Entertainment app is now 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).

Let’s support our local community and our school’s P&C Projects! 

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

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

Community Information