18 February 2021 - Term 1, Week 4

News from Mr Johnson

This week the Ironside Wellbeing Team hosted the first of two staff morning tea gatherings for term one.

The Ironside Wellbeing Team members are:

Alex Burt, Chris Lord, Tanya Jeavons, Maggie Pagliaro, Jessica Ballantyne, Eddie Dobinson, Nidhi Tanna, Alice Metcalfe, Mariela Morris, Tara Wightwick, Rachel Beattie, Chris Delaney and Damian Johnson.

Our wellbeing framework is:

We describe our staff commitment to wellbeing as;

“Wellbeing at Ironside is founded in and actioned through connection. We choose to be supportive and supported for our wellbeing at work”

On Wednesday we connected with one and other over morning tea. I’d like to say a big thank-you to Tara Wightwick who shopped and organised the catering. I’d also like to thank our teacher aides who ALWAYS do a fabulous job setting and packing up.

P&C AGM and FEBRUARY GENERAL MEETING
The AGM and February general meeting of the P&C will be held next TUESDAY 23 FEB in the staffroom commencing at 6:30pm.

The P&C is a wonderful way to connect with members of our school community as well as making an active and valued contribution to the life of the school. New members are welcome.

Ironside STARS

As an Ironside STAR we / we are:

Safe and Kind;

• RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, RIGHT WAY
• WORDS AND ACTIONS HELP, NOT HURT
• MAKE FRIENDLY CHOICES, NOT CONFLICT CHOICES

Treasure Diversity;

• DIFFERENT PEOPLE NEED DIFFERENT THINGS
• APPRECIATE THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS
• CELEBRATE & SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE

Act with Integrity;

• DO THIE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
• TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CHOICES
• BE HONEST

Respectful;

• TREAT OTHERS LIKE WE WANT TO BE TREATED
• BE POLITE AND USE OUR MANNERS
• CARE FOR SELF, PLACE AND OTHERS

Open Ironside Opportunity
It is my pleasure as the Principal to invite those attending the gala dinner, alumni and other members of the Ironside community to visit and walk through A Block and surrounds. Along with other members of the leadership team, it’ll be my pleasure to open the A Block doors between 5:00pm – 6:00pm this Saturday 20 February.

Merit Certificates and Awards

Hugo S - Year 6 - Library Life Member

Young ICT Explorers: Ethan C, James T, Adam Mc, Bumi A, Dinura G and Risinu R

News from Mr Murdoch

Bridge Builders:
Bridge Builders® is a school-wide proactive program aligned to the Australian Curriculum (Personal and Social Capabilities), implemented sequentially from Prep–Year 6. Students are explicitly taught to apply conflict resolution strategies, communicate using a common language and build their confidence to solve interpersonal problems.

Bridge Builders® at Ironside State School is a whole school approach that promotes resilience and self-worth. It encourages students to respond appropriately and challenge conflict behaviours and to develop positive and safe relationships. It is embedded into the everyday life of the school.

Bridge Builders - Skill of the week: Behaviour is a choice
Taking responsibility for the choices we make is a sign of maturity. The primary school years are an ideal time to introduce both an understanding of possible choices and the skills needed to show that children have control over behaviours. Simply put, children can either choose to be friendly or they can choose to cause a conflict.

We need to provide clarity for children in what choices are friendly and those that cause conflict. We must not assume that children understand the differences. It is vital to teach the language of friendly and conflict choices, so that these can be discussed as they arise.

With younger children, it is extremely important to help them understand by modelling appropriate language, tone and body language.

“Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside

Prep & Year 1 Parents: Bridge Builders Online
To support families with younger children, Ironside State School provides access to the Bridge Builders Online Program.  This Program is designed to help students with resolving everyday conflict and will be implemented during the course of the year with students accessing material both during class, and outside of class time.

As discussed at our Prep and Year 1 Parent Information sessions, teachers will be sending unique licence keys and invitations to access this program at home. 

Please see your Prep or Year 1 classroom teacher for further information.

Reminders – Arrival and Departures:
Thank you for your continued co-operation in relation to our new arrival and departure processes for 2021.

• Children who are dropped at school between 8:30am and 9:00am are to independently make their way to their designated, supervised waiting area.
• Green Zones are for parents who wish to wait with/for their children before and after school.
• Children who are escorted to class by parents at 8:55am are to provide your child the opportunity to manage the morning routines on their own i.e carry and unpack their own school bag. These little routines create a space for independence and responsibility to grow.

Reminder - Year 1 Parents: 
One of the systems we use at school to keep students safe is the use of a yellow bucket hats in Prep.  This helps to keep Prep students easily identified in the playground to make sure they are in the right place.

There are some Year 1 students who are still using this yellow bucket hat which is causing some confusion in the playground.

We kindly request that you purchase the appropriate blue hat used by our Years 1 – 6 students at your earliest convenience.

These hats are readily available for purchase at the uniform shop or via the Qkr app.

Thanks in advance for your co-operation with this matter.

https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/facilities/uniform-shop

New uniforms can be ordered online via the online app Qkr! http://qkr.mastercard.com/.

Please note the Uniform Shop cannot accept cash.  Payment can be made by EFTPOS in store and via use of the Qkr! app (online).

Around the classrooms – Prep:
The new Ironside Prep students have done a fantastic job transitioning into the routines and expectations of Prep!

It has been a busy first few weeks of making new friends, beginning to learn our letters and sounds, and getting to know our new environment.

Our focus for HASS this term is ‘Who am I?’. We are looking at our own identity within the class and our families, below are some examples of art that accompany our learning!

Around the classrooms – Year 1: 
Year One students are using language and images in text to discuss characters.

Emma B, Eliza C, Sara L and Audrey L are exploring the character description text type and how a character’s features and body language may be used to identify their feelings and behaviours.

This learning has been complemented by the Bridge Builders Program where we have been discussing friendly choices, feelings and how our actions may influence others around us.

Around the classrooms – Year 2: 
In Year 2 this term we are exploring the natural resources of our planet Earth. This week we have been investigating soil and have conducted an experiment to test how different types of soil affect plant growth. We are looking forward to observing the growth of our two tomato plants over the coming weeks. Our prediction is that the tomato plant in the composted soil will grow healthier than the plant in the sand because it has more nutrients.

L- R: Ellie 2D, Madeline 2D, 2D's Experiment

News from Mrs Vecchio

LIBRARY NEWS 
We are fortunate at Ironside that our wonderful Library offers many opportunities across the week to encourage students’ love of reading!    

Prep - Year 2 students have a Library lesson each week, and Years 3 – 6 have lessons fortnightly.  Students are welcome to borrow books during these lessons as well as before and after school and at break times. Prep – 2 students are asked to have a Library bag to help keep their precious books safe! 

Congratulations to our 2021 Library Captain Wai Kar L. and Library Banker Hugo S.  These Library Leaders, together with the team of Library monitors from Years 5 and 6, keep the Library running smoothly.  A “house points” system for Library monitors also strengthens our school’s “house culture”.

NEWS FROM YEAR 3
We are delighted with the renovations on the top floor of “A” Block.  Students and teachers in 3E, 3F and 3G are enjoying the newly refurbished teaching spaces … bright, airy and quiet! Completion of the final three classrooms is well underway and we are looking forward to taking up residence as soon as we can.

Next week, Year 3 is on excursion to the Mt Coot-tha Planetarium as part of their Science inquiry. This excursion aims to enhance students’ learning about what causes day and night, and about the relationship between the sun, Earth and moon.

Wednesday 24 February 9:30 am group:              3A, 3B, 3C, 3F
Wednesday 24 February 11:00 am group:            3D, 3E, 3G

Information letters have been sent home and consent forms should be returned to class teachers by Monday 22 February.

NEWS FROM YEAR 4
In Year 4, we have a strong focus on helping students develop the attributes of ‘life-long’ learners’:

• Being more responsible, independent and organised – every Year 4 student has been ‘gifted’ a school diary as an organisational tool.
• Setting goals by reflecting on their work and acting on feedback.
• Taking ‘risks’ with new learning and applying effort.

Our focus is not just about achievement but on improvement and personal best. Therefore, students are expected to:

• Own their behaviour choices.
• Take responsibility for their learning and social behaviour.
• Apply the conflict resolution strategies learned in Bridge Builder lessons to build resilience, resolve problems constructively and strengthen relationships.

Around the Year 4 classrooms, there is much evidence on their 'teaching walls' of the important work being done in these areas of social-emotional learning and well-being.

INTERNATIONAL PARENT GROUP
All interterested parents are invited to the weekly “chat and cuppa” sessions hosted by the EAL/D Team.  A QR code has been set up to help parents sign-in to the meetings.

When:  Fridays 9:00am – 10:30am
Where:  EAL/D room (off A Block)

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
So lovely to welcome parents back to school assemblies!  Seating for family members is provided at the rear of the Hall and we thank you in advance for maintaining the necessary physical distancing. 

Assemblies are held on Friday mornings 9:15 – 9:45am, schedule below:

Last week, we were entertained by the fledgling Year 2 choir ‘Voce dei Bambini’.  During the term, we will enjoy performances by instrumental music groups, choirs and other special presentations. Teachers who manage the various programs communicate this information to parents.

News from Mrs Bairstow

STUDENT LEADERSHIP
As per the table below, we are in the process of electing House Captains, Student Councillors and Class Reps.

Forty-one Year 6 students have self-nominated for the position of House Captain this year!  These students will deliver a brief speech to their House after assembly tomorrow morning.  Voting and counting will occur directly after, so students will know the outcome by the end of the day.

Election for Student Council and Class Rep positions will take place in classes on Monday 22 February.

Bridge Builder and Music Leaders will be selected after these roles are filled.

Parents are invited to attend the Leadership Badge presentation assembly.  Please see details below:

LIFE ED – SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION
Between March 1 – March 16 the school will be offering Sexual Health and Relationships Education for our Year 5 and 6 students through Life Education Queensland. The information here aims to help you understand the content of this session. The school recognises that you are the primary educator of your child on issues surrounding their sexuality, however we believe we can work together to help children stay safe by encouraging healthy attitudes. The “Talk About It” program by Life Education includes information on puberty incorporating physical growth and emotional changes, relationships and the concept of self.  It is designed to help students understand and cope with this important phase of development. 

The program is designed to assist young people develop a positive attitude towards their own sexuality and provides them with information on how to look after themselves during this stage of their development.  The lessons being conducted will focus on the physical, social and emotional changes experienced during puberty and helping students understand and cope with this important phase of development. The program covers content from the Health strand of the Australian Curriculum and we have had consistently positive feedback from our community regarding this initiative, over many years and we strongly encourage families to engage with the opportunity.  If you wish for your child to not participate in this program, please email your class teacher directly.  Students not participating will be supervised in another classroom while modules are being completed.

We are fortunate to have a very experienced educator from Life Education conducting the sessions which have been tailored to the needs of our school and students.  Classroom teachers will always be present in the room during sessions as well.

Year 5 students will partake in two modules entitled “Who am I?” and “Welcome to Puberty”.  The cost for this will be $27.

Year 6 students will partake in three modules entitled “Discovering Identity”; “Surviving Puberty” and “The Journey of Human Reproduction”.  The cost for this will be $34

Families will be invoiced accordingly.

We have been overwhelmed with positive response to the offering of a parent information session in conjunction with the program.  The parent information session will be held in the School Hall from 5.30 – 6.30pm on Tuesday 23 February.  The content of this session is aimed at adults, and it is an valuable opportunity for parents to ask questions that they would not normally discuss in the company of children.  Therefore, we strongly encourage you to make alternative care arrangements for your children if at all possible.  If this cannot be arranged, please contact Mrs Bairstow at jbair51@eq.edu.au

Please open the links below for further information.

STUDENT DIARY – WELLBEING FOCUS
This fortnight’s wellbeing messages are:

Excited for a new day:  “I sleep just to get up early and start a new day.” (Vikrant S, Age 17)
Wellbeing activity: Make sleep a priority.  Sleep is vital for everything from minimising stress to boosting mood to improving school performance.

Let go: “The best way to hold on . . . is to let go”  (Casey L, 2015)
Wellbeing activity:  Listen to your body.  Listen to what your body is saying.  Sometimes a repetitive symptom like a stomach or headache tells you there’s too much going on.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Religious Instruction will commence on Friday 12 March (Week 7).  This is an option available to all students in Years 1 – 6. 

Faith groups who are offering RI this semester are:

• Buddhist
• Catholic
• Combined Christian
• Islam

As the last week of Term 1 is a short week for Easter, the Term 1 dates for RI lessons will be 12, 19 & 26 March.  In terms 2 – 4, RI will run from Weeks 2 – 9 each term, as it has in previous years.

These dates are:

• Term 2:  30 April – 18 June
• Term 3:  23 July – 10 September
• Term 4:  15 October – 26 November (finish Week 8 due to end of year school assemblies in Week 9)

The time allocations for instruction on Fridays will remain the same:
Yrs 4 – 6:  9.50 – 10.20am
Yrs 1 – 3:  10.20 – 10.50am

All RI volunteers must hold a current Blue Card, and are inducted through the Queensland Government “Mandatory All-Staff Training program”.  Classroom teachers remain in the room at all times with volunteers and students.

Students will be enrolled into the RI group aligned with the information provided on the enrolment form at the time of enrolment.  Should you wish to change the RI group that your child attends, please submit this advice in writing to:  jbair51@eq.edu.au AND tdewo0@eq.edu.au It is possible to change groups / cease attendance at any time.

Students who choose to not attend RI classes will be supervised by classroom teachers in classrooms, completing alternative work and activities.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GALA 2020
In 2020, we re-imagined our Instrumental Music Gala because of Covid restrictions.  The Gala was held in the hall during the school day, and the audience was formed by peers.  We were extremely fortunate to have one of our parents, Mrs Catimbang offer to film and edit the performances.  The finished product is really quite remarkable, and it is clear that Mrs Catimbang volunteered many hours beyond the whole day of filming, to create these memories for our students and families.  We sincerely thank her for her generosity in producing these high quality videos.  Even if your child is not involved in the 2020 Instrumental Music groups, I encourage you to take a look, and enjoy the wonderful music that our students are capable of creating.

The following links take you to Ironside State School’s secure You Tube channel:

Chamber Strings - https://youtu.be/QWFF8jDMMIo

Intermediate Band - https://youtu.be/QhJ9F7vJG7s

Intermediate Strings - https://youtu.be/DnC0UQFsIdk

Jazz Band - https://youtu.be/XkqsWuwLZn8

Junior Band - https://youtu.be/Gj1pMyJrHAY

Junior Strings - https://youtu.be/EP98WqGDqIA

Senior Band - https://youtu.be/mZ2e2KumD9E

Senior Strings - https://youtu.be/pC0nqEo4wKc

Community Providers

Choir News

YEAR 1 and YEAR 2 CHOIR REMINDER
All students in Years 1 and 2 who are interested in joining the Choir should have come home with an information note. If your child wishes to join the Year 1 or Year 2 Choir and they have not received a note, it's not too late to see Mrs Huxley and collect one.

Year 2 Choir will rehearse first break on Monday and Year 1 Choir will rehearse first break on Tuesday. At this stage the rehearsals are taking place in the Music Room.

Parents/Caregivers can help on the day of their child's rehearsal, by packing food that is quick, non-messy, and easy for the kids to eat.

Year 3-6 Choirs
Year 3/4 Choir – “Canto Voci”
The Year 3/4 Choir rehearsals are on Tuesday mornings in the 6A/B classrooms. Any children in years 3 and 4 are welcome to join, please email vlsly0@eq.edu.au to express your interest.

Year 5/6 Choir – “Belle Voci”
The Year 5/6 Choir rehearsals are on Monday mornings in the 5D/E classrooms. Any children in years 5 and 6 are welcome to join, please email vlsly0@eq.edu.au to express your interest.

Auditioned Choir – “Voci Musicali”
We have a new auditioned choir at Ironside this year. Auditions will be happening over the course of Term 1 with rehearsals commencing in Term 2. Students in years 4 – 6 are encouraged to audition and students from year 3 will also be considered. Expressions of interest must be returned by Thursday February 25.

HPE News - District Trial Date

News from Ironside P&C

Ironside Swim Club

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is now open, please visit us.  No need to make an appointment!

Uniform Shop Open Hours
Wednesdays 2:30pm-3:30pm and
Fridays 8:30am -9:30am

Uniform orders can be placed online via the Qkr! app.
 
Orders placed by 5:30pm on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday will be respectively delivered to the classrooms on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  

Community Information