18 March 2021 - Term 1, Week 8

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents, 

What a lovely sight around our school today seeing the splashes of orange as the students and staff showed their support for Harmony Day, a celebration of Australia's cultural diversity.

You can read more about Harmony Week at this website: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Balloons and photo courtesy of the Jhamb family.

All the best for the week ahead!

The Pocket - Early Education and Care

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Merit Certificates and Leadership Badges

Merit Certificates - Years 3- 6

Merit Certificates - Prep - Year 2

School Captains: Madeleine Mc, Alankrita M, Aaron D and Narra A

House Captains: Lucas A, Anna O, Mischa G, Monty dW, Dylan C, Will E, Ellen C and Makayla A.

Student Councillors:
William B, Sammy B, Isabella O, Gavynjay G, Sophie K, Nadia H, Iago P, Sahanaa S, Viet Tue and Harishen T, Josie P, Inara T and Thomas D.

Strings Captains: Daniel C, Charlotte H, Abigail S, Barbara F, Charlotte Y and Lena C.

Band Captains: James T, Vassiliki O, Lachlan C, Chrissy Z, Isabelle E, Soleil N, James W and Alesgo K.

Class Representatives: Sihyun Y, Ryan H, Elsa Y, Kaitlyn L, Alex L, William H, Lucinda P, Max C, Mini C, Clemance L, Charlotte Y, Arash N and Jessie F.

Library Captains: Wai Kar L and Hugo S

Bridge Builders: Lena N, Kiana R, Jamie K, Anvita P, Samyak J, Victoria C, Pia GG, Maxine V, Areen N, Vaishnavi N, Isabella HD, Camille H, Amytis T, Anisha D, Sushreya C, Iva M, Willow M, Dila G, Emi C, Ella P and Nabiha I.

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

Bridge Builders - Skill of the week: Asking them to stop
Finding and maintaining friendships is not always an innate skill, and getting along with everybody all of the time is impossible.  In life, conflict is inevitable.  Children may try to resolve problems, but without an understanding of what to do and how do it, a successful outcome for both parties is unlikely.

There are seven skills that children need to overcome personal and social obstacles and to build a bridge to move on from conflict confidently.  The first step in that process is “Asking them to stop”.

Asking someone to stop is something children can use in almost every conflict they have, however, it often doesn’t work as it is not done correctly or the other person is choosing to escalate the situation. It can be extremely helpful to give your child the tools to know how to ask someone to stop assertively. There are three keys factors that help this to be more successful:

• understanding the importance of body language,
• recognising tone of voice,
• using words that are powerful.

 “Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside

Prep Arrivals and Departures:  Term 2
Prep students are becoming more confident with school routines and expectations and as a school we would like to continue building upon their ever-increasing independence and sense of responsibility.

Arrivals: 
This process remains the same.

• Parents wishing to wait with their children before school commences, must do so in the appropriate Green Zone (Grassy Patch). This remains the most appropriate space in the school for adults to practice social distancing. 
• Alternatively, Prep students can make their way to the Prep Precinct on their own or escorted by an older sibling where they will be supervised by school staff.

In both of these scenarios, we ask that parents observe the “Hug and Go” signs and that Prep children are provided the time to organise their belongings for themselves. Remember the supervising adults are there to support.

We actively encourage families to have conversations that support our Preppies to take ownership in this space.  These small routines create an opportunity for students to build independence and resilience.

Departures: 
Neighbouring classes will be working together to make their way to the Grassy Patch at 3:00pm.  Prep students will be supervised by myself and another member of staff. 

• Children are to wait until their known adult or sibling arrives to collect.
• Once collected, students are to wait beside the responsible person. This is not a playtime.

As a matter of safety and a sign of respect to the rest of the Ironside community using this space, we would appreciate your support in reminding our Preppies of the “Right place, right time, right way”.

Parents wishing to use Ironside Street as their preferred departure zone may do so by contacting their classroom teacher to advise of this preference.

If this is your preferred departure zone, please be aware of the following:

• Students will independently make their way to Ironside Street from their Prep classroom.
• Students are to wait behind the fence and sit on the bench seating under the direction of the supervising adult on duty. *This adult will be wearing a high-vis vest
• Parents are to wait on the footpath to collect Prep students.
• Parents to advise supervising adult before collecting and departing.

Should you have any questions regarding these processes, please speak with your classroom teacher.

Around the classrooms – Prep: 
Last Friday, the Prep children participated in Renata’s Family Show. Renata sang songs, played her guitar and used puppets to help the children consolidate their learning about families. Some children participated with puppets and dress-ups to help tell stories. The children loved singing along to Renata’s songs about ‘5 little ducks’ and families loving each other.

Around the classrooms – Year 1: 
In Science, we are exploring different materials. We have been investigating the properties of materials and why they are suited for a specific purpose. Look at what we see, think, wonder…

Around the classrooms – Year 2: 
On Monday, the Year 2 students enjoyed a puppet performance “Good Things Come in Threes.” They were entertained by three fairy tales told through different styles of puppetry.  Some lucky students were delighted to be involved in this interactive show. This incursion aligns with the current English unit in which students are describing and comparing fairy tale characters and the Drama unit where students are working on entertaining performances using voice and movement.

News from Mrs Vecchio

PREP & YEAR 4 BUDDIES
Year 4 students are enjoying working with their Prep buddies on “Fun Friday” activities.  This gives our older students authentic opportunities to mentor younger students in applying social skills and problem-solving strategies they are learning in class.

BRIDGE BUILDERS® NEWS
Twenty-one (21) BRIDGE BUILDERS® Mediators completed two days of training last week in a range of skills: conflict resolution, calming self and others, communication, empathic listening, mediation and building and maintaining relationships.   As student leaders, our BRIDGE BUILDERS® Mediators play a vital role in helping younger students apply conflict resolution skills in the playground.

Thank you Mrs Graham and students of 2D who helped us with the training and skills practice!

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held on Friday mornings 9:15 – 9:45am.  Seating for family members is provided at the rear of the Hall and we thank you in advance for maintaining the necessary physical distancing. 

News from Mrs Bairstow

LOST PROPERTY CLEAN OUT
As we approach the end of term, the mountains of lunchboxes, umbrellas, drink bottles and hats is growing in our lost property area.  Students and parents are encouraged to check the shelves for lost items.  This is located on the J block verandah.  Any items not collected by the end of next week will be discarded, or donated to charity where possible.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC – BAND PROGRAM
This week, we welcomed Mr Elliot Rentoul and Mr Bryan Pearson to the Instrumental Music teaching team, as they are sharing Miss James’ teaching load during her absence, through illness.  There have been some teething issues with timetables and availability, but we anticipate that these will be sorted by the commencement of next week’s program. 

Jazz Band rehearsals (which were scheduled for a Thursday morning) will recommence in Term 2.

For the remainder of this term the schedule is as follows:

Mr Pearson’s email address is bpear104@eq.edu.au .  Mr Rentoul’s email address is erent9@eq.edu.au.  If you have any queries, please contact me directly at jbair51@eq.edu.au

Band parents, please check your junk / spam folders for communication.  For some reason emails from my address (jbair51@eq.edu.au) have been redirected to these folders for several parents’ accounts.

Year 6 Band parents – shortly, you will receive a letter via email with the details of our upcoming excursion to see the Queensland Symphony Orchestra perform.  The excursion is on 27 April (after Easter holidays), but the forms are due back by the end of next week.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP – FIRST STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING
After their induction and badge presentation ceremony last week, the 2021 Student Council met for the first time on Tuesday.  Students discussed the “Big Idea” of “What is Student Council all about?”  The outcomes of this collaborative conversation will guide the direction of this group who will represent the student body throughout the year.  A summary of their thoughts are below, and give an insight into the deeply thoughtful and reflective students we have the privilege of calling our leaders.

• Bringing ideas together from across the school
• Teamwork
• Fundraising
• Getting the word around
• Making the school a better place
• Listening to and valuing diverse perspectives
• Helping the school community
• Planning new ways to improve and enhance the school
• Leadership and representative opportunities

Next Tuesday, the group will plan out the structure of their meetings including roles and responsibilities within the team.

LIFE ED – SEXUAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION
Life Ed sessions are now completed for students Years 5 and 6.  I would like to thank Natalie from Life Ed for again, delivering this program with professionalism and enthusiasm.  We always look forward to welcoming her to Ironside, and have already placed our booking request for 2022.  Parents are reminded that the supporting resources for the Talk About it Module are available at:  https://www.lifeeducation.org.au/parents/resources .  These resources can support you in continuing the healthy, informed and honest conversations in the home environment.

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

Change Perspective:  “You have to be odd to be number one.” (Mr Mudassir)

Wellbeing activity: Know how to deal with mistakes.  A lot of stress comes from the fear of making mistakes.  This is part of the process of learning.  Learn to figure out the next steps after a bad decision or mistake.  Make amends, learn the lesson, and move on.

Making Something Good: “Sometimes life throws dirt at you; all you can do is to grow flowers with the dirt that life has given.  It’s all about making something good out of your problems.”  (Rodney M, Age 16, Zimbabwe, 2014)

Wellbeing activity:  Visualise a quiet place.  Close your eyes and picture a calm, peaceful place.  Then, slowly start to build up a picture of how it looks, smells, and feels to be there.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION
Religious Instruction will continue into its second week, tomorrow.  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

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)

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

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

Community Providers

HPE - Years 3-6 Cross-Country Training

We will be holding optional cross country training over the next two weeks for those students interested in training on the actual cross country course at Robertson Park.  This year, students who are interested are to meet Mr. Clarke-Okah at the park at 7am and training will run until approx 7:45am.  Parents will be required to drop off their child AND will be responsible for getting them back to school.  Parents are more than welcome to join the kids on the course for training. 

Training Dates:

• Tuesday 23 March  2021
• Thursday 25 March 2021
• Tuesday 30 March 2021

Hope to see many keen runners down at the park!

Choir News

Voci Musicali Auditions
Auditions for our new choir will be held next week Monday 22 – Thursday 25 of March during first break. Students will be auditioned according to last name:

A – F Monday 22
G – L Tuesday 23
M – R Wednesday 24
S – Z Thursday 25

Any child wishing to audition needs to prepare 30 seconds to 1 minute of a song of their choice. For example: “Tomorrow” from Annie, “Brave” by Sara Bareilles, “Just Can’t Wait to be King” from The Lion King etc.  Students will also be taught two short songs on the day to test vocal range and part work.

Students will be notified of successful auditions in Week 10 and rehearsals will commence on Wednesday afternoons in Term 2.

Easter Sausage Sizzle

Entertainment Book Fundraiser

Dear Ironside Community:

Please consider supporting the Ironside State School P&C and get a year of unlimited offers & saving. Start your Entertainment Membership today to get a year of amazing 2-for-1 offers, discounts and savings AND a bonus $10 or $20 eGift Card. Click here to sign up today. Thank you from your ISS P&C!!        https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/2y22817

News from Tuckshop

GREAT NEWS!!! Tuckshop has re-opened for over the counter sales at second break.

Students are able to buy hot food (Chicken Nuggets/Garlic Bread), drinks, ice blocks, snacks and SLUSHIES with cash!

Year 3 – Year 6 from 1:10pm to 1:30pm
Year 1 – Year 2 from 1:40pm to 2:00pm

Please Note: Preps are not allowed to participate until next year.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS…
Now that we are open for second break over the counter sales, if you would like to serve your children from 1:00pm to 2:00pm, please contact Olivia at oqin0@eq.edu.au to be rostered. It is a fun and rewarding experience, especially since it has been a year since we could offer over the counter sales and the children are super excited!!

Love to bake?  If you can donate your time and ingredients we would love any of the following to offer for sale to the children …

Banana Bread, Cookies, Slices, Muffins, Cakes, and Cupcakes (no nuts please)

Consider being added to our baking roster please!  

Email Olivia oqin0@eq.edu.au for more information.

Save the Date - Ironside SS Spring Fair

Community Information