13 May 2021 - Term 2, Week 4

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week Four! It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the half way point of our second term.

Australian Education Awards – 2021
I am both excited and humbled to share with our school community that Ironside State School has been nominated and subsequently selected as a finalist in the Primary School of the Year (Government) category at the Australian Education Awards for 2021. We are one of eight schools across Australia selected as a finalist for 2021. The award ceremony will be held in Sydney on the 27 August this year.

Of the eight primary school’s selected as finalists, three are from Queensland. This is a wonderful reflection of the quality of education being delivered in our state primary schools.

Ironside being one of these three Queensland State Primary Schools is a ‘better than fantastic’ reflection of ALL our staff, students, parents and community members who contribute every day to our wonderful school.

A link to all the 2021 finalists across all the categories is included below for those whom are interested.

https://www.educatorawards.com/index.php/excellence-awardees/excellence-awardees-2021

Congratulations Chamber Strings
Last week Chamber Strings competed and performed at St Peters. Sincere thanks to Ms Weeks, Mrs Bairstow and Ms Drew as well as all our parent helpers and supporters on the night.

Chamber were awarded a ‘Gold’ standard performance and achieved first place on the night! Congratulations.

School Council Meeting – Monday 17 May
A reminder for members of our School Council that our next meeting is scheduled for this coming Monday, 5:30pm in the Staff Room.

NAPLAN – Update
This week and into the early parts of next week, our Year Three and Year Five students have been undertaking their NAPLAN (National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy) tests. Our move to online testing in 2021 has worked very well.

I’d like to acknowledge the Year Three and Five students for the excellent way they have conducted themselves through the tests. Engaged, quiet, hardworking, diligent are words that come to mind from my observations across the classrooms and computer labs.

All the very best for the week ahead. Stay safe and well.

The Pocket - Early Education and Care

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Merit Certificates and Music Awards

Instrumental Music Awards Strings, Term 1: see recipient list in previous newsletter.

News from Mr Murdoch

Bridge Builders - Skill of the week: Share and Take Turns
Positive communication skills are essential for good relationships.  Listening is a learned skill, and through focused and directed efforts, parents can teach their children and themselves better listening and speaking habits.

Listen to your children in the way you like to be listened to. Be a good role model by hearing things in their words and making them feel important while they are talking to you. Since they sense when you’re not listening, they’re much more apt to listen to you when you listen to them.

Tone of voice and facial expression are important aspects of positive communication as well - our tone and expression can speak as loudly as our words.

 “Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside

REMINDER - Prep and 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.

Teachers have provided families in Prep and Year 1 with details to access this program at home. 

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

Around the classrooms – Prep: 
In Prep we have been learning about different fairy tales. Students have been practising expressing an opinion as well as make a personal connection to the story. Prep students are also doing a fantastic job at attempting to write their answer using the letters and sounds that they have been learning through our Jolly Phonics program. Well done Preps!

Around the classrooms – Year 1: 
This term we have been exploring light and sound and we had some questions.

In our literacy rotations we are also practicing our reading and writing.  Students have been engaged in guided reading sessions, sentence building tasks as well as independent literacy activities to develop their tool kit of reading and writing strategies.

News from Mrs Vecchio

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many and varied achievements of our students.  Last week, at the Year 3 – 6 assembly, we congratulated:

Assemblies are held on Friday mornings 9:15 – 9:45am, with the Term 2 schedule as follows:

LOOKING AHEAD … DATES TO NOTE FOR YEAR 3 AND 4
Week 6: Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 May – YEAR 4 TARCOOLA TRACK WALKS
Week 8: Tuesday 8, Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 June – YEAR 3 KARAWATHA EXCURSION

LIBRARY NEWS
Book Fair starts on Monday 17 May and continues until Friday 21 May.  The Library is open from 8:00am until 3:30pm during these days to allow parents and the children to browse the extensive collection of books on offer.  Online ordering is available until 24 May.

News from Mrs Bairstow

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS
Chamber Strings competed at QYMA at St Peter’s Lutheran College last Thursday evening.  Their performance was spectacular and they took home the Gold Award and perpetual trophy.  Their achievement is a credit to the students’ dedication, the ongoing support from their families, and the excellent work of Ms Weekes.  Not only was their musicality outstanding, but so was there conduct on the evening.  Congratulations Chamber!!

It is so wonderful to have the students be able to perform in public venues again, after the interruptions of 2020.  We have the following performances scheduled for Instrumental Music Groups.  Parents are welcome to attend our assemblies, using the seating at the rear of the hall:

In addition to this there will be a Semester One Gala, which is traditionally an opportunity for all ensembles to perform at the one time and place.  We are currently seeking and confirming options for venues, and will have a date and arrangements to parents as soon as possible.

Instrumental Music students were given the opportunity to audition for WestCent last term.  Students who were successful in their auditions will attend the Music Day Camps from Monday July 26 – Thursday July 29 held at Jamboree Heights State School (Intermediate) and Sherwood State School (Honours). Parents are reminded to check emails from Mr Rentoul and Ms Weekes regarding forms and payment details. 

Well done to all those who auditioned, and congratulations to the following students on their placements: 

ICAS TESTING IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER – PARENT PAYMENT PORTAL NOW OPEN
Students in Years 4 – 6 will again have the opportunity to sit the ICAS Tests in English, Maths and Science.  This is optional, and paid for by parents.  Students can choose to participate in one, two, or all three of the tests.  UNSW charges $17.05 per assessment (inc GST)

All tests at Ironside will be conducted online, and will be administered during the following official testing dates:

Particular sitting dates for year levels will be determined closer to the time, and after the parent registration portal has closed.  This will allow us to coordinate timetables and resources effectively.  Tests will be conducted during class time, on school computers or ipads.

** Parents of students in Year 4 need to be aware that the Mathematics testing dates, largely clash with Year 4 Camp (Tuesday 31 August – Thursday 2 September). Students in Year 4 who choose to participate in the Mathematics test, will need to be at school on Monday 30 August to do so.  There will be no opportunity to do a catch up session due to absence because of the camp, and the Pupil Free Day.

We are often asked what are the benefits and purposes of these tests.  To make an informed decision for your child/ren please follow this link which outlines the details of the assessments:  https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas/

Ironside State School has registered for the UNSW Global Parent Payment System.  The Payment System is a secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments.  Paying directly to the parent portal is the only option to register your child.  The school office will not be able to accept payments, or late registrations.  

The closing date for all parent payments for all tests is Sunday 1 August.

To register your child for one or more of these assessments please follow the below link and enter the Ironside School Access Code.  Then follow the prompts to complete information and payment.

          Page link:  https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

          School access code:  JSN965

YEAR 6 EVENTS
Year 6 families were advised by email earlier this week, that after consultation, a booking has been made for our Year 6 students to attend Tyalgum Ridge Resort from 5 – 7 October.

We have also been able to confirm that Michael Jeh will be running his Life Skills program for students (and a parent information session in the evening) on Tuesday 20 July.  More details will be sent to families closer to the date.

News from Instrumental Music Strings

Junior Strings Workshop  
On Thursday last week the Junior Strings had their very first workshop with Ms Todd and Ms Helen. This was the first time the students had come together as a group and learned the basics of how to work as an orchestra. The students practiced tuning, setting up chairs and stands, listening to other sections of the orchestra, following the conductor and playing in unison. The students are excited for their debut performance on the Prep – 2 assembly in week 8. 

  (below is a picture of some drawings that the students did at the workshop 

QSO Excursion 
On 27/04/21 we (All the Strings and the Year 6 Band students) went to QPAC to watch and listen to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra play a manner of themes from famous fantasy movies. The pieces were really well played and we all enjoyed the pieces one after another. There were many exciting moments, there were some slow and pretty pieces while some were energetic and exhilarating.  It was a great experience and was an opportunity to see for ourselves what we could become, if we were to pursue a career in music.  We had an extremely wonderful day and we hope we can hear more of their playing soon. 
Lena C 

'Watching Queensland Symphony Orchestra performed at QPAC was an amazing experience. They dressed up in very cool costumes and played some very beautiful pieces. My favourites were the Captain Marvel Open World Suite and Full Mayhem from The Incredibles. Their performances were interesting and made me feel excited and immersed. Thank you for the opportunity to have a such a memorable experience' 
Abigail S 

The QSO excursion was a great musical experience for many young musicians from Ironside. Showing us, how music can do so many things, from telling stories, creating suspense, and just making a pleasant sound to our ears. We heard many iconic movie's themes and songs, and got students clapping, cheering, and smiling, when they heard a song that they recognised. QSO is surely a great musical experience, where music speaks, and sings to our ears.    
Charlotte Y 

Community Providers

News from HPE

Please note that long jump trials will be at Jack Cook Park from 8am to 8:40am. Parents will need to bring the kids to the park as well as return them to school after their 3 attempts.  Thank you.

Ironside State School Cleaner Position

1 x 30hrs per week (split shift)
5:00am to 8:00am
3:00pm to 6:00pm

Working with Children Blue Card essential and must be obtained prior to commencement. 

A criminal history check will also be undertaken for the successful applicant.

Prospective employees must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent residence visa.

Successful applicants will have a 3 month probation period

Email BSM@ironsidess.eq.edu.au for application package

Applications close 28 May 2021

News from the Library

BOOK FAIR
Ironside's Semester 1 Book Fair begins online this Friday 14 and in our library on Monday 17.

Brisbane City Council Libraries Gold Star Reading Club
Children across the city will discover the joys of reading when the Gold Star Reading Club program commences in Council libraries on Saturday 1 May 2021.
The Gold Star Reading Club is designed to encourage and develop reading and literacy skills in children.

There are four great reasons for children to get involved in the 2021 Gold Star Reading Club.

1. Membership to the Gold Star Reading Club is FREE!
2. The Gold Star Reading Club can help children improve their reading and literacy skills.
3. Children will be rewarded for reading with exciting monthly incentives –coloured pencils, a foldable frisbee and a skipping rope.
4. It’s FUN! Children will have fun sharing their reading experiences with family and friends.

How the program works – it’s easy and free!

• The Gold Star Reading Club is a three month program for children aged 6-12 years.
• Register for the Gold Star Reading Club at your local library. Your child must be a library member to join Gold Star – library membership only takes a couple of minutes and is free. Each child’s parent or guardian must bring photo identification (i.e. driver’s licence or passport) and proof of their address to any Council library, and you and your child can become members in a matter of minutes. It’s that easy.
• Gold Star members will receive a Gold Star Reading Club pocket book that includes a progress chart.
• By reading just three books of their choice each month before recording the details in their pocket book, children can collect nine gold stars and monthly incentives.
• Children who collect all nine gold stars are eligible to:
• attend their local Gold Star Reading Club awards ceremony with their families
• receive a medallion and a certificate of achievement.

For more information about the Gold Star Reading Club, visit your local library or call Council on 3403 8888.

Indooroopilly State High School Open Day

Community Information