10 June 2021 - Term 2, Week 8

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,

Long Service Leave
I will be taking some long service leave for the first three (3) weeks of next term. During this time Mrs Larissa Vecchio will be the Acting Principal.

The Region has been fully supportive of my preference to cover this leave (and the associated flow on effects) internally. This will ensure an easy continuation of our learning and teaching priorities for what is a relatively short time.

As there are still some decisions to be made around HR and staffing in the next week or so, I’ll provide all the personnel details to you, in our final newsletter in Week 10.  

Senior Athletics Carnival – Tuesday 15 June
Next week at our senior athletics carnival there are three (3) key messages that parents need to be aware of and support us with;

• No Canteen – Students will need all their lunch food packed and prepared for the day;
• No Parents to enter the field / competitors’ zone – stay in the stands; and
• Entry is ONLY through the main entrance on Sir William MacGregor Drive. Sign in using the QR code and the Check-in QLD App.

These are UQ Athletics requirements that Ironside State School has agreed to comply with due to their COVID protocols. In the past, we have utilised and appreciated the support of volunteer parents. This year we appreciate your support by remaining in the stands.

Uniform Focus
During this term we will be having a school wide focus on the best possible wearing of our school uniform.

Last term the P&C (who are the endorsing body of the School Uniform Policy) undertook a survey of parents regarding the school uniform and the range of options.

The clearest summary of that survey information I can provide is:

• Maintain the current offerings – there is no tension for any significant change to either alter or economise the current school uniform offerings;
• Increase the focus on attention to detail and the correct wearing of the uniform in its combinations.

As we continue to work on this attention to detail, I’d ask our parents to support us in the following way:

• No (standalone) leggings

Leggings are an acceptable part of the school uniform when they are accompanied (worn under) the school dress, skirt, skort etc. Leggings with just the school polo shirt over hanging the waist, is not an intended or desired uniform option.

I appreciate the support of families as we continue to sharpen wearing of the uniform.

Thank you Ironside P&C - Hall Improvements
I took this photo of our hall which is now much better for installation of four (4) new fans thanks to our P&C Association.

I was excited to see, feel and NOT HEAR the operation of these new fans this morning! As we come into our warmer months later this year, I know these will make a huge difference to the students (and parents) at assemblies, graduations, school events etc.

Huge thanks to the Ironside P&C for your ongoing and sharp commitment, seeing your fundraising efforts returned to the school.

The Pocket - Early Education and Care

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Stars of the Month and Merit Certificates

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

Bridge Builders - Skill of the week: Make An Agreement
We all know that there are differences and disagreements in all relationships. Therefore, it is logical that how you resolve these disagreements will be critical to the ongoing success of those relationships.

Sometimes in a conflict there is common ground. This is something that both children want that is the same. An argument can become complicated by continued hurtful behaviours. Asking children “What do you both want that is the same?” can stop the bickering and help them to focus on what the original problem was and lead them to make an agreement.

Try to remain neutral if you can and let your kids sort it out with your help. Remember that conflict is not bad, it’s an everyday part of life and a great opportunity to learn.

“Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside

*REMINDER – Before and After School Routines

Students who arrive before 8:55am, and are not booked into Before School Care, are required to move directly to their designated waiting area until the first bell rings:

• Preps – line up in front of their classroom
• Years 1 & 2 – under G Block

Formal supervision in these waiting areas begins at 8:30am.

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. 

At the end of the day, Prep classes work together to make their way to the Grassy Patch at 3:00pm.  Year 1 & 2 students are dismissed from their classrooms and are to meet parents/siblings on the Grassy Patch or make their way to the appropriate departure zone. 

Children are to wait until their known adult or sibling arrives to collect them. Once collected, students are to wait beside the responsible person. 

It is expected that children follow school routines and not play games or use playground equipment before and after school. 

As a matter of safety and a sign of respect to the rest of the Ironside community using these spaces, we would appreciate your support in reminding our junior school students of the “Right place, right time, right way”.

Around the classrooms – Prep: 
In Prep, the students have been exploring fairy tales. The students practised orally retelling the fairy tales, discussed their opinion of the fairy tale with classmates and thought about their personal connection to the story. The students have also presented their favourite fairy tale as an oral presentation using a poster to display their thoughts and ideas. The photos show the marvellous posters the students have created and showcase how they are developing as writers.

Around the classrooms – Year 1: 
Year One students have been exploring the concept of light. 1C students collaborated in their inquiry groups to identify and sort sources of light that are made naturally or made by people. Students then discussed where we would find each source of light and the ways in which people use them. The following pictures do not do justice to the depth of their discussions. Glow in the dark slime was democratically voted in as a 1C official source of light after being justified by insightful rationale – “the chemicals in the slime do something funny when they bump each other and they make light”.

Around the classrooms – Year 2: 
2B used their imaginations to create their very own mythical creatures!  Check out our creatures below!

News from Mrs Vecchio

YEAR 3 ART
In Visual Art lessons, Year Three students have been exploring Indigenous artists Jimmy Pike and Sally Gabori.

During Reconciliation Week, they discussed the meaning and history of national ‘Sorry Day’ through viewing artworks and listening to stories. 

Students used oil pastels and lines to reflect each member of their family, watercolours to explore colour, lines and shape in landscapes, and sandboxes with natural resources to create ephemeral art of a landscape in small groups.

Art Teacher, Ms Wightwick, reflected upon student learning … it definitely deepened student understanding of our rich First People’s history and empowered them to communicate their own interpretations of wildflowers inspired by these artists. We can’t wait to see their final works of art!

LIBRARY ‘LIFE MEMBERS’
Ironside’s wonderful library relies on the work of Library Monitors who willingly give their time and efforts as a service to our school community.

Clemance L and Kaushik A (6C) were awarded Life Membership badges for their dedication and commitment to the school Library.

Parents and family members are welcome to join us at school assemblies that are held on Friday mornings 9:15 – 9:45am.

There are two assemblies remaining this term – see below:

CAMP QUALITY
On Friday 25 June, Ironside will host Camp Quality and their talented puppeteers who will be presenting a student-friendly program to raise awareness about cancer.  See their information (below).  Show times are as follows:

Session 1:           9:00am-9:50am – Grades 5 & 6 – ‘The Caped Crusader’
Session 2:           10:05am-10:55am – Grades 3 & 4 – ‘The Caped Crusader’

There is no cost associated with this event and parents are most welcome to attend.  Parents who prefer their children to “opt-out” of the activity are asked to email their class teacher directly.

News from Mrs Bairstow

SEMESTER 1 – INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GALA
Our Semester 1 Instrumental Music Gala Evening will be held at Indooroopilly State High School on Wednesday 16 June.  This venue is fitting for the size of our ensembles across the Band and Strings programs. Student attendance at this event is expected, as part of their commitment to the program and their ensemble.

We are grateful to Indooroopilly High for the use of this facility.  There is no hire fee, and therefore, there is no fee for audience attendance.

Performances will begin at 6.30pm, and students need to arrive at 5.00pm in order to tune instruments and prepare with their teachers.  There is no parking available onsite, and parking in surrounding streets can be limited.  Please factor this in to your planning for the afternoon.  Best access to the hall is from Ward Street / Turner Street.  Just for clarification – we are using the old hall, not the new auditorium. 

There will be no food or drink available for purchase on the evening. Please ensure your child has had an early, wholesome dinner prior to arrival at the venue – as performances will run through to approximately 8pm.

Full performance uniform is required for all performers on the evening.  2021 is our ‘transition’ year as we replace the blue bow ties, neck ties and cummerbunds with a unisex blue vest. It is fine for your child to wear either uniform for the entirety of 2021, including this Gala Evening.  (All students must have the blue vest for performances from 2022 onwards.)  The staple items of the performance uniform remain:

                     - White, long sleeved, collared shirt

                     - Long black dress trousers

                     - Black socks

                     - Black shoes

                     - Blue hair accessories (if required)

We look forward to sharing in a wonderful night of music with you.

FREE DRESS DAY – WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE – DONATE NOW
Please help support the Student Council of Ironside SS in raising funds and awareness for Beyond Blue.

The Student Council are passionate about raising awareness of mental health, particularly considering the difficulties that Covid continues to have on our community, far and wide.

Knowing that physical activity is linked to positive mental health benefits, the Student Council has chosen a sporty theme for their upcoming free dress day.  Students are encouraged to wear their favourite team colours to school on Wednesday 16 June.

You could wear your favourite team’s jersey or colours (eg: Broncos / Wallabies / Firebirds), or even the uniform for a team that you represent on the weekends

Please help us to raise funds as you normally would, by making a QKR ‘gold coin’ donation in two easy steps, for wearing free dress. 

Any amount is appreciated and will help the Student Council in contributing to our wider community.

Donations are now open and will close on Friday 18 June.

How to make a donation:

2. Follow the prompts to make a donation:

LOST PROPERTY
As the cooler mornings are upon us, and Brisbane afternoons will always warm up – the number of winter items in the lost property is extremely large.  Named items are returned where possible, but most items at the moment are ‘nameless’.  For health and safety reasons, at the end of each term, we clear the shelves and make donations to charities where possible.  Parents are encouraged and welcome to come and have a look for lost items, if possible. 

The lost property is kept on the J Block top verandah.  Go to the top level rear entrance of the hall, take a slight right and the verandah that overlooks the oval houses all of these items.

Community Providers

Japanese Language News

I would like to share a wonderful resource for beginner readers of Japanese created by Japan Foundation. This collection of mini readers is perfect for students at Ironside learning to read hiragana. Students can have fun making their own mini books and collecting all books in each series to add to their home libraries. Children can also download digital copies of readers to their Kindles. They may also be inspired to create their own!

This wonderful resource can be found at https://jpf.org.au/classroom-resources/resources/hiragana-mini-books/. Happy reading! 

Aboud Sensei
アブード先生

Job Opening for a Cleaner

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 have unlimited work rights.

Successful applicants will have a 3 month probation period

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

Ironside Spring Fair

Community Information