17 September 2021 - Term 3, Week 10

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,

Well! What an interesting term this has been. Thank you for all your support, along with the calm and kind collective presence that has steered Ironside through. I am absolutely delighted to be seeing out the term with no further lock downs or major disruptions to our regular routine.

WILBUR AND NISO SMITH FOUNDATION – Congratulations Aaron D (6B)
In the wee hours of Wednesday night/Thursday morning Aaron D (6B), one of our School Captains, was announced as the winner of the 2021 Wilbur Smith – Author of Tomorrow Award. This is the second consecutive year that Aaron has had a story shortlisted. Aaron has also had other stories commended in this category in both 2020 and 2021.

Congratulations to Aaron on winning this award in 2021 for his short story ‘Burning’.

I share with the school community a link to the information from the foundation below.

2021 Shortlist | Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation (wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org)

KIDS STEM CONVENTION
Over the course of the last eight (8) weeks we have had Year 5 and Year 6 students participate in the 2021 Kids STEM Convention. I’d like to acknowledge and thank Mr Malcolm, Mrs Ward-Isles and Miss Preston for leading this opportunity for Ironside’s participating students.

The culminating event for this year, celebrating the theme of ‘Food Sustainability’, was held at QASMT (Queensland Academy, Science Maths Technology) earlier this week.

One of our Ironside teams, comprising of Poonita A (5C), Aadhya M (5G) and Elenora J (5D), won the Digital Tachnology and Innovation Award.

These young ladies worked to develop the ‘Supply and Demand’ website that facilitated the trading of excess agricultural farm produce to animal farms in return for the manure as fertilizer – seeing nothing of waste going to waste!

The future in good hands when we hear of and celebrate these achievements. Well done to Poonita, Aadhya and Elenora – along with all of the Ironside students who participated in the 2021 Kids STEM Convention.

I wish all our families a restful, safe, fun and happy Spring break. If you’re traveling around our great state in the holidays, keep safe.

School resumes for Term Four – TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER.

The Pocket - Early Education & Care

***ADVERTISEMENT***

Ironside Merit Certificates

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

This week sees the end of another term for 2021.  On behalf of the P-2 team and myself, we wish you a safe and happy holiday.

REVISION: 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 bride 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

2022 Prep Enrolment Process

1. Pre-Enrolment Information

• Prep Information Video: Our pre-enrolment Prep information video is now accessible on the school website. The purpose of this video is to provide an overview and general information in regards to the enrolment process and what you and your child can expect in the first year of school. 
• ISS Website https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/Enrolments/Prep/Pages/Prep.aspx

1. Enrolment Applications

• Prep 2022 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 catchment and the parents’ acknowledgment that they must reside in the catchment for the duration of their child’s enrolment.
• Ongoing checks that students reside in catchment.

1. 2022 Enrolment Interview

After your application has been reviewed and approved by our Enrolments Officer, Mrs Faust will provide you with details regarding an enrolment interview.  Four days have been allocated to this process.

Further details about our Prep enrolment interviews are available on the school website.

https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/enrolments/prep/2022-prep-enrolment-information

If you have any questions regarding the enrolment application and required documentation, please contact enrolments@ironsidess.eq.edu.au.

Term 4: Prep – Swimming (a message from Mrs English) 
This year our Prep students will be participating in a Water Safety Unit in HPE classes in Term 4.  Prep classes will do a 4-week block of one-hour swimming lessons.  Dates and classes are listed below:

Students will be assessed at the beginning of the term, and placed in small groups based on ability.  Georgie Parkes Swim School provide instructors to support the HPE teachers.

Lesson times will be advised by classroom teachers at the beginning of the term.  All students must bring the following items to every class in order to participate in swimming lessons;

• Swimmers
• Swimming shirt or rashie
• Swimming cap (lycra swimming caps are our preferred option as the children can put these on themselves)
• Goggles should be worn for comfort, but are not compulsory for participation

Please support your student by helping them learn to put their own swimmers, rashie, cap and goggles on over the next few weeks.  It is an important aspect of their personal development to take care of their belongings, and to be able to dress themselves for swimming lessons.  Things like shoelaces can be difficult for little fingers so we can certainly help with those.

We are looking forward to having our smallest Ironside students learn some valuable water safety lessons.

Term 4:  Prep Departures:
Parents, please be advised that in Term 4, Prep students will start to independently make their way to their departure zones (Grassy Patch or Ironside Street) at 3:00pm. 

Classroom teachers will work with neighboring classes and dismiss students in a coordinated manner. 

Siblings are expected to meet at the family designated departure zone and members of staff will continue to supervise these zones in the afternoon.

This is an important next step in the development of their independence and prepare them for the routines of Year 1.

Please ensure you have ongoing conversations with your Prep student regarding these new expectations (Right place, right time, right way).  As always, please advise your classroom teacher should there be a change in your usual afternoon departure routine.

News from Mrs Vecchio

Around the Classrooms – Year 4
This term in Visual Arts, Year 4 students created a paper mâché character puppet inspired from a traditional Korean tale. Using reusable materials, they designed, constructed, painted and sewed features onto their individual puppet - each one is unique and they have all done an outstanding job!  

The focus of the Year 4 English learning in Term 4 is exploring Traditional Tales – reading, writing and presenting – so the puppets may be useful in classroom literacy lessons next term.

Year 4

Around the Classrooms – Year 3
In Mathematics this term, Year 3 students have been learning about three-dimensional shapes. They used their learning to create 3-D models, like this ‘guinea pig hutch’ - a fun way for students to apply their mathematical knowledge while showcasing their creativity!

In HaSS this term, students explored the big question ‘how do people and places shape a community over time?’ They compared two very different schools  in two very diverse communities – Theodore State School and Ironside State School – during this inquiry unit. 

Learning with an ‘inquiry- mindset’ requires students to develop attributes such as being ‘collaborators’ and ‘researchers’ and ‘thinkers’ – skills that are important for life-long learning.

Year 3

Engaging with the text ‘Kumiko and the Dragon’ has inspired students to design their own guardian dragons. This is “Coral” designed by Malcolm S (3F).

Demonstrating their craft as writers, Year 3s created stories where the main character expresses a fear and overcomes that fear. They used descriptive words to create tone and mood, adding illustrations using visual features to link the story to the tone and mood.

International Parent Group
Our weekly International Parent Group has restarted on Friday mornings at 9:00am in the EAL/D room with some COVID-safe guidelines:

• Check-in at the front office using the QR code
• Wear a mask and socially distance
• No shared food at this stage

The International Parent Group welcomes all parents and is a wonderfully supportive way to make connections with Ironside families.  It also gives parents a chance to develop their understanding of curriculum, school operations and ‘how the world works’ at Ironside.

Wishing all of our students and their families a safe a restful Spring vacation. 
We look forward to welcoming students back to school when Term 4 starts on
Tuesday 5 October.

Years 5-6 and Instrumental Music News

RESCHEDULED – ICAS (Years 4, 5 & 6)
Due to our quarantine period, and lockdowns across the country, UNSW have provided schools with alternative testing windows to participate in the ICAS Tests.  The parent payment portal is now closed.  However, for those parents who paid before the original 2 August deadline, your payment automatically transfers over to the new testing dates. 

The testing windows are below:

RESCHEDULED – MICHAEL JEH LIFE SKILLS
For several years, Michael Jeh has been a valued guest speaker at Ironside, who visits our Year 6 students and leads them through a workshop -  ‘Life Skills’ - which aims to develop knowledge and skills about self-concept in the context of a changing social world. 

Due to the disruption of quarantine, the 90-minute workshop will now be run during school hours on Wednesday 6 October.

Topics covered during the workshop include:

• Safe and unsafe social media and online behaviours
• Successfully navigating adolescence and the transition to high school
• Coping with peer pressure and bullying
• Acknowledging how bystander behaviour contributes to bullying
• Being a kind, resilient and positive teenager

The Life Skills program also offers a Parent Information Evening to give parents information and tools to support their children through developmental changes and challenges.  Michael will be running this session the on the night prior to the student workshop.  Parents are invited to attend this session also on Wednesday 6 October at 6pm in the School Hall.

We have always had glowing feedback from students, parents and teachers in relation to the content and delivery of Michael’s work.  For further information and testimonials please go to www.michaeljeh.com.

The total price for both student workshop and the parent information evening is $13.  This will be invoiced to families after Michael has completed the program.  If you wish for your child to NOT participate in the student workshop, please email your class teacher directly and your account will be adjusted accordingly.

RESCHEDULED - SILENT DISCO
The Silent Disco has been rescheduled for Friday 15 October.  All details are the same except for the dates.  You can buy tickets on the QKR App until Monday 11 October.  There are only approximately 100 tickets left per session, so if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, get in quick!  There will be no tickets available on the night.  Please see the flyer below for all the details.

DATE CLAIMER FOR GRADUATION – YEAR 6
While final arrangements cannot be confirmed until later this year, families are advised that Year 6 graduation celebrations will take place at school on Tuesday 7 December.  In 2020, due to the impact of Covid, we moved to a day time format for our awards and farewell ceremonies – and this is likely to be the model for 2021.  We can’t be certain of the particulars but we are mindful of giving families adequate notice to arrange their work commitments so they can share in the special moment with their Year 6 students.

SEMESTER TWO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS – YEARS 5 & 6
Our leadership program sees the induction of Semester Two leaders for the positions of Instrumental Music Leaders and Class Representatives. Our initial plan was to notify students and families and present badges at the Week 5 assembly, this term.  This allowed time for classes to vote new leaders (Class Reps), and also allowed time for the Student Council to effectively manage the workload associated with the Silent Disco (planned for Week 4).  Of course, none of this could proceed given our quarantine period.

In line with the Director General’s advice regarding large gatherings of students and the requirement for social distancing where possible, assemblies have been cancelled for the remainder of Term 3.  We believe that it is important for all leaders to have their moment of recognition, and to have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with the support of their families.  So the decision has been made to present Semester 2 leadership positions at the beginning of Term 4.  Exact details will be shared as soon as possible, when the Term 4 assembly schedule is finalised.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS
Music Fest competitions are currently scheduled for the following dates at Iona College:

Band
Monday 18 October

Strings
Monday 25 October

DATE CLAIMER FOR GRADUATION – YEAR 6
While final arrangements cannot be confirmed until later this year, families are advised that Year 6 graduation celebrations will take place at school on Tuesday 7 December.  In 2020, due to the impact of Covid, we moved to a day time format for our awards and farewell ceremonies – and this is likely to be the model for 2021.  We can’t be certain of the particulars but we are mindful of giving families adequate notice to arrange their work commitments so they can share in the special moment with their Year 6 students.

SEMESTER TWO LEADERSHIP POSITIONS – YEARS 5 and 6
Our leadership program sees the induction of Semester Two leaders for the positions of Instrumental Music Leaders and Class Representatives. Our initial plan was to notify students and families and present badges at the Week 5 assembly, this term.  This allowed time for classes to vote new leaders (Class Reps), and also allowed time for the Student Council to effectively manage the workload associated with the Silent Disco (planned for Week 4).  Of course, none of this could proceed given our quarantine period.

In line with the Director General’s advice regarding large gatherings of students and the requirement for social distancing where possible, assemblies have been cancelled for the remainder of Term 3.  We believe that it is important for all leaders to have their moment of recognition, and to have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with the support of their families.  So the decision has been made to present Semester 2 leadership positions at the beginning of Term 4.  Exact details will be shared as soon as possible, when the Term 4 assembly schedule is finalised.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS
Music Fest competitions are currently scheduled for the following dates at Iona College:

Band
Monday 18 October

Strings
Monday 25 October

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RECRUITMENT - FOR CURRENT YEAR 1 STUDENTS (STRINGS)
If your child is currently in Year 1, and is interested in applying for a position in either the Strings programs, please be aware that the selection and recruitment process for 2022 commences in Week 1 of Term 4. We begin with a concert, during school time, for Year 1 students to give them an idea of the instruments in the program, and also a concept of what it looks and sounds like to be a part of our instrumental music program.

At this concert, students will be given a letter, which will give parents instructions on how to find out more about the program and how to register your interest online.

This is a highly successful and sought after program.  While it is a very large student intake, we always get more applications than any ensemble could cater for.  So it is very important that parents are aware of the processes and deadlines.  In fairness to everyone who would like the opportunity, we need to adhere very tightly to deadlines.  Please keep your eye on this section of the newsletter for further details; and also updates from Ms Weekes (Strings) as Term 4 unfolds.

RI RECOMMENCING IN TERM 4
Religious instruction will recommence in Week 2 Term 4.  Times for RI are scheduled on a Friday at the following times:

9:50am Years 4-6
10:20am Years 1-3

Students participate in RI based on parent consent given at enrolment or written communication to the school at any other time. Parents can update their preferences for their children in relation to RI in writing to admin@ironsidess.eq.edu.au.

LOST PROPERTY
As we approach the end of the term, the lost property shelves are again overflowing.  There are two racks of school jackets and three tubs of unnamed non-uniform winter coats and jackets.  All items not collected at the end of the term will be donated to charity.

On behalf of the 5-6 team and myself, we wish you a safe and happy holiday and look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday October 5.

Community Providers

Maths Tournament Results

Congratulations to the Year 5 & 6 mathletes for their successes in two different team competitions last week.

The first competition was a small event at Graceville State School against five other teams from Graceville and Yeronga. The four Ironside teams came in first, second, third and fourth – an amazing achievement for them all.

In the second competition, the Ray White Ipswich and MetroWest Maths Challenge, the field was 52 teams strong with entries from all around the West Brisbane & Ipswich area. Incredibly, the five Ironside teams again took the top five places in the competition. Congratulations to the Year 4 and 5 students who did so well against Year 6 teams from other schools, to Ironside B who only just missed out on the tiebreaker with 100 points out of a possible 105, to Ironside A and Ironside C who tied for first with 102 points out of 105, and to Ben S who won the tiebreaker for Team C.

It was wonderful to see the work students have put in to developing their collaborative and communicative skills pay dividends in a competitive, pressured environment. They did themselves and the school proud with their enthusiasm and cooperation and the high-level problem solving skills and mathematical knowledge they demonstrated.

Results:

Ironside Swim Club

News from Chappy Thu

Dear Families,

As I marvel at the wonderful weather we’ve had recently, I am reminded that the seasons have certainly changed and it seems the mood around our Ironside community has been further uplifted as well.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the International Parent Group where a beautiful parent showed us how to make origami flowers. Such a perfect choice for the change of season! It was so much fun and turned out to be a lesson on resilience, persistence and comradery as well! The boisterous laughter from all the participants was exactly what we all needed to hear this morning 😊

As I was trying to figure out how to fold a triangle for my rose…I received a wonderful surprise from some students! With the help from one of their mums (the same one who was teaching me how to fold flowers), they made me an origami flower bouquet to commemorate our amazing Tuesday Origami Club! What a beautiful, thoughtful gift! What an amazing community we have here at Ironside!

Parent Teacher interviews have also been conducted last week and will continue in the weeks to come. I loved seeing parents back on school grounds again and I truly admired how much effort each teacher has put into preparation for the interviews. It is testimony to Ironside’s commitment to fostering strong relationships and that is a marvellous thing to be a part of.

So, like the seasons that change through the year, our lives too, will go through seasons. I feel as a community, we too are transitioning to a new season of growth, stronger than we were before. Wishing you all a relaxing break!

Until Next Term,

Chappy Thu

P.S.  Our lunch time clubs (Origami on Tuesdays, Fitness on Fridays) have sadly ended for the term but will resume in Week 2 of Term 4!