14 October 2021 - Term 4, Week 2

News from Mr Johnson

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 2 and our first full newsletter for the last term of 2021.

2022 – LEVERAGING DIGITAL YEAR 4/5 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
Next Wednesday evening 20 October at 6pm in the school hall, will be an information evening for parents of current year four (4) and five (5) students regarding our transition from the previous one to one laptop program to a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model. 

The Leveraging Digital strategy is a pillar of school strategic plan for the remaining three (3) years of this cycle. This is an important way that we will continue to strengthen and develop the home/school partnership.

The evening will last for approximately one (1) hour. The first half an hour will be information from me, along with Mr Brett Perrier and Ms Julie Short our Year Level Coordinators for years five and six.

The final thirty (30) minutes will look like Brett and Julie, Nick Jones (IT support) and myself being available for further discussion, questions, clarifications etc.

If your son or daughter is moving into the upper primary school (Year 5/6) in 2022, I would be delighted if you can join us next Wednesday evening at 6pm in our school hall.

For families who are unable to make the session, a FAQ’s document will be provided after the session, along with all the necessary information for those families with children moving into years five and six in 2022.

STUDENT COLLECTION – MANNERS AND POLITENESS TO OUR NEIGHBOURS
I am disappointed to share that I have had multiple calls and emails over the first two (2) weeks of school regarding the use of our Stop/Drop/Go zones and parking in our side streets, particularly Central Avenue.

I am most frustrated as not only are our neighbours being delayed and inconvenienced, most recently they are also on the receiving end of being both ignored as well as rudely spoken to.

Our school values articulate being Safe and Kind. This looks like;

• Right place, right time, right way;
• Words and actions help not hurt;
• Make friendly choices, not conflict choices.

I have included the link below to our wonderfully produced Stop, Drop Go video. Please take the time to watch and talk with your children around the procedures.

Ironside - Stop Drop Go

I hope that as we move through the term, even at our most hectic and stressful times, we can continue to model and live our school values towards all members of our community.

Have a wonderful week ahead. Stay safe and well.

The Pocket - Early Education & Care

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OPEN DAY SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER 9am-12pm

Come in for a private tour with one of our Centre Managers.

We'll have face painting, balloon twisting, sausage sizzle, free gifts and hot and cold refreshments.

The Pocket Early Education and Care, 84 Boomerang Road, St Lucia phone: 07 3568 5800

Information for Ironside's Silent Dis-Glow

Dear Parents/Carers,

The Ironside Student Council are looking forward to hosting the Student Dis-glow this Friday 15 October. Unfortunately, ticket sales are now closed on the QKR app and there will be no further sales available. 

Students who have paid, will receive a wristband from their teacher on Friday afternoon - this is their entry ticket. For the safety of our students, it is important that they arrive and depart the Disco from Central Avenue (see below). Please contact me if you have any questions.

Here is some helpful information for you:

News from Mr Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

Welcome back to the final term of 2021.  We hope that everyone enjoyed the mid-semester break.

REVISION: Bridge Builders - Skill of the week: Ignore and Don’t React
Ignoring or not reacting to conflict is much easier said than done.  Without clear guidance about how to do this, and when to do it, many children will quickly say, “That doesn’t work.”  This means that they lose a powerful toll that does have its place in dealing with difficult behaviour.

Ignore and Don’t React should be used either when the child doesn’t know the other person and there is no need to resolve, or when the other person is trying to get a rise or reaction out of them.

Some tips for effectively ignoring and not reacting are:

• Take a deep breath and relax your body
• Don’t look at the person
• Thinks of something else
• Move to a safe place

When children choose not to react they are showing they have the power to stay emotionally calm.

 “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

2-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.

3- 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 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 co-ordinated 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.

2022 Class Formation:  PREP classes
Parents, please be advised that the communications and process relating to class formation in 2022 only applies to our current Prep – Year 5 students (future Year 1 – Year 6). 

Parents of future Prep students do not need to complete the 2022 Class Placement Considerations Parent Submission Form.

As discussed during the Prep enrolment process, we use the information provided by you on the Parent Questionnaire, in conjunction with the observations our teachers record during the interview.  We also draw on the knowledge from your ECEC when forming Prep classes.

This combined information and collaborative approach ensures balance across classes and the best start to school possible.

News from Mrs Vecchio

It’s delightful to welcome students back for the last term of the school year. We also extend a warm welcome to new families who are joining the Ironside community.

SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
We are planning for school assemblies to re-start this term, and to include performances by instrumental groups and choirs as part of the assembly.  Our proposed schedule is:

Assemblies are held on Friday mornings 9:15 – 9:45am.  Current COVID-19 guidelines require adults to wear a face-mask and maintain physical distancing.  Please scan the check-in code at the Hall.

Please note, changes to COVID-19 restrictions can impact on the assembly schedule.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY
World Teachers Day in Queensland will be celebrated on Friday 29 October 2021.  The day is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication, care and professionalism our teachers demonstrate all year.

With the EKKA public holiday now falling on 29 October, Ironside will be honouring our teachers on Thursday 28 October with a special breakfast.  This is a wonderful opportunity to publicly thank Ironside staff for their unwavering commitment to providing quality education and support to our students during this most challenging of years!

LOOKING AHEAD … KEY WHOLE-SCHOOL DATES – OCTOBER - NOVEMBER

         Please note, changes to COVID-19 restrictions can impact on events

Instrumental Music Recruiting for 2022

Year 1 and 3 parents – Strings and Band Recruiting for 2022

This is going to be a regular spot in the newsletter for the next couple of months to keep you informed about joining the 2022 Instrumental Music Strings program. Watch this space!!

Year 1 and Year 3 students are eligible to join the Instrumental Music Program in 2022.  Students in Year 1 can apply for the Strings Program and Year 3 students can apply for the Band program. 

Due to circumstances the band program will complete their recruiting for 2022 in term 1 next year.

Year 1 and 3 students have attended a ‘Recruiting Concert’ on Wednesday this week in the school hall.  Year 1 students have brought home a ‘Expression of Interest Letter’ and parents received an email with a link to the same letter. On the ‘Expression of Interest Letter’ you will find a link and QR code to our 2022 Program Information video. This video will provide an overview and important information for the 2022 Instrumental Music Program. If you are interested in the program, please follow the links on the ‘Expression of Interest Letter’ and submit your response by Wednesday 20 October (Week 3 Term 4). Spare letters are available from the office.

In Week 4 of Term 4, the String teacher will complete practical testing with students during class time. Using this information, along with information from the classroom music teacher and classroom teachers, offers will be made to suitable students. These offers will be emailed on Friday 5 November.

In Week 6 of Term 4, Wednesday 10 November 6pm we will hold a parent information evening for successful applicants to the program.  Please put this date in your diary.

For further information, please contact Mrs Jennifer Bairstow at jbair51@eq.edu.au  Follow this link to find out how music will benefit your child’s brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng  Also go to: http://www.anitacollinsmusic.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/BiggerBetterBrainsProject/

Year 1 – Strings Recruiting for 2022
The Instrumental Music 2022 ‘Expression of Interest Letter’ is due on Wednesday 20 October (Week 3). If you are interested in the program, please submit your response online following the links on the Expression of Interest Letter. Spare letters are available from the office and one is attached to this newsletter.

 A testing timetable will be available next week for testing in Week 4.  For further information, please contact Mrs Jennifer Bairstow at jbair51@eq.edu.au

Follow this link to find out what happens to your brain on music! https://www.facebook.com/PianoCubWebsite/videos/1849919985253145/?t=92

Also go to http://www.anitacollinsmusic.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/BiggerBetterBrainsProject/

Community Providers

Choir Date Claimers

Year 1 Choir Performance - Week 8 Friday 26 November during Assembly

Year 2 Choir Mini-Concert - Week 9 Friday 3 December (approx start 10:20am)

HPE News

Please find attached information regarding the Met West Regional Aquathlon and Triathlon Trials.  The events are on the weekend of October 23 and 24, even though the form says Oct 25 instead of Oct 24.  Nominations for the event are completed on the Triathlon Queensland Website. They must be completed by 9:00 am Monday October 18.

Ironside Swim Club

Fresh Bites Tuckshop