11 June 2020, Term 2 Week 8
News from Mr Johnson
Dear Parents
Independent Students are Successful Students!
One of the ‘silver linings’ of our COVID-19 experience is witnessing just how capable, independent and successful even our youngest of students can be.
From the school’s perspective it has been a real joy to see our youngest students transition happily and purposefully into the school grounds. They have been completely safe and successful in learning how to be responsible for, and organising their daily belongings.
As a father to three school age children, I completely understand the intrinsic parental tension to want to see the readers returned to the right box, homework folders out, lunches/crunches/water bottles etc. in the right place … Guess what? They’re all ok – and - PROVEN TO BE FABULOUS in doing these tasks for themselves!
I hope that as we continue to return to our preferred normal over time, these lessons are built upon and strengthened. Well done to all Ironside young women and men! I am very proud of you.
Uniform Expectations
As we enter the cool winter months, it’s timely to remind our families of the expectations around our uniform. If a school jacket or jumper is not possible (and this should be in the rarest of cases) then the required colour of jackets and jumpers is navy blue.
Along with adhering to our school dress code, remember to CLEARLY NAME AND LABEL your child’s uniform pieces.
This is the time of year when we start to see a constant and steady increase in lost property. Should uniform items be handed in, we want to return them to their rightful owners as quickly as possible.
This is a terrific couple of weeks leading into the holiday break to be both clear on, and prepared to meet the uniform expectations for our second semester.
If You are Sick - Stay Home!
I need to stress to families that the ‘previous normal’ of students heading to school if mildly unwell and “seeing how you go” does not apply in the current COVID-19 context.
I understand there is a clear difference between some anxious tummies, allergies etc. However, if your child displays cold or flu like symptoms – cough, fever, runny nose, aches, lethargy, etc. They need to be at home. In these present times we need to ensure both the health and wellbeing of the individual as well as the group.
Thank you in advance for your support as we enter another cold and flu season.
Congratulations!
The Toowong Harriers Little Athletics Club held their 2019/2020 season awards presentation online last Saturday and Samara in 1C won the Championship for Under 7 Girls.
In addition, Samara won a Major Award, The Most Improved Female Athlete for the 2019/2020 season with 32 Personal Bests (PBs), and her name was engraved into the Club's 126-year history. Well done Samara!
Have a great week ahead. Stay safe and well.
*The Pocket - Early Education and Care*
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As an early learning centre, we at The Pocket believe that each child is unique. Because of this we cater to your child’s individual needs and developmental pathways, through our ‘learning by playing’ philosophy. This allows your child to better understand the world in which they live, through our planned early education programs which engages their capacity to participate, communicate, investigate, create, and reflect.
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News from Mr Murdoch
2021 Prep Enrolment Process
1. Pre-Enrolment Information
- Prep Information Evening: Typically, this is a general information session about our Prep program and enrolment process conducted in our school hall.
Due to the social distancing measures and health restrictions currently in place, we are making this presentation available online early Term 3. - ISS Website contains up to date enrolment information and Enrolment Packs https://ironsidess.eq.edu.au/Enrolments/Prep/Pages/Prep.aspx.
2. Enrolment Applications (from now)
- Prep 2021 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; and
- Ongoing checks that students reside in catchment.
If you have any questions regarding the enrolment application and required documentation, please contact enrolments@ironsidess.eq.edu.au.
Details relating to our enrolment interview days will be provided in Term 3.
Around the school
Prep: Prep C & D students start their day with literacy rotations. Here we have Aoife, Ivy, Ciara, Rosie and Audrey reading ‘Little Monkey’s Dance’.
Year 1: In 1F, students have been studying poetry and learning to write adaptations based on the author’s style. This is Kahil’s adaptation of ‘Five little fish’.
Year 2: In 2B, students have been taking a virtual tour of Australia learning all about different landmarks and native animals. They have been developing their skills in cartography, note-taking and scientific labelling. Thank you Lilah and Arianna for sharing your work!
News from Mrs Vecchio
Living History
To celebrate the learning happening in Humanities and Social Sciences (H.A.S.S.), Year 4 teachers are planning a “Living History” focus day in the last week of term.
Year 4 students are exploring the Industrial Revolution in 18th Century England and how it led to the convict settlement and colonization of Australia. The learning experiences planned for Living History Day aim to enhance students’ understanding, knowledge and interest in the European settlement of the colony of New South Wales. The program, run by Year 4 teachers, includes partaking in a variety of activities of the period before, during and soon after the arrival of the First Fleet.
For this learning experience, students are invited to dress as a character who arrived on the First Fleet in 1788. More details will be provided by Classroom Teachers, and students will have access to resources to assist in selecting an appropriate character and costume.
Year 3 Fun Fridays
Year 3 students are having a great time re-establishing relationships with their peers and teachers during Fun Friday activities. Student well-being, through reconnecting with others while having fun together, is the focus of this program.
Arrival and Departure – Helpful Hints
Students in Year 3 – 6 who have a younger sibling in Prep – Year 2 should arrive together with their younger brother/sister via the Hawken Drive or Swann Road “Stop-Drop-Go” zones and gates.
For all other Year 3 – 6 students, the morning “Stop-Drop-Go” zone extends before and after the school crossing. Utilising the full length of this zone reduces traffic congestion at the Hawken Drive-Central Avenue corner.
Exercising patience and moving to the front of the zone before exiting children from cars is also very helpful.
Parents collecting Year 3 – 6 students only (not those with younger siblings) are reminded that pick-up times are:
Year 3 & 4 – 2:55pm
Year 5 & 6 – 3:00pm
Helpful hints:
- Do not arrive early as this blocks the pick-up zones for families with younger students.
- If picking up on Hawken Drive, avoid turning left into Central Avenue to reduce congestion.
By working together with cooperation and kindness, we can all enjoy a safe and efficient departure.
News from Mrs Bairstow
STUDENT COUNCIL – WEEK OF HAPPINESS AND GRATITUDE!
Our student leaders have had an interrupted run to their year. Covid-19 has impacted all of the usual events that our Student Council usually have the opportunity to engage in and enjoy. Normally, we would have had presentation ceremonies, fundraisers and other fun events under our belts - and would by this time, be deep in the planning process of our Disco . . . but it wasn’t to be for 2020. However, this has not stopped their enthusiasm for making a positive difference to our school community. So, in the last week of this term, the Student Council will be taking the opportunity to lead by example, and encourage everyone to focus on the positives - to be grateful and therefore happy. Discussions in Student Council meetings have centred around their sense of gratitude for being able to be safe at home, yet, now happily back at school. The students have a keen sense of being relatively protected from harm, compared to the experiences of people in other countries, in this time in history.
So, they have come up with some creative and fun ways to engage the whole school in ways to celebrate happiness and express gratitude throughout Week 10. Classes are being encouraged to decorate their doors with a theme of “Happiness – Shut the Door on Covid”; and Student Councillors will be active and visible in the playground – spreading the happiness by rewarding smiles with smiley stickers.
The teachers who assist on the Student Council and I, are proud of their optimistic outlook and enthusiasm, and we are looking forward to seeing and feeling the positive impact that their leadership will offer through the end of this very unusual term.
STUDENT LAPTOP PROGRAM – TERM THREE ORDERS NOW OPEN
If you wish to purchase a student laptop through the school’s bulk purchasing agreement with HP for the commencement of Term 3, please follow these procedures detailed below.
- Refer to the PDF below entitled Laptop Info Sheet. This document details the specific details of the program;
- Complete the Student Parent Deposit Agreement form below and return it to the school office;
- Pay a $400 non-refundable deposit – an invoice will be generated after this payment is received;
- The deadline for deposits is Friday 19 June and
- On Monday 22 June, a bulk order will be placed with HP. Laptops are usually delivered by HP over the following one month period, meaning they can be delivered and processed in the early stages of Term 3. Please note that the Covid-19 pandemic led to significantly delayed delivery of our Term 2 orders. These circumstances are beyond our control and families need to be aware that delivery timelines are not as reliable as in previous orders.
Please contact Mrs Bairstow if you have any queries about this process at jbair51@eq.edu.au
Community Providers
To enquire about advertising please send an email to news@ironsidess.eq.edu.au
P&C Fundraiser - Entertainment Book
As restrictions start to ease, we are once again conducting our Entertainment Fundraiser.
The NEW 2020 | 2021 Entertainment app is now available for purchase, so you can save money AND help raise funds at the same time (20% / $14 per membership will go to the P&C).
Times have been tough the last few months so there is a heap of free stuff if you purchase before 13 July.
Also, you can buy now and register the app up-to 3 months later if you want to wait until more restaurants and businesses are open.
Let’s support our local community and our school’s P&C Projects! $164 already raised.
**Order online at http://www.entbook.com.au/2y22817.
If you need further information, please email Treena: ISSEntertainmentBook@gmail.com
Tuckshop
Birthday Treats Online Ordering
Thinking about something for your child’s birthday party at class?
Cup Cakes, Ice Blocks, Ice Creams, Frozen Yoghurt, Jelly are all available from the Tuckshop for delivery to your child’s class at First Break! (Usually delivery on second break but now the tuckshop is closed at first break)
Please call the Tuckshop 07 3258311 * 2 at least two days in advance to place order. Online orders also available through the Qkr! app. Please call to confirm your order has gone through.
Community Information
