9 December 2021 - Term 4, Week 10
News from Mr Johnson
Dear Parents,
Made it! Another year done. This one was quite like no other I’ve ever experienced. Thank you for all your support during the year. I very much appreciate it. If you are traveling, do so safely and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year. School resumes for students on Monday 24th January 2022.
Deputy Principal Appointment
Mr Peter Davey, Deputy Principal (Acting) at MacGregor SS has won the substantive vacancy created through Mrs Vecchio’s retirement. I know you’ll warmly welcome Peter back to Ironside as he commences in his new and permanent role in 2022.
2022 School Captains
It is a pleasure to announce that our student leaders for 2022 are:
Moosa Mehta and Miyami Navuku – School Captains
Marcus McKimmie and Nadia Hyat – School Vice-Captains
In the photo above our 2022 Captains are here being welcomed by our outgoing leaders of 2021. Thank you Aaron Ding, Alankrita Mishra, Narra Amor and Madeline McPhail.
ICAS competition High Distinction recipients
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded a High Distinction in the 2021 ICAS academic competitions. To be awarded a High Distinction, students are placed in the top 1% of participants in Australia.
Year level | English | Mathematics | Science |
Principal’s Award | Aaron D (Y6) | Alex W (Y4) | Sazid A (Y4) |
Year 4 | Sazid A Tue Anh N Kavya C Emily D | Sazid A Alex W Xiao Nan C-W Tue Anh N | Sazid A Alex W Xiao Nan C-W Daniel C Elliott M Jayden M |
Year 5 | Gavynjay G Tao X | ||
Year 6 | Aaron D Jessie F | Aaron D Monty D William E Isabella H Harishen T | Aaron D Monty D Ethan L Alankrita M |
One of Ironside's students, Marc Mc from class 5G was selected by ArtForce Brisbane to paint a traffic signal box in Inala.
2022 BYOD Program – Year 5 and Year 6 Students
BYOD laptops can now be enrolled into Ironside State School ready for the start of 2022. Please watch the two short videos below for information on how to onboard your BYOD laptop, and also how to install Office.
How to onboard your BYOD laptop
How to install Office
Take care, warmest and best wishes for the holiday season.
Damian Johnson, Principal.
Spring Fair Platinum Sponsor
Spring Fair: Gold Silver & Bronze Sponsors
News from Mr Murdoch
End of School Year
2021 has certainly been a year like no other. It has presented a number of challenges but it has also provided opportunities for reflection and growth. To the Prep – Year 2 students of 2021, on behalf of your teachers and school staff, I would like to congratulate you all on your ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape that was presented and to rise to the challenges before you.
Prep 2022 - Meet Your Teacher
Thank you to those families that were able to attend our ‘Meet Your Teacher’ process on Monday. We hope that you found this day beneficial. For those that were unable to attend, please see below for some of the key messages that were shared during this event.
Key Messages:
1. Productive partnerships are crucial: Whether you are new to Ironside, or a returning, we want the time to be a respectful and productive relationship. Trust that we have your child’s best interests at heart and want every child to succeed.
2. Teaching is a profession: This is a place of business and children are engaged in this business between 9:00am – 3:00pm. The professionals in this school are preparing and differentiating lessons, assessing and engaged in the complex work that is teaching outside of these hours. Their time and this work need to be respected. Should you need to talk to your classroom teacher, impromptu meetings regarding formal matters at the classroom door are not respectful – if the matter is important and needs to be discussed, it is important that you make an appropriate time to meet. Your teachers want to discuss these things with and would like to give these matters the proper attention they deserve.
3. Primary school is a unique system: Ironside State School is a large, unique system. As mentioned during the enrolment interview, Ironside is a big school population wise. We have over 1000 students. It is important that you read the school newsletter, attend to emails and communication in a timely manner. It is not possible, nor reasonable, to rearrange whole-school events or processes for individuals.
4. We take a positive, solutions-focused approach and stay low on the ladder of inference: In all interactions, please be mindful of assumptions being made or getting caught up in emotions, particularly around the perspectives of 5 year olds. The best thing parents can do when conflict is reported at home is to apply an adult lens and filter the information: Step back, listen, investigate if necessary or see this as an opportunity for personal growth. How we respond as adults and manage emotions in this space plays a critical role in developing and building a child’s resilience.
There are systems, structures and processes in place to support individuals and the general population, both academically and socially. Your classroom teacher should be your first point of call. Conversations of this nature also need to remain between you and the classroom teacher. They are the people who know your children best and what has occurred during the day.
In the early weeks of Term 1, we will be conducting our Parent Information Night. This information session will be run by your classroom teacher to discuss through curriculum and operational matters relating to Prep. Details for this information night will be advertised in the school newsletter.
For now, our focus needs to remain on the social and emotional readiness for school. There are a number of ways parents can continue to build and support us in this space.
So what can you do between now and school starting:
- Make time to read through some of the ideas and suggestions that were provided in the email that was sent to parents after the enrolment interview.
- Make sure you have read through the Parent Information Handbook and understand how Ironside operates.
- Have discussions with your child about what they can expect next year – conversations about the similarities and differences between school and kindergarten.
- Find opportunities for your child to interact with others in structured and unstructured ways – team sports, at the park.
- Provide opportunities for your child to navigate, negotiate, problem-solve and take some responsibility for themselves whether that be in a social setting with friends or at home with chores.
- For new families, find the returning/existing families within your class – they are a great resource
What to expect in Prep:
Please see the link below for our ‘What to expect in Prep’ animation that was shared with families on Monday. This short animation will provide some context and clarity for next year.
We wish you all a very safe and happy holiday. We look forward to seeing you all again in the new year.
Take care.
Kind regards
Scott Murdoch
Deputy Principal P-2
News from Mrs Vecchio
Last week, we were entertained by the Year 2 Choir … Le Piccole Voci … who performed a repertoire of songs for an appreciative audience of Year 1 and Year 2 classes, and very proud family members. There is a lovely photo of our choir below.
The Year 2 choir consists of 75 young singers who practise during their lunch hours under the tuition and guidance of Mrs Marianne Huxley (Music Teacher). The quality of their performance was a testament to their exceptional musicality, dedication and love of making beautiful music. It was also a reflection of the outstanding teaching they receive from Mrs Huxley. Then warm congratulations and loud applause was well deserved!!
THANK YOU and FAREWELL
I take this opportunity to thank the Ironside State School community for their well wishes on my impending retirement. It is an absolute honour to end my thirty-year career in education at such an extraordinary school. At Ironside, I have been blessed to work with teams of highly dedicated teachers and an awesome Leadership Team. Watching students grow and blossom academically, socially and emotionally over the years has been the greatest gift.
Enjoy a safe a restful festive season with loved ones.
I bid you all a fond farewell.
Kindest regards
Larissa Vecchio
Deputy Principal
SCHOOL DATES 2022
Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 January Staff Professional Development Days
Monday 24 January 2022 First day of school for students
Wednesday 26 January 2022 Australia Day Public Holiday
News from Mrs Bairstow
I would like to wish each of our year 6 students a fond farewell and best wishes as they continue with their education at their respective secondary schools. This year has had many challenges and I am proud of the way you have all responded to them. Camp Warrawee was a highlight, particularly after not having an opportunity to attend a school camp in years 4 or 5. Our Graduation ceremony earlier this week was also a highlight and I hope the celebration and pool party today is great fun!
Community Providers
Ironside Swim Club
In the Community
