27 October 2022 - Term 4, Week 4
News from Mr Johnson
Dear Parents,
Congratulations to the P-2 Merit Certificate recipients
Last Friday our P-2 students participated in a wonderful assembly. Key topics such as composting, recycling and asking for help were shared and discussed.
A photograph of our merit certificate recipients for the week is shared below.
P&C Meeting – TONIGHT October 27th
Our monthly P&C meeting is scheduled for THIS EVENING. All welcome at 6:30pm in the school staff room.
SCREEN SANITY WORKSHOP
As a part of our Leveraging Digital strategy, Ironside State School wants to support parents through education and information within an area that affects us all. Please consider registering for this fantastic (2 night) workshop.
HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY- 2022
Every year on the last Friday in October, Queenslanders are encouraged to acknowledge and celebrate our teachers for the positive impact they have on communities and students’ lives.
This year we celebrate WTD with the theme Teaching through every moment.
All school staff will receive a commemorative ribbon printed in the WTD colours of blue, green and purple.
Share your celebrations on social media by using hashtag #WTD2022.
More information, social images and resources available at our World Teachers’ Day website.
Sincere thanks to the IRONSIDE P&C ASSOCIATION and BRIKI for supporting our teachers with breakfast (again this year) to celebrate World Teachers’ Day.
All the best for the fortnight ahead. Stay safe and well.
Damian Johnson, Principal.
News from Mr Murdoch
Dear parents and caregivers,
Bridge Builders – Skill of the week (Week 3): How to get help
Knowing how to ask for help can be life-saving for a child experiencing challenging relationships. The experience of conflict can separate children from others, severing ties. Children need to be encouraged to know that they are not alone and that support and help is available.
Five steps to getting help:
- Calm down. Whether a child is red-faced, their body shaking with anger, or is pale and bent over, racked with tears, or somewhere in between, often adults are distracted by the emotion.
- Show respect. Use the person’s name and ask if now is a good time.
- Say what happened. Just being able to describe what happened, and put it into words, is helpful to a child’s thinking processes.
- Say what you tried. When we got to others for help, it is far more powerful and effective if we can describe what we have tried ourselves first to resolve the problem.
5. Ask for ideas. Children commonly want to throw a problem at an adult with the expectation of, “You fix it.” This expectation leaves children passive in the process of resolution, because they are relying on the adults to clean up the mess and giving adults the responsibility of resolving issues and making decisions.
Bridge Builders - Skill of the week (Week 4): Let it go
One of life’s hardest and most painful lessons is learning to forgive someone who has hurt you. Forgiving someone means letting go of negative feelings like anger, frustration or sadness that arise due to a conflict situation. It means accepting an apology and not staying upset at the person for what they did.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you suddenly are no longer hurt, it means that you don’t want to be chained to the problem and hold a grudge that makes you a bitter person. To forgive is a ‘doing’ word and the act is one that takes a lot of effort and commitment. The process relies on the constant checking and reframing of a child’s thinking and the releasing of the physical hurt that these thoughts create. It can be quick or it can take a long time.
A child learning the value of forgiveness and what is involved not only reduces their stress and the negative impacts on their mental and physical health, but also increases the possibility of healthier relationships in the future and their ability to move on in life with success.
“Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside
Around the classrooms – Prep:
This term in Science the Preps have been learning all about how things move. So far, we have explored roll and bounce by finding and sorting classroom objects that roll, making bouncy balls from cornflour and building cars with wheels that roll. We love being Scientists and exploring the world around us through hands on activities and experiments. Coming up next the Preps will investigate why some objects slide and spin!
Around the classrooms – Year 1:
In 1B we have been creating many art masterpieces. We have experimented with mixing various colours to make new colours then created a ladybird collage to display the mixed colours.
We have also looked at a couple of famous artists. We pretended that we were Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel on our backs. It was super challenging.
1B also investigated Pablo Picasso. Did you know that Picasso actually had 23 names? After reading about Picasso we created our own portraits in Picasso style. They look fantastic! We can’t wait to try more art!
Around the classrooms – Year 2:
This term Year 2s are learning about the past and investigating how people’s lives have changed. Last week, the Year 2s participated in the Step into History Incursion. This gave them the chance to experience writing, household chores, games and toys and entertainment as they would in the past.
Kind regards,
Scott Murdoch
Deputy Principal P-2
News from Mr Davey
What’s coming up in Years 3 and 4
Bridge Builders Skill of the Week – Let It Go
To ‘Let It Go’ when someone has hurt you can be very hard. However, there is growing evidence that when you don’t it causes you more pain and hurt. Letting go is not about forgetting that it happened, or giving in to them. It is more about releasing yourself from the situation.
Tips to teach this skill at home:
- Help your child to understand that to Let It Go and forgive is a decision. It may help them to draw, talk or write about it to help process the hurt and be able to get it out and Let It Go.
- When your child is calm, try to help them reflect on what they have learnt from the conflict. What could they do differently next time so it won’t happen. Sometimes the only lesson we can teach our children is to reflect on how much the conflict hurts them and for them to never do the same to someone else.
- Help your child to avoid blaming, hating or judging the other person. This type of thinking will slow down their ability to let it go. Help them to see the other side. Maybe there is a reason for the other person’s behaviour. This doesn’t make what they did right, but sometimes hurt people, hurt people. Teaching empathy helps your child to let it go.
Religious Instruction
Christian RI and Catholic RI Puppet Show-Friday 4 November
On Friday 4th November all students that participate in either Christian RI or Catholic RI will be attending a puppet show in the hall during their usual RI lesson time. The puppet show will be performed by the puppet show company, Quiz Worx. There will be no cost to attend.
The times for the puppet show on Friday 4 November are as follows:
Years 1-3: 9.50am-10.20am
Years 4-6: 10.20am-10.50am
Parents and younger siblings are very welcome to attend either of the puppet shows.
Parents can choose to opt their students into or out of any of the available Religious options at Ironside at any time by emailing the school at admin@ironsidess.eq.edu.au. The current available RI options at Ironside SS are: Catholic RI, Cooperative Christian RI and Islamic.
Kind regards,
Peter Davey
Deputy Principal 3-4
News from Mrs Bairstow
Dear parents and caregivers,
YEAR FIVE CAMP – HUGE SUCCESS!!
While the conditions were wet, not even torrential rain could dampen the spirits of our 135 Year Five students who attended Tyalgum Ridge Retreat last week. With the support of eleven amazing staff members, a fun and memorable time was had by all.
Thank you parents for your patience as we collate the many hundreds of photos from the three days. We will share them with you asap.
WELL DONE BAND ENSEMBELES!!
Yesterday – all of our Bands performed in the Music Fest at Iona College. All groups did themselves proud, with the highlight – a Gold Award for the Jazz Band, with glowing reviews from the adjudicator. Thank you to the parents who were able to come along and support on the day.
SEMESTER 2 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC GALA
YEAR SIX SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE
GRADUATION CELEBRATIONS
Families are advised that Year 6 graduation celebrations will take place at school on the evening of Tuesday 6 December. Students receive their Year Books on the following day for signing. There is a Year 6 pool party and games day scheduled for Thursday 8 December, during school hours.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP – CURRENT YEAR FIVE STUDENTS
As our Year 5 students approach their final term, it is time to begin focussing on the supported leadership journey for our 2023 Year 6 cohort.
Below is a summary of the roles and responsibilities for student leaders at Ironside.
A Year 5 student nominating for election into school leadership positions must have consistently demonstrated leadership qualities throughout 2022. At Ironside State School, student leadership positions are held in high regard. The process for student leader selection is therefore rigorous and the criteria is specific in nature. The student leadership election process has been structured to provide a clear and supportive procedure which is outlined in the following information.
To be considered for a leadership position at Ironside students must have demonstrated consistent modelling of the Ironside Way through exhibiting the STAR values of being Safe and Kind, Treasuring Diversity, Acting with Integrity & being Respectful. They must also have demonstrated competent public speaking skills in both formal and informal contexts. Duties of the Captains and Vice Captains include; holding executive positions in the Student Council; welcoming and hosting school guests; organising and running school assemblies; and representing Ironside at community events.
The following timelines will guide the nomination, application, interview and election processes:
As representatives of Ironside State School, all of these leadership roles involve and require mentoring, guidance and the maintenance of very high standards of conduct to which other students can aspire to. We trust that parents will support their children’s involvement in the nomination and election process in accordance with the guidelines set by the school’s expectations. We look forward to engaging in the process with the students and working with the successful applicants.
2023 SYDNEY CANBERRA TOUR
To secure your child’s place on the 2023 Sydney Canberra tour, a $250 non-refundable deposit is required now. There are only 5 places available. Please refer to invoices sent to your email, or contact the school office to make payment.
Kind regards,
Jennifer Bairstow
Deputy Principal 5-6
News from P&C
Our 2022 Spring Fair was held on Saturday, 3rd September. With the incredible support from Ironside parents, community members, sponsors and donors, and Ironside State School leadership, teachers and staff, we raised over $60,000 in net proceeds that will go directly to the P&C coffers to benefit Ironside State School and its students. Thank you to all who supported this mammoth event.
Our 2022 Swim-a-thon was held the week of 12th September. A huge THANK YOU to parent volunteers, Isobel K and Fiona H, for convening the event which, to date, has raised $11,829. Thank you G1 to G6 students for their amazing job swimming laps and preppies for their amazing job running laps. Thank you to parents who volunteered their time and parents who helped students raise and collect the funds. Finally, thank you to Mr Clarke-Okah and Mrs English for supporting this event during their HPE time. It’s not too late to contribute to this fundraiser; however, any donations received after Monday, 17th October, while gratefully accepted, will unfortunately not be used in the tally for prizes for this event as organized.
Next year P&C will run another Swim-a-thon to continue the ‘odd years’ schedule followed in the past (2023, 2025 etc) as this year’s event was rescheduled from 2019. We will commence Spring Fair events on the ‘even years’ beginning in 2024 (2026, 2028 etc).
Thank you for your support of Ironside P&C! We welcome you to join our next P&C General Meeting on Thursday, 27th October, at 6:30pm in the Ironside Staffroom.
Your P&C is at work!
Here are our current projects.
Ironside Choral Risers purchase – Expected Delivery November 2022
To replace risers in School Hall with mobile, folding 4-step risers; quantity of four risers at a total cost of $19,305 funded by ISS P&C.
Sturdy, Safe, Simple Stage Risers. With SICO® Harmony Choral Stage Risers, you just roll each self-contained unit into place, lower the steps with one fluid motion to the floor, lock it to the next unit, and it's showtime. When in use, each unit rests on 10-12 solid points of contact, so the risers remain solid and quiet. Each step is fully carpeted and positioned to keep heels from slipping off the back edge. The quick reverse-step system makes it easy to change your riser configuration from the traditional semi-circular arrangement to straight or other interesting combinations—without tools. Our standing Harmony Choral Stage Risers offer easy transport and quick configuration changes. All SICO® Choral Risers come with an attached back-rail for added security. Side rails purchased as an additional safety feature.
Additional Chappy Funding – School Year 2023
Ironside P&C voted to fund an extra day ($8,000) for our School Chaplaincy program in 2023. Thank you to Chappy Thu Klett for her meaningful work with the children of Ironside who attend her programs in droves!
Playground Installation – Adjacent to Oval – TARGETED COMPLETION DATE END OF OCT 2022
Situated along Central Avenue side of oval (without sandstone blocks as pictured). Approximate cost $150,000 funded by residual Qld OSHC grant.
Oval Resurface Project – 2022/2023 Summer Holidays
Complete synthetic turf replacement and installation of a multiuse field (soccer, futsal, baseball), including six 60m running lanes. Approximate cost $400,000 funded by ISS P&C.
Swimming Pool Change Rooms Upgrade – 2023 Project
Upgrade change rooms at Ironside swimming pool. Approximate cost (TBD) will be funded by ISS P&C with funds raised from September’s Swim-a-thon.
Music News
Upcoming Music Dates
Music Fest
"This year we were very excited to take 3 choirs and 4 string groups to music fest at Sommerville House School. We all enjoyed performing in these beautiful performances spaces and all groups performed exceptionally well on the day and received excellent reports. Thank you to all the effort from parents to get children to the weekend competition". Ms Weekes.
"Last Saturday, our music ensembles went to Music Fest to represent our school. Our strings program did exceptionally well with 2 Platinum, 1 Gold and 1 Silver award which is an amazing achievement. Music Fest has been an inspiring experience for all of us but especially the grade 6’s who will be leaving in a few weeks as it will be their last competition in Ironside. Ironside has had an amazing outcome from this competition, and we are preparing for our gala concert, our last performance for this year." Sophie Khan
Music Fest Gallery
Metro Choral Hours Program
Last week four of our best Year 6 choral students had the opportunity to attend the Metropolitan Choral Honours Program. This program is a 3-day intensive workshop where approximately 100 Year 6 students from the Metropolitan region come together to learn new pieces, culminating in a concert on the final day. The students worked with two guest conductors, Clare Finlayson and Will Brown on a wide variety of repertoire, including music in Hebrew and Swedish. The concert on the final day was an incredible display of not only talent, but hard work and a true love for singing. Congratulations again to our chosen students, this is an amazing accomplishment.
"The Metropolitan Choral Honours Program was a fun and unique experience. Selected students from schools across Brisbane were chosen to learn choral pieces together. When we arrived, we were split into two choirs, the Jarman Choir (named after composer Paul Jarman) and the Kwok Choir (named after composer Annie Kwok). During our 3 days we learned many new pieces and fun vocal exercises, how to be more expressive through singing and met lots of new people. On the last day we had a concert which started with the entire choir singing two songs together. Then each choir performed two songs they had been working on by themselves and we all came together to sing the last song. Overall it was a great experience". Madeleine and Nathan
Music Fest Gallery
Music Fest
On Saturday October 15th our 3 upper school choirs attended Music Fest at Somerville College. Music Fest is an annual event that provides both primary and secondary school students with a platform to perform and showcase their talents, whilst also being professionally adjudicated. Our three choirs represented the school with pride and performed brilliantly, as for many of our students, this was their first adjudicated choral performance. Both Canto Voci (Year 3/4 Choir) and Belle Voci (Year 5/6 Choir) received Silver Awards and Voci Musicali (Auditioned Choir) received a Gold Award. Congratulations again to all those who performed!
"At choir we learned a lot of songs and we had lots of fun singing and competing. We were really excited to perform songs in front of everyone and we hope we have the opportunity to keep doing that. We are really grateful to be in choir with Mrs K, she teaches us songs we love and always has lots of fun ideas. Thanks Mrs K and Miss Kelly!" Anne and Vanessa
"Music Fest was an exciting experience for all of us. We got to hear lots of other schools who also participated. For some of us this was our first competition but it was an amazing way to celebrate the beginning of a possible life of music. Walking away with Silver was a huge achievement that we are forever grateful for. Overall, an unforgettable experience." Indie-Rose and Savannah
"Music Fest was an amazing experience. We learnt so much about the genres of music, many were slow and majestic, some uplifting and others were in different languages. We performed at Somerville House and many of the choirs that participated came from as far as the Gold Coast! Some songs we performed were Tue Tue (a Ghanaian folk song), Set Me as A Seal and a song the choir really enjoyed performing, Unwritten. In the end, the auditioned choir received a Gold Award and positive feedback from the adjudicator that will be used to improve our future performances. This experience with the auditioned choir and Mrs K will be a beautiful memory that we will all cherish. Thank you, Mrs K, for the stunning year that has shown us many ways to use our voices and all the support you have given us." Cikal and Liv
News from Chappy Thu
Dear Families,
Week 3 was all about Year 5 camp & what a camp it was! Despite the forecast of thunderstorms, we only had light showers across the 3 days, which made for interestingly muddy, but manageable conditions. The students were all champions & supported each other through all the fun & sometimes challenging activities. I was so impressed by how resilient they were, being away from home for the first time on their own & for some, learning brand new skills like hiking, creating fire, making damper, riding a bike, identifying the difference between slugs & leeches…fun times J It was a real privilege being able to experience it all with them.
World Teacher’s Day
World Teacher’s Day is on Friday, 28th October & the Chappy Squad will be putting together cards & gifts on Thursday & distributing them on Friday as a surprise. Here’s a sneak peak….
All teachers are amazing & although I may be biased, I think they are especially outstanding at Ironside!
Gingerbread Evening
As you may have heard, the Chaplaincy Team are busily preparing for the Ironside Gingerbread Evening to be held on Thursday, 1st December from 6pm to 8pm in the Hall. The houses are being supplied by the Gingerbread Folk & chocolate houses & gluten free houses are also available for those who aren’t fans of ginger. We are selling Evening Tickets, which include a house kit as well as a snack (slider, mini wrap or sushi) & drink (hot/cold chocolate, egg nog or festive punch) as well as take home kits for those unable to make it on the night. Also on the night, the Chappy Squad will be holding a Make & Bake Stall filled with goodies they will be making or baking during the term at Chappy Activities & at home. During our first meeting this term, they nominated charities & voted for the one they will donate to…the winner was the RSPCA! They are excited to be creating & giving back to the community after a wonderful year ❤
If you would like to be involved, here are the ways you can help:
- Buy tickets to the events & tell your friends & family about it
- Volunteer to help on the night (please email Chappy Thu if interested (tklet0@eq.edu.au))
- Donate good quality, new items for the Make & Bake Stall (drop off at the office any time until Friday, 25thNovember)
- Donate baked goods for the Make & Bake Stall (drop off in Staff Lounge on Thursday, 1stDecember during the day or bring to the Hall from 5pm onwards)
Supply festive decorations for the night such as tablecloths, fairy lights, tinsel & so forth (these will all be returned to you afterwards).
Chappy Activities
This week we start with our scheduled activities for Thursday & Friday & next week, all three days will be in full swing.
Upcoming School Events
TERM 4
- Gingerbread House Making Night with Chappy Squad Make & Bake Stall – Thursday, December 1st, 6pm to 8pm
Lastly…
- If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at any of the activities, please email me at tklet0@eq.edu.au.
- If you would like to join the Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC) or find out more about what the committee does, please email our president, David, at mooresathome@internode.on.net
- If would like to donate items such as origami paper, lollies, chocolates, crafts or games for Chappy Lounge or Care Packages, please drop off at the office.
- If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please do so here: https://www.suqld.org.au/donate/ironside-ss-chaplaincy-tax-deductible/
Until Next Time,
Chappy Thu
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