12 October 2023 - Term 4, Week 2
News from Mrs Hawkswell
Hello Ironside Families,
I hope all of our families have had a lovely holiday. What a busy two weeks back we have had since term 4 has started.
Our year 5 campers have all reported that they have had an amazing leadership experience away. Though I am sure some very tired students and teachers will return to us today. I am lucky enough to have been asked to join the year 4 campers next week at the Tangalooma Camp, I am very excited about sharing this time with the team and our year 4 students.
Across the holidays, the wider team and I have worked to action some of the following upgrades to our facilities –
- Facilities required us to action a tree management plan – and we have been notified via the arborist that one of our larger trees along Ironside St is in very poor condition, and as such may need it to be removed. We are waiting on the final arborist’s report around this and will present this at the next P & C Meeting
- After investigating options and getting quotes, we have actioned the installation of a shade structure at the Hawken Dr end of the pool. This will ensure students can stand in that area, where the cement become very hot, safely throughout the hotter months. I will keep you updated around timelines for that installation
- We have actioned our electronic school sign to be refurbished, so that we can make use of it for reminders, messages and celebrations
- We also had work done on the external speaker system and school bells system across the holidays – with the aim to ensure there was clarity of messaging for all classrooms and spaces when this system is in use. Our apologies for all of the bell issues this week, the computer system that ‘runs’ the bells clicked over to daylight saving time and so this caused much confusion until the times could be adjusted
- Bag hooks are being installed in some areas (near year 4A/B and in G-Block) to allow us to remove old bad racks and free up more space around verandas
GRATITUDE:
I wanted to reiterate the newsflash message of gratitude sent out last Friday -
- Parents have been an amazing support for our new way of working in the afternoons
- Families have been leaving our site by 3.30 so OSHC can make use of all of their required spaces
- We wanted to thank everyone for adhering to these new timeframes
Another reminder from OSHC is around morning procedures -
- If your child or children are arriving to school prior to 8.30 each day, could you please remind them that when they arrive at school ALL STUDENTS are to sit under the library under croft until 8.30.
- At this time, the OSHC groups move to another location, so our students (not at OSHC) can then safely use the outdoor spaces from 8.30 without impacting on OSHC ratios.
SPOTLIGHT on an Ironside Music STAR of the future: COCO L
Mrs Weekes has provided me with an update on one of our strings players so we could celebrate her wonderful achievements at such a young age.
Coco L – you are an outstanding musician! To have completed your AMUS A already, is really an incredible achievement for a primary school student.
Some of Coco’s other outstanding achievements include:
- Recently participating in and performing with the AHEP string orchestra at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
- This ensemble is mostly upper high school students with entry via nomination and then a video audition.
- There were over 1000 applications to the AHEP Program this year with students coming from all over the state.
- I am told that a Year 6 achieving entry to this program is again an amazing achievement and not only did Coco gain entry, but was in the first violins, which shows just how outstanding she is.
- Across 2023 - Coco has participated in several international music competitions and achieved a:
- 2nd prize in the violin 10-12 age category for the France International Music Competition “Nouvelles Etoiles”,
- 1st prize in the 10-11 age category for the American 2023 Classical Music Competition and
- 1st place in the 11-13 age category in 2023 Kings Peak Classical Music Competition
How incredible to have worked so hard to achieve all of the above (as well completing her AMUS A) and being a diligent and engaged Ironside student every day.
I am not sure Coco is getting much down time or sleep. 😊
CONGRATS Coco– you really are an IRONSIDE STAR!
Animals on School Grounds:
Can I please remind all parents and carers, that DOGS and other animals are NOT allowed on school grounds at pick up or drop off time, this ALSO includes OSHC pick up and drop off. We are very happy for fury family members to make the walk to school – we just ask they say goodbye at our school gates.
Second Hand Uniforms:
I am seeking any small, second-hand uniforms, you no longer require. We are trying to put together packs of these uniform items to give to our feeder ECECentres, so they can be part of their imaginative play/ dress-up areas. We have been told we have many future Ironside SS students, wanting to dress-up ready for ‘big school’. Any smaller uniform items can be dropped to our office.
Have a lovely weekend and holiday.
Kind regards,
Amanda Hawkswell
Principal
News from Mr Weston-Murdoch
Dear parents and caregivers,
REVISION: Bridge Builders – Skill of the week Skill of the week (Week 1): Make an Agreement
We all know that there are differences and disagreements in all relationships. Therefore, it is logical that how you resolve these disagreements will be critical to the on-going success of those relationships.
Sometimes in a conflict there is common ground. This is something that both children want that is the same. An argument can become complicated by continued hurtful behaviours. Asking children “What do you both want that is the same?” can stop the bickering and help them to focus on what the original problem was and lead them to make an agreement.
Try to remain neutral if you can and let your kids sort it out with your help. Remember that conflict is not bad, it’s an everyday part of life and a great opportunity to learn.
REVISION: Bridge Builders – Skill of the week (Week 2): Apologise
An apology can be one of the most powerful ways to build a bridge in conflict situations. Giving an apology with meaning and at the right time can bridge the problem quickly and allow children to move on from it.
Children need to be encouraged to look at the person they are apologising to. Eye contact is important in communication. Sincerity is key in an apology, so starting by using the other child’s name is good. It not only gains the person’s attention; it also shows respect. Children should be encouraged to say what they are sorry for, because this shows recognition of what they have done that has caused the pain.
Where possible, it is helpful to encourage children to ‘do’ something that restores justice and can repair the obstacles in the relationship caused by conflict. In some situations, children can’t ‘do’ anything to solve the problem, like when someone has called them a name, hit them or blames them for something they didn’t do. In these cases, they could say, “I’ll try not to do it again.”
“Empowered for Life”; Jocelyne Chirnside
Around the classrooms – Prep:
This term in Prep we are learning to make predictions about stories. The children have been using their prior knowledge to connect and reflect on what they think might happen in different story books. This week we enjoyed the story Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, they children were able to come up with wonderful predictions using what they already know about Libraries and Lions.
Around the classrooms – Year 1:
In Year One we have been practicing our collaborator skills.
We are learning that in order to be great collaborators we need to take turns, share our ideas, work with my group and do my fair share. We are also listening and encouraging others.
In Week One we were working as a group to come up with ideas on close up pictures. We had a great time trying to figure out what the object or animal was after it had been magnified seventy- one times its size.
Around the classrooms – Year 2:
In Term 4, the Year 2 students are investigating motion and forces. We have learnt that all motion is a result of either a push or a pull. This week we are looking at spinning toys and working out how and why they spin. In order to help us with our investigation we have made pinwheels in class. Who knew how much fun science could be!
Kind regards,
Scott Weston-Murdoch
Deputy Principal P-2
News from Mrs Cowan-Dillon
Year 4 Camp
We are all very excited about our upcoming camp at Tangalooma! To ensure everything goes smoothly, please see the reminders below:
- Students attending camp must be at school at 7:30am on Wednesday 18th
- Students will meet their class teacher and have names marked off the roll. Students in 4E will meet Mr Gary Lake.
- Buses depart at 8am and will not be held for late arrivals.
- On arrival at Tangalooma, we start our activities straight away, so please ensure sunscreen is already applied and that backpacks contain hats, water bottles, sunscreen and a raincoat.
Medication
- Teachers cannot administer any medication that does not meet the requirements specified in the camp documentation that has been sent home. If you have any questions about this, please contact Alice Cowan-Dillon acowa13@eq.edu.au
- As mentioned at the Year 4 Camp information evening, all medication is to be handed in to the office by this afternoon. It must have correct documentation, labelling and be in a zip lock bag.
On Tuesday 17th October, staff will have a camp meeting with the students to go over everything they need to know, and answer any questions they might have.
Please Note: Students who are not attending camp will go to 4E and see Mr Bierhuizen at 8:55am each day.
Kid’s STEM Convention
On Wednesday, I had the honour of being one of the judges at the Kid’s STEM Convention, held at QAMST. Ironside State School had a number of teams enter and present their fabulous projects.
Congratulations to Aniketh and Ethan, the recipients of the Design and Technology award!
State Athletics Championships
One of our Year 4 students, Samara, participated in the State Athletics Championships on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, representing the Met West region for Under 10 girls 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4 x 100m relay.
- 100m sprint - 5th in the state (PB 14.25secs)
- 200m sprint - 6th in the state
- 4 x 100m relay - 4th in the state
Congratulations Samara!
Merit Certificates from Years 3, 4 and 6
News from Chappy Thu
Dear Families,
Welcome back! I hope you’ve all had a relaxing break exploring new places or simply enjoying a slower pace, not worrying about being on time, lunches, homework or events J My family & I spent the first week in beautiful Tangalooma followed by a hike through the Granite Belt, finishing with a visit to Wallangara Station on the boarder of QLD & NSW. On the second week, I was working at the Creator Camp with a team of amazing chaplains as well as members from the St Lucia Uniting Church. We had so much fun learning how songs are made (& even wrote our own!), designing coasters, making tote bags, origami, games, sports & more!
Gingerbread Evening
This term will be a little different since I will be away on Year 5 Camp this week followed by Year 4 Camp next week. As such, we will only have 4 full weeks of activities before our annual Gingerbread Evening where the Chappy Squad will be displaying the skills they have learnt in the Squad this year by hosting, serving & running a Craft Stall to raise money for charity. Last year, they raised money for the RSPCA & they will vote for our 2023 charity when I am back from all the camps in Week 4. The Gingerbread evening will be on Friday, 1st December (Week 9) so please save the date & let me know if you’re interested in volunteering. It will be a fun & creative night, but due to the capacity of our hall, seats will be limited. Gingerbread House kits & tickets will go on sale soon. More info to come.
Chappy Activities & Chappy Squad
As mentioned, we will only have 4 full weeks of Chappy break time activities this term. We will have a dedicated ‘Junior Lounge’ just for students from Prep to 2 on Wednesdays to allow a selected few year 2 students to train & experience what being a Squad member will be like next year. The new Squad, including junior members will be announced in Week 4. We will also be having two dedicated craft clubs to make items for the Gingerbread Evening Craft Stall to raise money for charity and of course, favourites such as the scavenger hunt & bubble Friday will be back this term too J
Chappy Activities
Lastly, if you are looking for something fun & creative to do with parents & kids, Pastor Mandy is holding a two hour workshop on Saturday, 4th November. Details below.
That’s all from me for now. Hope you all have an amazing weekend!
See you all in Week 4,
Chappy Thu
tklet0@eq.edu.au
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
8am to 4pm
Music News
Upcoming Dates
Music Fest
Our final competition of the year is almost here. The students have been working hard and all the groups are sounding amazing. Both Band and Strings are travelling to Iona College in week four. Strings are going on Monday the 23rd of October and Band on Thursday 26 October. Parents are welcome to come out and hear our performances.
Strings will be meeting on Monday the 23rd on the Grassy patch.
7am – Senior Strings and Intermediate strings
9:15am – Junior Strings
Don’t forget we need full performance uniform, music, and lunch. Please don’t bring any extra things (ie computers) with you on the bus to the performance.
Recruitment for 2024
Gala Night for 2024
Don’t forget to add the Gala Night to your calendar. This will be our final concert for the year and a great celebration of our year of music. We will be at BBC again using their lovely hall. Thursday 23rd November – starting 6pm.
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Uniform and Tuckshop News
International Parent Group News
