Ironside State School eNewsletter

News from Mrs Hawkswell

Hello Ironside Families – this will be the final newsletter for the 2023 school year.

Classes for 2024

Yesterday, all of our students got an opportunity to meet their teacher and visit their classroom for 2024. If their teacher was not able to be here, one of our staff, gave them messages from that teacher.

Students will bring home a note outlining their 2024 class and teacher for parent reference.

Please remember, during the process of class formations, that the parent considerations for classes were carefully reviewed, however these were considerations not guarantees. It would be impossible to accommodate every individual parent request in the jigsaw that is entailed in the class formation process.

There have been many factors that the school team considered when forming classes. Our teaching teams have spent a number of hours reviewing all the information provided in order to make class placements that are in the best interest of all students.

Final class placements are a school decision and we will not be in a position to make changes now this process is finalised. I thank you in advance for your understanding and respect for this complex process.

SPOTTED – Curious, Connected Leaners in 2D

Last week I was invited to 2D to hear from some very confident students who were collaborating and learning how to present a persuasive written argument. They had written me a letter to persuade me that there should be more playtime in the school day. Their arguments were well considered and presented with confidence and conviction. I have promised I would let the school community see their letter and also pass it on to Mrs Kelly, the new principal, so she can consider their request. 😊

Please enjoy the work of some very talented young learners.

Mrs Hawkswell,
Do you want a school full of great learners? Would you like to see smarter and happier students? Well, that’s easy! Simply make play times longer! This will make all Ironside students better learners, have more friends and improve their health.
Firstly, longer play times will make students better learners. Students will be more focussed and ready to learn. They will be more cooperative with their classmates and teachers. Better work will be produced by diligent and calm students. After extended breaks, Ironside children will certainly be improved workers.
Secondly, more play time will help students make more friends. According to Dr Robert Puff, a leading psychologist, “friendship makes life more enjoyable and enriches one’s everyday experiences.” Longer breaks will improve social skills and the well-being for everyone at school.
Finally, more play time will improve students’ health. By being physically active Ironside children will become fitter and stronger. This could also lead to students participating in different sports at school. Increased play will certainly encourage students to play more sports.
In conclusion, we have clearly shown you that longer play times are essential. Mrs Hawkswell, we urge you to consider making these changes to our school. We know that you are a wonderful principal and you will make the right decision.

Staffing Updates and Changes for 2024:

Transfers Out:
Eddie Dobinson – Norman Park SS
Sarah Cummings – Ferny Grove SS
Nik Taufatofua– Grovely SS
Robyn Chiffey – Moorooka SS
Andrea Ward-Isles – Richlands East SS
Liz Fairhall –St Aidan’s Girls
Dee Burns – Clayfield College
Lisa Allely – alternative schools in her IM roster, closer to home

Taking extended leave across the year:
Michael Cortes – 12 months leave
Gary Lake – 12 months leave - teaching in Vietnam
Shelley Drew – 12 months leave
Kylie Sommerfeld – leave in Term 2, 3 and 4
Peter Davey – has been extended to Term 3 2024, as Principal @ Kurwongbah SS
Chris Delaney - returning to Victoria to be with family

DRT (based at Ironside) but supporting up to 20 schools:
Sara Beeston

LRT (based at Ironside):
Deb Warren

Also leaving us:
Beth Bulowski – moving to Mango Hills SS
Jenny Bairstow – moving to Holland Park SS as Deputy Principal
Amanda Hawkswell – Eagle Junction Acting Principal

Coming to Ironside in 2024:
Michelle Pokoj - (from Goodna SS) will be teaching the ARTS in 2024
Nathan Reardon – (transfer in from Springfield Central SHS)
Essie Horn - (a graduate teacher)
Caitlyn Hall - (a graduate teacher)
Jade Bowser – (a graduate teacher)
Billie Barker – (a graduate teacher)
Sophie Morrison - (a graduate teacher) year
Sheree Haoc - (a graduate teacher)
Simone Fitzgerald – an experienced teacher coming back from the private sector

Returning:
Julie Heyden
Kristen Curtis
Libby Strong
James Kukulies IM - Band

Acting Roles for Term 1:
DP 3/ 4 Phase Term 1 – Alice Cowan-Dillan
Acting HOD-C Term 1 – Leonie Evertson
Acting BM – Semester 1 – TBC

Happy and Safe Holiday Break

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Safe holiday break. I hope you take this opportunity to spend some time with family and friends and also manage a little down time to recharge those depleted batteries.

As I bid farewell to many of you over the final days of the school year, I wanted to take this public opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all of the people I have come to know and work alongside. Unfortunately for us, our time together was only a short one, but every day I have been here at Ironside has been a privilege and a joy.

The unwavering support I have received from my wider leadership team, from the Ironside staff, and from so many parents I have crossed paths with, has ensured that I could lead with transparency, confidence and precision to the Ironside Way.

It is very clear from my interactions, that the P & C gives the school team their unwavering support and trust, and this ensures we can collaborate to create an environment that fosters and nurtures academic excellence, personal growth and a strong sense of community for all who enter the Ironside gates.

To the full school team, I want to express my appreciation for your dedication and hard work. Your commitment to the students of Ironside is what supports them to grow their passions, foster their love of learning and it is another factor that encourages them to develop into kind, community minded humans. I am really proud of the things we have accomplished together in these few short months, and I know you will continue to have many more celebrations and triumphs in your future.

As you all know, I am moving to Eagle Junction SS, as Acting Principal for Semester 1, and by all accounts it is another amazing school and school community.

I am sure I will come to love Eagle Junction SS too, but for now please know the memories and experiences I have shared with the staff, students and families of Ironside will always hold a special place in my heart.

Amanda

Kind regards,

Amanda Hawkswell
Principal

News from Mr Weston-Murdoch

Dear parents and caregivers,

End of School Year

2023 has certainly been another busy school year. To the Prep – Year 2 students of 2023, on behalf of your teachers and school staff, thank you for a great year and being such amazing Ironside STARs.

Prep 2024 - 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 morning beneficial.

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 curriculum and operational matters relating to Prep. Details for this information night will be advertised in the school newsletter.

For now, the 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.

https://ironside.wistia.com/medias/yn3qz4d1aj?media_finished&wvideo=yn3qz4d1aj

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 Weston-Murdoch
Deputy Principal P-2

News from Mrs Cowan-Dillon

Dear parents and carers,

Term 4 can be particularly tiring and sometimes we all find it difficult to ‘keep our cool’, so it was lovely this morning to see all of the happy faces and dancing feet during our final assembly!

Thank you for working with your teachers in supporting your children through another year of primary school. To those families leaving us, we will miss you, and wish you all the best at you new schools.

I hope your family has a wonderful break.

Year 3

Year 3 have been researching and creating information reports and posters about Australian endangered animal. What an amazing job they did!

News from Mrs Bairstow

Dear Ironside,

It is with mixed emotions that my final newsletter piece for the year is a farewell. I will be moving to Holland Park State School next year as Deputy Principal for the upper school. Leaving Ironside was a difficult decision to make, but it is a decision that is in the best interests of my family – as I make the move to the southside of the river, and closer to home. Along with the graduating students of this year, I have spent 7 years at Ironside – and so, while I would have loved to stay here forever, the timing felt right to ‘graduate’ along with the students who started in Prep in my first year.

It is a school’s purpose to teach . . . and I leave Ironside having learnt SO much, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to share some of these skills and knowledge with the Holland Park community, while continuing to learn more from them as well.

There are of course too many people to thank individually – staff who have become lifelong friends; parents who have been endlessly supportive; and students who have been my greatest inspiration of all.

Thank you for everything, and I wish everyone all the best for the future.

Kind regards,

Jenny Bairstow

Deputy Principal 5-6

News from the Enrolments Officer

Dear Ironside Parents,

Enrolments

As we approach the end of the school year, and way before you start dragging out the Christmas and New Year’s decorations(!), I thought it helpful to touch base and send a reminder on the importance of keeping in touch with the enrolments team at Ironside 😊

Here’s a rundown of things you should be contacting me about:

* Enrolling your child, enrolment interview dates and times, school tours
* Changing address, telephone or email details
* Requesting an exemption from school for your child(ren) (if more than 10 school days)
* Departing from Ironside (including if you have moved out the school’s catchment area)
* Sending documents (lease agreements, rate notices, medical certificates, bills, medical action plans, legal documents)

There may be other reasons why you might want to contact me, but this is just a quick snapshot.

I totally understand how busy we all get, but would really appreciate it if you all could keep me informed of any new information you think would be important for the school to know.

If you don’t have the email address, it is: enrolments@ironsidess@eq.edu.au

Amar Dhillon
Enrolmments Officer

Medication

An important reminder on the administration of medicine at Ironside State School.

The administration of medications to students occurs when it is necessary, and during school hours or school-related activities, and when there is either medical authorisation for its administration or it is required as an emergency first aid response. Sections 93(1) & (2) of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 require a responsible person to have a substance management plan (SMP) in place (as outlined in this procedure) that details how risks associated with possessing, administering and disposing of medications held at the school are managed.

If your child will need medication to be administered at school, we urge you to familiarise yourself these guidelines. Please see the following link for further information:

https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/attachment/information-for-parents-carers-and-health-practitioners.docx

Administration of medication procedure for 2023

Please come to the school’s reception to pick up your child’s medication before the end of the school year, 8 December 2023. Any medication not collected will be disposed of appropriately.

Administration of medication procedure for 2024

If your child will need medication during school hours, please read, complete, and sign the consent to administer medication form below.

Once completed, please return this to the school’s reception between 15 January - 19 January 2024 where we will update the school records and store the medication.

https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/attachment/consent-to-administer-medication-form.docx

HPE News

Awards

Congratulations to our 2023 Age champions, Ironside Shield winners, Ironside Gift winner and, of course, Sturt house!

2023 Swimming Champions

Congratulations to the following students for their oustanding swimming achievements.

3 Pin Tournament Results

Another successful Ironside 3 Pin Tournament has come to an end. Congratulations to The Eggs in the Junior division and Remy’s Rats in the senior division on their tournament wins!!

Music News

Year 1 and Year 2 Junior Choirs

A HUGE congratulations to the year 1 and year 2 junior choirs. We've had a great year of singing and finished the year off with a brilliant mini concert last Friday. Well done everyone!

International Parent Group News

Thank you to the parents who were able to attend our final Friday Chat and Cuppa last week. This was a time to both celebrate and reflect on our achievements not only this year but over the past 7 years. During this time we have welcomed many families and have enjoyed getting to know each other over a cuppa.

Thank you for your support and fun times this year. What we have achieved together has been truly amazing. An example of this was our International Breakfast! All of our chosen organisations were very thankful to receive this monetary support.

Thank you for attending our weekly sessions again this year. We hope that you have enjoyed just chatting, making new friends and learning more about our school and community.

If you are leaving, we wish you safe travels and hope that you have enjoyed your time at Ironside SS. If you are travelling during the holidays, we wish you a safe journey.

In 2024 we are exploring a new look and day for this group.

Have a safe and relaxing break!

Kind regards,

Kylie Sommerfeld

(EAL/D Coordinator/Teacher)