from the principal’s desk - the ipswich state … august 2016 from the principal’s desk the...

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1 Hunter Street Brassall QLD 4305 Subscribe: Subscribe: http://ipswichshs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe Email: Email: [email protected] Phone: Phone: 07 3813 4488 Fax: Fax: 07 3813 4400 3 August 2016 3 August 2016 FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK The second semester of the year, one which always seems to focus students’ attention much more than the first, has started well. There was a great turn out at the parent teacher interviews, and spirited and enthusiastic competition at the House Athletics carnival. The P&C has approved my suggestion that school fees remain as they are for 2017, and we have enrolled more than 30 new students and welcomed 7 new staff. But of course, a school is much more than meetings and sport and decisions about money. It is about teaching and learning, and the staff are now well into their research and practice designed to lead them to a better understanding of how to teach reading, and what quality teaching looks like @ISH. These two foci are the designated target areas identified in the school’s Action Plan which has emerged following the full school review last term. For too long we in high schools have relied on our primary colleagues to ensure that students arrive at high school with all the necessary skills for secondary learning. More and more we are finding that many students are unable to read at a functional level [approx. Grade 5] by the time they get to us, and so we have had to become more skilled in managing those students’ learning journeys. We are actually quite good at it, as our most recent NAPLAN and QCE results prove but there is always room for improvement. And so we are continuing to develop an unrelenting improvement strategy of Professional Development in the teaching of reading and peer coaching and mentoring for all our staff. I welcome your comments on our increasing partnership with you as we develop a wider range of strategies to help your children engage with their education more fully here @ISH. Part of the learning journey for us all, and one of our Five Minds, is the development of a respectful persona. When I speak at enrolment sessions, I refer to the need for all members of our community to show and expect, respect; not only to and from their teachers and peers including themselves, but also for their environment, for others’ points of view, their skin colour and cultural backgrounds, their religious beliefs and their more subtle differences such as their sexuality. The P&C has endorsed my proposal to develop further school-based programs which will be used to help our young people come to terms with some of the differences they experience @ISH, including some of the feelings and emotions which may be particular to their own circumstances. These might include a lack of self-esteem, feelings of grief and loss, reaction to a traumatic event, or simply an answer to the question we have probably all asked ourselves at some time in our life – “Who am I?” We already provide support in many ways with programs such as SHINE, RISE, No Limits as well as others involving our business partners and other community groups. These range from in school activities to camps to excursions and other mentoring experiences, and will be expanded to include an awareness of, and respect for, the LGBTI community @ISH. It is a sign of the maturity of any group that it is able to accept difference. In my experience, difference is never as real as it is originally perceived to be, and I have encouraged a group of students and staff to develop a Vision Statement for our school which reflects our understanding of the responsibilities we have as a community. I am pleased to present it here and welcome any feedback. @ISH we pride ourselves on having a safe, respectful and ethical environment for all students and staff. We welcome all students and their families regardless of ethnic background, religious belief, sexual orientation or gender

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1 Hunter StreetBrassall QLD 4305Subscribe:Subscribe: http://ipswichshs.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email:Email: [email protected]:Phone: 07 3813 4488

Fax:Fax: 07 3813 4400

3 August 20163 August 2016

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESKThe second semester of the year, onewhich always seems to focus students’attention much more than the first, hasstarted well. There was a great turn out atthe parent teacher interviews, and spiritedand enthusiastic competition at the HouseAthletics carnival. The P&C has approvedmy suggestion that school fees remain as

they are for 2017, and we have enrolled more than 30 newstudents and welcomed 7 new staff.

But of course, a school is much more than meetings and sportand decisions about money. It is about teaching and learning,and the staff are now well into their research and practicedesigned to lead them to a better understanding of how toteach reading, and what quality teaching looks like @ISH.

These two foci are the designated target areas identified inthe school’s Action Plan which has emerged following the fullschool review last term. For too long we in high schools haverelied on our primary colleagues to ensure that students arriveat high school with all the necessary skills for secondarylearning.

More and more we are finding that many students are unable toread at a functional level [approx. Grade 5] by the time they getto us, and so we have had to become more skilled in managingthose students’ learning journeys.

We are actually quite good at it, as our most recent NAPLANand QCE results prove – but there is always room forimprovement. And so we are continuing to develop anunrelenting improvement strategy of Professional Developmentin the teaching of reading and peer coaching and mentoring forall our staff.

I welcome your comments on our increasing partnership withyou as we develop a wider range of strategies to help yourchildren engage with their education more fully here @ISH.

Part of the learning journey for us all, and one of our Five Minds,is the development of a respectful persona. When I speak atenrolment sessions, I refer to the need for all members of ourcommunity to show and expect, respect; not only to and fromtheir teachers and peers including themselves, but also fortheir environment, for others’ points of view, their skin colourand cultural backgrounds, their religious beliefs and their moresubtle differences such as their sexuality.

The P&C has endorsed my proposal to develop furtherschool-based programs which will be used to help our youngpeople come to terms with some of the differences theyexperience @ISH, including some of the feelings and emotionswhich may be particular to their own circumstances. Thesemight include a lack of self-esteem, feelings of grief and loss,reaction to a traumatic event, or simply an answer to thequestion we have probably all asked ourselves at some time inour life – “Who am I?”

We already provide support in many ways with programs suchas SHINE, RISE, No Limits as well as others involving ourbusiness partners and other community groups. These rangefrom in school activities to camps to excursions and othermentoring experiences, and will be expanded to include anawareness of, and respect for, the LGBTI community @ISH.

It is a sign of the maturity of any group that it is able to acceptdifference. In my experience, difference is never as real as it isoriginally perceived to be, and I have encouraged a group ofstudents and staff to develop a Vision Statement for our schoolwhich reflects our understanding of the responsibilities we haveas a community. I am pleased to present it here and welcomeany feedback.

@ISH we pride ourselves on having a safe, respectful andethical environment for all students and staff. We welcome

all students and their families regardless of ethnicbackground, religious belief, sexual orientation or gender

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identity. All members of our community, and their familiesand friends, deserve the opportunity to grow and learn

without prejudice. We are proud to declare that we are aSafe School.

As always, thank you for remaining in partnership with us as wemove towards the culmination of 12 years’ education for manyof our students. There is still some way to go until the Year12s graduate, but QCS is on the horizon, resumes and QTACapplication forms are well underway, and plans for their futurepost-ISH are being discussed.

This is not the time to slacken off. For Year 10s SET Plans arebeing developed, and for the rest of the school thoughts shouldbe turning to their subjects for next year. Maintain enthusiasm,remain engaged, look for new opportunities to develop skills –focus on your role @ISH.

Simon RileyPrincipal

LamIN8 ProgramMathew Bond is lucky enough to be a part of the LamIN8program. LamIN8 is a Department of Education and Training‘school to work’ transition program which prepares students inall aspects of employment, whilst still at school.

Matthew is completing work experience at GW & DC Wathenalong with completing a Certificate II in Furniture Making as partof the LamIN8 program.

Robert Dunlop is also lucky enough to be a part of the LamIN8program. Robert is completing work experience at BarrettShopfitting along with completing a Certificate II in FurnitureMaking as part of the LamIN8 program.

WHAT’S NEW

2017 Student Resource Scheme Fee

We have distributed by either email or post the 2017 StudentResource Scheme form to be completed by parents/guardiansand returned to the Finance Office at your earliest convenience.The SRS fee of $250 has been approved by the P & C at themeeting held on the 25th July 2016.

As approved by the P & C committee invoices for the 2017school fees have been issued earlier to give parents theopportunity to forward plan and budget for their student’sschool fees. We are now accepting payments from our parents.

The recommended payment due dates are as follows:-

Yearly due 25th November 2016 $250Term 1 due 25th November 2016 $85Term 2 due 17th March 2017 $85Term 3 due 9th June 2017 $80

Specialist subject fees – Student Resource Scheme fees areto be paid in full and the subject fee paid in full prior tocommencement of the subject. The School Showcase andSubject Selection Evening is to be held on the 18thOctober.

School Invoice Payments (only)

What is BPoint?

BPoint is a new online payment facility which can be accessedby customers and parents via weblink, see link below. This linkis on the bottom of invoices.

https://www.bpoint.com.au/Payments/dete

Payments made through BPoint require a valid invoicenumber and customer reference number (CRN) which arelocated on the bottom left hand side of our school invoices andstatements. It is important that this information is provided sothat the payment will be automatically matched to the invoice.

School Based Apprenticeships

Congratulations to Jade Craig.

Jade was successful in obtaining a school-basedapprenticeship in Hospitality with Muffin Break at Riverlink.

Congratulations to Owain Tily.

Owain was successful in obtaining a school-basedapprenticeship in Signage with Apprenticeship QLD at SurrealSigns.

Congratulations to Charli Robinson.

Charli was successful in obtaining a school-based traineeshipin Retail with City Beach at Indooroopilly.

Year 11 Work ExperienceOur year 11 students completed work experience last term.Every student enjoyed their experience with some even beingoffered casual work.

Well done year 11s.

Thank you so much to our valued employers for providing ourstudents with real life work opportunities.

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Rewards DayOn Monday the 18th July Ipswich celebrated the success ofYear 7,8 and 9 students by inviting them to attend Rewardsday. Students spent the morning participating in a variety ofinteractive activities at the Science Centre followed by somelunch in beautiful Southbank. Well done to all students for theirhard work during semester one! Students have an opportunityto work towards Semester 2 Rewards day in Term 4.

Talena BruhlYear 8 Student Welfare Officer

The following students were lucky enough to participate in TheSmith Family Financial Literacy course. All students completeda Certificate I in Financial Services and will receive two QCEcredits.

Thank you to The Smith Family for your valued and continuedsupport.

Amos Braeden

Augustine Stephen

Bell Tamara

Burrows Aaron

Fisher Timothy

Fraser Candace

Gardner Courtney

Huysman Curtis

Knight Mark

Major Hunter

Parry Jake

Paynter Tiah

Scanlan Maddison

Seydler Callaughan Kayne

Stone Taylor

Year 7 Fashion of the classroomYear 7 students recently displayed their fashion design skills intheir Home Economics textiles class. Bree was our guest judge,she said "all groups did a wonderful job". Well done year 7!

Teacher: Tanya McKenna

Year 7 SewingThe year 7 students have been working hard to gain theirsewing machine license. Keep up the good work everyone!

DATES TO REMEMBER

5TH AUGUST MELBOURNE ART TRIP

5TH – 7TH AUGUST SENIOR VOLLEYBALL CUP

11th– 12th AUGUST GOLD COAST DANCEEISTEDDFOD

12TH AUGUST DREAMWORLD EXCURSION

24th AUGUST DANCE SHOWCASE

30th – 31st AUGUST YEAR 10 SET PLANNING

30TH – 31ST AUGUST YEAR 12 QCS

13TH– 26THSEPTEMBER

JAPAN TRIP

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