13 February 201513 February 2015

From The Principal’s DeskThe start of the year is often a major eventhere at The Ipswich State High School[@ISH]; over the past five or so years wehave had two floods, a major heatwave,several building or renovation projectsincomplete from holiday works andclogging up our walkways and this year twocohorts of new students.

I hope many of you caught the Channel 9 or Channel 7coverage of the first day of the year @ISH. This clearly showedhow prepared we were for the influx of more than 400 studentsacross both Year 7 and Year 8.

I have received many complimentary comments from thatcoverage; indeed the Regional Director was also here thatmorning and he was very impressed by the welcoming and verypositive atmosphere exuded by our staff and the students in theSRC who assisted with the new students’ orientation program.

One of the challenges @ISH so far this year has been thenumber of new enrolments in Years 9-12. This has farexceeded our estimates, and, combined with the larger thanexpected number of students in Years 7 and 8, has put astrain on our classroom space. I hope to have this resolved thisweek. We are the only high school in Metropolitan Region tohave had a much greater enrolment that predicted. Obviouslyour academic, cultural, sporting and social programs areencouraging families to enrol.

As well as more than 500 new students, we have welcomeda new Deputy Principal, Ms Susan Wayner; three new Headsof Department, Ms Susan Sherlock [English], Ms Vicki Hamilton[Senior Schooling] and Mrs Amy Whitehouse [Effective Learningand Teaching]; and 33 new teachers!

Next week parents of Years 7 and 8 students are invited toattend a Welcome Function on Tuesday, 17 February, andparents of years 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to anInformation Evening on Senior Schooling on Wednesday, 18February. These events will be held in the School Hall. Timesvary but details are on the letter you should have received fromyour student this week.

Copies are available from Student Services if your student’sbag resembles those of my own children where school lunches,

notes to and from school, pencil shavings, water bottles andvarious books and wallets all vie for space.

Our first P&C meeting will take place on Monday, 23 Februaryat 6.30 in the Administration Block. This not the AGM, so youare free to attend without any fear of being mustered ontothe committee. Please come and introduce yourselves to ourcommunity – we are always looking for new ideas and fresheyes.

Thank you for joining us in a partnership to educate your childhere @ISH.

Simon RileyPrincipal

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

Showcase Dance Championships

Over the holidays, Alannah Caneris competed in the NationalShowcase Dance Championships at Jupiters Casino on theGold Coast after blitzing the regional competition in September.She received a gold national award in the both the Jazz andStudent Choreography sections. She was supported by a fanclub of Ipswich High students who came to cheer Alannah onand watch some of the best dancers in the country battle it out.

Queensland Ballet Workshop

Congratulations to year 7 student, Kiya Verrill, who spent aweek of her holidays sharing the dance floor with theQueensland Ballet after being selected for their week longsummer school program. Kiya’s exemplary ballet exam gradesearned her a coveted place in the workshop where she studiedballet, character and contemporary styles under the direction ofacclaimed Artistic Director Li Cunxin.

1 Hunter StreetBrassall QLD 4305

Website:Website: https://ipswichshs.eq.edu.auEmail:Email: the.principal@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au

Student Absence Line:Student Absence Line: (07) 3813 4401Phone:Phone: (07) 3813 4488

Fax:Fax: (07) 3813 4400Subscribe to Online Newsletter!Subscribe to Online Newsletter! http://ipswichshs.schoolzinenewsletters.com/subscribe

Year 7 Technology - Textiles

This year 7 class are practicing sewing along lines in order toattain their sewing machine licence! Keep up the great workyear 7.

Tanya McKennaTeacher

Queensland Rail Excursion

In the last school week of 2014 a group of drama studentswas invited by Queensland Rail to participate in an emergencyexercise. The students were given the opportunity to take onspecific role-play briefs during the exercise and thoroughlyenjoyed getting makeup and latex prosthetics applied tosimulate passenger injuries. Our students were commended byQueensland Rail for their professionalism and the commitmentto their roles.

Dance Bootcamp

On the 12th,13thand 14th of January, dedicated dancestudents attended The Ipswich State High School DanceBootcamp at the S block Dance Studio. All students wereoutstanding and shed some blood, sweat and tears with lots ofsore bodies on the last day. Well done to all involved.

Performance @ Dreamworld

Congratulations to all the Stage Band, Concert Band and JuniorDance Troupe students who performed at Dreamworld on the2nd December. It was a great day enjoyed by all with manywords of praise from the Dreamworld Staff.

CELEBRATIONS & SUCCESSES

Presentation of Awards

Students at Ipswich High have the opportunity to earn badgesfor achievements in academic, community, sporting andcultural activities. Blue badges are awarded for local and schoolbased achievements, maroon badges are indicative of regionalwide achievements, and gold badges celebrate students whohave excelled at State and/or National level.

Blue Academic Badges

The following students receive blue badges for completingcertificate courses.

Certificate II Sampling and Measurement

• Tyra Bainbridge

• Kersal Avaava Johnson

• Sharna Aggett

• Cheyanne Williams

• Benjamin Willett

• Alexander Welding

• Nicki Wehi-Allen

• Dylan Vickers

• Jacob Van Bekkum

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Certificate 11 Workplace Practices

Maroon Cultural Badge

Selection for and participation in Queensland Ballet SummerSchool 2015

Gold Cultural Badge

2 gold awards at the National Dance Championships atJupitor's Casino

Selection for and participation in the AIME (AustralianIndigenous Mentoring Experience) program national dancefinals in Sydney

CHAPLAINCY NEWSHello to the Ipswich State High School community. My name isDebbie Grey and I am the new school Chaplain.

Starting a new position anywhere is a scary thing but starting atthis school has been great. The staff, students and parents areall so friendly. What an awesome school spirit!

So what is a Chaplain? Chaplains provide spiritual andemotional support to school communities. They are in theprevention and support business: helping students find abetter way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdownand loneliness, to drug abuse, depression and anxiety. Theyprovide a listening ear and a caring presence for kids in

• August Tolova’a

• Aroha Steele

• Alexander Sleep

• Kelsey Simington

• Roesha Shields

• Keyanna Seydler Callaughan

• Jarrod Schulte

• Aaron Rush

• Scott Robinson-Seigel

• Bailey Price

• Jayden Petzler

• Brendon Osmond

• Lorenzo Mulitalo

• Jesse Morriss

• Callum Meader

• Ethan McKerrow

• Phoebe Maclean

• Molly Mackay

• Benjamin Lauvi

• Brittany Lake

• Samuel Kewa

• Chantelle Holman

• Tenaha Hazard

• Caleb Haynes

• Lachlan Hawkins

• Benjamin Fisher

• Harrison Finn

• Leesha Ebert

• Zane Duffy

• Ryan Dornbusch

• Reece Doktor

• Kiasha Crosbie-Snape

• Aidan Carroll

• Shiloh Bremer

• Jay Barley

• Marcus Barnaby

• Miranda Brooks

• Tahlie Brennan

• Cody Wensley

• Jordan Hirning

• Jordan Lawrence

• Adam Mears

• Maddelene Clarke

• Courtney Freeman

• David Crawley

• Cooper Muckert

• Braydan Fender

• Jackson McKittrick

• Jemma Robinson

• Teancum Woodforth

• Jackson Macdonald

• Jesse Matafeo

• Rachael Langlands

• Kelepi Faukafa

• Zarina Kahler

• Sophie Brooks

• Jasmin Kelly

• ChandlerBest

• Kaitlin McPeake

• Griffin Smith

• Kaitlyn Fenech

• Alannah Caneris

• Brenton James

• Travis Finn

• Wenonah Brown

• Katherine Yeates

• Kiya Verrill

• Alannah Caneris

• Kyarni Tansell

• Keiarah Munro

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crisis, and those who just need a friend. They also providesupport for staff and parents in school communities.

I am here three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday).I am a mum of three children. I have one adult daughter and twoteenage boys. I love working with teenagers as it is wonderfulwatching and encouraging them as they find their way toadulthood. If you think that your child or you need some help,or just a chat, please give me a call on 3813 4488 or emaildgrey12@eq.edu.au .

I am looking forward to meeting all of you.

Blessings

Debbie GrayChaplain

DATES TO REMEMBER

17TH FEBRUARY2015

WELCOME EVENING YEAR 7 & 8

18TH FEBRUARY2015

INFORMATION EVENING YEAR10, 11, 12

19TH FEBRUARY2015

YEAR 8 IMMUNISATIONS

21ST FEBRUARY2015

IPSWICH JETS CHEER GAMES

23rd FEBRUARY2015

P & C MEETING

16TH – 18THMARCH 2015

YEAR 7/8 CAMP

23rd April YEAR 10 IMMUNISATIONS

BUILDING PARENT-SCHOOLPARTNERSHIPSStarting secondary school is a time of change and uncertainty.Here are some helpful hints on how to help your child achieve asmooth start to secondary school.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Changes to TOBACCO laws affecting schools

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/atod/tobacco-laws/schools/default.asp

Schools - From 1 January 2015, smoking is banned at allQueensland state and non-state schools, and for 5 metersbeyond their boundaries.

The law applies at all times—during and after school hours, onweekends and during school holidays. It includes the use ofall smoking products, including regular cigarettes and devicescommonly known as electronic cigarettes.

School land is defined as land on which a:

Five meter buffer - The buffer is a 5 metre no-smoking areaaround the perimeter of the school, beyond the school landboundary; including all structures in this area, such as busshelters and car parks. This area does not extend intoresidential or business premises that share a boundary withschool land.

Enforcement - If you see someone smoking within the 5 meterbuffer, tell them that it is illegal for them to smoke in this area.

If you wish to report a breach of these tobacco laws, contact13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Blackstone United Dragons

Come and sign up to play soccer with the Blackstone UnitedDragons in 2015! It’s a great way to exercise, have fun andmake new friends. Blackstone United Dragon’s have teams forthose aged 5 and upwards. All games are played on Saturday.

Sign on day: Saturday 14 February between 8am and11:00amAddress: 6 Thomas Street, Blackstone.

• state school provides education programs under theEducation (General Provisions) Act 2006

• non-state school provides primary education,secondary education or special education under theEducation (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act2011

• state or non-state school provides other educationalfacilities, instruction or activities, for example, sportsgrounds, and including land that is owned or leasedby the school.

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