Newsletter 28th February 2025

Principal’s Newsletter Report – Term 1 Week 5

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been a very busy start to the 2025 school year.  I started at Ipswich SHS on Monday 20 January, having moved here from Cairns where I have lived and worked for the past 30 years.  I have been a principal for over 8 years and most recently I have been the Principal at Woree SHS since 2020.

I have been thoroughly impressed by the amazing opportunities that are available to students at Ipswich SHS, many of which are unique to our school and not available anywhere else in area.

Ipswich SHS also supports students in ways that aren’t available at many other school such as provision of laptops to students in Junior Secondary, the Uniform Exchange and Breakfast and Lunch programs.

School Planning 2025

At the end of 2024 the ISHS Leadership Group collaborated in the creation of the 2025 Annual Improvement Plan.

The 2025 AIP Priorities:

• Explicit Improvement Agenda – to strengthen the sense of engagement, learning and belonging at @ISHS to improve student attendance and outcomes
• Quality Teaching Priority – To create a culture of high performance through use of research informed high yield strategies
• A Culture of Learning Priority – to develop and support students belonging and engagement as a strong foundation for learning outcomes

School Leadership 2025

Executive Team

Kathryn Todd- Principal, ktodd8@eq.edu.au

Sarah Lake – DP Year 7, LAKE, slake27@eq.edu.au

Rex Bertrand – DP Year 8, rbert3@eq.edu.au

Penny Worthington – DP Year 9, pjwor0@eq.edu.au

Shannon Wellings – DP Year 10 & 11, swell111@eq.edu.au

Andrew Want – DP Year 11, awant2@eq.edu.au

Jenny Shard – Business Manager, jshar147@eq.edu.au

Head of Departments - Student Support:

Year 7 -  Tara Yarrow, tyarr14@eq.edu.au

Year 8 - Talena Bruhl, tbret30@eq.edu.au

Year 9 - Kathryne Wait, kwait11@eq.edu.au

Year 10 & 11 - Sabrina Goodingham, sgood192@eq.edu.au

Year 12 - James Parsons, gjpar0@eq.edu.au

Heads of Department – Curriculum

HPE - Gretchen Bohils, gbohi1@eq.edu.au

Senior Secondary – Angus Bessai, abess10@eq.edu.au

Rugby League -  Joshua Bretherton, jbret49@eq.edu.au

Humanities, Business & LOTE - Tony Flanagan-Swan, tflan76@eq.edu.au

Junior Secondary - Matthew Hall, mdhal0@eq.edu.au

Performing Arts - Alison Hamilton, ahami30@eq.edu.au

English - Sam Jaswinsky, sljas0@eq.edu.au

Vocational Education & Training - Christopher Riches, cjric0@eq.edu.au

Technologies - Kim Teale, kjtea0@eq.edu.au

Science - Shannon Walsh, swals60@eq.edu.au

Mathematics - Mycha Woodward, mxwoo5@eq.edu.au

Guidance Officers:

Year 7 & 10 - Kelly Cox, kcox85@eq.edu.au

Year 8 & 11 - Cameron Turton, cturt11@eq.edu.au

Year 9, 12 & ALC - Rebecca Gilmour, rgilm17@eq.edu.au

High Expectations at Ipswich SHS

At ISH, we are committed to ensuring the management of all students is consistent, fair and equitable. This results in greater time on task and ensures learning outcomes are maximised.

As part of this ongoing process, students are explicitly taught and reinforced for demonstrating our school-wide expectations of Respect and Responsibility.

ISH utilises a research-based, school-wide expectations framework to manage behaviour and support students to succeed in their learning.  This framework is called ‘Zones of Behaviour’. Each Zone represents a range of behaviours which result in predictable, consistent management from staff.

The High Expectations Framework is explained at the enrolment interview of all new students at Ipswich SHS and revisited with all students regularly throughout the year.

Managing Student Behaviour

Ipswich State High school uses a range of strategies to support student behaviour.  These strategies include positive reinforcements such as positive acknowledgements, Switch Points and invitations to Rewards Activities throughout the term. 

We also utilise corrective consequences that include a range of strategies from in class consequence, detentions, and in the most serious of circumstances, school disciplinary absences and exclusions.

Most of our students enjoy the positive reinforcements they receive for meeting our school-wide expectations and they rarely require corrective consequences.

We have reviewed our continuum of consequences and have determined to modify our Detention Process as follows:

Class detentions – 20 minutes maximum.  Given and administered by class teachers for minor behaviours during class.

Administration Detentions – 20 minutes maximum. Given and administered by School Leaders during first lunch break for repeated minor behaviours or major behaviours such as refusing to comply with the Uniform Policy.

After School Detentions – 30 minutes maximum.  Given and administered by School Leaders after school for significant major behaviours such are refusing to follow the Buddy Class or Mobile Phone Policies.

We are introducing After School Detentions at Ipswich SHS to provide a step between an in-school detention and a suspension.  We want our students at school every day and we strive to find options that assist us to reduce the need for a suspension.

After School Detentions will commence in Term 1, Week 7.  They will run each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, after school from 3.10 – 3.40pm in the Library.

Parents and Carers will be given at least 24 hours notice if their child has been given an afterschool detention and they will be able to negotiate a change of date if required.

Refusing to complete detentions will be considered disobedience and may result in a suspension.

Swimming Carnival

Our Interhouse Competition kicked off to an early start with our Swimming Carnival being held of Friday, Friday 31 January at our school pool.  Congratulations to Rivers House for winning the 2025 Swimming Carnival.

Valentine’s Day

Our Student Representative Council jump into action quickly this year to run the Valentine’s Day Fundraiser which saw roses and serenades delivered to students and staff throughout the school.  The SRC use the funds raised on Valentine’s Day towards their annual Legacy Gift.

Josai Study Tour

During Weeks 4 and 5 we hosted 16 students and 3 support staff from Josai in Japan.  The students engaged in several exciting activities throughout the two weeks, and they all thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience school life at Ipswich SHS. Our students had the opportunity to participate as Buddies.  Thank you to the families that supported the study tour by providing home-stay opportunities for our visitors.

Facilities Update

Toilet upgrades – A, B and D Block toilets have been demolished.  A and B Block toilets will be replaced with more appropriate toilets that will allow for more toilets and better safety and supervision. 

The D Block toilet space will be repurposed for our Facilities Staff to use.

There have already been some delays and although we had hoped to have our new toilets open during Term 2 this is looking more likely to be Term 3. 

Flexispace - We have been funded for the creation of a Flexispace.  The Flexispace is not a new building, it is the refurbishment of an existing building to allow for a more flexible approach to teaching and learning.

 We will be utilising the Flexispace to create a targeted intervention for Year 8 students who have struggled to successful transition from Primary to High School.

The refurbishment is currently out to tender, and we hope to have Flexispace Program ready for Semester 2 start.

NAPLAN Online

Our Year 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN Online between 12 and 18 March.  Specific details about the 2025 NAPLAN Test will be emailed to the parents and carers of Year 7 and 9.

P and C 2025

The P and C will hold their AGM on Thursday 27 March at 7.30am in the Administration Building.

The P and C provide wonderful additional supports to our school through their fund raising and consultation on school policies and procedures. 

New members are very welcome to join the P and C which meets on the fourth Thursday of the month during term times.

Kathryn Todd,
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 1 2025

** please note the dates are subject to change**

ISHS REMINDER SCHOOL DROP OFF’S

A reminder that for the safety of our students and staff, there are no before and after school drop-offs or pick-ups permitted within the school grounds, via the Hunter Street entrance or the back gate, unless there is an approved exemption in place.

Students can be dropped off or picked up in the designated drop off zones in front of the school on either Hunter Street or Vogel Road. Parents visiting the school for an appointment are able to park in the designated visitor parking spots near the administration building.

Please DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH THE CARPARK to drop students off in front of the office. Police will be in attendance.

We thank you for your assistance with this.

ISHS REMINDER EARLY DEPARTURES

A reminder that if you are wanting to collect your student from school early, please complete the leave slip in the back of your student's diary and sign it. Your student will then bring this slip to the office so that a leave request can be issued.

P&C NEWS

P & C Association Voluntary Contributions

Our P & C Association would like to invite all parents to come along to our monthly meetings.

We meet last Thursday of the month from 7.30am to 8.30am in the school administration with the Principal.

Our meetings are a great way to learn directly from the Principal about what is happening within the school.

The Committee gives valuable feedback on school policy including the Uniform policy, Student Resource Scheme fees and charges.

Last year we were successful in grant applications for additional school resources including musical instruments.

We invite members of our school community to join us in our fundraising activities – Election BBQ through serving or baking or perhaps assisting with our raffle at concerts throughout the year.

If you are unable to join us or assist in our fundraising activities, we would ask that you consider donating $20 to assist in our valuable work in 2025.

You will find on the QKR a P & C Donation option where you could make a payment.

Thank you for helping us to provide further resources for the school to benefit our children’s learning experience.

Secretary

Ipswich SHS P & C Association

Our Instrumental Music students are showcasing the new musical instruments purchased by the P & C Association from a successful grant opportunity in 2024.

The Instrumental Band students are enjoying playing and learning with the new instruments.

FINANCE NEWS FEBRUARY 2025

FINANCE NEWS FEBRUARY 2025

 The Finance team would like to thank the ISHS community for their patience and understanding through the business of the start of the new school year.  We acknowledge the difficulty you have had making contact with the team over the last few weeks and please feel free to make contact via the email address below if your query hasn’t been resolved.

Student Resource Scheme 2nd Instalment

If you have opted to pay the resource scheme in instalments, the 2nd instalment is due 28 March 2025.  Years 7-9 $125 and years 10-12 $75.  Please refer to the Finance Payment Options below.  If you have already made payment for the SRS, there is no need to contact finance-your payment will be applied automatically.

Monthly Statements

As the majority of our school parents and caregivers have transitioned to QParents, we will no longer be issuing monthly statements.  QParents provides 24/7 online access to a range of your child’s school data, including viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history and making payments.  Please see below Contact Options if you have any questions.

Payment Plans

If you require a payment plan we can set up either BPoint which is a direct debit from your nominated bank account or Centrepay which is deductions from your Centrelink payments.  If you would like to start a plan or modify an existing plan, please email your enquiry to the finance department on the below email. 

Finance Contact Options

Email is the preferred form of contact for the finance team.  Please email your query to finance@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au

Finance Payment Options

As we move closer to a full on-line payment system, parents/carers are requested to make payment using the online options of the BPoint link on your invoice or statement or by phoning 1300 631 073, the QKR app or by EFT to our bank account.

BSB:                                      064-460

Account Number:            10021215

Account Name:                 Ipswich State High School

Finance Office:                  Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.00am-12.00pm

Monday – Friday 8.00am – 9.00am

GPS IN STATE SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Welcome to our GP Rooms 😊

Our new Nurse Practitioner, Shane Hourihan, has been well received by our students this term!

NP Shane is settling into his new role at ISHS and is enjoying getting to know and assist our students with their health.

Visits with NP Shane can be for any physical health, oral health, mental health, sexual health or reproductive health concerns a student may have.  There is nothing too big or small that NP Shane can’t help with.

Students can book themselves an appointment through their Student Intranet by clicking on the NP Appointment button and filling out the form.

Our clinic is open each Wednesday during the school term, from 9am – 3pm. Miss Felicity is available in Admin from 8:30am. Admin is located in the GP rooms, CS02.

YEAR 7 EXCEPTIONAL ENGLISH!

In Term One, the students are developing their English writing skills through a focus on grammar, syntax, punctuation and the elements of language. The Year 7’s started their year off strong in English with some outstanding bookwork. Miss Walker would like to commend Reba, Sophia and Faith for their stellar effort in English class.

YEAR 7 CHALLENGE DAY EXCURSION

In Week 3, Year 7 students faced their fears and participated in a high ropes course during their Year 7 Challenge Day at the Walloon Outdoor Education Centre. Students also worked together to demonstrate teamwork to complete a number of different challenges. It was a great opportunity for the Year 7 Support team, CSI teachers and students to get to know each other outside of the classroom!

Year 7 Challange Day 2025

YEAR 7 BOYS RUGBY LEAGUE STUDENTS

Congratulations to our Yr 7 Rugby League Excellence Program students on qualifying for the Broncos Cup Competition today

YEAR 11 STUDENT - AN AUSTRALIAN RECORD HOLDER

New Australian Record

In December last year, Issy Schodde competed at the National All School Athletics Championships in discus. Issy’s hard work and determination paid off as she now holds the record for Australian U17 and U20 in the F60 Discus throw. Congratulations Issy – we are so proud of you!

MS CRAWTER YEAR 11 HOSPITALITY CLASS

Year 11 Hospitality over the past few weeks been getting used to the commercial kitchen equipment like gas stoves, dishwashers, combi ovens etc. and making some delicious products while learning.

MS GILROY’S YEAR 11 HOSPITALITY STUDENTS

Year 11 Hospitality students have started practicing making their sandwiches for the “Prepare and Serve Sandwiches Competency”, which is part of the Certificate II Hospitality.

YEAR 11 HEALTH CLASSES

Our Year 11 Health students have been practicing hygienic handwashing- of which there are 11 steps!!

YEAR 11 EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES

Thank you Brooke for explaining to the yr11 ECS class about pregnancy ☆ 

The Empathy/Pregnancy belly added an extra dimension to the discussion!

YEAR 12 STUDENT TIGER, SIGNING WITH CANBERRA RAIDERS

Congratulations to Ipswich State High School Opens Rugby League Excellence Program student Tiger on signing with the @raiderscanberra

ISHS GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL SUCCESS

Congratulations to Ipswich State High School present and past students Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Orianna Clark, Pauline To’o and Shalom Sauaso on their selection in this years QLD U19 Emerging State of Origin squad.

MEET ONE OF OUR ISHS FOOTBALL SPONSORS FOR 2025

Ruben and Lareena from Chek Air Conditioning & Electrical called in and took a photo with our principal, Kathryn Todd.

Check Air is a proud supporter of the local community and has come on board to sponsor our Year 9 Boys Rugby League Team in the Broncos Development Competitions.

In 2025, the Boys and Girls Rugby League teams will all have jersey sponsors! Thank you to our great community and local businesses for helping support our programs.

ISHS BYOX LAPTOPS -YEARS 10 – YEAR 12

If your student is in Year 10, 11 or 12  they need to supply their own laptop? See the attached minimum specifications that your student's digital device needs in order to support your student's learning for 2025.

NEWS AROUND THE SCHOOL

We've been listening to student feedback and we are very excited to share the start of our newly designed amenities upgrade project. The new amenities layout will enhance the functionality, supervision and safety for our students in A and B block and include a sporting teams change room.

ASSIGNED ISHS DEVICES

The following information outlines key responsibilities for students in Year and details of the parent-student agreement regarding the use of school laptops and chargers.

Device and Charger Care

It’s essential that students take good care of their school-issued laptops and chargers throughout the year. To ensure that the devices remain in working condition:

• Handle the laptop with care: Always use the laptop on a flat, stable surface. Avoid eating or drinking near the device.
• Keep the charger in good condition: Ensure the charger is not kinked, twisted, or bent, and keep it away from heat sources.
• Protective cases: Students are asked to use the provided protective cases to prevent damage from accidental drops or impacts.
• Keep the device clean: Wipe the screen and keyboard gently with a microfiber cloth to maintain good working condition.
• Only use the school issued charger

Inspection for Damage

We ask that students and parents take the time to inspect the laptops for any damage and report this to our IT department as soon as it is identified. This might include

• Cracks or dents in the body of the laptop.
• Screen damage such as cracks or discoloration.
• Issues with charging ports or power cables.
• Swollen batteries

Minor wear and tear is expected, but we do ask that major damage be reported as agreed in the parent and student signed on enrolment.

Parent-Student Agreement

When receiving the school laptop, parents and students sign an agreement outlining the terms of use, care, and responsibility for the device. This agreement emphasizes:

• Proper care: Keeping the laptop and charger in safe conditions and ensuring regular maintenance.
• Return conditions: Devices must be returned by the specified date (Friday, Week 9), along with all components—laptop, charger, and protective case.
• Financial responsibility: If the device or components are lost, stolen, or severely damaged, parents may be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement.

Please refer to the signed agreement for further details on your responsibilities.

If you have any questions or need clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to the school IT department.

Q PARENTS

QParents can be used to provide excursion consent in a highly secure App on your phone. It can also be used see how much money is sitting on your student’s finance account. And it will be required for all students in 2025.

Register for QParents today. If you need your invitation code resent emailQparents@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au with your student’s name and we will reissue your code.

ITEMS FOR TENDER

The listed items are being made available for sale by Ipswich State High School via a tender process. Tenders must be submitted on the attached tender document.

Timeline:

Tenders will open Monday 3^rd of March 2025 and be accepted until 3.00pm Friday 7^th of March 2025.

Persons submitting the successful tender will be notified on Tuesday 11^th March 2025.

Payment: EFTPOS, QKR app or Direct Bank Deposit and must be made before machinery can be collected

Collection: Collection to be made by Thursday 13^th March, 2025

Delivery charges/ transport charges / collection are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Tenders must be submitted to: ‐

Business Manager

Ipswich State High School

1 Hunter St, Brassall

jshar147@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au

Condition and Inspection of Goods:

Goods are offered on an “as is” basis only. Goods can be inspected by arrangement with Head of Department – Kim Teale at kjtea0@eq.edu.au or Paul Coles from Monday  03/3/2025.

Removal:

The successful tenderer will need to arrange the dismantling and/or removal of equipment at their own cost. 

After the Sale:

No warranty or backup service is available, either implied or stated. Ipswich SHS cannot provide any support either by way of parts or expertise after items have been removed from the School.

Conditions:

The Department of Education reserves the right not to accept a tender, and may set a reserve price.

Whilst all care has been taken, the Department of Education disclaims all liability for loss or damage to person or property arising from the removal of the items for tender.

Items for Tender

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FACILITY HIRE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY USE

Sharing our Facilities with our Community

The Ipswich SHS has a number of facilities available for hire for Community Use, either regular weekly use or one-off events.

Our facilities include a hall, ovals, performance and dance spaces, pool, meeting rooms and general classroom space.

We have disabled access to most areas and external lighting and parking for afterhours events.

Coming into swim season, we are seeking Learn to swim, Aqua aerobics or squad swim hirers to use our Solar Heated school pool. Please email us with your hire proposal.

Please contact facilities_hire@ipswichshs.eq.edu.au if you have any queries.

BANS ON MOBILE PHONE USE IN SCHOOL “AWAY FOR THE DAY”

Ipswich State High School has established an “Away for the Day” policy for mobile phones and other devices following decisions made by the Queensland Government, and supported by the Department of Education. 

‘Away for the Day’ aims to:

• provide optimal learning and teaching environments, free from the distractions caused by personal use of mobile phones and wearable devices
• support schools to create safe and supportive learning environments that prioritise student engagement and wellbeing
• encourage increased face-to-face social interactions between students
• promote the health and wellbeing of students by providing opportunities for social interaction and physical activity during break times, and
• reduce the potential for students to be exposed to the negative impacts of the digital world, resulting from unsafe or inappropriate use of technology, such as cyberbullying, distributing and/or accessing harmful content, or breaches of personal privacy.

At Ipswich State High School students need to put their phones away as soon as they enter the gates. It must remain away until they leave at the end of the day.

Exemptions

We acknowledge there are some circumstances where a student may require their devices during school time due to a medical condition that is monitored or supported using their device

• Parents or carers may apply on behalf of the student for an exemption to the “away for the day” policy and the student must only use their mobile phone or wearable device for the intended, Principal approved, purpose.

Please contact your year level deputy to discuss a potential exemption.

The full “away for the day” policy is published in the Ipswich State High School Student Code of Conduct.

https://ipswichshs.eq.edu.au/supportandresources/formsanddocuments/documents/2024%20ishs%20student%20code%20of%20conduct%20v2.2july.pdf

ISHS – SCHOOL BUS SERVICES REMINDERS

A reminder for all students who catch a school bus to and from school:
- All students who catch the school bus service need to have a valid pass
- No food or drink is to be consumed on buses
- Conduct should be respectful and responsible towards the driver and all other students who catch the bus at all times