Newsletter 4th April 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers

As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for a positive and productive start to the 2025 school year. The last few weeks have been full of activity and opportunity, showcasing the spirit and strength of our Ipswich SHS community.

Student Leadership – 2025 Badging Ceremony

On Friday 28 March, we proudly held our 2025 Badging Ceremony. It was an honour to welcome Wendy Bourne MP, Member for West Ipswich, Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding and our local Division Councillors, Cr Jim Madden and Cr David Martin, and our dedicated P and C President, Tanya Hargreaves, to celebrate this important occasion with us. Thank you to Ipswich City Council for also providing Ipswich Pride Pins to our newly elected Student Council Representatives.  Students from Years 8–12 received their leadership badges, and our Year 12 students were formally presented with their Senior Badges, making their Senior Pledge in front of their families, peers, and staff.

Student leadership and voice are integral to the culture of Ipswich State High School. Our student leaders play a vital role in shaping the school’s direction, representing the views of their peers, and modelling our core expectations of Respect and Responsibility. Events like the Badging Ceremony are a reminder of the strength and potential of our student body and the importance of preparing our young people to lead both within the school and in the wider community.

What’s Been Happening

Despite the disruption caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this term, which led to a four-day school closure, our staff and students have demonstrated resilience and flexibility. Highlights from the past few weeks include:

• The launch of the MPI Goodstart program for Year 8 and 9 MPI students.
• Harmony Day celebrations, showcasing the rich diversity of our school community.
• Year 7 and 9 students participating in NAPLAN Online testing.
• The First Nations Meet and Greet Night, strengthening partnerships between school and community.
• Inter-school sporting competitions.
• Staff engaging in professional development linked to our Annual Improvement Plan, including training with Doug Fisher on Belonging.
• CEC Natasha Anderson was featured in the Ipswich West Moreton Newspaper – congratulations Natasha!

Facilities and School Improvements

Work continues on our toilet upgrades across A, B, and D Blocks, with all asbestos safely removed and the refurbishments progressing steadily. We remain hopeful these facilities will be ready for student use by Term 3.

Refurbishment of our new Flexispace for Year 8 students is underway. BC08/04 has been converted into a large, flexible learning space, and new furniture is expected to arrive in time for the start of Term 2.

Thanks to the advocacy of our P&C, we have secured $100,000 in funding to install covered grandstands on the top oval. This is a fantastic win for our school community, and we look forward to seeing this project come to life.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward Term 2, please be reminded that school will resume for all students on Tuesday 22 April, following the Monday public holiday. Our school ANZAC Ceremony will take place at 10.30am on Wednesday 23 April, and we encourage all students to participate in this important event of national significance.

Uniform Expectations – Term 2

As Term 2 approaches and the weather begins to cool, we have noticed an increase in students wearing non-approved school jumpers. We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of our school uniform policy and the importance of students wearing the correct Ipswich State High School jumper.

Winter Uniform:

• School jacket with logo, or program sweatshirt/jacket.
• Navy blue track
• Plain navy blue sweatshirt or jumper/ cardigan, no
• Senior jerseys are optional for Year 12
• Specialised jumpers with school

Wearing the school uniform fosters a sense of pride and belonging and maintains a consistent school identity. Approved school jumpers also provide a uniform standard of warmth and comfort for students during the colder months.

To support families, Ipswich State High School jumpers are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop, which is open during the following hours:

Uniform Shop Operating Hours:
• Monday to Thursday: 8:15 – 8:45 am
• Friday: 8:00 – 9:00 am

We kindly ask for your support in ensuring that your child wears the correct uniform each day. If you have any questions regarding uniform requirements, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Thank you for your cooperation in upholding our school expectations.

I wish all of our students and families a safe and restful break and look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 2.

Kathryn Todd
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 2 2025

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

UNIFORM ITEMS OUT OF STOCK

We apologise that the following items are currently out of stock in the Uniform shop.

These Australian made Items are in the Tudor Factory being produced at the moment for our Supplier:

Size 14, Small and XS Polos

Size 14 Mesh Shorts

We will advise as soon as this stock arrives.

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 is 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.

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 send your student with a signed note from home, Your student should bring this note to the office so that a leave request can be issued, or you can call our student leave request line on
3813 4488 & select option 8 to leave a message. 

P & C NEWS.

The Ipswich SHS P & C AGM was held on the 27^th March 2025.

We are pleased to announce our Executive P & C Team.

President: Tanya Hargreaves

Vice President: Daniele Day

Treasurer: Susie Probert

Secretary: Jenny Shard

Election Day – Democracy sausage sizzle and Bake stall on 3^rd May 2025 at Ipswich SHS Voting Booth

The P & C and SRC will be jointly running a Democracy Sausage sizzle and Bake stall on 3^rd May 2025 to raise funds for our Student Representative Council (SRC) projects.

We would love to hear from you if you could assist with baking biscuits/slices to sell or volunteering some time on the day to help us on our stall.

Our Hospitality students are assisting in the baking of goods for the day.

Grandstand seating for Vogel Road Oval

The P & C has spent time lobbying for funding for shaded grandstand seating for the Vogel Road playing fields to complement our synthetic turf surface that is used for class football lessons aswell as community hire.

Funding to support the purchase of grandstands totally a $100,000 investment has been received from the Minister for Education and the Arts for this exciting project.

BECOME A HOMESTAY HOST

Call and have a chat if you are interested in hosting an international student for long term or short term.  Earn up to $1400 a month.

HARMONY DAY AT ISHS

On 21^st March we celebrated Harmony Day at ISHS. Harmony Day promotes multiculturalism, inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. It falls on the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. We celebrated with African drumming, First Nations music, dance, and chalk drawing, and a Samoan game called Lape on the top oval.

Harmony Day 2025

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BREAKFAST STUDY CLUB

At ISHS we have had 3 of our senior students who have started their own “Breakfast Study Club” in the Resource Centre. They generally come in of a morning from 8am to study quietly. The library is open for Senior students’ quiet study every morning.

ISHS STUDENT HAVE BEEN ELECTED FOR THE IPSWICH YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 2025

The following Ipswich SHS students have been elected to be on the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council for 2025:

• Astarlia – Year 9
• Caleb – Year 10
• Lola – Year 11
• Mackenzie – Year 9
• Trinity – Year 9

The Ipswich Youth Advisory Council aims to provide a voice for Ipswich’s youth. IYAC members will have the opportunity to identify issues, collaborate and provide input to influence Ipswich City Council Policies, local laws, services and programs that affect young people.

IYAC is designed to inspire and empower young people in the Ipswich Local Government area. This is a great opportunity for young people in Ipswich to develop their leadership, employability, and networking skills as they connect with diverse young people.

Objectives of IYAC:

• Collaboration: Councill will provide an opportunity for you to work collaboratively in a team with other young people to affect real change.
• Connection: Members will establish strong connections with Ipswich City Council and elected officials.
• A Voice: Provide a voice for young people in relation to Council issues, strategies, and plans.

It is fantastic to see a number of our students engaging as active citizens within our broader community.

GREAT NEWS STORY ABOUT OUR CEC STAFF MEMBER MS ANDERSON

Credit: Ipswich News today story.

Ipswich State High has over 300 First Nations students, offering them the opportunity to learn while immersing themselves in their own cultural identity.

Indigenous Hub Coordinator Natasha Anderson is a dedicated staff member at the college who supports indigenous students as they grow through their high school journey.

With so many First Nations students coming from around the country, Anderson ensures Ipswich State High is a home away from home and that these students heritage is certainly not left behind when they walk through the school gates.

With a massive amount of incredible indigenous sporting talent at the school, notably within their rugby league program which is one of the best in the country, supporting these students through their journey both on and off the field is vital.

Anderson and her team love playing a key role in the lives of the school’s First Nations youth and are a major reason for Ipswich State High being so well respected in the space.

ISHS BOYS & GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE LONG TERM SPONSOR

CJ Homes has been a very long affiliated front of jersey sponsor. In 2025, they will join a very select group in sponsoring the Boys and Girls Rugby League Programs of Excellent at The Ipswich State High School.

Thank you for all your ongoing support and we cannot wait to see you at some of our games again in 2025

ISHS GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE NEW SPONSOR

DNE Civil shows its support for the Ipswich State High School Girls Rugby League Program of Excellence by becoming a Front of Jersey sponsor for our Year 7 & 8 and Year 9 & 10 Girls Teams.

Be on the lookout for our teams as their schedule starts up for 2025 with trial and qualification games.

Welcome aboard DNE Civil. Thank you for your support

ISHS SISTERS AT QLD ATHLETICS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Isabelle and Matilda competed at the Queensland athletics state championships recently.
Isabelle competed and came 1st in discus and 2nd in shot put.
Matilda competed and came 3rd in discus and 5th in shot put.
Congratulations to both girls who have made the state team and the opportunity to attend Nationals in Perth WA.

ISHS BREAKFAST CLUB

Recently, the St Andrew's-Ipswich Private Hospital has donated a commercial grade Toaster and Jaffle Maker to the Ipswich State High School Breakfast Club.

These gifts have made a significant difference to the many students who access food through the program every day.

Thank you St Andrew's-Ipswich Private Hospital leadership and staff, for making a difference in our community. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

ISHS BREAKFAST CLUB 

YEAR 11 NAIL STUDENTS

The year 11 nail students held a nail art competition to celebrate Easter. They worked hard on their nail art showcasing their new skills to create nails over two periods and some of our admin staff came to do a blind judging. Bella, Zara and Jazmine came out victorious! Well done to all the students. You did an amazing job!!

Year 11 Nail students

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YEAR 12 & STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL BADGING CEREMONY

Last week we held our Year 12 and Student Representative Council Badging Ceremony. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and recognise all of the students in our school community who are leaders. Both the Year 12s and SRC members hold an important part in our school community as role models and leaders. The SRC members are students who have nominated and gone through a selection process before being included in the SRC. These students meet regularly and act a voice for their year level bringing feedback from their peers as well as ideas for school events. The ceremony was also a key stage in signifying their transition to the leaders of the school and role models. We know the importance that these students have in modelling our school values of respect and responsibly both in and out of the school.

IPSWICH SHS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT GOOLBURRI ABORIGINAL HEALTH ADVANCEMENT CO LTD COMMUNITY CONNECTION DAY

When: Thursday 10th April
Time: 10:00am- 2:00pm
Where: Camerons Park, Ipswich

We are excited to announce that Ipswich SHS is joining forces with Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd to support the Community Connection Day for Foster and Kinship families. This event will provide vital resources, support, and networking opportunities for Foster and Kinship families while fostering stronger connections between diverse community groups, including Indigenous communities.

Our shared goal is to ensure that the event is inclusive of First Nations people and sparks interest in becoming Foster or Kinship carers for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. We believe that the participation of Indigenous organizations, leaders, and community members will greatly enrich the experience and strengthen ties between the Foster and Kinship community and First Nations peoples.

If you know of any Indigenous groups, individuals, or community members who would be interested in attending or contributing to this important event, we encourage you to reach out. Your recommendations and support will help make a meaningful impact.

Together, we can create a more connected, culturally aware, and supportive community for our children and families.

For more information or to make a recommendation, please contact Rochelle Smith at Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Co Ltd- RochelleS@goolburri.org.au or 0478 133 055

GP IN SCHOOL’S

A friendly reminder…….

Our GPs in State Schools clinic will continue to run in Term 2.

NP Shane (Nurse Practitioner) from Top Health Doctors offers his expertise to our student community and provides our youth access to timely health care.

Visits with NP Shane can be for any physical health, oral health, mental health, sexual health or reproductive health concerns your 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

ISHS - INTRODUCING OUR CANTEEN STAFF

Emma Wood and Mick Grainger busy making some healthy food options for our students and staff.

Hospitality students also work with our canteen staff to learn industry skills during their day.

UPDATES ON OUR NEW AMENEITIES

Our new school amenities construction is in full swing. With the changes taking place in A Block, B Block and D Block. These new amities will be amazing once completed. 

NEXT STEPS – YEAR 12’s WHO FINISHED IN 2024.

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.

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.

FINANCE NEWS MARCH 2025

Student Resource Scheme 2nd Instalment

If you have opted to pay the resource scheme in instalments, the 2nd instalment was due 26 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.

Year 12 Payment Plans

As time is moving quickly, year 12’s now have approximately 26 weeks until all finances are required to be up to date to be eligible for the senior formal.  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 discuss starting a plan or modifying an existing plan, please email your enquiry to the finance department on the below email. 

Year 11 Payment Plans

The same will apply to year 11’s as the year 12’s above except there are a few extra weeks for a plan, which means if you were to start a plan now, the amounts will be lower.

Example

                Balance owing:  $575, weekly deductions

                Plan start date: 7 April 25 = deduction amount of approximately $20

                Plan start date: 1 September 25 = deduction amount of approximately $64

QPARENTS

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.

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 by phoning 1300 631 073, the QKR app, QParents or by EFT to our bank account.

BSB:                                      064-460

Account Number:            10021215

Account Name:                 Ipswich State High School

Finance Office:                  Tuesday and Thursday 8.00am-12.00pm

                                                Monday – Friday 8.00am – 9.00am.

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

ITEMS FOR TENDER

Our Canteen has some excess equipment items that they would like to put out to tender.

All items are used and in working order.

Tenders addressed to The Business Manager jshar147@eq.edu.au and will close Thursday 24^th April 2025 – 5pm

Please list your tender offer for each item along with your contact details

Please contact the school on 3813 4488 or email jshar147@eq.edu.au to make an appointment to view the item if you are interested.

ITEM 1: Pizza Oven

ITEM 2: Pizza Oven

ITEM 3:  Pizza Oven

ITEM4: Pizza Oven

ITEM 5: Pizza Oven

ITEM 6:  Pizza Oven

ITEM 7:  Slow cooker

ITEM 8:  Slow Cooker

ITEM 9:  Slow Cooker