Newsletter 27th June 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers

As we conclude Term 2, I want to express my appreciation to our students, staff, and families for a productive and vibrant term. Weeks 6 to 10 have been full of opportunities for our students to shine, and our school community has demonstrated pride, respect, responsibility, and engagement throughout.

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

KOREAN STUDY TOUR

We were proud to host students and teachers from Yeongwol, South Korea. Their focus on vocational education gave them valuable hands-on experience across Trade, Hair and Beauty, and Hospitality. Thank you to Angela Owen and our staff for facilitating this enriching exchange.

ISHS VARIETY CONCERT

Our Performing and Visual Arts students dazzled audiences with a wide range of performances, including dance, drama, music, and film. Congratulations to all performers and the dedicated Arts and Hospitality teams.

State of Origin U19 Representation

We celebrated the incredible achievement of 1 current and 7 former ISHS students who were selected to represent Queensland in the U19 Men’s and Women’s State of Origin Teams. A testament to the strength of our Rugby League Excellence Program.

CISSSA SPORTS SUCCESS

ISHS won multiple premierships across the CISSSA junior and senior boys and girls competitions. Our Year 7/8 Boys team also became SEQ Metropolitan Champions.

INTERSCHOOL DEBATING

Our students competed strongly across all year levels, developing critical thinking and public speaking skills.

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Both the Senior and Junior Athletics Carnivals were a great success. Students participated with enthusiasm and demonstrated wonderful school spirit.

REWARDS DAY & PARADES

These events allowed us to acknowledge and celebrate the positive contributions of our students throughout the term.

SEMESTER 1 REPORTS

With assessment and reporting wrapping up, students and staff have demonstrated commitment and resilience. Semester 1 reports have been emailed home and are also available through Q Parents.  We look forward to connecting with parents and carers at our next Parent Teacher Interview night in Term 3.

FACILITIES AND FUTURE PLANNING

New Multi-Purpose Hall

We are excited to share that the new Multi-Purpose Hall has been approved and construction is scheduled to commence in mid-2026. This facility will provide much-needed indoor space and include undercover parking.  We expect it to be ready for use in Semester 2 2027.

Toilet Refurbishments

The upgrades to A and B Block toilets are progressing well and will be open for student use at the start of Term 3.

FLEXI-SPACE CLASSROOM

The refurbishments of lower B Block have been completed and we are ready to commence operating our Flexi-Space with identified Year 8 students in Term 3.  This space has been designed to unable the use of flexible and innovative pedagogies that support learning and increased engagement.

Pool Refurbishment

Work commenced in Week 10 to paint and retile the pool and is expected to be completed by early August.

STAFF FAREWELLS

Moses Abedajo – contract Science Teacher.

Teri Milburn – Education Interpreter supporting students who are deaf & hard of hearing.

Rex Bertand – Deputy Principal, will be returning to The Gap State High School. 

Terri Starkoff – Enrolments and Marketing Officer is taking a secondment to be the new Acting Business manager at BYETC Wacol Campus.  We wish Terri every success in this new position.

Donna Goodman – After 16 years of dedicated service as a Teacher Aide at Ipswich State High School, Donna Goodman will be finishing her time with us at the end of this term. Donna has made an enormous contribution across the school during her time at ISHS, most recently providing invaluable support in the Senior Schooling space.

Leanne Burge - After 34 years of dedicated service to Ipswich State High School, our wonderful cleaner, Leanne will be hanging up her gloves for the final time this Friday. Leanne has been a constant presence in our school community, always taking pride in caring for our environment and supporting both staff and students with quiet dedication. Her contribution to the daily life of the school has been deeply valued and will be greatly missed.

Andrew Want - After 25 ½ years of dedicated service to Education Queensland, including the past 8 years at Ipswich SHS as Deputy Principal, Andrew Want will be finishing with Education Queensland this Friday to take up an exciting new role as Principal of the Ipswich Campus of the Industry School.

Andrew has been actively involved in all aspects of school life and is a passionate advocate for vocational learning and our Rugby League Excellence program. His commitment, leadership, and positive influence on students and staff alike will be greatly missed.  We thank Andrew for his outstanding contribution and wish him every success in this next chapter.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Thank you to our entire school community for another successful term. I wish all families a safe and restful break and look forward to welcoming students back in Term 3, ready for another great term of learning and growth.

Warm regards,
Kathryn Todd
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 3 2025

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

ISHS UNIFORM REMINDERS

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we move into Term 3 and the weather continues to cool, we have noticed an increase in students wearing non-approved jumpers. We would like to take this opportunity to remind families of our uniform policy and the importance of students wearing the correct Ipswich State High School jumper.

Please note that wearing non-approved jumpers is a breach of our uniform policy and may result in a detention being issued.

To help reduce negative interactions and maintain positive relationships between staff and students, we kindly ask that you check your child’s uniform is complete and accessible each day.

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

Students in speciality subject must also wear approved uniforms. Hair fashion and styling student are allowed to wear black work pants – No tights or Lorna Jane pants. Dance students are allowed to wear tights only on their eisteddfod days.

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

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

Orders on QKR

Returning Borrowed Uniform Items
If your child has borrowed a uniform item (such as a jumper) from Uniform Exchange, we ask that it be returned that day or the next morning. These items are limited and are provided on a short-term basis to support students in need. Prompt return ensures other students can also access this support when required.

We appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring students wear 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.

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

JUNIOR & SENIOR DANCE EXCELLENCE TEAMS

What a way to finish dance for the term! Our Junior and Senior Excellence Teams took to the stage at Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod. They walked away with the competitions Encouragement Award

🥇Gold - JNR Jazz
🥈Silver - JNR Student Choreography
🥈Silver - SNR Student Choreography
🥉Bronze - JNR Hip Hop
🥉Bronze - SNR Entertainment
📣VHC JNR Lyrical
📣VHC Boys Entertainment
📣VHC SNR Contemporary

PAST ISHS STUDENTS REPRESENTED IN THE UNDER 19’S MEN AND WOMEN’S STATE OF ORIGIN

Congratulations to Ipswich State High School Rugby League Excellence Program students and alumni who represented the Under 19’s men and women’s state of origin teams last Thursday.

Under 19’s women’s

- Shaolm Sauaso (2024 grad)

- Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa (2024 grad)

- Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (2024 grad)

- Pauline To’o (2025 student)

Under 19’s men’s

- Oliva Smith (2023 grad)

- Kanaan Magele (2024 grad)

- David Leota (2023 grad)

CERTIFICATE III IN HAIR STUDENTS HELPING OUT.

We love when school faculties can work together for fantastic results! This term the Certificate III in Dance students enlisted the help of our Certificate III in Hair students to learn how to Dutch braid for their 2025 competition season. Over three, collaborative lessons together the hair experts taught our dancers how to get this hair style neat and tidy. Thanks team!

Cert III in Hair

YEAR 12 STUDENT SHOWING OFF HER HAIR DRESSING SKILLS.

Check out the amazing work of one of our year 12 students. Katie M - you are awesome!

SOME REVIEWS FOR OUR SCHOOL MUSCIAL COMING UP IN AUGUST

“Amazing”
“Incredible”
“Speechless”

These were just some of the responses to the sneak preview of Ipswich State High School’s ORIGINAL musical “Rewind: Playback” at Variety Concert.

Mark your calendars for the 8th and 15th of August for this once in a lifetime performance.

Musical

ISHS STUDENTS REPRESENT AT MET WEST LEVELS

Below are two photos of the ISHS players who competed in the State Championships for Rugby 7’s in a three day carnival from Friday the 6/6 to Sunday 8/6 in Toowoomba. In freezing conditions, they played a total of 8 games against 9 regions in Queensland hosted by Darling Downs. The standard of skill level of these young athletes was imminent of the pathway that we will be seeing in the Olympics in Brisbane.

Photo 1 - The U17-18 team won the Plate Winner for their division- Lilly, Tamika, Catherine, Emily, Jazmyn, Miss Sarah Ryan

Photo 2 – Miss Sarah Ryan Manager for 17-18’s, Jannali, Jazmyn, Lilly, Tamika, Emily, Catherine, Amber, Declan Taylor Trainer for 17-19 years

SENIOR DANCE TEAM

Last week we took the Senior Dance Teams to the highly competitive BPAC eisteddfod. Students competed against students from schools across Ipswich, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. They danced so well and brought some new dances to the stage.

🥉Bronze - SNR Student Choreography

📣HC SNR Hip Hop

CELEBRATING QUEENSLAND DAY WITH A SPECIAL GUEST

One the 6^th of June, we celebrated Queensland Day with a special presentation at Ipswich State High School.

Our School Captains, Rocco and Elizabeth, and Principal Kathryn Todd were honoured to accept a new Queensland Flag from the Honourable Wendy Bourne, State Member for Ipswich West.

This meaningful gesture coincides with Queensland Day, marking the 166th anniversary of the creation of our great state. The flag will take pride of place at our school, reminding us of our shared identity, rich history, and bright future as Queenslanders.

Thank you to Ms Bourne for commemorating this significant day with our school community.

ISHS STUDENTS AT A LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE DAY

On Wednesday 4th of June, several senior students who study Japanese went to Griffith University on the Gold Coast to experience a High School Language Experience Day. Along with listening to University Students’ engagement with their chosen language they got a tour of campus, played interactive games and learnt how they could continue to learn and develop their language skills.

ISHS CHIOR

On the 2^nd June, our ISHS Choir participated in the Creative Generation Choral Fanfare hosted at our very own X Block. The students received a Gold Award for their efforts. Well done students and congratulation to the Choir Director, Hannah Bennett who works hard every week with these students

PUZZLE CLUB COMPETITION

Puzzle club competition held in the Resource Centre.  Winning team:  500piece puzzle 48minutes 9 seconds.  Time sent to interschool puzzle competition, at the moment our students are second.

Winning team:  Bianca W, Sarah B, Erobes N, Mikayla S.

Other teams all finished their puzzles and had a great time participating.

ISHS STUDENTS DOING WORK EXPERIENCE AT HELP SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES

In this term, 3 of our students are taking part in work experience at Help Supply Chain Services at West Ipswich. So far, the students have packed different flavoured hydrolyte sachets into a bag for retail distribution and sale. The photos show Coper, Roy and Augie hard at work.

WORK EXPERIENCE AT HELP SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES

YEAR 11 EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES

Yr11 ECS have been conducting activities with children aged 3-5 years in a Childcare setting.

Well done everyone

SENIOR HOSPITALITY

Senior Hospitality have been running their cafes for a few weeks'. They continued to run these to week 9 on Wednesday’s at 1^st break for staff to come and enjoy food and a warm beverage.  The staff & student thoroughly enjoyed the range of fresh food served at these events each week

ISHS CELEBRATE WEEK 9 WITH THANKING TO OUR AMAZING CLEAN TEAM

A HUGE shoutout to our incredible Clean Team!

Every day, rain or shine, our dedicated team works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our school sparkling clean, safe, and welcoming for every student, staff member, and visitor.

Their attention to detail, hard work, and pride in what they do doesn't go unnoticed. From the classrooms to the corridors, and every space in between – your efforts make a real and lasting difference.

THANK YOU for your commitment, care, and the positive energy you bring to our school community. You are truly the unsung heroes who help create an environment where learning can thrive

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM

The Gaming Den in Ipswich is an Autism Focused Social Space. The space is a safe and welcoming place to have fun and build social skills for anyone, any age with Autism. 

To access the space, you need to have a NDIS plan that is plan managed or self-managed. 

They have a comprehensive list of PC Games, VR Games and Racing Sim Games. They have 2 hour after school sessions from 4pm to 6pm subject to availability.  

For more information related to The Gaming Den go to https://www.thegamingden.com.au/ or call Arthur 0411 244 925. 

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.

• Use of School-Issued Laptop Chargers at Home
  Please note that school-provided laptop chargers are used at home at the family's own responsibility. ISHS does not assume liability for their use outside school premises.
  It is generally accepted that devices connected via a Residual Current Device (RCD) are not required to be tagged and tested. However, if a student is using a charger at home without an RCD, it is strongly recommended that parents arrange for the charger to be tagged and tested by a qualified electrician on a regular basis, following their advice.
• Damage to School Devices
  A reminder that all damage to school-issued laptops or accessories must be reported to the school as soon as possible, in line with the Student Laptop Loan Agreement signed at enrolment.
  If assistance is needed, please contact Business Manager at the school.
• Daily Device Requirement for Years 7, 8, and 9
  All students in Years 7, 8, and 9 are required to bring their school-issued and owned devices to school every day. Devices must be ready for use to support learning, as teachers incorporate their use into daily lesson plans.

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 JUNE 2025

Student Resource Scheme 2025 Payment

Please be aware that payment for the 2025 Student Resource Scheme was due in full on 20 June 2025.  If you have not already done so, your prompt payment is appreciated.  Please refer to the Finance Payment Options below. 

2026 Subject Selection

For your student to secure their place in their chosen fee paying subject for 2026, please be aware that all previous year’s school fees need to be up to date or you are on an active payment plan.  For current year 9 and 10 students, finance will be present at the JET and SET planning events.  This will give you the opportunity to have a chat with the finance team regarding payment plans and if you have any concerns about your children’s account or any other finance matters.  It is also an option for you to pay any outstanding fees and/or a deposit towards the 2026 subject fee.  As some classes fill quickly and places are allocated on a first in first served basis it is suggested to pay a deposit when your child has made their selection.

A payment plan just for the 2026 subject fee can be arranged but as these fees will be due by mid November 2025, the plan end date will need to be based on this.  If you have an existing payment plan and would like to include the subject fee, you will need to contact the finance team to amend your plan instructions and to discuss if your deduction amount needs to be increased.

If you have credit on your account that you would like allocated to the subject deposit/fee, you will need to instruct the finance team. 

Please be aware, if the fee for the 2026 subject hasn’t been received in full by the mid November 2025 cut off, your child may be asked to choose a different, non fee paying subject.

If you are unable to attend the Subject Selection events or your child is in grades other than 9 & 10, you can still make payment for existing fees and the 2026 subjects.  Please refer to the Finance Payment Options below.

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

• BPoint:  Use the link on your invoice
• QKR:  Download the app on your mobile device
• Direct Deposit:  BSB 064-460  Account 10021215
• In Person:00am-12.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Excursion Permissions and Payments: Finance window is open Monday-Friday 8.00am-8.50am

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

GOVERNMENT FUNDED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES