Newsletter 20th September 2025

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Carers

As Term 3 draws to a close, I feel very settled in my role as Acting Principal of Ipswich SHS. I am proud of the tangible progress we are making to ensure that Ipswich SHS is the school of choice for families in Ipswich. Our community is one where every student can find their place to belong, achieve their potential, and grow into the productive citizens of the future.

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

School Musical – Rewind: Playback

Our 2025 school musical, Rewind: Playback, was a powerful, student-written and student-performed production that explored themes of identity, connection, and the stories we inherit. Audiences were treated to an uplifting and thought-provoking performance that truly showcased the creativity, talent, and dedication of our students. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and staff who supported the production—you should be incredibly proud of what you achieved.

Your Turn Choreography Competition

Our dancers took centre stage in the annual Your Turn Choreography Competition, presenting original works that impressed the judges and captivated the audience. This event gave students the opportunity to showcase their creativity, technical ability, and passion for dance in a supportive and professional environment.

Hair and Beauty Showcase

This week our Year 11 and 12 students studying Certificates in Nails, Hair and Beauty delivered a stunning Hair and Beauty Showcase. Guests were treated to polished demonstrations of cutting, styling, colouring, and nail artistry at industry standard. It was a proud moment to see the professionalism and skill of our senior students on display.

Book Week

Book Week was embraced with enthusiasm across the school, with students and staff dressing up as their favourite characters. The day created a vibrant celebration of reading and storytelling, and reminded us of the power of books to inspire imagination and connection.

R U OK? Day

In Week 9 we paused to mark R U OK? Day. Students and staff took time to check in on one another and to reinforce the message that a simple conversation can make a real difference. It was heartening to see our community prioritising wellbeing and connection.

FACILITIES UPDATE

Grandstands Top Oval – over the holidays our new grandstands will be installed around the top oval.  We acknowledge the support of the Queensland State Government in enabling us to fund this exciting enhancement to the oval.

New Multipurpose Hall – Our fortnightly planning meetings have come to an end, and we have a plan for our new multipurpose hall ready for approval by the state government.  We look forward to sharing artist impressions of the hall early in Term 4. Work is due to commence on the hall in 2026, with completion expected in mid-2027. 

STAFF UPDATE

Earlier this term we said farewell to Mr Jeremy Herron, Humanities Teacher, who has left Ipswich SHS to pursue an opportunity to study in London.  Today we farewell Mr Ed McDonnell who has worked at ISHS as a Trade Trainer and Trade Teacher.  Ed is heading back to the tools but we hope to see him back at Ipswich SHS in the years ahead.

LOOKING AHEAD – TERM 4

Term 4 will be an exciting and rewarding conclusion to the school year. Preparations are already underway for our Annual Awards Presentation Night on Wednesday 22 October, where we will come together to celebrate the achievements of our students across academic, cultural, sporting, and community domains.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for your commitment and support throughout Term 3.

Kathryn Todd,
Principal

IMPORTANT DATES TERM 4 2025

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

ISHS UNIFORM REMINDERS

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have noticed an increase in students wearing the correct school uniform. 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 uniform.

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

YEAR 12 FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

Year 12 Formal 2025

Date: Tuesday 18 November

Arrival: 6:00–6:30 pm

Formal: 7:00–11:00 pm

Where: Queensland Railway Workshop Museum- North Ipswich

Invitations will be finalised after the holidays. Attendance in Term 4 is essential. All outstanding fees must be paid before invitations are issued. Clearance forms will be distributed at the start of Term 4.

YEAR 7 FOOD & FIBRE

Mrs Gilroy’s Year 7 TFF have been Sewing their reusable bags as part of their Assessment this term. Well done to all

YEAR 8 JAPANESE STUDENTS

This term our Year 8 students of Japanese finished celebrating their Japanese cultural festival. Students participated in Yukata dress up, Suikawari watermelon smash, Ehagaki postcard making, and the Soranbushi fisherman’s dance. Thank you to Hannah and Charli who taught the dance! Students will be using their knowledge of bunkasai in their assessment over the coming weeks

YEAR 8 ACES HUMANITIES CLASS

Shake things up! Our Year 8 ACE Humanities students took on the challenge of building their own ‘earthquake-proof’ structures using only a handful of household items. From creativity to construction, they put their designs to the test – and we’ve got some winners! Well done to the team behind the top design!

JUNIOR HAIR FASHION AND STYLING SHOWCASE

The Junior Hair and Fashion Presentation was a vibrant showcase of creativity and talent, with each year level embracing a unique theme. The Year 7s wowed the audience with their imaginative take on Disney, featuring fantastic costumes and creative hairstyles all designed and styled by the students themselves. It was a fun and colourful celebration of their hard work and flair for fashion. Well done to all who participated! The year 8 students had the 7 dwarfs as their theme. Many creative styles and handmade pieces to accompany their costumes. The Year 9 were the 7 deadly sins. Seeing what each group interpretation of these sins was a real eye opener. There was many creative styles and accessories to bring these themes alive.  Its was a real hard job for the judges to award the winner from each groups.

YEAR 10 FITNESS STUDENTS

Year 10 Fitness students are practicing their training skills by having the Year 8 students as their clients. The Year 8's are doing a fitness unit and have been excited to be in the gym learning new exercises. 

YEAR 11 TERM 3 UPDATE

Year 11 have had a busy and productive Term 3! Around 60 students reviewed their Unit 1 results with their families, setting meaningful goals for their post-school pathways and mapping out the steps towards success. The whole cohort also engaged in goal-setting and progress checks during tutorial time, reflecting on attendance and achievement in senior schooling so far. We continue to emphasise the importance of maintaining attendance above 85% to give every student the best chance of success in their senior years.

Our Student Representative Council (SRC) candidates for 2026 delivered their speeches, took part in interviews, and are heading to Emu Gully camp this week to further develop their leadership and teamwork skills. We look forward to celebrating the announcement of our Year 12 leaders for 2026 at Awards Night next term!

This term, students also benefited from important community presentations. QLD Fire and Rescue shared their Road Safety (RAAP) program, highlighting the “Fatal 5,” while QLD Rail presented on train, track and electrical safety. We are grateful for the expertise of our community partners in helping students make informed and safe choices for their future.

As Year 11 prepare to step into their final year of schooling, we remind families that Year 12 brings a number of key milestones — including the QCAA Mock Exams, Senior Jerseys, Leadership Induction, QCS-style practice, the Formal, External Assessments, Graduation and Awards Night. These events require commitment, dedication, and consistent engagement to ensure every student finishes their schooling with success and pride.

YEAR 12 EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES

The next assessment will investigate different types of Children's Parties. Students had fun playing musical chairs & blowing bubbles 

SENIOR DANCE – GOLD COAST EISTEDDFOD

An exceptional showing of talent by our Senior Dance Teams at Gold Coast Eisteddfod last weekend with every routine receiving a placing! Our dancers really performed to their best and were amazing to see on stage.

Boys Entertainment
Bronze in SNR Lyrical
Bronze in Extension Contemporary
Bronze Extension Musical Theatre
Very Highly Commended SNR Hip Hop
Highly Commended Boys Hip Hop
Highly Commended Girls Hip Hop
Highly Commended Extension Lyrical
Highly Commended Extension Jazz
Highly Commended SNR Entertainment
Highly Commended SNR Contemporary

ISHS DANCE SHOWCASE

Tickets for Dance Showcase are on sale

You don’t want to miss this fantastic night of dance. $5 each and available on the QKR app. Doors on the night open at 5:30pm for a 6pm start

ISHS YOUR TURN JUNIOR & SENIOR CHOREOGRAPHER’S

 On Thursday, we had the privilege of seeing students in years 7-12 compete to be crowned the Junior or Senior Your Turn Choreographer/s for 2025. What an afternoon of talent!

Junior:

GOLD - Arianna with Mercy

SILVER - Ebony with Maneater

Senior:

GOLD - Luca with Everything I Wanted

SILVER - Luca, Charlie and Arianna with Hoodlumz

Check out our Dance Showcase on October 17th to see both the Junior and Senior winner on stage

Congratulations to all students involved for your commitment and dedication to each routine

ISHS VERY OWN ARTIE CAR

ISHS proudly launched our very own ARTIE Car, donated by RACQ and FOGS (Former Origin Greats). This means even more support for our students through the ARTIE program — helping them earn their Learner’s Permits with professional driving lessons right here at school. A huge thanks to our community leaders and mentors for making this possible. Together, we’re driving positive change and brighter futures! Learn more: https://www.artie.net.au/

NEW BOOKS ADDED TO THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

Check out our new book series “Working in Australia”. These books can be loaned out from the School Library.

ISHS GIRLS REPRESENT AT MET WEST IN RUGBY LEAGUE

Good luck to our Ipswich State High School rugby league program staff and students who will be representing Met West rugby league in the 11-12 years & 13-14 years state championship in Townsville.

GIRLS’ RUGBY LEAGUE - RESULTS METRO FINALS

Ipswich State High School has once again proven to be a powerhouse in the Metro Finals for the Girls Rugby League, claiming victories across three divisions. The Opens team led the charge with a dominant performance, while the Year 10’s and the Year 8 team also secured championship wins, showcasing the school’s incredible depth of talent. These achievements highlight the strength of Ipswich State High’s rugby league program, built on dedication, teamwork, and skill development across all year levels. With success spanning from the younger players through to the senior ranks, the school has cemented its reputation as a leader in girls’ rugby league and for future stars of the game.

• Open’s v Bellbird Park 26-16
• Year 10 v Wavell SHS 40-6
• Year 8 v Wavell SHS 20-8
• Year 7 v Stretton 8-8

ISHS FORMER STUDENT WHO HER NRLW DEBUT

Well done to Ipswich State High School player #29 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala who made her well earned debut for the @nrlwknights. Mercedez got a try on Debut, but came off injured not long after.

The whole of Ipswich is proud of you Mercedez!

NRLW ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - ISHS PAST STUDENT SHALOM SAUASO.

Congratulations to ISHS player #6 Shalom Sauaso who has been crowned the rookie of the year in debut season of NRLW. A well earned reward for the years of hard work and dedication.

Good luck in the finals Lomi! We will all be cheering for you!

ISHS NEW DEFENCE MENTOR

Hello, I’m Kayla Lawson!

I’m excited to join the team as the new Defence Transition Mentor. My role is to support Defence personnel and their families through the transition process, ensuring they have access to the resources, guidance, and assistance they need for a smooth and successful experience. I’m passionate about helping people navigate change with confidence, and I’m here to answer any questions or concerns you might have. I looking forward to working with you and being part of your journey.

I spent 6 years serving in the Royal Australian Air Force before deciding to pursue my passion in psychology. During my time in service, I had the opportunity to travel both domestically and internationally, live across the country, and participate in unique events, including the Sydney Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Much of my Defence career was spent at No. 1 Squadron in Amberley, where I had the privilege to maintain the F/A-18F Super Hornets and work alongside incredible people.  

I have firsthand experience with the Defence lifestyle. I am familiar with sudden relocations, spontaneous deployments, and managing long-term injuries. I understand the unique challenges that Defence members face daily and I am committed to utilising my experience to support you, your family, and the wider Ipswich State High community.

I have a psychology and counselling background, which I believe gives me the tools to offer support in both Defence-related and broader mental health contexts. My main goal is to foster a sense of belonging for young people, especially defence children.

I am excited to be part of this community and I encourage you to reach out. I look forward to meeting you. You can find me in Room HC13 or contact me via email at klaws100@eq.edu.au.

NEW MARKETING OFFICER HERE AT ISHS

Hi, I’m Liam Anderson, the new Marketing Officer here at Ipswich State High School. I’m here to celebrate and share the successes and hard work of our amazing staff and students through storytelling, photography, and design. I bring over seven years of experience in marketing from The Knox School in Victoria, and I’m excited to shine a light on all the great things happening at ISHS. If you see me around the school with a camera in hand, feel free to say hi!

TEACHER AIDE APPRECIATION WEEK

In week 8 it was teacher aid appreciation week. Ipswich SHS appreciates our Teacher Aides and everything they do to support our students and teachers.

WEEK 10 AT ISHS

What a day at ISHS!

On Thursday of week 10, we started with a staff breakfast hosted by our Executive Team (thank you for looking after us!). Our Hair & Makeup students were busy perfecting their incredible looks for tonight’s big showcase. Somewhere on campus, a mysterious dancing frog was spotted giving everyone a good laugh . To top it all off, our talented seniors shared their creativity at the Senior Art Show.

Well done to everyone involved — such an amazing display of ISHS spirit, talent, and fun!

WEEK 10 AT ISHS

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WELCOME TO OUR FIRST TAIWANESE STUDY TOUR!

We were thrilled to host our very first Taiwanese study tour this term, which took place from 13th August to 19th August. It was a fantastic cultural exchange, filled with learning, laughter, and lasting memories for both our visitors and our students.

Over the week, the Taiwanese students immersed themselves in a variety of uniquely Australian experiences. Highlights included:

• Learning the Haka – a powerful performance that our students loved sharing.
• Creating gumtree leaf art – a hands-on way to connect with Australian nature.

• Nail painting fun – a hit with everyone and a great way to bond!
• Soccer with our Year 10 students – showcasing teamwork and friendly competition.
• A science experiment – extracting DNA from fruit was both fascinating and fun.
• Trying their hand at AFL – learning the rules and giving it a go on the field.
• Drama and dance workshops – encouraging creativity and self-expression.
• Boomerang painting and throwing – a deep dive into Indigenous Australian culture.
• Cooking lessons – where they made traditional Aussie damper.
• A history session on Ned Kelly – learning about one of Australia’s most iconic figures.

The week was a brilliant opportunity for cultural exchange and building global friendships. Our students were wonderful hosts, showing warmth, curiosity, and great Aussie spirit.

We look forward to continuing these international connections in the future!

AIWANESE STUDY TOUR

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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 SEPTEMBER 2025

Finalising Year 12 Accounts

October is the time to finalise your year 12s’ account.  For your child to be eligible to attend the Formal and/or Mystery Tour, all outstanding fees including costs for lost library books, uniform exchange items and past excursions will need to be reconciled.  Just check your monthly statement as you would have already been invoiced for these. 

If you have a payment plan in place and you don’t have any children attending ISHS in 2026, we will need to finalise your plan and if you have a credit on your account, we may need to refund you those funds.  Please keep in mind the costs of the Formal and Mystery Tour if your child is attending.

Switch Points for Formal/Mystery Tour

Please remind your child that if they are using their Switch Points towards the cost of the end of year activities, they will need to speak to Ms Lauren in Student Services first.  Once they have redeemed their points, they can pay any balance for the formal and/or mystery tour.  As the finance window will be extra busy leading up to the formal, QKR and BPoint would be the quickest and most convenient way to pay.

2026 Student Resource Scheme Fees

Tomorrow you will receive the Student Resource Scheme fees invoice for 2026.  If you are paying in instalments, the payments dates are noted below.  If you are paying in full, the due date is 14^th November 2025.  If your child has selected a fee paying specialist subject, they are also due in full the 14^th November 2025.  Please see further details below.

As 2026 year 7 students’ school issued devices will be left at school at the end of each day, the SRS fee has been reduced from $350 to $250.

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.

AIR FORCE CADETS

Are you entering Grade 7 – 9 in 2026 and interested in aviation, a future in the Defence Forces, or developing leadership and confidence to set you up for success in any path?

Join the Australian Air Force Cadets and take part in:

Leadership and teamwork

Fieldcraft, drill and ceremonial

Gliding, powered flying and band activities

Duke of Edinburgh Award opportunities

Applications open 1 October 2025 – 31 January 2026.

Find out more: airforcecadets.gov.au

LETS TALK PERIODS