November 2023 Newsletter
Principal's Report
Kindy Patch
Last week I had the most wonderful experience visiting some of our 2024 Prep students at Kindy Patch (our local childcare centre). I had so much fun joining in on their imaginary play and asking them questions about what they want to do at “big school”. They really enjoyed the story I took to read to them and to my surprise I had my hair done by a Kindy child while I was there. 
We are really looking forward to welcoming our beautiful little people that are so excited to come to our school. The photo below is Katarna, the little sister of one of our current students.
Assembly
Due to the weather in these upcoming months, we will be changing our Assembly times to Tuesday mornings at 9.00am starting 14 November 2023
Please note, next week (Tuesday 7 November 2023) will not be a full Assembly due to the Senior Leader speeches. All Year 3 to Year 5 classes, will be attending to support and vote for their fellow students.
2024 School Leadership
During the last few weeks some of our Year 5 students have been working through the process of applying for a School Captain, House Captain or Senior Leaders position for 2024. Those students are required to create a speech to present to the Year 3 to Year 5 students, staff and their family members on a special parade on Tuesday 7 November 2023 at 9.00am. Families of those students have been emailed an invitation.
The next part of the process is; Year 3 to Year 5 students and staff will vote for the two School Captains, followed by voting then for the two House Captains, then voting will occur for 6 School Leaders. The results of the process will be publicised to the community after the process is completed. We wish all our candidates well.
Awards Ceremony
At the end of each year we celebrate the efforts and achievements of the students from Years 3 to 6. Each teacher nominates students to receive awards from a variety of categories. These are:
- Citizenship – consistently displays pride in the school, displays care and empathy, and follows school rules at all times
- Academic Effort – demonstrating persistence and resilience
- Academic Progress – the greatest improvement over the year in English, Mathematics and Science
- Academic Achievement – highest achievement based on summative assessment
One Year 6 student is chosen for:
- The Arts Excellence
- Sporting Excellence
- Sportsmanship
- Japanese Excellence
- DUX
We look forward to celebrating with the students receiving these awards on Wednesday 29 November 2023. We will be hosting this years event at our school. An invitation to attend will be emailed to families of award recipients soon. Staff are vigilant in making sure the award recipients are unaware of their award, maintaining an element of surprise on the day.
School Disco
On Friday 1 December 2023, we will be hosting a School Disco, so now is the time to practice all those dance moves. This will be conducted in school hours for all students to be able to participate in this free dress day. The P&C will be organising a meal deal for the day. More information to come closer to the event.
World Teacher Day
Last Friday we celebrated World Teachers Day. I would like to publicly thank the wonderful teaching staff we have here at Ipswich West State School for their dedication, compassion and many hours of work they do behind the scenes in their own time to ensure that each and every child receives a quality education. We really have a wonderful team.
2024 Enrolments
We are in the last few weeks of finalising enrolment numbers for 2024 before creating our classes. If you know any families in our catchment area that have not enrolled, please encourage them to do so as a matter of urgency.
If you know your child will not be returning in 2024, could you please call the office and advise administration.
- Sharyn Brown
Head of Department (Curriculum)
Assessment Time
As we approach assessment time, it's essential for our young learners to be well-prepared in both mind and body. Encouraging a good night's sleep, a nutritious breakfast, and regular attendance at school are key factors in their success. We want to ensure that our students not only excel academically but also maintain their overall wellbeing. Let's work together to support them to preserve on this exciting journey of learning and growth!
Report Cards will be emailed home on Thursday 7 December 2023.
Art Gallery
The student Art Gallery is set to dazzle parents and visitors with a showcase of the incredible visual art works that our talented students have diligently crafted throughout the term. This event promises to be a captivating afternoon as parents/guardians are invited to wander through classrooms, each transformed into a unique art space. It's a wonderful opportunity for our students to proudly exhibit their creative talents, sharing their unique perspectives and skills with the world. As the term comes to a close, this art exhibition is not just a display of artistic growth, but also a heartwarming end-of-year celebration, uniting our school community in appreciation of the artistic journey our students have embarked upon.
The Art Gallery will be held on Monday 27November 2023 from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, more information will come coser to the event.
Excursions
Prep & Year 1
Tuesday 21 November 2023, our Prep, Prep/1 and Year 1 students will have the opportunity to participate in an exciting excursion at The Workshop Railway Museum. The students will be participating in the “Push it! Pull it! Move it! Program” supporting the learning of this term’s Science Unit investigating forces and motion.
Permission and payment are due Tuesday 7 November 2023.
- Kaylee Sullivan
Student Engagment Teacher
Hello, my name is Kellie Hanrahan, and I'm the new Student Engagement Teacher at the school. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, and I can’t wait to meet you and your children.
I'm looking forward to working with your child and collaborating with you as parents or guardians to ensure their success. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I believe that open communication is essential for the well-being of our students. I’m here to be a resource for you and your child.
I'm excited to be a part of your child's educational journey. Thank you for entrusting me with this important role, and I'm looking forward to a successful and productive school term together.
Behaviour Focus of the Week
"I am a good audience member"
In class the teachers will be unpacking what this ‘looks like, sounds like and feels like’ on parade and in the classroom. This is important for students, if they are listening and focused on the person speaking to them, they will hear the whole instruction or information that is being delivered to them.
Ways you can help at home:
- Encourage your child to look at you when you are speaking.
- Don’t start giving instructions to you child until they have stopped talking and are looking at you.
- Remind them that by doing this, they are being respectful to people and an amazing learner!
- Kellie Hanrahan
Administration
Remembrance Day
Saturday 11 November 2023 is Remembrance Day. Admin will have Poppies (50c each) and metal badges ($5.00 each) available for purchase.
Library Books
All students are required to return their Library Books back to the Library by Friday 24 November 2023.
Lost and Found
There are lots of items that have been placed in lost property. Please ask your student to check the lost and found if they have misplaced anything.
Japanese
Some of you may remember that I will be heading to Okinawa (via Taiwan) in week 10 of this school term.
This is due to me receiving a grant from The University of Queensland (my alma mater) to do 60 hours of Japanese language practice. I will be attending a language school in Ginowan, in the north of Naha (the capital of Okinawa).
Many people know about Okinawa because it was the setting for Karate Kid 2, although I have never watched those films. My curiosity about Okinawa probably came from looking at my feed on Facebook where I have seen many beautiful views of beaches in Okinawa. My partner and I went there about four years ago and enjoyed driving around and swimming. It's a great place to travel in summer (for Japan that's June and July) and also a great place for snorkelling and island-hopping.
In fact, Okinawa Prefecture consists of 160 islands stretching 400 kilometers north to south and 1,000 kilometers east to west between the Pacific Ocean and the East China Sea, of which 49 are inhabited.
The Okinawan people and their diet are quite different to the rest of mainland Japan.
The Okinawans are an indigenous group called the Ryukyuans. Ryukyuans have different customs, musical instruments and languages than Japanese people on the mainland.
There are ten main Ryukyuan languages and the three most spoken dialects are: Okinawan (Uchināguchi language with 95,000 speakers), Miyako (Myākufutsu/ Sumafutsu language with 68,000 speakers) and Yaeyama (Yaimamuni language with 47,600 speakers).
Each Ryukyuan language is generally unintelligible to others in the same family. There is wide diversity among them. For example, Yonaguni has only three vowels, whereas varieties of Amami may have up to seven, excluding length distinctions. The table below illustrates the different phrases used in each language for "thank you" and "welcome", with standard Japanese provided for comparison.
Language Thank you Welcome
Standard Japanese Arigatō Yōkoso
Amami Arigatesama ryōta Arigassama ryōtaImōre
Kunigami Mihediro UgamiyaburaMenshōri
Okinawan Nifēdēbiru Mensōrē
Miyako Tandigātandi Nmyāchi
Yaeyama Mīfaiyū Ōritōri
Yonaguni Fugarasa Wāri
Be the first to tell Sensei Collins the answer to the following for a special prize:
What is "welcome" in the Yonaguni dialect?
- Tamasine Collins
A market sign in Naha, written in Okinawan (red) and Japanese (blue)
Physical Education
Year 3 to Year 6 Swimming Carnival
On Friday 10 November 2023 we will having our Year 3 to Year 6 Swimming Carnival for Ipswich West State School. It will be held at Leichhardt Community Pool.
The Swimming Carnival is a free event for our students in Years 3 to Year 6. Students will be transported to and from the pool by bus. The first bus will depart the school at 9.00am, then will return for 9.20am to collect the remaining students.
Our Carnival will begin at 9.45am and conclude at 1.30pm with presentations for Age Champions 9 to 12 year-old students and the winning house at the pool. Students will then depart the pool at 1.40pm. Once students have returned to school, they will recommence their usual timetables.
Parents/Caregivers were asked on the permission note to nominate their child for Championship Races: 25m Freestyle, 25m Breaststroke, 25m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle, only if their child is capable of performing the stroke style and distance and returned by Monday 6 November 2023.
Students will be eligible for Age Champion if they have nominated and participate in the Championship Races which include: 25m Freestyle, 25m Breaststroke, 25m Backstroke and 50m Freestyle. Age Champion is determined by earning the highest number of points during the carnival for each age group during the Championship Races.
All students will have the opportunity to swim in our non-Championship 10m races: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke and Kickboard. During these races students are welcome to use pool noodles or kickboards to feel more comfortable in the water. There will be staff members in the water to assist students during the races.
Students are requested to not order food from the canteen, and to bring a packed lunch and water for the day.
Any students that are not partipating in any of the Non-Championship or Championship Races will be staying at school and allocated to a Prep to Year 2 class.
If there are any questions or enquiries, please contact me via email or by phoning the school.
Prep to Year 2 NRL Gala Day
I have some exciting news to share for our Prep to Year 2, the NRL has offered to host for us a NRL Gala Day on Friday 24 November 2023. This event will be run during school time on our Senior Oval. The day will be broken into sessions:
- Prep 9.00am to 10.00am
- Year 1 10.00am to 11.00am
- Year 2 11.40am to 12.40pm
During these sessions our students will play NRL Tag. The NRL will encourage our younger students to engage and give them the opportunity to experience the game. Throughout our PE lessons, in Week 6 and 7 we will be visited by the NRL and they will teach us the skills needed to play NRL Tag. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend to cheer on their child. More information will be available as the event comes closer.
Learning through Movement
During our lessons over the last few weeks, we have been practicing our ability to aim at targets. Prep to Year 4 have been using different throwing techniques to throw different sizes balls into buckets. Years 1 to Year 2 were given the challenge, moving through an obstacle course then throwing our equipment to gain the greatest distance. Our Year 3 to Year 4 students have reflected after the lesson to determine which technique was the most successful e.g. under arm or over arm. Year 5 to Year 6 students focused on endurance through playing games like around the world, where they have different points on the basketball key where they have to aim and score.
- Erin Bartlam
P & C
General Meeting
Our next meeting will be Tuesday 7 November 2023 at 3.10pm in the School Library.
School Disco
On Friday 1 December 2023, the school will be hosting a School Disco. We will be organising a meal deal for the event. More information to come in the up and coming weeks.
Christmas Raffle
We are needing donations for our up and coming Christmas Raffle. If you would like to donate, please email 0366_PandC@eq.edu.au.
Uniforms
Opening hours are Fridays 8.30am to 9.15am.
- Ipswich West P&C
Student Wellbeing Worker
STAR Community Services Charity Collection
We are inviting staff, students, parents and carers to donate goods to the annual Secret Santa charity for our elderly Ipswich community residents. So far, we have only received a small amount of donations, so please consider donating to this wonderful cause.
All donations are made up into gift baskets for elderly Ipswich residents who will be facing Christmas, alone. Students can place donations in the collection boxes which will be in each classroom.
Gifts suited for over 65's and non-perishable food (in date please).
*Last day to accept donations is 6 December 2023. We thank you in advance for your kind generosity and support.
Silly Sock Day
On Wednesday 15 November 2023, we are inviting all staff, students and parents/carers to wear a pair of silly socks for the day. This is purely for fun and no gold coin donation is required. We all have at least one pair of silly socks in the house, so this is everyone’s chance to show them off. Socks can be mismatched, long, short, full of character and colour.
YMCA Queensland Government Emergency Food Relief Program
The program provides support to vulnerable Queenslanders experiencing immediate financial hardship and provides access to items such as vouchers for food. Our school will be able to request Coles or Woolworths vouchers (eGift Cards) for up to (4) families per term. The vouchers will have a 3-month expiry and can only be requested by the school.
Eligibility includes immediate financial hardship and/or unemployed and/or illness and/or unexpected expenses. If you are interested in this program and meet the eligibility, please email me for further discussion. Email cgrah197@eq.edu.au This will be on a first come, first served basis.
N.B. The YMCA and school cannot guarantee funds for family vouchers will be available.
School Student Broadband Initiative – Australian Government
To boost educational opportunities and narrow the digital divide, families without home internet are encouraged to apply for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). Access to internet at home can support children to build their digital skills and participate in a world that is more reliant on digital technology. The Australian Government is supporting the National Broadband Network (NBN) to implement the SSBI to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected families across Australia with school aged students.
To be eligible for SSBI, a family must:
- Have a child living at home that is enrolled in a Queensland state school in 2023
- Does not have an active internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility
- Be referred by a nominating organisation such as the Department of Education (the Department)
Agree their child has access to a device and has the digital skills to use the internet safely or will be
supervised - Live in a premises that can access the NBN via a standard connection – this will be checked by NBN
Referral through the Department
The Department is pleased to support the nomination of families for the SSBI. If you would like to apply for the SSBI please contact me: cgrah197@eq.edu.au for an application (online or paper form) and further information about the initiative.
School Dental Van
Community
Awards
Students of the Week - Certificates of Recognition
Prep Jack B, Adeline, Micah, Branden
Prep/1 Elizabeth, Georgia, Layla, Grayden, Ella, Thomas
Year 1 Addison, Sienna, Logan, Quintin, Roman, Effie, Jaiden, Kaius
Year 2 Amethyst-Rose, Hugh, Felicity, Isaac H
Year 2/3 William, Tyler, Sara-Jane, Lexie, Evotia, Tazzlah
Year 3/4B Keoki
Year 5/6B Sophie
Congratulations and thank you for helping to make
Ipswich West its best!