Welcome back and get ready for a HUGE 2009!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. I enjoyed the festive season a little bit too much and as a result put on a few kilograms. With our daily half hour of Smart Moves physical activity the children and I can get ourselves fit and healthy. Within the upper school, each teacher will be running different activities for Smart Moves. Each week, our class will rotate to a different teacher so that your child will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and activities.
It is important we stay in touch and communicate about your child's progress throughout the year. This will occur with parent teacher interviews at the end of term one and three, report cards at the end of term two and four and the parent information night that will be held in week three. However, these are not the only opportunities for us to communicate. You are most welcome to call the school and we can arrange a time to meet at your convenience.
Curriculum
We've got an exciting and busy first term planned and ready to go. Our main focus for the term is Australiana. We'll be covering topics such as convicts, early settlers, bushrangers and celebrations. In science, we'll be looking at how electrical energy is part of our everyday lives at home, at work and at school. I'll talk more about what we will be studying at the parent information night to be held in week three.
Year Seven
The year sevens will be so busy they won't have a chance to take a breath this year. In week four we will have the speeches for leadership positions and subsequent voting. It is important that your child realises that regardless of whether or not they are successful in attaining a leadership position, they will be setting the example that the remainder of the school follows. Badge presentations will occur on parade in week seven.
In term three we have the big one, the Sydney/Canberra trip. A whole week away from home, a chance to see snow and our federal parliament house are just some of the highlights. We will be fundraising extensively for the Sydney/Canberra trip and your help will be much appreciated.
We finish off the year with graduation. This time conjures mixed feelings as they say goodbye to primary school and get ready for high school. The children will participate in variety of induction programs, dependant on which high school they are attending.
Year Six
The year sixes have an exciting excursion to look forward to in term one. We will be heading over to North Stradbroke via barge. Upon arriving at the island we will be greeted by indigenous locals. They will lead us in a variety of activities including boomerang throwing and an insightful walk around Dunwich.
Check for more updates later in the year.
Behaviour Management
At Ipswich West State School we have four school rules:
- Respect Learning
- Respect Yourself
- Respect Others
- Respect Property
During the first week of school we will be discussing what these rules mean in terms of expectations of behaviour in the classroom and the playground. The level system will apply to students who chose not to follow these rules. On a positive note, within the classroom a bank book system will operate to reward good behaviour. Children will earn money for good behaviour and then be able to use this money in auctions for prizes. As in previous years, children who do not obtain a level two or three will be recognised for making good choices at the end of each semester.
I look forward to meeting you,
Joel Davey
