Student leadership
Our school is continually reviewing ways to broaden the opportunities for our students to participate and excel in leadership and team skills. Current roles for leadership include school captains, house captains, music captains, indigenous and class captains. Members of student council are drawn from various year levels and are responsible for the regular planning and conducting of many of our school’s events. They raise issues and concerns, suggest improvements, undertake a fundraising role for both school-based initiatives and for charities in the wider community and organise a variety of social and recreational activities for students.
District sport trials
Each year students may be invited to trial for the Western Districts School Sports teams in a range of sports.
Inter-school sport
Students from Years 4–6 are encouraged to participate in softball, hockey, netball, AFL, rugby league, basketball, touch football, soccer, cricket or tennis at an interschool level. Students not participating in this activity take part in our Electives Program which introduces students to a range of recreational activities.
Intra-school sport
Inter-house competitions in cross country, athletics and ball games are conducted annually during second and third term for children in Years 4–6. This presents an opportunity for students to earn points for their houses (Bradman, Fraser & Elliott) and also be selected to compete at District and State levels. Prep to Year 3 students have their own carnivals which are conducted on a non-competitive basis.
Choral and instrumental music
Ipswich Central State School strongly supports the arts and has a strong music program to reflect this. Students from Year 3–6 can participate in Junior and Senior Choirs. Participation includes regular rehearsal times and involvement in concerts and eisteddfods throughout the school year. The Instrumental program is available to students in Year 3–6 subject to a selection process.
Outdoor Education/Camp Program
A fun, learning-oriented, outdoor education program enhances team building and leadership skills in our students. These programs range from 3 to 5 days and are implemented by a team of professional outdoor education experts. Our staff also provides supervision and support. Previous camps have included Underwater World (Mooloolaba), Camp Goodenough (Bilambil), Tallebudgera (Gold Coast) and Canberra.
STEAM
STEAM is an approach to learning that integrates the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts (including the Arts, Language Arts and Social Studies) and Mathematics for real-world applications. It is embedded in the Australian Curriculum.
What separates STEAM from the traditional separated teaching of these subjects, is that aspects of the curriculum are purposefully selected to connect with other learning areas or subjects. It focuses on the real world applications of problem solving and encourages students to be critical and creative thinkers.
STEAM is authentic, engaging, and inclusive. It encourages deep learning and prioritises design thinking and thinking skills. We need to encourage students to be passionate and excited about the opportunities that are arising in a world where innovation and technological advances, require people who are able to adapt to change in their everyday lives and workplaces. STEAM plays a key role in preparing our students to be 21st Century thinkers who can play a part in designing our future.
At Ipswich Central State School, we are currently engaging students in STEAM by:
- connecting units of work across curriculum areas
- engaging students with design thinking
- giving students opportunity to create in the Makerspace
- incorporating a range of extra-curricular clubs, including Art Club and Minecraft Club
- using a range of ICT resources and software available (including robotics)
- engaging students through hands on investigations through the Walker Approach.
Religious Instruction
Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide Religious Instruction (RI) if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.
RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group. RI is required to be consistent with legislation and Department of Education policies and procedures.
All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training. RI instructors are only entitled to deliver the RI program outlined below. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.
Participation in RI is not compulsory. Any student (except Prep students) may participate in RI if a parent has provided written instructions to the school.
Students are allocated to RI based on information provided by parents on the completed Application for student enrolment unless other written instructions have been provided to the school.
Note: This consent remains in effect unless the parent informs the school otherwise in writing.
A description of the RI available is provided below.
Participating faith groups: Cooperative Group (Lutheran, Uniting, Baptist & Salvation Army)
Authorised program: Godspace & Beginning with God
Aims and goals: The aims and objectives of each program are to
provide an effective and good quality Christian Religious Instruction program
by encouraging and supporting students to understand the Christian faith and
values in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.
Lesson structure: 30 minutes per week
Parents of students participating in these programs will be advised if a faith group requires funds to cover the expense of materials used in RI.
Other Instruction
Students who are not participating in RI will be provided with other instruction in a separate supervised location. Other instruction must relate to part of a subject area already covered in class and may include:
- personal research and/or assignments
- revision of class work such as creative writing or literacy and/or numeracy activities which could include online programs currently accessed by the students of that school (i.e. Mathletics, Reading Eggs)
- wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student
Parents will be advised of any changes to the RI and other instruction programs to ensure they are able to make an informed decision on their child's participation.