News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:51:28 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 12:57:38 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:11:28 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:39:41 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 11:07:02 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:33:05 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:19:49 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:37:52 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week: Open Day

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 19:54:53 AEST

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:59:59 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:32:45 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:19:36 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:03:34 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:06:30 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:13:17 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:14:06 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

'Meet the Teacher' 2019

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:22:44 AEDT

Join us in classrooms for a chance to listen to specific information relating to your child's classroom routines, learning programs, and teaching emphasis for 2019. After a short presentation, please enjoy a chance to meet your child's classroom teacher and have a chat!

Kindy - 5pm Thursday 21st February, 5.30pm for Welcome to Ironbark BBQ on our court and grass playspace.

Years 1 to 6 classes - two sessions (repeated) 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday 26th February.

*IMPORTANT: Read the Information 'slides' for general information relating to your child's 'Stage' of learning for 2019 (eg. Stage 3 is Years 5 and 6). These 'slideshows', full of important information, can be found and downloaded from the website in the 'Notes' section > Information (or through the school apps.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:51:44 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:22:16 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Grandparents day and book character parade

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 10:52:18 AEST

Book Character Parade

Dress as your favourite book charater.

Grandparent's Day

Wednesday 12th September.

9.15am to 9.45am

Activities in Classrooms

10.00am

Book Character Parade

11.30am

Morning Tea

IRPS - OPEN DAY PROGRAM

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 20:18:29 AEST

Premier highlights the value of public education

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:27:36 AEST

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:28:36 AEST

A new uniform policy has been introduced for NSW public schools, which for the first time include the option for girls to wear shorts and pants.

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

More new classrooms, preschool places and teachers in $17.3 billion education budget

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:29:26 AEST

NSW Budget 2018 features historic firsts for education, including record funding to expand the number of new and upgraded schools, unprecedented investment to air condition more classrooms and universal pre-school for three year olds.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Education Minister Rob Stokes and Early Childhood Minister Sarah Mitchell outlined a range of new initiatives funded by the $17.3 billion education budget in 2018-19.

The Government will be investing $6 billion over the next four years to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools, including planning for more than 20 new projects.

"We are proud to be making this unprecedented investment into the future of our children," Mr Perrottet said.

"This year's NSW Budget takes our already record school building program to another level – a massive 170 schools new and upgraded schools over the next four years.

"That brings our total schools building program to 230 new and upgraded schools since 2011."

"The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government's strong financial management has allowed us to invest so heavily in our schools and education system."

Mr Stokes said communities right across NSW will benefit from this record investment into education.

"NSW is experiencing an increase in school enrolments and we have in place an unprecedented program of investment in new and upgraded schools to meet this demand," Mr Stokes said.

A staged investment of $500 million is being allocated to provide cooling for schools, while improving the indoor environmental quality, through the installation of smart and sustainable air conditioning systems powered by solar energy.

In another landmark initiative, NSW will become the first Australian state to provide universal access to community preschool for three years old under a $197.8 million program.

"Because of this historic investment, average daily fees will decrease significantly and the savings will go directly back into the pockets of hard working families," Mrs Mitchell said.

This brings total spending on early childhood education to $474.3 million in 2018-19.

Other education investment in the 2018-19 NSW Budget includes:

$160 million to be spent in 2018-19 to continue its blitz on planned school maintenance, part of a record $747 million investment over four years;
$71.8 million to implement the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy in NSW schools;
$50 million in additional flexible funding will be provided to government schools to implement the School Leadership Strategy - freeing up principals and school leaders from administrative work;
$3 million for the first comprehensive review of the entire school curriculum since 1989;
$2.8 million to encourage the preservation and study of Aboriginal languages;
$30 million to continue to deliver greater access to green space and sports facilities in public school playgrounds through the Share Our Space program, and;
Funding for around 900 extra full-time equivalent teaching positions in NSW government schools.

The NSW Government will also invest $1.3 billion on non-government schools, an increase of 7.5 per cent on 2017-18. This includes a $32 million increase in the Building Grants Assistance Scheme over four years for capital works projects to support enrolment growth in non-government schools.

The record $17.3 billion investment in education allocates $15.7 billion for recurrent expenses and $1.6 billion for capital investment in 2018-19.

Hillsbus Timetable Changes as at 27/11/17

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Parents please note that Hillsbus has made an alteration to Route 2600 departing Ironbark in the afternoon. This service no longer operates via Wellgate Avenue. Please see the revised schedule attached. IRPS Hillbus Services (pdf 298 KB)

If your child/children catch any of the following services travelling to or from school it is recommended you check the Hillsbus website for any changes.

M60, 600, 615X, 621, 625, 626, 630, 632, 633, 635, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 651, 700, 711, 714, 715

Ridgy the frog lives at Ironbark Ridge

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Students at Ironbark Ridge are often greeted by our school mascot, Ridgy the frog, as they turn a corner or look down a pathway. Ridgy pops out from corners all over the school to remind students of our school expectations. Ridgy is a very popular character - he/she displays our school colours of green and red and has our school emblem on his/her chest. Ridgy is always walking safely on the hard surfaces and responsibly wearing a hat in the sun. Ridgy shows great respect to our school and to all friends. Ridgy is a SAFE, RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE member of the Ironbark Ridge community. You might hear Ridgy and friends croaking in the school pond near the Staffroom on evening...

Movie Night Postponed until September/October.

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

Our movie night has had to be postponed due to the inclement weather. Refunds will be given. More news later in the year.

Tim Bailey and the Channel Ten Weather Report from Ironbark Ridge PS

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

What a fantastic afternoon we had on Wednesday as Ironbark Ridge was on the weather with Tim Bailey. The students were amazing with a few stars amongst the crowd. Students showed off lots of wonderful posters about the weather and school. A big thank you to the volunteers who fed everyone. The link for the clip is below. http://tenplay.com.au/news/sydney/2014/4/2/ten-at-school

SWIMMING

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Click the blue title to go to the swimming results page to see how our wonderful swimmers went! They truly did our school proud and deserve every accolade they get, well done to you all!

PSSA WEBSITE LAUNCHED!!

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

PSSA - Click the link to go to our PSSA page where you will find a link to the PSSA website!

WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2013

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Please note that this website is under construction as of the 1/02/13 until further notice. We will endeavour to have the website updated to 2013 as soon as possible to begin sharing the wonderful things that we do here at Ironbark Ridge.

Keep checking the website for new things to appear.

2012 Ironbark Cookbook!!

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

The P&C are putting together a cookbook! This will be a fantastic little item to get your hands on as long as there are recipes in it!

So, click the link below to upload your favourite recipes! First in best dressed. Don't miss the opportunity to have your family favourites printed in our first cookbook!

The cookbook upload link will be active until June 30th!

2012 Cookbook Recipes

Swimming Carnival 08.02.12

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Next Wednesday 8th February our school swimming carnival will be held at Waves Fitness Centre, Baulkham Hills. Students from Years 3 to 6 are expected to participate and students in Year 2 who turn 8 years of age in 2012 and can swim 50m are invited to participate. The only reason the carnival will be postponed is if there are electrical storms on the day. Please make sure students come prepared appropriately on the day.

Welcome Back!

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Thank you to all of our families for a great start to 2012. A special welcome to our new Kinder students, Year 5 OC students and any other students new to our school. Keep checking the website for updates and news about our terrific school.

Tournament of Mind State Champs

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Our Social Science T.O.M. team finished a creditable second in the state at the NSW Championships held at UNSW in September.

Cyclical Review Survey

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Have your say about Ironbark Ridge PS as part of our cyclical review:

Click here to take survey

EDUCATION WEEK, 2011

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Click HERE for all the excitement of Education Week at Ironbark Ridge Public School.

ONLINE CANTEEN ORDERING

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

SAVE TIME, ORDER

ONLINE!

In Term 3 we will have a great new online system to

make the ordering of lunches easier and more convenient.

Order at a time convenient to you

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

AND START ORDERING ONLINE TODAY!!

PULSE CHOIR

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

PLEASE NOTE:

The PULSE choir performs at the Opera House on Monday, August 1st - NOT as written in the calendar attached to the last newsletter. This has been corrected on the calendar here on the school website - please update your calendars accordingly.

Sorry for any confusion.

Local Kinder Enrolments for 2012

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Now is the time to submit your application to enrol in Kindergarten 2012 if you live in our local area. Applications can be downloaded from our website.

Maths Information Session

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Parents are invited to attend a session with Maths Consultant, Carol Spencer. You can find out why we teach maths differently now and the importance of the development of mathematical concepts in young children.

The session will be held from 2pm-3pm on Thursday 12th May.

Mother's Day Stall

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

The Mother's Day stall will be held on Thursday 5th May. Gifts from $1 to $5.

PEER TUTORING

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

Reminder: Peer Tutor Program began Monday 2nd May, Term 2.

This term we will focus on reading fluency.

The program will continue every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8.30-9.00 am in the Library.

Hope to see you there!

IRPS CROSS COUNTRY CANCELLED!!

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

CROSS COUNTRY CANCELLED - APRIL 29TH, 2011

Ironbark Ridge's Cross Country Carnival has been cancelled due to the continued wet weather.

It will now be held next Friday, 6th of May at our school.

Refund of bus monies will be advised in due course.

Thank you.

ANZAC DAY @ IRONBARK

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:36 AEDT

ANZAC DAY @ IRONBARK

On Friday April 8th, Ironbark Ridge Public school held an ANZAC day ceremony to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during the war in Gallipoli.

We had a guest speaker Mr Russ from the Castle Hill RSL, who shared with us an insight into the thoughts and feeling of soldiers during war times.

It was a lovely ceremony complete with flowers and wreaths being laid at the flag pole in our ANZAC garden and the traditional minute of silence.

The students were absolutely beautifully behaved and should be very proud of themselves.

We were also very lucky to have the talented Jacob Gallen from Rouse Hill High School who completed his primary schooling at Ironbark last year, play The Last Post and Reveille for us on his trumpet. We thank Jacob for giving up some of his time to come back to Ironbark Ridge to play for us - he did an outstanding job too!!

Mrs Sophie Kassis and Mrs Judy Paton did a wonderful job organising the day for us.

Thank you.

Welcome back for 2011

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Students in Years 1 to 6, including our new Year 5 OC students, will return for the 2011 school year on Monday 31st January. Kindergarten students have been allocated starting days commencing on Monday 31st January and continuing until Friday 4th February. This allows Kindergarten teachers to conduct the Best Start Assessment over the first week of school. K-6 enrolment enquiries should be directed to the school office which will be open from 8.30am on Friday 28th January.

News story

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

A Night With The Stars (docx, 335 KB)

2011 Selective HS Applications

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:36 AEDT

If you would like your child to attend a selective high school in 2011, you will need to submit an application. The attached Expression of Interest should be submitted to the school office by the due date. Selective High School Form (pdf, 63 KB)

New Federal Minister visits

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

Peter Garrett, recently appointed Minister for School Education and Early Childhood chose IRPS as the first school to visit in his new role. Ironbark Ridge PS was selected because of its positive approach to trialling the Australian Curriculum earlier this year. Mr Garrett was accompanied by the head of ACARA, Professor Barry McGaw. They visited a Kindergarten class and participated in a phonics lesson and met with Stage 1 teachers who were planning a science unit for Term 4.

2010 NAPLAN results

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:36 AEDT

Congratulations to Year 3 and 5 students and staff for great results this year. Parent reports will be distributed on Monday 13th September.

Eisteddfod Success

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Five Verse Speaking Choirs from Kindergarten to Year 6 competed successfully in the Hawkesbury Eisteddfod. Congratulations to all choirs for their places and especially the Stage 3 choir which was named best overall verse speaking choir in the competition.

Tournament of Minds State Finals

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

This weekend three of our teams will compete in the State finals of Tournament of Minds at UNSW. Social Sciences, Maths Engineering and Applied Science teams were all regional champions. Good luck to the teams and their facilitator, Mrs Burns.

Tournament of Minds

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

This Saturday our three T.O.M. teams do battle at UWS Kingswood at the regional finals. Maths-Science, English Literature and Social Sciences teams have been working to develop their solutions to complex problems for the past six weeks. In 2009 two of our teams reached the State finals. This year we are aiming for a hat trick.

Education Week

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Join our students to celebrate public education in our great public school.
On Tuesday our choir, band, percussion group and dance groups will peform at the Rouse Hill Town Centre. On Wednesday parents are invited to open classrooms from 11.45am to 12.30pm followed by lunch and assembly. All students from Kinder to Year 6 will present items. The assembly will be conducted by our great student leadership team.
On Thursday our Wakikirri perfromance and back stage teams will have the opportunity to show their dance story of Jeannie Baker's "Where the Forest Meets the Sea" at the Hills Performing Arts Centre.

SRC Dances

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:39 AEDT

Come and have a great time and raise money by the students for the students. Our SRC hold regular dances in our school hall. This term's theme is "Come as you like!" Funds raised by the SRC are used to make purchases such as sport equipment, books and even an interactive whiteboard. The dances are run by a DJ and fully supervised by teaching staff.

Congratulations Mrs Johnson

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

Mrs Alison Johnson was successful at interview in gaining the newly created fourth Assistant Principal position at Ironbark Ridge PS. Mrs Johnson is a foundation staff member and an excellent classroom practitioner. We welcome her into her new leadership role in our school community.

Best Start Lighthouse School

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:37 AEDT

For the second consecutive year our school has been selected as a Best Start Lighthouse School for Western Sydney Region. Early Stage 1 teachers will engage in action learning to develop students' numeracy skills. Our school will also become a hub for a group of schools who wish to develop quality teaching practices in literacy and numeracy.

News story

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:22:38 AEDT

Australian Curriculum Trial

Our school is one of 150 across Australia selected to trial the Australian Curriculum. Between March and the end of May, Kindergarten to Year 4 will be trialling aspects of the English Curriculum and Years 5 and 6 will trial either the Science or History Curriculum. Our teachers will be providing copies of lesson plans, examples of student work and assessment tasks that they develop.