Around Ironside

2026 GRIP Leadership Conference Reflections

GRIP stands for Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity and People. These were a few of the skills they taught us on this journey through leadership. We had activities where we wrote down what we thought and discussed our opinions with other schools, getting ideas about what they valued and how they operated. We also had a few activities where we had to get out there and talk with students not from our school, which I was personally terrified at the thought of!

We also got up on stage to represent our school, which for some may be exciting, but for me is a nightmare. However, the program was really friendly and included a Q&A session at the end so we could have a better understanding of leadership.

To summarise, at the conference we stepped out of our comfort zones and learnt so many skills that we will continue to practise and improve. I know that throughout the year I will continue to use these skills to help ensure our Ironside students are STARS!

– Ann Antony, School Captain

Last week, the other School Captains and I were invited to attend the GRIP Conference. Throughout the day, I learnt a number of new skills, many of which were based around how to improve our school and, most importantly, how to lead as a role model. I even had the opportunity to represent our school on stage while being part of a fun activity.

I learnt that being a leader isn’t just about helping out and being a role model — you also need to step out of your comfort zone and take on a challenge, even when it feels impossible to overcome.

– Cooper, School Captain

The GRIP Leadership Conference was an incredibly engaging and practical experience for me. From this experience, I learned that being a good leader does not mean that you have to be bossy or the loudest person in the room. Rather, you need to own up, be a good role model and ensure that everyone succeeds. Moreover, a good leader must choose what is necessary, not what is easiest.

The conference was a fun and engaging experience due to the activities that were conducted throughout the day. The activities were particularly engaging for me, as I learned that one small act, such as involving others or standing up for another person, can make an enormous difference.

The GRIP Leadership Conference helped me learn several things, including the importance of teamwork, self-confidence and making the right choices.

– Henry, School Captain

☀️ No Hat, No Play

We are noticing an increasing number of students arriving at PE lessons without a hat. Our spare hat supply is very limited.

Please ensure your child brings their own clearly named hat to school every day. Hats are an important part of our SunSmart policy and are required for outdoor activities, including PE.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe in the sun.

Student Absences

Please be aware that our student absence email is absentstudents@ironsidess.eq.edu.au, not studentabsence@ironsidess.eq.edu.au.