Ipswich Adventist School

Ipswich Adventist School is a Christian primary school that specialises in providing quality education in a warm, welcoming environment. We know every single student by name and support each one as they develop towards their full potential. Our special character, embodied in ‘The Spirit of IAS', includes faith in God, respect, responsibility, honesty, effort, integrity and tolerance. These principles form the basis of our behaviour and are integral to our safe and motivated learning environment.

We cultivate a depth of learning, social interaction and level of participation that is not always possible in larger schools. Our classrooms are learner-centred, with a strong emphasis on individualised planning, small group instruction and opportunities for peer collaboration. Our students also take part in frequent service activities in the school and community. This builds personal confidence and cooperation, and provides opportunities to discover new forms of self-expression. With the strong sense of belonging and identity that comes from their primary years at IAS, our students commonly maintain high levels of community involvement and leadership in their secondary years.

Ipswich Adventist School welcomes people of all faiths who value our Christian ethos. Are you thinking about becoming part of our vibrant IAS community? I hope we can talk soon. Ipswich Adventist School has a four-person chaplaincy and school counselling team supporting our students and their families.

Our belief about Christian education is biblically based with an unashamed desire to emulate the life of Jesus Christ. Thus, the aim of Adventist education in Australia is to create an educational environment that makes it more likely that each student will accept Jesus Christ as saviour and friend.

Adventist education is built on the belief that each student is unique and of immeasurable value. It values the importance of the systematic development of the whole person. Students are taught to accept the concept of service as a principle of life; to be sensitive to the needs of people; and to become contributing members of their home, church and society.

Our main focus is on helping children feel safe and supported in our school community. Bullying is not tolerated. Teachers, chaplains and counsellors follow restorative practices, where the goal is to repair relationships that have been damaged, by seeking to bring about a sense of remorse and positive action on the part of the instigator, and forgiveness on the part of the victim.

Our chaplains have an open door policy. They promote inclusion by running lunchtime clubs, spend time in classrooms and in the playground, keep an eye on vulnerable individuals and assist in student welfare and developing positive social interactions. Chaplains are also responsible for our spiritual development programs, including our weekly Prime Time chapel services held on Wednesday mornings and our annual Week of Worship. Parents and friends are welcome to join us for these programs. The chaplains’ main objectives are to:

• Foster and encourage the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of the whole school community
• Give comfort and support to students, staff and parents/caregivers in times of need such as grief and trauma
• Promote an understanding of diversity and to work in a wider spiritual context to support students and families of all religious affiliations
• Assist school counsellors and staff in the delivery of student services
• Support students to explore their spirituality, providing guidance about spiritual, values and ethical matters
• Facilitate access to the helping agencies in the community
• Create an environment of cooperation and respect

If you would like a school counsellor to work with your child, please contact us through the office. A timetable is available at reception for families to make appointments with the counsellor or other individuals on the pastoral care team. Parents will be contacted by the chaplains/counsellor as the need arises, however, if you would prefer that your child does not participate in either our school chaplaincy and/or counselling support, please let our administration at the school office know.

The Adventist independent school system is a worldwide network of Christian schools, colleges and universities that have been operating since 1863. It is now one of the largest Protestant independent school systems in the world. Owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the schools within this system meet the regulatory standards of education. Committed to making quality Christian education accessible to everyone, each school is founded on Christian principles and welcomes students from all religious and cultural backgrounds.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates 5,846 schools worldwide, with a total enrolment of over 1 million students. There are 58 Adventist independent schools in Australia that cater for over 12,000 students in every state and territory. Seven comprehensive coeducational schools cover the South Queensland area that provide quality education in new or refurbished and well-equipped buildings and grounds.