25 November 2021

Principal's Report

The completion of primary school for our Grade 6 students creates great excitement as they start to prepare for their Big Day Out, Leavers’ Dinner and Final Assembly.  There is also much anticipation for what lies ahead next year as they attend orientation activities at the different schools they will be attending in Grade 7, and consider all the new learning and social opportunities that high school will provide.  We also know that this is time of reflection for our Grade 6 families, especially those who have had a long association with the school. So please spare a thought for these students and their families as we farewell and wish them well for the next stage of their exciting educational journey.

The past weeks have again been very busy and exciting for students and staff.  The following is a quick snapshot of all that has been going on.

Earlier in the fortnight,

• An enthusiastic team of students represented the school at this year’s Huon and Channel Primary Schools Athletics Carnival.
• Grade 6 students had three great days at the Blue Lagoon Camp, Dodges Ferry.
• The Grade 5 students participated in their Challenge Week consisting of a variety of physical challenges, visiting Blackmans Bay Beach for a day of activities, and spending a day at the Kingborough Sports Centre to hone their table tennis, racquetball and futsal skills.

Also there have been a number of excursions held over the past fortnight with,

• The Grade 3/4s classes heading to the Marine Discovery Centre for a wonderful practical and sometimes virtual experience.
• Prep - Grade 1/2 classes had their Bush to Beach Incursion.
• The Grade 4/5 class and Mrs Bilson’s 3/4 class visited TMAG yesterday.

Finally, the Jumping Jacks performed at this year’s static version of the Christmas Pageant in the Hobart City Mall last Saturday.  The following email from a member of the audience sums up the quality of the Jumping Jacks performance.

Just wanted to say how fabulous I thought your skipping team were in the Mall on Saturday. I loved skipping when I was in primary school, in England, 70 years ago. Some of the moves were the same but your team executed many much more complicated moves. Not everything came off perfectly but that’s life and they are to be congratulated on their quick recoveries. I hope I may be in the right place sometime to see them perform again.

Best wishes

Wendy.

Thank you to all the staff who have put in extra time to plan these events and activities, ensuring that additional and diverse learning opportunities are made available to all students.

As is the case at this time of the year teachers have been conducting a variety of assessments to determine how individual students have achieved in 2021.  Although much of this information will be included in end of year reports there are also aspects of these assessments that indicate whether the school’s improvement priorities are being successfully addressed.  The results below show that reading achievement continues to be a strength of the school.

               Grade 2 - 22% of students achieved in the top 10% of Australian students

Grade 3 – 26% of students achieved in the top 10% of Australian students

Grade 4 – 32% of students achieved in the top 10% of Australian students

Grade 5 – 29% of students achieved in the top 10% of Australian students

Grade 6 – 21% of students achieved in the top 10% of Australian students

Unfortunately, as is the case every year there are staff to farewell from Illawarra Primary School.  We have already done this for Mrs Monika Glover who is retiring, but sadly we will also be farewelling Mrs Prue Brancher and Mrs Sarah Hingston. During her time on staff Prue has been a dedicated and committed teacher, and a very supportive member of the school community.  Prue will be moving to Margate Primary School.  Sarah has also been provided with an alternative teaching opportunity taking on a classroom teaching position at the Tarremah School in 2022.  Sarah will leave a lasting impression on the school due to the outstanding Japanese program she has delivered over a number of years.  Both Prue and Sarah will be greatly missed.

However, the transferring out of staff also provided opportunity to welcome new staff to the school and I’m pleased to announce that Mr Graham Bloor and Mr Chris Pullen will be taking up upper primary teaching positions at Illawarra in 2022.  Graham has had a previous connection with the school, completing his final teaching practical at Illawarra Primary in 2015 before securing his first teaching position at Cygnet Primary School.  Mr Chris Pullen is transferring to Illawarra Primary from Margate Primary and Woodbridge District High School.  Both Graham and Chris come with the reputations of being highly effective teachers who place a great emphasis on building relationships with students, staff and the wider school community.  Welcome Graham and Chris.

Only three weeks to go.  Wishing everyone a great end of term.

Calendar of Events

Kinder to Prep transition - 2022

On Thursday 9^th of December there will be a Kinder to Prep transition parent meeting at 3.15pm in Prep Oldmeadow/Emeny’s classroom (Lighthouse South). This will run for approximately 30 minutes and children can play outside in the playground supervised by a member of senior staff during this time if they wish to.

Prep teachers for 2022 will talk about expectations for Prep and how the structure and curriculum of the Prep year may differ from Kindergarten. Parents have an opportunity to meet the teachers and to ask any questions related to what their child will experience in their Prep year.

We look forward to seeing as many parents as are able to make it!

Catherine Oldmeadow and Renee Jordan

Grade 6 Camp Report

On the 10^th of November this year, Illawarra Primary’s Grade 6s travelled for one hour and thirty minutes to Blue Lagoon Camp.

 We were first greeted by the wonderful, welcoming staff members who appeared the second we arrived. They treated us as equals and almost as if we were family, making sure that we were always safe and comfortable.

“It was an amazing experience, and my favourite part was using the colossal swing on the very last day.” said an anonymous student.

 Another student said that they loved the adorable chickens that were living there.

 There was a park full of fun exciting things to keep everyone entertained such as two huge slides, two trampolines, a gaga pit, a swing set, and lots of space to hang out and talk to our friends.

 The food there was perfect, and they had so many options for people including cereal options for breakfast and other gluten free, lactose free and vegan options for all meals.

The camp was a huge success and we would like to acknowledge all the students and teachers for contributing to this success.

Jack Davis Grade 6

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IPSA Christmas stall

Free Dress Day

On Wednesday the 1st of December we are having a Christmas themed free dress day, with a gold coin donation and icy poles for $1. Proceeds to go towards the new sandpit.  Thanks for your support. 

Kinder Request

Do you or anyone you know have any balance bikes that you no longer use.  If so our Kinder children would love them.  Please email Kellie Pickett (kellie.pickett@education.tas.gov.au) if you can help us out.

Canteen Menu - Week 8

Canteen Menu Week 9

Pop Up Shop

The School Association will be holding a Pop Up Shop this Friday 26th November.  They will be selling tomato plants, basil plants and chilli plants for $3 each.  Cash only.  

Launch into Learning (Pademelons) - Term 4

Uniform reminder

Only Grade 6 students are permitted to have uniform items signed on the last day of school. Before the last day this is not permitted nor are students who are not in Grade 6 allowed to do this.

Changes to student bus fares 2022

The full student fare will increase by 10 cents on 1 January 2022.

If you use cash for a single trip ticket, the new fare will be $1.90.

If you use a smartcard or purchase a 10-trip ticket, the new fare will be $1.52.

Smartcards like Greencard and Transportme can be topped up online. You can buy a 10-trip ticket for $15.20 from the bus driver.

It costs the same on every trip - it doesn't matter how far, where, or when you go. Bus routes that travel only in a rural area, to the local school, don't charge a fare.

Some students can travel or transfer between buses for free. You may be eligible for a Student Bus Pass for Free Travel if you are:

• listed on a Health Care or Pensioner Card
• travel wholly within the rural area where there is only a fare charging service
• must use more than on ebus between home and school and/or school and home
• are under a Care and Protection Order.

The student fare last increased in 2019. The next increase was scheduled for January 2021 but was delayed to January 2022. This fare increase is set by government policy.

For more information talk to your bus driver visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/student or call 6166 3343 (9am to 5pm weekdays).

End of year gifts

While school staff never expect or ask for gifts, we know that some parents like to give  teachers or teacher assistants a present at the end of the year.

If you do this, it is very important to keep in mind the following rules that school staff are required to follow:

• No gift cards or vouchers can be accepted
• No gift valued at $100 or more can be accepted under any circumstances, even if the gift is bought by a group of parents.
• Any gift valued between $50-$99 must be declared by the staff member to the Department of Education (eg. if a group of parents buy a gift valued at $80).

We appreciate your support and please remember, a thank you is the most valued gift we can give.

Kingston High School uniform shop

Kingston High School Uniform Shop is open every Friday, 8.30am - 11.00am with our last day of business being Friday, 10 December. The Uniform Shop takes laybys as well as having a full range of second hand uniform available. 

IOSCH Summer Vacation Program

School Zine App

Please click on the link below for instructions on how to access the Newsletter via the School Zine app. Contact the Office if you have any issues downloading the app.

https://www.schoolzine.com/szapp-installation 

Community Notices