16 December 2021

Principal's Report

Dear families,

As we all think ahead to Christmas and time with our loved ones, I would like to offer the heartfelt condolences of everyone in the Illawarra school community to the Hillcrest school community and the City of Devonport. Our love and thoughts are with you at this tragic time. 

Our final week has been a hive of activity. Classes have continued to have celebrations, many of the primary classes have been on excursions to mark the end of the year and, of course, the grade 6 students have had their Big Day Out and Leavers Dinner.  The staff, I hazard to guess, are very much looking forward to the end of what has been a successful but also hectic school year.

Yesterday’s Final Assembly was held at Kingston High School’s Performing Arts Centre, and although this venue provides some logistical challenges, it is a great alternative for the tight and restrictive confines of Illawarra’s GP Room.  The result of this extra effort by staff was a very positive and heart warming send off for this year’s grade 6 leavers.  Thank you to all the staff who made the event possible, and congratulations to Elsa P and Ronan W for being presented the Grand Onyas for 2021, Sophie C and Matthew P for receiving the Minister’s Respectful Student Awards, and Poppy T for receiving the Making a Difference Award.

To conclude the year, I would like to thank all the staff and students for a great 2021 and for the resilience, perseverance and professionalism everyone has displayed in what was again a challenging but very positive school year at Illawarra Primary School.  As a school community we should be proud of the achievements of 2021, and I wish everyone a safe, happy and relaxing Christmas and summer holiday.

Nick Donnelly

Principal

Calendar of Events

Kinder News

Class Buddies

On Friday the Kinder Bandicoots and Year 5/6 Brancher classes had their last Buddies session. What a special year we’ve had together. These students have formed the most beautiful relationships this year and it’s hard to tell which age group benefits more from our weekly visits together. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year either at school or out in the community!

Crazy Possums!

PE News

Illawarra Athletics Carnival

In what has seemed like the longest Athletics Carnival ever held, we finally finished all events.  Apart from the ones held on the day we also had Vortex, Shot Put, 800 metres & 1500 metre races which were delayed by poor weather and other events, but we finally got through them all!

A big thanks to everyone who helped get these events completed!

The final House results were extremely close, with only 13 points separating the 3 houses after points for every event were totalled together. 

The Final results were:

1^st WATTLE – 1057 

2^nd WARATAH 1045

3^rd BOMBORA 1044

Amazingly close! Well done Wattle!

Huon Channel Athletics

On Friday 12^th a team of 40 students travelled to Huonville for the Huon Channel Athletics Carnival.  It was a great day and our students all participated to the best of their abilities and achieved some great results.  Thanks to Mr Cooke and Mrs Kellie who came to support the team and assist with our duties at the finish and start lines.  It was also great to be able to have parents come and support our athletes.  Well done everyone!

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Triathlon

After missing out last year, the Schools Triathlon was back with a bang this year with over 2400 primary school students being involved in the Swim-Ride-Run at Bellerive.  We had a team of nearly 50 students doing individual or team events, and some even doing both!  The weather was OK and we saw some outstanding efforts from our students as they pushed themselves in the three disciplines.  Whilst it is all about participation and no places are awarded, we saw some excellent results from our students, with Ewan Mc in 2^nd place in the Grade 6 Individual and also high place finishes from Lucy P in Grade 5 and Henry F in Grade 4.  The Grade 6 Boys team of Ewan, Luka W and Jonah M also managed to finish in second place in the team competition.  Well done to all our participants and we hope to see you back again next year!  A big thanks to Mr Waugh who made sure everyone got to their event on time, and also thanks to the parents who helped out in what can be a very chaotic environment!

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Art Masterpieces

Illawarra Primary School Association (IPSA) 2021 Summary

IPSA has had a busy and productive year in 2021, despite the difficulties presented by COVID and the weather!

Here is a summary of the events that IPSA coordinated this year:

• Welcome Barbeque
• The Disco, which is always enthusiastically attended.
• Winterfest was in the planning stages, but was cautiously cancelled due to the Delta outbreak on the mainland. Instead we held a scaled back event, Springfest, combined with a very successful Plant Sale.   Despite it being one of the wettest days in 2021, the turn out was great, and the mulled wine, curry and amazing performances from the students provided some warmth.
• “Icy Pole Day”, with Christmas free dress, was a great way to welcome the festive season and also empty the freezers of excess Zooper Doopers leftover from events throughout the year. It was a perfect 27 degrees on the day!
• The popular Christmas Stall. In the spirit of Christmas, the proceeds from this event go to a charity.  For the past few years this charity has been Jireh House, which is a supportive crisis accommodation service for women.

Thanks to Illawarra students and families for your support and enthusiasm at these events.  This year the total fundraising came to around $7500.

This fundraising money is earmarked for the lower primary playground.  Plans for the staged upgrade of this playground have been in the pipeline for a while, but postponed due to COVID.  In 2022 we will commence upgrading the sandpit.  Adventure Patch will financially collaborate with us on this upgrade.

Another exciting ISPA-funded development this year was the purchase of new sports house banners to be displayed at school and inter-school sports events.  Each house now has a new logo, designed by students with the help of art teacher Mrs Peterson, and the final designs were selected by vote.

IPSA also funds and oversees the staffing and operation of the Canteen.  The canteen not only provides lunch and counter sales on Thursdays, but also supports special events days at the school.  This includes Japanese themed food for the Athletics Carnival, themed counter sales for Harmony Day, and a barbeque on the day of the walkathon.   This year Louise Chan has taken over the role of Canteen Manager and has done a wonderful job.

Behind the scenes IPSA also advocates for change and supports student well-being.  This year that has included:

• Liaising with Kingborough Council about school crossings. This is still under investigation and is to be escalated next year to the Kingborough Community Safety Committee.
• Working towards more sustainable uniforms (thanks Louisa D’Arville), watch this space in 2022.
• Funding and arranging for psychologist Lisa Ford to work with our grade 5 and 6 students on the topic of respectful relationships and belonging.
• Funding Kids Matter Day.
• Investigating opportunities for grants.

Finally, on behalf of the students and families of Illawarra, IPSA thanks teachers, staff and substantive volunteers, who are leaving us to move onto new roles.

IPSA is very keen for new members in 2022.  If you’d like to be involved please contact the secretary (currently Rachael Lewis) at ipschoolassociation@gmail.com.  Alternatively look out for opportunities in 2022 to volunteer at events, which is a great way to meet other parents and be part of the action.

Pathways for Pollutants

What you put down the drain, goes out to sea when it drains!

This week some Grade 6 students from 5/6 Waugh/Lohrey were involved in a Kingborough Council initiative to raise awareness of how litter travels down stormwater drains and pollutes the sea.

They painted messages near drains on the road to raise community awareness about the storm water system and its connection to the sea, as well as it’s impact on the marine environment.

Well done to Mia, Jack, Raffie, Geraldine and Jess on their involvement in this worthwhile initiative!

Covid-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year olds

Bookings are now open for children aged 5 to 11 to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Special vaccine clinics will run exclusively for children aged 5 to 11 across Tasmania from 10 January 2022.

Clinics will be held at community locations across the state to give every primary school aged child the opportunity to get at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they return to school in February.

Vaccinations are not mandatory to attend school, but we would encourage parents to get their children vaccinated to protect their children, their families, and our school community.

Last week a smaller paediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine was approved as safe and effective for children aged 5 to 11 by Australia’s top medical experts.

Children will get two doses, eight weeks apart – but they will only be available in special children’s clinics and GPs.

Bookings are essential for children’s clinics and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To find out more, including how to book, visit the Tasmanian Government’s coronavirus website

• CONTACT: Public Health Hotline - 1800 671 738.

Office Hours

Uniform Shop opening times - 2022

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).

IOSHC Summer Vacation Program

Community Notices