30th June

Principal's Report

Thank you everyone for your support during term 2. Thankfully with COVID restrictions easing and masks no longer required in schools, life at Illawarra Primary at the very least, has returned to being more like that experienced during the 2021 school year. 

Very few students have tested positive over the past two weeks, continuing the current trend of there being low numbers of cases in the school.  However, during the latter half of the term the school has experienced high levels of staff absenteeism due to illness, with many teachers who tested positive for COVID earlier in the year requiring additional time off this term.  Unfortunately, such is the rate of staff illness it continues to impact on classes and the continuity of learning that can be assured.  As a staff we are always mindful of this, and have endeavoured, especially through the efforts of Cathryn Kelly-Bounds, to ensure there is consistency of relief teachers covering classes. 

Student Reports

Parents of Grade 1-6 students will receive a written report on Thursday next week.  As advised earlier in the year, your child’s reports will look somewhat different from previous years.  The report will provide ratings for Maths, English and Science for students from Grade 1-6, but there will be no written comment.  As Preps are still at the early stages of their learning and it is not considered helpful to assign ratings, they will not receive a mid-year report. 

Click on the following video link for further explanation of the Department of Education’s new reporting approach. Reporting to Families – Mid and end of year reports video.

Kinder Enrolment

I would encourage everyone to have a close look at the latest edition of the Kingborough Chronicle as it includes an advertisement for Kinder enrolments, accompanied by a photo page that beautifully represents the school and some of the learning opportunities provided to students.  The photos taken by Mrs Hannah Barker, highlight the inclusive and supportive culture that exists at Illawarra Primary School.

I would also encourage any families who have children who will be Kinder age in 2023, i.e., turning 5 next year, to enrol them as soon as possible. Also, if you know of any other families with children who will be Kinder age next year and live in the school’s catchment area, please encourage them to contact the school office to discuss an enrolment.   Identifying the enrolment for each Kinder year is always important for us, especially as the Kinder teachers have already started to plan this year’s Pre-Kinder Program.

End of Term/Term 3 PL Day

I would like to remind everyone that Friday 8^th July will be the last day of term 2 and the first student day for term 3 is Tuesday 26^th July.  Monday 25^th July has been set aside by the Department of Education as a professional learning day for staff.  Considerable planning has already been completed for this day with the teaching staff spending much of the time focussing on changes to the Australian Curriculum for Mathematics.  Also, ECE staff will focus on implementing the school’s Phonics Scope and Sequence, and the 3-6 teachers will be establishing a consistent approach to spelling across the grades.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support, kindness and understanding as we navigated the COVID pandemic this term, and as a result, regularly adjusting how we teach and make accommodations to support student learning.  Have a happy and safe holiday everyone.

Kind regards,

Nick

Calender of Events

News from 1/2 Barker

1/2 Barker were chosen by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) to contribute to their annual banner project, which will be held in conjunction with the Lift Off! Festival for Children and Young People. 

The theme is ‘Spring’, and 1/2 Barker were influenced by the natural beauty of Blackmans Bay. Blackmans Bay in Spring will be displayed during the festival between 5 October and 8 October.

Keep an eye out for the beautiful banner at TMAG, then outside 1/2B's classroom once it has been returned to school. 

5/6CL Imaginative Writing

In 5/6CL, we have been looking at imaginative writing this term including figurative language and poetry.  Here are a selection of some of the fantastic poetry we have created.

Kennings - an old English and old Norse type of poetry that sound a bit like riddles.  By Campbell and Marli

Shape poems – using synonyms to create the shape of the object in this case we focused on trees.  By Fin and Lily

Found poems – Using a page from a book to inspire a poem and matching illustration.  By Isla and Robert

Nature poems – linking a metaphor with a nature theme to create a poem and matching illustration (inspired by Brenna Quinlan).  By Ruby and Cariad

We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoyed writing them!

Interstate Cross Country

It was an early start and a long drive for a small but keen group of super fast kids from Illawarra Primary who went to the State Championships for Cross Country on Tuesday the 21^st of June. It was super cold but lucky the rain stayed away. Over 1,800 competitors from across Tasmania were at Symmons plains for the event. The team of Leuca W, Flynn AL, Benjamin M, Oliver C, Tom P, Henry Fi, Meg S, and Zach C from Illawarra were excited to make the journey. The track was very muddy and wet, and mud was getting splattered all over everyone, talk about crossing the country! Everyone did their very best in their race and supported each other really well. We got some great results: Leuca coming 110^th in U9 girls, U10 boys had a strong team with Flynn coming 21^st, Ben 32^nd and Ollie 45^th. In U11 boys Tom came 105^th and an injured Henry pushed through to come 144^th. Meg in U11 girls came 47^th, and in U12 boys Zach finished in 24^th place! Well done everyone!

Ben Morgan

Art Room News

Illawarra students across all grades have been enjoying capturing the personality and character of their subjects for their Young Archie Portraits. Some have chosen family, friends and their self for their subject. Lots of different styles, approaches and media have been explored. In the Art Room we have been focusing on the styles of Charli Roberts and Jean-Michel Basquiat as inspiration. All works are still in progress. Artists have also finalised their colour works where the focus was on composition, colour relationships and rhythm. Amazing work produced.

Mrs P

Art Teacher

PE in Term 2

It’s been a busy term in PE in Term 2.  Although the weather has not been kind, we have managed to get some outdoor and plenty of indoor activities done.  Our Student Led Fitness group have been well managed by our very keen Grade 5/6 leaders who are developing their leadership and instructional skills taking student groups through different activities.  It’s been great to see the enthusiasm shown by both leaders and participants.

We have also had our Grade 3 – 5’s participate in the Swimming and Water Safety Program which was held at Collegiate Pool.  It was two weeks of learning important Survival Skills, Safety around the Water and in Boats as well as some Stroke progression work.  The staff at Collegiate Pool were great at helping us all practise all of these important skills

We have been lucky to have Max Nue & Harry Winch working with us for the two week SWSP as well as two weeks at school.  These two young men are University students on practical placement gaining valuable experience working with Swimming, Physical Education & Health classes.  It’s been great to have extra help in the class and a number of our students have benefited greatly from them being actively involved in providing feedback to help them progress their skills. 

Finally, a grant through Sporting Schools Australia has enabled us to purchase the equipment required to run a Spinneroos Table Tennis Program at School this term.  We have been able to purchase some large and small tables, nets, bats & balls which have already proved to be very popular both in class and during break times.  We have also had Jamie from Table Tennis Tasmania come in to give us a hand and give out information to anyone who might be interested in the local competitions.

We have also had two netball teams participating in the KNA rosters over the first two terms.  Both teams have done an outstanding job in their divisions.  A big thanks to Vanessa & Eleanor who looked after these two teams each Monday

 A very busy term!

Kindergarten Enrolments 2023

School Photos

School photos will be taken on Wednesday 6th July 2022.  This year it is important to note that individual envelopes for each student will not be provided.

Photos are to be ordered online following the information provided below.

Family photos are available following the same process and must be ordered by 4:30pm on the 5th July.

Family photos will be taken during recess and lunch on this day.

Lost Property

Is your child missing any school items?  They may have ended up in our lost property. Please help us by coming along and looking through the lost property items which are located outside our library.  We would love to see all the lost property retuned to its owner before the end of Term. 

Kingston High School

This year Kingston High is engaging with the Kingborough Chronicle in order to showcase our student's talent to the community. 

Each week one of our students writes an article for the Kingborough Chronicle about a current event in the school.

This weeks article is about  Kingston High School Cross-Country and Colour fun run. 

Canteen Menu - Week 10

Encouraging School Attendance

Every school day counts

Getting kids to school isn’t always easy. But being at school is the best place for our kids.

If your child is unwell, they need to stay home. But if your child is well enough to attend school, they should be at school. Every day, Monday to Friday.

Reality of missing school

Data shows us that regular school attendance is one of the best things a child can do to set them up for success. But if they don’t attend, things get harder for them.

Let’s do the maths:

• If your child misses even just one day a fortnight, that adds up to 20 days of the school year. That’s the same as missing four whole weeks of school!
• If they miss one day a week, that doubles to eight weeks of school they’ll never get back.
• Over the course of their childhood, that equals two and a half years of vital education they’ll never receive…

We mean it, every school day counts. It all adds up.

Bright futures begin at school

The data also tells us something else: the better a child’s attendance rate, the better off they’ll be. Their future will be filled with more opportunities.

School is where they learn and grow alongside their friends, and where they benefit the most. Going to school not only promotes academic success, but also helps build important social skills, relationships and confidence.

Good attendance habits in primary school lead to good attendance habits in high school. This will help expand your child’s options even further as they grow older.

Watch this video to see the benefits of going to school.

It’s ok if you need help

If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.

If you need support translating or interpreting this information, contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

School Levies 2022

School levies for 2022 are now overdue. Please contact the school office if you would like to put a payment plan in place.  Arrangements can be made for weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments to assist with paying of the school levies.

There is also the opportunity for families to apply for the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS).  The following information is provided about STAS and how you can apply.  If you have any questions about this process, please contact the office.

Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) for 2022 School Year

The Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) provides assistance to low-income families towards the cost of levies for students enrolled in a school from kindergarten through to year 12.

STAS is provided through school and college resourcing rather than payment direct to families.

Eligibility

Parents who have a current concession card as listed below can apply for dependent students for assistance under the STAS:

• Services Australia – Centrelink Health Care Card
• Service Australia – Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
• Services Australia – Pensioner Concession Card or
• Department of Veteran Affairs – Pensioner Concession Card.

2022 Eligibility for Previous STAS Recipients

Parents who received STAS during 2021 who do not hold a concession card outlined will be approved using the 2021 process where evidence is provided to support their claim. The Department will contact parents in relation to this.

To apply for STAS please complete the Student Assistance application form.

For further information please view the Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the Financial assistance for Parents

• Families on low incomes who meet the eligibility conditions of the Student Assistance Scheme (STAS) will not be required to pay school levies.  Grandparents raising grandchildren may also be eligible for STAS.
• Families who are not eligible for STAS, but who may experience financial hardship should talk to the school about payment arrangements and other financial assistance which may help.
• School staff understand that financial matters are highly sensitive, so your questions will remain completely confidential.
• These matters will also be dealt with directly with you and not through your child.
• Your child’s participation in learning will not be affected.

Community Notices