21 September 2022

Principals Report

It has been a busy end of the term with a variety of learning and social activities that have kept everyone upbeat and enjoying this time of the school year.  The last two weeks also include parent teacher conversations, providing the opportunity to celebrate the achievement and progress students have made in term 3.

A real highlight of the past fortnight was the Kidsmatter afternoon organised by Mr Chris Waugh. The learning and social opportunities the afternoon presented ranged from craft type activities such as bead threading, pottery, rock painting, box work, hat making, to challenges like tower making using spaghetti and marshmallows. Although, from what I observed of this tower making activity some children also took on the challenge of eating as many marshmallows as possible.  Other activities focussed on exposing students to new sporting opportunities with European hand ball, table tennis, basketball and golf attracting great numbers of participants. The afternoon was a great success for all students and staff.  The chance to spend time to engage in areas of interest with friends and other likeminded students ensured a great time was had by all, generating a wonderful sense of wellbeing throughout the school.  Special mention needs to go to the aspiring chefs who produced piles of empanadas and chocolate chip cookies.  And a big thank you to our special visitors, the Knitting Nannas, who very calmy and patiently passed on this somewhat forgotten practical skill to many of our youngest students.

The school’s skipping team, the Jumping Jacks, conducted their first day of school performances and as always it was a pleasure to spend the day with them visiting Lauderdale, Princess Street and Taroona Primary Schools. The performances were stunning, with all skippers displaying their skills and the results of their hard work.  The team not only provided inspiration to all the students at the schools they perform for, they were also wonderful ambassadors for Illawarra Primary School.  Their fit and healthy outlook on life personifies the benefits of the Heart Foundation’s message, and the team’s polished presentation and inclusive manner says so much about the benefits of this long established school program.  Thank you to Mrs Nanna Jasen-Munday and Ms Charlotte Genford for preparing the team so well. Illawarra Primary School will be having its own Jump Off on the last day of term.

Planning for 2023

I mentioned in last fortnight’s newsletter that we have already started planning for next year and an important aspect of this planning is to have certainty of the students who will be attending Illawarra Primary School in 2023.  To help with this, we would appreciate it if all families could return, as soon as possible, the intention to re-enrol forms sent out last week.

Again, I encourage all families who have Kindergarten aged children for 2023 to complete the enrolment process before the end of term 3.  The school’s pre-kinder program is planned for November and attending this program is a significant step to ensuring that children and families are well prepared for that most important first year of schooling.

Also mentioned in the newsletter was that, due to the increasingly complex process of organising students into classes, it has been decided that this year students will not be asked to name the friends that they would like to be placed with for the following school year.  This is not to say that friendships won’t be considered in the process. However, this year class teachers and senior staff will determine the groupings of children that best supports students’ learning.   To also assist in this process, I ask that any parent who wishes to discuss or provide information they consider relevant to the class placement process for their child, to contact me, Cathryn Kelly-Bounds or Michael Hayen by week 3 of term 4.

Have a great end of term everyone.

Calender of Events

North Channel Red Ball Tennis Competition

On Thursday the 8 September, some students from Grades 3 and 4 went to a tennis tournament at the Kingston Tennis Club. Students were split into three teams and played short seven minute games against some nearby schools. The day was very exciting but tiring for students that took part. After taking part in four rounds each, the teams had a bye to rest. The finals were held at the end of the day. Illawarra came first in two finals and second in two finals. Students were given certificates at the end of the day to congratulate them on taking part. Everyone had a great day!

Thanks to Mr Nisbett for helping supervise the teams and to Blackmans Bay Primary for sharing a bus with us!!

By Fleur Lammerding, 3/4 Shaw.

Sports Colours Day

As we draw to the end of another busy season juggling weekend sports rosters, barracking for our favourite teams on the TV and attending live sporting events across the state and country, we thought we would celebrate all that is great about sport and the benefits it brings us both mentally and physically.

On the last day of term, Friday the 30th of September, the Jumping Jacks and the SRC will be hosting our Sports Colours Day. The day will be jammed packed with special events, including the Jumping Jacks showcasing their latest routine at 12:30pm on the netball courts, face painting in the courtyard at recess, the annual Jump-Off (Jump Rope for Heart) for all students after lunch and some fantastic merchandise giveaways throughout the day.

All students dressing up in their favourite sports colours are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation to help fundraising efforts for Jump Rope for Heart and the purchase of some new sports equipment for our playground.

AFL, Football, Netball, Basketball, Swimming, Hockey or Cricket…. Every sport is a winner on the day!!!

News from the Library

Launching into Learning

Triathlon 2022

Triathlon forms and money are due in next week.  If you haven’t got your forms in yet please get them to the office.  See Mr Iles if you need a form or you need help finding a team.  Information on the flyer attached or on the Schools Triathlon website. Schools Triathlon Challenge – SWIM, BIKE, RUN – Challenge yourself whilst having fun with your friends

Canteen Menu - Week 10

Cotton T-shirts now available

Covid-19 Update

New changes to COVID-19 isolation

Public Health has recently changed the mandatory COVID-19 isolation period from seven days to five days.

This means COVID-19 cases can leave isolation, provided they:

• are no longer displaying symptoms on Day 5 of their isolation period, and
• have had no fever for 24 hours prior to Day 5.

People that leave isolation on or after Day 5 must wear a face mask in all settings for Days 5, 6 and 7 – even if they are not displaying symptoms. People are strongly recommended to wear a face mask indoors on Days 8, 9 and 10.

Students under the age of 12 and all primary school students are not required to wear face masks when leaving isolation.

To read more about this change, please visit the Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website.

For any COVID-19 enquiries, please contact the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or Department of Education COVID-19 Support Hotline at COVID19support@education.tas.gov.au or on 1800 816 057.

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

Adventure Patch Holiday Program

Kingston High School Celebrate 50 years

Community Notices