25 February 2021

Principal's Report

We are so proud of the way that all our of students continue to conduct themselves at school. What an amazing start we have had to 2021! Our student leaders in Gds 3-6 were presented with their SRC or House Captain badges on Monday in our whole school meeting and it was wonderful to see the school community socialising together and being able to engage in their child’s education by visiting classrooms during the Welcome BBQ yesterday evening. Thanks again to our School Association and particularly Emily Otten, for their organisation of this. Thanks also to those that volunteered on the night and to teachers for staying back to welcome parents into classrooms. It is nice to have some normality back in terms of having school based events again.

Numeracy

This year we are able to engage with a Lead Coach in Numeracy who will work primarily with Gd 3-6 teaching teams and their classes, supporting teachers to meet students’ point of need in Maths learning. This can be challenging when catering for varied ability levels and is a goal for improvement in our school. We will also be moderating with Snug and Blackmans Bay Primary teachers on place value in number at the end of the term. This enables teachers to compare judgements regarding common assessment tasks which supports greater consistency across schools.

Literacy

In Literacy, our school literacy coach will be initially working with Prep -2 classes to embed our newly developed phonics scope and sequence and support teachers with incorporating structured word inquiry into spelling teaching. Literacy support in Prep-2 classes has also begun, with a literacy support teacher working in each P-2 class three times a week for 40 minute sessions. Now is a great time to establish those regular home reading routines and ensure your child is regularly reading with an adult at home every day and returning their reader to school as necessary. Reading Eggs school log ins can also be used at home for extra reinforcment and practise.

Student Wellbeing

In response to the 2020 Student Well-Being Survey data, we have asked Lisa Ford (Clinical Psychologist) to run a TRIBES session with each 5/6 class, including the 5s from 4/5 Cooke/Hayen. The TRIBE session is focused on friendships, managing mean behaviour and theory of mind skills (which underlie empathy). This will occur in late March and we are really looking forward to the 5/6 students benefitting from this time with Lisa. We are also grateful to the School Association for funding this valuable learning.

Swimming Carnival

Thanks again to Mr Iles for organising a very successful swimming carnival today at the Clarence Pool. Our new House Captains did a great job in directing students to events. Details and photos will be in the next newsletter.

Lastly, Our Prep students will participate in an Early Years Progressive Achievement Test (PAT) in a  few weeks time which is a new assessment for literacy and numeracy skills in Prep. This is done online using an iPad. The Preps have already had a practise at the test and did a great job! Prep parents, please see the information sheet attached below.

Cathryn Kelly-Bounds

Acting Principal

Calendar of Events

Supporting Students with Additional Needs - 2021

In the last newsletter I provided some general information on how we support students with additional needs, and how you can obtain assistance if you ever have any concerns about your child, their development or progress.

In this newsletter I will talk a little bit more about the main ways in which our funding is set, which determines the level of support we can provide. 

Where a student has a diagnosed disability, the Department of Education provides us with funding, dependant upon the level of adjustments or supports needed and provided for the child, that go beyond the normal resources of the classroom.   For example, if a student has a diagnosis of Dyslexia, we would receive funding if we can show that they are receiving additional support in a targeted literacy intervention program. Similarly, where a child needs one-to-one Teacher Assistant support for communication or personal care needs, we would also receive funding to ensure the child can receive help in these areas, as well as being able to access their learning. 

The level of funding provided varies considerably, depending on the adjustments needed, not the diagnosis itself, and there is an annual process where funding is reviewed and checked.

Where a child does not have a confirmed diagnosis of disability but may need additional support in their learning, this can occur in a variety of ways. For example, many students need additional assistance and attention to reach appropriate levels with their reading and writing.  In the Prep-Grade 2 classes, a Flying Start Teacher works on a regular basis with the Class Teacher to allow for smaller, more focused groups and the ability to either support or extend students.   

We also fund two small group literacy intervention programs, MiniLit (Prep-Grade 1) and Macqlit (Grade 2-4).  These programs, developed by Macquarie University in Sydney, are evidence-based and have a strong focus on phonics and sight words.  Students are selected on the basis of being at risk with their reading and also on the basis of a placement test that ensures students in a group are at a similar level (so the teaching is not too easy or too hard).  Mrs Jansen-Munday and Mrs Thalmann lead these programs with the support of Mrs Glover and have obtained very positive results over recent years.

If you have any questions about the above please get in touch with either our Support Teacher, Mrs Baker, or me.

Further information on the Educational Adjustments Disability Funding can be found here: Educational Adjustments Disability Funding - The Department of Education Tasmania

Michael Hayen

Assistant Principal

Prep-Grade 6 Parent-Teacher Conversations

Parent - Teacher Conversations for Prep – Grade 6 students will be conducted from Monday, 22 March to Friday, 26 March.   Kinder teachers will contact families separately about home visits, which they undertake instead of interviews.

Conversations will take place face to face, although if you would prefer to talk by phone you can arrange this directly with your child’s teacher.

Conversations will run for 15 minutes. To ensure other parents are not inconvenienced, please help us to keep to this and be understanding when the teacher needs to finish the call.

During the conference you will be provided with a brief written progress report, and you will be updated on your child’s learning and wellbeing, as well as areas of future focus.  It will also be an opportunity for you to raise any concerns you may have.

To ensure that that we operate in a covid safe manner it is essential that all parents:

• Sign in to every classroom they enter, providing a mobile contact number.
• Use the hand sanitiser that will be placed at the entry to each classroom.
• Maintain physical distance from other adults on site and leave when interviews are completed.

To book times that suit your family, go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these simple instructions.

You can return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au at any time and change your interview times (until the bookings close).  For parents that do not have internet access, please contact Mr Hayen on 6229 6295 for assistance in making a booking.

Bookings close at 5pm on Sunday, 14 March

After this time you will have to contact teachers directly to make an appointment.

1/2 Anderson

1/2A have been thinking about what helps us learn, how we can help others to learn, and how we want our classroom to be this year. We have considered what are the things we need to be a successful, caring learning community. We put these altogether into our Learning Agreement and we have all signed it.

Grade 1/2 Barker

Everyone in 1/2 Barker has enjoyed getting to know each other over the first few weeks.

There has been a lot of learning, creativity, mess, laughter and new friendships.

Grade 1/2 Coombes

We have been thinking about what it takes to be a good leader and make successful choices. Some examples of our thinking are:

• Being helpful and kind
• Encouraging others
• Being safe and fair
• Including others
• Being organised
• Listening to each other
• Showing you care about each other, our school and our learning

The courageous students in our photo wrote a speech and spoke to us about what would make them a great Class Captain. Well done  Eagles!

Grade 1/2 Graney/Glover

Our class routine:

Every morning after our fruit we do our register then the date and weather chart and everyone will get a turn.

Then we sing our Jack Hartman Good morning song which gets us all in a happy and good working mood.

We do Literacy in the morning then Maths after Recess..

We often practise counting in 2s, 5s and 10s or practise trust the count on the white board using magnets.

In one of the photos Jade is thinking about where to put her number on the washing line as some numbers were missing.

After lunch we have quiet reading and 1 group of children will read in their Guided Reading group with the teacher.

Our first book was called Sam’s Picnic and there were some tricky words such as picnic rug and picnic basket!

After reading the book we set up our class rug and Mrs Graney’s school basket and had a picnic with the tea set and biscuits.

We are very pleased how all of the children are settling in and becoming used to our expectations and routines.

It has been a lovely start to the year.

Cathy Graney and Monika Glover.

Onyas

George V for settling so well into our Prep class and always showing ‘care’ by thinking of others. Harry D for settling so well into our Prep class and having a real caring attitude by listening during our learning times. Sami C for settling happily into our Prep class and being a supportive and caring friend. Natalie C for displaying the school value of being Fair.  Natalie is always a learner and allows others to learn around her. Keep up the excellent work Natalie! Ethan MacL for displaying the school value of Caring.  Ethan is always a learner and tries his best.  He is respectful to others and tidies our classroom without being asked.  Thank you Ethan. Bailey S for displaying the school value of being Safe.  Bailey is always respectful of others and uses the resources in a safe and careful manner.  Due to this, Bailey has become a very popular friend to everyone in the class. Harlie C for being a supportive and respectful class member. Harlie is always happy to include others in what he is doing and share the resources in the room. He is setting a wonderful example for the rest of the class. Well done, Harlie! Belle P for being such a caring and kind student in our class. The thoughtful way you treat everyone is appreciated! Thank you, Belle! Tyson R for caring for our classroom every morning by helping to set up our chairs and tables ready for learning. Ruby A for caring for her learning by working hard with her reading every single day. Nina V for showing she cares about her learning by striving to do her best at all times. Quinn H for being fair by including others and sharing in the playground and the classroom. Molly S for being a great leader and showing others how to care for our classroom. Ethan L for caring about his schoolwork and always doing his best. Stella M for being persistent and doing her best with her learning. Logan L for showing others how to be safe, fair and show he cares in our class.

Launch into Learning - Term 1

Please click the link below to access our Launch into Learning timetable for Term 1.

Canteen Menu - Term 1

Please click the link below to access our Term 1 Canteen Menu.

Extension and Enrichment in 2021

At Illawarra Primary we are always looking to provide our students with access to enrichment and extension opportunities that enhance their learning and school experience.  In many cases, these opportunities can be provided within the classroom through differentiated learning tasks. For example, students in the same class may all be learning about an aspect of mathematics, but some students may be working on more difficult concepts. 

For students who have learning needs or interests that extend beyond what can be provided in the classroom or through our specialist lessons, we operate a large number of enrichment and extension activities.  These include extension maths, choir, winter sport carnival and primary triathlon, band, Jumping Jacks, national academic competitions and  robotics.

Some of the programs are open to any interested student who is in the appropriate grade/s and who is willing to commit their time and effort.  However, for some programs, there are specific entry requirements.  For example, students wanting to join Grade 5-6 band must undertake a musical aptitude test and places are limited to the number of instruments we have and the capacity of our band teacher to deliver quality teaching.

Similarly, our robotics program for upper primary students and our maths extension programs  are run in conjunction with the Department of Education’s Gifted Online staff and these also have very strict entry requirements. For example, one of the entry indicators is whether a child perrforms in the top 5% of students in Australia in NAPLAN or PAT standardised testing.

Over the course of the year more information will be provided about the extension and enrichment opportunities our students are enjoying.

Michael Hayen

Assistant Principal

Art with Mrs Petersen

Illawarra Primary School Association (IPSA)

The Illawarra Primary School Association AGM is coming up on the 25th March 2020 (see the notice in this newsletter for details). Our Mission is to ensure the best possible education for all Illawarra Primary School students within a safe, caring and stimulating environment by enabling communication and collaboration between all members of the school community.

The key objectives of IPSA are to:

• foster cooperation amongst students, parents, staff and the broader community
• raise funds for additional school resources, equipment and services through activities, such as the biennial school fair
• provide advice and feedback on school policies, plans and budget priorities
• contribute expertise to special projects within the school
• oversee the running of the school canteen; and
• organise social activities for students, parents, staff and the broader community.

Being a committee member is a great way to meet other people within the school community and to be more involved in your child’s school.

We are seeking a number of new committee members to provide ideas and guidance into the future.

If you would like further information on any of the roles or how you can be involved in any way please contact IPSA at ipschoolassociation@gmail.com

Ditto's Keep Safe Adventure Program

A reminder to parents who are wanting to attend the Parent Information Session at 9.00am to please RSVP to the office on 6229 6295 or email: illawarra.primary@education.tas.gov.au

Pop Up Shop

The Pop Up Shop will be open for business again this Friday (26th February) after school. We will be selling homemade cupcakes, potatoes, and a few vegetables from the school garden. 

Ride 2 School Day

On Friday 19^th March, we will be celebrating Ride2School Day by encouraging students and parents to ride, skate or scooter to school. Students and parents who participate on the day will be invited to join in a shared feast of fresh fruit and nibbles on arrival at school in the courtyard. All students intending to ride or skate to school must wear a helmet and be accompanied by an adult. Ride2School Day aims to encourage students to remain physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If any parents would like to coordinate a meeting venue for the morning of the 19^th, please contact Mr Waugh and we will advertise these details closer to the date via our Facebook page and newsletter.

Netball

The KNA winter netball roster is beginning in March for Grades 3-6 students (boys & girls) and it would be great to get a couple of Illawarra teams up and going again this roster. Games are on Monday after school at the Sports Centre. If you played last roster and are keen to play again, or wanted to give it a try for the first time, please let Mr Iles know at school. More details can be found on the Kingborough Netball Association Facebook page. There is also information on the NET SET GO program which runs for Grade 2 boys and girls, also starting in March.

Little Athletics State Championships

Good luck to the following students, who will be competing in the Little Athletics State Championships at the Domain Athletics Centre on the 6th and 7th of March:

Pippa H, Claudia D, Fleur L, Jacob S, Ollie B, Holly H, Maddox D

Community Notices