19 October 2022

Principals Report

Welcome back everyone.  Term 4 is a great time of the school year with the warmer weather, longer days and a wonderful array of school events to look forward to.

The first significant event for the term is the school’s annual Athletics Carnival and although at the time of writing this newsletter article the carnival is yet to be run, due to the planning of Mr Warren Iles and Mr Stephen Clowry it’s sure to be a success.  Other major events this term will be the Huon and Channel Representative Athletics Carnival, the Jumping Jacks Skipping Team’s tour of East Coast schools, IPSA Disco Drinks and Dinnerfest, our Grade 6 Camp, Grade 5 Challenge Week, Pre-kinder sessions, the Southern Schools Band evening at MyState Arena, Grade 6 end of year and leaver celebrations and of course many end of year excursions.

As to be expected there is a significant focus on the school’s Grade 6 Leavers in term 4 with their Big Day Out, Leavers’ Dinner and Final Assembly.  Although these events signify the end of an era for this cohort of students, many of whom have attended Illawarra Primary since they started their journey in kinder back in 2015, we know that the transition to high school has been on their and their families’ minds for quite some time.  The completing of primary school is a significant milestone and something to celebrate but it also can come with some anxiety and uncertainty.  Thankfully though this transition is well supported by our local high school with key Kingston High staff holding a family information session late last term and preparing for a Family Conference/Orientation Day on Friday 2^nd December.

An event from late last term that also requires special mention is Mrs Graney’s Gr 1/2’s presentation of The Gruffalo.  Mrs Graney’s interpretation of a very clever mouse and a scary monster, The Gruffalo, had the school transfixed for the last two weeks of term 3. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Mrs Graney and her class for their wonderfully engaging portrayal of this famous picture book.

Reminders

School Uniform – Please note that in term 4 students are expected to wear a school hat (red bucket hat or red legionnaire cap) during break times.  Pleasingly, from what we have seen in the first few days most students have a red bucket hat or legionnaire cap.  If your child needs a new school hat these can be purchased from the uniform shop.

Disco Drinks and Dinnerfest – Please keep Friday 18^th November free.  Much like the Springfest of 2021 this is sure to be a wonderful school event and a great opportunity to gather as a school community. (Although hopefully this year it will be a warmer evening and there won’t be any rain.)  Please take the time to read more about the event in upcoming newsletters and on the school’s Facebook page.

Finally, as mentioned in previous newsletters, 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 their friends to be placed with for the 2023 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 relevant to the class placement, to contact me, Cathryn Kelly-Bounds or Michael Hayen by week 3 of term 4.

Have a great term everyone.

Calender of Events

Canteen Menu Week 2

Debating at Illawarra

Last term our school debating team competed in an interschool debating competition, winning three out of four of their debates. This is no mean feat considering none of the students had debated before.

Debating develops higher-order and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking is the ability to make well thought out and reasoned arguments while also questioning the evidence behind a particular conclusion or stance.

It teaches students to structure and organise their thoughts while also developing their analytical and research skills.

Debating can also help individuals develop a new view of the world around them. Debating allows students to study topics that provide them with a deeper understanding of our society and the world we live in.

I would like to congratulate Monty, Flynn, Tilly, Fenella, Ruby F, Cariad and Baz in committing to the hard work and practice needed in order to present their best argument at each debate. They all demonstrated great courage speaking in front of new audiences at different school venues and thinking quickly on their feet to rebut arguments from the opposing team. They should all be very proud of their efforts.  

Mrs. Kelly-Bounds

Maths Competition

2022 Australian Mathematics Competition Results 

We have received our results for the 2022 Australian Mathematics Competition, and once again our students have achieved at a very high level.   

Special congratulations to Blake P in Grade 6, who received a High Distinction and achieved the best in school award.  Daniel C in Grade 3 and Thomas D in Grade 5 also performed exceptionally and received a High Distinction. 

The following seventeen students received a Distinction:  

Noah D, Seren L, Jordan V, Jamie R, Leo X, Ellis B, Matilda H, Dylan I, Cariad L, Baz R, Robert B, Rose C, Maddox D, Ruby F, Jarrod W, Charlie W, Jordan W

The following twenty-five students received a Credit: 

Evie F, Pippa H, Liam L, Molly S, Cooper W, Angus W, Benjamin M, Benny R, Claudia D, Jacob S, Lucas H, Maggie C, Ollie M, Yifei X, Henry F, Oliver G, William L, Finlay O, Fletcher P, James R, James O, Lucy P, Finlay W, Aki Y, Haru Y 

All students who participated will receive their certificates at an assembly early in Term 4. 

Hat Reminder for Term 4

A reminder that students are required to wear school sun hats each day in Term 4. Only broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire style hats are allowed.

No hat=no play.

Please dig around for hats in the cupboard or you can purchase a hat at the office for $10.

Please NAME hats. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sun Smart Tips

School Health Nurse Update

Book Club #7

Book Club catalogues for issues #7 are being sent home with students this week.  Orders are due back to school or online by Friday 28 October. 

Thank you for your continued support of this program. 

Bus List Reminder

Please make sure you contact the school office if you require your child to catch a bus after school so that we can keep our lists updated.  Thank you 

Making every school day count

Welcome back to the last term of the school year! We’re excited for what’s in store.

This final stretch of the school year can sometimes be challenging to get your kids to school. But being at school is the best place for our kids, and it’s important we make every school day count.

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.

Here are some tips to help:

• Create a routine.
• Give yourself enough time in the morning.
• Be on time, every day. Monday to Friday.
• Schedule appointments and trips outside of school hours.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Set some technology boundaries.

If your child is well enough to attend school, they should be at school. Every day, Monday to Friday.

Data tells us that the better a child’s attendance rate, the better off they’ll be. Their future will be filled with more opportunities…. which is what every parent and carer wants for their child.

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.

Again, please talk to us about your situation if you’re having trouble getting your child to school every day.

Community Notices