10 August 2023

Principal Report

School life continues to be busy with the NED performance visiting last week as well as the Australian Maths Competition being held. This week the Terrapin Puppet Theatre presented The Riddle of Washpool Gully play to all classes, the Waratah Band (featuring our own Grade 6 Band members among other school students) played for classes today, and Book Week celebrations are in a fortnight.

The Terrapin Puppet Theatre’s performance of The Riddle of Washpool Gully was captivating and taught children about the healing power of their imagination, about being curious and open to new situations they encounter, and not immediately fearing things they don’t understand. It is always a privilege to have such a professional, thought provoking and intelligent performance visit our school each year. Ask your child what their take was on the play!

Our 2023 NAPLAN results are pleasing with both Grade 3 and 5 students achieving above similar schools in all areas, with the exception of Grade 3 spelling being just below similar schools. We continue to focus on the improvement of both the teaching of spelling and students' learning of spelling. In general we aim to provide students with many opportunities to either extend their knowledge through extension groups such as maths, robotics and in term 2, debating as well as receive smaller group support. Chris Waugh (AST) and Michael Hayen (AP) both take remedial groups for maths support, and Lisa King (A/AP) oversees remedial literacy support groups including the recent introduction of the Read 3 program. We are very fortunate to benefit from the expertise of our leadership team as well as our extremely capable Teacher Assistants and Education Support Specialist.

Reading regularly with your child, taking an interest in their learning and having high expectations about what they can achieve within their own potential help your child or children to feel supported at school. If you have any concerns in relation to your child’s progress please always contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

Kind regards,

Cathryn

Calendar of Events

ONYAS

Roxy D - For her patience, kindness and dedication. Roxy is always a positive and calm presence in the classroom and gives 100% to her learning tasks and friendships. Thank you for lighting up the room with your smile, Rox!

Beau G - For being a friendly and helpful member of 2H. Beau’s approach to school and friendships is wonderful to see and we all appreciate his positivity every day.

Johannes H - For his positive attitude towards our morning routines. Johannes loves learning about our Word of the Week, and can always be called on to demonstrate to his peers what that word means and how to use it in a sentence. Thank you for your effort and enthusiasm, Joh!

Yahya Muhammad B – For displaying the school value of being Fair.  Yahya is social and considerate of others.  He is a wonderful learner and allows others around him to be learners too.  Yahya makes connections in everything we do. He always contributes to class discussions, enriching our thinking with his contributions.

Imogen M – For displaying the school value of being Safe.  Imogen is a thoughtful and helpful class member, who encourages those around her to do the same.  She tries her best in everything that she does and as a result, she is well respected by her peers.

Marlie W – For displaying the school value of Care.  Marlie is a conscientious learner who is trying her best in all learning areas and is encouraging those around her to do the same. It is a pleasure having you in our class now Marlie! 

Eloise F - For her continuous effort in all aspects of her learning and her creativity during play and activity time.

Kai D - For being a supportive friend who demonstrates empathy and kindness to others.

Freya G - For applying herself to all learning tasks and accepting feedback to improve her work.

Andrew L - For always having such interesting things to share with the class.  We love hearing Andrew’s ideas and knowledge about all sorts of things.

Elliott F - For being an honest and trustworthy classmate. Elliott is mature and honest when sorting out problems.

Mila C- For trying so hard to develop her social skills.  Mila has changed so much this year and she is a kind and considerate friend.

Hudson G -For a huge improvement in his participation in music.

Sonny P - For your amazing effort and progress during reading groups. You are now reading fluently and using expression. Keep up the great work!

Felicity S - For continuing to excel and strive to do her best during maths tasks.

Alexandra L - For displaying the school value of Care. Alexandra is always being a kind and caring classmate and shows a positive attitude towards all learning tasks.

Rhemi P - For displaying the school value of Care. Rhemi is always showing support to others in the classroom, particularly with IT.

Albie S - For working hard to improve his writing. Albie – you have produced some great pieces of writing lately, well done!

Sami C - For excellent participation in reading groups. Sami – you are working hard and your reading is really improving!

Sebastian J - For being a great writer. Seb – your writing is always exciting to read and you challenge yourself by choosing interesting words. 

Silas W - For being an excellent listener. Silas – you always show you are ready for learning!

Canteen Week 4

VIPS/Young Archies 2023

Participating in the Annual Young Archie competition has become a wonderful creative opportunity for our students and an Illawarra tradition. Students again have been encouraged to create a portrait using a variety of media and techniques. This year however we launched the VIPS theme to coincide with the YA. The VIPS is a play on the IPS of Illawarra Primary School and the usual acronym of Very Important People. The very important people who form the school community and who help make IPS a wonderful place to be. 2023 theme was staff and volunteers on site, the next years will focus on different groups of people that form our school community.

Each class has a display of amazing portrait works within their rooms. The Encouragement award winners will be on display in the main foyer next week.

Congratulations to Ayla, Matthew, Tilly and Ayla (Yr 5-6), Priya, Violet, Selby and Nathan (Yr3-4), Connor, Spencer, Niamh and Layla (Yr 3-4), Ava, Heidi, Athena and Madeline (K-P) on their works being selected to represent Illawarra at the State-wide Young Archies Competition. All competition entries will be on virtual display in an online gallery early September: Young Archie Awards/Tasmanian Education Dept website.

Congratulations also to the following students who received an  Illawarra Encouragement Award from the judges- Natalie, Fenella, Cariad, Lincoln, Fin, Marni, Tom and Luca (5-6), Seren, Niesha, Lily, Helen, Leuca, Isla and Gus (3-4), Ethan, Aria, Felicity, Andre, Anja and Elsie (1-2), Amane, Olive, Florence, Connor, Charlotte and Chloe(P-K). The creative and technical quality of the work makes judging the portraits such a difficult yet rewarding activity and the judges were very impressed by the work of our Illawarra artists.

Well done to all our students for their effort to produce a creative portrait of someone they know; and thank you to the panel of judges for giving up their time to judge the hundreds of amazing entries.

Mrs Petersen (Art Teacher)

High School Intentions for 2024

If you haven't already, can you please fill out the online High School Intention form, this needs to be back by Friday 11 August. 

https://forms.office.com/r/r9UPJgbJ5f 

Thank you 

Book Club - Issue 5

Scholastic Book Club catalogue #5 was sent home with students last week, with another wonderful array of award-winning books offered for all ages, from old favourites to new exciting volumes! 

Orders over $30 from this catalogue reward students with a free book, another if the order is over $50, up to 3 free books for an order placed for $70 and over.  

Orders can be placed by returning the completed order form and money to school, or by using the online Book Club LOOP platform (scholastic.com.au/loop) for parents which allows you to pay by credit card. 

The due date for Scholastic Book Club orders from this catalogue is Friday 11th August.

Community Notices