16 November 2023

Principal Report

Dear Families,

We are halfway through Term 4 and getting closer to many end of year activities including class excursions to pantomimes, parks, the beach as well as Gd 5 Challenge activities and Gd 6 Camp happening next week.

Most importantly , we will be farewelling our Year 6 students who will enjoy High School Orientations,  a Big Day Out, a Leavers Dinner at Brookfield in Margate and the Leavers Assembly this term. It is a time of conflicting emotions for Year 6 students who are wanting to stretch their wings but are also conscious of leaving the shelter and familiarity of their primary school. Preparation for high school is a big part of Year 6 both academically and socially. I have always been a big advocate for camps, having had many positive experiences of these myself as a child. I spent many summer holidays at Blue Lagoon Camp in Dodges Ferry, where our Year 6s will be spending 3 days next week. Camps are fun, exciting, an opportunity to try new experiences, new food, mix with different people, make independent choices, look after and organise possessions and build the ability to cope with the minor uncomfortableness of being away from home and familiar routines. I see students thrive again and again in camp environments and build confidence in themselves to be open to new experiences and persist when they doubt themselves.

DISCOFEST - I would like to thank the School Association for staging Discofest last Friday night. In particular I would like to thank our IPSA President, Lisa Nisbett, for her drive and determination to pull together this very successful event – Lisa thanked all of the volunteers in a previous Seesaw and Facebook post. Watching Illawarra children enjoy the freedom to play games, dance, eat yummy food and play with their friends in a safe environment was a pleasure. Thank you to those families who came along and supported the event. We are hoping to gradually save enough money to resurface our courts area however, as with all fundraising events, volunteering a small amount of your time is key.

Next up is the Christmas Stall on the 5th December, please see the sign up link for volunteers below. This is also on our FB page. It's a great day wrapping presents with a bunch of lovely volunteers in the Library. There are 1hr slots so you can do what you are able to on the day and at a time that suits you. There are yummy Christmas treats to tempt volunteers and keep them going. The students also really enjoy this day and it gets everyone in the Christmas mood.

Link - https://signup.com/go/HCCfTpw

Lastly, thank you to those people that assisted with identifying a driver/car that was hooning in the Sherburd Oval carpark during pick up time a week or so ago. With their support police have been able to proceed against the driver of the vehicle.

Kind regards,

Cathryn

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Australian Mathematics Competition

On Thursday 2nd November, Daniel and Leo attended an evening ceremony in Hobart organised by the Australian Mathletics Trust.  The evening was a great celebration of mathematics and of the enjoyment it brings to many students.

The CEO of the Trust presented Daniel and Leo with High Achiever certificates in recognition of their outstanding results in the Australian Mathematics Competition, where Daniel received a High Distinction and Leo received a High Distinction and Best in School award.

Congratulations also to Kingston High School, with one of their students receiving the medal for the best performance by any student in any grade in Tasmania.

PE NEWS

It’s been busy couple of weeks in the P.E. program.

GOLF

Firstly, we have had Adam from Golf Tasmania in to take some sessions around learning the basics of a good golf swing.  Even in just a couple of sessions we have already seen some big improvements in our students with their swing and distance.  These sessions have been made possible through Sporting Schools and we will continue to do a few more sessions with some new clubs we were also able to purchase.  If there are any students interested in taking their golf a bit further there are Junior Sessions available at both Kingston Beach and North West Bay Golf Clubs.  Mr Iles has more details if you are interested.

CRICKET BLAST

Last Thursday we had the Hurricanes development team in for our Prep/1/2 students.  They took our students for some fun activities around batting, throwing and catching as well giving out information about the Cricket Blast programs available at local clubs.  Most students took home some information but if you need more please contact Mr Iles at School.

HUON AND CHANNEL ATHLETICS

On Friday a team of 48 students headed to the Huonville Athletics Track to represent the school at the Huon Channel Athletics Carnival.  It was a very warm day and our students competed really well in sprint and distance races as well as some selected field events.  It was a great day with our team bringing home lots of individual ribbons and some fine team performances in the relays.  It was also great to hear comments from the recording table how well mannered and respectful our students were as they recorded their results and collected their ribbons.  Thanks to Mr Waugh, Mr Shelton and Alicia Iles for looking after the team and officiating for the school.  Also to all of the parents who came down to support the team and also provided icy poles to help cool down our runners!  A reminder to those who did not return their school running top to please make sure that it comes back to Mr Waugh or Mr Iles.

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TRIATHLON

The next big event on the calendar is the Schools Triathlon on Friday December 1^st.  We have a team of 78 Illawarra students which is massive!!!  The kits have arrived at school and we will have a meeting in the coming weeks to give these out and also go through how the event works for both teams and individuals. This will include how to prepare for the transition between the Swim, Cycle and Run legs as well as how to prepare for the day.

Hands on Learning

We are lucky enough to have the Hands-on Learning program at Illawarra Primary School. Hands-on Learning is a Save the Children practical school program that builds well-being, engagement, and a place to belong. Hands-on Learning is an Australia-wide program that creates opportunities for students to discover their talents and experience success through significant, and authentic, hands-on projects.

At Illawarra, we started our gardening/building program with a mini garden in the courtyard and a tiny shed. Four to five students from varying grades would come and garden one afternoon a week. We saw students grow in confidence and the potential of the gardening/building program, and as a consequence, our school joined Hands-on Learning Australia.

We started small and it wasn't long before we had outgrown the gardens in the courtyard; we moved the beds closer to the front of the school (near the turning circle) and now have many more garden beds and a bigger shed. Now, ten to twelve students attend the program, which runs from recess to the end of the day. Students have lunch together, which they cook, and work on building projects such as our outdoor sink, an insect hotel and the Hands-on Learning sign. Students have also built new garden beds and planted various assorted veggies, which we sell at the mini Pop-up Shop. 

We are very fortunate to have the support of many parents who have donated their time and support to the program:  the Harris family have given us seedlings and mulch and just recently, the Otten family donated a gazebo to the program, so we are protected from the sun and rain.

Hands-on Learning Day is Wednesday but sometimes you may see students at the shed before school. During lunch break on Wednesday, other students have been visiting and working on any current projects.

We are very proud of our Hands-On-Learning Program.

Mrs Nanna.

Onyas

Congratulations to all of our ONYA award recipients.  These awards will be handed out at the next assembly which will be held on Monday 20th November.  Family members are welcome to attend.

Hugh J for thinking outside the box in all areas and sharing his thinking with the class.  Thank you for your enthusiasm and curiosity, Hugo!

Archer M for trying his best on all tasks.  Archer is taking on feedback to continually improve.  Well done, Archer!

Hazel R for using feedback to improve her work.  Well done for having a great attitude towards your learning Hazel!

Hazel S for her excellent attitude and focus on her learning in her recent literacy work.  Thank you, Hazel!

Matilda L for displaying the school value of Care.  Matilda is always trying her best with everything that she does.  She is consistently listening, working hard and a kind classmate to all.  It has been a pleasure teaching you this year.

Chloe F for displaying the school value of Fair.  Chloe is a dilligent learner who listens well, supports her peers and works hard to ensure that the classroom is tidy and packed away with care.  We have valued your wonderful effort this year Chloe.  Next year's teacher is very lucky to have you!

Emilio M for displaying the school value of Safe.  Emilio has been consistently safe, fair and caring this year.  He is kind, considerate and respectful with others and their belongings.  Thank you for being such a wonderful classmate.  I will miss you next year.

Arthur R  Welcome to Illawarra Primary, Arthur!  You have made a great start settling in to your new school.  2B are very happy to have you with us.

Maisie E for working hard to improve her reading.  Maisie, you make your reading sound interesting, it is smooth and fluent.  Well done!

Olive W for being a hard workfing, helpful, kind and compassionate class member.  Olive makes her teachers' day a little easier by being so fabulous.

Jess C for being a hard working, helpful, kind and compassionate class member.  Jess makes her teachers' day a little easier by being so fabulous.

Stella Mac for being a heard working, helpful, kind and compassionate class member.  Stella makes her teachers' day a little easier by being so fabulous.

Leo P for displaying the school value of Safe.  Leo is respectful of others and uses our resources in the clssroom in a safe and careful manner.  Thank you, Leo, for always helping your peers and being a great friend to everyone in the class.

Zander M for displaying the school value of Fair.  Zander is social and considerate of others not only in the classroom but out on the soccer field too.  He always works hard and tries his best.  Thank you, Zander, for being a positive influence on your classmates.

Aria W for displaying the school value of Care.  Aria is a thoughtful and helpful class member.  She can always be seen taking the time to pack up properly and tidy up the classroom.  Aria always looks after her classmates.  Thank you, Aria, for being a wonderful member of 1A.

Izzy S for showing more determination and courage in segmenting and blending words for reading and learning the non-decodable words.  Well done Izzy!

Art H you have shown a commendable willingness to take more risks with your writing and are including more detail with your drawings.  Keep this up Art!

Chloe R for demonstrating the valuable skill of offering an apology, and being able to reflect on your actions.  Well done Chloe!

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