20 May 2021
Principal's Report
Dear Families,
I have been very impressed by the calm and good natured way the Grade 3 and 5 students have taken NAPLAN testing in their stride last week and this week. Students quite enjoy the online format and didn’t seem overly anxious due to the preparation they had received by class teachers and due to the fact that parents do not over emphasise performance in the tests. Thank you to Mr Hayen for always ensuring these few weeks run smoothly and without issues.
Planning continues for Winterfest, with much of the food and entertainment now organised. This year due to a restriction in numbers that can be in the GP room at any one time, we have decided not to have students perform individual acts, and instead will have entertainment out on the courts weather permitting. We are hoping to run a talent quest during school time for those students eager to share their ‘acts’ with others. Don’t forget to save the date for Winterfest– Friday 20th August!
Yesterday, our librarian Ms Hunn, invited all classes to the GP room after recess to be part of National Simultaneous Story time. We watched a reading of ‘Give me some space’ by Phillip Bunting. This was read by NASA astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station, who flipped upside down while reading and talked about how astronauts sleep, what food they eat and what life is like on a space station.
Lisa Ford (Clinical Child Psychologist) online workshops: Lisa has presented at Illawarra several times for parents on topics such as risk taking, resilience and mindful parenting. She also worked with our grade 5/6 students in Term 1 on bullying and empathy. Lisa has an online package for parents called ‘Empowered kids’.
Topics include:
- CONNECTION and slowing down, simplifying childhood
- Allowing independence and Independent problem solving
- not rescuing our children from every struggle - the importance of healthy stress
- Risky play benefits
- Gratitude and compassionate action
If you are interested in purchasing access for $22 you can find the package here:
www.theresilienceco.com/onlineseminars
Banking program: A decision has been made by the school and School Association to cease operating our school banking program at the end of this Term.
The last time that students will be able to bring their bank books and money to deposit is Thursday 1st July.
After this date, families will need to visit the bank and undertake their child's banking in person.
(Additional information about the conclusion of the banking program is further on in this newsletter)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam Degenaar, one of our parents, for running this program so efficiently for us over a long time. Her commitment and effort has been greatly appreciated.
Lastly, I ask everyone to remain vigilant regarding hand washing, sneezing into elbows and keeping children home when sick to prevent the spread of illness to others in our school community.
Cathryn Kelly-Bounds
Acting Principal
Calendar of Events
May 20 | Year 6 Combined Primary Schools Band rehearsal – Kingston High School – 3.30-4.30pm |
May 24 | Prep-2 Assembly – ½ Anderson Hosting PLEASE NOTE: Parents are only able to attend if their child is receiving an Onya |
May 26 | HCSSA Cross Country Carnival |
May 28 | Whole School Reconciliation Assembly |
June 3 | Prep O/E, Prep J, Prep/1 W Excursion – Sustainability Centre |
June 3 | Grade 1/2A & 1/2B Excursion – Marine Discovery Centre |
June 3 | Year 6 Combined Primary Schools Band rehearsal – Kingston High School – 3.30-4.30pm |
June 7 | Grade 3-6 Assembly – 4/5 Cooke Hosting PLEASE NOTE: Parents are only able to attend if their child is receiving an Onya |
June 8 and 10 | School Photos |
June 14 | Public Holiday – Queen’s Birthday |
June 17 | Year 6 Combined Primary Schools Band rehearsal – Kingston High School – 3.30-4.30pm |
June 21 | Prep-2 Assembly – 1/2 Graney Hosting PLEASE NOTE: Parents are only able to attend if their child is receiving an Onya |
June 21 – July 2 | Swimming and Water Safety Program – Gr 3-5 |
June 23 | IPSA Meeting – 7.00pm |
June 28 | Mid-Year reports sent home |
July 1 | Last day of Student Banking |
July 1 | Year 6 Combined Primary Schools Band rehearsal – Kingston High School – 3.30-4.30pm |
July 5 – July 18 | Term 2 Holidays |
July 19 | STUDENT FREE DAY – Teacher Professional Learning |
July 20 | Term 3 begins for students |
News from Grade 1/2
1/2 Anderson
We have been very engaged this term in our Science Inquiry, Life in a Rockpool. After visiting the Blackmans Bay beach rockpools, we became very interested in the sea urchins we found there. Sea urchins have some unique features which help them to survive. We have made models of sea urchins using plasticine and pasta, and drawn labelled diagrams explaining the purpose of each special feature. Everyone has discovered so much!
1/2 Barker
We have had a busy Term 2 so far. We have been doing lots of art, reading, learning Key Word Sign, spelling, handwriting, meeting with our buddies, looking at poetry and investigating money.
Most interestingly, our Biological Science unit on Living Things has turned into an inquiry on snails and molluscs. We can’t wait to share our work with the Prep-2 assembly next week!
1/2 Coombes
We have been writing stories, articles and recipes in our class using the Writers Workshop process.
We enjoy sharing our published work with our families and each other.
1/2 Graney/Glover
We have a new student in our class from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. From our discussions and sharing about the differences between Scotland and Tasmania we decided to compare Tasmanian animals with Scottish animals.
The children made echidnas and then we looked at hedgehogs. We discovered that echidnas are bigger but they both roll into a ball when scared. An echidna is an egg laying mammal called a ‘monotreme’ and hedgehogs are mammals who give birth to live young.
The children made some wonderful echidnas. The class is looking forward to the learning they will be doing with Ms Anstice for the rest of the term while Mrs Graney is away.
Onyas
Noah O for displaying the school value of Caring about his learning. Noah is working very hard in Literacy Groups and as a result has moved up 5 reading levels! Keep up the excellent work Noah! Freya N for displaying the school value of being Fair. Freya is a wonderful friend who role models sharing and playing fairly to others. This often helps others negotiate and playing fairly as well. Henry C for displaying the school value of Care. Henry has been concentrating on his writing this week and took a lot of care to ensure he wrote on the lines, sounded out the letters and re-read his work. I am very proud of you Henry, keep it up! Jasmine G for displaying the school value of being Safe. Jasmine is always respectful of others and uses the resources in a safe and careful manner. Due to this, the children in the class enjoy working with her. Jacob T for settling in to his new school so well, becoming a great friend to others and always trying his best with his learning. Klara K for caring so well about all her learning and striving to achieve her best. Tom H for showing how keen he is on our Sea Urchins Inquiry and always doing his best learning. Lily L for always being a caring, fair friend who includes everyone. Lily’s big smile lights up our room every day. Kenzie B for demonstrating an enthusiastic and talented attitude with Writer Workshop in class. Tess B for being a very kind and caring friend. Bailey R for demonstrating great enthusiasm with his learning and also being a caring and thoughtful friend. Wil H for demonstrating a growing resilience and persistence with tricky learning tasks. Elliot J for making a huge effort with his writing and spelling. Thank you for trying your best and being a good example for your peers, Elliot! Eden W for being a kind and thoughtful friend to everyone in the class. You go above and beyond to look out for others and show care in everything you do. Thank you, Eden! Jonathan S for caring for our new student from the Isle of Skye (Scotland) in the playground and in the class. Jonathan is always caring towards his class room friends. Eliza W for always being caring towards her friends. In the classroom she is a respectful student towards her peers and teachers at all times. Cecile D B for always having a happy nature in the class and being very caring towards her friends in and out of the class. Jade L for always being respectful in the class and caring towards her friends. Lachlan W for always being a respectful listener. Ella C for taking on feedback and improving her learning. Kyle McC for becoming a good friend to others and getting along with his classroom. Charlie d V for always being a respectful listener and positively contributing to our class discussions.
School Photos - 8th and 10th June
Please note, ordering school photos this year will be online only, there are no envelopes to fill in. Parents will receive an email confirming their order, so all orders and payments are trackable. The benefits of ordering online make the process secure, safe, and hassle free for the school office and customisable for all families.
Leading Image is offering an exciting new feature this year where you can choose to be adventurous or creative and select from 15 different back drops for your child’s individual photo – check it out online!
An important note is that whilst the government has advised sick children and staff should stay away from schools, Leading Image has unfortunately had circumstances where sick children have been brought into school for a ‘quick’ photo. Thankfully this is not common, but to ensure we aren’t forced to address a difficult situation on the day we request that families do not bring their child in for a quick photo – no exceptions.
Please note Individual and family photos can be ordered online with the same Access Key: 58768QSR
All INDIVIDUAL orders must be in by 4.30pm on Friday, 18th June.
All FAMILY orders must be in by 4.30pm on Monday, 7th June. Family orders will not be allowed after this time.
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Leading Image:
Call (03) 6228 9966 or email:
Kinder Possums & Wombats family photos will be taken with siblings on Tuesday 15th September.
Kinder Bandicoots family photos will be taken with
siblings on Thursday 17th September.
School Banking Program
Anyone who has an existing Youth Saver Account will still be able to conduct their banking for this account through the normal channels (online and via the local branch).
There are another 6 weeks to collect frequent saver reward tokens. Students can redeem any outstanding token balances from a list of current rewards here:
Anyone with 9 or more tokens can place an order for any of these reward items.
Launch Into Learning (Pademelons) - Term 2
Canteen Menu
Music News
In our classroom music programs our Grade 3/4 students are learning some basics on the guitar, our Grade 1/2 students are learning all about pitch and musical sign language called solfa, and our prep/1 students have been exploring beat and rhythm as well as developing instrumental skills on percussion instruments.
Our recorder program continues to be popular, with many of our beginner players enjoying learning new pieces while our advanced players are combining their recorder pieces with other instruments such as marimbas.
Our marimba program has a large co-hort of students where we are aiming to learn 10 pieces to be played at the end of the year at the annual Marimba Mania event, as well as other events during the year.
Both choir groups continue to show great enthusiasm. Both are large in numbers, and it’s always a great Friday afternoon to finish off the week with us all singing!
Check out our Music Website at:
https://illawarraprimaryschool.education.tas.edu.au/learning/music/
where students can find music for both choir and recorder and more! I am adding resources to this page as we learn new material.
It is great to see such support from students for the programs being offered.
Yours in music
Cynthia Howard
Garden News
The Gardening Team would like to pot up some more succulents to sell at the Pop-upShop. Mrs Nanna has deplenished her supply of these very handy terracotta dip pots; she wondered if anyone has any spare they are willing to part with.
Thank you for the continued support of this valuable program.
Kindergarten 2022
School Zine app
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Community Notices
