Principal report
Dear parents and carers
I thank all parents and carers as we continue Level 3 restrictions, for following COVID safe practices when dropping their children off and picking them up. Parents and carers are reminded to drop off and collect students from outside the school gates, avoid gathering in numbers and observing social distancing.
New school visitor check-in system
From Monday 18 October the Department has introduced a new School Visitor Check-in system for visitors and staff.
All visitors* and contractors will be required to check-in using their Service NSW app, or through a webform when they arrive at school. Staff are also to check-in at school using the system to ensure they comply with relevant Public Health Orders and NSW Health’s COVID-19 contact tracing procedures.
* Please note that this excludes parent/carer pick-up and drop-off.
Assistant principal curriculum and instruction
From the start of next year our school will add an Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction to our permanent staffing. The initiative is a core part of the new School Success Model, which ensures evidence-based teaching and best practice are implemented across the system and support is targeted. This position will be an off class role with an announcement in the next few coming weeks as to the person who will fulfill this role moving forward.
Essential tool! School stream app
We wish to remind parents and carers of the importance of staying informed, which is best achieved by adding the School Stream app to your device. All updates and important information regarding IPS activities and alerts will be sent via this app. Be sure not to miss out!! You can find School Stream via the App Store or Google Play, by searching for School Stream and typing in Iluka Public School when prompted. This is an essential communication tool with our parent body and we hope many families are proactive with this reminder.
Donations of old school uniforms
The school office will gladly accept donations of preloved uniforms for our clothing pool. Any uniforms that are not being used in 2022 would be greatly appreciated.
Premier's spelling bee regional and state finals
Unfortunately the 2021 Premier’s Spelling Bee Regional and State finals have been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. I would like to again congratulate our school finalists, Lacey, and Beau. Hopefully, we can participate in the Spelling Bee challenge again next year.
NAPLAN
The school’s NAPLAN results arrived earlier this term and have been distributed to parents. Overall the school is performing better than schools that are similar to Iluka Public school in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy in Year 3 and Year 5. In Year 3, 36% of students are in the two top bands for reading, 40% in writing, 22% in numeracy and 35% in spelling. In Year 5, 17% of students are in the two top bands for numeracy, 24% in reading, 12% in writing and 29% in spelling. Very pleasingly, in Year 3, our school is above state average in numeracy.
Wellspring
Thank you to our local Wellspring shop manager, Jo for the donation of a child’s toy. Please take the opportunity to look at some of our art work in their shop window, which is scheduled to be updated in the not too distant future.
2022 Kindergarten class
We are eager to welcome our 2022 Kindergarten class for their transition to ‘big school’ next Wednesday 27 October. We are anticipating that the children will have a great day exploring and playing in their new learning environment, making new friends, and learning new skills. We look forward to seeing them once a fortnight, with the program concluding on Wednesday 24 November 2021.
Application for selective high school's for Year 7 in 2023
Applications for placement in Year 7 in selective high schools in 2023 open on 19 October 2021 and close on 17 November 2021. Principals are requested to advise parents of Year 5 primary school students about the opportunity to apply online. Parents must apply by the due date. Application information can be downloaded from https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-7. The online application link is available from this website from 19 October 2021.
Parents without internet access can certainly lodge an application using one of the school’s computers during the application period. Parents with disabilities or limited computer knowledge that preclude the use of a computer can also contact the school for assistance as well.
Riding your bike to school
Bike riding is an easy way for students to get to school, increase their activity levels and achieve better health. I appreciate that riding in Iluka is a wonderful thing. However, please be a safe rider. Too many times I receive phone calls from concerned parents that our students are riding in a dangerous manner. In one recent incident, a rider caused traffic outside our local IGA store to stop. Please remind your children to be vigilant and aware when riding bikes.
Have a great week. Phil
Class K/1 News
Mathematics - This week the concepts of 2D (two dimensional shapes) and data (graphing) are being studied by the Kindergarten and Year One students.
Home Reading - Just a reminder that the Kindergarten students return their readers daily and Year One students return their reading books on Tuesday.
Library Day - Our class library day has been changed to Thursday. Please note that this change will remain until the end of the year.
Lynne
Class 2/3 News
Hello everyone,
What beautiful rain we had through the week. We did need it.
The children have been working really well. We have worked on establishing good routines and a positive work ethic. After having the students for going on two years it is wonderful to see how they approach their work, displaying an attitude of persistence towards the task at hand and the intention of completing what is expected.
Spelling - Spelling over the last two weeks has involved completing word lists and activities that we didn’t get done during COVID.
Maths - has involved some trading in subtraction and looking at two dimensional shapes for the year threes and helpful strategies for subtraction and symmetry for the year two children.
Writing - last week involved expressing ideas about a book in the form of a review.
Craft - work is so very beneficial for the development of fine motor skills. The children did a really good job at their long stitch pictures. Did you like them?????? They have started some ‘French Knitting” now and feel extremely proud of their creations.
Have a great week. Di
Class 4 News
Hello everyone,
Insect repellent - You may wish to apply insect repellent to your child before they arrive at school. With the recent rainfall, mosquitoes are quite prevalent at the moment.
Homework and home reading - Please encourage and support your child in undertaking these activities regularly. Homework sheets (with a reading record on the back) are due every Tuesday. Thank you to the many families who ensure the completion of this task.
Writing - We are currently focusing on creative story writing (narratives) at the moment. Students are really enjoying working in this genre.
Maths - Since the beginning of term, students have been working on collecting data, making graphs, applying addition strategies and now telling the time, reading timetables and calendars. After each unit of work, students are tested to check their understanding. I have been very impressed by their attitude towards mathematics and this is reflected in their pleasing results.
Have a great week!
Kristy
Class 5 News
Hello everyone.
It’s lovely to see the class settled and enjoying each other’s company during Recess and Lunch.
In class at the moment we have been focusing on poetry and digital literacy, which the students are enjoying and producing some excellent results.
We are currently reading as an in-class text, Hitler’s Daughter by Australian author Jackie French. So far this story is providing an interesting take on this time in history and the students and I are thoroughly enjoying it.
Homework went home today and is due back on Friday.
Enjoy your week, Bek.
Class 6 News
Hi everyone. The big news is the MHS Transition Day is on Wednesday 27 October. Notes went home today. It is a full day this time, including a BBQ lunch and extra activity. The bus will be leaving Iluka Public School at 9:05 am sharp. There is no Woombah pick up or drop off. We will be home in time for normal afternoon arrangements.
All High School enrolment applications should have been returned to the applicable High Schools by now.
Homework continues and is progressing well.
Most students are increasing their endurance and stamina in writing - well done.
Does your child have their own designated work-station at home? A suitable desk and plentiful resources are essential.
It is important to keep the Year 6 students busy at present. Have a great week, Chris.
Library/Technology
K/1 LIBRARY DAY CHANGE
For the remainder of the year the K/1 class’s library day will now be held every Thursday morning. This change is to allow preschool transitions to occur in the library on Wednesday mornings every fortnight.
BOOK CLUB
Book Club Issue 7 is in circulation and all orders need to be handed into me or placed online via LOOP by the end of next week. Please remember that the school receives 30% of all purchases in points that I then use towards new books for our school library.
BOOK FAIR
At the end of next week our final Scholastic Book Fair for the year will arrive and it is perfect timing for Christmas gifts. Hopefully onsite restrictions will have eased by Week 5 and you can visit to do some Christmas shopping whilst also supporting the growth of our school library.
CANVA
The Year 4, 5 and 6 students have started to use Canva more consistently to create logos and posters. Some of their work so far has been very impressive and they are picking up the skills very quickly. We may have some Graphic Designers amongst our school cohort.
I hope everyone has a great week. Mr Jones.
Tuckshop news
If you could offer some time to assist in the Tuckshop, please see the Office Staff or contact Karla on 0405638768. Thank you
Banking news
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