Principal Report

Good afternoon, families.

What a busy fortnight we've had at IPS! It has been wonderful to see all students actively engaged in their learning and enjoying their time at school. While there have been a few absences, most have been explained and are due to illness.

If you haven't already done so, please ensure you provide an explanation for your child's absence on UEDUCATEUS. This will help us avoid having to contact you via phone or text.

I would also like to inform families that, due to the Cross Country event, there will be no assembly this week. Our next assembly will be held on Thursday, 3rd April, due to the Wedderburn Fete excursion.

As always, please feel free to get in touch if I can assist with anything.

NAPLAN

I am incredibly proud of the students who undertook the NAPLAN assessments this year. Their dedication, focus, and resilience throughout the process were truly impressive. Despite the challenges that come with testing, they approached it with a positive attitude and a strong commitment to doing their best. Each student should be commended not only for their hard work during the assessments but also for the growth and learning they demonstrated leading up to it. It is a reflection of their perseverance and willingness to take on new challenges. I am confident that the skills they developed during this time will continue to serve them well in their future learning and personal growth.

School Council Elections

It was truly pleasing to see our school in a position we have never experienced before, where we had more nominations than available positions for the School Council. This is a testament to the commitment and support our families show to our school, and I am incredibly grateful for it. I am very pleased to announce that our 2025 School Council Board is made up of the following members:

• DET Representative: Kym and Jayne
• Community Representative: Kirsten
• Parent Representatives: Leigh, Brooke, Shelley, Julian, Annita, and Josh

Congratulations to each of you! I am very excited to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate group. If you are interested in being part of our School Council, I encourage you to apply next year, or you can get involved with our Parents and Friends group this year. Your support is always valued and appreciated.

Garden and Cooking

How incredibly lucky are we to have such an amazing program in our cooking and gardening? Every fortnight, our students have the opportunity to plant, harvest, and tend to our gardens, before using the produce in our cooking program. The learning experiences they gain from this hands-on approach are invaluable, connecting real-world skills with key aspects of the curriculum.

This program supports a wide range of learning outcomes, including:

• Science: Students explore biological processes, plant growth, and ecosystems, deepening their understanding of environmental science and sustainability.
• Maths: Measuring ingredients, calculating quantities, and determining portion sizes are all integral parts of the cooking process, helping students apply mathematical concepts in a practical setting.
• Health and Physical Education: The program encourages students to make healthy food choices, promoting physical well-being through nutrition education and the development of cooking skills.
• Technology: By using various kitchen tools and technology, students gain valuable insights into how technology is used in food preparation and agriculture.
• Design and Technologies: Students plan, design, and create recipes, linking creativity with practical skills in the kitchen.
• Sustainability: By engaging in gardening and understanding where food comes from, students gain a deeper appreciation for sustainable practices and how they can contribute to a greener future.

Through this integrated learning approach, our students are not only building essential life skills, but they are also fostering a deep connection to their environment and the world of food. We are proud to offer such a rich and diverse program that supports students in becoming both capable and conscious individuals.

Before and After School Care

It is wonderful to see more families utilising our Before and After School Program. This program is open to everyone in our community, and the more people who take advantage of it, the longer it will continue to operate every day. The program offers a wide range of activities for children while they are in care, from painting and craft to bike riding, ensuring they have fun and engage in a variety of creative and physical activities. If you would like your child/ren to attend, please don't hesitate to touch base with Sonia for more information. We are thrilled to see this program grow and be such a valuable resource for our school community!

UEDUCATEUS

I just wanted to remind all families to turn on their notifications for UEducateUs if they haven’t already done so. This will ensure you receive all the information in a timely manner and don't miss anything important. I am also open to any feedback on how families are finding the online newsletter, as well as any suggestions you may have for improving it moving forward. Your input is valuable as we strive to make communication as effective and accessible as possible for everyone.

Parents and Friends 

Parents and Friends are still seeking volunteers to help on the 5th of April from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Even if you can spare just an hour, please get in touch – any help would be greatly appreciated. At this stage, it looks like hot lunches may not go ahead next term due to limited volunteers, so again, if you can assist on a Friday morning, please reach out. Your support is crucial in ensuring these programs continue to run smoothly. Thank you for considering lending a hand!