Principal Report

UPDATE:

It’s hard to believe we are already in week four! A big thank you to all our community members who attended the Welcome BBQ, and to the staff who joined us as well. It was fantastic to see everyone interacting and enjoying themselves. There is such a positive energy around the school, and it’s wonderful to see all the students so engaged in their learning.

There is one area of concern I need to address: the school crossing. Unfortunately, too many families are not using the designated crossing, with some even encouraging their children to cross the road to the car. I urge you to please support and encourage your children to use the crossing, where it is safe. We have observed several drivers unaware that it is a school zone, resulting in dangerous speeding. There have also been instances where children have stepped out in front of the bus.

On a positive note, our first MARC Van and Cooking session was a huge success! It was wonderful to see the fresh produce from our garden being utilised, and a massive thank you to Simone for her incredible work in keeping the garden thriving over the holidays.

Thank you again for your continued support!

Parents and Friends

AGM this Friday at 3:20pm 

Parents and Friends are vital to our school community because they play such an important role in supporting and enriching our students' experiences. We are always looking for new members to join, and the great thing is you can contribute as much or as little time as you like. Every bit helps, and your involvement truly makes a difference.

We invite you to come along to a meeting and see how you can be part of this incredible group. Our Parents and Friends support our school in so many ways, from fundraising events and running stalls to organising the Colour Fun Run and preparing lunch for students and staff. Your participation helps create a positive and vibrant school environment, and we would love to have you on board!

NAPLAN- Year 3 and 5 students 

NAPLAN is just around the corner, but I want to remind everyone not to stress about it. It’s important to remember that NAPLAN is simply a snapshot of your learning at one point in time—it’s not the be-all and end-all. It's not a test you can fail, and it certainly doesn't define who you are as a student or a person.

What NAPLAN does is give us some useful insights into where your strengths lie and where there may be areas for growth. It's just one tool among many that helps us understand how to support you in the best way possible. So, don’t worry if you’re feeling nervous. Take a deep breath, do your best, and know that it's just one part of your learning journey.

Focus on staying calm, and remember, it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You've got this, and no matter what, we’re all here to support you every step of the way.

The Blue Kangaroo

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with The Blue Kangaroo School, located in Uganda. This remarkable school is supported by Brian and his wife Jan, who reside here in Inglewood. Currently, 19 young students benefit from their ongoing commitment and support.

By supporting less advantaged students at The Blue Kangaroo, we not only contribute to the education of these children but also create meaningful opportunities for our own students. This partnership fosters a sense of global citizenship, empathy, and social responsibility. Engaging in this support helps our students develop a deeper understanding of diverse communities, encouraging them to appreciate the importance of giving and making a positive impact in the world.

Through this connection, our students will learn valuable lessons in kindness, resilience, and the power of education to change lives. Supporting those in need helps enrich our school community by nurturing a spirit of compassion and solidarity. Together, we are making a difference that will resonate far beyond our classrooms.

How our school is helping

As a school, our Junior School Council (JSC) is proud to support The Blue Kangaroo School through several meaningful initiatives. We will be purchasing ten soccer balls to help provide recreational opportunities for the students, as well as donating books and creating and supplying decodable readers to support their literacy development.

In addition, we will be organising a fundraising event to raise money for essential items such as underwear, shoes, and writing materials. These contributions will directly benefit the students of The Blue Kangaroo School, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive both academically and personally.

Through these efforts, we aim to build a lasting connection with The Blue Kangaroo School and demonstrate the power of community support in improving the lives of less advantaged students.

How you can help as a family

We are reaching out to our community for support in an important initiative to assist young teen girls in Uganda. In Uganda, access to sanitary products is limited, and many girls face challenges in managing their menstrual health. In response, we are organising a project to provide these girls with essential kits that include reusable sanitary products, underwear, soap, and face washers.

Here’s how you can help:

We are in need of donations, including soap (the small motel-sized bars would be ideal, but any soap is appreciated) and face washers (both new or gently used). Each kit costs approximately $15, so you can choose to donate the funds for one or more packs. Additionally, we urgently need volunteers who can help sew the reusable sanitary products for the kits. The goal is to make and distribute over 200 packs by June.

This is a direct project from Brian and Jan, and we want to assure you that 100% of the donations and funds raised will go directly to The Blue Kangaroo School.

If you are able to support in any way, whether through donations, sewing, or financial contributions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of these young girls. Your help is greatly appreciated(Brian and Jan)!

L4L

It’s great to see L4L is back! Spread the word. We welcome all preschool children in our community to attend. It is on every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. Our senior students will read a story and then complete an activity with the preschoolers.

Exciting times at IPS today as we held our JSC elections! I must say, I was very impressed with this year's Grade Six students, as 80 percent of them nominated themselves to become president. This really shows the leadership qualities we nurture and the ambitions our students want to achieve at IPS.

Unfortunately, there could only be one president, but our student body voted and elected the people they wanted in our main positions. They are as follows:

• Skyla – President
• Ruby – Vice President
• Mollie – Secretary
• Xave – Treasurer
• Jed – Vice Treasurer
• Adelle and Shelbie – Vice Presidents for any position that needs to be filled

It’s amazing that every single one of our Grade Six students nominated themselves for a position. How impressive!

We’re expecting big things this year, and I believe Skyla has promised an upgraded toilet block, so we’ll be looking forward to that in the coming months! Congratulations to all!