ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TONGARRAnewsletter

Key dates

Don't Forget: Winter uniform must be worn day 1 of Term 2

Saturday, 9 April - Tuesday, 26 AprilSchool Holidays. Term 2 starts on Wednesday, 27 April.

Wednesday, 27 April Anzac Day Assembly, in the Tongarra Hall, at 8:50am

Friday, 29 April Kinder - Year 6 Interest and Experts Assembly, at 11:50am

Saturday, 30 April Working Bee, Years 9 & 10, at 1pm - 4pm

Tuesday, 3 MayYear 7 ' A Taste of High School' after-noon, at 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Thursday, 5 MayMother's Day Stall. Gifts Available for all students to buy.

Thursday, 5 MayCommunity Pit Firing Event

Thursday, 5 MayPrep - Year 4 Mother's Day activities - for mums and significant women in our students lives.

A message from Mrs BarnesVertical classes or multi-age grouping is one device used to organise classes and teaching programs. Prep - Year 2 staff have provided students with multi-age learning experiences for a number of years, through isolated activities such as literacy and sports mornings. Last year, the Kindy - Year 6 staff deliberately mixed students of various age groups to form the Interest and Expert Group classes. This initiative opened up opportunities for students, staff and the wider school community to teach and learn together. Our new school structure and relocation of classrooms has enabled this type of teaching and learning to extend into Kindy - Year 4 on a daily basis.

What was once recognised in research as a strategy to accommodate oversized classes or declining staff, is now acknowledged as a positive learning and teaching strategy. The Interest and Expert Groups verify this.

This year, Kindy - Year 4 teachers were intentional in their planning of multi-age classes to increase opportunities for reading practice for all Kindy - Year 4 students. The Kindy - Year 4 timetables are structured so that Kindy - Year 4 students participate in one vertical class for devotions and prayer and then break into multi-age groupings during the peer-reading program that runs Monday to Thursday mornings. This program is proving to have the benefits highlighted in more recent research, such as:•the removal of competition from the classroom and increased confidence for students;•the provision of a learning environment where children ‘have –a – go’;•older students demonstrating a willingness to help younger students, extending to feelings of importance and responsibility;•cooperation and positive relationship building;•older students become role models to younger students;•older students learn through the experience of assisting younger students; (extending their own skills or reviewing their own learning)

In our school setting we see even greater advantages for our students, as they learn what Kingdom living should look like during their vertical classroom experiences. That is, they learn to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as they work and play together, particularly learning to be patient, kind, loving and self-controlled.

Tongarra Campus Commemorates Anzac Day 2016

This year, Anzac Day falls in the school holidays. Our student leaders and staff will be taking time out of their break to attend the dawn services at Shellharbour and Albion Park. Our community is warmly invited to join them at these events. Details are as follows:

Shellharbour - Monday, 25 April at 7:30 am. Location: Shellharbour City Memorial, City Park, near the junction of Memorial Dr and Minga Ave (Student Council representatives: Liam B & Kara K with Mrs Knight)

Albion Park - Monday, 25 April at 4:30 am. Location: Albion Park RSL (School & Vice Captains: Sandy L & Eden W with Mr Hol)

Our annual Anzac Day assembly, will be held in the Tongarra Hall on Wednesday, 27 April at 8:50 am (first day of Term 2 for students). Once again, our school community are welcome to join us for this assembly.

TERM 1, 8 APRIL 2016

These things went home this week:

• Kinder - Year 6 Interest and Expert Groups Assembly

Posted home this week:

• Year 12 Semester 1 Reports

Check your child's bag

t. 02 4230 3700www.ics.nsw.edu.au

Tongarra Campus234 Calderwood Road, Albion Parktongarra@ics.nsw.edu.au

Member of

Winter Uniform Starts Term 2Term 2, means the start of the compulsory winter uniform. Please remember as your child will be expected to be in winter uniform from day 1 of term.

Photography workshops• The One Day Public Workshop:A one day on site workshop looking at Dee's majestic photos of God's creation. He will personally share the secrets to taking your own amazing shots. This is a public event and everyone is welcome.

Date: Saturday, 21 May

Start Time: 9:00am

Finish Time: 4:00pm

• Two day Student Excursion: Student and parent excursion around the region, taking landscape photographs on location with Dee Kramer

Parents of students from Years 5-12 at the Tongarra Campus will also be welcome to pay and attend.

Date: Thursday, 26 May and Friday, 27 May

Start Time: 5:30am start at ICS Tongarra Campus

Finish Time: 6:00pm at ICS Tongarra Campus

RSVP is by payment to the Campus Office for either workshop. This can be done over the phone.

Photography CompetitionWe are running an internal student photography competition for Years 5 - 12.

The prize winners will receive a 'ticket' to both the one day photography theory day (school hall on Saturday, 21 May - this event is open to the public for all ages), and the two day practical 'excursion' with Dee Kramer out and about, photographing at locations around the Shellharbour and Kiama regions.

School students who do not 'win' the competition can still go to both these events on a 'pay your own way' basis. Parents from Tongarra Campus are also invited attend this excursion.

TERM 1, 8 APRIL 2016

return the reply slip by Tuesday May 3 so food can be ordered for the BBQ. Stage 5 Art class will be able to sleepover. A note will soon come about this.

Below is a list of items our school community requires. We would appreciate if you are able to donate any of these:

• Dried out cow paddies

• Dried banana skins

Please put the items you wish to donate into a garbage bag clearly labelled and drop them off to the Art room at School.

Thank you, to all those who have already donated items.

Thank you,

Mrs Di Gillett, Art Teacher

Year 7 2017 'A Taste of High School' AfternoonTuesday, 3 May 12:30pm - 3:30pm Students will experience a sample of ICS secondary classes . Parents can attend an information session and meet the Principal.

Community Notices This is but, a small selection of notices. The community noticeboard is located outside E Block staff room and has a more comprehensive selection of notices and details, including items for sale and/or contacts for maths tutoring. This board is updated weekly, keep an eye on it for all community information.

• God’s Grommets Albion Park Uniting Church, for Primary School kids, every Friday 4 - 6pm. For fore info contact Scott Thomson Ph: 0423 521 767

• Australian Gifted Support Centre: Various events coming up in March & May. More info, contact Lyndal Reid on 0408 436 182 or E: lyndal@australiangiftedsupport.com

• NSW Gov - Office of Sport & Rec is running school holiday camps: Further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact: Julie-Anne Hawker Ph: 02 8754 7958 or E: julie-anne.hawker@sport.nsw.gov.au

• School Holiday Acting Workshops: 19 -21 April, at Screenwise Studios, Surry Hills to apply or find out more info visit the screenwise website or call (02) 9281 4484.

• Little Leonards Art studio: Has a large variety of school holiday art workshops. To see a list of workshops visit www.littleleonardos.com.au

Mother's DayGifts are needed now for the Mother's Day stall!Please send in gifts via your class teacher so that students can have their names marked as making a donation by Monday, 2 May. The wrapping and pricing of gifts for the Mother's Day Stall will occur on this day.

The Mother's Day stall will be on Wednesday, 4 May.

All Prep to Year 6 students will be able to purchase from the stall, however those students who bring donations for the stall will have first preference.

We rely on donations to make this stall profitable and make more money available for resources for our students. Please make every effort you can to support the stall and send a gift with your child.

ICS Alumni Do you know someone who has graduated or left ICS in the past few years?

We are requesting past students aka “Alumni” visit www.ics.nsw.edu.au/alumni - a new page created just for them. They can update their details and also be featured on the page with their success stories since leaving ICS. This is an exciting new venture, that will reconnect past students with ICS.

Working Bee DatesYears 9 & 10, 30 April, 1pm - 4pm.Each family is rostered to one working bee per year. The roster places you on your youngest child's class where possible. However, you may attend any working bee throughout the year. Further details will be sent home. All enquiries to Jill De La Torre, in the Campus Office.

Pit FiringThursday, May 5 (Week 2 of Term 2).

In order for Mrs Gillett to be able to bisque fire all the pots in time for the pit firing night, we need all pots returned no later than Wednesday, 27 April (first day back next term).

Students in Years 5 to 8 are able to attend the after school lighting of the pit, related activities and BBQ between 3:20pm and 6pm. A permission note will come home with your child. Please

4 April 2016

Re: Photography One Day Workshop with Dee Kramer - Capturing Creation Dear Parents/Guardians, All parents and members of the public, including students from year 5 upwards, are invited to attend an event hosted by Dee Kramer, A professional landscape photographer among the best in Australia. (Dee Kramer's website is www.deekramer.com) This is a one day, on site workshop looking at Dee's majestic photos of God's creation. Dee will personally share the secrets to taking your own amazing photos. This is a public event and everyone is welcome. Dee Kramer is a landscape and fine art photographer based in Albion Park. Through his lens, Dee aims to capture and share the beauty of creation. Over the past 15 years, Dee has built up a reputation as one of the Illawarra’s premier landscape photographers, with his iconic images gracing the walls of many businesses and private homes. Dee’s expertise is also highly sought after by tourism organisations throughout the state – his images feature in hugely successful campaigns such as, We Love the Gong (Destination Wollongong), Grand Pacific Drive, Discover Jervis Bay, Unspoilt (South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation) and much of the Destination Southern Highlands image library. This workshop includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. All attendees will also receive a USB stick containing images to work on during the post photography workshop sessions. The One Day Public Workshop Details: The one day public workshop will be run in the Tongarra Campus school hall. Location: 234 Calderwood Road, Calderwood (Albion Park) Date: Saturday, 21st May Start time: 9:00am Finish Time: 4:00pm

Required equipment: Notepaper and pen (or a digital equivalent). Laptop with free trial version of Adobe Photoshop installed (or a full version if you already have version CS 1 or later). (https://www.adobe.com/au/products/photoshop.html - see the Adobe Creative Cloud website for laptop requirements, however the laptop must also have a USB port. This trial software must be installed less than 30 days before the workshop, as the trial is a 30 day period.) Cost: $55. Please pay before Friday, 13th May, by contacting Illawarra Christian School on 4230 3700. Payment will be your RSVP of attendance. Yours sincerely,

Stephen Babbage, Deputy Principal

ENROL NOW FOR YEAR 7 2O17Tongarra Campus, 234 Calderwood Road, Albion Park Limited vacancies currently available in year 7, 2017.

ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Everything you need to know for your child starting at Illawarra Christian School:

• Meet the Principal

• Join us for a school tour

• See our classrooms and school facilities

• Learn about our programs

• Opportunities to ask lots of questions

RSVP and more information phone Linda Scherlowski 4230 3700

www.ics.nsw.edu.au

JOIN US FOR...

For all days, could students please wear their current school or sports uniform and bring a packed lunch - if they are from a school without a uniform, similar apparel including a hat can be worn.

RSVP and more information phone Linda Scherlowski – campus Registrar 4230 3700

YEAR 7 2017 OPEN DAY

Friday 11th March 1pm-3:30pm

Come for a tour, see our facilities and find out what ICS has

to offer. Parents and students welcome.

YEAR 7 ORIENTATION DAY

Tuesday 15th November 8:50am - 5pm

(parent information from 3:30pm) Enrolled students will

participate in the year 7 orientation program.

YEAR 7 2017

‘A TASTE OF HIGH SCHOOL’ AFTERNOON

Tuesday 3rd May 12:30pm-3:30pm

Students will experience a sample of ICS secondary classes.

Parents can attend a information session and meet the Principal.

YEAR 7 2017 TRIAL DAY

Tuesday 2nd August 8:50am-3:20pm

Students will meet their future classmates and experience a full

day as an ICS student.

Illawarra Christian School is a member of Christian Education National, educating students from Prep to Year 12 at two campuses:

Cordeaux Campus at Cordeaux Heights & Tongarra Campus at Albion ParkApplications are invited from committed Christians of reformed persuasion for the following position:

Prep/ Early Childhood Assistant(12 month maternity leave position - Tongarra)• EstablishedPreplocatedonsiteatICSTongarra• Monday,TuesdayandWednesdayduringtermtime(20hrs/wk)• MinimumCert3earlychildhoodqualificationsrequired• Dynamicandsupportedenvironmentinabeautifulruralsetting

Applications close: 4pm Friday 22nd April 2016

ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Applicationsmaybesubmittedeither:• inhardcopyto: TheOperationsManager Illawarra Christian School Business Centre POBox80,AlbionPark2527NSW

• orelectronicallyto: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au

For further enquiries please contact: Beth Ellerman (Operations Manager)

email: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 4230 3777

Process for Application:Theapplicationformandpositiondescriptionareavailableonourschoolwebsite. www.ics.nsw.edu.au/employment• Youmustcompletetheschool’sapplicationforminordertoapply.Please do not just

send a resume.• Pleaseincludeallotherdocumentslistedintheapplicationform, certified as true

copies by a J.P. Applications will not be considered if not complete.

It is an offence under the NSW Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for these positions.

Illawarra Christian School is a member of Christian Education National, educating students from Prep to Year 12 at two campuses:

Cordeaux Campus at Cordeaux Heights & Tongarra Campus at Albion ParkApplications are invited from committed Christians of reformed persuasion for the following position:

Learning Support/ Teacher’s Aide(permanent part time - Tongarra)• Musthaveexperienceinsupportingthelearningneedsofstudentsina

school environment.• Monday-Friday,schoolhoursduringtermtime(approx30hrs/wk).• MinimumCert3qualificationsineducationsupportorsimilar.• Dynamicandwellresourcedenvironmentinabeautifulruralsetting.

Applications close: 4pm Friday 29th April 2016

ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Applicationsmaybesubmittedeither:• inhardcopyto: TheOperationsManager Illawarra Christian School Business Centre POBox80,AlbionPark2527NSW

• orelectronicallyto: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au

For further enquiries please contact: Beth Ellerman (Operations Manager)

email: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 4230 3777

Process for Application:The application form and position description are available on our school website. www.ics.nsw.edu.au/employment• Youmustcompletetheschool’sapplicationforminordertoapply.Please do not just

send a resume.• Pleaseincludeallotherdocumentslistedintheapplicationform, certified as true

copies by a J.P. Applications will not be considered if not complete.

It is an offence under the NSW Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for these positions.

Illawarra Christian School is a member of Christian Education National, educating students from Prep to Year 12 at two campuses:

Cordeaux Campus at Cordeaux Heights & Tongarra Campus at Albion ParkApplications are invited from committed Christians of reformed persuasion for the following position:

Assistant to the Executive Principal• Fulltimeorjobshareposition• Workbetween2offices(owncaranddriverslicencerequired)• ExperienceasaPersonalorExecutiveAssistantessential• Marketing/communitydevelopmentexperiencedesirable• Positiondescriptionavailableonline

Applications close: 4pm Friday 6th May 2016

ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Applicationsmaybesubmittedeither:• inhardcopyto: TheOperationsManager Illawarra Christian School Business Centre POBox80,AlbionPark2527NSW

• orelectronicallyto: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au

For further enquiries please contact: Beth Ellerman (Operations Manager)

email: ellerman.beth@ics.nsw.edu.au Phone: 02 4230 3777

Process for Application:The application form and position description are available on our school website. www.ics.nsw.edu.au/employment• Youmustcompletetheschool’sapplicationforminordertoapply.Please do not just

send a resume.• Pleaseincludeallotherdocumentslistedintheapplicationform, certified as true

copies by a J.P. Applications will not be considered if not complete.

It is an offence under the NSW Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for these positions.