Principal's MessageDear parents/carers, We have had an incredible few weeks at Unanderra Public School. Our students have been shining, in so many ways! They have proudly represented our school in different extracurricular activities. We have enjoyed watching our dance troupe wow audiences at the IPAC with their brilliant performance about the circus. Miss Ryman and Mrs Bell have been working with this dance troupe for many months and we even had Mrs Venables (Mrs N Brennan’s mother) sewing costumes. The excitement and pride that each of these children had is certainly the best reward. Many teachers and the organisers from the South Coast Dance Festival commented on the outstanding behaviour of the students’ representing UPS. This makes the hard work and late nights even more worthwhile! A big thank you is extended to the families who have supported the teachers and encouraged their children during the long rehearsals and late night performances. Congratulations Mrs Bell and Miss Ryman and to the UPS dance troupe for achieving such success! Cross Country Achievements Recently many of our students participated in zone cross country following their impressive times from the school cross country. Although all the UPS competitors did very well, two students have now qualified to enter the state cross country which will be held in Sydney early next term. Amy and Matilda will be representing UPS after they came second and third respectively at the zone cross country. We are so proud of all UPS competitors and really excited for Amy and Matilda and look forward to hearing of the outcomes of their next competition. Congratulations and good luck!! PSSA Sporting Achievements Several team sports have represented our school recently in netball, touch football and soccer. This has involved parents driving children to these events and reorganising their days to support them at the game. The netball team, soccer team and the touch football proudly represented our school and managed to attract the attention of the organisers of the game, who commented on the respectful behaviour the children from UPS always showed. I cannot be prouder and wish our teams well moving forward into the next round of competitions. Thank you to Miss Nourie, Mr Hosler and Mr Synnott for the organisation and time you put into giving our children these opportunities. Athletics Carnival The athletics carnival organised by Miss Scruby (3-6) and Mr Synnott (K-2) and their teams was a great success. The weather was perfect, and the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed the day. Once again, the behaviour demonstrated by all our students was excellent and the support and encouragement they gave to on another was impressive. It was great to have so many families join us on this beautiful winter day and the cheers from the crowd made it that much more exciting. All students really tried their best and some even attempted activities that they may not normally have participated in. The staff are very proud of the students who participated respectfully and with great enthusiasm on this day and we can’t wait to do it all again next year! Multi- Cultural Speaking Competition A huge thank you and congratulations to the finalists who competed at Mt St Thomas Public School today. Mrs Brecely Di Noro was very impressed with the students and the way they prepared. We are all so proud of you! Preparing for Kindergarten-2024 Last Wednesday evening Mrs Natalee Brennan and I were fortunate to have visited our neighbours, Western Suburbs Pre-school. We shared with several pre-school parents’ what kindergarten looks like at Unanderra Public School and how we can support our children to best prepare for ‘big school’ It was a privilege to meet our new families and we look forward to welcoming them once again to the UPS Kindy Expo next Tuesday 20 June from 4pm and then again to Smart Start which begins in week 6 of term 3. The UPS kindergarten orientation will be held in the first three weeks of term 4. If you have a child who will be starting kindergarten in 2024 Unanderra Public School are taking enrolments now and further details and information can be obtained via our school website and/or at the school administration office. Semester One Reports As you may be aware your child will be receiving their semester one report at the end of this term This report aims to provide an accurate and objective assessment of the student’s progress and achievement. Each student report includes student attendance, participation in whole school activities, student’s social development and commitment to learning, and an explanation of the grade scale used, a report for each key learning area, the outcomes assessed and the A-E grades or word equivalent. Teachers use a variety of appropriate assessments for monitoring student learning, providing feedback and judging student achievement. They also collect and record assessment information to guide ongoing teaching and learning and monitor and evaluate student progress. We encourage families to spend time reading through the report with their child and take the opportunity to look at the progress made. Focusing on the ‘where to next’ and the effort made is also important and often can be a worthwhile conversation to have with your child. Please don’t hesitate to arrange to discuss the report with your child’s class teacher if you feel the need to do so. Stage Planning Days During weeks nine and ten the teachers will be working together to plan the teaching and learning opportunities for Term 3. In doing so. Teachers will be off class for the day and will remain at school. The teachers replacing the class teachers will be support teaching staff who are quite familiar to the students. This strategy for planning has been extremely effective and ensures that the teaching and learning program remains consistent. The class teachers will prepare the students for this day when the time comes. Coming Up
3/4DAB Class ItemIn 1M we have been learning about the significance of a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country while thinking about the Dharawal land we learn and play on everyday. The following movie is a snapshot of our learning, it includes our Acknowledgement to Country led by Kyen C., the smoking ceremony during Reconciliation week, Mrs Talbott telling us about the amazing murals that we have at our school and 1M in the yarning circle. We love going to the yarning circle to listen to all the different sounds and observe nature before discussing our gratitude for the natural world around us. Gold AssemblyReconciliation WeekIn Week 6 of this term, Unanderra Public School held several events and activities related to Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation Week is such an important event in the UPS calendar because everyone is committed to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, and promoting the importance of Aboriginal culture, knowledge and histories to all students. On Monday, our Aboriginal students and their friends walked to Figtree High School with Mr Scotland and Mr Hailstone to participate in a number of activities related to culture and knowledge. They had a blast! On Tuesday, all students from K-6 were a part of a Smoking Ceremony, a significant event conducted by Shane and Layne. The turnout was absolutely incredible with a number of families and community members attending. Afterwards, UPS held its annual Reconciliation Week Assembly. Significant moments in the assembly include: The Welcome Dance completed by some of our proud Aboriginal students, the Acknowledgement spoken in language, students expressing how they will promote reconciliation in their everyday lives, and finally, the singing of our national anthem in language. On Wednesday, all classes participated in a number of activities that related to Aboriginal culture, knowledges and histories. Some activities included traditional games, art, stories, and learning about the sustainability practices of the oldest living culture. Every student was engaged and eager to learn. On Friday, all students from K-6 participated in a HUGE call and response activity, linking to the 2023 Reconciliation Week theme: Be A Voice For Generations. All students created a large Yarning Circle in Area D. From there, the Aboriginal students started the call, and every other student responded. This was recorded via drone to capture the significance of this activity, and to share the event to the whole schooling community. This was an amazing sight to see. UPS students should be so proud of their respectful behaviours throughout the whole week! Please enjoy the photos taken throughout the UPS Reconciliation Week, and the call and response video. Regional Cross CountryCongratulations to Amy, Matilda and Isaac, James, Ryan, Madeline, Lucas, Sam, Parker, Freya and Lola who represented our school at the Regional Cross Country. We are proud of all students and this magnificent achievement. A fun day was had by all. Special mention goes to Amy and Matilda on their individual efforts to proceed to the next level at All Schools Cross Country. Amy was placed second and Matilda third in the senior girls age group. We wish them well for next term as they travel to Sydney to compete in the State Cross Country. PSSA Knockout CompetitionsOn Thursday 15th June students in Stage 3 headed to Beaton Park Soccer Fields to compete against Nareena Hills Public School. After an unfortunate forfeit by the opposition in Round 2, students were keen to play their first match in Round 3. The weather was fantastic, the students were keen, and the parents were excited when the students arrived for the match. The game unfortunately did not go as hoped with students losing to a very strong team in Nareena Hills PS. I commend both the students and parents for their attitudes and behaviour on the day. Thank you again to the parents for taking the time to give the students this opportunity. Mr Synnott On Wednesday 14 June a group of Stage 3 boys and girls attended the PSSA Knockout gala day for touch football in Albion Park. Both the boys and girls sides won their round 3 matches with the girls defeating Balarang PS 3-2 and the boys defeating Tullimbar PS 5-2. Both teams then met Kiama PS in the round 4 matches which unfortunately for us were both defeats. All students are to be congratulated for their efforts, encouragement and excellent behaviour on the day. Mr Hosler Dance FestivalUnanderra Public School’s Dance Troupe performed at the IPAC in the South Coast Dance Festival from the 14th to the 16th of June. The troupe presented their item title ‘Circus’ which captured the story of a young girl's dream to join the circus and showed the many characters found at the circus. The troupe consisted of students from years 2-6. The students were also showcased and interviewed by Win News on Wednesday night. These students have worked extremely hard to create their item over the last two terms and should be very proud of their efforts. Unanderra wish to congratulate the students, Mrs Bell and Miss Ryman for a fantastic 2023 Dance Festival item. School Holiday Fun!There are plenty of things to do at IPAC and Wollongong Town Hall during the School holidays. Kids aged 5 - 12 can jump into our popular Merrigong Creativity Camp (10 - 14 Jun) for a week of confidence-building drama games. Fans of Andy Griffith's book series will be over the moon when JUST - Live on Stage (14 - 15 Jul) finally comes to Wollongong with all the crazy, annoying, silly antics of Andy, Danny, and Lisa. And for preschool kids (and the young at heart), embark on a hilarious rocking musical extravaganza about working together and finding friendship in Hiccup! (Wed 19 Jul).
For more information and to book tickets, visit merrigong.com.au or call our Box Office on (02) 4224 5999.
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