ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TONGARRAnewsletter

Key dates

PRAYER & PRAISE

Please check the website for updates throughout the year.

Tuesday, 23rd FebruaryPrimary CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival

Tuesday, 23rd FebruaryYears 9-12 Launch: Maximising RoSA & HSC

Wednesday, 24th FebruarySecondary CSSA Zone Swimming Carnival

Tuesday, 1st March (Please note this is an amended date from last week's Newsletter listing)P - 4 Dr. Seuss Day

Monday, 7th MarchPrimary CSSA State Swimming Carnival

Tuesday, 8th MarchK - 4 Parent Teacher Interviews(presentation of LaND profiles)

Tuesday, 15th MarchTongarra Annual Speaking Competition,Evening.

Tuesday, 22nd MarchYears 5 - 12 Pastoral Care Interviews

Thursday, 31st MarchP-2 Responsible Pet Ownership Visit

A message from Dr BertramWe have been enjoying some wonderful community activities in the first few weeks of this year: our Dedication Assembly, P-4 launch, Yrs 5 & 6 Open House and the first P&F meeting for the year. Last week, we combined with Cordeaux campus for two days of competitive swimming. Students enjoyed the atmosphere generated by the larger carnivals, as well as the friendly competitiveness between the five ICS houses. It was an added bonus that Tongarra’s Yallah house won the secondary carnival and came second at the primary carnival. Congratulations to these students, in particular, and congratula-tions to all students and parents for making these two days a great success.

Community is something so foundational to our school, that it is important to reflect on what it means. A community is formed by like-minded people. They find the things they have in common with one another creating strong bonds, and these bonds provide a sense of communal purpose and direction to actions. As a school community, we hold a number of things in common with one another. We are united by our Christian faith. We are working together in the educational sphere. We are striving to nurture and grow children and young people to be adults, who love and know the Lord and who will be a blessing to others. In summary, what we have in common is God, children and educa-tion.

We are an organisation, as well as a community united in the delivery of a Christian education for your children and young people. Both organisations and communities need the ongoing commitment of people. Our campus needs you to be involved, so that we can fulfil our purpose of bringing God, children and education together.

Some of the ways you can help build our community are by volunteering, participating, engaging and praying. There are many opportunities for doing these things – attend information forums, visit the Green Room with some parents from your child’s class, become part of the monthly prayer group, get involved in the new Tongarra Parents & Friends activities, become an Association or Board member, share your trade skills by assisting Greg Cleall with a project around the grounds, become a Class Coordinator, help out in the Learning Hub, encourage other families to join our school, welcome new families by inviting them to an activity, get involved with fundraising projects and the weekly pie day. We are always very thankful for the support and help so many of our families contribute every year. As we start a new school year together, I wish to thank you in advance for being a community that is willing to volunteer, participate, engage and pray.

But the Lord stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him my persecutors will stumble. They cannot defeat me. Jeremiah 20:11a

Pray for God to ignite a fire in our hearts that we may burn brightly for Him. That when we face life’s inevitable challenges we will have His almighty strength to be able to rise up from ashes and keep on burning as a loving light to all within our community.Give thanks for the diverse range of activities going on around the school to support different gifts of our children. Pray particularly for the children are going to zone swimming carnivals, that they will have a safe, successful and enjoyable day at the upcoming carnivals. Pray for the children to know whole heartedly, that they are all special to Him, made uniquely in His image and according to his plan. Your child may have made a coil pot from clay. This is a good opportunity to pray with them and teach them how God is like the potter and we are the clay. He has created us all as He saw fit to suit the work of his hand. - “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8Pray for Mr Grahame Bertram who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Pray that he will have a speedy recovery and will not become too bored at home. Pray also, for Mr Jonathan Turk who is covering Mr Bertram's classes.

TERM 1 WEEK 4• 19TH FEBRUARY 2016

These things went home this week:• Participation in the Jump Rope

for Heart inter-schools skippingdemonstration.

• Reminder of Unifom Requirements forparents of Years 9-12 students.

• UOW Healthy lifestyle program forPreschool-Aged childern.

• Year 7 Immunisation InformationPacks

Please note:• Pies/Sausage Rolls Food Day is

Thursday• Food Day has commenced and is

Thursday.

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

Reminder: Parking at TongarraParking at Tongarra is rear to kerb in all carparks.

2016 Working Bee DatesYears 11 & 12 - 5 March, 2016Years 9 & 10 - 30 April, 2016Years 7 & 8 - 4 June, 2016Years 5 & 6 - 30 July, 2016Years 3 & 4 - 10 September, 2016Years 1 & 2 - 22 October, 2016Kindy & Prep - 3 December, 2016

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.

Assemblies on FridaysParent/Guardians are invited to join us for our campus assemblies which will be on Friday mornings this year.

Invitation to Participate in a UOW Early Childhood Research StudyThe Early Start Research Institute at the University of Wollongong is conducting an important study relating to healthy lifestyles and the impact of decisions made in early years have on the development of these lifestyles. The researchers are looking for families with pre-school children, who may be interested in being part of this study. Information flyers and “how to become involved” details are available from Mrs Oliver in Prep.

Pi Day CelebrationsYears 5 - 8 will be undertaking activities to celebrate Pi Day on Monday, 14 March from period 4 to 6. Parents are invited to join in the activities. More details will follow.

Community Notices Friendly Reminder: More information about all community notices can be found on our Community Announcements noticeboard - outside E Block.• Southern Youth & Family Services

-“Circle of Security:” Free 8 week program. Commencing on the 17 of Feb.

• Cancer Council Relay for Life: on the 27 & 28 Feb 2016. To register participate or donate call 4223 0200.

• Illawarra Memory Walk & Jog: on Sun 28 Feb 2016, Stuart Park, for more info call 02 8875 4626 or visit the website: www.memorywalk.com.au

• Football South Coast: Registrations are now open for junior boys and girls. For more info visit the webpage: www.footballsouthcoast.com or contact Debbie Hoyn on Ph: 4285 6929 or via email: admin@footballsouthcoast.com

• Maths Tutoring (for Years 2-8): Contact Melissa Hansen on 0423 012 652 or 4256 2394 for enquiries.

• Car for sale: Needs to be SOLD ASAP. See Community Noticeboard for details and photos.

• Kiama Community College Inc: More info please contact either Kiama Campus on 02 4232 1050 or the Shoalhaven Campus on 02 4423 0351 Visit the website: www.kcc.nsw.edu.au

• Workshops at Headspace Wollongong: on the Myths & Facts of Cannabis. Youth workshop - Monday, 7 March, 3.30pm - 5.30pm. Book via: www.trybooking.com/KHUJ More info contact Donna on 4254 2700.

• Extend – Before & After School Care: is looking for an assistant for full application details contact the Extend Head Office on: 1300 366 437

• Free Kids Dental Benefits: Govern- ment updates on child dental benefits may mean you are eligible for accessing a further $1,000 of child dental benefits to be used over 2 years. More information visit pacificsmilesdental.com.au

• Albion Park Show Society, Debutante Ball: Enquiries phone Diane McParland 4236 0403 / 0427 360 403 or Lexie Mayo 4256 2112 by 4 March, 2016.

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

TERM 1 WEEK 4 • 19TH FEBRUARY 2016

Learning ClubThe Learning Club started on Wednesday, 17 February in the Learning Hub from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. The Learning Club is a place for your child to develop sound and positive habits for studying. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Campus Office to book a time to discuss these matters with Mrs Batten.

Annual Speaking CompetitionStudents in Years 7 to 10 were issued with an information sheet regarding preparation of their first English assessment task. It is a formal speech which is to be presented in front of their class in Week 6. Our Tongarra Annual Speaking Competition is on Tuesday, 15 March, at 6:30pm to 9pm. The night has proven to be entertaining as our students present their views about the world.

Uniform Shop HoursOpening hours: Term 1 - Monday and Wednesday 8:30am - 10:30am. To book a fitting or order uniforms online, please register at www.alintaapparel.com.au

Second Hand Uniform Shop HoursOpening hours: Term 1 - Thursday 8:30am - 10am. Please contact the Campus Office with any further enquiries.

Staff NewsMr Bertram will be on leave for 3 weeks, from Monday, 15th February, due to having shoulder surgery. Mr Turk will be covering for Mr Bertram during this time. Mr Turk is a qualified TAS teacher and has also previously been a Aeronautical Engineer. Please make him feel welcomed to our school community.

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 ParkExpressions of interest are invited from committed Christians of reformed persuasion for the following position:

Assistant to the Executive Principal• Fulltime• Workbetween2offices(owncaranddriverslicencerequired)• ExperienceasaPersonalAssistantorExecutiveAssistantessential• Positiondescriptionavailableonline

Applications close: 4pm Monday 22nd February 2016

ILLAWARRA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Applicationsmaybesubmittedeither:• inhardcopyto:

The Operations Manager 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.Applicationswillnotbeconsideredifnotcomplete.

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.