LPS eNews

17 March 2022


Principal's Message

Thankyou to the parents who attended our recent Engagement and Wellbeing meeting to celebrate our School Performance Report. Our Leadership Team, including Jo Braden, Jacqui Purcell, Kelli Simmons, Glenda Kelly, Mandy Ryan and Narelle Sime presented a comprehensive insight into the programs and initiatives we have in place and our future focus areas for 2022.
 
Laburnum Primary has been invited to participate in a curriculum project as part of a partnership with Monash University, exploring a creative approach to supporting problem solving in Mathematics. Staff are looking forward to working with the Monash University team to plan and implement a Conceptual PlayWorld to support STEM (with a special focus on numeracy). All classes across the school will become involved in this project.

On Tuesday's Student-free Day, our teachers had the privilege again of working with renowned Literacy expert Vivian Arbaci. Focusing on the Reading instructional model, we dug deeper into previous professional learning. Viv focused on the structure of a Reading lesson and addressed the teaching of fluency, and Read aloud/Think aloud's using non fiction and fiction texts. She also reviewed running records analysis to plan and teach visual strategies and goal setting during conferences. 

We look forward to Viv returning during the year to work further with PLC teams across the school. 

As a result of recent School Council elections, we congratulate our new or re-elected school councillors: 

Parents
  • Kate Ashdown
  • Gaurav Bhutani
  • Sonya Poonian
  • Georgina Raudon
and DET employees
  • Kathy Verbi

As the election results have now been declared, the 2022 Council begins its term tomorrow.

School Council holds its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 26 April at 7 pm, followed by the first meeting of the new Council. At the Annual General Meeting, School Council office holders are determined and the Annual Report is presented. If you would like to attend the A.G.M., please email the school for Webex details.


A full list of councillors will be published after that meeting and uploaded to our School Council website page.

Finally, next week we farewell Liv Mahon as she begins maternity leave and we wish her all the best at this exciting time. We welcome Mrs Ruth Field who will replace Liv in 4M. 


Is your child beginning Prep next year? 
As local network schools have a new Prep Transition agreement and timeline, we invite families to enrol their 2023 Prep child. To ensure places for our neighbourhood families, please visit our website Enrolments page for all the necessary documents and the 2022-23 Prep Transition Calendar. We aim to finalise Prep enrolments by the end of May.


Kathy Verbi

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute



What's Happening?

from the Assistant Principal, Jo


Friday 18 March is a day that will see our school awash with bright colours to acknowledge and celebrate the National Day of Action Against Bullying with a free dress day. This day reflects our school value of Respect and is one we are all looking forward to celebrating together through acts of kindness.

This week has been an exciting one for two of our Year 5 classes who undertook the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) field trial. This trial will inform the rollout of the 2023 TIMMS formal administration in 600 schools across the country. The incredibly positive feedback from the ACER quality control representative reinforced how proud we are of these upcoming 2023 student leaders. Well done, 5A and 5S!

Formal NAPLAN testing for Year 3 and Year 5 students is scheduled for May this year. To scaffold the transition into an online format, these students will be involved in a statewide Coordinated Practice Testing (CPT) day next Thursday 24 March. Today, Years 3 and 5 parents have received additional information via email, outlining the CPT requirements as well as the formal NAPLAN window.

We are pleased to welcome back our Second-hand Uniform Shop parent helpers in the coming fortnight. Please find additional information on the Contribute - Parents Group eNews page.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute



Student Leaders

Peer Mediation Training

On Friday 11 March, twenty-five Year 5 students took part in Peer Mediation training with Kristy from Restorative Pathways.

The students took part in a fun and interactive workshop, learning skills to support their younger peers in the playground. Some of the topics covered included; empathic listening, paraphrasing what someone has said, negotiating, compromising and helping others to be calm.

We are very proud of our Peer Mediators who all made fantastic contributions on the day through whole group, partner and individual reflections. We look forward to our Year 5 Peer Mediators being out in the playground, supporting students to have restorative conversations and solve problems.

Our Peer Mediators will receive their badges during Webex Assembly on Friday 18th March.

 

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute 



Thrive

from Narelle Sime, Leading Teacher - Wellbeing


National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

The 2022 National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence will be marked at LPS on Friday 18 March.

This key initiative from Bullying. No way! supports students to understand what bullying is, how to respond and how to seek help.

The theme this year is ‘Kindness Culture’ and to mark this, all students are invited to dress in bright/rainbow colours as a way to show kindness and inclusivity at LPS. Throughout the day, classes will be taking part in a range of classroom activities which celebrate the kindness culture at LPS.

Our Wellbeing Captains, Chloe and Nicola have been involved in the organisation of the day. Well done!

(Please note, face masks to be worn as per school guidelines)

For more information, click here.

For families who are new to the school, the LPS Bullying Prevention Policy can be found on our website here.

As kindness and respect also apply online, we remind parents about the useful resources on our Technologies page here, including sites with age requirements and information about online apps and programs.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute



Prep

The Preps have begun our Phonological Awareness program (which is continued in subsequent years). We have been learning about some letters and the sounds they make.

The letters we have learnt so far are:

Ss   Aa   Tt   Bb   Pp   Ee   Nn   Oo

Every time we learn a new letter, we think of lots of words that start with that sound. We also learn the cued articulation for each sound. This is the action that goes with the sound.

To make our fingers stronger, we use fine motor skills to make a craft about the letter. For example, we made a pizza for the letter p.

For our language experience last week we played in the sandpit. We have explored vocabulary about our experience and read books about the beach. We are starting to use our sounds when we write. For example, sand starts with the sound /s/ and bucket starts with /b/.

   


Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience



Senior School - Years 5 & 6

Year 5

Year 5 students have begun using Google Classroom as another way to promote student interactions with their teachers and peers.

Students have been using the platform to foster research, typing and technology skills. They have published narratives, creative Maths tasks and inquiry learning about our Three Levels of Government. The Year 5 teachers have also been utilising the platform to distribute and collect some assignments, as well as videos, websites, PDFs and student work in our Civics and Citizenship focus.

LPS continues to use technologies to enhance learning and collaboration, whilst promoting the importance of eSafety.

  


Year 6

In inquiry this term Year 6 are learning about Civics and Citizenship. The students have been using role-play to explore how federal Parliament works and to understand how law making is passed through the House of Representatives. During these parliamentary debates, ideas have been tested, challenged, refined and ultimately accepted or rejected. A favourite law debated across the classes was, ‘Should the voting age in Australia be lowered to 16?'

In Science this term we are learning about marvellous micro-organisms. We conducted an experiment to find out what happens when combinations of yeast, sugar and water are mixed. We predicted a range of different outcomes. The final observation was that a test tube containing all three ingredients made the balloon fill up with air.

We are also proudly wearing our newly presented Year 6 and leadership badges around the school.





Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience



Specialists

From Wendy Keogh, Teacher-Librarian


       
In the library, we have been learning the importance of reading picture story books from Prep to Year 6 and beyond. Picture story books often offer beautiful illustrations, captivating stories and subtle lessons. For senior students, some complex themes and messages can be explored through picture story books.

Although we encourage students to read all types of picture story books, we have discussed components including vocabulary, theme and detail of illustrations that help us determine why some picture story books are targeted at senior readers.

We have also learnt that many picture story book authors are also illustrators (how clever to be able to write the words and draw the pictures!!)

Fun fact: If there is only one name on the front cover of a book, that usually means the author is also the illustrator.

Students in the Junior School have been focusing on these picture story book author/illustrators:

Lynley Dodd, Nick Bland, Peter Reynolds and Leigh Hobbs.

       
        

Senior students have been focusing on the picture story book author/illustrators:

Colin Thompson, Lance Balchin and Shaun Tan. 

    

       

Library bags

We are encouraging all students to bring a clearly labelled water proof library bag to their library session. A library bag protects books and keeps them safe and separate from other belongings, which in turn means the books last a little longer.


Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience



Contribute: Parents Group & Community News

Parents Group News:


Class lists

We still have several families that are not on our class lists and communications have started going out to classes from our representatives. If you would like to ensure you don’t miss out on communications from us about upcoming community events/fundraisers, as well as important information from your child's teacher, please ensure you are on our class list by emailing parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com.

Easter Raffle – here again!!

Our annual Easter Raffle is here again! Raffle tickets have started to be sent home with students so make sure they deliver them to you. Money raised from the raffle will go towards funding the next priority project for the school.



Would you like to be involved in the school?

If you would like to be more involved in the school community, we invite you to come along to our next Parents Group meeting. We are a friendly and supportive group that focus on fundraising and community events that in the past have included the Colour Run, Mother’s Day stall, Father’s Day breakfast, the Fete & Barefoot Bowls (just to name a few!). Past fundraising efforts have helped provide great facilities such as the Laburnum Lab. We'd love new members to join and there is no expectation as to how much time you spend assisting on activities.

Join a fantastic group of parents committed to ensuring Laburnum is not just a school, but a community. For more information please email Vicky at parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com

LABURNUM PRIMARY SCHOOL SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP

OPEN

First Friday of the Month
commencing Friday 1 April 

Term Time Only:

2.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Please enter the school grounds via Janet Street. Proceed straight to the Uniform Shop, near the Performing Arts Centre.

All visitors to the school must show proof of vaccination and wear a well-fitted mask please. 

Thank you,
Clarissa, Liz, Lucinda and Kate

 Cash transactions only
All items are $5 (including jackets and jumpers).
 
All monies go to the school to support our students.

ALL DONATIONS VERY WELCOME
We accept donations of pre-loved uniforms
Please continue to phone the school and speak with one of the office staff if you have uniforms to donate

Please ensure donations are washed, clean and in good condition. Only school branded clothing (i.e. no Target, Kmart, Big W, etc. brands).

nds).



_____________________________________________________________

The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you have a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible. There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

Payment amounts this year are $125 for eligible primary school students. Payments are made direct to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions and sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for CSEF through our school last year, you do not need to complete an application form this year, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. Changes in family circumstances can include: a change of name/card details or a new student has started from the family.

If you would like to apply for the first time, please visit our website and download a form. This link has information regarding the program including eligibility, and information translated into Mandarin. A writable pdf is available for parents/carers.

If you have any questions, please email the office and return completed forms to the office as soon as possible.


Click on these links  below for Community News or information:

                     

                                      


OSHClub
- please register your child - it's free to register and you'll always have that option for childcare, even in unexpected circumstances.

OSHClub Vacation Care - Click here to view the Vacation Care program.


 

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute 



Explaining scary world events to our children

From Parenting Ideas

Almost exactly two years ago our world changed in incomprehensible ways. It was supposed to be a couple of weeks. A month at most. We just had to isolate at home. Flatten the curve. Protect the vulnerable.

It meant working from home unless we were essential workers. It also meant school was at home. But it was an adventure. A reset. A chance to change things up and focus on what matters most; to help make a difference for our communities.

But despite a few bright patches where it really was good and our hope was high, it was also often bad. Our two most populous states endured the worldʼs longest lockdowns. The borders stayed closed, keeping loved ones separated.

It was a year of stuttering Zoom calls and classes, quarantine, mask mandates, vaccinations, protests, and for many parents and families, hellish challenges to balance all that family, work, and government restrictions required.

As 2022 commenced, QLD held students back from school for two extra weeks to encourage vaccinations. NSW and VIC required all students to be tested for COVID using at-home testing kits twice per week. It felt like COVID parenting was about to become more overwhelming than we could manage.

Now, barely into March, our lives are bombarded with stories – and for some,the reality – of flood waters inundating homes and lives being lost. And a conflict in Eastern Europe that many fear will become a war has begun.

Itʼs enough to leave parents reeling. Except that many parents are already stressed out, burned out, and tired out. Parents have done all they can to hold things together. The difficulty – the unfairness of it all – is that we must keep on keeping on. Our children are relying on us.

What our children need right now
Our children need the world to feel safe and secure. The more they feel this, the more they can explore life with confidence, look to the future with hope, and find a meaningful way forward. And whether we are feeling it or not, itʼs up to us to provide them that safety and security. If not, the unpredictable nature of life can consume them with anxiety, fear, apprehension, and worry.

More information is not reassuring
Ever notice that getting more information does not reduce your worries and fears? Scrolling your news feeds doesnʼt offer reassurance. Itʼs the same with your children. They donʼt need lots of information. They need to feel safe. And what we do makes a difference.

Kids are anxious. Here are 5 ways to help


1. Tune out media

Social media algorithms are designed to push more and more of what we see in our direction. The more you and your children watch these events occur online, the more theyʼll appear. Keep bad news away from your children – especially younger children – as much as possible.

2. Remember that emotions are contagious
If you are feeling emotional or overwhelmed, your child will sense it – and catch it. Taking a deep breath, and keeping level and stable will help you respond gently and patiently to your child.

3. If itʼs mentionable, itʼs manageable

Rather than asking your child “Are you ok?”, say what you see. “Gee, you look pretty worried about things. Whatʼs on your mind?” Perhaps you could say, “I noticed you were pretty affected by that horrible news. Itʼs hard to hear isnʼt it.”

4. Side by side conversations

Rather than sitting face-to-face, talk with your children about their questions and concerns while side-by-side. Perhaps itʼs a car ride, beside their bed at night, or while youʼre doing an activity together. Side-by-side conversations feel less threatening.

5. Donʼt turn on the fire hose
When someone is thirsty, we donʼt put their face in front of the fire hose. We give them a glass of water. Itʼs the same with our kids. Most of the time, they donʼt want to (or canʼt) understand the magnitude of the bad news or even why it happened (if thereʼs a reason at all). When you answer their questions, keep it simple, invite more questions, and answer the best you can. Kindness and gentle reassurance that you “get it” is typically enough.

In closing
Most of the time the world is a fabulous, beautiful place, but scary things happen from time to time. When they do, remind your child that this is unusual, which is why itʼs in the news. As Rebecca Solnit eloquently described in her book, A Paradise Built in Hell, “Horrible in itself, disaster is sometimes a door back into paradise, the paradise at least in which we are who we hope to be, do the work we desire, and are each our sisterʼs and brotherʼs keeper.”

As this latest bad news strikes, letʼs notice that there are usually more people moving towards the disaster areas to help than there are leaving it due to stress and duress. Letʼs see the good, be part of it, and give our children hope for a better world.


Dr Justin Coulson
Dr Justin Coulson helps families be happier. His Goalcast and TEDx positive parenting videos have been viewed by more than 80 million people. He is the author of 6 parenting books and the cohost and parenting expert on Channel 9ʼs Parental Guidance. He hosts Australiaʼs #1 podcast for parents: Dr Justin Coulsonʼs Happy Families. Justin and his wife, Kylie, are the parents of 6 daughters.