LPS eNews
3 November, 2022
Principal's Message
As a great way to mark the end of 2022 and celebrate wellbeing, we encourage all families to support the upcoming Slime Fun Run, organised by Parents Group. Only two weeks until this fun day!
LPS teachers had two days of very valuable Professional Learning last week.
On Thursday's Professional Practice Day, each PLC team worked on an area of our Strategic Plan that was relevant to their cohort. Teams shared a highlight of their day with the rest of the staff, with these including Mathematics, Assessment Trackers, student voice in inquiry, analysis of phonological awareness, EAL planning and Spelling.
On Friday's student-free day, Literacy expert Viv Arbaci led a highly engaging day. We reviewed the small group Reading strategies that have been strengthened throughout this year: Language Experience, Shared Reading, Guided Reading, Strategy Groups, Reciprocal Reading and Book Clubs.
Viv then led teachers through a new process for teaching vocabulary, with teams incorporating this into planning their Literacy block. Our Specialist teachers, who continue to work with small groups of students who have English as an Additional Language, will also use this in their EAL planning.
Vocabulary refers to the words we must know and understand to read effectively, and it is an important key to reading comprehension. As students learn to read increasingly sophisticated texts, they must learn the meaning of new words that are not part of their spoken language. The outcome of this day was implementing a consistent approach to this important element of Reading.
Next Tuesday's Education sub-committee will offer an opportunity for interested parents and carers to view a summary of our 2022 School Review process, with an emphasis on engagement. This 7pm meeting will be held via Webex. If interested, please send an email to the school and you will be provided with a link to join.
Kim
Our Vision: Learn • Thrive • Contribute
What's Happening?
We are excited to announce that, as of Friday 11 November, we are recommencing our whole school assemblies in the school hall and inviting our parent community to join us for scheduled assemblies on Friday afternoon at 2.45pm (see our Event Calendar to confirm assembly dates).
As we have been unable to meet in such large numbers for almost three years (!) we thought it timely to remind or introduce our LPS Assembly Etiquette to you all.
- Student awards - if your child is receiving a Student of the Week award, the classroom teacher will try to contact you the day prior to advise you of this.
- Assembly starts promptly at 2.45pm and will generally conclude by 3.15pm to allow students to return to their classrooms prior to the 3.30pm dismissal bell.
- Parents are reminded not to take photos or film during the assembly, as per our Photography and Filming policy.
- Parents are asked to model respectful behaviours to our students, such as active listening and turning phones to silent, at all times during the assembly.
- Students will be in allocated class seating areas and parents are requested to seat themselves at the rear of the hall.
Our 2022 LPS Student Leaders are looking forward to presenting their first face to face assembly, so please support them as they do so.
We are looking forward to the Slime Spectacular School Run 4 Fun on Friday 18 November. A reminder that students will need to bring an old t-shirt, preferably white, to wear during the slime run. Students can start bringing a named t-shirt to be collected by their classroom teacher from next week.
Parents are welcome to attend.
Approximate running times:
1.15 Year 4 1.30 Year 6
Beef & Vegie sausages will be available for all to purchase for $2.00 each.
Parents Group will be donating Icy Poles/Quelch sticks.
Year 6 Graduation planning is continuing to move full steam ahead with theme mood boards, depicting a range of wonderful design ideas and creating an invaluable platform for student voice. Rainbows, Super Mario, beach themes and so much more have been put forward to their Year 6 peers as possible 2022 themes...we won't spoil the surprise by revealing all now!
Stay tuned for further information...
Our Vision: Learn • Thrive • Contribute
Prep
If there is a Prep student in your household, you have probably heard them buzz (or moo…or quack) about our recent excursion to Chesterfield Farm.
Our day was filled with lots of learning activities where we had the opportunity to practise our oral language skills, describing the animals we saw, including what they looked like, the sounds they made, and what their fur or wool felt like.
We fed the animals, making sure to keep our hands flat. We noticed that the animals’ tongues felt rough and it tickled our skin! We fed llamas, alpacas, sheep, horses, deer, and a camel.
When it was time to visit the nursery we made sure we were really quiet and calm so that we wouldn’t scare the baby animals. We loved petting the bunnies, goats, lambs, and calf. One fact we learned here was that the farm has guard dogs who sleep during the day because they spend their nights working hard to look after the other animals.
We were very excited when we were taken on a tour of the farm because our cart was pulled along by a tractor! The Farmers drove us around the outside of the paddocks and told us lots of interesting facts about the animals.
Each Farmer took a group throughout the day to look closely at some of the products from the farm, including wool and eggs. We couldn’t believe how big an Ostrich egg could be!
We loved our trip to the farm and it gave us a lot to talk and write about in our literacy program. Thank you to all the parent helpers and farmers at Chesterfield for helping the day run smoothly 
Curiosity • Respect • Integrity • Resilience
Senior School - Years 5 & 6
Year 5
Over the past few weeks Year 5 has been focusing on fractions, decimals and percentages.
We began by looking at the way numbers can be represented in different forms so that the students could better understand fractions. We did this by investigating where we see or have heard about fractions occurring in the real world. The students then compared and ordered proper, improper and mixed fractions using number lines.
The Year 5 cohort then looked at simplifying and finding their equivalents in order to more efficiently add, subtract and multiply fractions.
Next the students focussed on the conversion of fractions into decimals and percentages as another way to represent numbers and data.
This work has culminated in our study of probability and chance. The students have showcased this knowledge by producing chance board games which use all they have learned on fractions, decimals, percentages and probability to create questions within their games.
Year 6
Wondering how to make your home more sustainable? Or maybe what a sustainable school should include? The Year 6 Students have these answers for you!
They have been learning to create an effective information report to entertain and educate their audiences about sustainability. They have chosen to produce different information texts for different audiences by including the appropriate information, structure and language features to engage each audience target. Some of the examples included; podcast, tv series, news report, graphic novel, comic, infographic posters and even a rap!
Curiosity • Respect • Integrity • Resilience
Specialists: PE
Prep - 2:
This term during PE, the Prep - 2 students have been learning about Punting and the Overarm Throw.
The children have been using these skills in a variety of modified games and activities in PE, designed for maximum participation and engagement.
Years 3 - 6:
This term during PE, the Years 3 – 6 students have continued learning about ‘Invasion Games’, consolidating on the skills learnt in Term 3 and extending their skills through minor games, such as multi sports and basketball. The students have also begun learning about ‘Target Games’, with an emphasis on sports such as bowling, bocce, snooker and a range of modified target games.
Division and Regional Athletics Carnival
A huge congratulations to all the students who have gone on to compete at the Division and Regional Athletics Carnivals this term. All our athletes competed with the Laburnum values of Resilience and Respect, with many achieving personal best results. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who were involved and for all their support.
AFL Victoria
In Term 3, the PE department applied for a grant initiated through AFL Victoria to obtain funding to have 50% of the cost of our school football jumpers paid for. With the successful application, we have been able to purchase a set of 25 AFL jumpers that will be used by our Year 6 students next year who select to play AFL during their Winter Sports round robin.
Game on Recycling
Earlier this semester, the PE department recycled 19.5kgs of sporting equipment to the ‘Game on Recycling’ program, with the aim of creating a national recycling scheme for sporting equipment. That means, rather than sports equipment being thrown into landfills, tennis balls, basketballs, snowsports and many other types of equipment will be recycled.
Each piece of equipment that is recycled goes to saving our environment. When it comes to sustainability, we have a great opportunity to change the game and create a better future.
As a result of our contribution, we received a $100 voucher for the school to use at the Wilson Sports store. With the voucher, we have purchased 8 pairs of soccer shin guards that will be used next year with our Year 6 students who select to play soccer during their Winter Sports round robin.
Curiosity • Respect • Integrity • Resilience
Contribute: Parents Group & Community News
Parents Group News
Slime Fun Run – has your child set up their profile?
Just 2 weeks to go until the School Slime Colour Fun Run on Friday 18th November and we need to be raising funds as hard as we can!
Have you gone online yet and created a profile page for your child? Have you sent the link to people you know to help spread the word?
This fundraiser is Laburnum Primary School’s MAJOR FUNDRAISER for the year organized by Parents Group, with funds raised going to the upgrade of the school playgrounds, so we need to give it our all.
The more funds raised the larger the benefit will be for the kids at our school now and the kids who will be here in the future.
It is via the hard work and fundraising of our current families and previous families that we have the wonderful school that we have, let’s continue this legacy and be part of our school’s future.
PLEASE help your child or children to create a profile, raise some money and make a difference.
To get started, head to: https://www.plantadifference.com.au/
Your child will now have received their sponsorship booklet which outlines the log in details for their page. They/you can then share a link to this page for sponsors to donate to. Upon setting up their page your child has the option for every $20 raised to go towards planting a tree in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor or a piece of Coral in the Great Barrier Reef!
The highest fundraisers in Australia can win a Razor prize pack valued at $3,000 and for those that raise $50 or more then go into the draw to win a Great Barrier Reef Holiday!
Cash donations for the Slime Run can be paid to the office.
Some info regarding the day:
- Students need to wear a t-shirt (preferably white)
- Each child receives a FREE pair of Sunglasses and Coloured Headband on the day
- Each year level will receive 10 mins to complete the course (and be slimed!) as many times as they like
- BBQ sausages will be available on the day at $2 each
- Each student receives a FREE Quelch ice stick at the end of the day
Narelle Vais from Parents Group is organizing this major fundraiser. For any questions, feel free to reach out on parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com
The day is gearing up to be an exciting day for all and we thank you for your support in the lead up and on the day!
Gingerbread House Kit Fundraiser
Last chance to order your gingerbread house kit as order close tomorrow, Friday 4th of November! These are a great family-oriented Christmas activity – keep and enjoy, or give as a gift, all while supporting our school!
For more info and to place your order, head to: https://www.trybooking.com/CDEUJ
Election Day – Save the Date!
The State election is fast approaching on Saturday November 26th, and it won’t be long until we will be calling out for cake bakers for the cake stall. Please save the date as we will need many helpers on the day for both the cake stall and the BBQ!
Mangoes Update
Thanks to everyone who placed an order for a tray of mangoes. We are awaiting confirmation of the delivery date from the mango supplier and will send an email out as soon as we hear.
LABURNUM PRIMARY SCHOOL SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP
OPEN First Friday of the Month: Term Time Only: 2.30 pm - 4.00 pm Thank you, | Cash transactions only ALL DONATIONS VERY WELCOME Please ensure donations are washed, clean and in good condition. Only school branded clothing (i.e. no Target, Kmart, Big W, etc. brands). nds). |
Click on these links below for Community News or information:
|
Please click here to view information for  upcoming parent seminars. |
Our Vision: Learn • Thrive • Contribute
ICAS Superstars
Congratulations to the students who entered the optional ICAS competition this year. All participants showed curiosity and resilience, working to the best of their ability in what is a very challenging competition!
Certificates for the English and Science ICAS tests went home last week. The Mathematics ICAS certificates will be sent home as soon as we receive them. Thank you for your patience!
Below is a list of the students who achieved a Credit or higher in each test for each year level. Well done!
English ICAS Awards
| Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
Credit Distinction High Distinction | Credit Distinction | Credit Distinction High Distinction |
Science ICAS Awards
| Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
Credit Distinction High Distinction | Credit Distinction | Credit Distinction High Distinction |
Mathematics ICAS Awards
| Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
Credit Distinction High Distinction | Credit Distinction High Distinction | Credit Kartik Distinction |
Our Vision: Learn • Thrive • Contribute
Classroom Cuisine
Thanks to the support of our Parents Group, we are restarting lunch orders with Classroom Cuisine.
The service will operate on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Information about the service can be found here or at Classroom Cuisine.
Our Vision: Learn • Thrive • Contribute
Parenting Ideas: Helping your young perfectionist
Thereʼs a perception in our society that perfectionism is a good thing, akin to Ê»being perfect..ʼ That itʼs something we should strive for or drop into conversation in job interviews… Yet the reality is quite different.
Perfectionism leads us to place unreasonably and often unrealistically high expectations on ourselves. Essentially, it causes us to raise the bar so high, that we frequently wind up feeling like failures, consumed by frustration and self-blame.
Of course, this can be very unsettling to witness in our kids and it can be hard for us to know how best to help. It can start when our children are very young and grow with them in intensity and impact. Perhaps you have a young child who refuses to draw because her drawings donʼt look exactly like those of an adult artist. Or maybe your little guy becomes so distressed by a small mistake in his homework, that he insists on starting all over again in his unhealthy quest for perfection.
If you have older kids, perhaps they refuse to submit an assignment because itʼs not perfect, or they wonʼt run the cross country because they know they wonʼt win.
While itʼs great for our kids to hold high expectations of themselves, aiming for perfection actually sets them up to fail. Their habitual ʻall or nothingʼ thinking leads to the unhelpful belief that if they donʼt achieve 100%, theyʼve as good as flunked. Their focus on their mistakes rather than on their successes often affects their self esteem, fuelling a vicious cycle that can lead to stress, depression and anxiety if left unchecked.
The sooner we help our kids break this unhealthy habit, the better. So letʼs look at a few tips for doing just that.
Reduce your praise
There are two ways in which we tend to praise children. Ê»Content praiseʼ often draws attention to the end product, for example, “What a fantastic drawing!”, or to a fixed quality in a child, such as “Youʼre so clever”. In contrast, Ê»process praiseʼ focuses on how your child got there. When we use process praise, we draw attention to their good ideas, problem solving approaches, effort, persistence, concentration and enthusiasm.
While itʼs helpful for all children to experience more process praise than content praise, this is particularly true for children with perfectionistic traits. This allows us to draw the focus away from how impressive the end result might (or should) be and instead highlight the importance of having a go, trying their best and learning along the way.
For example, rather than saying, Ê»What a fantastic drawing! Youʼre an amazing artist – what were you worried about?ʼ, itʼs more helpful to say something like, "Itʼs great to see you having a go at drawing. I love watching you try new things"; or, "I love seeing the ideas you come up with when you draw".
Of course, most of the time we neednʼt praise children at all. Saying simply, "Drawing is fun isnʼt it?," is often enough to provide children with that all important sense of connection.
Model making mistakes
At my childrenʼs school, theyʼre taught to embrace Ê»flearningʼ – learning through failure. Admittedly, my children witness me Ê»flearningʼ all the time at home, but in the eyes of your child, you might seem perfect. Itʼs helpful for your kids to see that you make mistakes too, and importantly to learn through your modelling how mistakes can be managed.
Look for (or create!) opportunities to do this. When youʼre planning on bringing some spoons to the dining table, you could bring knives over instead and say, ʻOops, my mistake. Not to worry. Iʼll just go back and swap these over.ʼ Or, perhaps you could draw alongside your toddler and deliberately keep from drawing inside the lines, commenting to your little one as you go, "I love drawing with you". By doing so, you model for your child that mistakes are okay, that they neednʼt hamper their enjoyment of a task and importantly, that the end result isnʼt all that matters.
Teach your child to speak to themselves as a friend
How does your child talk to themselves?
Would they speak to a friend in the same way?
No? Then what might they say instead?
We all know how much our inner voice can affect how we feel. Teach your child to be kind to themselves. To be supportive, forgiving and encouraging, even when they make mistakes.
Consider how you react when your child behaves in an ʻimperfect ʼ way
Do you respond calmly when your child accidentally spills cereal all over the kitchen bench or do you tend to overreact? Itʼs important when weʼre teaching our children that they neednʼt be perfect, that our responses back this up.
By accepting our children as they are – wonderful, Ê»good enoughʼ young learners – we teach them to do the same. And thatʼs so much better than perfect.
Dr Kaylene HendersonDr Kaylene Henderson is a trusted Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and one of Australiaʼs leading parenting experts. Sheʼs also a grateful mother of three. Find her online ʻadvice packsʼ, free website resources, social media channels and popular seminars at www.drkaylenehenderson.com. You can also watch Dr Kaylene Hendersonʼs free video tip for tackling perfectionism here: https://adoseofawesomeness.com/free-video-tip-series/