Another welcoming Term 1 Fathering Project event was held last Thursday evening, from 5 - 6 pm. Thank you to everyone who attended and made special time to connect with other fathers at 'Cards and Chat'. 

At our School Council Annual General Meeting last week, we acknowledged retiring councillors again and elected 2024 Office Bearers, including our School Council President, Matthew Hall. A full list of councillors can now be found on our School Council page.

School Councils play an important role in school governance in Victoria, and we thank both parent and staff members who have volunteered for this role at LPS in 2024.

A huge thank you is extended to the following staff, who attended the recent Year 6 camp: 
Matthew Appleby (organiser), Jo Braden, Adriana Bonollo, Jana Loucas, Haydn Dwyer, Julia Kantor, Bernadette Sparkes, Jack Carter, Wendy Keogh, Shazan Marikar, Jayde Fielding, Anne Di Stefano, Danyon Smith and Chris Rodgers. By all accounts, our Year 6 students enjoyed a fantastic beach camp. 

We are now adding government schools' Year 6 - 7 Transition Flyers for parents, as they are received. Please see the dedicated page for information.

Almost time for Term 1 holidays!
After a short term, the holidays are almost here. Heavy construction works will continue over the break while most students and staff are offsite. The school grounds will be closed to everyone except OSHClub enrolled students. Please support us to keep everyone safe by using neighbourhood parks and playgrounds if needed, rather than the school grounds. 

Parents are reminded that school finishes at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday 28 March and resumes on Monday 15 April. If you need to find other term dates, please see our website Term Dates and Student Free Days page, under 'Our School'. 

As this is our final Term 1 LPS eNews, have a safe and enjoyable break everyone!

Kim

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute 

Hi all, 

This is our first school council newsletter update for the year and term one just seems to have flown by. It has been so nice to see how well the kids have settled back into school and we extend a very warm welcome to all new families that have joined our school in 2024. 

Last week, we held our School Council AGM and I’d like to start by congratulating those elected to School Council for 2024. We have several school councillors that continued their term and several new members – congratulations and thanks to all. 

School council has several key functions which include things like overseeing the development of the school’s annual budget, development and monitoring of the school strategic plan, reviewing/updating policies and reporting annually to the school community and the Department.  

On this last point, at our last meeting, we reviewed and endorsed the 2023 Annual Report. When this has been approved by the Department in the coming weeks, you will be able to find it on our school website. It is always pleasing to hear about the excellent learning outcomes that are being achieved right across the school, along with a commitment towards student wellbeing and the ongoing fostering of Professional Learning Communities by our teachers. 

One of our favourite parts of every school council meeting is hearing from our school captains. We offer our sincere congratulations to Molly, Azaan, Poppy & Vihaan on being elected as our school captains for 2024. I have already had the pleasure of watching them run a few school assemblies and they have absolutely taken to their new roles beautifully. 

It is hard not to notice the amount of buildings and grounds work currently being done across our school. 

• The Junior School Playground is looking amazing and progressing so smoothly – it will be an amazing space when done. This is a school council priority project and has only been possible due to parent contributions and ongoing fundraising from our Parents Group.  
• Down the other end of the school, the major capital works project is moving along very nicely. A few weeks back we were lucky enough to get a site tour, joined by our school captains and Paul Hamer MP. It’s exciting to see the foundations go down and it start to come out of the ground – what a front row seat our kids have as this new building comes to life. 

 
Parents Group also held its AGM the other week and we thank Jonathan and the team for planning out another big year of activities and fundraisers. The first event is coming up shortly and will occur over the Easter break. We have been lucky enough to secure a spot running the BBQ down at Bunnings in Box Hill. Watch out for some messages from your year level reps and if you can spare a couple of hours volunteering on the day, we would be very grateful.  

Chat soon, 

Matt 

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

A reminder to all parents....

The mimimum age to open an account on nearly every social media platform including TikTok, Kik, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Discord is 13. Unfortunately, considerable time continues to be spent by our staff dealing with issues directly related to children from LPS accessing these sites at home. 

Please make sure to continue to access our Technologies page where you will find a number of resources and advice to help you make informed decisions about the vast array of websites, applications and online games that are within easy access of our children. 

After receiving badges at a recent assembly, our Year 5 Peer Mediators were keen to commence their role this term. Peer Mediation fosters a helping culture at LPS by giving our younger students a safe and effective forum to seek help during lunchtimes. Great job!

All students at LPS are encouraged to wear the correct school uniform. We have noticed a number of children wearing coloured tights, hoodies etc.  Wearing a school uniform can help support a sense of belonging and equality among students. We thank you for your support with this. 

If you are in need of any pre-loved uniform items, the LPS Second-Hand Uniform Shop (situated near the Performing Arts Centre) is open on the first Friday of each month. Opening hours are 2.30 - 4.00pm and all items are $5.00! 

A reminder to check Lost Property before the end of term if you are missing any items of clothing. Please continue to make sure all jumpers, jackets, long sleeved polos, hats, art smocks, water bottles and all other items brought from home are clearly named.  

We know many families head away during the school holidays to locations near water, including lakes, rivers and beaches.

To help families stay safe around water these school holidays, we have included the following water safety resources for parents/carers:

• Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beachsafe website where you can view a location and the closest patrolled beaches (available in 132 languages – click on the ‘Select language’ tab). This information is also available in an app which you can download from the Beachsafe website. The app includes videos with tips for visiting Australian beaches, in 8 languages: English, Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Malay, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese.
• Vic Emergency’s Get to know our warning signs website, including posters translated into Arabic, Dari, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

• Life Saving Victoria’s Water safety tips.

Enjoy the Term 1 holiday break everyone!

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

Year 1
In Maths, the Year 1s have been learning about distance and direction. They discovered many directional words in the book ‘Rosie’s Walk’ by Pat Hutchins and created a map of where the chicken and fox went on the farm. Next, the students worked as a class to draw a map of the school, adding arrows and directions for people to follow. They were then ready to draw a map of our classroom, including directions for a partner to follow.

The Year 1s have also been practising breaking numbers up into smaller parts so they can automatically recognise collections up to 10. The students played a game where they had to roll a dice and find the same number of dots on a gameboard.

In addition to this, the Year 1s have also participated in activities involving counting backwards by 1s and skip counting by 5s and 10s. The students rolled dice to make a two-digit number. They looked at a 100s chart and identified the pattern made when counting by 5s and 10s. Next term they will investigate the pattern made when counting by 2s.

                   

Year 2
In Maths, students have been learning about skip counting in order to count collections efficiently. They have used number lines, hundreds charts and fluency games to help them notice patterns when counting by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s from any two-digit number. Students have made their own repeating patterns with hands-on materials and investigated patterns that we find in everyday life. We have also been learning about the place value of different digits in a number so that we can read, write and make numbers.
   

In Science, we have been learning about the features, behaviours and habitats of small animals. Students had lots of fun becoming schoolyard detectives, discovering ants, grubs and spiders. They investigated the parts of snails and ants that enable them to move, feed and protect themselves. Their similarities and differences were compared using a Venn diagram.

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

Home-school partnerships allow parents and teachers to become partners in children’s education. The outcomes for our students can be improved when this link between home and school is strengthened.

To ensure shared understandings and consistent approaches to Reading, we are offering a ‘Classroom Helpers Course’ again in the first week of Term 2. This workshop aims to extend the understanding and knowledge about how children learn to read. By sharing common beliefs and understandings, parents can support our children in the Reading process in a consistent way.

Parents who wish to assist in classrooms are required to attend the workshop, as it will:

• provide a background on how children learn to read
• provide information about how to support children in becoming strategic readers
• prevent confusions for children when reading to different adults

Classroom teachers can only invite parents/helpers who have completed the training to assist in the classroom literacy program.

We are offering this morning workshop on Friday April 19th at 9:15am onsite in the Staff Community Centre.

If you would like to attend, click here to complete the online registration form by Monday April 15th.

Looking forward to working with you.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

Throughout this term, Year 3 have been exploring the life and culture of the First Nations People of Australia. On Wednesday 13th March, they set off on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum to explore a number of exhibits, in particular the First Nations exhibit. Students had a chance to have some hands-on experience with ‘making fire’ and music using some of the Aboriginal artefacts within the exhibit. They then used what they had seen and learned to create their very own Aboriginal artefact and information plaque to display in the Laburnum Museum, which was on show at our recent Expo. Thanks to all who joined us for this special event!

Students and teachers had a great time on the excursion. Here are some thoughts the students had about it:

‘My favourite part of the excursion was seeing the Aboriginal coat made of possum skin’ – Madeleine

‘I learned that the Aboriginal people all had a different language for every tribe’ – Anara

‘My favourite part was looking at the bugs because we could look at them up close’ – Leah

‘My favourite part was the First Nations exhibit because I got to learn how the Aboriginal people kept warm and used up the whole animal so they didn’t waste any’ – Alex

‘I found it very interesting that some beetles collect poo’ – Jack

‘I learned that Aboriginal people used message sticks to send messages through different tribes’ – Amira

‘My favourite part was when we went into the mini-museum area because we got to lookat a small dining room’ – Charlotte

‘I found it interesting to learn about what the Aboriginal people did when they were living in Australia’ – Liam

On Tuesday March 12, the Year 4s went on an excursion to the Melbourne Museum to enhance their learning about the First Peoples of Australia and their culture. We had a great time looking at the different exhibits and learning about the history of Australia. Here are some responses from the students about their experiences at the museum:

"My eyes gleamed with excitement when I saw the Forest Gallery." - Abigail

"I was exhilarated to see the First Peoples exhibit." - Renee

"I really liked the Forest Gallery. I liked the secret paths." - Emma

"I really enjoyed seeing the First Peoples because I can learn how they live and what they do. It was amazing!" - Marcus

"I liked the Bugs Alive exhibition because it has amazing creatures." - Kienan

"I learned that their (First Peoples) boats are made of bark." - Flynn

"I felt very impressed and grateful to be able to go to the Melbourne Museum on Tuesday." - Marko

"It was fascinating to see what the Aboriginals did to survive as well as thrive to feed their families and make medicine for the sick." - Sam

I really enjoyed the Bugs Alive exhibition. Mainly I liked the beetle array. I loved their shiny, colourful shells." - Suzanne

"I learned that they burnt the patterns on the possum cloak" - Tiffany

"I liked all the different types of hunting tools" - Jasper

"I liked looking at the First Peoples artefacts" - Yara

"I think the Melbourne museum was absolutely amazing! The Melbourne Story exhibition was my favourite, it was extremely interesting and fun! - Zac

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

Welcome to our library, which is always a hub of excitement and activity and of course a wonderful place to read and borrow high quality, current children’s literature. 

Library Opening Times

Our library is open every morning from 8.45am-8.57am.  This is a great opportunity to return and borrow books or share a story. Our friendly Year 6 Library Captains are always on hand to assist you.

We are also open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime from 11-11.25 am. Students can read quietly, share a book or choose an activity including craft, chess, puzzles and board games.

Book Club

Our school participates in Scholastic Book Club which offers a selection of books across a wide range of reading levels and interests, often at discounted prices. Book Club is also a fantastic fundraiser for our school as we receive a percentage of the price of each book sold.

Brochures are distributed twice a term. Instructions for online ordering can be found on the brochure. Unfortunately, we cannot accept any cash orders at school.

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.

We have been reading a wide range of picture books beginning with stories that have very simple text with repetitive rhyme, simple story lines and bright illustrations for younger students to picture story books that have more mature themes, advanced vocabulary and detailed illustrations targeted at older students. Looking at the front covers of these 2 books, can you tell which one is a Senior Fiction picture story book? 

Library bags

We encourage all students to bring a clearly labelled waterproof 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. The coloured plastic draw string bags the book packs arrived in at the start of the year make perfect library bags.

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

 Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
 LPS Fundraiser – Sunday 14th April

Laburnum Primary School will be hosting a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Sunday 14th April (the last Sunday of the school holidays) at Bunnings Box Hill South.

We are looking for volunteers to help on the day with cooking snags, serving customers, and re-stocking supplies. If you can spare 2 hours, we’d love your help!

If you’re able to help out, please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/sJdNQSL

Otherwise come down and grab a sausage and say hello on the 14th of April!

Fundraising from this day will go towards the Junior School Playground project which is nearing completion!


Mother’s Day Stall 2024

Parents Group are busy organising the annual Mother’s Day Stall which will be held during school time on Thursday 9^th May. More info coming next term!

 
Lunch Orders - Parent Helpers Needed Term 2

Thanks to all the volunteers who have assisted with sorting lunch orders so far this year. We have more spots available in term 2 so if you can spare about 1 hour on a Wednesday or a Friday (from 11.15am) to help pack the lunch orders, please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/CNbQDJF

Please note you must have a valid working with children’s check (WWCC) to volunteer at school.

Term 2 Parents Group Meeting

Parents Group now meet once per term. Our term 2 meeting will be held in the evening on Tuesday 23^rd of April. If you would like to join us, please email parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com

And congratulations to Raylene W who has been elected as the School Council Representative for Parents Group in 2024.

LABURNUM PRIMARY SCHOOL SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

Please click here to view information for Open Week.





Please click here to view information for Open Week and here to scan QR code and map.



Please click here to view information for Open Week.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute 

Click on these links  below for Community News or information:               

Click on the OSHClub logo to read this week's OSHClub news. OSHClub Registration - please register your child - it's free to register and you'll always have that option for childcare, even in unexpected circumstances.

Please click here to view information and registration for Digimaker.

Please click on the Chess Club image for registration.

Please click on the image for more information.

Please click on the image for more information.

Please click on the image for more information.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute