Thank you to all those families who met with teachers last week and this week. Along with the recent Parent Information sessions, these Term 1 opportunities form one part of our school arrangements for reporting to, or meeting with, parents:

• Term 1: Parent Information Sessions and Meet the Teacher
• Term 2: Semester 1 written reports
• Term 3: Parent-teacher Meetings
• Term 4: Semester 2 written reports

Additionally, parents of children with special needs or short-term challenges can expect:

• Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), which are updated every five weeks if needed; or
• Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs), which are reviewed each term.

We also offer Student Support Group meetings each term for some families whose children have complex needs or attendance concerns.

If you have questions or concerns at any other time, please follow the process in place below:

• Contact your child's classroom teacher first to discuss their learning, behaviour, social or personal needs. The PLC Leader can also be involved in these discussions.
• If you have more serious concerns regarding your child’s learning, safety or wellbeing, please contact the PLC Leader or one of our Leading Teachers/Learning Specialists (Mandy Ryan, Glenda Kelly, Sarah Bignell, Jayde Fielding or Damon Burns). 
• Finally, please don't hesitate to contact Kathy Verbi (Prep - Year 2), Nat Kiriati (Years 3 & 4), Jo Braden (Years 5 & 6) or me if these steps do not resolve your concerns or questions, or for matters concerning the operation of the school.

To arrange a meeting or conversation with your child’s teacher, or appointments with other teacher/s, please email the teacher via their Sentral mailbox. As teachers are working with children for most of their day, expected email response times are typically 24 - 48 hours. You can also send documents to teachers this way.

For urgent matters, the school email address, laburnum.ps@education.vic.gov.au is checked several times daily and important or urgent messages are conveyed to teachers. If your child’s teacher is absent on a day you email the school, messages can be passed onto the replacement teacher or PLC Leader if needed.

Finally, our ongoing commitment to upskill our teachers will provide LPS teachers with the the privilege of again working with renowned Literacy expert Vivian Arbaci during 2025. Over the last four years, Viv has worked with our teaching staff to improve their teaching of Reading, Writing and Spelling. 

This year, we continue our attention to Writing and Spelling across the school as part of our School Strategic Plan. Year 3 teachers have already spent several days with Viv this term, as she models effective teaching strategies, and gives feedback to teachers after observing their class lessons. On these days, PLC teams are released from their scheduled duties and Casual Relieving Teachers (CRTs) take their classes.

Kim

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute 

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2025 Schedule 4: Notice of Election and Call for Nominations

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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From the Assistant Principals, Kathy, Jo and Nat

We look forward to presenting badges to the 2025 Junior School Council Reps at tomorrow's school assembly. Our new Year 6 JSC Captains, Ella and June, are very excited to commence their role in leading this JSC representative group, supported by LPS teaching staff.

See the Student Leaders page for the full list of 2025 JSC leaders.

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

The NAPLAN test window is 9 days, beginning Wednesday 12 March to Monday 24 March. During this time, our Year 3 and 5 students will complete tests in Writing, Reading, Numeracy, Language Conventions and Spelling. LPS Parents of Years 3 and 5 students will receive further information via the Sentral Portal. For further information, please visit nap.edu.au 

The LPS Buddies program will commence next Friday 7 March. Buddies are scheduled instead of Assembly for the first Friday afternoon of each month. For further information regarding our Buddies Program, please check out our Student Wellbeing & Engagement policy, located on our website and translatable into our school community languages.

Congratulations to the twenty-two Laburnum Primary School students who represented our school proudly at the District Swimming Carnival earlier this week. We were especially proud to hear about the teamwork and encouragement demonstrated by LPS students. A great example of modelling our school values both within and outside our school grounds. 

Thank you to Mr Marikar for organising the event and to the wonderful parent helpers who volunteered their time to support our swimmers. All the best to the 13 students who qualified for the Division Swimming Carnival! 

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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Thanks to the many parents/carers who have already toured our Senior School building. We have had incredible feedback, for which we are very grateful.

The building is not only a fresh new Senior School; it’s also been deliberately designed to enhance student learning. In this eNews, we'll respond to some great questions around details of those learning spaces:

Room size and calm 'feel' of the building
The standard classroom size (as we see across the rest of the school) is 49 sq. m. The ten new rooms are larger and identical in terms of floor space (60 sq. m.), but each is configured slightly differently. This allows each class to have visual access to Blacks Walk and/or greenery.

This is part of our school-wide evidence based approach to setting up every classroom, Clever Classrooms. After using this model for over seven years, and asking our community for input into the building’s design, the brief to our architects was to use this model for the whole building.

That's why particular emphasis in the design was given to maximising three elements that that positively impact learning environments and outcomes:

• Naturalness: light, temperature and air quality – accounting for half the learning impact in any classroom.
  There are plenty of doors and opening windows for replenishing the oxygen in classrooms, as well as a climate control system that automatically adjusts to the optimal temperature. This is regardless of whether it's summer or winter, and factors in the effect of pockets of warm bodies within a room!
  As in all our classrooms, there is nothing on the windows, maximising light, air and views.
  
  
• Individualisation: ownership and flexibility – accounting for about a quarter of learning impact.
  All the new classrooms have a dedicated space for each student’s belongings, made identifiable by them. The extensive use of student-height display boards allows students to proudly display current learning. Now that the building is operational, more display boards are ordered for the upstairs learning hub.
  Additionally, vertical whiteboards encourage students to stand, move and collaborate while working in groups around the classroom. This dynamic environment has proven positive impacts for older students, especially in Mathematics.
  Finally, the 'book nooks' have been hugely popular with students. These were added once we could walk inside the shell of the building, when the opportunity to create discrete seating within larger spaces became obvious.

• Stimulation: an appropriate level of complexity and colour – again about a quarter of learning impact.  
  Unrestrained use of bright colours, teacher displays and hanging distractions can overstimulate children and negatively affect their focus on learning. Our classroom set up deliberately avoids these.
  Given the proximity to Blacks Walk, early in the design process we consulted with an Aboriginal Education Design group. After inviting this group to collaborate with the architects, they suggested artists, garden planting and environmental considerations. We are grateful to them for informing the muted colour palette that links to the natural beauty of Blacks Walk. This is reflected in the indigenous-designed carpets and display boards, along with the four different animal prints in the exterior concrete, as well as the internal furnishings.
  As in all our classrooms, displays reflect current learning or recent student 'work'.

How will students use the balcony?

The upstairs balcony is designed to function as an outdoor covered learning area, connected visually with the adjacent treetops and birdlife. Only Year 6 students will use this special space, supervised by their teachers. It offers wireless connectivity and electric sun blinds, as well as drinking taps. This area is highly sought after, with classes using it for learning tasks and as a snack and lunch area.

Why are there no urinals in the boys' toilets?

The Victorian School Building Authority no longer approves the installation of urinals in school toilets. The use of gender-neutral, home-like toilets provides a cleaner and fresher environment.

How are the plasma screens used in classrooms?

Over the last five years, we have progressively replaced redundant interactive whiteboards with plasma screens, which provide superior quality images and functionality, and connect to teachers’ laptop computers. This has been possible across the school due to Parent Contributions each year for ICT. Thank you parents!

The provision of 11 screens in the Senior School building was achieved by upgrading to plasma screens from the standard TVs that were included in the contract. 

Teachers use the screens to outline their daily timetable, as well as Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for learning tasks. In their PLC planning sessions each week, teams of teachers write these collaboratively with agreed language and terminology, linking them to the Victorian Curriculum. Ensuring consistency within the team and across the school, Learning Intentions clarify for every student what they are learning, while Success Criteria list how they’ll know if they’ve learned. Plasma screens are also used for sharing resources (e.g. a Writing prompt or ClickView resource), also decided at PLC planning.


Our students also had lots of questions about the Senior School building at last week's assembly. To encourage their curiosity, please ask them to share these with you.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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Details of our Extracurricular activities for Term 1 are listed below, with a weekly schedule further down this page. 

As teachers will organise the school-based activities and remind students about these, there is no need for parents to register, unless there is a cost for the activity.

Events marked with an asterix* require registration. These are led by external providers and, with the exception of Digimaker, will be also supervised by teachers. There is a cost involved if you would like your child to participate in those activities. 

Joggers Club
Joggers Club is supervised by our House Captains. Students from Years 1 - 6 can run, walk or jog laps of the athletics track. 

Chess Club*
The Chess Club at Laburnum P.S. is run by “Chess Ideas”. There is always a free trial session at the beginning of each term. The children are instructed in two small groups, where a new skill or strategy is introduced, followed by a game and is supervised at all times by a teacher from the school.
Please see the Contribute page for further information.

Junior School Council
The Junior School Council provides an avenue for 'student voice' and to contribute positively to the school community. It allows students the opportunity to experience leadership at Laburnum Primary School and consists of two student representatives from each class in Years 1 to 6. Through active involvement, the Junior School Council encourages student participation within the decision making processes for fundraising, presentations, school events, charity focuses and school recommendations. 

Library
The library is open for students to return and borrow books. They also have the opportunity to read quietly, share a story, choose an activity including craft, chess, puzzles, construction blocks and board games. Our friendly Year 6 library captains are always on hand to assist students.

Minecraft Club
Minecraft Club is an opportunity for children to build, create and collaborate together through coding, using the Department-provided Minecraft Education. During Term 1, this club is open to interested students in Years 3-6. 


Extra-Curricular Timetable - Term 1 2025

Term 1 2025	Day	Extracurricular activities/clubs
Before School	Monday-Friday	8.45 - 8.57 Library
Lunchtime	Monday	11.00 - 11.22 Library 11.00 - 11.22 JSC
	Tuesday	11.00 - 11.22 Library 11.00 -11.22 Joggers Club
	Wednesday	11.00 -11.22 Joggers Club
	Thursday	11.00 - 11.22 Library 11.00 - 11.22 Minecraft Club (Y3-6)
	Friday	11.00 - 11.45 Chess* Please see the Contribute page for further information

Instrumental Lessons
If you would like to register an Expression of Interest for Instrumental lessons at LPS (Years 1-6) please see the Forms page for further information.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

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In Prep, we have been learning about some different places at our school. We read the book Where is the Green Sheep?, but the Green Sheep was missing! So we had to search for him around the school.

Luckily he left some clues for us to follow! We tiptoed to the playground, but he wasn’t there! There was a clue telling us he was reading some books, so we marched to the Library.               

By the time we got there he had left! But there was another clue, he had gone to see Dr Dray. We practised walking quietly in a line up to Dr Dray’s office.

We didn’t find the Green Sheep, but we found another clue. The clue said that the Green Sheep had fallen and hurt his knee, so we went to check the First Aid room. When we got there, he had already left to do some Science experiments in the LAB! We quietly walked to the LAB and found the last clue – the Green Sheep was doing some learning…

He must be in our classroom! We wandered back to our classroom and to our surprise we found him resting on a chair. He had a big day exploring the school and so did we! 

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

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At Laburnum Primary School, in addition to our highly targeted and differentiated classroom learning experiences, we pride ourselves on offering high-ability students a range of challenging and enriching opportunities.

RISE

As part of this endeavour, we are thrilled to continue offering RISE (Recognising Individual Student Excellence) workshops, where eligible students will be invited to participate in suitable opportunities which match their learning needs. This initiative, which began last year, saw Laburnum PS students engage in workshops across all curriculum areas.

A few highlights from RISE 2024 were:

• Writing workshops with acclaimed authors Jacqueline Harvey, Corinne Fenton and Nova Weetman
• Mathematics Games day delivered by Mathematics Association of Victoria
• Victorian Students Parliamentary Convention exploring the topic: Should students be taught how to use artificial intelligence tools in the classroom?
• Astronomy Workshops 
• Mathematics workshops 

We are excited to be continuing this initiative this year. Students will be selected for workshops on a basis of their academic performance, classroom teacher observations and the suitability of the workshop to the individual. Parents will be notified in advance of RISE workshops.

VHAP

The Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) is an enrichment program that addresses the needs of high-ability students to engage with challenging material in either English or Mathematics, and also to meet and exchange ideas with other students like themselves. This program is facilitated by the Student Excellence Program in the Department of Education and is delivered by Virtual Schools Victoria.

Students in Years 5-8 are selected on the basis of their academic performance and teacher observations to participate in an online virtual program run over the course of a school term.

We anticipate a number of Year 5 and 6 LPS students being invited to participate in VHAP again this year. Parents will be notified in advance should their child be nominated for VHAP.

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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Year 5

It has been a positive start to 2025 in Year 5. The students have been engaging in ‘Ready to Learn’ to familiarise themselves and practise the Laburnum routines and expectations for all learning areas.  Students have transitioned well into the senior building and have continued demonstrating respect, integrity, curiosity and resilience in their learning and interactions with each other.

This is what they have to say:

‘I like the new building; it helps me learn because it is a quiet space and I like how there are a lot of whiteboards because we can use them to put up our work.’  Marko M

‘Ready to Learn helps me focus and know how to follow routines properly.  I like that the toilets are clean.’   Amy D

‘I like the new building because it is very big and spacious. It is more quiet, which helps me learn.’  Sandra X

‘I think the table set-up is very creative, and I like the shape. Also, the storage is very compact so it looks new all the time. The classroom is not very squishy, and we can use the reading spaces in the corridor.’ Timothy H

                     

Year 6

During inquiry, we have been learning about our identity through the unit - This is Me.

We have been engaged in thought-provoking learning tasks and discussions about what makes us unique as individuals. Through exploration, students reflected on their own strengths, characteristics and the diversity of experiences that shape who we are.

We discovered that identity is not just about our appearance or background; it also includes the values, beliefs, and traits that define us. We created bio-poems for students to express their personal identities in a creative way. These poems highlight the characteristics that make us unique by describing our passions, dreams, and how we see ourselves in the world.
  

We have integrated this exploration of identity into our writing lessons. Through reflection, we created identity mind maps focusing on a range of aspects that make us who we are. Some of the aspects we focused on were:

• Appearance
• Capabilities
• Challenges
• Family
• Friends
• Future You
• Influences
• Interests and Hobbies
• Mood Boosters
• Values and Character Traits

  

We will be holding a Year 6 Inquiry Expo, in week 7 for parents and carers to attend.

We can’t wait to show you everything we have learnt!

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

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Please see below information about this terms LPS Fathering Project 'Origami' event. 

As this is a catered event, sign up must be completed by Tuesday 18 March.
 
             

The Fathering Project at LPS provides opportunities for fathers and father figures to come together and engage in various activities with their children at school throughout the year. 

We invite all LPS fathers and father figures to join our Dads Group using the QR code below. Members of our portal will also gain access to fathering tips and can choose to receive a Weekly Tips Email and Fathering Channel content.

It's never too late to join The Fathering Project! If you would like to join, use the QR code below.

                

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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Trivia Night at LPS – Saturday 29 of March 2025

  

QUESTION: What is the longest river in Asia?

Book a babysitter because the 2025 TRIVIA NIGHT is coming! On Saturday March 29 (7pm until ~10pm) the Laburnum Primary gymnasium will host a trivia fundraiser for the school. In addition to a (not-particularly-serious) trivia competition, there will be games, raffles, auctions and some sweets with tea and coffee provided (BYO drinks and food for yourself and/or to share with your table)

We know that returning Laburnum families will be excited about this event and we are putting out a special call-out to new Laburnum parents to come along. We will ensure everyone joins a team, so if you don't yet know other parents, this is the perfect opportunity. 

TICKETS are $25pp ($250 for a table of 10) and must be purchased online prior to the event.  

Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/CYOUU

Friends of Laburnum (ex-parents, grandparents, Blackburn locals, your friends etc) are very welcome to buy tickets and come along too.

All funds will support upgrades to the school grounds/landscaping.

 

ANSWER: The Yangtze river (>6000km!).  

CAN YOU HELP? 
We are soliciting donations from local businesses for the trivia night auctions. If you (or a friend) may be able to donate NEW goods or services to be auctioned on the night, please contact parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com

Examples include confectionery, tickets to events, hampers, toys, kitchenware, tools, sporting equipment, dog grooming sessions, haircuts etc.

                   

Join LPS Parents Group in 2025!

Parents Group are seeking new members in 2025 to organise many fun activities, while also fundraising for our school.  No matter how much time you can commit – big or small, we would love to see you at our first meeting and / or our AGM. Details are:

Parents Group First Meeting: Tuesday 25 February 7.30pm to 8.30pm at Forest Hill Chase on Level 3 – meet at the tables out the front of Hoyts Cinemas.

Parents Group 2025 AGM: Tuesday 4 March 7.30pm online

There will be an online link available for both meetings. If you would like to join either meeting online, please email parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com

This year we have some committee members retiring from positions such as Secretary and Treasurer, so if you think you may be interested in filling one of these positions or would like some information about these roles, please email parentsgroup.lps@gmail.com and / or come along to our first meeting. The work required for these positions would be less than 2 hours per month on average. Without these roles Parents Group cannot exist, so please do consider putting your hand up!

Lunch Orders in 2025 – Helpers Needed!

Once again, Classroom Cuisine are offering lunch orders at Laburnum PS on Wednesdays and Fridays in 2025. Their updated menu can be found on our website (under the Community tab) here.

We are again looking for parent volunteers to help pack and distribute the lunch orders.  If you can spare about one hour on a Wednesday or a Friday at 11.15am, please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/CNbQDJF

Please note you must have a valid working with children’s check (WWC Check) to volunteer at school. You can apply for a WWC Check through the school website here.


LABURNUM PRIMARY SCHOOL SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SHOP

OPEN First Friday of the Month: next opening Friday 7th March 2025 Term Time Only: 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm Please enter the school grounds via Janet Street. Please go straight to the Uniform Shop, now in the Canteen next to the school hall. Thank you, Clarissa, Van, Liz and Kate

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).

 

 

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

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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 before school and lunch opening times

Our library is open every morning from 8.45am-8.57am. Please feel free to visit our library with your children during this time to share a story, choose some new library books to read or to return books.

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, cards or construction.

A special welcome to our 2025 Year 6 library captains Mia, An, Nina, Riya, Isadora, Alyssa, Alisha, Sharyn, Shalani, Eva, Alexia and Nicole who are here to answer any of your library questions.

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 beginning of the year make perfect library bags.

Volunteering in the library

A big thank you to our fabulous volunteers Megan, Yee, Lisa and Kim who assist in the library. They all work exceptionally hard to ensure the library runs smoothly and efficiently.

We are still looking for a parent volunteer who holds a current ‘Working with Children Check’ to assist with the returning and shelving of books at 9.00 am on Tuesdays.

If you can assist, please come and see Mrs Keogh in the library any morning before school. 


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 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.

We have been learning about specific areas in the library that students can borrow from that best meet their needs, interests and abilities, and encourage reading for pleasure.

We have also 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 senior fiction picture story books.

We have a dedicated library stand for senior fiction picture story books. The books on this stand have more mature themes, advanced vocabulary and detailed illustrations.
                                         

Curiosity  •   Respect  •  Integrity  •  Resilience

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 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 Chess Club image for registration

                                                       

Our Vision:    Learn   •   Thrive  •   Contribute

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