Primary School

Welcome to 2023

Dear Families and Friends, 

Lord our God, in your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries of the universe. In times long past you sent us your prophets to teach your laws and to bear witness to your undying love. You sent us your Son to teach us by word and example that true wisdom comes from you alone.

Send your Spirit upon our students, teachers and families, fill us with your wisdom and blessings. Grant that during this academic year we may devote ourselves to our studies and work, and share what we have learned from others. 

Amen

We joyfully welcome all new and returning families and staff to our school community and look forward to working cooperatively throughout the 2023 school year. Thank you to all children, staff and parents for your wonderful start to the school year. We know the term will be a rich and rewarding one for you and for your son or daughter in their learning.  So much learning already takes place in these first days and weeks of the year as students get to know their new teachers, reconnect friendships or perhaps begin new ones, learn new routines and look forward to new opportunities to grow. 

We especially welcome all our new Prep students and new students starting in other classes. 

We also welcome new teachers to our school: 

Mrs Eliza Silva - Year 1 teacher

Mr Darren Horton - Year 4 teacher

Mr Gavin Newport - Year 5 teacher

Mr Jayden Willams - Year 5 teacher

We hope that they will have a wonderful year, providing an  enriching and rewarding learning for the children entrusted to their care!

As a College, one of our focuses for the year is to build connection and increase communication as we empower each learner thrive, serve and succeed. 

We place a strong value on the partnership between teachers, parents and students. This partnership begins by forming relationships through communication. The College would love to hear your thoughts, concerns and ideas regarding your child’s learning. 

For effective communication:

the Homeroom teacher is the first point of contact for any assistance or advice regarding student wellbeing, academic progress or organisational matters

Homeroom teachers are contactable via email or telephone on 5941 7544

the College is always happy for you to arrange a meeting with homeroom teachers and specialist staff at any stage throughout the term

Primary Year Level Information Sessions

We invite all parents and guardians to attend our Primary Year Level Information Sessions. These sessions provide the opportunity for families to:

• meet their child’s homeroom teachers 
• gain specific information about the learning programs, expectations and organisation for the specific year level 
• understand digital platforms teachers will be using and preferred communication modes.

These events will be held at the following times:

Feb 7th 3:30pm - 4:30pm Prep and 6-completed

Feb 15th 3:30pm - 4:30pm Years 1, 4 and 5

Feb 16th 3:30pm - 4:30pm Years 2 and 3

We are looking forward to working with you in partnership to guide your child along their learning journey which will assist them to reach their full potential academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. There will be staff on hand to supervise Primary-age siblings while their parents attend sessions.

Uniform 

Many thanks to our families for ensuring that students take pride and are well presented in the correct uniform to commence the new year. Students are required to wear summer uniform in Terms 1 & 4. This includes the correct Lakeside College Primary hat, socks and footwear. Socks with logos or other colours are not permitted. Primary hats are either the legionnaire or bucket style hat. The College cap is for Secondary students only. All uniform may be purchased through Noone Uniform Shop.

As partners in the education of your children, classroom teachers will email home a reminder if students are out of uniform. If there are special circumstances which require a student to be out of uniform, please do not hesitate to contact your classroom teacher. Could you please assist us to help facilitate the speedy return of mislaid property by ensuring all your child’s uniform and personal items are clearly named. 

School day structure Lakeside College

Nude Food and Healthy Eating

Holistic education at Lakeside College includes a focus on the environment and sustainability. We are keen to minimise waste around the College and therefore encourage Nude Food. We ask that wherever possible food brought to school be in recyclable containers. Other types of wrapping and packaging are to be avoided. Please ensure that all containers are clearly labelled. Thank you in advance for supporting this policy and sending a message to your child about the importance of caring for our environment.

Restorative Practices in the Primary

The most profound learning occurs when there is a healthy relationship between all members of our community. Restorative Practices assists teachers, students and parents to build, maintain and restore relationships. Restorative Practices helps build capacity to enable students to self-regulate behaviour and contributes to the improvement of learning outcomes.

At our school we aim to be

SAFE

RESPECTFUL

LEARNERS

who build, repair and maintain healthy relationships.

This mantra is broken down into practical statements in our Learning Code of Cooperation which are explicitly taught and underpin conversations with students in the Primary to ensure we are safe, respectful learners who build, repair and maintain healthy relationships. Our Code of Cooperation is a practical tool that assists all in the community to communicate clear values and practices and to focus on what is important.

A few tips about parent involvement and communication!

1. Involvement in school events such as parent-teacher interviews, participation in the PTFA, fundraising, school events etc, keeps you in touch with the life of our school and shows your children how interested in them and the school you are. As soon as possible it is a good idea to start communication with your child’s teachers. Find out the best way to keep in touch, a quick phone call or weekly emails so that you become quickly aware of any concerns or issues that arise. 
2. Set up a copy of the school calendar in a prominent position at home (the fridge in the kitchen, or computer/devices/Parent Portal). Mark in important dates and events such as interview days, non-school days, term breaks, and school camps. Refer to it regularly. 
3. Make sure your child is at school every day possible – “there is no substitute for attendance”. 
4. Send your child to school each day in full and appropriate school uniform, well groomed. Pride in the school uniform and in how one presents to others. 
5. Lay some ground rules for the year: a time for bed each school night, a time to rise each morning, mobile phone and computer usage times (these should not be in a child’s room at night – leave them in the kitchen!). Set the alarm and have a set time for meals. This gives children routine. 
6. Encourage and support your child in getting involved in the full life of school Encourage them to try out for the sports teams.  Help prepare class and school events (where practical), raise funds for the many and varied charities the school supports. 
7. Designate a time and place for your child to do homework – routine is essential for children. 
8. Find time each day to talk with your child about their day – it shows you care and listen to them. This is important for self-esteem and self-confidence. 
9. Make sure that your child is in good physical and mental health. Schedule doctor and dental check-ups early in the year and outside school time. This way you may be able to identify any issues early and address them before they start to effect school performance. 
10. Prepare nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch at school, after school snacks as well as the evening meal. Nutrition is such a strong key for your child’s ability to concentrate during the day – good nutrition gives them brain power!

Mr Paul Mulqueen

Head of Primary

In Prep...

The first 2 weeks of school have gone so quickly! We have been busy meeting new friends, creating, singing, dancing, writing, counting, and reading stories. What a fabulous start to the year!

Kind regards,

Mrs Stephanie Cox