Primary Years, Tarneit

Sleep and Growth

We all know how important sleep is for young children. It's the time that they grow both physically and cognitively. It also has a big impact on their wellbeing. The following 2 articles from School TV, amongst many you can find there, provide more information about why sleep is something we need to pay attention to:

Maria Denholm

Deputy Principal - Primary

Sharing Growth through Three-Way Conferences

On Tuesday 25 March and Wednesday 2 April, all Primary Years parents will have an opportunity to come along to their child's Three-way Conference. This is where students, supported by their teacher, share with parents their learning so far and goals they have for the remainder of the year. 

Dates and times are listed below and bookings will open next week for families to make appointments with teachers. Look out for an email with your login details that will come from 'Schoolbox Help'. Instructions on how to make bookings will be in the email. Please do not make bookings if you are unable to attend the meeting. We have had many ‘no-shows’ to appointments in the past, and this disadvantages others who have not been able to schedule a booking. You can cancel a booking in the system two days out, so please help others and ensure you attend your appointment or cancel well in advance.

Maria Denholm

Deputy Principal - Primary

Some Reminders about Food at School

Please be aware that there are a number of students at Good News who are highly allergic to nuts. It is important that students do not have nuts and nut products at school. These particularly include peanut paste, Nutella or nuts in food such as muesli bars or home-cooked biscuits. Parents are also highly discouraged from dropping off fast food to their children during the school day. If you forget to send lunch, please call the College and a lunch order from the Canteen can be organised.

Maria Denholm

Deputy Principal - Primary

Early Collection from School

Parents are asked to notify class teachers by email at least 24 hours in advance if they are collecting their child early from school. Please also include frontdesk@goodnews.vic.edu.au as well.  Teachers can then aim to have students ready in the Front Office at the time required. If no prior notice is given parents can request Front Office staff to contact the classroom teacher so that the child can make their way to the office. At times, this can be delayed due to students being in specialist classes or the office being busy. We appreciate your patience as our staff work to locate your child!

Maria Denholm

Deputy Principal - Primary

Supporting Your Child Through NAPLAN

Official test dates are 12-17 March, with catch-up sessions from 18-20 March.

To help reduce stress and anxiety, here are some tips to support your child:

• Encourage a Calm Mindset: Remind them that NAPLAN is just a snapshot of their learning, not a reflection of their future success.
• Arrive on Time: Ensure your child arrives on time each day to avoid feeling rushed or stressed.

Additional Tips to Prepare:

• Get Enough Sleep: Ensure your child rests well to stay focused and perform well.
• Eat a Balanced Diet: Nutritious meals support both the brain and body, especially on test days.
• Stay Hydrated: Bring a water bottle to stay focused throughout the day.
• Reassure Your Child: Remind them that NAPLAN is just one way to assess learning and does not define their future.

By working together and keeping the environment supportive, we can help our children approach NAPLAN with confidence and calmness. Thank you for your continued support.

Rebecca Moore

PYP Coordinator

ICAS 2025

ICAS will return to GNLC this year. The tests are fully online and sitting dates will commence in Term 3. Students will be able to enrol in the following assessments:

English - Years 2-12

Maths - Years 2-12

Writing - Years 3-12

Science - Years 7-12

Spelling - Years 2- 6

We will open enrolments in early Term 2

Melisa Champness

Learning Enrichment Coordinator

Congratulations to our Graduates!

We are thrilled to congratulate three of our amazing teachers on their incredible academic achievements!

🌟 Ms Leandra Pinto (Year 1, Mambourin)

🌟 Mr Nils Cusack (Year 5, Tarneit)

🌟 Ms Ingrid Fernandes (Year 1, Tarneit)

This is a testament to their dedication, perseverance, and passion for shaping young minds. We couldn’t be prouder of them. Please join us in celebrating their achievements and wishing them continued success as they inspire and educate the next generation of Good News Lutheran College students. Congratulations, Ms Pinto, Mr Cusack, and Ms Fernandes!

Rene Van Zyl and Rebecca Moore

Assistant Head of Primary and PYP Coordinator

Unit Overviews Now on Seesaw

Seesaw, our digital portfolio, keeps you connected to your child’s learning. By engaging with Seesaw, you can view your child’s work, celebrate their achievements, and stay informed about their progress. Each time we begin a new unit of inquiry, classroom teachers post Unit Overviews on Seesaw. These include key learning areas, skills, knowledge, and understandings your child will explore. It’s a great way to stay up to date with what they’re learning.

We encourage you to check Seesaw regularly and engage with your child’s journey!

Rebecca Moore

PYP Coordinator

Promoting Good Hygiene 

At Good News Lutheran College, ensuring that our students have access to clean and hygienic bathrooms is a priority, and our cleaning/property staff do an amazing job maintaining our facilities. Maintaining a high standard of hygiene, particularly in our bathrooms, is something we are consistently teaching our students. Our goal is to help them understand the importance of proper toilet etiquette and the impact it has on everyone who uses them.

 To assist with this, we’ve introduced 'toilet stickers' in the boys’ toilets at the Mambourin campus, encouraging ‘aim’ and cleanliness. These stickers will soon be rolled out at the Tarneit campus as well, providing a gentle reminder to all. 

We also encourage families to have discussions about bathroom hygiene, such as the importance of washing hands, and especially with boys about the importance of keeping toilet seats up and clean. We truly appreciate your support in helping us promote good hygiene practices and respect for our shared spaces.