Principal’s Report Wk 6, Tm 4, 2024

Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

In Term 4 every year, schools evaluate their progress to the goals set out in the AIP. LPS has been very busy focusing on the following actions throughout 2024:

Undertaking training in strengthening our Professional Learning Culture so we have a deeper understanding of data-informed planning and collaboration
Building an Instructional Coaching culture which will include a high level of instructional coaching, mentoring, growth coaching, peer observation and feedback
Embedding a whole school approach to improving student resilience, social skills and building positive relationships
Building a positive school culture where students are more actively involved in designing a Social Emotional Learning program tailored to cohort needs
Embedding more wellbeing data conversations in Professional Learning Teams
Upskilling staff in trauma informed practices following the Berry Street Educational Model
Creating and refining Disability Inclusion Processes

These high level actions are undertaken to drive progress against the Key Improvement Strategies of:

Building capability of staff to capture, analyse and utilise evidence to evaluate the impact of instructional strategies for differentiated student learning
Building capabilities of middle leaders to support high impact practice
Supporting students to be empowered, build resilience, strengthen their social skills and build positive relationships with their peers
Strengthening the partnership between staff, students, carers and families to create a shared responsibility for student wellbeing

Throughout the next month, LPS will be setting the 2025 goals. At the end of 2025, LPS will be undergoing a school review, which occurs in all schools every four years to inform the directions of the School Strategic Plan (SSP).

Where has Mrs Corcoran been visiting?

The Principal Mystery Visits posed the challenge of “Convince Mrs Corcoran of which season is the best and why”.

It is important that students can identify and use a variety of persuasive devices in their oral language, in their writing and in how they represent information.

Prep F convinced Mrs Corcoran through a booklet of pictures and sentences
Year 2B tried to persuade Mrs Corcoran through a poster with explicit statements
Year 3D worked in small groups to gain a wider perspective on the topic
Year 4C conducted a class survey and presented their information through a PowerPoint presentation
Year 5B used technology to represent their thinking; both pros and cons

A few insightful statements through my visits were:

“In Spring both sides of your pillow at night are cold, and thus Spring is the favourite.”
“In Summer, the days are longer and therefore the fun lasts longer.”

Year 5B were so in tune with the task, that just when they thought they had convinced me of a favourite season, the cons that were listed changed my mind. 🙂

A special mention to Lucas H. from 4C who was voted by his peers as the most excited student to have the Principal visit his classroom. Thank you for helping me feel so welcome Lucas.

Student Leadership @ LPS

Throughout Term 4, the senior school team has focused on strengthening our Student Leadership selection process. The team aimed to create a process that provides students with a realistic experience of an application scenario. This began in the Year 5 Writing sessions, where students worked to create a speech for their preferred role. Students then delivered School Captain and SRC Chair speeches to the entire Year 5 cohort. From there, students were shortlisted by teachers to progress to the interview stage.

In their interview, students that had been shortlisted were asked the following questions:

What do you think are some characteristics that an LPS School leader should have?
Can you share an example of a time that you showed leadership skills?
Why do you believe that you are a good candidate for a leadership role?

Below are some of the key highlights of the student interview process:

Students overcame their nerves
All students mentioned the school values and how they display them
Students came prepared (notes, portfolios, resumes etc)
Many students spoke about the fact that they are 'still a leader' regardless of whether they get the role or not
All students brought their different personalities to the table

The upcoming stages of the process include:

House Captain speeches delivered on Friday 15th November
House Captain and Specialist Captains selected throughout Week 7 and Week 8 by Year 5 and Specialist teachers

Student leaders will be announced at the Week 9 School Assembly. Parents of all 2025 leaders will be contacted to invite them to the assembly.

Note: Students will then engage in a handover process between the 2024 and 2025 Student Leaders.

Celebrations @ LPS

Diwali was celebrated by many of our families on the 1st of November.

At Lyndhurst PS, we held a special assembly on Monday 4th November, where students spoke about the festival of lights. The whole school learnt more about the significance of Diwali and how it is celebrated in many households. We learnt that Diwali is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ because of the lamps, candles, and lanterns that are lit in homes.

We are especially proud of our senior school students - Avneet, Prabhnoor, Ishpreet, Harnoor & Nirmal, who shared a presentation with the school, showcased bhangra dances and taught us some dance moves.

Remembrance Day is a significant event on the commemorative calendar. It is a day when we acknowledge those who died or suffered while serving in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

There was a sea of red Poppies amongst the students and staff. A thoughtful moment of pause after recess provided an opportunity for students to give thought to our fallen.

Spotlight on Specialists

Art