From the Principal 

Dear Parents and Carers,

This is the final newsletter for 2023. It has been another year of growth on many levels. Teaching approaches and curriculum programs were modified to ensure differentiation was the key element, to better meet the needs of our students. The cycle of planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing is constant for all evolving best practices and improvement strategies. The value added to each student’s learning and increased confidence has been recorded and celebrated.

Inclusive Garden

Yesterday, the shade sail was installed over the inclusive garden. The space is a calm area purposefully developed for students to visit for quiet times, meeting with friends and to enjoy the native plants. The project will be ongoing, and elements will be added e.g., a large sculpture of Bunjil and the painting of the boundary fence.

ANZAC Garden and New Flagpole

At the front of the school the garden beds were transformed. Scrubs were taken out and trees and native plants were planted to create a peaceful area for students to gather for remembrance ceremonies. A soldier sculpture and Ode of Remembrance proudly stand as the centre point alongside the three flagpoles. In time, as the trees grow, the school’s front boundary and entrance will become a welcoming and beautiful face of the school.

Shade Sails

New shade sails were installed over the asphalt between the Art building and Block A. One was replaced over the play equipment and the other over the inclusive garden. Sails provide students with protection from the rain and heat and define specific areas in the yard. 

Outdoor Games and Activities

Early in the year, obstacle tracks, a chess board, snakes and ladders board, four square courts and a map of the world were painted on hard surfaces around the school for student enjoyment. This project was a product of the Student Lighthouse Team of 2022. 

A Palace for Chickens

Again, resulting from the previous year’s Student Lighthouse Team, a chicken palace was constructed. The chicken project has created opportunities for students to develop leadership skills as they have been responsible for the ongoing maintenance and care of the palace and its residents.

Renovated Classrooms

As the student enrolment has increased, the Department of Education has renovated three classrooms in Block A, in preparation for the 2024 school year. New carpet, blinds and cabinetry were included in the renovation. The hallway stairs and corridor also had new carpet laid. 

Heating and Cooling

Department approval for the replacement of the old boiler heating system in Block A will see split-systems installed in all classrooms and the hall, in time for the summer heat.

Kitchen Upgrade

Work has begun on the replacement of the kitchen in the hall. The project will be completed in February and comprise new cabinetry, appliances and sinks. The kitchen will service the before and after-school program, Cooking Club and special activities e.g. leadership days and graduation ceremonies.

Teaching Phonics

Little Learners Love Literacy is a powerful evidenced-based teaching and learning approach introduced in 2023. Students in Years F-2 had daily explicit teaching of phonics. As parents will read in the Semester Two student reports, teachers can now pinpoint each student’s achievements and next steps in their phonetic awareness and growth.

Decodable Readers

With the introduction of Little Learners Love Literacy, and the aligning of resources, $10,000 worth of decodable texts were purchased, to further support students in their reading development at school and at home.

New Staff in 2023

We welcomed eleven new staff members this year. New teachers were Michaela Cohen, Chloe Luff, Serena Lowrie, Susie Davies-Splitter and Julie Taylor. New Education Support Staff were: Zehra Erczmann, Kelleigh Caulfield, Katrina Ruddock, Nick O’Donovan and Tom Picking. Our new technology technician was Kasun Edirisinghe.

Saying Goodbye

Gill Phillips, our tutor for the past three years will be finishing her contract with Le Page Primary at the end of this year. Gill has been transformative in her scaffolding and teaching of students below expected learning outcomes. We were privileged to have an ex-principal working on our team. We will miss Gill and wish her all the best for the future. Marisha Telegin is returning from family leave and will slot into the tutor program.

Book Fairs

This year two fairs were held bringing much interest and joy to the students. Miss Anna facilitated the events and the library received hundreds of new books as a result.

Social and Fundraising Committee 2023

This year the Social and Fundraising Team raised over $20,000. The funds were used to buy the orange shade sail and to construct the mini amphitheatre near the inclusive garden. Monique Graham and Sally Howard led the team again in 2023 and their energy and drive was contagious and beneficial for the students. Monique and Sally are inspirational and we will publicly acknowledge their work at next week’s final assembly. In 2024, Jana Kingston and Gabi Zlotin will lead the school community in the planning, promotion and facilitation of social and fundraising events. 

Sickbay Upgrade 

In Term 2, the sickbay was renovated and is now a clean, organised, stimulating and modern space. A defibrillator and life vac were purchased for emergency purposes. Half of the funds for the renovation were donations from parents.

Compass Kiosk 

The introduction of the sign in and out kiosk at the front desk has improved the attendance, late arrivals and early departures records. We now have accurate real-time records at our fingertips. This has improved security and student data sets of attendance. 

Compass Events

Paying for school activities and fees directly through Compass was introduced and as at most schools, retail and hospitality services, Le Page Primary School cash transactions are now but a few. This has made payment processes convenient for parents and our office staff.

TV in the Foyer

A screen was mounted in the foyer displaying a looping slideshow of photos of students participating in fun school activities. This creates a welcoming atmosphere for our school community and visitors when they arrive at Le Page Primary.

New iPads and Laptops

Over the school holidays class sets of iPads and laptops will be delivered in readiness for the 2024 school year. 

Ramps Upgrade

Plans to have all ramps repaired or replaced have been approved. Work will start early in 2024. This will be timely especially for the ramp leading to the hall entrance. 

Painting 

Painting of the external buildings will commence early in 2024. Initially the window frames at the front of the school on Argus Street will be painted. The overgrown garden beds have been cleared in preparation for the work.

Thought for the Week

“The best endings resonate because they echo a word, phrase, or image from earlier in the story, and the reader is prompted to think back to that reference and speculate on a deeper meaning.” James Plath

I hope everyone has a happy time over the next few weeks. 

Happy holidays,

George Danson