LPS Newsletter

Principal Class Report

2026 Student Free Days

Each year, school councils may endorse up to 5 student-free days.  At the School Council meeting Tuesday 12th August, School Council endorsed the following 2026 dates:

  • Tuesday January 27, 2026
  • Wednesday January 28, 2026 

 

We wished to provide as much advanced knowledge of these days as possible.

 

In addition:

  • The first day of Year 1 – 6 students will be Thursday January 29, 2026.
  • The first day of Prep students will be Friday January 30, 2026 (more information to follow) 

 

The remaining student-free days will be confirmed and communicated with the school community in Term 4.

Excursion to Moonlit Sanctuary

The Year Two students had a wonderful day on their excursion to the Moonlit Sanctuary. As well as enjoying the rich experience of learning outside the school environment, students were excited to spend the day amongst nature discovering facts about our fascinating Australian animals. As well as developing their social skills and independence, the excursion acted as an interactive prompt for their unit on Information report writing. 2B and 2C will have a presentation of their day at assembly on Friday 22nd August at 2.40pm.

 

A New Victorian Teaching and Learning Model

What’s happening in our classrooms: understanding the new ways 

teachers are teaching

 

From 2025, Victorian government schools are updating their teaching and learning programs to align with contemporary evidence about how students learn. This includes refreshing teaching practices, to provide the most effective support for student learning.

 

Why are things changing?

The Department of Education is taking this step because contemporary evidence provides a better understanding of student learning. While students enter classrooms with different life experiences and prior knowledge and may learn at different speeds, the learning process is consistent. Research and insights from across the teaching profession have demonstrated that some teaching practices are more effective than others in supporting the learning process. All Victorian government schools are working to introduce the VTLM 2.0's teaching practices in a phased process, reaching full implementation by the start of 2028.

What will this look like for Lyndhurst Primary School?

Your child or young person may tell you that they are:

  • experiencing whole-school approaches to routines and initiatives that support positive, culturally responsive classrooms where all students feel safe, included, and ready to learn
  • clearer about the learning objectives for each lesson and how each lesson builds on the last
  • finding it easier to access new information, concepts and techniques, because teachers are introducing them in small pieces and showing students how they work
  • experiencing more learning success, with teachers supporting them as they practise new skills and develop confidence and competence
  • enjoying applying what they have learned as teachers offer them opportunities to use it increasingly independently, in different contexts, and become more critical and creative thinkers.

Why is this good for Lyndhurst Students?

Research shows that the teaching methods set out in the VTLM 2.0 are the most effective approaches for all students, including high achievers and those needing additional support, to:

  • set their own learning goals
  • understand new things efficiently
  • remember what they have learned
  • use what they learn with confidence.

 

As students experience learning success, they become more confident and can learn even more. This helps them become lifelong learners who are ready for whatever the future holds.

National Week of Action Against Bullying and Violence and Wellbeing Day 2025

Last week, Lyndhurst PS was part of the National Week of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Throughout the week, students learnt about how we can all work together to make our school a place where everyone feels safe, included, and respected. Each day of the week had a different theme:

  • BE BOLD: YOU HAVE THE POWER TO HELP
  • BE KIND: SMALL ACTIONS MAKE A BIG IMPACT
  • SPEAK UP: SPEAK UP AGAINST BULLYING
  • THINK BEFORE YOU POST OR SPEAK
  • TOGETHER, WE CAN STOP BULLYING – A WHOLE OF COMMUNITY APPROACH

 

Teachers were encouraged to discuss with students what it means to be an upstander — someone who stands up for others, speaks out against unkind behaviour, and helps make things right. Students also explored ways in which they can be kind every day, not just when something goes wrong.

 

On Friday 15th August, all this learning culminated in our Whole School Wellbeing Day. Our theme of “Kind Hearts, Strong Voices” was all about showing kindness to others and having the courage to stand up for what’s right.

 

Teachers organised year level rotations for students to participate in a range of activities that focussed on different areas of health and wellbeing — mental, physical, social, emotional and spiritual.

 

The day was made more fun with a dance in the courtyard at the start of the day and throughout lunch time. Students came dressed as someone or something that makes them happy, acknowledging that our emotions are important - feeling happy can boost our wellbeing, help us connect with others and make our day more positive.