Announcement: Head of Junior School for 2024

Launceston Christian School Appoints new Head of Junior School for 2024

7th July 2023

The LCS Board along with the Principal, Stuart Kent, is very pleased to announce the appointment of the new Head of Junior School for 2024, Mr Phill van Ryn. Phill joins the Leadership Team with over 18 years of primary school classroom experience and is passionate about educating students through a Biblical world view. Phill holds a Bachelor of Education and is in the process of enrolling to complete a Master of Education, specialising in leadership. He has a proven track record of managing complex projects and has highly developed skills in navigating parent, student and teacher relationships. He is humble, warm and enthusiastic. We are looking forward to Phill’s positivity, energy and honesty at the Leadership table, and are excited to work with, and support him in this significant role.

Farewell to Mr Narkowicz and Mr Shelley

As the term came to a close this week, we farewelled some special staff members, who have been at LCS for a long time.

This week, in Kinder PE class, we said goodbye to Mr Gerry Narkowicz with some cupcakes and gave him our card and gift. Mr Narkowicz has been our Junior School PE Teacher for nearly two decades, and his 'kindy windies' and 'prepperoni pizzas', as well as all JS students and colleagues will miss him very much.

On Friday, we farewelled Mr Kevin Shelley with a staff morning tea at recess time. Mr Shelley has worked at LCS for 21 years as a Tech Aide, and is a wonderful, gentle and kind man, who has quietly worked hard and supported students and the Tech Department.

Both these men will be very missed, and we wish them all the best and the Lord's blessings.

Amazing Donation - Run 4 Bibles

In the Junior School, our Term 3 Mission Money focus has been Run 4 Bibles via Bible League International. Students are given the optional opportunity to donate towards Mission Money projects throughout the year.

This term, and coinciding with the JS Cross Country carnival, all funds raised are going towards providing Bibles to those who cannot access them in South African public schools.

The JS set an original goal of raising $500. We have been astonished by the generosity from students and those in the LCS community and are amazed to say that over $2000 has been raised towards the cause. Included in the amount are some significant anonymous contributions from people in the LCS community - including a $1000 donation from someone! That's almost 300 Bibles that are going to impact lives, communities, and the world! Praise God!

Mr Ballard

If you would like to know more about the cause or donate, please click this link:

Launceston Christian School - Team Fundraising - Bible League - Australia

First Fleet Exhibition

Last week, our Year Four students invited their family members into their classrooms to learn about the lives and experiences of different convicts and the early settlers. Students have been learning about colonisation, the conditions on the voyage, who was part of the First Fleet, and the convict’s experiences.

Students worked in teams to build a replica of one of the ships, and researched people from the journey. They enjoyed spending the afternoon sharing their work and research.

Following on from this, the Year Fours will be learning about First Nations People and learning about care and connection with country.

Saturday Netball

We have four teams who are approaching the halfway point of their season in the NHSSA Saturday morning netball competition.

A special shout out to our coaches for everything that they are doing for their teams, as well our scorekeepers, spectators and players who all brave the cold Tassie conditions and early Saturday mornings!

Snr 1sts Coaches: Esther & Eunice Kidmas

Snr 2nds Coach: Kaitlyn Black

Jnr 1sts Coach: Olivia Jarvela

Jnr. 3rds Coach: Sandy Shand

Year 3 History Day & Tour Through Time

Year 3 students have been learning about the history of Launceston and were very excited to welcome visitors to our school to show them their research and displays this week.

Eden Project

We are growing!

This week some students in Year 4 had their first shovel in the school garden! The Eden Project has outgrown its designated vegetable and sensory garden beds, and we are starting to work jointly with Mr Van Donselaar and Mrs Rixon to bless and beautify our outdoor school spaces.

Some students planted olive trees in large pots near the school entrance. We chose olive trees because they feature in the Bible, and we plan to grow more biblical plants so that when we read about them, we can see, touch, and smell them in the school grounds.

Another group of students mulched the front garden bed near reception. They worked hard as a group, unloading a trailer of mulch and distributing it in 20 minutes! We talked about how long it would take one person to do the same amount of work, using our knowledge of multiplication and time. Students also learnt about why mulch helps our gardens: locking in moisture and warmth, and preventing weeds.

Keep watch around the school for the transformation of more garden spaces!

Mrs Eliza Lovelock - Junior School Resource Teacher

All Schools Cross Country - Junior School

Seven students from years 3-6 ran for LCS at the Tasmanian All Schools Cross Country Event at Symmons Plains. This is quite a gruelling run, of 2 or 3 kms up hills, through puddles and running in an event with up to 250 competitors. Well done and congratulations to our students: Vienna Dingemanse, Cadel Dingemanse, Adelaide vanRyn, Roman vanRyn, Arizona Stokes, Kasey Lade and Olive Petrusma for a wonderful effort.

Emergency Services Education

Mr Coles (Isabelle's dad) came to visit us in Kinder to teach us about the Emergency Ambulance Services. We had a great time learning about what happens when an ambulance and paramedic comes to assist you when you are unwell.

The students loved looking inside the ambulance and role playing some "accidents" that needed a paramedics assistance. The lights flashing on the ambulance were a favourite, and we were amazed at how loud the siren on the ambulance was.

Thank you, Mr Coles, for giving up your time to teach us today about this important service to our community.

Student Achievement - Lawson Roberts

Lawson, one of our Year 10 students, broke two Australian records for his age group and weight group in a powerlifting competition this past weekend. What an incredible achievement! Well done, Lawson!

Student Achievement - Bronte Howe

Congratulations to Year 9 student, Bronte Howe. Bronte has made the Under 15 State Netball Team, which is a huge achievement. Congratulations on all your hard work and training - we can't wait to watch you represent Tasmania!

Student Achievement - Emma Godier

Year 9 student, Emma Godier, is an incredibly talented dancer. Recently, Emma participated in a huge production and dance competition in Sydney: the Grand Australasians Championships. Emma won six individual dances! She has also auditioned for the in Victorian Ballet, and was chosen to be lead role for Victorian State Youth Ballet. Congratulations, Emma!

Student Achievement - Caleb Poole

Year 12 student, Caleb Poole, has been selected to represent Tasmania in the junior Rugby Union teams that will be competing in the Southern States Championships in Canberra 2023.

The Southern States Tour involves state representative matches against South Australia, ACT, Western Australia and Central West, South Coast Monaro and Southern Inland. The Southern States Tour serves as an opportunity for players to compete at a higher level and the only opportunity to represent their state at 15 a side rugby union.

Players will travel to Canberra from the 10th to 15th July to represent Tasmania at this elite level during this period.

Launceston Rugby reached out to us, and said they hope this opportunity is enjoyable for Caleb, and helps improve his game and enjoy making new friends who share a passion for the game of rugby.

If you or a family member is interested in playing rugby please contact Launceston Rugby club launcestonrugby@outlook.com or juniors@tasrugby.com.au . All levels of players welcome. Come join the fun.

Employment Opportunities

From the Office

Car Parking

Please familiarise yourself with our Parking Policy that can be found on our website or by clicking this link - PolicyConnect

We do have parking available on site however there are a few things to be noted :

Visitors carpark is available for short term parking, if you are going to be at school for longer than 2hours, we suggest you park in the main carpark or on West Tamar Road.
Please be aware that the first six carpark on left hand side of carpark are reserved staff parking and parents are asked to keep these clear during 8am-4pm.

Illnesses

If you child has any flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, or fever they should be kept at home. If your child experiences Gastro or Gastro type symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, Students should remain home until they've had no vomiting or diarrhoea for at least 24 hours.

Office Hours during Term Break

The school office will be open 9am-3pm Mon-Fri 10th-14th July (1st Week), due to important staff training, the office will not be open during the 2nd week of the holidays. Week 3 of the holidays, the office will be open Mon & Tues 9am-3pm, again due to staff training the office will be closed Wednesday-Friday.

From the Wellbeing Unit

From time to time we become aware of excellent resources we can recommend to you.

Currently the government eSafety Commission is promoting their Parent Information around Respectful Relationships. You can access both student and parent resources/videos at esafetynews@esafety.gov.au and follow the links to topics such as;

Setting up parental controls
Digital technologies and mental health
Cyberbullying and online drama
Online sexual harassment and image-based abuse

As always Wellbeing staff, Michael and Angela can be contacted through the school office or email

walkerm@lcs.tas.edu.au

curtisa@lcs.tas.edu.au

Uniform Matters

School Holiday Uniform Shop Hours:

During the school holidays the uniform shop is available by appointment only.

If you have any inquiries regarding uniforms, please get in touch with our Uniform Coordinator, Anne Rixon, on 0400573902.

LCS Uniform Policy - Shoes

Designated sports shoes only.

Itinerant Music Teachers 2023

LCS has a number of instrument teachers who take students for individual lessons at school during school hours. This is an excellent way to learn an instrument and can help students make much faster progress on their instrument. It is recommended that student’s seriously contemplating studying music from grades 9 onwards definitely consider having some private instrument tuition to further their overall music advancement. Any student in grades 5 – 8 who are serious about starting an instrument should also have lessons in order to learn crucial proper technique early in their playing life.

Students continuing lessons from last year will be individually contacted by their teachers to organise lessons for the year.

If you would like your child to start having lessons this year, please email Mr Stewart (stewartp@lcs.tas.edu.au ) and include the following details;

Students name:
Class:
Instrument to have lessons on:
Contact phone number:
Your contact details (phone and email)

This will be passed on to a relevant teacher who will contact you for further details.

We currently have teachers available for the following instruments:

Piano/keyboard
Clarinet/saxophone and Flute
Guitar
Bass
Brass (trumpet etc)
Voice
Drums

LCS Volunteer Application Form

At LCS, we believe in the importance of fostering a positive, supportive community. We believe that parents and community members are essential partners in achieving this goal, and we would like to invite you to consider volunteering at LCS. We welcome your involvement if you have a specific skill or talent to share or simply want to lend a helping hand.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form below and return it to the Office/email it to kibbelm@lcs.tas.edu.au together with the required documentation.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Monica Kibbel at kibbelm@lcs.tas.edu.au

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you.

Notice From Food Technology Department

The Food Technology Department would like to encourage anyone with excess produce in their gardens or orchards to consider donating them to our Food Preservation Unit.

Donating your excess produce not only helps reduce waste, but also provides a valuable learning opportunity for our students. If you would like to donate, please contact Michelle Reid at reidm@lcs.tas.edu.au

Infectious Illnesses update

Student Bus Travel Expectations

Note for the office

ABSENCES/ATTENDANCE

Communication regarding a student’s absence needs to come via the school office. This information will then be passed on to the student’s teachers. Parents are asked where possible to telephone the school or email the office in advance when a student will be absent. If you subscribe to the mobile app, The Hub you can also lodge an electronic absentee form which will reach the office immediately. The school telephone number is (03) 6327 2854 and email is office@lcs.tas.edu.au

Students who are late must sign in at the school office. Students will be issued a ‘late pass’ that must be presented to their teacher. Students who sign in ‘late’ must have a note of explanation from home. Three unexplained late arrivals will result in a detention.

Yr11/12 students that have a study period in the morning and do not attend Class Teacher must sign in at the office as soon as they arrive at school, if students have not signed in whole day absences will be on their record. Yr 11/12 students may leave the school grounds during study periods, however they are required to sign out and back in at the office. This is important, particularly in the case of an emergency, so students can be accounted for by the staff and emergency services.

Written permission is required to leave the school grounds during school hours (except Year 11 & 12). Students are to meet parents at the office. All students must use the sign out folder at the student counter in the main office. When students return to school, they should report to the student counter in the main office and sign in.

If families intend to be absent from school due to extended holidays (3 days or more), parents need to fill out in advance an Application for Extended Leave for Travel form, found under the Parents and Students/Downloads & Policies tab on our website: www.lcs.tas.edu.au (Please see Extended Leave Policy on next pages)

MEDICATION

Should your child need to take prescribed medication at school please inform the school office. All medication, both prescription and over the counter medication, needs to be in original packaging and labelled with clear dosage instructions (prescription medication needs dosage instructions from a registered medical practitioner) and must be administered at the school office and students are not permitted to carry medication at school. Medical forms are sent home at the beginning of each school year and parents are able to indicate whether they give permission for paracetamol to be administered if required.

UNIFORM

Students who are not in correct uniform, wrong jacket or coloured socks etc must get a uniform pass from the office. A note of explanation should be provided by parents. Three uniform non compliances, without parent explanation, will result in a detention.

Parking Policy

Events

Enrolment Application Day 26th August

Enrolment Application Day

Inviting Business Owners to Join Us on the B2Me app, a Community Business Directory