From the Principal 

Student Lighthouse Members 

This week class elections were held for students wanting to be Lighthouse team members. The tenure is for one semester, so that more students can participate in this important role. Previously members have made major decisions regarding special events and purchases e.g., choosing their preferred play equipment. 

Student Lighthouse Class Representatives

FA:      Chloe 

FB:      Emilia

12A:    Edie 

12B:    Sonny

12C:    Stella

34A:    Lara 

34B:    Ramona

34C:    Lenny 

5:         George

56:       Shy and Clement

The students will be presented with their badges at next week’s assembly.

School Tours

Le Page Primary School promotional brochures have been delivered to local preschools. Already many school tours have been booked. This year there is increased interest throughout the community about the school. We are looking forward to welcoming our many visitors.

ANZAC Garden

Le Page Primary School recently applied for two grants and received an injection of funds. $16,390.50 from the Government’s Suburban Rail Link and $7,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs. These funds will be used to create a reflection area and gathering point for special days e.g. ANZAC Day. A third flagpole will be installed for the Torres Strait Islander flag. The plan for the area is to have the front garden bed extended to rap around the flagpoles. The retaining wall will be fixed, and a native themed garden will be planted. We have sourced artwork including a corten steel Ode of Remembrance. Trees will be planted along the front of the school to create an Avenue of Honour. The green fencing will be painted black, and concrete cleaned.  As well as serving as a reflection point the project will beautify the front of our school. 

Chloe’s Garden

On the final day of 2022, Bunnings delivered and planted Chloe’s Garden. They also donated some ornaments. Lachlan and Liam have been tending to the area, making sure it is watered through the summer. Bunnings and The Men’s Shed will visit again, as they have created a beautiful sign and fairy door to be put on the tree.

Before and After School Care

City of Kingston before and after school care is now located in the hall. Access is through the front of the hall. As part of their relocation, they have purchased a new fridge and some electrical upgrades have been made in the kitchenette. Kingston run an outstanding program and the new space is working well for all.

Chickens and Chicken Coop

Our chicken palace is now fully constructed, and chickens are on their way. Everyone is excited about the new arrivals. Kelli Colvin and Anna Ottersbach will collect the chickens from a farm in Merricks. Another big thank-you to Ben Gravina and some of his employees for constructing the palace.

Little Learners Love Literacy

Our Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students started using the Little Learners Love Literacy approach. This happens every morning from 9:15-10:00. There has been positive feedback from students, teachers and education support. Jen Hayes and Courtney Mason have been supporting the Year 1-2 cohort and Gill Phillips our tutor is also supporting the facilitation of the program.

Tutoring

Our tutor Gill Phillips is continuing with us in 2023.This year Gill is starting her support work in the Year 1-2 cohort as these students have had the most interrupted learning journey since starting school. Later in the year Gill will possibly work with other cohorts.

Year 3-6 Mathematics

The Year 3-6 team have been planning targeted learning experiences as a group. To do this all students completed a pre-assessment and then teachers analysed their data, grouping them according to their area of need. For three sessions a week all children are mixed across the different year levels to support their learning at their exact point of need. The focus of all groups is Place Value with some students working with numbers to thousands and some working with fraction decimal place value. On Fridays the students are in varied groups and are working on developing their ability to think multiplicatively. All students completed a different pre-assessment, Scaffolding Numeracy in the Middle Years (SNMY), so teachers could establish the next steps in their learning. 

Professional Learning Communities Inquiry Cycles

The teachers have begun an inquiry cycle in line with the Department of Education’s school improvement cycle. The process is for teachers to evaluate and diagnose an area of student learning that could be improved, then prioritise and set goals to improve student learning, developing a plan for the improvement, and finally implementing and monitoring the strategies. Teams of teachers will meet every Wednesday afternoon to work on their inquiry cycles. This is an evidence-based approach to school and teacher improvement, and student achievement.

Foundation Testing

Narelle Diggins and Michaela Cohen have been completing one-on-one testing with our Foundation student each Wednesday. The teachers complete an English and Mathematics assessment which is in the form of an interview. The last of these days will be Wednesday 8th of March. After the Labour Day long weekend, the Foundation students will be attending school five days a week.

English Online Interview Year 1

In 2023, it is now mandatory for all students in Year 1 to complete a phonics screening test. This will happen at school and will be conducted by the teachers. These tests will be completed by Friday the 17th of March.

NAPLAN

This year NAPLAN has been brought forward from May, as in previous years. All tests will be done on computers, except for Year 3 Writing. The schedule for NAPLAN is as follows:

Wednesday 15th March - Year 3 and 5 Writing, Year 5 Reading

Thursday 16th March - Year 3 Reading, Year 5 Language Conventions

Friday 17th March - Year 3 Language Conventions, Year 3 Maths

Monday 20th Match - Year 5 Maths

If students are away on the day one of their NAPLAN tests are scheduled, there are catch up days from 21st to 24th of March.

Annual General Meeting

Next Tuesday March 28, the Le Page Primary School’s AGM will be held in the staff room at 5.30 pm, followed by the first School Council Meeting. 2023 office bearers will be announced on Compass. 

Thought for the Week

Let your gratitude send off so much positive energy, that it shifts the vibrations in the room. 

Students and Teachers Dodge-ball Lunchtime Fun