School News 

Word Study Workshop 

From Leanne Winning, Literacy Coordinator Teachers will participate in a training session with spelling expert Christine Killey on our pupil free day on Monday 24th February. Teachers will investigate the ‘Words Their Way’ word study program and plan how we will introduce the program across the school. We have chosen this word study, spelling and vocabulary program (which has been successful around the world) because it fits perfectly with our current methodology and our focus on spelling in the context of writing. The program is grounded in research and will compliment the outstanding work teachers across LNPS are currently doing. The program is part of our goal for continuous Literacy improvement. Spelling a rote list of words has been proven to not benefit most children. Taking a list of words home on Monday to memorise for a test on Friday is a very traditional  method of approaching spelling and has been shown by years of research to not help children's’ spelling and writing of words in the long-term. At LNPS we have been focusing on vocabulary and the importance of understanding the meaning of words and being able to use a variety of strategies in spelling for several years now. ‘Words Their Way’ will provide teachers with another useful resource to ensure that spelling and word study programs are consistent across the school. A parent information session will be held in term 2 for parents wanting to learn more about this initiative and how you can you help your child with spelling at home. 

Volunteering at School

From Sue Thompson, Deputy Principal

We so often find ourselves grateful for the support we receive from parents/caregivers volunteering in a range of capacities within the school environment.  It is a DECD Policy that anyone volunteering within the school, assisting or interacting with students, complete both a Criminal History Check and undertake a Volunteer Education and Care Induction Section, run by the school,  which takes between 1½ to 2 hours to complete.  

As we know, your child’s safety is of uppermost importance to you as it is to our staff working with them and DECD support this level of care and concern through the development and implementation of these programs.

In Term 1 we are seeking volunteers across the school and your class teacher is the person to speak to about how you can help.  I will be running two Volunteer Induction Sessions during this term, in our staff room, on Monday 17th March at 9.00 – 10.30am and 5pm-6.30pm. Please contact me at sue.thompson967@schools.sa.edu.au to advise which session you would like to attend or to enquire about volunteering within the school. The other alternative is to ring the front office on 8443 5544 to book into either the morning or evening session. 

If you haven’t completed your Criminal History Check by this date, you can still attend the session and I will bring additional forms to the training for you to take away with you to enable the check to be completed.  There is no cost to you for this check as it is covered by the school. Looking forward to seeing you on the 17th.   

Parent Education Forum

The Education Committee would like to invite all parents to a Parent Education Forum (formally Parent Network Meeting) on Wednesday 12th March, in Tirkandi at 6:30pm. This will be a chance for parents to meet the Class Reps for their child's class and learn more about  "Learning Spaces at School". More information will be provided closer to the date.