Principal's Report

Congratulations to all our student leaders from Grades 3-6 who (eventually) were handed their leadership badges for 2021 at Monday’s assembly.  Taking on a leadership role no matter how big or small in primary school is a great stepping stone in your education. 

The Impact of Absenteeism 

There are many factors that influence student achievement, including teacher quality and student engagement. Attendance is also an important contributor to a student’s academic achievement – all school days matter. The correlation between absence and achievement is consistently negative and declines in achievement are evident with any level of absence. Although authorised absences and smaller amounts of absence were associated with only small declines in achievement, all absences count, and the impact of absence increases with the number of absences. 

Isabella and I check the attendance on a daily basis.  We check for unexplained absences, patterns occurring in student absences and long absences without explanation or approval. It is a parent’s legal responsibility to ensure your child comes to school.  If your child is unwell this needs to be explained via the Sentral portal. Remember: attendance patterns developed in a child's first years of school remain with them into adulthood. 

Should you require any assistance or have any questions about school attendance please contact the school office.

If it happens again….. 

I hope it doesn’t but it could – lockdown.  Last week our teachers worked on ensuring their new Google Classrooms were set up and ready to deliver live, online learning the next day should it be required. The Prep team have prepared some extra information for parents as this may be new for you to navigate. Our staff are always here to help if you get stuck. 

Parent/Teacher Meetings 

Next week will be a great chance for you to come and meet your child’s 2021 classroom teacher.  At LPS we pride ourselves on knowing children’s next steps of learning.  All 643 students have an Individual Education Plan based on their results in Term 4 last year.  It is a good chance to review the goals the teacher has set so you can best support your child at home. Please book via Sentral. 

End of day pick up

Each afternoon Warrandyte Road is busy.  In order to facilitate safe pick up I have 2 staff in the pickup zone helping get kids safely into cars, a crossing supervisor (Mary) ensuring kids are walking across our slip lane safely so they can cross Warrandyte Road as well as principal class at the front of the school.  Now, please be patient.  Each night we time how long it is until all students have been picked up from the pickup zone and Warrandyte Road is flowing again.  This ranges between 14 and 17 minutes in dry weather. I’m very happy with that to be honest. 

Please be mindful of others though.  Parking on nature strips, other people’s driveways, in no standing areas and the Wellbeing Centre only strains relationships between LPS and our community/neighbours. 

Thanks for your cooperation. 

Have a great week, 

Mark Moorhouse

Principal