The Launceston Preparatory School Newsletter, November 13th

HPE Wrap 2024

As we close out the 2024 academic year at The Launceston Preparatory School, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the standout elements of our Physical Education program. This year, our Swimming, Athletics, and Cross-Country carnivals once again showcased our commitment to promoting fitness and overall well-being. Our traditional gymnastics unit at the PCYC, the Swim and Survive water safety program, and the introduction of the Elphin pickleball and table tennis experience added variety and excitement to our physical education curriculum.

Fine Motor/Perceptual Motor Program Success in 2024

One of our most notable achievements this year has been the success of our fine motor and perceptual motor program. These targeted sessions have greatly supported students in developing their fine motor skills and perceptual awareness. The positive feedback and outcomes from this program have emphasised its importance in establishing a strong foundation for continued physical and cognitive development.

Looking Ahead to 2025

In 2025, we will build on this year's success by enhancing our curriculum with more small-group sessions aimed at individualised skill development. These sessions will continue to focus on both gross and fine motor skills, ensuring a comprehensive approach to each student's physical development.

Benefits of Program Enhancements

Personalised Learning: Expanding small-group sessions will provide tailored instruction to meet each student’s unique needs, allowing for differentiation and skill advancement.

Holistic Development: The focus on both gross and fine motor skills supports overall physical and cognitive growth, promoting well-rounded development.

Boosted Engagement: Customising sessions to specific needs maintains student interest and motivation, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Lifelong Impact: The skills developed in these sessions will contribute to students' immediate physical well-being and lay the groundwork for lifelong healthy and active habits.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Parent Helpers

As we conclude 2024, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the parents and The LPS staff who have dedicated their time to assist with school and inter-school carnivals. Your support has been invaluable, and these events would not be possible without your help. It has been a pleasure to strengthen connections within The LPS community, and I look forward to continuing these partnerships in the years to come.

Alex Payne

HPE Teacher

A year of HPE

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 40

Next

Junior Athletics Day Gallery

Recently, our community enjoyed a beautiful spring day on Greenfield for our Junior Athletics Carnival. It was a fabulous outing for everyone involved, with plenty of parents attending and smiles all around as positive connections were made across our school. Many thanks to Mr. Payne for organizing the day, and congratulations to everyone who took part.

Greenfield Athletics

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 56

Next

Introducing Schoolstream

The LPS plans to introduce the Schoolstream app to the school community. The benefits include:

• Receive reliable communication directly from the school in real time
• Receive relevant notices, reminders and newsletters from school - directly to your phone
• No more lost forms or dog ate my permission slip - sign and submit permission forms digitally
• Report absences via the app.
• Instant and unlimited (private) messaging between school and home
• Simplified event management including event notices with attached permission note, start-end times and location maps.
• Parents can locate information and manage notifications with customised folders
• Translation services with over 100 languages
• Cashless payments - lunch orders, uniform purchases

 School Stream is an all-in-one app. designed specifically for school communication and is available for all users on iOS and Android phones and tablets. Its free for families, easy to use and you will always have information regarding your child or children on hand.

Very soon the school will send out information on how to install the app. I anticipate there will be some teething problems, there is that dog again, however until every parent is happy and comfortable with the app., information will continue to be sent out via email.

For those who wish to check out School Stream, the website is School Stream School App | Communication Tool

2/3 Scientists learn about Light

The Group 2/3 scientists have been hard at work in the few sessions we have had together so far in Term 4. In keeping with the theme of "In the Spotlight," we have been investigating the way that light works, particularly looking at reflection and refraction using light boxes, prisms, and mirrors. We have also enjoyed learning about our major source of light, warmth, and heat — the Sun — and how it affects life on Earth.

During the science sessions, students continue their weekly research, using trusted sources of scientific knowledge such as books and the National Geographic Kids website. Students have worked in pairs and individually to learn new facts, then memorise one or two and share them with their classmates in a whole-class discussion. Through these sessions, we have built up an impressive array of science knowledge, and the students love to connect the dots between all the facts, often remembering things from earlier sessions. It is wonderful to watch the “lightbulbs” behind their eyes light up as they continue to fill in their understanding of the world of science.

Mr Billy Green

Early Learning and Kindergarten

Early Learning and Kindergarten children love playing outside together.

They are growing appreciation for and care for our school environment. Watering the plants, feeding the worms and making nests for the birds!

What fun we are having enjoying this beautiful Spring weather, and what better place than our beautiful grounds to do it.

Ms Bec Howard & Mrs Alice Batten

EL & Kinder

Hooray, Hooray it's Library Day!

Prep and Group 1 students have been delighted by library lessons this year with Mrs. Leonie McNair, who has shared beautiful books and poems with us week after week. This term, we have had a very exciting change in our library lesson time: the opportunity to borrow from our beautiful collection of library books.

Mrs. Tam Goss-Edmunds made each student their own library card, which they keep attached to their library bag for borrowing and returning books each Thursday. The books have been carefully curated by Mrs. McNair to be beautiful choices for sharing with an adult, sibling, or pet—something to snuggle up with. On Thursday, upon the book's return, students have an opportunity to give a "book talk" to encourage others to choose the book they enjoyed. This has been a milestone moment in the Prep/1 classroom, taken on with excitement. The ability to recount the story orally and encourage others to read is an excellent skill to foster.

Prep/1 students, please remember to return your book on Thursday because, "Hooray, hooray, it's library day!"

Mrs. Kellie Cook

Philosophy - Mrs Leonie McNair

Group 2/3s LOVE Literacy Box

As part of the Group 2/3 reading program, the children have the opportunity to work on Literacy Box.

This is a series of leveled cards, where the children read a passage of text and answer a series of questions about what they have read. The questions are in three sections: comprehension, all about words, and grammar.

There are various text types, including persuasive texts, narratives, reports, poems, and recipes. Some are humorous, some thought-provoking, and some factual—but all teach us something!

The children love working on Literacy Box because they can see their reading skills improving as they work their way up the levels. Some of the Group 3s have even progressed to Mrs. McNair’s Literacy Box!

Mrs Harriet Thyne

Production News

The children are growing more excited about the Production as the weeks go by. The Leavers, in particular, have been working hard to learn their lines, moves, and cues, and they’re looking fantastic!

It’s been impressive to see their ideas come to life in their DEEP groups, as they organise props, backdrops, and sound effects. We can't wait to share this production with you!

Miss Mel Andrews

Production sneak peek...

DEEP Mountain Biking

On Monday the MTB DEEP group rode from school to Heritage Forest Pump Track. We departed at 1.00 p.m. and the group held a good pace following the North Esk River trail to Henry St. Here crossed over and followed the levee to Inveresk/UTAS area. From here we followed the Park Run route up to Heritage Forest and hit the pump track. Here we put a few of the jumping skills to the test and enjoyed some air time! Most importantly we all stayed upright and in one piece. It was a beautiful day for a ride and a big thanks to Jen Gray, Pelle Eastman, Charlie Mackinnon and Mick Howard for coming along to help out.

Mr. Eddie Barnes

Seniors Resilience

In a recent Resilience session, we discussed the Catastrophe Scale and how we can use it to respond appropriately to different challenges. We explored a range of scenarios, noting that context sometimes influences the response, but the children generally agreed on what might be a glitch they could solve independently versus a catastrophe requiring emergency services.

The children also recognised that the size of a problem can change with age. What may seem like a big issue for a younger child could feel like a minor problem or even a glitch to them.

Miss Mel Andrews

The Catastrophe Scale

President's Report

Parents of The LPS

A belated President's Report, for an AGM held in September. That's the way things go as working parents, things slip, we don't quite get there on time. Luckily the group revisited the Mission Statement about a year ago, which brought me some leeway.

"Encourage a community of parents and carers to meet, in the spirit and philosophy of the school, to enhance the opportunities of our children, when and where we are able."

When and where we are able. Thankfully I have the support of an amazing committee in Amelia and Steph. When I wasn't able, they were right there to get things done. For that I'm very appreciative. This sense of community, working together toward a common goal, is what makes this school such a spectacular place.

We finished 2023 with a joyous Christmas barbecue, wishing our Leavers well as they head into their next chapter. In February we came together and celebrated the start of a new school year, eager to learn and play. A new event in August, the Winter Festival, was supported by our group, keeping tummies full and warm. We thank the office and teaching staff for their assistance at these events, and the wonderful volunteers - parents and students alike - that have volunteered to help out.

The Easter Raffle was a great success, and the Bake Sale was also well supported. Most recently we've had the Tea Towel fundraiser. A huge thank you goes out to Amelia for pulling this together with the barest of assistance. What a fantastic, practical keepsake for families to have. Ours will hang proudly on the oven handle for years to come.

Fundraisers held throughout the year contribute to our pledge to dollar-match the fundraising initiatives of our students, helping to maximise their contribution to the community beyond the school gates. Funds raised also pay to cater the events held throughout the year, so we can build our sense of community. Thank you to all who have supported throughout the past year.

Much effort goes into arranging fundraisers and events, and all help is appreciated. I would encourage parents and carers to join the community in the private Parents of The LPS Facebook group (link and QR code below). We would value your input and feedback for events and fundraisers. We would also value your help to spend a short while serving or cooking at a school event.

Don't fear being "roped in" to helping out - provide what you can, when you can. When and where we are able.

Thank you, we look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas barbecue in a few weeks.

Adam Sutton

https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsofthelps

Mission statement:

Encourage a community of parents and carers to meet, in the spirit and philosophy of the school, to enhance the opportunities of our children, when and where we are able.

Parents of The LPS aim to:

• foster a sense of community between children, parents, and carers
• purchase resources to directly benefit students of the school
• support the fund-raising efforts of students to the benefit of the broader community
• support parents so they may raise conscientious citizens
• positively promote the school and its philosophy