The Launceston Preparatory School Newsletter, October 31st

The Hidden Curriculum

We all know that children come to school to learn how to read and write, manipulate numbers and develop the academic skills they require for later schooling and employment. We think The Launceston Preparatory School does that pretty well!  

However, it is not just the formal, obvious curriculum that we try and teach to our students. At The LPS we often talk about the “hidden curriculum” – all those other skills that children need to lead happy and productive lives. These include: 

• social skills like knowing how to make and keep friends, self-regulating emotions, and participating in group activities; 

• life skills like being able to order lunch, carry messages, tidy up after themselves, and follow a series of instructions; 

• fine motor skills like being able to peel fruit and open lunch containers, and tie shoelaces; 

• interpersonal skills like greeting others by using their names and looking them in the eye, thanking people and showing courtesy. 

These skills are often taught explicitly in the “resilience” sessions that students experience in various forms during the week. The Oxford Dictionary defines resilience as “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.” Unfortunately, life dishes out a few of these difficulties along the way so we believe it is important to help young people develop the skills to “withstand or to recover quickly from” them. 

Young people will never develop these skills if they are constantly rescued from uncomfortable situations. (Note here the difference between an “uncomfortable” situation and a “harmful” situation, the latter of which certainly requires rescue!) Discomfort might arise from wanting a device or one more turn on the game, carrying a schoolbag, feeling peckish, having to leave a task to join the group, for example.  

We all know that it is hard to see children unhappy. It is always so tempting (and seemingly easier) to help them out of uncomfortable situations. Especially with the availability of technology, instant gratification is easier than ever before.  However, learning how to sit with discomfort helps young people to understand that all feelings (even bad ones) are normal, tolerable, and temporary.  

This is the key to resilience, a key component of “the hidden curriculum” that we teach at The LPS.  

Mrs Leonie McNair

Remembrance Day Service

All parents and friends of The Launceston Preparatory School are warmly invited to join our Service of Remembrance on Monday, 11th November. This meaningful service, led by our Group 1 students, will begin promptly at 10:55 am.

Please be seated on the lunch steps by 10:50 am, as we honor this significant occasion together. The service will conclude by 11:15 am. We hope you can be with us for this special moment of reflection. 

Miss England and Mrs Cook

Staff Profile - Tam Goss-Edmunds

This week, we’re delighted to spotlight Mrs. Edmunds, who has been a valuable part of our school community for six years. Whether she’s supporting students in the classroom, helping out with extracurricular activities, or enhancing our school’s enrichment programs, Mrs. Edmunds brings dedication to everything she does. Here’s a glimpse into what she loves most about The Launceston Preparatory School. Enjoy!

Transition Tuesday K/P/1

Transition Tuesday started last week to the great excitement of all involved. On Tuesday mornings at 8:15, students are starting to familiarise themselves with the teachers, friends, and classmates they might be in classes with in 2025 across the whole school.

Our start with the transition process from Kinder to Prep began at the very beginning of the year with weekly Buddy Play time on Wednesday afternoons and a weekly lesson with Kinder and Prep students on Fridays. In Term 4, Kinder has started eating their lunch with our Prep students on Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes in readiness for being together in a Prep/1 class next year. Next week, our Prep students will begin meeting with the Kinder classes on Tuesday mornings at 8:15 for a play, first in their Kinder classroom, then later in each of the Prep/1 classrooms.

Group 1 children have been having their transition time with Mrs. Thyne and Mrs. Freeland and their Group 2 students. After the long weekend, we will be changing classrooms on Tuesday mornings so we can each have time with the other classes.

In both Prep/1 and 2/3, we have had a calm and happy beginning to this term of transition—a great sign of a safe and happy beginning to the school year next year.

Mrs. Kellie Cook and Miss Nicole England

Transition bonding

Transition Tuesdays - 2/3 (and 4)

We have already had two sessions with the current Group 1s coming up to visit us and the Group 3s moving up to visit Miss Andrews and Mr. Barnes. It has been such a lovely time, with everyone making an effort to get to know one another on a deeper level. When the Group 1s first come into the room, they get to spend a few minutes with Mrs. Freeland using our “Would You Rather” conversation cards. Some of the answers are hilarious, some are quite serious, and all of them help us find out a little bit more about one another.

The Group 2s have been busy organizing activities that they feel encourage people to chat and work together. Benoit has organized some origami, which he has enjoyed teaching to the younger children. We have some special ‘Party Animal’ toys that lots of us enjoy playing with. The children have also been drawing together and building structures from Lego.

In addition to our weekly P-3 Singing and Buddy Reading sessions, Transition Tuesday is really helping to set the children up for a successful move to the next group in 2025. Thank you to all the parents who are helping out by getting their children here in good time each Tuesday morning.

Ms Melissa Freeland

Tuesday morning offers so much

Principal's Award

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, with varying attributes and this month's recipient oozes with a courageous humility and a rich sense of justice. 

For consistently demonstrating courage, selflessness, and thoughtfulness in all his actions, Monty Frandsen is recognised for embodying these admirable traits. His positive influence and dedication to helping others make him a worthy recipient of this special award.

Congratulations!

Philosophy

Our NIJSSA Athletics Team Captain - Poppy Steen!

Mr. Payne proudly announced our next leader for the upcoming NIJSSA carnival during Assembly this week. While we look for a winning spirit and competitive edge, he made it clear that our captain was also chosen for their thoughtful support of peers and willingness to go above and beyond to cheer on others, rallying behind the success of their team regardless of a podium finish.

Congratulations, Poppy Steen! May you lead with the same energy that you bring each day to The LPS. We have no doubt you’ll represent our badge with honor.

Best wishes to Poppy and the entire team on Friday. 

Early Learning

Our Early Learners love being outside. They are noticing changes in the natural environment as flowers begin to grow and the trees are forever changing. The 'mud kitchen' and sandpit are popular play areas which allow for opportunities to be creative, make choices and use their imaginations to make learning fun. 

Play in nature

eSafety Resource

In today’s digital world, eSafety is essential for protecting primary-aged children online. At The LPS, we pride ourselves on creating safe environments, but there’s one space we can’t always safeguard—online. Together, we can encourage safe habits by discussing privacy, setting clear boundaries, and supervising internet use. Small steps like these can make all the difference. 

Our link below includes valuable information to help remind children of the basic risks and tips on how to protect ourselves from the hidden dangers of the online world. As parents, while you may already actively monitor online interactions, reminders about not sharing personal information and using parental controls can build greater awareness for all. Staying informed helps ensure a safer online experience.

The eSafety Guide | eSafety Commissioner

Lady Gowrie

Dear The LPS Families,

Lady Gowrie would like to advise you of a change in care arrangements moving into 2025 for any family interested in enrolling into ASC at The LPS. Due to a lack of demand and to align with all other ASC programs from term 1, 2025 we will no longer be offering enrolments to Pre-Kinder children. The Service Approval for the program is for children who are aged 4-12 years old (enrolled in kinder). 

If the enrolment demand increases for Pre-Kinder children in the future, we are more than happy to review this. 

If you have a child who is attending Pre-Kinder in 2025, and you were thinking about enrolling into ASC please reach out to Cassie Kidd (Service Manager) at cassie.kidd@gowrie-tas.com.au to discuss this.

Thank you and kind regards

Kellie Guard

Regional Manager OSHC

Please note that any notices we include in this newsletter for providers of activities that occur outside of the school, are provided only for the interest of families and do not carry any endorsement by the school.