The Launceston Preparatory School - Newsletter 9 May 2024

Relief Teachers at The LPS

In the perfect world, all The LPS teachers would be available to attend school and teach your lovely children every single day.  However, teachers like to keep up to date with their professional learning and often these sessions are held during school hours.  Teachers also have families and may need to look after their own sick children or elderly parents.  There are also times when teachers are unwell and they don’t wish to share their germs with everyone at work!  On these occasions, it is part of my job to help source appropriate relief staff to work in our beautiful school.  As you can imagine, we are fussy about who we choose!

All of our relief staff are interviewed, introduced to Mr Bristow, and given a tour of the school prior to deciding if they are suitable.  Apart from ascertaining they are suitably qualified and have all the relevant paperwork, we also discuss areas of particular interest they may have, our school philosophy, behaviour management, age groups they feel they work best with, etc.  After this, both the potential relief teacher and I get a good sense of whether or not our school is a good fit for them and us. 

Through this process, we are extremely fortunate to have developed a good pool of reliable relief staff who are committed to our school and who are happy to plan lessons related to our current theme. 

Over time, many of our relief staff have become well-known to students and staff alike.  Just as we expect our relief staff to have high expectations of our students and to plan meaningful learning experiences, we also expect our students to treat relief staff with the same respect they show the rest of us.  The LPS teachers help students to be prepared for, and respectful towards relief teachers by letting students know if they will be away, if it is a planned absence.  We also take Resilience sessions specifically related to relief staff and visitors to our school, and how we can be respectful and thoughtful. 

When I make the early morning call to relief staff and ask them if they might be available to work at our school, they are always very keen to come.  They regularly comment on how helpful and welcoming our staff are towards them.  They also mention the enthusiasm of the students and the fact that they want to learn.  Relief teachers have also noticed how our students enjoy being at school and are generally very respectful. 

It always makes us proud to hear these comments about our students, and we are fully aware that it is due to a team effort between the parents, children and The LPS staff.  

Next time you hear that your child has had a relief teacher, I hope you feel reassured that we only call them in when absolutely necessary AND that the relief staff we have are fully vetted and they LOVE working in our school. 

In Truth and Happiness,

Melissa Freeland

Kindergarten and Early Learning

As part of our celebration of Mother's Day, yesterday in Early Learning and Kindergarten, we invited our mums and grannies for afternoon tea. A beautiful afternoon was spent together with our grannies and mums. We opened with a heartfelt song and enjoyed happy conversations , delicious  afternoon tea, some reading and puzzle time. 

Our families are an integral part of our learning and sense of belonging here at school and we appreciate all of our female friends and role models. Keep up your amazing efforts!! ❤️

Ms Rebecca Howard 

Prep/1 - Excursion to QVMAG

On Monday the Prep/1's set off on our very first excursion for the year. We got off the bus at Riverbend Park and had a fantastic play on the equipment and then ate our morning tea. We then headed off down the boardwalk and took photos and talked about all the different forms of transport we could see. By the time we got to Royal Park and it was time for lunch. Our next visit was to the QV Art Gallery where one group met first with Uncle Rex; he told us all about his amazing paper bark canoe. The other group looked at the paintings and ceramics in the upstairs gallery. We all walked back to Royal Park for a play and afternoon tea. Time had flown and soon it was time to catch our bus back to school. We had such a fantastic day. Thank you to our parent helpers, Louise Bull and Michael Higgins, for spending their day with us. We loved having you.

Nicole England and Kellie Cook 

Group 2/3 - Cross Country Practice - Thanks, Mr Payne

Since the end of last term, Mr Payne has been giving all students an opportunity to practise for the School Cross Country Carnival. 

In their Sport lessons, the children have run around the school, progressing to running around the Greenfield, and this week have been down to Birch Avenue Soccer Grounds to have a go at the course they will be running next week in our carnival.

Mr Payne has been helping the children to work on their fitness and become familiar with what is expected of them in a cross country race. He has ensured they are properly warmed up, familar their course, had a practice run and then  stretched down at the end to avoid any injuries.

We want our Cross Country Carnival to be fun for everyone. Mr Payne has talked the children about running at their own pace and that everyone's pace is different. It has been so great seeing the children really getting into it, no matter their skill level.

We can't wait to cheer for our houses and encourage all the children to do their best.

Mrs Harriet Thyne

Philosophy - Socratic Seminar Groups 2 & 3

Students are eagerly enjoying the novel that Mrs Thyne is reading to them each day – The Forest of Silence by Emily Rodda, which is the first book in the Deltora Quest series. In the early chapters, we meet two great friends: Endon, who has just become king, and Jarred, the son of one of his servants. In Philosophy this week, we explored the following questions:

• What is a friend?
• How can we find and make friends?
• What sorts of things can upset friendships? How can we restore them?
• Endon and Jarred are “friends to the death”. Is such a thing possible? How?

In one of the Socratic seminar groups, we talked about making friends online. Some students felt there was no difference between these friends and face-to-face friends, while others were aghast at that idea!

We always have such deep and interesting discussions!

Leonie McNair

Music News - Jon Madin

On Tuesday this week, Jon Madin visited our school with his amazing instruments and creative ideas. All students from Prep to Year 6 learnt how to play a range of songs on instruments including marimbas, drums, 'echo cellos', 'parasol bikes', and 'farty foot pumpers'. The day concluded with a concert featuring all of the students playing a song each alongside Jon, with a special teacher performance on the farty foot pumper instruments at the end.

Jon's teaching and creativity is a very special treat for our students, and a truly unique experience. We look forward to Jon's visits every year, and this year's session did not disappoint. It is an inspiring event for students and teachers alike, and we are looking forward to his visit again next year.

Mr Billy Green

Mother's Day Morning Surprise

Meet the Staff - Ms Rebecca Howard - Kindergarten Teacher

We are excited to announce a new addition to our weekly newsletter! We'll be featuring a different staff member each week providing an opportunity to meet the talented individuals who make up The LPS.  This week, we introduce our Kindergarten teacher, Ms Rebecca Howard. Rebecca is in her 32nd year with us at The LPS and we all feel very blessed to have her as our Kindergarten teacher. She is a highly valued member of staff. 

Esk Fundraiser - Dolly's Dream

Esk House leaders have decided to raise money for Dolly’s Dream.  This is a charity that aims to stop bullying. It is in honour of a girl called Dolly who was bullied.  Her message to the world was, 'Speak, even if your voice shakes'. We think this is very important and we want you all to know that at The LPS you have lots of friends, student leaders and teachers who are all here for you to talk to if you feel sad, uncertain, fragile, or a bit blue.

What we are doing:

When: Wednesday, 15^th May

What:  We can all dress up in blue, which was one of Dolly’s favourite colours also being the colour for mental health organisations.  You could wear blue clothing, a blue wig, blue nail polish, anything that is blue.

 A donation to Dolly’s Dream can be paid to your home group teacher before or on the day. 

Mrs Edmunds is also doing her own fund raiser for Dolly’s Dream.  As an added incentive to raise money for this charity, if she reaches $1000.00, Mrs Edmunds is volunteering to have her head shaved here at school.  We have decided to add any money that we raise at The LPS, to Mrs Edmunds’ total to help her reach that goal.  So please, donate to this great cause.

House Captains Term 2

As Term 2 is now in full swing, the day-to-day leadership opportunities are in abundance. A chance to contribute to making someone’s day better in our community never seems to be passed up by our Leavers, and the role of House Captain is a perfect example of this.

Congratulations to our Term 2 leaders:

Henry Holloway - Ossa      Henry Hannay – Esk

Lincoln Baraka - Bass         Ryan Bonny - Ossa

Brixhibition

For those who missed our recent post on social media, Ellie Tilbury’s winning Brixhibition picture was brought to life by members of the Tasmanian Lego Association and was on display at the Brixhibition event that took place in the holiday.  Doesn’t it look fabulous!

National Walk Safely to School Day - 10th May 2024

Tomorrow Friday the 10th of May we will be participating in the National Walk Safely to School Day. This is an annual event that promotes safe and healthy travel options for students. The event encourages children and families to walk, cycle or scoot to school. It aims to increase physical activity levels, reduce traffic congestion and improve road safety awareness. We will meet at Hoblers Bridge Netball Courts Car Park on Pine Avenue & Hart Street at 8.00am.

I encourage all parents/carers to come along and walk to school with their child.

I look forward to seeing you there! 😊

Mr Alex Payne

Connected Parenting Workshop - 5th June 2024

On Wednesday, June 5th, Jo McFarlane is presenting a workshop, Connected Parenting, just for parents here at The LPS!

You won’t want to miss this opportunity to listen to the powerful message, or collect the bank of strategies she has on offer. You will also have a chance to ask questions that are no doubt on all of our minds when it comes to parenting.

Where: Multipurpose Hall

Time: 7:00pm start

How to book: simply email the office to book your place – admin@lps.tas.edu.au

         What is connected parenting?

- The quality of time you spend together.

- Being present and fully engaged during the time you have together.

- Approaching interactions with a positive and compassionate attitude rather than, being critical, nagging, or blaming.

- Accepting your child for who they are.

- Validating and supporting their feelings and beliefs.

- Creating a safe and supportive place for them to feel comfortable make mistakes, acknowledge their mistakes and be themselves.

About Jo McFarlane!
Jo McFarlane is a passionate professional who builds respectful relationships with families. Her extensive knowledge of disabilities combined with current research enables her to support children with current interventions and accommodations in school and home environments.
During her 30 years in education, Jo has developed experience in the following settings:

• Giant Steps Tasmania Teacher (School for Children with Autism)
• Vision Impairment Support Service (Children 0 – Year 12)
• Esk Support Service (Support role, support inclusion of students in DECYP schools, School age children)
• Learning Support Coordinator (Accessing funding, working with families and children, 3 years – 12 years, in the school setting)
• Jo has worked closely with Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Therapists to provide successful programs to support children at home and at school. This multidisciplinary approach is evident in her work.
• see more at https://connectingwithkidstas.com.au/

Have you ordered your school photos yet?

Have you ordered your school photos yet ?  School Photos will be taken on Thursday 23rd May. To order go to www.leadingimage.com.au and enter the unique school ACCESS KEY - 57TCWBXC. If you wish to have an addtional sibling/family photo taken on the day, please contact Melissa L in the office to have this booked in.

Scholastic Book Club

The Scholastic Book Club brochures Issue 3, 2024 went home earlier this week and just a reminder orders close Thursday 16th May. You may choose to order online or have your child bring their order with a cash payment to the office prior to Thursday.

Lost Property

We have had a request from a parent whose daughter has lost a brand new size 12 rugby polo jumper with the name of Midson on it. Could you please check your child's rugby polo top if they are currently wearing this size or similar that they haven't accidently picked this garment up by mistake. Can you please ensure all items of clothing are named. This will assist staff in returning lost garments to the correct owners.