Leichhardt State School eNewsletter

From The Principal

Welcome to our last newsletter for the year

As we approach the Christmas break, I want to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to the wonderful Leichhardt community for welcoming me and making me feel at home. My first six months at Leichhardt have been an absolute joy, and I am truly grateful for the experience.

When I first arrived at Leichhardt at the beginning of Term 3, after just three days, my boss came to visit and asked for my impressions. I told him that my first thought was that we have good people here—the students, the staff, and the parents are all genuinely kind and dedicated. I shared that I could definitely see myself staying long-term, and I feel the same way now. We are a community of good people, all striving to do our best, and it is a privilege to be part of it.

I also want to acknowledge and thank those staff members who will be leaving us at the end of the year to take on new roles. Your hard work and dedication have made a significant impact, and we wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.

Thank you again to everyone who has been part of the Leichhardt SS community. Here's to many more wonderful moments ahead!

To infinity and beyond - 2025

As we approach the end of 2024, we are already looking ahead to what we will accomplish in the coming year. Our focus for 2025 will be on reading and student engagement, two key areas that will have a lasting impact on our students' success.

Reading

Our goal is to improve our students' reading abilities.
Reading is an essential life skill that will open up many more opportunities as our students grow and develop.
It is through reading that we can expand our children's understanding of the world and foster a love of learning.

Student Engagement

We will work to improve student attendance by creating an environment where children genuinely want to be here each day.
We are committed to developing a strong sense of belonging, so that every child feels connected, valued, and wanted.

At the heart of everything we do, we are here for the children—supporting them, encouraging them, and helping them reach their full potential.

Class makeup for 2025

The class lists for 2025 have now been finalised. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our staff for the time and effort they put into creating class placements that are the best fit for every student. With 330 children, it's impossible to create the perfect combination for everyone, but I am confident that each decision was made with careful thought and consideration.

Our staff meetings were full of robust discussions, and I deeply appreciate the compassion and commitment that our team showed in completing this complex and often challenging task. Thank you to everyone for your dedication to ensuring the best outcomes for our children

Facilities

I’m pleased to share that our new Prep – 1 playground was officially opened yesterday to fantastic reviews from our students. It’s wonderful to see them enjoying the new space!

Additionally, we’ve now received the keys to the new classrooms in B-Block and are excited to announce that they will be ready for use next year. Given the time of year, it’s not practical to move classrooms at this stage, but we look forward to utilizing these new spaces in 2025.

Thank you all for your support in 2024 and I look forward to working together in 2025

Andrew Goldie

Principal Leichhardt State School

The Prep Playground is Officially Open!

From The Deputy Principal

Finishing the Term Strong @ Leichhardt

Engaged Learning in Weeks 9 and 10

As the term draws to a close, Weeks 9 and 10 have been buzzing with productive learning! Students across all classes have continued to build on the concepts and skills introduced earlier in the term, consolidating their understanding and applying their knowledge in meaningful ways.

While assessments are now complete, these final weeks provide a valuable opportunity to fine-tune learning, reinforce key ideas, and strengthen skills. It’s a time for students to reflect, refine, and grow before heading into a well-deserved break.

Below, you’ll find snapshots of our Year 3 and Year 2 students actively engaged in exciting learning activities, showcasing their enthusiasm but also the dedication of their teachers, who continually inspire and empower them to be the best they can be.

Building a Sense of Belonging

In addition to academic learning, our classes participate in activities designed to strengthen their sense of community and belonging. One beautiful example comes from Year 3A, where students took part in a Belonging Circle activity.

During this activity, each student shared something they appreciate about their classmates, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere. It was a joy to observe as students expressed genuine kindness and support for one another, fostering stronger connections and a deeper sense of mutual respect.

Activities like these remind us of the importance of nurturing not only academic growth but also the emotional and social well-being of our students.

Alphabet Challenge @ LSS.

In Week 8, 1B showed off their alphabet prowess and in Week 9, 5B showed off their skill during their HPE class. Well done, students!

1B were keen to demonstrate their alphabet skills.

5B’s alphabet challenge during HPE with Mr Scott.

English at LSS

This term students have been reading set texts across the year levels and Year 3 have been reading Kumiko and the Dragon by Briony Stewart as their set text. Carmen from 3A shared on Assembly what this story is about and how the Year 3s were using inspiration from this story to write their own story about a character overcoming a fear. Well done, Carmen. Well done Year 3s!

Faith Lutheran College @ LSS

A Heartfelt Farewell to the Faith Lutheran College Service Team for 2024

Week 9 marked the final visit for the Faith Lutheran College Service Team, who have been coming to Leichhardt to read with their Year 1 and 2 buddies over Semester 2 and with the Preps in Semester 1. This wonderful program has been an enriching experience for both the younger and older students.

We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity because it has fostered meaningful connections, encouraged a love of reading, and provided our students with positive role models to look up to. The buddy program has been a highlight of the year, and the kindness and dedication shown by the Faith Lutheran students have left a lasting impact on our community.

A big thank you to the Faith Lutheran College Service Team for their time and effort – you’ve made a real difference!

Thank you to Faith Lutheran College Staff for facilitating the program. Your generosity and effort have been truly inspiring, and we deeply appreciate your support.

A big ‘Thank you’ to Ms Carolin for organising reading and writing materials ready for the Faith Team’s visit each week.

Attendance Achievements in Week 8 @ Leichhardt

A big congratulations to 3B for achieving the highest attendance for the Junior School classes in Week 8 with an overall attendance average percentage of 81%. Well done, 3B!

Week 8, in the Senior School, 4A led the way with the highest attendance, achieving and surpassing the school attendance goal of 90%. 4A achieved an impressive 94.78%. Keep up the great work, 4A!

Attendance Achievements in Week 9 @ Leichhardt

A big congratulations to 3A for achieving an overall attendance average percentage of 86.67% in Week 9. Well done, 3A!

Week 9, in the Senior School, 4B led the way with the highest attendance, achieving an impressive 88%. So close to the 90% goal. Keep up the great work, 4B!

Why School Attendance Counts!

Regular school attendance is essential for every child’s academic success and personal development. Consistent attendance helps students stay on track with lessons, actively participate in group activities, and build meaningful connections with teachers and classmates. Missing even a single day can create learning gaps that may be difficult to bridge, impacting engagement and progress.

At our school, we are committed to fostering success by setting a 90% attendance goal. Achieving this benchmark ensures students have the opportunity to fully benefit from their education, develop positive habits, and sustain steady academic growth. Together, we can reach this goal and support our students in building a bright and successful future!

From The Head of Teaching And Learning

Miss Everingham - Head Of Teaching And Learning

Celebrating 2024

As we reach the end of 2024, I would like to wish all of the Leichhardt State School families a happy and safe Summer Holiday. Thank you for all of your wonderful support with your children throughout the year.

Positive Behaviour for Learning!

During Week 10, students were encouraged to finish their learning off strong and persevere with consolidating their what they have learnt not only over the term but throughout the year. Congratulations to our students for finishing off the year strong!

Week 11 will focus on celebrating our kind, safe learners with lots of activities throughout the week.

Year 5 and 6 reminders

As we prepare for the transition to high school, we encourage our Year 5 and 6 students to take greater responsibility for their supplies. Please remind your student to check that their pencil case, complete with lead pencils and an eraser, as well as their ruler, are packed in their bag each morning before leaving for school. Thank you to Miss Greenwood for creating the posters that will help remind students to stay organised!

Sun Safety

As the warmer weather approaches, it is important for all students to practice sun safety. Please encourage your child to:

Wear a broad-brim hat to protect their face and neck.
Apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
Seek shade whenever possible, whether under a building or tree.

Let’s work together to keep our students safe and healthy in the sun!

‘Best Class on Parade’

We’re excited to continue the ‘Best Class on Parade’ Trophy! This award will go to the class that best demonstrates the SHELL behaviour during Parade and leaves the hall the quietest.

SHELL stands for:

S – Sitting quietly

H – Hands together

E – Eyes facing the speaker

L – Listening ears on

L – Legs crossed

Let’s all work together to earn this trophy by showing our best behaviour!

The winning class will enjoy VIP seating the following week as a special reward! Let’s all work together to earn this trophy and enjoy the perks of being the best class!

Good luck to everyone!

Congratulations to the following classes: Year 1 and 3B

Teachers and students have continued to work together as a team, to keep school and personal property safe. This includes; staying on task, storing and charging our devices after use, and placing our school bags in a neat manner. As part of the PBL process, teachers and students have had conversations about how to use devices. As a school, we are in the process of creating positively stated expectations to embed throughout the school. Here is an example of following our Device Expectations! Thank you, Ruby and Will!

High Five

Students are encouraged to use the ‘High Five’ when needed. This is reviewed every assembly as well as in class and in the playground, in order to support our students in making good behaviour choices.

Practice Family Engagement

I would like to thank our families for partnering with us around Positive Behaviour for Learning. The Department of Education has outlined the benefits for students of family-school engagement including: improved academic outcomes, stronger relationships with adults and peers, better social skills; and improved mental health. When families and schools work together to reinforce positive behaviours, students benefit from clear expectations and consistent reinforcement both at home and in school. This collaboration helps to create a cohesive approach to behaviour management, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility for students' well-being and success.

If you would like any more information regarding PBL in practice, family engagement. Please visit this link

PBL Family Engagement

Finishing The Term Strong with our Learning

Just a friendly reminder that if you are requiring observation letters or behaviour records to please see Anna in the main office to complete the External Request Form and Consent to Share documents. These can also be found on the school website. When completing the forms, please remember to put the date of the appointment, the clinic’s name, and email address. This enables us to forward to the clinic, so they can attach the documents to your child’s file. We also still require 2 weeks to complete these requests so staff can contribute to the observation letter.

I would like to wish all of our families a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Leichhardt Says Thank You!

Sports News

Leichhardt’s First-Ever Battle of the Classes

In Term 4, Leichhardt hosted its first inaugural Battle of the Classes, a thrilling sports carnival where Grades 4-6 competed in the sports they’ve been mastering during lessons.

The day began with an opening ceremony in the school hall, with all students rallying to the inspirational tune, "What Have You Done Today to Make You Feel Proud?" This uplifting start set the tone for an unforgettable day, with every student embracing the spirit of competition and camaraderie.

Games and Competition

Classes were divided into boys’ and girls’ teams, competing in three exciting games:

Capture the Flag
Build-Up Ball
Danish Long Ball

The carnival kicked off with Grade 5, where the players showcased incredible determination and sportsmanship. The enthusiasm wasn’t limited to the field; the Fan Zone crowd cheered tirelessly, spurring their teams on. The same energy continued as Grades 6 and 4 followed, with each match brimming with intensity and class pride.

Results and Awards

The competition culminated with an Awards Ceremony on Thursday morning. The students gathered in the hall, celebrating to the iconic anthem, "We Are the Champions," recognising every participant as a winner.

Here were the final results:

Grade 4: 4B defeated 4A
Grade 5: 5B defeated 5A
Grade 6: 6B defeated 6A

A special mention goes to 6B, who dominated the carnival with an impressive 21 points, earning the title of Overall Champions!

Individual MVP Awards

Outstanding performances were also recognised with MVP prizes:

Girls:

Briana
Deijah
Jahnarrah

Boys:

Lincoln
Israel
Robert

Player of the Day Awards

Presented by Mr. Jack:

Grade 4: Micah
Grade 5: Gerard
Grade 6: Summer

Looking Ahead

The first-ever Battle of the Classes was an overwhelming success, celebrating teamwork, determination, and school spirit. Congratulations to all participants and winners! We look forward to seeing this tradition grow and thrive in the years to come.

Long live the Battle of the Classes at Leichhardt!

Mr Scott

From The Deadly Room

A Deadly Thank You for a Wonderful Year!

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements of the Deadly Dancers and express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us.

Thank you to Metro, QPAC, Apology Day at Leichhardt State School, Kumara, Messy Play Matters, Regional Children’s Expo, Daycares, ICFC Reconciliation, QCCA, Amberley Air Force, Little Day Out, Brisbane Central State School, Kambu, and the Leichhardt Daycare and Kindy Deadly Jarjums.

A special thank you to IRON TRAX, Indigenous Insights, Tivoli State School, Brisbane Central State School, West Ipswich State School, Ipswich City Council, Little Big Day Out, Hatton vale State School, IUIH Goodna Clinic, Rotary, and City Hope Church. Your support and collaboration have provided unforgettable opportunities for the Deadly Dancers to shine and grow.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Aunty Larena and Uncle Henry Thompson, who continue to teach Yugara language and share their wisdom, and to our wonderful elders, who guide and inspire us in all that we do.

To our terrific and wonderful kids – thank you for representing our school with such pride. Your commitment to being at school on weekends to represent our community, getting up early to catch the bus for performances, and your outstanding behaviour have not gone unnoticed. The feedback we’ve received from schools and organizations is consistently full of praise for how wonderful you are. You have made us all so proud!

To the amazing parents who have supported us throughout the year and to our P&C for organizing meal deals as a gesture of appreciation – your contributions make all the difference.

The Deadly Dancers at Leichhardt have shown the power of collaboration, respect, and passion. We are so proud of how far we’ve come this year and excited about the possibilities for next year. Bigger and better things are on the horizon!

To our students, families, and staff – thank you for making this a truly wonderful year. Have a safe and happy holiday season!

With gratitude,
The Deadly Room

Prep A

Prep A have finished the year strong with how we began. We have been participating in fine motor activities each morning. This has enabled us to keep our fingers and minds active during the mornings. One activity that we loved was making our own wreaths using paper plates and Christmas stickers. Mrs Krings hung up our wreaths in the classroom which we loved as they made our room look Christmassy.

We are also practicing our numbers and alphabet each day so that we are ready for grade one!

Have a wonderful holiday Prep A! Thank you for a great semester 2!

From Mrs Krings and Miss Jodie.

What an Amazing Finish to Our First Year of School for Prep B!

Mrs. Costello and Miss Shania are incredibly proud of all our Prep B students' achievements this year. Over the past few months, it has been wonderful to see the learning they've worked so hard on throughout the year come to life.

Our preppies are now reading and writing words and simple sentences independently—a significant milestone! They’ve also become much more self-reliant in looking after their belongings and following instructions.

An exciting development has been their initiative in organising and playing their own group games, showing impressive teamwork and social skills. The new playground has quickly become a favourite, with the soccer field being especially popular. It’s heart-warming to see their teambuilding and communication skills grow as they have fun with their friends.

What a fantastic first year it has been for Prep B! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday break.

Mrs Costello and Miss Shania

The grade 1's went on a scavenger hunt in the forest to find as many nature things as they could! One of the boxes on the list was to build a house out of sticks which they absolutely loved!

As we come to the end of an incredible year in Year 2, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the amazing learning and memorable experiences we’ve shared. It has been a year filled with growth, discovery, and plenty of fun!

We started the year with a bang, heading off to Queens Park for our first excursion in Term 1. For many students, it was their very first excursion, and they were so excited! From exploring the beautiful parklands to learning about the environment, it was a fantastic start to what became a year full of adventures.

Throughout the year, the students tackled challenging topics in Maths, like fractions and four-digit numbers, while showing their creative sides in English with narrative writing and persuasive talks. Science lessons were a hit, as we explored animal life cycles, changes in the world, and how science impacts our everyday lives.

In Term 2, we researched Monarch Butterflies and created a text full of fascinating facts. Our HASS lessons took us on a geographical journey, mapping continents, oceans, and Australian landmarks. In Media Arts, students had fun experimenting with camera angles and video editing, bringing their creativity to life.

Term 3 saw us step back in time with an excursion to the Cooneana Heritage Centre. The students got hands-on with old-fashioned washing techniques, tried writing on slates, and explored how technology has changed our lives over time. They returned buzzing with stories and new knowledge!

We wrapped up the year in Term 4 with Food Technology, where students designed and made their own healthy sandwiches. They loved learning about food safety and proudly enjoyed the delicious creations they made themselves. We also learned all about writing stories and how to craft a perfect narrative story!

As the year draws to a close, we both want to express our gratitude for your support. We are so proud of the students’ growth, enthusiasm, and achievements. Next year, we’ll be starting new chapters at different schools. While we’re excited for the opportunities ahead, we’ll truly miss the Leichhardt community and the connections we’ve built this year.

Thank you for an unforgettable year, and we wish you all the very best for the holidays and beyond.

Warm regards,

Miss J & Mr Saran

The P&C would like to thank all the volunteers and parents that supported the Tuckshop this year! We will keep you posted on uniform shop opening hours in week 0 on Facebook. We wish all our Families a Safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Volume 20 - 6 December 2024