Leichhardt State School eNewsletter

From the Principal

Message from the Principal

I want to acknowledge that our office staff are, all too often, subjected to aggressive or even abusive language—whether over the phone or in person. This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable.

Our office team works incredibly hard to support not just the day-to-day operations of the school, but also your children. They frequently go above and beyond, including spending time with students who need help calming down or resetting—tasks that are outside their official responsibilities.

As a parent myself, I understand that there are times when you may feel the need to advocate for your child, especially when something seems unfair. However, it’s important to remember that the office staff are not to blame. Regardless of the situation, it is never acceptable to yell at or mistreat any member of our team.

Children learn how to behave by watching the adults around them. When we respond with anger or aggression, we teach them that such behaviour is acceptable. Let’s work together to model kindness, respect, and calm communication—for the sake of our staff, our school community, and, most importantly, our children.

Schools are workplaces and, just like any workplace, abuse or aggression of any kind is unacceptable. While most interactions are positive, there's no excuse for aggressive or harassing behaviour either in person or online.

Let’s work together to make our school great.

Andrew Goldie

Principal

Key Messages from our school leadership team

We hope this message finds you well. Here are a few important reminders to help our school days run smoothly and safely for everyone:

Shoes at School
Please ensure all students come to school wearing appropriate shoes. This helps keep our learning environment safe and hygienic, especially during outdoor play and activities. Thank you for your support!

Late Arrivals and Early Departures
If your child arrives late or needs to leave early, please report directly to the school office. This helps us keep accurate attendance records and ensures all students are signed in or out safely.

Afternoon Pick-Up
To minimize classroom disruptions, we kindly ask all parents to remain downstairs until 2:30 p.m. when classes are officially dismissed. Your cooperation helps our students stay focused during those important final lessons of the day.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and respectful learning environment. We appreciate your continued support!

From the Deputy Principal

Off the Deputy’s Desk

I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Deputy Principal at Leichhardt State School for the rest of this term. It’s a privilege to join a school with such a dedicated staff who share a commitment to excellence in education.

A little about me: I bring 12 years of experience in education, having worked in many schools across the state and in both primary and high school settings. My favourite sporting team is the Brisbane Broncos and I bleed Maroon. I do enjoy fishing in my spare time which I have little of these days.

I believe that every student can reach their potential with the right supports and when school and families work together as a team. I believe in setting high expectations for students, so they have something to reach for. One of my values is respect as this builds a stronger school community and is also the foundation for growth.

School is a place where all students are meant to feel safe and valued. Treating each other with kindness and respect is what brings schools together and work as one. Parents have the role of being their child’s first teacher and teaching them what this looks and feels like comes from you first. We all need to do our bit to make Leichhardt State School the best school in Ipswich and support one another in this vision.

I look forward to working with you while I am here.

Jason Day

Deputy Principal

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

As mentioned previously, many of our classes have been successfully implementing the PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) phonics program. The feedback so far has been very positive, and we’re seeing encouraging results in student progress.

Over the next few editions, I’ll be sharing more detailed information about how the program works, its structure, and how it supports literacy development at different year levels. This will help provide a clearer picture of what’s happening in classrooms and why PLD is proving to be an effective tool for teaching phonics.

Here are some interesting facts about oral language:

Oral language refers to the ability to speak and listen effectively. It includes key skills such as vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and structured thinking—the ability to elaborate, organize, and sequence thoughts.

While poor oral language skills may not prevent children from learning to read, they can significantly impact reading comprehension, writing, and a student's ability to fully engage with the curriculum.

Stay tuned for more insights in the coming updates!

Belinda Whittet

Head of Department - Curriculum

From the Head of Department - Student Engagement

Exciting times ahead

End-of-Term Celebration
To wrap up the term on a high note, we’re hosting an end-of-term celebration featuring a sausage sizzle and indoor sports activities in the hall. This is a great way for students to enjoy some well-earned fun together before the holidays. A big thank you to our incredible P&C Association for supporting this event – your involvement helps us create a positive and engaging school environment for all.

Year 6 Camp Invoices – Coming Soon
Our Year 6 students are eagerly anticipating their upcoming camp – a fantastic opportunity for growth, teamwork, and fun! Camp invoices will be sent out shortly, so please keep an eye on your email including junk/spam folder and school communications. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school office.

High School Enrolments
If your child is heading to high school next year, now is the time to submit enrolment applications. Most local high schools have opened their enrolment processes for Year 7, 2026. We encourage families to contact their chosen high school early to arrange enrolment interviews, collect forms, and attend any upcoming transition events.

Why Enrol Early?

It also allows students to participate in orientation programs, choose their subjects, and get familiar with their new school environment before the academic year begins.

Steps to Enrol

Check School Options – Research local public, private, or specialist schools to find the best fit for your child’s needs and interests.
Gather Required Documents – Most schools require proof of residency, birth certificates, immunization records, and previous school reports.
Complete the Application – Enrolment forms can often be completed online or in person, depending on the school’s process.
Attend Orientation & Transition Events – Many schools offer programs to help new students adjust and feel confident before their first day.

Support for Families

Schools understand that transitioning to high school can be a big step. Staff, counsellors, and student mentors are available to guide families through the process and answer any questions.

Don’t wait—secure your child’s place in high school today! Contact your preferred school or visit their website for enrolment details.

Ms Everingham

HOD - Student Engagement

Healthy Eating

Eating Healthy foods helps our brains and bodies work their best. When we fuel up with protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains we have more energy, better focus, and a stronger memory. This means we can concentrate in class, stay alert and do our best in learning every day. Healthy eating builds healthy minds!

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

PBL in practice - Family Engagement

From the Head of Special Education Services

NDIS Therapy Sessions – Important Update

We would like to inform our school community of an important change regarding the availability of space for NDIS provider sessions at Leichhardt State School. Due to ongoing and increasing space limitations on our school grounds, we will no longer be able to host NDIS therapy sessions on-site from the beginning of Term 3. This has been a difficult decision for the leadership team and was made only after careful consideration of all possible options.

We recognise the value these sessions provide for many of our students and families, and we deeply regret any disruption this may cause. If your child currently accesses NDIS therapy during the school day at Leichhardt SS, we kindly ask that you begin exploring alternate locations for these sessions as soon as possible.

Where feasible, transitioning to an alternative site before the end of this term would be greatly appreciated, as we are continuing to manage space challenges daily and are doing our best to accommodate all students’ needs.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and support as we work to ensure a safe and functional learning environment for all.

Ms Rivett

HOSES

From the Student Engagement Teacher

We’ve had an exciting few weeks in the Engagement space. The highlight being the first Leichhardt Latte morning tea. It was great to meet up and chat about all kind of things. Members of the Admin team popped in including the school Guidance Officer.

We spoke about accessing services and encouraged each other with various ideas and processes that have work within our own situations and families. It was so nice to hear the shared stories.

The next Latte morning is on Tuesday 17^th June, one of the topics we’ll discuss is Mental Health for children and information around activities this.

The Journey to the Island of Calm groups and the Glasser, Who’s Driving my Car? group met for a quick check in.

The next Leichhardt Latte Morning Tea is on Tuesday 17^th June, 8:30am. One of the discussion points will be around PBL language and the process. Also, families will be given a booklet Wellbeing Activities for students this booklet is full of activities that can be done both at school and home.

Elsje McQueen.

Student Engagement

Sports News

Mini State of Origin heats Up the School Oval

The rivalry was fierce, the touches were fast, and the school spirit was sky-high as Years 5 and 6 students took to the field for their very own mini State of Origin clash.

Divided into teams representing Queensland Maroons and the Legendary Almighty Blues, students wore their colours with pride and played with passion. The game featuring impressive teamwork, and plenty of cheering from the sideline.

From The Deadly Room

Reconciliation Week 2025: Bridging Now to Next

This week we proudly celebrated Reconciliation Week, a time to reflect, learn, and come together as a community. The theme for 2025, "Bridging Now to Next," encourages all Australians to unite in advancing reconciliation—honouring the past, embracing the present, and building a better future together.
It has been an amazing and eventful week, full of cultural pride, community connection, and unforgettable student achievements.

⭐ Highlights of the Week

Kummara Briks Program: Building Resilient Indigenous Kids for School
The Kummara Briks Program is designed to support Indigenous children by fostering self-identity, cultural pride, and spiritual strength, helping them re-engage with school in a meaningful way

Deadly Dancers Shine at QCAA Brisbane

Our students represented Leichhardt with pride at the QCAA event in Brisbane. The Deadly Dancers performed with strength and spirit, showcasing the Yagara language through movement and song.
One of the most moving moments came from Leonee Thompson, who delivered a beautiful Welcome to Country in Yagara. The performance was elevated even further by Tanna Bailey, whose powerful didgeridoo performance left the audience in awe. Together, these performances created a powerful atmosphere of culture, connection, and pride.

Culture Comes Alive at 2025 Messy Play Matters

Another group of our Leichhardt Deadly Dancers performed at the 2025 Messy Play Matters event, which was even bigger and better this year! With Mason Caine doing a wonderful Acknowledgment to country. Our students captivated the crowd, once again demonstrating their strong cultural identity through music, dance, and language.
We are so proud of all of our students for their commitment, energy, and passion.

From the Teachers

Prep A

Prep A have been focusing on their letter formation and writing CVC words this week in preparation for our English assessment.

The students have shown so much joy in their faces as they realise that they can spell and read the words they are writing.

I am proud of you all Prep A for your hard work and determination!!!

Mrs Krings, Mrs Chant and Miss Shania.

Prep/1 B

Our young writers have been working hard this term! Students have been learning to write CVC words such as cat, sit, and dog, and are beginning to create simple sentences. We are encouraging them to remember those important writing rules—using a capital letter at the beginning and a full stop at the end. It's been wonderful to see their confidence grow! In Maths, we've been focusing on ordering numbers, as well as practising simple addition and subtraction. Hands-on activities and games are helping students build strong number sense while having fun.

A big thank you to all our amazing parents for supporting your child's My Learning Adventure book at home. These books are a great way to build connections between school and home learning. If you have any questions or would like more information about how to use the book, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Our classroom vet surgery has been a hit! The students are loving this imaginative play space—it's incredible to watch them take turns, share resources, and even write appointment cards. This kind of play helps develop both language and social skills in a meaningful way.

Friendly Reminder: Please pack a healthy snack for our Munch and Crunch time each morning. Great options include fruit, yoghurt, cheese, or crackers to keep those brains powered up for learning!

Thank you for your continued support.

This Week in 5/6B

This week, 5/6B focused on reconciliation week, exploring what it means and the lasting impact it has on our shared history and future. We reflected on the theme "Bridging Now to Next", recognising the importance of connection between the past, present, and future in our reconciliation journey. Through discussions and activities, students deepened their understanding of respect, truth-telling, and unity.

We also had the opportunity to mentor the Year 1B students during a special reading session. Our class guided them through an engaging activity about adjectives, helping them describe characters and settings through both words and drawings. It was a wonderful moment of leadership and collaboration, and 5/6B showed great patience and encouragement.

Over the past two weeks, 6B has been busy exploring fascinating stories of migration. As part of our literacy unit, students have been researching real-life migration journeys from countries such as Italy, China, and many others. Using this research, we are now crafting engaging newspaper articles that share these powerful stories of migration to Australia.

In Mathematics, our focus has shifted to reading and interpreting timetables. These practical skills help us apply math in real-world contexts.

Meanwhile, in Science, 6B has been diving into the world of circuits. After learning about electrical components and how circuits work, students had the opportunity to design and build their very own circuits in class. It’s been an exciting hands-on experience that sparked both creativity and curiosity!