Volume 20- 26th November 2021
From the Principal
Next week, the report cards will be delivered to parents and caregivers through email or post. Judging by the effort our students have put in over the semester, we are expecting excellent academic results again, especially in the English learning area. Not only have the students worked harder, they have also really enjoyed the beauty of putting different words together to create rhyme or funny sounding phrases! Thank you, parents and caregivers, for supporting them with their learning outside of school and ensuring they can do their best.
Teachers and the Leadership Team are currently working on the 2022 class lists, and these will be announced late next week. We are considering students’ ability, behaviour, relationships and parent requests in creating the lists. Once the lists are finalised, only special circumstances may be considered if changes are requested.
This year, Week 9 will be the last week students spend with their teacher as we are introducing a new approach from Week 10. All students will be in their new classes with their 2022 teachers, wherever possible. The reason for the change is so that our students can feel less anxious about the following year. Before the end of the school year, the students will know who their new teacher will be, which classroom they will be in, where they may be sitting and what they need to do when they come back. In consultation with our students, they seem to be very happy to have this information early and have more time to get used to their new teacher.
The high school transition model we have been following in Years 5 and 6 has worked exceptionally well this year, so we are planning on continuing with it into the future. This year, we have secured a teacher from a local high school, who will be teaching Digital Technology and help our students become global citizens.
On Monday’s assembly, we will be announcing the 2022 Student Leaders from 9:00am. The whole school is excited to find out who the new Year 6 leaders will be. In my opinion, all our kids are great leaders and do their bit to make Leichhardt the best school it can be.
Thank you for your support and for being our partners in education!
From the HOSES
As the end of the school year comes closer many parents notice their children displaying behaviour that indicate increased anxiety and dysregulation. Often this is because of the impending changes that our children are going to face. In two weeks, our children will be moving from their highly structured daily school routine to 6 weeks of holiday fun. For most, this brings out feelings of excitement however, for others, these changes can be very scary. Not only will their daily routines be extremely different, but they will be coming back to a new class, new teacher and new classrooms.
To help our students face these changes, Leichhardt State School are going to introduce our students to their new classes and teachers in week 10. Our students will spend the week with their new classmates and teacher in their new learning environment, getting to know each other, setting up routines and settling into their classroom spaces. Providing this for our students supports them to have a sense of security in knowing who they will be working with next year and what they will be returning to. Ultimately, this will help to reduce a lot of the wonder and often anxiety that students can face during their 6 weeks away.
If you notice that your child is displaying new or increased behaviours over the last few weeks of school, take some time to check in with them and talk about what might be bothering them. Talk to them about what will be happening at school in week 10 and how good it will be fore them to get to know their new class and teacher. It can also be very helpful to let your child know what they will be expecting over the holidays, and if possible, set some routine for them during this time to help them manage the changes that they are going through.
If you have any concerns or would like some more information about how to support your child managing changes, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Neville.
Reading @ Leichhardt
World Nursery Rhyme Week
World Nursery Rhyme Week was celebrated last week at Leichhardt State School. Nursery rhymes are important, because not only are they fun, they help a child develop an ear for their language. The rhyme and rhythm of nursery rhymes help children to hear the sounds and syllables in words which is important for the development of reading. In fact, research has shown that if a child knows 8 or more nursery rhymes by heart at the age of 4, they are usually among the best readers in the class at age 8 years of age.
It was great to see the Preps and Leo the Lion presenting the nursery rhyme ‘Down in the Jungle’ at the Week 7 Parade.
On Friday at second play in the library, Ms Ferguson facilitated a craft activity, with students making their own ‘Incy Wincy’ spiders.
After creating her ‘Incy Wincy’ Spider, Amity (1B) was then keen to perform the nursery rhyme. Well done, Amity! A big ‘thank you’ to Ms Ferguson for facilitating this fun library activity!
Spelling Challenge
Students are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to exhibit their spelling prowess at the Live Spelling Challenges at Monday mornings’ Assemblies.
Below pictured are the Week 7 amazing spellers:
Xavier 6A
Bailey 4B
Rhyan 4A
Zakk Prep B
Kirra-Jane 4B
Letter Writing to Santa
At second play every day in the library students can now write a letter to Santa. Students will find special paper and a Santa post box to post the completed letter to Santa. This is a great activity for students as not only do they share their Christmas wishes with ‘Santa’ but practise their writing skills for a meaningful purpose.
PBL News
Weekly focus:
Positive Behaviour for Learning News
Happy end of week 8. It is unreal how quickly the end of the year is approaching. For the remainder of the year the value we will be focussing on is respect and the expectation of being kind. With Leichhardt State School having so many kind and respectful students I’m sure there will be many GOTCHA’S being handed out. Over the next two weeks students will be focussing on Random Acts of Kindness that they can do for each other, staff or family members. On the last Friday of school there will be a Mind, Body and Character Day. There will be numerous activities for the children and the day will culminate with a Summer celebration where all classes will get the opportunity to present a talent.
Remember at Leichhardt State School:
We are kind.
We are safe.
We are learners.
Students have focused on the expectation ‘Be Safe’ and the value ‘Teamwork’. Students have been reminded of the fire and lockdown procedures to ensure everyone's safety.
Attendance:
A reminder that as we move closer to school holidays it is still very important our students are attending school. If they are here each day they go in the running to win a tuckshop voucher at parade.
Well done to our class winners for the highest percentage of attendance:
Junior:
3C - 80%
3B - 85%
Senior:
6B - 82%
4A - 86.67%
Thank you and have a great week.
Joy Anforth
Head of Department
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Learning @ Leichhardt
Term 4 – ENGLISH
Poem writing capturing language features, NONSENSE words and having FUN learning. 4A have learnt that not making sense is an actual thing. They had fun writing nonsense poems, watching ‘Alice in Wonderland Adventures - Looking through the Glass’.
SCIENCE – OUR LITTLE INVENTORS AND THEIR CREATION WITH FORCE.
Mia Rose and Lyllith , Rhyan, Amelia, Lillie and Maci
4A have been learning about magnetic and natural FORCEs. 4A have created various games that use a natural pull and push concept of force to magnetic magic How are they doing that (Yes, all the wonders of Science).
HASS – FIRST FLEET AND OUR TRADITIONAL LAND OWNERS
4A have been learning about early settlement Captain Cook and the First Peoples of this land Aboriginal People. The history of European Explorers colonisation, settlement, and convicts this had their knowledge learn and compare the past and present life in Australia.
DEADLY ROOM – WUNYA – WELCOME - HELLO
The students learnt this week more in depth learning about our Traditional Owners the language Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul mob. “Wunya” means Welcome or Hello. Storytelling - History - believing in the rights of all people and your culture. Where you from and your community there forever. We will do art with Aunty Marley next week.
4B
As we finish assessments the 4B students have spent time reflecting on their learning and behaviour goals that they set at the start of this term. The students are very proud of their efforts and enjoyed reflecting on their goals, their favourite activities throughout the year as well as the improvements they have made. It was wonderful to hear the students encouraging each others learning and celebrating their successes.
STEAM News at Leichhardt
Over the last two weeks, for science, our students in Year Five continued learning about how First Nations People design shelters to keep cool. They have built four model Gunyahs, using a simple shelter design, to investigate which type of materials will keep the shelters the coolest. Our Year Six students have continued their biology unit on ecosystems and plant physical conditions and how we can learn from traditional ecological knowledge. They are conducting an experiment to determine whether more fertiliser results in a healthier plant.
In Visual Arts Year 3 students have been creating artworks using patterns they see in the playground as inspiration. Students were allowed to use these patterns in any sort of picture they wished to create and the results were wonderful
For Technology in Year 5 and 6, the students continued their design and technology unit where they are using hand stitching techniques to create Christmas decorations.
Year 6 Camp
On Monday, Mr Jack, Mrs Anforth and Miss Everingham left school with some very excited Year 6 students to Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre. During their stay, students participated in lots of activities that shown teamwork and perseverance. Students needed to think about what kind of leadership qualities they have, and what kind of leader they would like to be?
Our first activity was stand up paddle boarding. We walked to the beach and the view did not disappoint, some students even got to see dolphins. It didn’t take too long for students to become pros at this. For many it was their first time doing this activity, students had so much fun, even if they fell off.
We got to build rafts with floating boards, bamboo pipes and rope. Zoe from Runaway Bay said it was the first group to do the activity without arguments. Well done for the great teamwork and positive communication skills.
Students played the indigenous game Edor, had some free swimming time in an indoor pool and finished the night watching Scooby-Doo.
We did the Amazing Race, just like the one on TV and it was all about Teamwork. Archery was so fun, but a lot harder than people expect. Students really had to show perseverance in this activity.
Students and teachers loved the yummy and nutritious buffet breakfast, lunch and dinners and arrived back at school exhausted!
Mission Australia Playgroup
This term at playgroup we are learning about a different country & their culture each week. So far we have learnt about New Zealand, Sri Lanka & the Philippines & Vietnam.
Last week we had Aunty Marley come along to tell us a story about the Rainbow serpent & we made some great crocodile craft as well.
This week we are learning about the Native American Indian culture as it relates to one of our families heritage.
Then next Thursday 2nd December we will be in the hall doing a Play a Book session & the final group of the year on Thursday 9th Dec will be Christmas craft & end of year celebrations.
If you would like to come along the group meets every Thursday in the Library from9-11am & is for families with children aged between 0-5 years old. It’s free & tea/coffee & morning tea is provided.
For the Play a Book session, you need to RSVP by using the QR code or text Channon on 0475 798 198 so we can cater for everyone.
Please contact Channon Schiemer from Mission Australia to find out more information on Facebook messenger or call her on 0475 798 198.
Community News
Leichhardt State School does not endorse or recommend any of the advertisments, notices or flyers; this serves as a community notice.
Blackstone United Dragons
Register now to play football (soccer) for Blackstone United Dragons in season 2022! It’s a great way to exercise, have fun and make new friends. Blackstone United Dragon’s have teams for those aged 5 and upwards. All games are played on Saturday [April to September]. Details can be found on our website http://blackstonesc.org/club/ or you can register online at https://qcsawelsh.myclubmate.com.au/mydetails/
