Volume 16 - 10th November 2023

From Our Principal

Transition to high school is an important milestone in any person’s life and research shows that adequate support provided by the schools and parents significantly increases students’ chances of having a smooth transition. This term, our school is offering a High School Transition Program that runs for an hour each week and offers opportunities for students to ask questions, share their emotions, discuss potential issues and receive valuable information from relevant sources.

The program started with student consultation session where we collected feedback on what the students wanted to know about high school. Student voice is very important as it allows us to tailor the sessions to their needs. It has been wonderful to see how well our students have been engaging with the program so far.

In addition, we have started collecting data about our students’ future schools, and are working with high schools to join us in supporting the students with transition. In the meantime, you may wish to read this article about ways in which you can support your child’s transition https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/feature-articles/tips-for-a-smooth-transition-to-high-school.

We held our first Careers Expo this week, which offered an opportunity for students to learn first-hand from our valued presenters who came from different industry fields, including police, child care, Ipswich City Council and local high school. We are planning to hold one Career Expo each term next year. I hope you enjoy reading more about this event from Trish Ferguson, our Community Support Coordinator.

Instrumental music has steadily grown over the last couple of years through the percussion lessons held each Wednesday. We are hoping to extend the program in 2024 to include other instruments and will be seeking your feedback and expressions of interest. Our Instrumental Music teacher, Mr Schilling, will be coming back to continue the program and continue with the great work he has been doing.

You may have seen in the media that Queensland is introducing a new mobile phone policy from Term 1 2024. On 6 July 2023, Minister Grace announced that all state school students will be required to keep their mobile phones ‘away for the day’ from the beginning of Term 1 2024. This announcement also extends to wearable devices like smartwatches, which can be worn, but must have notifications switched off, so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours. We are currently reviewing Student Code of Conduct to reflect this.

The highlight of this week has been a wonderful opportunity I had to meet with Harrison and his dad to find out about Harrison’s latest successes with skateboarding. Harrison brought in his medals for First Place in the National Competition BMD Eastern Rumble 2023. I think the best way to explain Harrison’s success is to share with you that he won the competition on points and was not even able to be there in person. He already has sponsors who are very interested in his talent. Harrison loves his sport and trains tirelessly every day. He is dreaming about being in the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 and we wish him all the best on his journey. Well done, Harrison!

From Our Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning

Second Prep Open Morning – 1/11/23

It was another well-attended session for the second of the three Prep Open Mornings at Leichhardt State School.  At the session, students met Mrs Anforth (Deputy Principal – School Culture) and had their first Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) lesson.  There was also a surprise visit from Leo the lion, Leichhardt State School’s mascot.   2024 Prep students then received a passport and went on a tour of the school visiting new places and meeting many new faces.  Finally, a visit to the Deadly Room where future Preps enjoyed a reading of, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and some more deadly craft.  It was lovely to see older brothers helping out their younger sisters.

Final 2024 Prep Open Morning

Nineteen 2024 Preps and their parents/carers enjoyed the final 2024 Prep Open Morning on Wednesday morning.  At the first session, after a short overview of the Prep Curriculum by Mrs Finlay (Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning) children were provided with their Reading Eggs logins and an iPad to engage with the online reading program, Reading Eggs.  Children thoroughly engaged with the program and were enjoyed learning letter names and sounds through the online activities and songs.    The next Reading Eggs Awards Celebration Assembly will be in Week 10, Monday 4 December.  We look forward to presenting many awards to 2024 Preps at that assembly.

Session two of the morning, was a Physical Education session with Miss O’Connor (Head of Department – Teaching and Learning) in the Hall.  Future Preps and parents/carers reported thoroughly enjoying completing the obstacle course that Miss O’Connor had created. 

After a morning tea and bathroom break, 2024 Preps and parents/carers headed off to the Deadly Room for a deadly story and craft session with Aunty Marly.

If your child is due to start Prep in 2024, please make contact with the Office on 3813 3222 to book an enrolment interview.

2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge Celebrations @ Leichhardt

A special assembly, morning tea and special guests in attendance, celebrated the achievements of eleven students who went above and beyond in completing the 2023 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

It was lovely to have Mr. Jim Madden MP, Member for Ipswich West, at the assembly to present students with their awards.  Other special guests included parents/carers of award recipients, regular reading volunteer, Mrs Rose, and Mrs Kerry Bayfield and Ms Tanya McKenna, representatives from local high schools, Faith Lutheran College and Ipswich State High School, whose students visit regularly to provide one on one reading with junior and middle school students.

Below are pictures of students receiving their awards on assembly.  Well done, students!

Celebration of Learning @ Leichhardt

Monday’s Week 6 Assembly celebrated students’ achievements in Reading and Maths with the October Reading Eggs, Mathseeds and Education Perfect Awards being presented to proud students.  Pictured below are just some of the award winners.   

Well done, Preps!

Well done, Year 1 students!

Well done, Year 2 students!

Well done, Year 3 students!

Well done, Kajiah (Year 4)!

Well done, Malakai (5A), winning the first EP award!

Well done, Year 6 students!

Well done to Mrs Krings (Prep Teacher) for winning the Reading Eggs Teacher Engagement Award!

Please encourage your child to engage daily with Reading Eggs and the online Maths programs.  These are excellent tools for helping your child develop strong reading and maths skills.  They are engaging, effective and tailored to your child’s individual learning needs.   If you do not have your child’s password for any of the online programs, please contact your child’s teacher. 

For Year 4, 5 and 6 students, Education Perfect is now available to practise Maths, English and Science skills.  If you have any questions regarding Education Perfect, please contact Mrs Finlay, Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning, on efinl9@eq.edu.au.

Celebration of Sight Word Success @ Leichhardt!

It was wonderful to celebrate at the Week 6 Assembly,  more Year 1 students’ success in learning the first 100 sight words!  It was also wonderful to share on assembly the video of the Mrs Rae’s Year 3 students practising their sight word spelling songs! Thank you, 3A!

If your child is in Year 1, the goal is to be able to read the first 100 sight words with automaticity.  Once your child reaches Year 4, the goal is to be able to spell the first 100 sight words with accuracy.  Please make contact with your child’s teacher to discuss how your child is progressing towards these goals.

English Goals for Term 4 @ Leichhardt!

At assembly on Monday, Byren (3A) was keen to share the Year 3 Term 4 English task and the non-negotiables that were required to achieve an A, B and C rating.  Well done, Byren! 

Please check in with your child to find out what their English task is this term, what they need to do to achieve an A, B or C rating and how they are progressing with their learning.  If you have any questions, please make contact with your child’s teacher.

Nursery Rhyme in Language Workshop @ Leichhardt

To celebrate World Nursery Rhyme Week next week, Leichhardt State School (LSS) is hosting a Nursery Rhyme in Language Workshop for LSS Prep to Year 2 students from 9:00am to 10:00am in the Hall.  The workshop will be presented by Traditional Language owners, Aunty Lareena and Uncle Henry, and will be a wonderful opportunity for our younger students to engage in rhyming activities in the Yagara Language.

2024 Prep students and parents/carers are most welcome to attend the workshop.  Please notify the Office by Monday, 13 November, on 3813 3222 to R.S.V.P. for the event.

From Our Head of Department - Teaching and Learning

This week our Year 6 students were lucky enough to be joined online with Loganlea State High School. The students had the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session and ask questions about High School. There were some fantastic questions asked from our students and great reassurance about their next chapter in their learning journey. 

Well done to the many students who nominated for the bookwork competition and to those that are receiving an expectational bookwork award. We look forward to celebrating the fantastic efforts on Parade in the coming weeks.

From Our Community Support Coordinator

On Wednesday afternoon Leichhardt State School, in partnership with The Smith Family, held its inaugural Career Expo. It was a great afternoon of exploring future careers for our seniors. We were fortunate to have some guests speakers, sharing the pathways they travelled to get to where they are in their career.

We had Tamara from the Ipswich Early Childhood Centre speak on how she started her career in high school. She spoke about the different positions in the centre and how she is set about to become the Director of the centre. Ipswich City Council brought three speakers: an arborist, a Human Resources representative, and a coordinator of traineeships and apprentices. Sergeant Nadine Webster from Queensland Police spoke with the students about different careers in the police force and encouraged them to be the best they can every day. Rachael Daniels from Bremer State High School informed the students of how her job can help students make choices about traineeships and apprenticeships available whilst still in high school, she also mentioned that another part of her job was assisting students with job applications and resumes.

The afternoon concluded with the students asking questions of our guests to gain further information. There was great discussion taking place amongst the students and hopefully the Career Expo has given them an insight into what careers are available to them.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

Prep 2024

From Our Indigenous Community Coordinator

Prep A Visiting the Deadly Room

This term the Deadly room has been visited every Thursday by Mrs Broudigam and Prep A for a cultural lesson/activity. The Preps have listened to some storytelling, dancing and art making. Prep A listened to an Indigenous story “How the Birds Got Their Colours” by Mary Albert. Each student then created their own birds, with lots of wonderful colours.

Last Thursday students listened to the story “Bush Tracks” by Ros Moriarty and then created their deadly stories in the OLA with chalk. Students used Aboriginal symbols to tell their stories. Looking forward to a Deadly lesson from Prep A today!

Language

This term, Aunty Lareena and Uncle Henry are teaching ‘Places, Families and Animals’ in Yagara Language. Classes are showing so much enthusiasm and enjoy the guessing games with their fellow class mates. The excitement when Language is happening is very rewarding.

We are looking forward to celebrating “World Nursery Rhyme Day” with Aunty Lareena and Uncle Henry Junior on Wednesday, 15November. Don’t forget to join us for a wonderful Language workshop and experience Nursery Rhymes in Yagara Language!

2024 Prep Orientation Mornings

Over the last three Wednesdays, the Deadly Room has had the Prep students for 2024 and their parents/carers enjoy some storytelling, creating art, yarning and getting to know one another. It has been a pleasure to meet some of the wonderful students and their parents/carers. Looking forward to seeing you all in 2024! The students read ‘Spot Goes to School’ by Eric Hill, ‘Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury and ‘Girawu The Goanna’ by David Angus. Students made deadly creative puppet bears and goannas.

Yarning with the Jarjums

A number of students have been sharing some wonderful stories of what they did on the weekend or things they like doing. This week’s YARNING is with Declan and Mayson.

Last week Nan, Pop, Aunty Tellina, Jordan and I and the rest of the Knox’s family went to Goondiwindi. We went camping on Wednesday and on Friday we went swimming in the pool. We went to golf on Saturday and we played some holes. We went back to the apartment and had another swim in the pool because it was so hot. That night we went to the driving range and played night golf. I had a lot of fun, but it was very hot. We came back on Sunday. -Declan yr4

I like growing chillies. I have a green chilli growing on my tree. At my nan’s house, my nan and  I water it twice a week when I can. When I get more chillies, I want to get my nan to teach me how to make chilli sauce, because she makes the best jam sauce. I just like growing chillies; one of my chilli plants is like a flower and has a little chilli on it. At school, I like the grass tree and how it makes honey. I also like the smell of the lemon myrtle tree. -Mayson yr4

In the Deadly Room

Students have been creating wonderful art with painting, drawing, painting didges, painting rocks and watering the native plants.

From Our Teachers

Year 1

Year 1 have been learning about change in the environment and developing their understanding of before and after change. We have been visiting the garden to identify changes each week. The Year 1's think the flowers and eggplants have made the most significant change!

Year 5

This fortnight Year 5 visited Aunty Marly to learn about Traditional Shelters. We learnt about the different materials used to make shelters depending on the climate as well as the purpose a shelter has for communities. 

Out In Our Community

Please note that the below workshops and programs are not affiliated with Leichhardt State School.

IMTC Juniors are a local non-profit theatre company in Ipswich which gives children the opportunity to perform on stage.

If you are looking for something to do in the school holidays, don't miss out on our latest show,  Disney’s Aladdin, with all your favourite songs 'Friend Like Me' and 'A Whole New World' to name a few.