Volume 1 - 7 February 2025

From The Principal

Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2025! We are excited about the great start to the year and looking forward to a positive and productive 2025. This year, we have both new and returning staff members, and we are thrilled to introduce them to you. Here are our classroom teachers for 2025:

Classroom Teachers:

• Prep: Lisa Krings
• Prep 1: Kate Costello *
• Year 1: Jessie Braudigom
• Year 1: Macayla Bourke
• Year 2: Joshua Livingston
• Year 2: Rami Ahmed
• Year 3: Karla Greenwood
• Year 3: Katie Couch
• Year 4/5: Denise Nieass *
• Year 4/5: Alexandra O’Brien *
• Year 5/6: Stephanie Robinson *
• Year 5/6: Lauren Lee *
• Year 6: Victor Brown
• Year 6: Amy O’Hara-Smith

Due to student numbers and class size restrictions, we have implemented a number of composite classes this year. *

Our School Priorities for the Next Four Years:

• Reading: Improving students' reading abilities.
• Student Engagement: Increasing attendance and active participation in learning.
• Inclusion and Differentiation: Catering to the needs of all learners.
• Building Staff Capability: Enhancing the skills of our dedicated staff.

Zones of Regulation

This year, we continue to implement the Zones of Regulation framework across all classrooms. This framework focuses on self-regulation and helps students identify and manage their emotions in various situations. The Zones approach outlines four different emotional states and teaches students how to navigate through them.

It’s important to note that everyone, including adults, moves through these zones throughout the day. What we’re teaching students is how to manage themselves, especially when in the Red Zone. We all experience moments of frustration, anger, or excitement (Red Zone), but the key is learning to manage these emotions appropriately. Our focus is on explicit teaching of self-regulation and self-control.

Our Belief:

• If they can’t read, we teach them.
• If they can’t count, we teach them.
• If they can’t self-regulate... we teach them.

We hope your child(ren) have had a positive start to the school year, and we look forward to getting to know our school community even better in the coming days and months. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we work together to provide the best learning environment for our students.

Safety Concerns

We have made some adjustments to the end of school procedures.

• The double gates at the front of the school will remain closed until 2:45. This will eliminate the number of cars using the driveway while students are leaving the grounds.
• Only pedestrian gates will be open.
• We will be asking students to remain inside the gate near the grassed car park until collected so no students walk through the car park without an adult.

Thank you for your understanding with this.

Warm regards,
Andrew Goldie, Principal Leichhardt SS

From The Head of Department - Student Engagement

Welcome back to a new school year! I am excited to reconnect with our staff, students, and parents as we embark on another year of growth and learning. My name is Ms Everingham, and my position is the Head of Department for Student Engagement. In this role, I will be working closely with both students, staff and families to foster a supportive, engaging, and dynamic environment for all. My focus this year will be on connecting with students through positive behaviour and helping them to control and shape their habits for long-term success. By integrating the principles of Dr. Glasser’s, Total Behaviour, we aim to enhance the emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of learning, ensuring each student’s journey is both enriching and fulfilling. You may see posters in our learning areas of ‘What’s My Choice?’ connecting habits, Total Behaviour and Zones of Regulation, this has been introduced to our students and staff will refer back to this theory as the year goes on. Here's to a year full of new opportunities, meaningful connections, and shared accomplishments!

Device Expectations

We emphasize the importance of using classroom technology responsibly. Our device expectations ensure that technology serves as a powerful tool for learning while promoting a safe and productive digital environment for all students. Together, we will work to uphold these values and create a school year filled with growth, respect, and achievement. 

Sun Safety

As the warmer weather continues, 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.

Let’s all work together to enjoy ‘Best Class on Parade’ trophy by showing our best behaviour! The winning class will enjoy VIP seating at Parade the following week as a special reward—a fun and exciting perk for all the hard work!

Good luck to everyone!

Congratulations to 4/5A

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 the link below.

Ms Everingham

Head Of Department - Student Engagement

Student Engagement

How will you engage?

Welcome to 2025 at Leichhardt, I'm so excited to be the new student engagement specialist.  As part of my roll, I'll be working with students, teachers and families across the school as well as various community stakeholders to help every child engage in their learning. Let's face it, sometimes school can be tough and getting excited about learning doesn't come easy for some.  My very own report cards back in the day reflected this.   

One of the easiest ways to start to help your child engage in learning is to start positive conversations about school and learning.  What has been helpful with my own children and past students is to share the "best" thing and the "worst" thing of the day.

As I walk around the school this is a question I always ask.  It's fantastic how often students will say when my teacher made me laugh. As my Student Engagement roll progresses, I hope to meet more families and connect with all LSS students.

Please feel free to email me to make a time to chat regarding your child and their engagement.

Elsje McQueen

Student Engagement Teacher

emcqu3@eq.edu.au

PBL Coach

In the Positive Behaviour for Learning space

We will continue to embrace the expectations of Leichhardt State School: We are kind, we are safe, we are learners. These expectations guide everything we do, helping to create a respectful and positive learning environment. This year, we will also continue our Leichhardt Legends.

PBL focus for Weeks 1, 2 and 3

This fortnight, staff and students have been focused on making connections and getting to know one another, fostering a strong sense of community as we begin the school year. Together, we’ve been working to establish routines and expectations that will support both learning and personal growth. These early days are crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the year, as we build positive relationships, create a safe and welcoming environment, and ensure everyone feels supported in their journey. As we continue to settle into these routines, we look forward to seeing everyone thrive as we work together toward our shared goals.

From The Head of Special Education

Welcome back to a new term. It has been lovely to see students back engaging and settled in their classrooms. I just wanted to remind families of the NDIS process. We are currently resetting the schedule back up with external agencies that have contacted us, thank you for your patience while we complete the required documents to facilitate the sessions. Before a session can commence, the following steps below need to be completed initially. Once these have been completed, sessions can begin on the school site. Please remember that the school hosts the sessions, and it is the provider and parent's responsibility to share progress and session information to each other. The school is not informed of progress notes or session details. This year, due to room spaces, we will only be able to offer NDIS spaces 5 days a fortnight. If you require sessions to be completed on the school site, please complete a parent request as soon as possible. I wish everyone a wonderful learning year and look forward to working with all the students across the 2025 year.

Principals

• Consider and make the final decision about whether an NDIS provider can deliver supports funded through a student’s NDIS plan at school, during school time.
• Advise the parent of their decision, and the reasons for that decision if the request is not approved.
• Ensure the NDIS provider provides necessary documents.
• Sign, and ensure the parent and the NDIS provider sign, the Access agreement.
• Arrange for and ensure NDIS providers and relevant staff attend mandatory training.
• Ensure the terms of the Access agreement are complied with by all parties including the school.
• Ensure the NDIS support is delivered in a location that can be observed and accessed by school staff at all times while the NDIS provider is delivering the support.
• Advise the parent/s if issues arise at the school that may impact on the ability for the support to be delivered at school, during school time including any changes.
• Advise the parent/s if considering terminating the Access agreement and discuss with the parent the reasons for terminating the Access agreement.
• Advise the parent/s and NDIS provider, in writing or email, if the principal decides to suspend or terminate access.
• Advise the parent/s and NDIS provider, in writing or email, if the duration of the Access agreement is extended.

Parents

• Provide a completed NDIS access request form requesting that a NDIS provider access the school, during school time to provide an NDIS support to their child.
• Provide all necessary information to the school to enable the principal to consider the request and make a decision.
• Enter into an Access agreement with the principal and the NDIS provider.
• Comply with the terms of the Access agreement.
• Advise the school of any changes to the support being provided or change of NDIS provider personnel providing the support in writing or email.
• Advise the NDIS provider of any changes to access arrangements at the school.
• If required, make a request that the duration of the Access agreement be extended, in writing or by email, to the school.

NDIS providers

• Enter into, and comply with, an Access agreement with the school and the parent.
• Provide all information and documentation to the school as required by the principal.
• Provide evidence to the school that their staff have:
• completed mandatory training and any other training required by the principal
• a current Working with children authority.
• Supply necessary equipment and any materials necessary to deliver the NDIS support at school during school time unless otherwise agreed with the principal in the Access agreement.

Jessica Rivett

Head Of Special Education

Welcome To Our School!

We are delighted to welcome our new teacher to our school community!

Josh Livingston - 2A

Rami Ahmed - 2B

Katie Couch - 3A

Victor Brown - 6A

Amy O'hara-Smith - 6B

Your passion, dedication, and fresh perspectives will inspire our students and enrich our learning environment. We look forward to working alongside you, supporting one another, and making this a fantastic year for everyone. Welcome aboard!

About Mr Livingston - 2A

My name is Joshua Livingston, I enjoy cooking and playing guitar in my spare time. I am also into woodworking and like to make gifts for people when I can. I am very passionate about teaching and am always very happy and full of energy when I enter my classroom. I am at Leichhardt to try to make a difference and help students work towards success. I am very happy to be here, and I hope everyone is happy to have me too!

About Mr Brown - 6A

A little bit about me.

I have spent the vast majority of my teaching career in Canberra (ACT). However, during the past five years, I have been teaching in the Gladstone Region in a school which was very similar to Leichardt State School. This is my 18^th Year of teaching and have thoroughly enjoyed my career as a Teacher of Upper Primary Students’. I had worked in many different jobs and have been the proprietor of a few small businesses before entering teaching.

I have enjoyed getting to know my students for 2025 and have found Leichardt State School to be a warm and inviting workplace, with caring supportive staff and parents.

Looking forward to an enjoyable 2025.

Vic Brown

About Miss O'Hara - 6B

Hello, I’m Miss O’Hara, one of the Year 6 teachers here at Leichhardt State School. I recently moved from New Zealand and have really enjoyed getting to know the students and staff. The school has a great community, and I’m looking forward to a fantastic year of teaching and learning. I’m excited to be here!

Instrumental Music Program

Welcome back to instrumental music for 2025! We have availability for anyone in year 4, 5 or 6 to learn Trumpet, Trombone or Drums. Instrumental music lessons take place on a Wednesday in small groups for 30 minutes each. If you're interested in learning an instrument, please collect a letter from the office or alternatively from Mr Schilling who is in C block on a Wednesday. 

Book Club Orders Due - 13th February

From The Teachers

Prep

Prep A is settling nicely into school life here at Leichhardt State School.  We are slowly learning the routines of the classroom and the school.  We are learning how to show kind behaviour to our friends and teachers.

Mrs Krings, Miss Jodie, Miss Katelyn and Miss Tegan

Prep/1B have been having a fantastic time exploring the new playground! The children have been engaged in a variety of activities, including painting, threading, and sorting objects and colours. They have also been learning new songs and exploring the sounds S, A, T, I, and M, as well as the numbers 1 and 2.

A big thank you to all parents for providing a separate Crunch and Sip snack each day—our little learners are always hungry by 9 AM! You should have received your Crunch and Sip brochure this week, which we hope provides some great snack ideas.

We also appreciate your patience during afternoon pick-up. Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority, and your cooperation makes a big difference.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Mrs Costello, Mrs Sukhdeep and Mrs Brittney

Year 1

Well done to all of our Grade 1’s on having a wonderful start to 2025.

We have been diving into classroom expectations and what a good learner does.

We have a strong focus on being healthy, which can include eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water.

This week the grade 1's merged together to have an arts and crafts session with Aunty Marly. We read the book "same but a little bit different" and created self-portraits to show how we are all different in our own way. 

Year 2

Here is what 2A is learning over the next two weeks:

English:

• We are focusing on fairy tales and learning how to discuss and write down traits of characters.
• We will be practising saying our opinion and give examples to support them.
• We are focusing on using describing words to explain the setting and events in fairy tales.
• We are learning to use the English wall to find useful words to help with our vocabulary and writing.

Mathematics:

• We are focusing on data.
• We will discuss what data is and why we need it.
• We will find ways to collect data and display it in tables and graphs.
• We are using data to answer questions.

Science:

• We are focusing on water conservation in the home.
• We are looking at ways to conserve water and identifying ways water can be wasted.
• We will be doing experiments with water to help us understand more.

HASS:

• We are focusing on the difference between manmade and natural places in the world.
• We will be looking at local and familiar places to identify features of places.

HPE at Leichhardt - Prep to 3

The first two weeks of HPE Leichhardt have seen our Prep to Year 3 students engaging in games and activities to build up their teamwork and communication skills. The students have taken to these games extremeley well and I have seen so many students starting to learn how to communicate effectively during games and sports. Our Prep to 3 students have also just begun taking part in some soccer activities, which has been very popular with all the classes so far.

I look forward to seeing all our students continue to develop a variety of skills as the term progresses.

Mr Woody

Year 3

The past two weeks in year three have been filled with excitement as we’ve focused on building our classroom communities. We’ve talked about how we want our classrooms to feel—where everyone belongs, works as a team, tries their best, and develops a growth mindset. We’ve also discussed recognizing and managing emotions to support each other through challenges.

In English, we’ve started exploring The Lorax, and in math, we’re strengthening our number and mental math skills. In Science, we’ve been investigating how liquids change to solids, and in HaSS, we’ve begun learning about rules and laws. A highlight was melting crayons to observe a chemical reaction!

It’s been a great start to the year, and we’re excited for what’s next!

Year 6

The first two weeks in Year 6 have been all about settling in, building connections, and developing emotional regulation skills. As new teachers, we’ve enjoyed getting to know our students, and we’ve also shared a little about ourselves to help create a positive and supportive classroom environment.

In English, we’ve kicked off our unit exploring songs and their meaning. In Maths, we’ve been focusing on fractions and integers, and in HASS, students have started brainstorming ideas for our exciting Year 6 Market Day, which will take place at the end of Term 1.

From The Deadly Room

Yoway! Welcome back to the new year!

A special welcome to our new families at Leichhardt—we’re excited to have you join our community!

The Deadly Room has started off strong with wonderful Yuggera lessons. Our Traditional students have been learning about Country and working on their 50-word project, where they are creating their own dictionary. Meanwhile, our Year 5 and 6 students have been introduced to the history of Ipswich culture. It’s great to see students engaging in fun and meaningful activities!

On Wednesday, all Year 1 classes began their cultural inclusion journey with a beautiful Acknowledgment to Country and a story called Same, But a Little Bit Different. Students shared what was the same and different about their friends, giving thoughtful and wonderful answers. They wrapped up the lesson by creating portraits of themselves.

The Leichhardt Deadly Dancers will start next week to prepare for our first performance of the year. We can’t wait to see them back in action!

Our Daycare Deadly Jarjums program has also begun, giving students an exciting hands-on cultural experience. They had the opportunity to feel kangaroo skin, hold a woomera and boomerang, and even learn Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes in Yuggera language.

A huge thank you to our wonderful teachers for engaging students in culture and making these lessons so meaningful!

From The P&C

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school in 2025! We're thrilled to kick off another amazing year filled with learning, fun, and new adventures. P&C Meeting Wednesday 19^th February 3pm in the Conference Room. (Meet at Office area)

Tuckshop News

We are delighted to announce that the tuckshop has reopened with a fantastic start this week. Our menu is better than ever, thanks to the valuable feedback from our wonderful students and staff. We're grateful for your continued support and always welcome more suggestions. This year, the tuckshop will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Don't forget, online orders close at 8:30 am, and over-the-counter service closes at 9:00 am. Due to time restrictions Fruit Smoothies are now a Pre-Order Only Option.

Qkr! Accounts Reminder

Please take a moment to check your child's details in your Qkr! accounts. We've been receiving orders for students in the wrong classes and Year Levels, and we want to ensure everyone gets the right items at the right time.

Exciting Fundraising Event

Get ready for some fun! Our fundraising for this year will start with a special Valentine's Day event. Stay tuned on our Facebook Page for more exciting details coming soon!

Uniform Shop Updates

The uniform shop is now open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00am to 9.00am. We are currently awaiting a restock of size 8’s which are in production, please contact the office if you would like to pre-order. Our online ordering system has been updated with a new pick-up option for added convenience. Online orders will be processed on tuckshop days. If you need your order at other times, please contact the office, and we'll be happy to assist you.

Volunteer Appreciation

A gentle reminder: Our P&C is run by volunteers from the Leichhardt community who dedicate their time and effort. Let's show them kindness and appreciation for all they do. If you would like to join the P&C and volunteer at our incredible school, please feel free to contact the office or come have a friendly chat with our volunteers of a morning at the tuckshop.

Looking Forward

Thank you, Leichhardt Community, for all your support. We're looking forward to yet another incredible year ahead with the Leichhardt Lions!

From The Community

Stepping Stones for Parents - Baby and Toddler Speech Language

Friday, 21 Feb 2025 - 10:30 AM to 11:30 AMChildren's Library - Supporting You Through Your Child's Early Years

Enjoy learning from Alana Frederick from Hello Friend Speech Pathology, as she provides evidence-informed guidance and advice.

Different workshop topics available, including:

• Baby and Toddler Speech Language
• Early Years Speech Language 
• Preschool and Early Primary Speech Language

Choose the topic/s that suit you.

Meet other parents in a caring and supportive environment.

Bookings limited. Please book for all PARENTS AND CARERS attending.

Registration requires an Ipswich Libraries membership.

Steam On! - LEGO Spike

Friday, 14 Feb 2025 - 3:30 PM to 4:45 PMIpswich Central Library

All Things Tech

Play with robots, discover digital technologies and challenge your creativity with monthly themed content.

Register and attend for your chance to win a Sphero Mini. Prizes drawn every 6 months.

Ages 6-12 years (Parent/carer supervision required for children 12 years and under)

Game On!

Thursday, 13 Feb 2025 - 3:30 PM to 4:45 PMChildren's LibraryGet Gaming

Switch up your afternoons and level up your skills with regular weekly gaming.

Register and attend for your chance to win a portable game console. Prizes drawn every 6 months.

Teens. Parent/carer supervision required for children 12 years and under.

Community Planting Day

Date & Time: Sat, 15 Mar 2025 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM AEST

Location: Jack Barkley Park - 33 Gledson Street North Booval, QLD 4304

Enjoy a morning in Jack Barkley Park, while helping to restore the banks of Bundamba Creek in this important urban waterway corridor.

This project is one of nine priority Ipswich sites to be restored under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

A $4 million, 4-year program of works co-funded by the Australian Government and Ipswich City Council will rehabilitate 14,000 square metres of riparian corridor.

These plantings will:

• reduce bank erosion

• improve water quality
• increase native habitat

• restore bankside vegetation.

Additional Activities:

Learn and connect - meet local environmental groups and organisations and hear about the projects they are working on to improve river health.

Coffee Van - The first 75 coffees of the day will be free to registered volunteers! Get in quick and sign in from 8am on the day.

Please note:

The planting activity includes loose and sloping surfaces and is near open waters. The activity requires a reasonable level of fitness and balance. Children must be supervised at all times.

Please bring a hat, a water bottle and wear enclosed shoes.