22 November 2024 | Term 4 | Week 6

Kaurna Acknowledgement

Niina Marni. As we feel the earth beneath us, the wind around us and the sun above us, we acknowledge the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of this land. We pay our respects to past Elders and will work with present and emerging Elders to protect and care for this unique land of ours. We also extend this respect to other First Nations peoples.

Principal's Report

As we embrace the final weeks of our school year, I want to share some of the exciting pursuits that our learners are still highly engaged in: 

Year 4 Camp

The Year 4 camp at El Shaddai saw close to 140 Year 4 students have the opportunity to challenge themselves, to take risks within the safety of instruction and encouragement. 
Activities such as the Giant Swing, Rock Climbing, Archery and Adventure Learning (low ropes course) provided students with scope to push themselves out of their comfort zones. 
Students had control over the degree of 'discomfort', how far they would push themselves, but notably many were prepared to push the boundaries with the encouragement of their classmates. 
Over the three days I was present, what was affirming was the positive encouragement and celebration of each other's efforts. 

Year 6 Aquatics

Year 6 students ventured to West Lakes to capitalise on the swimming lessons of the previous 6 years by trying out some of the more recreational water activities. 
Four activities including kayaking, canoeing, sailing and surfing gave students a challenging but exciting break from the rigours of their learnings as they prepare for the transition to High School in 2025. 

Class Placement and Student Reports

Staff are currently writing reports and organising their 2025 class placements. Students will find out the 2025 class placement on Friday of Week 8 (6 December 2024).
As previously mentioned, requests for specific teachers or classes are not entertained as this would create unbalanced learning environments across the school. 

Reception 'Meet & Greet' and Transition Days 2024

Today our 2025 Reception families were invited to a 'Meet and Greet' on the Early Years playground, making time to meet the Reception teachers, connect with other families and introduce their children in an informal play setting. Next week Reception Transition begins with the more formal classroom visits. 

Our new Year 1-Year 6 students will be visiting for their Orientation visit at the end of Week 8 during what will be a very busy week as our current Year 6 students visit their new high schools. We are also holding our 2025 class visits on the same day, Friday 6 December 2024. 

Staff and students continue to apply themselves to their teaching and learning, events such as Graduation, excursions, swimming are occurring whilst children are completing assessment tasks and staff are writing reports. Its such a busy but positive time of the year as we start to acknowledge all that has been accomplished of the year. 

Car parking

I have received a complaint from one of our neighbours that families are using the vacant block on Durham Avenue as a carpark. Our neighbour has asked that we do not park on their land. I am disappointed that some chose to excuse their behaviour by stating that I had an arrangement and had consent. This has never been the case and having to apologise for something that is blatantly untrue was not appreciated. The Burnside City Council have been notified of this issue and will monitor accordingly. 

Fiona Voigt, Principal

Assembly Awards

Checkmate Challenge: Dress Like a Chessboard!

Exciting news! After being crowned the top girls' primary school team in South Australia, our Linden Park chess team has earned an invitation to the national tournament in Perth—the first time in our school's history! To help our team make it to this prestigious event, we’re inviting all students to join in the support.

Next Friday, come dressed in black and white as we turn the school into a giant chessboard for a day filled with fun and strategy. Students can join the excitement, dress up, and enjoy chess games and activities during recess and lunch! 

Please donate via Qkr! Let’s rally together and make every move count toward our team’s success!

Wellbeing News

At the beginning of this week, I had the pleasure of meeting the parents of our 2025 Reception students. It was great to be able to explain my role and talk with parents who have children who might be feeling a bit anxious about the transition from kindy to school.

Rest assured you’re not alone. I have noticed an increase recently in students from a range of different year levels who have been coming to me because they are feeling anxious about next year.

Having these feelings is perfectly normal especially starting primary school or high school. This can also increase as the end of the school holidays draws near.

If your child is feeling anxious, here are some tips you might like to try before the new school year starts:

1. Start preparing early
Get bedtimes and wake-up times back to normal a few weeks before school starts. A consistent daily schedule that includes time for homework, meals, play, and rest can help kids feel more secure and prepared for the school day

2. Talk with kids about their feelings
Create a safe space where your child can express their worries, and listen to them without judgment. Acknowledge their feelings and reassure them that it's normal to feel nervous about new experiences. You might consider telling them about times when you felt stressed in similar situations.

3. Visit the school (especially if it’s a new school)
If possible, take your child on a tour of the school before their first day back. Meeting their teacher, and seeing the classrooms, and playground can make the environment feel more familiar and less daunting.

4. Practice relaxation techniques
To help your child manage their anxiety, teach them deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation.

5. Set realistic expectations
Remind your child that it's okay not to be perfect and that everyone makes mistakes. Focus on effort and learning rather than grades and performance to help reduce the pressure to perform.

6. Stay positive
Talk about the things that make school fun, such as seeing friends, extracurricular activities, and learning new things. A positive outlook can help shift their focus from worries to excitement. Share positive stories about your own school experiences to show that school can be enjoyable.

7. Create a morning routine
Reduce stress before school by preparing school supplies and clothes the night before, and plan a filling breakfast to ensure a smooth start to the day.

8. Encourage social connections
Arrange playdates and social activities with classmates during the school holidays. Strengthening friendships can make your child feel more comfortable as they return to school.

9. Stay involved
Go to school events, meet with teachers, and keep up to date with their progress to show you care and support them. If there are any concerns, work together to create a plan that will get them back on track

10. Use positive reinforcement
Praise your child for their efforts and accomplishments, no matter how small. This can help boost their confidence and motivate them to face new challenges.

SAC News

Reminder that Student Action Committees (SAC) have decided to hold a Crazy Day at the end of term. Crazy socks, crazy clothes, crazy hair for a gold coin donation. 

Let’s Go Crazy!!

DID YOU KNOW?

When we think about students starting school at Linden Park Primary School, it’s interesting to look back at where it all began.

Linden Park Primary School opened on 7 February 1950 with seven teachers and 250 students. Built on seven and a half acres of farmland, students and teachers planted 112 trees in the schoolyard to beautify the grounds. We now have over 950 students. Oh how we’ve grown.

Library News

Premier's Reading Challenge
Dear Families, 
Our Premier's Reading Challenge Awards have arrived! 
It has been terrific to see all of the students complete this year's challenge, two years in a row! Congratulations! 
The Primary Students received their awards during class in Week 5
The Early Years students will receive their awards during the Week 6 Assembly on Friday 22nd November. 

Foreign Language Book Donations

Are you planning to go overseas these school holidays or next year? 
Our school library would love to have donations of new foreign language books to add to our growing collection. 
While on holiday, please consider purchasing fiction books in local bookstores that would be appropriate for our school's foreign language collection. 

Foreign language books often include cultural contexts that can deepen understanding and appreciation of different cultures and many of the students love to read them with their families, especially if the language is spoken or heard at home. 

Thank you to the Leung family for their recent donation of Japanese language books. 

Russell Hanson, Teacher-Librarian

2025 Materials & Services Charge

The 2025 Materials & Services (M&S) polling was conducted with 38.9% of the community responding. We received 308 'Yes' votes & 37 'No' votes. 

The Materials & Services Charge (M&S) for 2025 will be $490.00 per student. This amount will be invoiced and emailed to families in January before school starts with a due date of 31 March 2025. 

An excursion fee of $170.00 per student will also be invoiced and emailed in January. 

Debbie Foster, Business Manager

World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day was on November 13. This day serves as a reminder that small acts of kindness, whether through words or actions, have the power to transform our relationships, communities, and the world.

At our school, kindness is more than just a word – it is a value we actively demonstrate by being ‘caring’ and ‘open-minded’. These are two of the 10 learner profile attributes that are essential to the IB PYP. The Learner Profile attributes describe a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. We believe that by encouraging kindness in our students, we help shape a positive school environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. Acts of kindness not only improve the well-being of those around us, but they also foster empathy, respect, and compassion.

We invite our school community to join us in celebrating World Kindness Day by encouraging kindness at home and communities. Whether it’s offering a helping hand, saying a kind word, or showing appreciation, your actions make a difference. Together, we can inspire a culture of kindness that extends well beyond this one day.

Let’s celebrate the power of kindness and continue to make our world a brighter, more caring place.

Year 4 Camp

In Week 5, our Year 4 students had an unforgettable experience at El Shaddai Camping Centre at Wellington. Students were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges. 
Throughout the camp, students participated in activities that helped them to get to know one another better and develop their problem building skills. 

Universal Children's Day

On November 20, the global community celebrates Universal Children's Day, a day dedicated to promoting the welfare of children worldwide and recognising their rights as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It’s a reminder for us all to reflect on the importance of ensuring every child’s right to grow up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.

At LPPS, we are committed to creating a space where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. This special day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the diverse voices, talents, and dreams of our students. Whether it's through their academic efforts, their artistic expressions, or their social contributions, we believe every child has the potential to make a positive impact on the world around them.

We invite families to support this mission at home by engaging in meaningful conversations with your children about their rights, their aspirations, and the kind of world they wish to live in.

Nicole Scrivener, Deputy Principal: Innovation and Inquiry 

Year 6 Aquatics

Last week, our Year 6 classes had an exciting day at the West Lakes Aquatics Centre, engaging in a variety of water-based activities. This excursion was part of our Health and Physical Education curriculum, focusing on water safety and overall wellbeing.

During the visit, the students:

• Planned and practised strategies to promote health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Investigated community resources and learned ways to seek help regarding health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Explored the benefits of participating in outdoor activities, understanding how it supports personal and community health and wellbeing, and fosters connections to natural and built environments.
• Practised specialised movement skills and applied them in various movement sequences and situations.
• Proposed and applied movement concepts and strategies, both with and without equipment.
• Participated in physical activities designed to enhance fitness, and discussed the positive impact regular participation can have on health and wellbeing.

The day was a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop important life skills while enjoying the beautiful outdoor setting.

Year 6 Teachers

Volunteer of the Year Award 2024

Volunteers are so important to help create a supportive environment at school and facilitating students' performance and the Minister for Education Volunteering Award for Outstanding Service recognises those who make a significant contribution by volunteering. 

The Linden Park Primary School community nominated the following 10 amazing individuals for the 2024 award and we urge families to vote via Survey Monkey -  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7T6S9CJ

Rachel Conway
Sally Clarke
Trent Evans
Astrid Gunner
Michael Hannan
David Jarrett
Ling (Amelia) Oon
Georgia Stockham
Tom Sutcliffe
Xinrui (John) Wang 

Voting closes: Sunday 8th December 2024, 5pm  

We will be awarding our Volunteer of the Year and runner up at the end of year assembly on the last day of school - Friday 13 December 2024. 

Year 2 Kaurna Incursion

As part of our Unit of Inquiry “Sharing the Planet” and the central idea “Valuing resources ensures sustainability’ our Year Two students had a First Nations Cultural incursion on the 22nd of November.

The students were involved in learning about the Australian Kaurna Culture and the importance of the karra tree (river red gum) and all it provides, the mirnu tree (golden wattle), animal skins, Kaurna seasons and ochre.

After the main Cultural input, smaller groups rotated between indigenous children's games and enjoyed the opportunity to look more closely at the artefacts with the presenter.

Year 5 & 6 Tennis

Linden Park Primary School Tennis Teams Shine in First Round of Statewide Schools Competition

On Tuesday, 19th November, Linden Park Primary School's Knockout Tennis Teams showcased their exceptional skills and sportsmanship during the first round of the Statewide Schools competition at Millswood Tennis Club. Both our Girls’ and Boys’ teams delivered spirited performances in their matches, demonstrating determination and teamwork.

The Boys’ team began their campaign with a challenging match against Highgate Primary School. Jeremy X and Lucas S set the tone with a commanding 6-2 win in their doubles match. The second doubles pairing of Thomas D and Nicholas N battled valiantly in a marathon match that lasted over an hour, ultimately losing a close tiebreaker 5-6. The singles matches continued to be tightly contested, with Oliver D’s match also going to a tiebreak before narrowly falling 5-6. Despite their best efforts, the Boys’ team finished with a 2-4 loss to Highgate Primary.

The Girls’ team, meanwhile, had a stellar start against Highgate Primary School. Elaine W and Jessie L dominated their doubles match, securing a decisive 6-0 victory. Chuyi P and Linda W followed up with another flawless 6-0 win. This momentum carried into the singles matches, where the girls claimed comfortable wins across the board, clinching the match 5-1 and setting a high standard for the day.

In their second match, the Boys’ team faced Goodwood Primary School and bounced back impressively. Jeremy X, Lucas S, Thomas D, and Nicholas N all played brilliantly, winning their doubles matches, while Oliver D completed the triumph with a commanding 6-0 victory in his singles match. The Boys’ team emerged with a convincing 5-1 win, redeeming their earlier disappointment.

As the sun shone brightly in the afternoon, the Girls’ team faced Burnside Primary School in their second-round match, with both teams vying for a place in the State Final. Elaine W and Jessie L continued their winning streak in doubles, while Chuyi P and Sayna V overcame a tough battle to secure a 6-4 victory. Despite one setback in the singles, the Girls’ team delivered an impressive performance, winning five out of six matches to triumph 5-1 overall and secure their spot in the State Final.

The Boys’ team concluded their day against the undefeated Burnside Primary. Despite playing close to five matches under warm conditions, our boys fought hard and made it difficult for Burnside. However, fatigue eventually took its toll, and the Boys’ team fell short in their final match.

At the end of the day, the Girls’ team proudly clinched the top spot in their pool, earning a well-deserved place in the State Final later this term. The Boys’ team also had a commendable performance, finishing third in their pool. Throughout the competition, our students exemplified the IB learner profile attributes of being Principled, showing respect and fairness on and off the court, and Risk-Takers, stepping up to challenges and performing their best under pressure. Congratulations to all the players for their exceptional efforts, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We extend our best wishes to the Girls’ team as they prepare for the State Final.

Harry Slee, Sports Coordinator

Community News