7 March 2025 | Term 1 | 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

Dear families,

At the half-way mark of the Term classes are truly engaged in the Units of Inquiry; excursions serving as provocations, Water Safety classes continue and with gratitude to all of those parents who have volunteered. 

Site Learning Plan focus - Wellbeing for Learning

2025 has seen the launch of the new improvement focus of Wellbeing, responsive to the Public Education Strategy. Classes are introducing the language and strategies that enable students to strengthen their connections to school and their engagement. 
Room 20 with Mrs Juniper have used the 5-point scale to introduce a range of vocabulary to describe emotions for each of the five levels of emotional response. The 5-Point Scale assists students to become aware of their emotions and supports them to discuss their feelings. 

Room 39 along with the other Year 6 classes have been working with Henry Nicholson through the Inner Strength program, developing their resilience and perseverance. Students have been working within 'tribes', applying and transferring skills and dispositions that enable them to collaborate successfully to complete a range of challenges. The challenges are varied requiring; physical, problem-solving, thinking and communication skills to be deployed. 
Inside the classroom students delved into different areas of wellbeing including mindfulness, connection and gratitude through different stories and understanding their benefits. Applying some of the learnt practices, like box breathing and expressing gratitude allowed students to experience some ways to prioritise their wellbeing. 

Harmony Day - Friday 21st March 2025

The LPPS Student Ambassadors have been exploring the significance of Harmony Day, researching its history. 

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from different backgrounds. It's about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging. The message of Harmony Week is 'Everyone belongs'. 
At Linden Park we invite all children to dress in their traditional costumes and wear the colour orange which has traditionally been used to acknowledge and celebrate diversity. The Ambassadors are planning to design posters which celebrate their individual cultural heritage and that of some of their peers. 

Assembly Student Awards

Wellbeing News

Student Wellbeing Ambassadors
At the conclusion of last year, Year 5 students submitted applications to become Student Wellbeing Leaders for 2025. Student Wellbeing Leaders facilitate meetings of the Student Action Committee, engage with fellow Student Wellbeing Ambassadors within the Greenhill South Partnership, evaluate wellbeing data, pinpoint areas requiring attention, and develop strategies for improving the wellbeing of students at school. 
Congratulations to the 2025 Student Wellbeing Ambassadors: Anushka, Eleanor, Hamdaa, Kashvi, Louie, Nicolie, Pranav, Will and Srinidhi. 

Q&A on Hay
On Wednesday 19th March (week 8), I will be holding a Q&A session from 5.30pm to 6.30pm in the library. Topics that will be presented include: Ready to Learn Plans, Friendology and the Student Help tab on all Chromebooks for Years 3-6 students. 

• Come along and learn how families and the school can work together to create an environment where students take responsibility for their actions and understand the consequences of these actions. 
• Hear how students are being encouraged to identify trusting adults they can turn to for help. 
  
• Understand the importance of students' developing the language skills to solve problems and create and maintain healthy relationships with peers, school staff and parents. 
  

If you would like to attend, please register via the email link that has been sent to families. 

Autism Inclusion Teacher
As well as being the Student Wellbeing Leader, I am also the Autism Inclusion Teacher. This involves supporting teachers and providing them with strategies that can be used in class, relationship building and adjustments that can be made in class which allow Autistic students to access learning successfully. 
If you would like to discuss the needs of your child, please feel free to book a time with me for a chat. 
Below is a flyer which outlines the role in more detail. 

NAPLAN - Did You Know? 

Every year a number of students become anxious about NAPLAN. It's important for students to know that they don't have to be perfect and that NAPLAN is another form of assessment, just like the other tests they do in class during the year. 
Below are some strategies which may help your child cope if they are feeling stressed: 

• Encourage your child to share their concerns about NAPLAN with you and acknowledge that you understand and are happy to listen to their concerns. 
• Ensure your child is eating well, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in regular exercise to support their mental and physical well-being. 
• Support your child to engage in stress-relief techniques such as listening to music, drawing, or spending time in nature. 
• Explain to your child that NAPLAN is just one aspect of your academic journey and everyone learns differently and everyone has different strengths and abilities. 
• Avoid allowing your child to compare themselves to other students and encourage them to focus on their educational abilities. 
• Acknowledge your child's efforts before and after NAPLAN to give them a boost of confidence. 

Adapted from NAPLAN Anxiety? Tips for Managing Stress and Pressure

Kind regards,
David Molloy, Student Wellbeing Leader and Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT)

Culture Spotlight

Linden Park Primary School is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school. The philosophy underlying the PYP encompasses global education, intercultural communication and international mindedness. Students make connections to their global community and assume a sense of responsibility towards its members. 
The profile of our students is highly diverse, with more than 70 different cultures being represented across the school. The Student Learning and Wellbeing Committee acknowledges this and has made a commitment to ensure that culture is more visible and represented across the school. 

Happy Ramadan!

Ramadan is held on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed globally by billions of people, as a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer, personal reflection and community. It lasts for 29-30 days, depending on the moon cycle. 
This year, Ramadan commenced in Australia on Saturday, March 1. It is expected to end around Sunday, March 30.
During Ramadan people fast, or refrain from eating and drinking, while the sun is shining. Once the sun sets, families meet for big meals. People may also have a morning meal before the sun rises. 
The month is a time for reflection to focus on family, faith and to be charitable to one another. People donate money and supplies to help others in need. And many fast to remind themselves about those in the world who don't have enough to eat. 
After the fasting, comes the feasting. After the last day of fasting, people celebrate with a three-day festival called Eid. During Eid, families and friends gather together to celebrate, indulging in a feast and eating traditional foods only made during this time. Some decorate homes with lights and exchange gifts. 

Nicole Scrivener, Deputy Principal - Innovation and Inquiry

Year 4 Water Safety

Last week, our Year 4 students took part in Water Safety Week, making the most of the beautiful weather. Throughout the sessions, they showed fantastic resilience and persistence, tackling new challenges in the pool with confidence. 

It was wonderful to see their skills develop and their enthusiasm shine. 

Well done, Year 4!

Uniform Shop

Please note our updated Uniform Shop opening hours below: 

Mondays - 8.00am - 9.00am
Tuesdays - 8.00am - 9.00am
Wednesdays - 2.30pm - 3.45pm
Thursdays - 8.00am - 9.00am
Fridays - 8.00am - 9.00am

Year 6 Jackets Commemorative Jackets
For those families that purchased a Year 6 2025 Commemorative Jacket we have been advised by our supplier there will be a delay in delivery. 
Based on revised timescales, jackets should be arriving at school for the start of Term 2 (28th April). 
We know that some students are very eager for their jackets, and as soon as they arrive we will distribute accordingly. 

Student Free Days - 2025

The LPPS Governing Council has ratified our 2025 Student Free days:

Term 2: Week 6 - Friday 6 June 2025
Term 3: Week 7 - Friday 5 September 2025
Term 3: Week 8 - Monday 8 September 2025
Term 4: Week 3 - Friday 7 November 2025

Library Volunteers 2025

Do you have some time to spare? Our school library is looking for volunteers! 

The library team are looking for volunteers to assist with daily reshelving and covering of library books. 
The covering of library books can be done from home if volunteers would like to. 

Please call into the Library if you are able to assist. 

Thank you, 

Russell Hanson, Teacher-Librarian

Community News