9 May 2025 | Term 2 | Week 2

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 students and families,

Colour Fun Run
Congratulations once again to the amazing Community & Fundraising Committee and all the parent volunteers who made time to support such a fantastic day. Whoever was responsible for organising the weather came up trumps. From the parents who were at school from 7.30 in the morning working with Brooke, Debbie, Astrid and Mel S to those who were still cleaning tables at days' end - a huge thank you from staff and students! 
Responding to feedback from 2022, the committee organised an obstacle course inclusive of a commando crawl, hay bale hill, ball pit, balance beams, pole weave and water spray. By far the most popular; were the coloured powder stations. 

Yard Behaviour Expectations
Last week our Year 6 Ambassadors, supported by Leadership, launched our new School Yard Behaviour Expectations, emphasising a positive and inclusive environment for all. The three overarching expectations - Be Kind, Be Safe and Be Respectful - set the tone for our school community. Last week, during Early and Primary Years Assemblies, our Year 6 Ambassadors introduced these expectations through engaging role-play scenarios. These demonstrations provided valuable insights into current behaviours and highlighted alternative responses that embody our new standards. 
Together, we're building a harmonious and supportive school community! 

Science - All matter of things!
I'm excited to share the wonderful hands-on learning experiences our Year 6 students are enjoying in their science classes with Jane Allan. This term, our budding scientists are diving into the fascinating world of Matter; Irreversible and Reversible changes. A key focus is on using experiments to confirm learner predictions, enhancing both their critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills. One particularly engaging experiment involved investigating the melting points of different substances, such as wax, chocolate, and margarine. By predicting outcomes and then observing the actual melting process, students gained valuable insights into how various substances respond to heat and where the changes were permanent or could be reversed. This practical approach not only solidifies their understanding of the scientific concepts but also ignites their curiosity and passion for discovery! 

Kind regards, 
Fiona Voigt, Principal

Assembly Awards

Wellbeing News

Student Action Committee (SAC) News
Welcome back to Term 2. Our Student Action Committee (SAC) reps have already been hard at work and have identified a number of areas around the school that could be improved. With the money raised from the last two casual clothes days, we have been able to purchase new sporting equipment for students to use at recess and lunchtime. This was made possible because of the suggestions students raised in SAC meetings. 

Wellbeing and Engagement Survey
Over the next few weeks, students in years 4 to 6 will undertake the Wellbeing and Engagement Survey. This is an annual survey conducted by the Department of Education, which allows students to express their views in areas which are important to them including their social, emotional and academic learning. 
The survey results allow staff to understand areas which concern students and implement programs and strategies which can better accommodate their needs. Our Student Wellbeing Ambassadors also analyse the survey results and together focus on areas which need improving and make suggestions on how this can be achieved. 

National Walk Safely to School Day
Linden Park Primary School has participated in the National Walk Safely to School Day for the last six years and this year we're keeping the ball rolling or more accurately, keeping our feet moving.

This year, it will be held next week on Friday 16th May. 

If you and your child would like to participate, please meet on the carpark side of Miller Reserve, Linden Park, at 8.30am sharp. If you're early enough you'll even have time to grab a coffee. We will leave Miller Reserve at 8.35am and walk to school together. Participating students need a parent to supervise them throughout the walk. 

Friendology for Parents

Since the beginning of the year our teachers and students have been exploring Friendology. This is a new social skills program that we have introduced to empower students with the skills, knowledge and language to build and manage friendships and repair conflicts with peers if they arise. 
One of the exciting features of the program is that it's available free for families to use at home. 
By clicking on the link below, you will be directed to a sign-up page. Once you have signed up, you will have access to the Friendology program and will be able to understand and discuss what your child is learning in class. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties, please don't hesitate to contact me at the school. 
For Parents | URSTRONG

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

DID YOU KNOW? 

Walking is a fantastic form of exercise. The Heart Foundation claim that by walking for thirty minutes a day your risk of heart disease is decreased by 35%. Walking also improves your wellbeing by giving you increased energy, improving your mood and sleep, as well as reducing stress and fatigue. Homepage | Heart Foundation Walking.
SA Health suggest that walking is considered the most equitable form of physical activity and human transportation, as it is inexpensive, can be done almost anywhere and can be easily incorporated into most people's lives. Walking strategy • Preventive Health SA
By taking a regular walk around your neighbourhood, you're not only improving your physical and mental wellbeing but also your social wellbeing through the people you might meet and it's great for the whole family. 

Culture Spotlight

Celebrating Greek Easter
As part of our wider school community, we wish to acknowledge Greek Easter, a special celebration observed by some of our families. Greek Easter is an important holiday in the Greek Orthodox denomination and is a time of joy, hope, and coming together. 
Greek Easter, also known as 'Pascha' (pronounced Pask-ka), is a vibrant celebration marking the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joyful festivities, blending ancient Greek traditions with Christian practices. It is also known as Orthodox Easter, as other denominations, such as Ukrainian, Lebanese, Serbian, Romanian, Russian and Palestinian (among others) Orthodox Christians celebrate at the same time. 
Orthodox Easter is typically on a different date than Australian Easter due to the use of the Julian calendar. In 2025, both Australian and Orthodox Easters are on the same date. 
A few aspects of Greek Easter include: 
Holy Week
The week leading up to Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week, a period of religious observance and preparation. 
Lent 
The 40-day period of Lent preceding Easter is a time of fasting and reflection. Greeks eat a vegan diet during this time. 
Red Eggs 
Red eggs are a prominent symbol of Greek Easter, symbolising Christ and the emergence of new life. Eggs are cracked on Easter Sunday to symbolise Jesus coming out of the tomb. 
Lamb
After fasting for Lent, a traditional Greek Easter Sunday meal involves a lamb on a spit over an open fire or coals, a practice rooted in ancient Greek traditions. 
Baking
Greek Easter baking focuses on two main baked goods: Tsoureki (Greek Easter bread) and Koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies). Tsoureki is a sweet, braided bread often decorated with dyed red eggs and flavoured with mastic and mahlepi. Koulourakia are sweet cookies, often twisted or shaped into other forms. 
Greetings
The traditional Greek Easter greeting is "Xristos Anesti" (Christ is Risen!), to which one responds "Alithos Anesti" (Truly He is Risen!). 
Family Gatherings
For Greeks, Easter is a time for families and friends to gather, enjoy festive meals, and celebrate their faith together. 

Written by Tina Farmassonis

Linden Park Launches Yard Behaviour Expectations

This year, our leadership team has worked with staff to develop a consistent and positive approach to yard behaviour at Linden Park Primary School. Last week, we proudly launched our Yard Behaviour Expectations across the school, anchored by three simple and powerful statements: Be Kind, Be Respectful, and Be Safe. 
These expectations were shaped through extensive staff consultation, including identifying common yard challenges, aligning responses with the Department for Education's Behaviour Support Policy, and building a shared understanding of the positive behaviours we expect from students in the yard. Students have also been developing their understanding of the expectations by unpacking what positive behaviours look, sound and feel like in the yard. Many classes have already provided valuable insights that will help shape the final expectations at the end of our trial period. 

To kick things off, our School Ambassadors hosted launch assemblies for Early Years and Primary students in Week 1 of Term 2. Through role plays, interactive games, and real-life scenarios, students explored what each expectation means and how they can contribute to a safe, inclusive and caring play environment. 

Each fortnight this term, we'll focus on one of the expectations: 
- Weeks 2 & 3: Be Kind - encouraging behaviours such as helping others, fair play, and showing care through words and actions. 
- Weeks 4 & 5: Be Respectful - including using manners, following teacher instructions, and looking after school property. 
- Weeks 6 & 7: Be Safe - with a focus on making safe choices, students are expected to behave responsibly, play by the rules and seek adult support if they see something unsafe. 

To reinforce these expectations, teachers are trialling a clear and consistent response framework that celebrates positive choices while addressing behaviours of concern with appropriate consequences. Students can also earn sticky dots for kind behaviour, helping to fill our kindness thermometer - if full by the end of Week 3, students will earn a bonus 10 minutes of playtime as a collective reward. 

We're excited to see students engaging positively with the expectations and thank our dedicated staff and enthusiastic student leaders for their part in bringing this initiative to life. 

Together, we're building a yard environment that reflects our values and supports all students to feel safe, included and happy. 

Inquiry Ambassadors - News flash

Our Inquiry Ambassadors have the important role of advocating for student voice and agency by reflecting on our units of inquiry. The students firstly reflected on how they learn best and used this understanding to deconstruct the current Year 6 unit of inquiry on 'Where we are in place and time' with a focus lens around the related concept of migration. The central idea for this unit being 'Movement contributes to change'. The students were invited to the Year 6 teacher planning session to observe and contribute to the reflection stage of the inquiry cycle in planning. Teachers first reflected on the learning; identifying strategies and learning experiences that best supported students' development of knowledge, conceptual understandings and skills. 

The Inquiry Ambassadors were then asked to reflect and share about their own learning and growth during the unit. Their ideas and reflections were recorded to our online curriculum planning documentation tool; 'Toddle'. The students discussed what they liked most about the unit, what could have been done differently, what they learnt, skills they acquired and the challenges that they encountered during the learning. 

Our next steps as student leaders will be to work with small groups of students across the different year level cohorts from Reception to Year 5 to gather similar information about what the students think and reflect about their learning and growth on their current unit of inquiry that they are learning about. 

We are excited to support other year level students to verbalise their thoughts and ideas. 

Colour Fun Run 2025

We wanted to thank all of the students and parents for the incredible enthusiasm and spirit displayed during the recent Colour Fun Run! It was a day filled with vibrant colours, laughter, and a strong sense of community.

Our students demonstrated remarkable energy as they navigated the obstacle course. Each participant contributed to making the event a memorable success. The smiles and joy on their faces were a testament to the wonderful day had by all.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who helped organise and run the event. Your support and dedication were invaluable in ensuring everything went smoothly.

We raised just over $16,000! Congratulations once again to all our students for their participation and enthusiasm. 

Community & Fundraising Committee

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Year 6 - Parliament House Excursion

In Term 1, during Week 10, the Year 6 students went on an unforgettable excursion to Parliament House. 
Our local parliamentarian, Jack Batty, guided us through the grand and historic building, and he certainly didn't disappoint. As we sat in the very seats once occupied by famous politicians, we admired the intricate architecture and took in the impressive paintings of past leaders that adorned the walls.

We had the exciting opportunity to role-play as politicians, learning how laws are made under Jack Batty's expert guidance. We explored both chambers of Parliament - the red Legislative Council and the green House of Assembly - gaining a deeper understanding of how our democracy functions. 

By the time we stepped outside, we felt transformed. The visit had opened our eyes to the rich, thought-provoking history of Australia - our country's story, brought to life. 

By Analise, Vageesha, Vicki and Helena from Room 40. 

Library News

Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group - Invitation

Linden Park Primary School would like to invite you to join our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group. We are looking for members of the community to establish a diverse working group that ensures the responsibility of implementing reconciliation. 

What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)? 
The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides a framework for organisations to support the national reconciliation movement. Schools and early learning services can develop a RAP through Narragunnawali-Reconciliation in Education. Narrangunnawali supports all schools and early learning services in Australia to foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. 
RAPs are making a difference across Australia in workplaces, universities, schools, government and community organisations. 
The RAP framework enables organisations to contribute to reconciliation by:
- building and encouraging relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, organisations, and the broader Australian community
- fostering and embedding respect for the world's longest surviving cultures and communities.
- develop opportunities within your organisation or services to improve socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities. 

Anyone can join our RAP working group. If you are interested, please email Nicole Scrivener with your name and email to dl.0647.info@schools.sa.edu.au 

Reconciliation is everyone's business. We hope to hear from you soon. 

Regards, 
Nicole Scrivener, Deputy Principal - Innovation and Inquiry

Minecraft Movie Fundraiser - A Blockbuster Success!

On Sunday 13 April, the Linden Park Primary School community came together at the Regal Theatre for a special screening of, A Minecraft Movie - all in support of raising money for our school's outdoor play areas.
The theatre was buzzing with excitement as students, families, and friends enjoyed the action-packed adventure on the big screen.
Thanks to the incredible support and generosity of our community, the event raised more than $2,000! A huge thank you Sandy, Rachel, Lucinda and to everyone who attended, donated, and helped make this fundraiser such a memorable day.

Brooke Robins, Chair - Community & Fundraising Committee

Community News