5 August 2022 - Term 3 - Week 2

Principal's report

Site Improvement Plan Focus

This term we shift our focus to Goal 3 of our Site Improvement Plan. Goal 3 is our whole school commitment to inquiry learning and enhanced Primary Years Program (PYP). A key aspect is the increased ‘student agency and voice’. Year level teams are beginning to explore opportunities to ensure that students shape their learning as opposed to the more traditional, voting for a topic of interest. Teachers are looking to capture student ideas as part of: planning, shaping assessment criteria, goal setting and feedback.

As part of the Year 1 planning, learners viewed a range of environments and were able to share ideas and pose questions before the Program of Inquiry was formulated. Questions such as: ‘Why isn’t there much water in the desert?' and 'What types of animals live in the rainforest?’ are a starting point to connecting to students’ prior knowledge.

Year 6 students have begun to unpack the Central Idea, “Individual contributions to society lead to people feeling valued and improve quality of life”.  Some of the student reflections are powerful indicators of the depth of thinking that learners engage in.  Rather than simply researching and presenting information, students create deeper understanding by looking at the Key concepts, (responsibility, causation and connectivity).

Term 3 Learning Focus:

Classes are engaging in new Programs of Inquiry with a consistent focus from Years 3-6 on ‘Sharing the Planet’ and R-2 classes covering the themes of ‘How the World works’, ‘Where we are in place and time’ and ‘Who we are’. There is already excitement building for the Exhibition and Learning Journeys that students will share with their families towards the end of this term or early term 4.

When I talk with some of the Year 6 students, they are clear that Exhibition is about harnessing their individual passions and developing their ‘Learner Profile Attributes’.

Classes are currently engaged in developing questions that will guide their learning after engaging in a provocation. Provocations are the stimulus that promotes learner curiousity; trips to the Maritime Museum, experiments, visiting animal incursions, all stimulate learner wonderings about the Central Ideas.

Positive feedback:

I would like to congratulate all of the students that have been chosen to represent the school through their sporting and musical prowess.  Feedback is most positive with members of the community sharing that our students represent our school with pride and are respectful towards others.

Special acknowledgement goes to Lori M and Madeleine S for their selection as solo artists in Festival of Music.   Congratulations to Oliver S and Myles K, for their selection in the District Boys Soccer team.

Fiona Voigt, Principal

Staffing update - welcome

We are fortunate to have two new staff join our dedicated team at Linden Park Primary School. Please welcome (left-right):  

Brooke Derrington (classroom SSO) & Geli Ellis-Gibbings (classroom SSO) 

Library news

Book Week Parade

Week 5 is Book Week.   We will be having our annual parade on the Friday morning. This year's theme is 'Dreaming with eyes open'. We hope to have all students participate by dressing up for the parade. Many students often dress up as a favourite book character. This year's theme also lends itself to some fun dress up ideas. Your child may want to dress up as what they're dreaming of becoming when they grow up or perhaps as a hero they dream of being like. Other children may decide to dress up as a character they dream of from another world. 

We encourage children to design and make simple costumes themselves rather than spending lots of money on fancy shop bought costumes. We appreciate that some families are time poor so need to purchase something simple. We support whatever works best for your family. Here are a couple websites that might inspire you and your children:

• https://www.simplifycreateinspire.com/book-week-costume-ideas/
• https://childrenslibrarylady.com/book-character-costumes-for-teachers/

Thank you for your support.

Please take a look at the LPPS Library Weekly, as we continue to update it with Book Week information, including an interactive padlet focusing on the younger reader shortlist. http://lindenparkprimaryschoollibrary.weebly.com/book-week-2022.html 

Book Week Author Visits:

This year R.A. Spratt, author of the Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and Peski Kids series, will be sharing her books and writing process in week 4 with years 3-6.   SA author, Mike Dumbleton, will be presenting to our R-2 students in week 5. As always, this is one of the highlights of our Book Week celebration.  Parent permission slips will be sent home to parents via Edsmart, costs are included as part of the 2022 Excursion program invoice.

CBCA Shadow Judges Vote! 

Our year 6 Shadow Judges submitted their vote for best picture book. It was a very tight race between The Inheritance by Armin Greder and Stellarphant by James Foley.  

“The inheritance excelled extremely well in its plot. As Arlo stated, ‘The power of hindsight’ was most definitely shown in this book as it showed you what will happen to the earth if we don’t stop climate change before it gets out of hand.  Stellarphant excelled in characterisation and all the other CBCA criteria.  This made the book a prime contender for the CBCA Shadow Judging book of the year and as a result won the majority of votes." (Aarman, room 41) .

Andrea Kipperman & Russell Hanson, LPPS Teacher Librarians

Student Action Committee (SAC)

Each semester, two students from each class in Reception to Year 5 are elected to represent their class at SAC. These students continue to demonstrate the characteristics of the IB Learner Profile.  

Due to the high population of students, we have two SAC committees;

• EVEN STEVENS (Reception, Years 2 & 4 students meet during even weeks)
• ODD BODS (Years 1, 3 & 5 students meet during odd weeks).
• Each group is supported by some year 6 leaders.

We meet each fortnight and discuss issues brought up at class meetings, the students make any decisions that may need to be made on behalf of students, i.e., playground equipment and they also generate action based on the general wellbeing of our students.

The SAC is one example in our school of authentic student agency, i.e., students having the control and opportunity to make decisions for the benefit of their own and their peers learning and school experiences. Students in the SAC will be part of learning opportunities where they will;

• Question current behaviours, practises and procedures at LPPS;
• Explore data on the wellbeing of students;
• Take responsibility in communicating ideas and information to their classes and within the SAC;
• Make decisions based on data and feedback for the benefit of the school community;
• Action the decisions;
• Support their peers;
• Reflect on any action taken.

Stay tuned for the future reports from students about action they are implementing within our school.

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected SAC representatives of their classes for Semester 2:-

EVEN STEVENS (Reception; Years 2 & 4)

• Room 9:  Victoria A; Bhavan A.
• Room 10: Nina XS; Tom F. 
• Room 11: Parth A; Aadhya B.
• Room 14:  Noah K; Jace N; Shifa M.
• Rooom 15:   Alex F; Isabel S.
• Room 1:  Ari H; Mark S.
• Room 2: Clara W; Noah H.
• Room 3:  Tia T; Caiden W.
• Room 4: Julian Y; Emily L.
• Room 5:  Patrick F; Davonna S.
• Room 23:  Sophie H; Aryan S.
• Room 24:  Sammy G; Alana F.
• Room 25:  Tobias L; Olivia C.
• Room 26:  Iris X; Christiano V.
• Room 27:  Carissa M; Ethan D.

Year 6 Helpers:

• Arlo (34) Indi (36) Mehrad (39) Prathvia (40) Ben (41) 

ODD BODS (Years 1, 3 & 5)

• Room 6:  Imogen M; William P.
• Room 7: Anya S; Zhijia S
• Room 8:  Ahilya S; Abheek M. 
• Room 12:  Trishika K; Nadula U.
• Room 13:  Manvi U; Fraser F.
• Room 16:  Kavanbir D; Monique K.
• Room 17:  Eva G; Joshua C.
• Room 20: Annalise T; Leo S.
• Room 21:  Angela L; Neil P.
• Room 22:  Annabelle A; Harry W.
• Room 28:  Kiaan P; Oliver F.
• Room 29: JD P; Dinithi K.
• Room 31: Nikhil R; Yifei L.
• Room 32: Ryan Z; Jorjana P.
• Room 33:  Evie S; Will R. 

Year 6 Helpers:

• Kaashvi (34) Onita (36) Selena (39) Myles (40) Jackie (41)

Rachel Pontifex, Student Wellbeing Leader

Festival of Music Choir - Song Recording

The Linden Park Festival of Music Yr 6 choir was chosen to record an original song for The State Theatre Company of South Australian on their upcoming Production called “Chalkface” written by Angela Betzien.  This production is a comedy about a primary school and features well known Australian actors.

The choir recorded vocals for the song “One Becomes Many” on Monday 1st August.  Chalkface will be shown 5^th-18^th August at the Dunstan Play House, The Adelaide Festival Centre.

We are excited that our school choir has been selected and look forward to sharing the song in the future.

                                                                              Vanessa Buttery & Alice Combe (LPPS Music Teachers)

Year 1: Marine Discovery Centre

As part of our unit of inquiry into 'Where we Are in Place and Time', the Year 1s went on an excursion to the Marine Discovery Centre at Henley Beach this week.    They learnt all about the features of the Great Southern Reef, how the marine environment can change, and how to care for it.  Students had great fun taking part in a scavenger hunt, finding interesting things to identify on the beach, and learnt about water conservation, aboriginal artefacts and the wide variety of living things that make their home along the coast.   We were extremely lucky with the weather, and it was a great provocation for this term's inquiry!  

Year 3: Animals Anonymous Incursion

This term, the Year 3 students have started their next unit of inquiry – Sharing the Planet.   The central idea of this unit is ‘Living Things rely on a balanced environment for their survival.’   

This week, the Year 3 students had an educational session provided by the team from Animals Anonymous.   Students saw a range of Australian Animals, including a baby crocodile, goanna, yellow footed wallaby and carpet python!

Yr 2 Save the date

In week 2 next term, the Year 2 students will be attending their Aldinga full day excursion. If you would like to put your $100 rebate towards this excursion, please email dl.0647.finance@schools.sa.edu.au

Thank you,   Sue Gaden (Finance Manager)

Sports news

From:  Chris Morrison (U11 Soccer coach)

• Linden Pk Lions:  6
• Athelstone:  1

The Lions roared out of the blocks with two early goals from Massi after excellent build up play from Mateo and Zach. Van added another from the penalty spot, but it was an even better second half show as Mark and Nandan and Vincent pressed high up the pitch forcing Athelstone into mistakes. Diego and Ben fantastic were in defence again.   Ashley got a well deserved goal, then missed a sitter from a stunning build up but then cracked a worldy to make it six.     Hopefully Seth and Cristiano will be back for the next game.

Parking safely around the school

Follow the school rules and keep our children safe. 

We have had reports of dangerous parking at drop off and pick up at our school.   Remember to allow extra time to ensure you park correctly and safely before and after school.

REMINDER:  Please do not park and leave your car at DROP OFF OR PICK UP ONLY. 

For more information, please refer to City of Burnside parking flyer.   

Orienteering SA

From:  Lyn Barnett

A reminder that School Orienteering Training will commence on Thursday, 11 August from 3.45-5.00pm at the skate park, King Rodney Park off Wakefield Rd.   

This is in preparation for the school relay championships to be held on Friday, 26 August at Kensington Gardens Reserve.

The Thursday sessions are free and all are welcome.  Parents are required to provide transport and supervision. If students are new or have not been to any training this year, please contact Lyn Barnett on cbarnett8@big pond.com to register.   We look forward to seeing many of your students on the 11 August.     

Uniform - Scrunchies

Enrol now in preschool 2023

Community notices

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.