19 March 2021 Week 8 Term 1
Principal's Report
Harmony Day and National Day of Action against Bullying
Today (Friday 19th March) our students acknowledged our multicultural community through Harmony Day celebrations. Many of our students wore orange or traditional cultural dress to represent peace and promote mutual understanding. We are fortunate to have such a diverse community here at Linden Park and enjoy the many opportunities we have to learn from each other. For more information about Harmony Day, visit https://www.harmony.gov.au/
Today is also the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). Our SAC (Student Action Committee) asked each class to make a pledge poster - committing to wiping out bullying at Linden Park and to reflect on anti-bullying behaviours. These pledges will be placed on building doors to remind students every time they walk through them of their promises. For more information please visit: https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-day-of-action-against-bullying-and-violence
Parent, Student and Teacher conferences
Our three-way conferences will commence next week and are just one of the ways in which we share and communicate student learning throughout the year. At Linden Park Primary School we are committed to activating student voice and action in all aspects of their learning. The upcoming three-way conferences are designed to put the student at the centre of this process and gives them the opportunity to share their learning verbally. They take the lead in the interview; sharing a snapshot of what they have learned, how they learn and how they are progressing. They will show you evidence which may include work samples, sharing of goals, assessment pieces, portfolio documents and self-reflections. Parents and teachers collaborate to establish and identify the student's strengths and areas for improvement as well as supporting the development of learning goals. Learning Journeys, Exhibitions, Student Portfolios and semester student reports (mid-year and end of year) are the other formal ways we report student learning throughout the year. If you have yet to book your conference - please refer to the SZapp app in the main feed section for details how to book.
COLA - Covered Outdoor Learning Area
I am sure you have seen or heard about the activity occurring on the tennis courts with the long awaited construction of the COLA. As it nears completion we can see the magnitude of the structure that will be able to accommodate our whole school under cover and give us a much needed outdoor space to use all year round.
Please support the school by purchasing a commemorative brick paver or the 70th whole school photo - more information is available on the Qkr app.
Swimming Carnival - 24th March
We are all looking forward to the Year 4-7 Swimming Carnival next week at Burnside pool and we are delighted that parents are able to attend. We hope you can join us. Your child should have bought home a note with details of the day including what children need to bring and bus shuttle transfer times.
Staffing
Congratulations to Josh McGuire (Room 38 Teacher) who has won the part time position of LPPS Numeracy coach. We have contracted Mr Mack Haynes to work with Josh, teaching room 38 on Thursdays and Fridays.
We also congratulate Harry Slee (Room 36 Teacher) who has been appointed the role of LPPS Sports co-ordinator replacing Derek Woodcock on Monday & Tuesdays. Harry will continue to teach in Room 36 on alternative Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Deb O'Neill, Principal
Year 4 Burnside Council Visit
As part of our inquiry into ‘How we organise ourselves’, our Year 4 students walked to Burnside Council on 12th March (Rooms 28+30) and 16th March (Rooms 29+31) to learn about the role of a local council. The Mayor of Burnside, Mrs Anne Monceaux introduced the children to the boardroom and what councillors do in the community. She encouraged them to ask questions and then followed up with a tour of the council offices and library. We thank our generous parent volunteers for helping out on the excursion.
Year 3 Woodhouse Excursion
As part of their current Unit of Inquiry "Who we are" and the central idea of "safe and healthy choices and relationships" our Year 3 students visited Woodhouse Activity Centre to participate in a number of outdoor team building challenges on Tuesday 9th March. On the day the children braved Challenge Hill, Disc Golf, The Labyrinth and Orienteering, showing many examples of a growth mindset. They had to work as a team to solve challenges and exemplified resilience to achieve independent goals on tricky obstacles. We would like to thank the parent volunteers who accompanied the classes on the day.
Reception Sprout Cooking Class
As part of the Reception’s Unit of Inquiry “Who We Are” students participated in a healthy cooking class on 11th March, coordinated by Sprout Cooking School in our OSHC kitchen. The children made Greek Lamb and Hummus burgers (Pumpkin burgers for Vegetarians). It was a fantastic opportunity for students to get hands on experience in the kitchen and afterwards they were able to eat their delicious burgers!
Sapsasa District Swimming
On Thursday 11th March, the school’s Sapsasa Swimming team competed at the District carnival at the Payneham Pool. Well done to all our selected swimmers for the way they competed and conducted themselves on the day. All the swimmers had a great day, enjoying the chance to swim against students from other schools and supporting each other in the pool.
Congratulations to Addison N who finished 1st overall in the 11YO Butterfly and 2nd overall in the 11YO Freestyle. We also congratulate Sebastian P who finished 1st in the 13YO Breaststoke and Alannah O for coming 1st in the 12YO Butterfly. Well done to second and third placings for Ava T, Tammy T, Lucy L, Madeleine S, Christina Z, Hamish D and Sebastian P.
We are thrilled to announce that Addison N, Ava T and Tammy T have been selected for the State Swimming competition on 25th March at the Marion Swimming Centre as part of the Adelaide South East SAPSASA District team.
A big thank you to parents: Kat W, Jerry Z, Aree C and Amanda K for their assistance on the day.
Primary (Yr 3-Yr 7) Student Action Committee
The Primary (Yr 3-Yr 7) Student Action Committee had their first meeting on Thursday 11th March to raise and discuss issues important to the students to make the school a better place to play and learn.
Congratulations to our Semester 1 Primary Years SAC representatives: Caitlin T, Teddy C, Oliver T, Anh h, Chelsea M, Noah S, Sam S, Alexa K, Oliver S, Selena L, Naya D, Arlo U, Van L, Filipa H, Will T, Lori M, Ali H, Kyle F, Mukhlis H, Anna C, Archie W, Lottie D, Will R, Yifei L, Myles R, Seda K, Mujtaba H, Sophia S, Neal M, Tanya G, Giovanni Z, Sissi R.
All Student Action Representatives are invited to purchase a badge via the Qkr app at a subsidised cost of $4.00 (GST free). Receipts and badges will then be delivered to the students via the classroom. NOTE: Orders must be placed on the QKR app in the Linden Park Primary School (Tree Logo) customer under “School Payments” – SAC Badge.
Student Wellbeing Leaders Semester One
Sixty four, year 4 and 5 students came to our Student Wellbeing Leader (SWL) training day, last Thursday, 11th March. It was a great turn out and demonstrates the commitment and level of care these middle primary students have for our younger students.
The opportunity for our year 4 and 5 students to take on this leadership role is fantastic as it helps these leaders develop empathy, patience and resilience. The role of a Student Wellbeing Leader is to help resolve conflict in the yard, help students work through the rules of play and also they will support these younger students find friends to play with.
The Student Wellbeing Leaders learnt about how to resolve conflict using a process called Restorative Practise. This is the same process used by teachers. A series of questions are asked to the students involved to connect their emotions with their behaviour. What happened? What were you feeling at the time? Who was affected by what you did? What do you think needs to happen to make things right?
Part of the training our SWL’s went through was to role play a range of scenarios they may face in the yard, to discuss what they are and aren’t responsible for and to also acknowledge when they will need the assistance of a yard duty teacher.
As there were so many students attending the training session, our year 5 Student Wellbeing Leaders will be timetabled during Semester One and our year 4 Student Wellbeing Leaders will be timetabled for duty during Semester Two after a brief refresher course.
All students have a class copy of their duty timetables and copies have been placed near where their jackets and bum bags are stored.
I congratulate all students who are committing to this role and giving up one or two play sessions of their own to support our younger students.
Rachel Pontifex, Student Wellbeing Leader
