Dear parents and carers,

The year 8 and 10 National examinations are rapidly approaching. The school has been working hard to ensure that all students are well prepared. We ask that parents and carers partner with the school in encouraging all students to stay focused. Screen time and use of mobile phones is one distraction in the leadup to the National Exams. I challenge all parents to severely limit or remove use of screen time and mobiles during the weeks leading up to the exams.

Attendance at school is very important. Children need to be at school on time every day to succeed in their learning. We have seen some unnecessary absenteeism and lateness, particularly in the high school. If a child is absent, parents / carers need to email the class teacher or send a note on return to the school.

Independence Day. This year the school will celebrate Independence Day on the last day of school for term 3. There will be some special activities (LIS Idol, dances, free dress and ice-cream) to celebrate the day. Please note that this year it will be a school in-house celebration only - meaning that due to Covid 19 restrictions, we will be unable to invite parents and the wider community to  join us. Photos and short videos will be included in the school's newsletter and web page for parents and carers to view.

Repentance Day Next week Thursday the 26th August is Gazetted as a public holiday. We will confirm this next week, once confirmation of the date is received.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like further information on any of the topics in this newsletter, please do not hesitate to make contact.

Regards,

Mr Greg Neville

The student councilors would like to thank everyone in the primary school who attended the movie afternoon; we raised K220. We will donate the money to the local school nearby which has recently opened and are in need of school equipment. Please parents and students, remember to continue bringing books to also be donated.

There will be an ice-cream afternoon on Friday of Week 8. Students will line up outside the canteen as they are getting ready to pay and are only allowed one ice cream each. Ice creams will cost K2.

High school students will have their movie night starting at 6pm and finishing at 8pm on the 10th of September. Please remember that it is strictly LIS students only.

Thank you!

From,

The Student Council

Thanks to P&W Canteen Coordinator and P&W ladies for starting up the canteen service for term 3. The menu is attached below.

It is imperative that parents and carers do not send their children to school if they are sick or showing any symptoms of a cold or flu. If your child is sick, please keep your child home and seek appropriate medical attention. Children who display any signs of sickness will be isolated under supervision in the school's sick bay and parents called to come and collect them.

1.  A comprehensive deep clean of the school will be undertaken by Nayal LTD, prior to school resumption in term 3.

2. Entrance to school for students and parents / carers will be via the Aginas Oval gate only, which will open at 7.45am. Students who arrive before this (which is discouraged) are to social distance and  wait in the carpark undercover area until 7.45am. Students should be at school by 8.05am, ready to start the day at 8.10am.

3. All students will be greeted at the gate by a teacher, where they will be temperature checked. They will then wash their hands at the wash station and then proceed to their classroom.  Parents and carers will be permitted to escort their children to classrooms, If parents need to go to the office, they will be permitted to proceed to the wash station and are then to make their way straight to the school office. 

4. Several wash stations are installed around the school and hand sanitiser is available in all classrooms. Students will be required to wash their hands in the mornings before school, before and after recess/lunch and before leaving school in the afternoons.

5. All desks, door handles, playground equipment and other high contact equipment will be sanitised twice daily or after use by cleaning staff.

6. Social distancing measure of 1.5 metres will be employed in classrooms through desk arrangements. Social distancing markings have been painted on cement areas where students line up and in the undercover area for recess/lunch eating times. The school will implement staggered recess breaks between the primary and high school to reduce the number of children using toilets etc.

7. Students will be issued with a reusable washable mask. Students will be need to wear these masks for travel to and from school and during all activities at school.

8. The school canteen will be open on Fridays in term 3. The P&W will send more info out regarding this in due course. Students will need to bring a packed recess snack and lunch each day - there is to be no dropping off of food by parents, siblings or haus meris. Students are also asked to bring a water bottle to school that they will refill.

9. Term 3 will see assemblies in the basketball court  throughout the term. Parents will be welcome to attend, adhering to social distancing protocols.

Term 3 - Monday 12 July to Wednesday 15 September

Term 4 - Tuesday 5 October to Thursday 2 December

Friday Assemblies

Just a reminder to parents that you are welcome to attend our Friday assemblies, commencing at 8.10am on the basketball court. Please remember to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing protocols.

Curriculum News

ICAS Assessments

There has been a delay with our ICAS assessments due to the COVID restrictions in Australia. We will continue to update parents when these will take place.

Year 8 and Year 10 Exam Prep

Saturday morning Exam Prep sessions for all year 8 and 10 students will be on again this Saturday, 9.00am - 12.00pm. It is expected that all students attend and be on time to begin class at 9.00am. Students should be organised and have their stationery materials with them.

Please advise your child's teacher (Ms Yip or Mrs Laien) if your child is unable to attend.

We will continue our after school sessions for year 10 students as per last term's schedule. 

We ask that year 8 and 10 parents monitor that students are completing appropriate study and revision at home, particularly if they are unable to attend the Saturday morning study sessions.

Homework Club

Homework Club has recommenced this term for the year 3/4 and 5/6 classes. This is held each Wednesday afternoon from 3.00pm to 4.00pm.

Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Ms Langusch

The Saturday soccer program is on again this Saturday morning. Students who are participating need to be at the school oval by 8:00am sharp. Please don’t be late as this will hold up the start of the activities for everyone involved. We also ask that students be picked up from school at 9:30am at the conclusion of the program. Students may wear any appropriate sports clothing and are encouraged to wear simple running shoes (no football boots) for player safety. A water bottle will also be necessary.

 If any students are unable to participate in soccer on Saturday due to other commitments but would like to be involved in sports activities, please email Mr McKeiver. Simon.McKeiver@newcrest.com.au

Thank you,

Mr McKeiver

STMC teachers continue to support the National Exam Preparation for our LIS students with after-school and Saturday classes. Please ensure students arrive on time to these lessons with all required equipment.

Dates for the next Divine Word University face to face lectures will be 13 - 24 September. STMC staff are working to support these local Lihirian teachers studying in the Primary Education Bachelor Upgrade Program as they work to complete assessment for their first semester.

We have confirmed the date for our first Trupla Tisa Program to be delivered on Friday 10 August. This program invites teachers from Lihirian Schools to a Professional Development aimed at providing teachers additional skills to assist their classroom pedagogy, curriculum, management and leadership.

Our FODE students are continuing to work hard and submit the required assessment. We will commence some exams in the coming weeks.

Recruiting and interviews have commenced for the next Work Ready Program which commences 4 October.

The Kisim Save Library remains open to all Townsite Residents and Newcrest Employees every Saturday by appointment. Please email kevin.collins@newcrest.com.au .

Regards,

Mr. Kevin Collins