Happy Independence!

I would like to wish all students, staff and wantoks of Lihir International School / School to Mine Campus a very happy 46th anniversary of Independence! Thanks to our National teachers who led our Independence Day celebrations. Many were able to watch the celebration and dances yesterday via the live stream. This will be available on the school's Facebook page.  Thanks also to our HR Manager, Mr Alex Rogea, who was our special guest for the celebrations.

Holiday National Exam Preparation

There are only a few weeks until our students sit for both the Year 10 and Year 8 National exams. The next few weeks (including the holidays) should be a time of focus and preparation for these students. I ask that parents / carers monitor students' screen time (mobile phones, tablets, TV etc) in the lead up to the exams. Too much screen time can easily distract students during this important preparation period.

School Photos

Each student will be issued with a class photo in term 4.  Those who requested an individual photo will also receive these at this time.

Resumption for Term 4

Term 4 school resumes on Tuesday the 5th October. Monday 4th October will be a pupil free day. LIS / STM Teachers will participate in NewSafe training on this day.

Regards,

Greg Neville

Thank you to Mr McKeiver for organising the Prep-year 2 (Junior) and year 3-10 (Open) swimming carnivals last week. Students enjoyed participating in the term 3 swimming program led by Mr McKeiver, Ms Savitas and Mr Collins, and the carnivals were a great culmination to show their progress. Thank you to the parents who came and cheered students on!

The Open Swimming Carnival was an exciting competition between the Muruks and the Kumuls and congratulations to the winning team, the Muruks! It was pleasing to see the enthusiasm and great sportsmanship shown by all students.

The winning shield was proudly accepted by Muruk house captains: Paulette Tadoi and Brendan Daniel.

Congratulations to the following age champions:

 8/9 years: Siha Temara and Laurel Neville

10/11 years: Tristan Yanis and Shantalynna Waho

12/13 years: Ben Daimol and Joannah Kia / Katie Kamong

Open: Laurence Kore and Paulette Tadoi

It was wonderful to see so many students participating in this year's carnivals.

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 4.

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

Parent/Teacher Interviews

Thank you to the parents who took part in the recent parent / teacher interviews. It was pleasing to see the high number of parents in attendance over the two afternoons. Next term, we will hold Student-led Conferences mid-term and parents will receive their child's end of semester written report at the end of term. Semester 2 portfolios will also be sent home at the same time as written reports.

NAPLAN Results - Year 3/5/7 and 9 students

These have been sent home with students at the start of the week with an accompanying letter from Mr Neville. Please do not hesitate to ask your child's teacher if you have any questions.

Exam Prep

Year 8 and 10 parents and students have been informed of the holiday study session program that will commence next week with Mr Takaundo at the STM Campus. It is very important that students attend these sessions, particularly our year 10s who have only 4 school days next term before their National Exams.

Reading Eggs/Mathletics

Just a reminder that students can access the online programs Reading Eggs and Mathletics over the holiday break. Please let me know if you need your child's log-on details.

I wish all families a happy and safe holiday period and a happy Independence Day.

Kind regards,

Ms Langusch

Term 4 - Tuesday 5 October to Thursday 2 December

Monday 4th October will be a pupil free day. LIS / STM Teachers will participate in NewSafe training on this day.

Term 1: 31st  January – 31st March 

Term 2: 19th April – 16th June 

Term 3: 11th July – 15th September 

Term 4: 3rd October – 1st December 

Mr Takaundo will be running the National Exam Preparation Program for Years 8 and 10 during the first week of the school holidays. Parents, please ensure students arrive on time with all required equipment to these lessons.

Our first Trupla Tisa Program last Friday was a great success. We had 24 teachers from across Lihir and also Ms Josephine Marmani and Mr Rogers Lulagarea form Lihir Education Office at STMC for the 1 day Professional Development. The program provided teachers additional skills to assist their classroom pedagogy, curriculum, management and leadership. Much thanks to Mr Takaundo, Mr Neville and Ms Langusch for presenting on the day. We look forward to a similar program aimed at Head Teachers and Principals next term.

Our Divine Word University Bachelor of Primary Education Program started Semester 2 this week with face to face lectures from Monday. We welcomed Mr Pulip Lyokao for the delivery of the program and next week, we welcome back Dr Lynus Yamuna for the delivery of the second week.  

Our FODE students continue classes and exam preparation as the end of the year draws nearer.

Recruiting and interviews have been completed and onboarding of our next Work Ready Program has commenced. This program 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