St Leonards Primary School

Can you believe that Week 6 is just around the corner?  Boy is this term starting to fly!  

100 Years Celebration

I need to start by thanking everybody for their efforts for what was a magnificent 100 Year Celebration day. Early figures indicate we had approximately 3,500 people come through the gates. It was awesome to see old scholars attend, many of who were amazed at the changes within the school and also reminiscing with old acquaintances. 

A huge thank you must go to the organising committee, staff and volunteers. They spent an immense amount of time ensuring the event was the success that it was. We were so proud of our community on the day. 

Celebration Night

Our learners are busy working on their dazzling dance moves in preparation for our Celebration Concert which will be held on Friday 3 December at 6:00pm. 

We look forward to welcoming parents and caregivers back onto our grounds for the event. Please remember that Covid protocols still apply, such as social distancing, during the event. 

2022 Class Structure

We have been busily constructing classes for 2022.  Whist we endeavour to have straight classes, this isn't always possible due to varying numbers within year levels. 

2022 will see St Leonards have 14 classes:

2 - Year 1 

1 - Year 1/2

1 - Year 2

1 - Year 2/3

1 - Year 3

1 - Year 3/4

1 - Year 4

2 - Year 5

2 - Year 6

We will inform our community of staffing very shortly. 

Dave Henty-Smith - Principal

Kathy Baker - Deputy Principal

Heidi Bevan - Wellbeing Leader

Class structures for the 2022 school year are now being developed. The number and structure of those classes depends on accurate enrolment information.

If your child/ren are currently in Reception - Year 5 and they are not returning to St Leonards, please email Mel Worden, Office Manager, melanie.worden673@schools.s.edu.au as soon as possible with your child's name, current year level and destination school.

Hats on for Term 4

No Hat, Shade Play

Week 6

• Reception Transition Visit, 9:00am -11:15am - Monday 15 November
• Beachfront Hub Music Band Performance  - Wednesday 17 November
• Move and Groove - Wednesday 17 November
• Assembly - Friday 19 November

Week 7

• Reception Transition Visit, 9:00am -12:30pm - Monday 22 November
• Volunteer Thank You Night 7:00pm - Tuesday 23 November
• Move and Groove - Wednesday 24 November

Upcoming 

Celebration Night - Friday 3 December

For 90 years, our School Banking program has helped children learn about money, reinforced the importance of regular savings and provided structure for parents to support their children to save.

Though the program continues to have strong support from schools, parents and teachers, recent decisions by some state and territory governments because of a review by the corporate regulator mean we are unable to continue providing programs in schools, and we have had to make a difficult decision to close our School Banking program for all government and non-government schools across the country.

Our School Banking program was established in 1931 at a time when having a bank account was not commonplace, and since then we have helped more than 15 million Australians take their first financial steps. This would not have been possible without the wonderful support we have received from schools like yours, including all the parents and volunteers, and for this we are deeply grateful. Thank you.

Even though this is a sad time, School Banking has taught so many young Australians, past and present, the value of money and we believe this should be celebrated. We have created a place for you to share your stories, fondest memories and lessons learnt through the program. To share your story and access our financial education resources, please visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking 

Even though the CommBank School Banking program will not be returning to your school after this year, you can continue to make deposits into your child’s Youthsaver account through online transfers or at any CommBank branch. If you need further information please phone 132 221 or visit your local CommBank branch.

Dear Mr Henty-Smith,

Would you please convey our congratulations to all members of the SLPS community on the success of the 100 years' celebration day. It does not seem long since we were organising the 75th anniversary!

My husband and I have fond memories of the school from 1987 to 1998 when our two children attended and we were very much involved in committees and working bees; the school was family orientated and we had some great times enjoying concerts, sports events and fundraising. We are still in touch with parents and staff from that era and were pleased to be able to bump into a few others on Saturday.

The Committee had obviously spent a long time preparing for the day and the welcoming atmosphere and organisation were impressive. The classrooms looked good, the history displays had been carefully planned and I am sure that the children enjoyed working on them. 

St Leonards, at one time in line for possible closure, seems to be going from strength to strength so you all should be proud of your achievements.

Best wishes, Sheila Ridgway

My name is Merilyn Rainsford (nee Larner) and I was a student at St Leonards from 1949 to 1957.  My sister and cousin were students before me and my Mother, her sister and brother were some of the first students when the school opened in 1921. 

The purpose of this email is to sincerely thank everyone who played a part in making Saturday 30th October the special day it was.  Obviously a huge amount of work and effort was required.  I attended the opening with my daughter, caught up with some former students, mainly from my sister’s era and took a nostalgic tour through the classrooms and the display in the hall.  Also went into the building which was our Home Economics centre at the time. 

I was especially taken with the school song and the singing of it brought a tear to my eye.  I’m afraid I couldn’t quite catch some of the words except of coursre “there’s a school by the sea and the Old Gum Tree” (which I can’t get out of my head), and I searched the internet to see if I could find them anywhere and was wondering if maybe you might be able to send them to me .

Once again a huge thankyou to everyone. 

Regards Merilyn Rainsford

PS  St Leonards, best school ever