Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back!
It was great to see many of our Lihir International School students return to school today for the beginning of the 2022 school year. I would like to extend a special welcome to the new families whose children join us in 2022, while at the same time welcoming new teacher, Mrs Angela Collins. A special welcome to our third group of year 9 scholarship students. The scholarship students are the top performing Lihirian students from Lihir schools in the Year 8 National Exams. I know that all of us will make our new students and staff feel part of the LIS family.
I was pleased to see all students arrive on time today – please remember school begins at 8:10am and children are able to start arriving at school from 7:45am onwards. However, children from Prep to Year 2 are required to sit quietly in the covered area with their bags until 8am at which time teachers will escort them to their classroom. This is to ensure that children are supervised properly in one area, and not disrupt the teacher’s morning preparation time.
Children in Years 3 – 10 can go to their classroom from 7.45am, at the discretion of the teacher, where they will be supervised while quietly reading or studying. Alternatively, they will wait in the undercover area until 8am. Children are not allowed to play in the school grounds or classrooms in the morning before school. Please do not send your child to school before 7:45am as teachers will be busy preparing for the school day and supervision of children will not be available.
Senoir Kindy children are to arrive after 8am, with Kindy starting at 8.15am. Parents and caregivers are to arrive at 12.10pm to collect Kindy children at 12.15pm. Junior kindy children can arrive from 10am to start the day at 10.15am
Parents are reminded that children are not allowed to play in classrooms or in the school grounds after school, unless it is organised afternoon sport. Children are to sit quietly and wait for their parents or vehicle in the designated areas.
It was fantastic to see all students arrive in school uniform and please remember that a clean uniform, in good condition, is expected to be worn every day. Please ensure your child has a navy school hat to wear for protection from the sun during playtime and other outdoor activities. The school’s No Hat No Play policy will continue this year and please make sure hats are clearly named. If you require any item of school uniform, please see Rachael in the front office.
Parent Overviews
Teachers will send home Term Overviews on Friday to give you an idea of the learning your child will be involved in this term.
Acquaintance Night
Acquaintance Night will be held on Wednesday the 9th February, from 6pm, to give all parents the chance to attend brief information sessions with their child’s teacher. Acquaintance Night will give teachers the opportunity to discuss a general overview of class systems, learning and behaviour expectations. Ms Langusch has explained further details about Acquaintance Night in her segment.
Term 1 Calendar
Term 1 will be a busy time of learning at our school and the term one calendar can be downloaded below. This calendar, along with the weekly Toksave can also be accessed through the school website at www.lipschool.com.au
Other important dates will be brought to your attention as they arise.
Parents and Wantoks
The Parents and Wantoks first meeting for the election of the new executive will be on Tuesday the 15th February at 6pm. The Parents and Wantoks Committee add a great deal of value to our school and this is a fantastic opportunity for families to become involved in contributing to school events throughout the year. All parents, community members, and others who are interested to join the P&W are encouraged to attend.
Student Health Update
Please take note of the Student Health Update form that can be downloaded below. If you have any medical information, such as allergies or medication needs, that we are unaware of and you need to share with the school please fill in this form and return to Rachael by Friday 8th of February. If you have already updated the school regarding your child’s medical needs, or if you have nothing to add to information supplied during the enrolment process, you do not need to return the Student Health Update form.
Parent / Carer Contacts
We would like all parents to ensure that they have current and up to date contact details for the school. Please see Rachael in the office if you need to update your details - especially email addresses. If parents hear of other parents not receiving school communication, please direct them to contact the principal.
School Entrance
Parents and community members are reminded that the only entrance to school is from the Anginas Oval carpark. On entering the school hands are to be washed at the wash station and masked are to be worn if socail distancing is not possible. Townsite residents who walk to school are also to only use this entrance.
After School and Weekend Sport/Activities
In the past, students were involved in a variety of afternoon and weekend sports and other activities. After school sport/activities are run by teaching staff and parent volunteers and, if you would like to volunteer to run a sport this year, please let me know. If you would like to run a sport/activity, it is your decision as to what sport/activity you are running, what day and which classes you will include in this sport/activity – our school community is always grateful to those who take the time to organise after school sport/activities.
2022 Staff
Principal K-10 LIS / STM Gregory Neville (includes Coordinator Wellbeing/Discipline 7-10)
Deputy Principal K-10 Catherine Langusch (includes Curriculum Coordinator K-10, Coordinator Wellbeing/Discipline K-6)
Deputy Principal STM Kevin Collins
Coordinator Physical Education Simon McKeiver
Coordinator Learning Support Catherine Langusch
Library Jenny Pesas
Administrative Officer Rachael Andar
Kindy Angela Collins and Clementa Exzil
Prep Liz Daimol and Georgina Kinkinteng
Year 1/2 Diana Saua and Anastasia Tukata
Year 3/4 Grace Savitas
Year 5/6 Catherine Langusch
Year 7/8 Simon McKeiver - Class Patron
Year 9/10 Patricia Yip - Class Patron
LIS School / STMC assistants
Jenny Pesas, Lorna Romaso-Daimol, Ronnie Sarufa
High School and School to Mine subject teachers
Elizabeth Laien, Patricia Yip, Kevin Collins, Simon McKeiver, Joseph Takaundo, David Wengip, Jeffrey Tore, Edwina Jason
The arrival of our new staff member, Jenny Dovaston, has been delayed due to personal issues and we hope to welcome her to the island in term 2. Until Jenny's arrival, Mrs Liz Daimol will teach the Prep class.
Student Photographs
There are many photo opportunities at our school and student images are often used in publications, such as the Toksave, and displayed online through the school website. The Toksave is uploaded to our school website www.lipschool.com.au every week. Student images will continue to be used in the Toksave, website and other media this year. If you do not wish photos of your child to be displayed through any form of print or digital media, please let me know so that I can ensure no images of your child appear in any school material.
School Council
The annual General Meeting of the School Council will be held on Thursday, the 24th of February 2022. At this meeting, voting for vacant positions for Parent Representatives will occur, in the Yr 9/10 room from 7.00pm– 7.20pm. Nomination forms are available from the school office and must be returned to the school office by Thursday the 10th February 2022. If you would like to know more about the functions of the School Council, please make an appointment to see the principal.
Regards,
Mr. Greg Neville
