Dear Families

After taking a short amount of Long Service Leave, it was wonderful to return to Longford Primary School last week and see students engaged in their Term 4 Learning.  I appreciate the warm welcome and lovely manners shown by students on my return.  Thank you to Miss Jacinta Doran and the Leadership Team for the tremendous work undertaken in my absence.

Yesterday I met with all P-6 Learners to reiterate our behaviour non-negotiables:

• Hurting others with our bodies or words is not ok
• We are respectful toward ourselves, each other, the staff, our uniform and our school environment at all times
• Swearing is not tolerated

In alignment with our Non-Negotiables, students are aware that families will be contacted if these behaviours continue to occur after an initial conversation with Teachers and Senior Staff.

Our School Value for Term 4 is Courage.  Term 4 can be a stressful time for all learners as they contemplate the changes ahead.  Teachers will be working alongside students to build skills of courage and growth, encouraging learners to accept challenges and embrace opportunities.

I warmly welcome our two new staff members to Longford Primary School this term.  Mrs Owen will take some Long Service Leave for Term 4.  Welcome Mrs Robin Cato and Miss Jesscia McLauchlan. 

Thank you to families who have met with a Senior Staff member recently in regard to educational considerations for class placements and completed a form.  We will keep this process open until the 12th of November; from this date, the Leadership Team will consider all forms submitted, and where necessary use this information to inform decisions for 2020 placements.  Late forms will not be considered due to the planning time frame.

Department of Education Student Awards

Congratulations to Imogen B who recently received a Growth Award from the Minister.  Imogen was awarded this certificate as she has demonstrated significant academic growth.  Congratulations Imogen, an award to be very proud of!

On Friday the 1st of November, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff participated in a Professional Learning Day.  Two of the workshops on the day were hosted by Di Hamilton (Safe Homes, Safe Families) and Pam Johns (Play therapist).  These sessions were on ‘vicarious trauma’ and ‘the emotions behind behaviours.’ The day involved reflection, discussion and forward planning.

Infant Fun Day

A great time was had by our Prep–Grade 2 students at this year’s Infant Fun Day held at Cressy District High School.  Students really enjoyed participating in a wide range of tabloid activities – there was something of interest for every student.

Social

Thank you to Mrs Biffin and the SRC on organising and running a great School Social on the 31^st of October.

Dion Drummond Performance

In Week 2, Kindergarten to Grade 6 students all attended a performance by indigenous performer Dion Drummond, ‘Moogera’. At the completion of the show the feedback from students and staff was very positive.  Dion shared tales and artifacts from his cultures, teaching students about the different traditions of both Torres Strait Island and Aboriginal storytelling, song and dance.

Wellbeing Survey

Recent data from the Statewide Wellbeing Survey has provided us with vital data in the aims of the Department of Education Wellbeing Strategy. This newsletter we are focussing on results for the aim of feeling loved and safe:

• The majority of Grade 4 and 6 students feel they have an important adult at school whereas in Grade 5 students feel less connected to adults in our school
• 92% of students feel safe at school (high or medium level of wellbeing)
• In Grade 6, 4% of students reported having low wellbeing in both physical and cyberbullying whereas 31% have low wellbeing in social bullying.