Week 9 Term 3 2026

Weekly Newsletter

Principal: Greg Neville

Deputy Principal: Stephen Sowter

Head of Primary Campus: Vanessa Ignas

Head of Secondary Campus: James Winas

Head of Boarding: John Kalenda

Message from the Principal

As we move through Week 9, it has been another positive and productive week at Lae International School. Our students continue to demonstrate resilience, responsibility, and a commitment to making the most of the opportunities available to them both inside and outside the classroom.

Year 11 New Ireland Camp

This week, our Year 11 students participated in their New Ireland camp experience. School camps provide invaluable opportunities for students to develop independence, teamwork, leadership skills, and a deeper appreciation of the communities and environments around them.

I would like to congratulate our Year 11 students on the way they have represented the school. They have been excellent ambassadors for our school, and we are proud of the maturity and responsibility they displayed throughout the week.

Father's Day Assembly

Today, our Primary School students welcomed fathers, grandfathers, and special guests to our Father's Day Assembly. These occasions provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the important role that fathers and father figures play in the lives of our children and school community.

We hope all parents and guests who attended enjoyed the assembly and the opportunity to share in this special celebration with our students. Thank you to our students and staff who worked hard to prepare the event.

School Fees Reminder

As we approach the final weeks of the term, I would like to remind families with outstanding school fees to please finalise payments as soon as possible. The timely payment of fees assists the school in continuing to provide high-quality learning programs, resources, facilities, and opportunities for all students.

If you have any questions regarding your account or require assistance in discussing payment arrangements, please contact with the school.

Looking Ahead: IEA's 50th Anniversary and PNG Independence Celebrations

Next Friday, our school community will come together to celebrate two significant milestones: the 50th Anniversary of the International Education Agency (IEA) and Papua New Guinea's Independence celebrations.

This promises to be a memorable occasion for students, staff, and families as we recognise both the rich history of IEA schools and the important national celebration of Papua New Guinea's independence. An overview of the day's program and activities will be shared with parents next week. 

Final Week

As we move towards the conclusion of the term, I encourage all students to remain focused on their learning and continue striving for their personal best. The positive achievements we celebrate each week are only possible through the combined efforts of our students, staff, parents, School Board, and wider community.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Lae International School. Together, we continue to create an environment where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to achieve success.

Mr Gregory  Neville

Principal 

Lae International School

Deputy Principal's Notices

As we move through Week 9, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the many positive events and learning experiences taking place across our school community.

Father's Day Assembly

A sincere thank you to all of the fathers, grandfathers, and special guests who joined us for our Primary School Father's Day Assembly today. It was a heartfelt celebration that recognised the important role fathers and positive male role models play in the lives of our children.

Our students did a wonderful job sharing songs, performances, and messages of appreciation. The assembly served as a reminder of the value of the guidance, encouragement, and support that fathers and father figures provide each day. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate with us and helping make the event so special.

Year 11 New Ireland Trip

Our Year 11 students have had an incredible experience this week during their New Ireland camp. The photos and updates coming from the trip highlight the adventure, learning, teamwork, and personal growth that students have experienced throughout the week.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to follow their journey, I encourage you to visit our school social media pages to see the wonderful photos and highlights from their adventures. The students have represented Lae International School exceptionally well, and we look forward to hearing more about their experiences upon their return.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Looking ahead to next week, the High School will be holding Parent Teacher Conferences. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to work together to discuss progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for continued growth.

We strongly encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity. Strong partnerships between home and school are essential in supporting student success, and we appreciate the ongoing commitment of our families to their children's learning.

Homeroom Focus: Designing Your Best Self

This week, High School homerooms have been exploring the theme "Designing Your Best Self."

The key concept was that character is built one choice at a time.

Over the past eight weeks, students have explored and reflected upon a number of important personal qualities:

  • Reflection
  • Responsibility
  • Learning
  • Humility
  • Growth
  • Character
  • Resilience

This week's discussions challenged students to think deeply about the choices they make every day and how these decisions contribute to the person they are becoming.

Drawing on the ideas of the philosopher Socrates, students considered the notion that becoming a good person is not a destination but a lifelong journey. Every decision, no matter how small, helps shape our future.

Students were encouraged to reflect on the following question:

If your future self met you five years from now, what would they thank you for starting today?

This powerful reflection encourages students to think about habits, behaviours, goals, and values that will help them become the best version of themselves. 

Looking Ahead

We are eagerly anticipating next week's celebrations of IEA's 50th Anniversary and Papua New Guinea's Independence celebrations at the High School campus. These events provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both the rich history of the International Education Agency and the vibrant culture, history, and achievements of Papua New Guinea.

An overview of the day's program and activities will be sent to families early next week, and we look forward to sharing this special occasion with our school community.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for your continued support as we work together to make Lae International School a place where every student can thrive.

Warm regards,

Mr Stephen Sowter

Deputy Principal 

Lae International School

Head of Primary Campus Notices

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of Week 9, congratulations to all students who received classroom awards for Communicating Effectively and to those who achieved the milestone of earning 100 points for the Platinum award. We are proud of their hard work, positive attitude, and commitment to learning.

Father's Day Celebration A special thank you to our organising committee for coordinating a wonderful Father's Day celebration for our LIS fathers and father figures. We also extend our appreciation to all the dads who attended the assembly and helped make the occasion so memorable. We hope you enjoyed the celebration and the opportunity to share this special event with your children.

IEA 50th Anniversary and PNG Independence Celebrations Our combined IEA 50th Anniversary and PNG Independence Celebration will be held on Friday, 11 September 2026 at the Secondary Campus. Students in Grades 3 to 12 are invited to participate in the PNG Parade by representing their province. If you would like your child to take part, please register your interest with the LIS Receptionist.

The Primary Campus Shared Lunch will be held on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 as part of our Independence Day and IEA 50th Anniversary celebrations. Class teachers will provide further information regarding contributions and arrangements.

Attendance at School As we approach the end of term, we encourage all students to continue attending school regularly. If your child will be absent, please communicate directly with your child's class teacher.

End of Term Dates The last day of Term 3 will be Friday, 11 September 2026. School will resume for Term 4 on Monday, 28 September 2026.

Thank you for your continued support. We wish all families a safe, enjoyable, and restful weekend.

Vanessa Ignas

Head of Primary Campus

Upper Primary Student Handbook

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Head of Secondary Campus

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the final week of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Dagina for her outstanding work in acting as Head of Secondary Campus during my absence while I accompanied students on the New Ireland educational trip. Mrs Dagina has done a wonderful job leading the campus, supporting both staff and students, and ensuring the smooth operation of the school. I am grateful for her dedication and leadership during this time.

Our recent trip to New Ireland has been an incredible learning experience for the students involved. Educational excursions such as these provide valuable opportunities for students to broaden their understanding of our country, engage with different communities, and develop important life skills. The students represented the school exceptionally well and have returned with many wonderful experiences, memories, and lessons that will stay with them for years to come.

We are excited to continue this program and look forward to taking our second group of Year 11 students to New Ireland in two weeks' time. We are confident that they too will benefit greatly from this unique opportunity.

As a reminder, school will conclude for Term 3 on Friday, 11 September 2026. On this day, we will come together to celebrate both the IEA 50th Anniversary and Papua New Guinea's Independence celebrations. These important milestones will provide a wonderful opportunity for our school community to reflect on our history, achievements, and shared future. We are very much looking forward to these celebrations and encourage all students to participate fully. Students are expected to attend school right through to the final day of term.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the term. I look forward to being back on campus next week and reconnecting with students, staff, and families as we celebrate the conclusion of a successful term together.

James Winas 

Head of Secondary Campus

Head of Boarding Campus

Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome to the Boarding section of our newsletter.

With just one week remaining before school concludes on Friday, 11 September 2026, our boarding students continue to work diligently to complete their final assessment tasks. We are proud of their commitment, effort, and perseverance throughout the term. We would also like to acknowledge those boarders who continue to be recognised through awards presented at our Steps to Success Assembly.

Virtue of the Week: Justice

This week, boarders explored the virtue of Justice and reflected on how it influences both their personal character and their responsibilities within the boarding community. Through discussion and reflection, students considered the importance of fairness, respect, and making responsible choices in their daily lives.

Upcoming Events

  • Friday Fellowship Evening hosted by the Year 9 and Year 11 students
  • Community Service
  • Karate ECA
  • Weekend Sports Program
  • Church Trip

Weekend Sign-Out Reminder

We would like to remind all parents and guardians to please observe the updated weekend sign-out procedures. These adjustments have been implemented to enhance students' safety, accountability, and overall wellbeing.

To assist with planning and supervision, please communicate any leave requests for your child to the Head of Boarding as early as possible.

Boarding House Review

Following the recent Boarding House Review, the boarding team is currently developing an action plan with clear timelines to address the areas identified for improvement. This process reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and our dedication to providing the highest quality boarding experience for our students and their families.

End-of-Term Reminders

  • There is one week remaining before the end of Term 3. All students are expected to attend school until the final day of term, Friday, 11 September 2026.
  • Boarders may depart between Saturday, 12 September and Sunday, 13 September 2026.
  • It is important that all boarders remain at school on Friday, 11 September to participate in the IEA 50th Anniversary and Independence Celebration.
  • For airport transfers, Guard Dog Coach Service can be contacted via email:
  • For Guard Dog airport transfer payments, please use the account details below:

Bank: ANZ Papua New Guinea Limited Account Name: Guard Dog Security Services Limited Account Number: 505852 BSB Code: 018 890 SWIFT Code: ANZBPGPX

  • We encourage parents to make payments online and forward their remittance advice to the service provider. This helps avoid the need for students to leave campus to make fare payments.

Thank you for your continued support of our boarding community.

Kind regards,

John Kalenda

Head of Boarding

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Safety Guidelines for Authorising Boarding House Leave


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Lower Secondary Student Handbook

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Upper Secondary Student Handbook

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Uniform Price List

Uniform Requirements


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Homework Policy

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Student Photographs

There are many photo opportunities at our school and student images are often used in publications, such as the Newsletter, and displayed online through the school website / Facebook and Instagram pages. Student images will continue to be featured in the Newsletter, 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 advise the office.

This week in pictures!

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