Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to term 3. I hope everyone had a safe and restful break.

Staffing Update

At the end of last term, I informed families that Ms Dovaston will not be returning to Lihir International School. We thank her for all of her hard work and contribution to our school community and wish her all the best in her future endeavours. We will commence recruitment for her position in the coming weeks. 

This week we welcomed Ms Jacklyne Matakar, our new Prep teacher for semester 2. Ms Matakar has settled in well and I’m sure everyone will make her feel very welcome.

Ms Matakar brings with her, her 3 children: Peter in Prep, Theresa in Grade 2 and Godfrey in year 8. This week we also welcomed Jonathon and Jasmine Hombiwanga both in year 2. All students have settled into classes well and we hope they have had an enjoyable first week.

Cyber Safety and Child Protection Information Sessions

Next week we welcome Daniel Collins, Detective Sergeant Child Protection Investigation Unit from Queensland Police Service to facilitate some educational sessions with our staff and students regarding online cyber safety and child protection.

Daniel will be speaking with all of our students from Prep to year 10 about cyber safety and awareness and also discussing a range of issues to do with child safety and stranger awareness. Sessions will take place during class times from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 July next week.

We will also be holding information sessions for parents (students to accompany parents) to discuss the same issues at the following times:

· Primary School aged parents - Monday 21 July from 6:00 – 6:45pm

· Secondary School aged parents - Thursday 24 July from 6:00 – 6:45pm

We look forward to welcoming Daniel and discussing these important issues with students and families.

Public Holidays

Next week, Wednesday the 23 July, is the PNG Remembrance Day public holiday. New Ireland Province celebrates New Ireland Day on Sunday 27 July, no public holiday has been confirmed at this stage.

LIS PNG Independence Celebrations 2025

Independence Day preparations are continuing, thank you to those teachers and parents who have already started planning for this special event. We look forward to class practices commencing next week in preparation for the big 50 Year Independence Celebrations. Dance practices commence next Tuesday and Thursday mornings and we thank all who have volunteered to teach our class dances.

Term 3 Calendar

Please find the Term 3 Parent Calendar attached below. 

If you have any concerns or would like further information on any of the topics in this newsletter, please do not hesitate to make contact with any questions.  

Regards,

Mr Kevin Collins

SCHOOL HOURS Prep - 6

Official school times are:

8.10 Bell rings

8.10 – 8.15 Home room (Assembly on Friday)

8.15 – 10.35 First session

10.35 – 11.05 Recess (15 minutes eating followed by 15 minutes play)

11.05 – 12.35 Second session

12.35 – 1.20 Lunch (15 minutes eating followed by 30 minutes play)

1:20 – 3.00 Third Session

3.00 End of school day

SCHOOL HOURS 7 - 10

Official school times are:

8.10 Bell rings

8.10 – 8.15 Home room (Assembly on Friday)

8.15 – 10.05 Two periods

10.05 – 10.35 Recess (10 minutes eating followed by 20 minutes play)

10.35 – 1.20 Three periods

1.20 – 2.00 Lunch (10 minutes eating followed by 30 minutes play)

2.00 – 2.55 Third Session

2.55 – 3.00 Home room

3.00 End of school day

2025

Term 1 Monday 27 January to Thursday 3 April

Term 2 Tuesday 22 April to Thursday 19 June

Term 3 Monday 14 July to Thursday 18 September

Term 4 Monday 6 October to Thursday 4 December

Week 2:  Danny Collins and Child Protection sessions for students and parents

Week 2: Tuesday - P & W Meeting

Week 2: Wednesday - Remembrance Day public holiday

Week 2: Swimming commences (PE and after-school)

Week 2: Saturday - Golden Orchid Ball

Week 3: Thursday - year 10 Science Practical Exam

Week 4: Sat 9th and Sun 10th - Netball Carnival

Week 5: Thursday - School Council Meeting

Week 6: Thursday - High School Open Night

Week 7: Thursday - Swimming Carnivals

Week 9: Monday and Tuesday - Parent/Teacher Interviews

Week 9: Friday - Independence Day celebration

Week 10: Thursday - end of term

PE Swimming Lessons

This term in PE, all students from Prep - year 10 will participate in swimming lessons. At the end of the term, week 7, we will have our junior (prep-year 2) and senior (year 3 - 10) swimming carnivals.

Please ensure students have their swimming togs/bathers, towel, thongs/slippers, a plastic bag to store their wet things and if they wish, goggles. Swimming lessons are on the following days:

Monday - year 5/6

Tuesday - year 3/4

Wednesday - year 9/10

Thursday - Prep and year 7/8

Friday - year 1/2

After-school Swim Club

Students are encouraged to take part in our after-school swimming program to further develop their swimming skills in the lead up to our swim carnival in week 7 of this term. Please see Mrs. Exzil at the school office to collect a form if you have not signed up yet. For those who have signed up, please refer to the updated schedule as there has been a few movements of students between groups.

Ms Meauri (Sports Co-ordinator) 

Welcome back to term 3! It promises to be a busy and fun-filled term ahead!

Year 10 Science Practical Exam

The Science Practical Exam for our year 10 students will be on Thursday 31 July (week 3). It is essential that students are here on time for this important exam. Thank you to Ms Baiwan for your effort with preparing our year 10s.

Netball Carnival

Mrs R-D and Mrs Laien have commenced Netball practices with our LIS students and are planning for our Netball Carnival at the end of week 4, the 9th and 10th of August. We look forward to welcoming back teams from OLSH Kavieng. If any parents or wantoks would like to play in the ladies team, please see/contact Mrs Dala who will coordinate the ladies team. 

Portfolios

A kind reminder to please return your child's portfolio if you have not already done so.

Friday Assemblies

Parents and wantoks are welcome to join us each Friday at 8.10am for our Friday assembly. This week, it was the Student Council badge presentation assembly and next week, it will be the year 5/6 assembly.

Kind regards,

Ms Langusch.

WRP

The Batch 3 Work Ready Program Trainees will commence their training on Monday 21st July 2025 as scheduled and will run for 8 weeks.  All Trainees have completed the minimum requirement of Grade 10 & 12 Education with additional studies in Vocational Training Centres as well as College and University.

FODE

FODE program has commenced for this term and students are working at their own pace with the guidance and assistance from STM staff. STM staff are preparing students with mock exams for their National Exams coming up in a couple of months.

Afternoon Remedials / IT / Exam Prep

Monday / Tuesday Remedials, Thursday IT (Computing) and Saturday Exam Prep will continue at STM this semester.

Best wishes for this term.

Kind regards, 

Mr. David Wengip