Dear Parents and Caregivers,

On Tuesday, there was a public holiday to commemorate Remembrance Day. On this day, we remember and pay tribute to those Papua New Guineans who have fought and died in various wars over the years to allow us the freedoms we enjoy today.

Then on Friday, 25th of July, we have a public holiday in New Ireland Province to celebrate New Ireland Day.

Screen Time

Many parents are concerned about the amount of screen time their children have on various devices. Recent studies have outlined several detrimental effects that too much screen time can have on children and adolescents. The Australian Institute for Family Studies screen time guidelines, recommend:

• no screen time for children younger than two years
• no more than one hour per day for children aged 2-5 years.
• no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day for children and young people aged 5-17 years (not including schoolwork). 

The link below in the Toksave has more information on the guidelines and the effects of too much screen time.

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.  

LIS Golden Orchid Masquerade Ball

Reminder that the annual Golden Orchid Ball is coming up on Saturday 24th August. Ball tickets are still available; please see the ball committee if you have not yet secured your tickets. A reminder also that all raffle tickets are due back. Please return these ASAP.

Regards,

Mr Kevin Collins

School Hours K - 6 (LIS)                                                               

Official school times are:

8.10                 Bell rings

8.10 – 8.15      Home room (Assembly on Monday and Friday mornings)

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 Monday and Friday mornings)

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      One period

2.55 – 3.00      Home room

3.00                 End of school day

Term 1 Monday 29 January to Thursday 28 March

Term 2 Monday 15 April to Thursday 20 June

Term 3 Monday 15 July to Thursday 12 September

Term 4 Monday 30 September to Thursday 5 December

PE Swimming Lessons

This term, all classes from Prep-year10 will be participating in swimming lessons for PE. Students will need to bring appropriate swimming clothes, a towel and thongs/slippers. If a student is unable to swim for a lesson, please email either the student's class teacher or myself.

This term's swimming lessons will culminate in our school's swimming carnivals (Prep-year 2 and year 3-10) which will be held on Thursday, week 8, the 5th September.
After-school Swimming Lessons

These continued this week. Please see the updated schedule below.

Classes will be as follows:

-          Babies / Water awareness:  Must have an adult in the pool.  (20 minutes duration)

-          Beginners Level 1 / Learn-to-swim (ages 3 - 5):  Must have an adult in the pool.  (25 minutes duration)

-          Beginners Level 2: Be able to do flatter kick on front and back 10 – 15 meters with aid. Must have an adult at the pool (may need to be in the water). (30 minutes duration)

-          Juniors (ages 7 – 8): Be able to do flatter kick on front and back over 25 meters with aid. Must have a supervisor at the pool. (35 minutes duration)

-          Intermediates – Must be competent in freestyle and backstroke. Must have a supervisor at the pool.  (40 minutes duration)

-          Advanced (ages 11+): Must be competent in freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke; some younger children who demonstrate competent skills may be placed in this class. (45 – 50 minutes duration)

After-school Sport

After-school Sport will commence on Monday, week 4, due to the Netball Carnival taking place end of week 3. Sessions will be from 3.10pm to 4.00pm. Primary students will have the opportunity to play tee-ball and high school students basketball. Prep-year 2 students will need to return a permission slip in order to participate. Students in year 3 and up do not have to return a permission slip.

Kind regards,

Ms Judith Meauri (Sports Coordinator)

Friday Assemblies

Parents and wantoks are welcome to join us for our weekly assemblies held each Friday in the basketball court, commencing at 8.10am. Next week it is the year 3/4 assembly.

Netball Carnival

At the end of week 3, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August, LIS will be hosting a Netball Carnival with teams coming from OLSH Kavieng. We look forward to welcoming our OLSH friends back to LIS. LIS will have one junior team (from year 5/6) and two high school teams (Kumuls and Muruks). We also have a LIS ladies team participating over the weekend, versing the Kavieng ladies team. The aim of the carnival is to enjoy playing some fun and competitive games.

Parents and wantoks interested in playing in the ladies team can contact Thereseanne Daimol and Alu Kila for more information.

PE Swimming Lessons

As advised by Miss Meauri, this term for PE, all classes from Prep-year 10 will participate in swimming lessons. This is part of our school curriculum and we anticipate all students participating regularly. Please send a note or contact your child's teacher if they are unable to swim.

Student Portfolios

We ask that all student portfolios be returned to school if your child's has not yet been returned.

Kind regards,

Ms Cathy Langusch             

Upcoming Events:

Week 3: Netball Carnival - Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August

Week 4: Book Week - Book Week Parade will be on Wednesday 7th August

Week 4: After-school sport commences - Monday, 3.10-4.00pm: Tee-ball - primary and Basketball - high school students

Week 4: School Council Meeting - Thursday 8th August, 6.00pm

Week 5: Year 5/6 Camp to Kavieng

Week 6: High School Open Night - 4.00-6.00pm

Week 6: Golden Orchid Ball - Saturday 24th August

Week 8: Swimming Carnivals - Thursday (times to be advised)

Week 9: Parent/Teacher Interviews - Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th September

Week 9: Independence Day celebrations - Thursday 12th September

Afternoon Activities

Monday (Primary) / Wednesday (High school) for weeks 2 and 3 - Netball training: 3.10-4.00pm

Wednesday: Homework Class (year 3/4 and 5/6); Supervised study for high school

The 2024 Batch 3 Trainees of the STM Work Ready Program have commenced their program this week Monday. Initially there was a total of 20 Trainees selected, however, 1 did not show up and another withdrew, so we now have 18 Trainees in the program. As usual, this program will run for 8 weeks and will end on the 13th of September. For the first time we had all the contracts for the Trainees prepared and signed before we started the program. We recognise and commend the work done by Ms. Ardie Samson and Team at Onboarding to achieve this and we look forward to having similar results in future going forward.

Former Work ready Students are continuing to come to STM to apply for entry level positions at Newmont.

Our FODE students are continuing their assessment as they work toward the end of the year when those eligible will sit their Grade 10 exams. We are closely following the events that are scheduled on the 2024 FODE Calander published by the National Department of Education.

The Kisimsave Library at STMC has been moved to LIS towards the end of last term.  The room has be converted to a classroom for the Work Ready program and FODE Study room.

Regards, 

Mr. David Wengip