Week 5 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 reach the end of Week 6, I would like to acknowledge the continued dedication and commitment demonstrated by our students, staff, and families across all areas of school life. This term has been characterised by hard work, perseverance, and a shared focus on excellence.

Preparing for National Examinations

A particular focus at this time is the preparation of our Year 8, Year 10, and Year 12 students for their upcoming National Examinations. Across the school, staff are investing significant time and effort to ensure that our students are as well prepared as possible. Remedial classes, targeted intervention programs, and one-on-one tutoring sessions continue to provide students with the support they need to strengthen their understanding and build confidence. These initiatives reflect the priority that Lae International School places on academic achievement and student success. I would like to thank both our students and teachers for their commitment to this important work.

Investing in STEM Education

We are also continuing to invest heavily in STEM education, recognising the importance of preparing students for an increasingly technology-driven world. We are excited to welcome STEM Punks to Lae International School during our upcoming STEM Fair, where students will have the opportunity to engage in innovative and hands-on learning experiences. Opportunities such as these are a significant point of difference for our school. We are proud to be leading the way in Morobe Province by providing students with access to high-quality STEM programs that inspire curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Boarding House Review

The school recently undertook a Boarding House Review, and we were pleased to receive very positive feedback regarding the quality of our boarding program. The review highlighted a number of strengths, including the supportive environment provided for students, the commitment of boarding staff, and the overall culture of care and wellbeing that exists within the boarding community. I encourage families to read the review highlights included in this newsletter.

Celebrating Early Learning Matters Week

I would also like to recognise the success of Early Learning Matters Week, which was celebrated last week. The week provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the outstanding work taking place within our Early Learning Centre. Our dedicated staff, high-quality programs, and excellent facilities were all on display, highlighting the strong foundation we provide for our youngest learners. It was pleasing to see such strong engagement from families as we celebrated the importance of early childhood education and the significant impact it has on lifelong learning.

Thank You

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we continue to create a school environment where every student is challenged, supported, and encouraged to achieve their very best. I wish all members of our school community a safe and restful weekend and look forward to another successful week ahead.

Mr Gregory  Neville

Principal 

Lae International School

Term 3 Calendar


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Deputy Principal's Notices

As we move through another busy and exciting term, there have been many opportunities for our students to demonstrate leadership, creativity, and a commitment to learning.

Secondary Disco a Great Success

Last night, the Secondary Student Representative Council (SRC) hosted the annual Secondary Disco, and it was fantastic to see so many students enjoying themselves in a safe, positive, and energetic environment. The event was filled with music, dancing, and plenty of fun, providing students with an opportunity to connect with peers and celebrate together.

A special congratulations must go to our Secondary SRC members, whose leadership, organisation, and commitment were instrumental in making the event such a success. From planning and promotion through to running the event on the night, the SRC demonstrated outstanding initiative and teamwork.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff who generously gave their time outside their normal hours of duty to supervise and support the event. School events such as these would not be possible without the dedication and willingness of our staff to go above and beyond for our students.

Progress Over Perfect

This week, secondary homeroom activities have centred on the theme "Progress Over Perfect." As students enter a busy assessment period, this message serves as an important reminder that growth and improvement come through persistence, effort, and resilience rather than striving for perfection.

We encourage all students to focus on setting goals, learning from challenges, and recognising the progress they make each day. Success is built one step at a time, and every effort contributes to future achievement.

Year 10 Assembly Highlights Youth Leadership

This week's secondary assembly was proudly hosted by our Year 10 students. The assembly focused on the theme of Youth Leadership, aligning with the recognition of International Youth Day on 12 August.

The students delivered thoughtful presentations that highlighted the important role young people play in shaping their communities, leading through action, and making positive contributions to society. Congratulations to Year 10 for an engaging and meaningful assembly.

Celebrating Problem Solvers

We would also like to acknowledge this week's Award recipients in the high school, who have consistently demonstrated strong problem-solving skills throughout the term. These students have shown initiative, resilience, and creativity when faced with challenges, modelling the qualities we strive to develop in all learners.

Congratulations to all award recipients on this well-deserved recognition.

Looking Ahead: Primary Led Conferences

Next week, we look forward to our Primary Led Conferences. These conferences provide a valuable opportunity for parents and guardians to engage in meaningful conversations about their child's learning journey and celebrate the progress they have made throughout the year.

We thank our families for their ongoing partnership and support and look forward to welcoming you to the conferences.

Excitement Building for the STEM Fair

Looking ahead to Week 8, excitement is growing for our annual STEM Fair.

On Monday, we are excited to welcome STEM Punks, an Australian organisation whose mission is to "Inspire Tomorrow's Innovators." STEM Punks will be working with our primary students through engaging and interactive STEM activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.

On Tuesday, STEM Fair finalists will present their projects for judging at the primary school. This is always a highlight of the event and provides students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their innovation, problem-solving skills, and learning.

We are also delighted to announce that Theodist has come on board as the major sponsor of this year's STEM Fair. Their generous support will help provide resources, opportunities, and awards for participating students.

We would like to sincerely thank Theodist for their ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and investing in the next generation. Their contribution helps empower our students to dream big, pursue their passions, and continue reaching for the stars.

As always, thank you to our students, staff, and families for making our school community such a positive and vibrant place to learn. We look forward to another exciting week ahead.

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 6, I would like to congratulate 1WW on their wonderful display of learning in today’s assembly. Congratulations also to the students who received awards for demonstrating ethical behaviour at school.

Student Led Conference

Next week, students from Prep to Grade 7 will participate in Student-Led Conferences. This is a special opportunity for parents and carers to meet with their child or children and hear them share their learning journey. It is a wonderful time to listen to their learning stories and provide positive feedback and encouragement. Teachers have already sent out invitations for these conferences. If you have not received an invitation, please contact your child's teacher. Please note that these meetings are specifically for you and your child. If you would like to discuss any concerns or matters directly with the teacher, we kindly ask that you arrange a separate appointment.

STEM Fair

We are also looking forward to our STEM Fair in Week 8. Students in Grades 3 to 7 have been very busy working on their STEM projects. During Week 7, each class will hold a mini-exhibition to identify the projects that will represent their class at the school STEM Fair.

Safety Reminders

To help us maintain a safe and positive learning environment for all students, we kindly ask that all visitors, including parents, avoid going directly to classrooms during lesson time and report to the office for assistance. Classrooms are dedicated learning spaces for students and teachers, and parents are asked not to enter classrooms without a prior appointment.

If there are any changes to your child's pick-up arrangements, please communicate these changes to your child's teacher and the office staff as soon as possible.

Finally, our LIS staff netball team will be playing in the finals this Saturday at 2:00 pm at the stadium netball courts. We would love to see members of our school community come along and support the team.

Looking ahead

  • Week 7 – Student Led Conference
  • Week 7 – IEA assembly
  • Week 8 – STEM fair
  • Week 8 – 5RI learning assembly
  • Week 9 – Father’s Day Assembly
  • Week 10 – Whole Celebration IEA 50th and Independence Day

Thank you all for your continued support. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend

Vanessa Ignas

Head of Primary Campus

Upper Primary Student Handbook

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Head of Boarding

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the boarding section of this week’s newsletter.

This week in the boarding house, we have been reflecting on the virtue of teamwork—a quality that not only strengthens friendships but also builds resilience and responsibility in our students.

Teamwork is seen daily in the way our boarders support one another through:

  • Shared responsibilities: Keeping common areas tidy and assisting younger students.

  • Collaborative learning: Supporting each other to stay focused during evening study sessions.

  • Sports and activities: Fostering unity, discipline, and mutual respect.

We continuously remind our students that true teamwork means listening, valuing each person’s contribution, and working together towards a common goal. Our bonding activity this Saturday evening will feature a series of team-building exercises, offering our boarders a fun opportunity to experience the power of collaboration firsthand. We encourage you to continue nurturing this virtue at home, reinforcing the importance of cooperation and shared effort within the family.

Commencement of Karate ECA for Boarders

We are pleased to inform you that karate training will commence this weekend as part of our Extracurricular Activities (ECA) programme for boarders. This initiative is designed to promote discipline, physical fitness, and self-confidence while offering students a constructive outlet for their energy and team spirit.

Sessions will take place on designated afternoons and will be conducted by boarding parent Nigel Bana, who is a qualified karate instructor.

Upcoming Events

  • Friday:

    • Fellowship Evening – Featuring an invited guest speaker addressing the virtue of teamwork.

  • Saturday:

    • Community Service

    • Weekend Study Programme

    • Karate Training

    • Motivational Talk by former Boarding Student and Head Girl, Darden Titi

    • Team-Building Activities

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our boarders grow not only in knowledge, but also in character.

Warm regards,

John Kalenda

Head of Boarding

Steps to create an Audiri account


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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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