Week 10 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 come to the end of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our students, staff, parents and Board of Governors for their continued support and commitment to Lae International School. It has been a productive term filled with learning, achievement and growth, and our success is a reflection of the strong partnership that exists across our school community.

Celebrating IEA and Papua New Guinea

This Friday promises to be a very special occasion as we celebrate two significant milestones. We will join the wider International Education Agency family in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of IEA, recognising five decades of educational excellence and service to students across Papua New Guinea.

At the same time, we will proudly celebrate Papua New Guinea's 51st year of Independence. This is an opportunity to reflect on our nation's rich cultural heritage, diversity and achievements, while encouraging our students to appreciate the values of unity, respect and pride in our country. We look forward to a vibrant day of celebration that brings our school community together.

Holiday Campus Improvements

Although students will be enjoying a well-deserved holiday break, there will be considerable activity across the campus during this period.

One of the most significant developments will be the relocation of the College of TAFE from its current classrooms into the newly refurbished TAFE Building. This important transition represents a major step forward for vocational education on our campus and will provide enhanced facilities for TAFE students and staff.

In addition, a comprehensive deep clean and maintenance program will be undertaken across the campus toilet facilities. Maintaining a clean, safe and hygienic learning environment is essential, and student health and wellbeing remain of the utmost importance. These improvements form part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all students have access to facilities that support their wellbeing and learning.

Looking Ahead to Term 4

As we prepare for the holiday break, I remind all families that students will resume classes on Monday, 28 September, which will be Day 1 of the timetable. We encourage students to return refreshed, ready to learn and prepared for a successful final term of the school year.

Thank You

Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board of Governors for their leadership, guidance and ongoing commitment to the school. I also thank our parents and caregivers for their continued partnership and support throughout the term. Your encouragement, involvement and trust play a vital role in the success of our students and our school.

I wish all members of the Lae International School community a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for an exciting and productive Term 4 as we continue working together to provide the very best opportunities for our students.

Mr Gregory  Neville

Principal 

Lae International School

Deputy Principal's Notices

Dear Parents, Carers, and Members of the LIS Community,

As we reach the end of Term 3, it is hard to believe just how much has been accomplished over the past ten weeks. It has been an incredibly busy and successful term, filled with opportunities for learning, leadership, creativity, service, and community engagement. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the many highlights that have made this term such a memorable one.

Throughout the term, students have participated in a wide range of events and activities that have enriched their educational experience. Our school community enjoyed both the Primary and Secondary Disco Nights, which provided students with a wonderful opportunity to socialise and celebrate together. We were also pleased to see our Year 11 students embark on their camp to New Ireland, where they experienced valuable learning opportunities beyond the classroom while developing their independence, resilience, and teamwork skills. 

One of the standout events of the term was our STEM Fair, which was further enhanced by the visit from STEM Punk. Their engaging workshops and activities inspired students to think creatively, solve problems, and explore the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

We also celebrated Early Matters Learning Week and proudly showcased student achievements through our Learning Assemblies. This term, students from Years 1, 4, 5, 7, 9DS, 9LM, 10EE, 10KI, 11EP, and 11PP shared their learning journeys and accomplishments with our community. These assemblies continue to provide an excellent platform for students to develop confidence and demonstrate the impressive work taking place across our school. The term also included a special Father's Day Assembly, where we recognised and celebrated the important role that fathers and father figures play in the lives of our students.

Our Secondary Student Leadership Team also deserves recognition for their organisation and management of the LIS World Cup. Every class entered a team, creating excitement and healthy competition throughout the term. The competition culminated in a thrilling penalty shoot-out this week, resulting in a nail-biting finish that had students and staff cheering right until the final kick.

Academic excellence has remained at the forefront of our work this term. Students in Years 8, 10, and 12 completed mock examinations designed to prepare them for upcoming external assessments. In addition, our ACT students participated in a Scaling Mock Examination, while Year 12 ACT students sat their official Scaling Examination in Week 7. These important experiences help students build confidence, develop examination techniques, and prepare themselves for future success.

Beyond the major events, our students have continued to benefit from the many Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) offered each week across both the primary and secondard. These programs provide valuable opportunities for students to pursue their interests, develop new skills, and strengthen connections within our school community. 

Today, we proudly concluded the term by celebrating two significant milestones: the IEA's 50th Anniversary and Papua New Guinea Independence Day. These celebrations recognised both the rich history of education within the IEA network and the vibrant culture, heritage, and identity of Papua New Guinea.

Amidst all these events and activities, our teachers have continued to deliver high-quality learning programs each day. Through careful planning, innovative teaching practices, and a commitment to meeting the individual needs of students, they have worked tirelessly to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best. I would like to sincerely thank all staff for their dedication and professionalism throughout the term.

We would also like to wish our second group of Year 11 students travelling to New Ireland during the holiday break a safe, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. We encourage families to stay connected through our social media channels, where updates and highlights from the trip will be shared.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our entire LIS community for your continued support. Whether through volunteering to run ECAs, attending and supporting Learning Assemblies, assisting with school events, or contributing through the Parents and Friends Association, your involvement helps make our school such a special place. A particular thank you goes to the P&F for organising the Primary Disco Night and to the many local businesses whose generous donations support our students and programs. We are truly fortunate to be part of such a supportive and engaged community.

Looking ahead, Term 4 is shaping up to be just as busy and exciting. Highlights include the second Year 9 trip to Cairns, National Examinations for Years 8, 10, and 12, a dedicated Year 10 Careers Week, our Swimming Carnival, PAT Testing, transition days for Years 6, 7, and 8, Grade 12 Graduation and Formal, LIS Market Day, and our end-of-year Christmas Production.

As the term concludes, I would like to wish all students, families, and staff a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday break. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, 28 September, for another fantastic term of learning and achievement at LIS.

Warm regards,

Mr Stephen Sowter

Deputy Principal 

Lae International School

Head of Primary Campus Notices

Dear Parents and Carers,

It has certainly been a productive term, with many opportunities to celebrate learning through a variety of school activities. We congratulate all our students on their efforts and achievements as successful learners throughout the term.

As we begin the school holiday break, we hope all students enjoy a restful, safe, and enjoyable two weeks with their families.

Looking ahead to Term 4, Grade 8 students will sit the National Examinations in Week 4. Following the examinations, Grades 7 and 8 students will begin their transition visits to the secondary campus. Grade 6 students will also have the opportunity to participate in transition activities later in the term.

We are also excited about our upcoming United Nations (UN) Assembly. Families are encouraged to prepare traditional cultural attire and national flags to support this special event and celebrate the rich diversity within our school community.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the term. We greatly appreciate our partnership with families in supporting student learning and wellbeing.

We wish everyone a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday and look forward to welcoming students back in Term 4.


Vanessa Ignas

Head of Primary Campus

Upper Primary Student Handbook

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Head of Boarding Campus

As we close Term 3, we pause to acknowledge the collective effort of our students, staff, and families. Your support, cooperation, and commitment have been the foundation of another successful term in the boarding house.

Acknowledgement of Success We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone—students for their resilience, staff for their dedication, and parents for their trust. Together, we have nurtured a safe, vibrant, and supportive environment.

Celebrations This Term This term has been marked by joyful celebrations, from team bonding evenings to sporting achievements and spiritual reflections. These moments remind us of the richness of our community life and the importance of celebrating milestones together.

Boarding House Review We are pleased to share that the recent Boarding House Review was a success. The review affirmed our strengths in pastoral care, student engagement, and operational management.

Action Plan & Time Frame Following the review, we have developed a clear action plan to address recommendations. Key initiatives will be rolled out over the next 6–12 months, with immediate steps beginning in Term 4. Progress will be monitored closely, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Looking Ahead to Term 4 Term 4 promises to be a busy season, especially with exams approaching. Our focus will be on supporting students academically, emotionally, and spiritually as they prepare for these important assessments.

Important Dates

  • Wednesday 23rd September – All Grade 10 IGCSE students must return to the boarding house.

  • Thursday 24th September – Grade 10 IGCSE exams.

  • Friday 25th September – Boarding house opens for all boarding students.

  • Monday 28th September – Term 4 begins.

Important Notices

  • We require 100% attendance on Monday 28th September when classes resume for Term 4. All Year 8, 10, and 12 students must be on campus the weekend before school starts. Parents must notify boarding administration if their child will be returning late.

  • Outstanding school fees must be fully settled and cleared by the finance team before boarders can return to the boarding house.

Cooperation for Success We invite continued cooperation from parents, staff, and students to make Term 4 another successful chapter. Together, we can ensure that our boarding community thrives and that every student feels supported in their journey.

With gratitude and anticipation,

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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