Lambton Public School

Term 4 Wk 4 - Friday 8 November 2024

Principal's Message

Today we celebrated Grandparents’ Day,  I’d alike to thank Mrs Lewis and Barb and Deb in the canteen for their organisation of today’s event. I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the invaluable role that grandparents play in our lives and within our school community.

Grandparents are often the heart of our families and with families all structured in different ways and living all over the world, many families may also have a ‘grand friend’. I know as my daughters grew up they were so lucky to have loving grandparents, step grandparents and a very special babysitter, ‘Asilon’ who loved and cared for them while I was working. However these special people are connected to us, they all share stories of the past, impart valuable life lessons, and shower us with unconditional love. Whether they are nearby or far away, the bond we share with our grandparents and grand friends is truly special. Grandparents’ Day is a wonderful occasion to express our gratitude and affection.

At Lambton Public School, grandparents contribute in countless ways, enriching the educational experience for our students. Some grandparents dedicate their time to volunteer in classrooms, their presence fostering a nurturing environment and providing additional support for our learning community. Grandparents often serve as mentors, sharing their life experiences and knowledge with students. This mentorship can inspire students and provide them with guidance, helping them navigate their own journeys. Grandparents bring a wealth of cultural knowledge and traditions to our school. Sharing stories about their heritage enriches our students’ understanding of diversity and fosters a sense of community. Many grandparents participate in school events and their enthusiastic support during these occasions creates a vibrant atmosphere and strengthens the bond between families and the school. Grandparents also often play a vital role in supporting school fundraising efforts and their contributions help enhance our school programs and facilities.

Thank you to our grandparents and grand friends for the positive impact you have on our lives and our school community.

Have a beautiful weekend.

Lisa Hughes

Principal (relieving)

Important Upcoming Events

Mon 11 Nov - Fri 22 NovYear 2 & K/6S Swimming Program9:00 am - 11:30 am Speers Point Pool

Thurs 14 Nov

School Assembly 

2:00 pm led by Class 2S

Thurs 14 - 19th NovHealthy Harold VanSee information below
Thurs 21 NovSpeeches for 2025 School ExecutiveYear 5 students
Thurs 28 Nov

SRE Xmas Assembly

School Assembly

P&C AGM

12:40 pm - 1:10 pm

2:00 pm led by Class K/1L

Fri 29 NovLHS School Leadership Workshop2024 School Leaders & Year 6 SRC Representatives
Tues 3 DecYear 7 2025 Enrolment Day
Fri 8 DecYear 6 Fun Day
Tues 10 DecPresentation Day assembly Lambton High School
Wed 11 DecHome Reading DiscoSee information below
Thurs 12 DecYear 6 Farewell6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri 13 DecHome Reading Rewards Fun DaySee information below
Wed 18 Dec

Year 6 Clap Out

Last day for 2024 for students


Fri 31 Jan - Wed 5 FebSchool Development Day
Thurs 6 FebFirst day of school for all students K - 6 for 2025

2025 NSW term dates and school holidays

The NSW Department of Education and the NSW Teachers Federation have announced key changes for 2025, including an updated school calendar that will incorporate additional school development days.

School development days are used by schools to build on the knowledge and skills of our teachers, school leaders and school administrative support staff through a targeted professional learning program. 

The start date for all students in 2025, Kindergarten to Year 6, will be Thursday, 6 February. We understand that changes to the schedule can be challenging, and we appreciate your flexibility and support as we work to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year. 

Please click here to view 2025 NSW term dates and school holidays

2024 Presentation Day

Lambton Public School's annual Presentation Day Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 10 December 2024. This whole school event will be held in the Lambton High School Multi-Purpose Hall from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

If your child is receiving an award you will receive an email by the end of  next week (Friday 15 November).  Emails will be sent from School Bytes, the program we use for permission notes and statements of account. Emails from School Bytes are sent from the following email address:  noreply@mail.schoolbytes.education.  The email will appear as Lambton Public School <noreply@mail.schoolbytes.education>.    

Parents are encouraged to ensure emails from School Bytes are received to their Inbox and not sent to their junk email and/or the sender is not blocked.  

All parents, carers and families are welcome to join us on the day to celebrate our students achievements irrespective of whether your child is receiving an award.

Swimming and Water Safety Program Reminder

We’re excited to remind you the Swimming and Water Safety Program will begin next week, running from Monday, 11th November to Friday, 22nd November (Weeks 5 and 6).

Please see important reminders below

  • Students should meet their teacher under the Canteen COLA at 8:45 am each morning - Buses depart school @ 9:00 am sharp.
  • Students will return to school at the beginning of recess each day.
  • Please pack all items for swimming in a drawstring daypack - students backpacks will remain at school 
  • Students should pack goggles, towel, rash shirt and sunscreen and a wet back to carry home wet items. 
  • Students can choose to wear a swim cap or have their hair tied back
  • Please ensure all items are labelled with your child's name
  • Students should wear their swimmers under their school uniform each day and pack underwear to change into.
  • Students should apply sunscreen prior to leaving home each morning
  • Students will need to bring a towel, underwear to change into, sunscreen and water bottle each day

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Thank you for helping us make this program a success!

Stage 2 News

What’s happening in Term 4 - Stage 2: classes 2/3F, 3L, 3/4M and 4C

Stage 2 have had a great start to Term 4. We are really enjoying the many activities which are on offer at Lambton Public School and are also looking forward to all the end of year events!

In English our focus is Poetry, we are currently learning about this genre through the text ‘Fire by Jackie French.

In Mathematics we will cover a range of topics and skills, these will include place value, multiplication and division, fractions and decimals, chance, angles, mass, area, volume, position, time, data, and two-dimensional shapes.

Other KLA units of study will include:

  •  Science: Earth and Space.
  •  Geography: The Earth’s Environment.
  •  Creative Arts: Drama - role play, improvisation, movement and voice skills.
  •  PDHPE: Identifying and supporting everyone’s rights and using this knowledge to question any behaviours or actions that may impact an individual’s right to be safe, the Grow Your Mind program and a range of sports skills and games.

Mrs. Quinn will take all classes for 1 hour per week in the library. She has many fun and engaging learning opportunities planned for Stage 2.

Exciting upcoming events include:

  • Life Education van: Weeks 5 & 6. A note will go out on School Bytes, please check this for more information.
  • Year 6 Fun Day: Friday 6th December (week 8)
  • Presentation Day: Tuesday 10th December at Lambton High School. 

We encourage you to talk to your child about their learning and use this information to ask questions and guide these conversations.

As always please contact your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions or queries.

 Ms. Fletcher, Mrs. Lantz, Mr. Moore, Ms. Camilleri and Mr. Semmens

Stage 2 team 

LPS School Band wins 1st place at Bandfest!
A big congratulations to the Lambton Public School School Band on their performance at Bandfest 2024 which took place on Tuesday. Bandfest is an opportunity for students to learn through listening and performance, with school bands competing in a number of categories. The Lambton Public School Band was awarded first place in not one, but two sections; Developing Band - First Place Section A, and Developing Band - First Place Overall.
It's a wonderful achievement, especially as many of our band members have only been learning their instrument for the last twelve months. Their fantastic performance is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the students, our band director Mr. Borthwick, and Mrs. Saunders. Well done everyone!!

Are you ready to unleash your musical talent?

We are excited to invite all students from Year 2 to Year 6 to join our vibrant school band! Learning an instrument not only enhances creativity and boosts confidence, but it also improves coordination and teamwork skills. Plus, it's a fantastic way to make new friends! Our school has a variety of instruments available for students to trial and hire, so everyone can find the perfect fit for their musical journey. If your child is interested in joining the band, please contact the school office or encourage them to speak to Mrs. Saunders for more information. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to create, collaborate, and make music together! 🎵

Happy Harold visits LPS next week

The Life Education Van will be on site from Thursday 14 November. All classes will visit the Education Van in class groups and participate in a variety of entertaining programs promoting positive health messages and age appropriate drug education, presented by Life Education staff and of course “Healthy Harold.”  Follow-up activities incorporating the Life Education Booklets will be completed as part of classroom learning.

The cost of the Life Education program has been covered by the school and all students have the opportunity to participate in the lessons which have been selected to link with their curriculum and units of work for each stage.

Listed below is a summary of the modules to be delivered to each stage by the Life Education Team. Please click here to view Life Education program flyer which details content covered in each module. 

Early Stage One & K/6SHarold's Friendship
Stage OneSafety Rules
Stage TwoFriends Feelings
Stage ThreeRelate, Respect, Connect

Should you require further information or if you DO NOT wish for your child to participate in the Life Education program please contact the school office prior to Wednesday 13 November. 

Home Reading Rewards

Friendly reminder students have until the end of Week 8 (Friday 6 December) to reach the various milestones and subsequent rewards. Please continue to send your child's home reading journals in to be checked by their teacher every week. 

Overview of Home Reading Rewards:

25 nights       Bookmark
50 nightsPencil
75 nights
  • Participate in end of Term 4 disco/ice block
100 nights
  • Participate in end of Term 4 disco/iceblock
  • Go into the draw to receive a stationary pack
150 nights
  • Participate in end of Term 4 disco/iceblock
  • Go into the draw to receive a stationary pack
  • Go into a draw to win a book voucher
200 nights
  • Participate in end of Term 4 disco/iceblock
  • Go into the draw to receive a stationary pack
  • Go into a draw to win a book voucher
  • Participate in a Fun Day during week 9 (more details will be emailed to families in the coming weeks)

Year 6 Farewell

When - Thursday 12 December 2024  6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Where -  Function Room, Wallsend Diggers

Dress - Smart Casual

Cost - $30.00 includes meal and drinks

Parents and carers are reminded if their child was not enrolled at LPS in Kindergarten in 2016 to send their child’s Kindergarten photo for inclusion in the slideshow to be shown during the evening.

Photos can be emailed to 

Lambton-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or students can bring them in to the office and staff will scan them for inclusion. Staff are busy putting the finishing touches on the presentation and ask that photos be forwarded no later than Friday 29 November please. 

 Applying for Selection High School and/or Opportunity Classes for 2026

Selective high schools and Opportunity classes are specialist school settings that group together high potential and gifted students.  Learning with classmates who have similar abilities helps students' academic achievement and wellbeing. Students still follow the NSW Curriculum, but teachers may use special teaching strategies for high potential and gifted learners. 

Opportunity classes are for high potential and gifted students in Years 5 & 6 and are offered in a number of primary school across Newcastle. 

2026 entry into an Opportuntiy class or Selective high school 

Parents apply during the application period online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au.  The application period for 2026 entry is 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025. 

Opportunity classes - Parents apply when their child is near the end of Year 3 in 2024 or at the beginning of Year 4 in 2025. 

Selective high schools - Parents apply when their child is near the end of Year 5 in 2024 or at the beginning of Year 6 in 2025.

After you apply, students must sit a test.  The test will be available across a 3-day period from Friday 2 May - Sunday 4 May 2025.  Students are then selected for placement based on their test performance.

Please click the links below for more information:

Grow Your Mind at LPS!

The Grow Your Mind program is all about teaching ourselves to flourish and be the best version of our ourselves! G.Y.M recommends a range of books for all ages to focus in on the values, skills and character strengths it teaches us about.
Please see the book list to support flourishing, attached for your reference. You might like to pick some for your children to read at home. 

Grow Your Mind Book List


Download
SRC Ronald McDonald House Visit
On Thursday, our SRC students visited the Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle as part of the fundraiser we conducted last term. We were given a tour of the facilities that families of sick children use while their loved ones receive treatment at John Hunter Hospital (JHH).

During the tour, we explored a family room equipped with a TV, gaming console, and pool table. We enjoyed some time on the outdoor playground and observed the birds in the aviary. In addition, there was a large outdoor space where families can play soccer, football, tennis, or simply run around; this area was generously donated by several local Newcastle businesses.

We learned that Newcastle's Ronald McDonald House offers both long-term and temporary accommodations for families. We were able to tour some of the temporary rooms, which resembled hotel rooms but included special touches, such as a welcome pack for each family member. It was noteworthy that the Newcastle RMH is one of the few in New South Wales that provides a private bathroom in every room; typically, families have to share communal bathrooms in RMH facilities. We concluded our tour with a snack in the dining room, where families enjoy meals prepared by local businesses that volunteer at RMH.

Touring the Ronald McDonald House was a humbling experience, and we are proud to have contributed to providing a week of accommodation for a family in need of these services.The LPS SRC is dedicated to giving back to our local community, and Mrs. Gillard is incredibly proud of how each student represented our school with kindness and compassion.

Canteen News

The Canteen is excited to soon be able to offer 'Cool Crush' slushies for sale to students for $2.00 each during lunch time each day.  Cool Crush Slushies are 99% Fruit Juice, No added Sugar, Fat Free and are registered with the NSW Department of Health Healthy Food Finder site. The slushie machine will be installed in coming weeks and we hope to have slushies available from 15 November. 

Please see below the Canteen's new menu. The canteen is now be open at lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays for our students to purchase ice blocks, slushies, drinks and snacks. Please note - no other food (e.g. sandwiches) will be available on these days.