Week 3 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

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reach the end of Week 3, I would like to thank everyone for their continued commitment to learning and the positive spirit that is evident across our school community.

Yesterday, we observed Remembrance Day, taking time to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. It was pleasing to see our students participate respectfully in the commemorations and reflect on the values of service, courage, and commitment that such occasions represent.

Boarding House Review Next Week

Next week, our school will undertake a Boarding House Review. The purpose of this review is to identify the strengths of our boarding operations and community, while also recognising areas where we can continue to improve.

The review provides an important opportunity to reflect on our practices, celebrate what is working well, and gather valuable feedback that will help us enhance the boarding experience for all students. I would like to thank our boarding staff and students for the preparation and cooperation that is taking place ahead of the review.

Preparation for National Examinations

A major focus across the school continues to be the preparation of our Year 8, Year 10, and Year 12 students for their National Examinations.

Teachers are working diligently to ensure students are well prepared, and revision programs are now underway. These examinations are significant milestones in each student's educational journey, and every lesson, assessment, and study session contributes to their success.

I encourage all students, particularly those in Years 8, 10, and 12, to remain focused, maintain good study habits, and seek assistance whenever required.

Attendance Matters

As we move closer to the examination period, attendance is more important than ever.

Every day of learning counts. Students who attend regularly are better positioned to understand key concepts, participate in revision activities, complete assessment tasks, and receive the support they need from their teachers. Missing lessons creates gaps in learning that can be difficult to recover, particularly during this critical preparation period.

I ask parents and guardians to support the school by ensuring that Year 8, Year 10, and Year 12 students attend school every day unless there are unavoidable circumstances preventing their attendance.

Working Together for Student Success

Strong communication between home and school remains essential. If parents or guardians have concerns regarding their child's academic progress, wellbeing, attendance, or any other matter, please contact the relevant class teacher or subject teacher in the first instance.

Should further assistance be required, concerns can then be escalated to the appropriate Head of Campus (HOC) so that they can be addressed promptly and effectively.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Together, we can ensure that every student is given the best opportunity to succeed both academically and personally.

I wish all members of our school community a safe, restful, and enjoyable weekend, and I look forward to another productive week ahead.

Mr Gregory  Neville

Principal 

Lae International School

Term 3 Calendar


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Deputy Principal's Notices

One of the highlights of the week was undoubtedly the Primary Disco held on Wednesday evening. It was wonderful to see so many students from the ELC to Year 6 enjoying an evening filled with music, dancing, games, and fun. The atmosphere throughout the night was vibrant and positive, with students making lasting memories with their friends and teachers. 

A special thank you must go to our dedicated Parents and Friends Association (P&F), who did an outstanding job organising and hosting the event. The P&F members worked tirelessly both in the lead-up to the disco and throughout the evening to ensure its success. Importantly, all funds raised from the event will go directly back to the P&F, who continue to provide tremendous support to our school community. 

Earlier this year, the P&F generously funded the installation of the new shade sails over the Primary Pool and ELC area, enhancing the safety and comfort of these important learning and recreation spaces. Events such as the disco help replenish P&F funds, enabling them to continue their wonderful work and support future projects that benefit our students.

We would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the local businesses and families who generously donated food, drinks, and treats for the evening. Our appreciation goes to:

  • Chemcare Group
  • Anderson and Radtab
  • Pelgens
  • Capex Solutions Limited

We also extend our gratitude to the many parents who contributed homemade treats and snacks that quickly became crowd favourites. Thanks to these generous donations, every kina from the evening will go directly back to the P&F.

Another standout feature of the disco was the contribution of our Year 7 students, who volunteered their time to assist throughout the evenin, Ari Looyesty, Sophie Bodenschatz, Martina Caberio and Annette Warikani. They enthusiastically played games, danced with younger students, and helped create a welcoming and energetic atmosphere. Their leadership and willingness to serve as role models were greatly appreciated and reflected the spirit of our school community. 

The event was also very well supported by our teachers and ancillary staff. School events such as these simply would not be possible without their commitment and willingness to give up their time outside of normal school hours. A special mention must go to Mr Warikani, whose impressive DJ skills set the tone for a fun, engaging, and enjoyable evening for everyone in attendance.

While the dust settles on the Primary Disco, excitement is already building for the Secondary Disco, which will be held on Thursday evening for students in Years 7 to 12. Tickets are available for purchase from both the Primary and Secondary Offices for K2. Our Secondary SRC has been working hard behind the scenes to organise the event, and it is shaping up to be another fantastic night.

I hope all families enjoyed a meaningful Remembrance Day yesterday, spending time with family and friends while reflecting on the sacrifices that have shaped our nation and community.

This afternoon, our Year 12 History class will host the Secondary Assembly and present a tribute recognising the contributions, sacrifices, and achievements of Papua New Guinean women. Their presentation will honour those who have helped build our nation and secure many of the freedoms we enjoy today. We look forward to what promises to be a moving and thoughtful tribute.

Thank you once again for your continued support of our school. Together, we continue to create opportunities and experiences that enrich the lives of our students.

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 3, we would like to congratulate all students who have received awards for demonstrating excellent teamwork qualities. Well done to these students for being positive role models within our school community.

Our Grade 8 students have also completed their final mock practice examinations this week. Invitations for the Grade 8 Parent-Teacher Conferences, which will be held next week, have been sent home with your child. We encourage all Grade 8 parents and carers to attend these important meeting.

A special thank you to the families who attended the P&F school disco and supported the event through their generous donations. Your support helped make the evening a great success for our students.

In Week 5, we will celebrate Early Learning Matters Week, showcasing the wonderful learning taking place in our Early Learning Centre (ELC), Preschool, Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes. Teachers have already begun planning exciting activities, and further information will be shared through Audiri in the coming weeks.

A reminder to all parents and carers that classroom visits during instructional hours are strictly prohibited. Parents are requested to report to the school office and not go directly to classrooms when:

  • Dropping off lunches or school items;
  • Collecting a child before the normal end of the school day; or
  • Addressing any school-related matters.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all students.

Looking ahead:

  • Week 4 – Grade 8 Parent-Teacher conference
  • Week 4 – Grade 4TP Learning Assembly
  • Week 5 – Early Learning Matters Week
  • Week 6 – Grade 1W Learning Assembly

Vanessa Ignas

Head of Primary Campus

Upper Primary Student Handbook

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Head of Secondary Campus Notices

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Staff,

As we reach the end of the third week of Term 3, I would like to commend our students and staff for an excellent start to the term. The first three weeks have progressed smoothly, with students demonstrating a positive attitude towards learning and school life. It has been particularly pleasing to see strong engagement in the classroom and a commitment to academic excellence across all year levels.

Updates for This Week

Grade 12 ACT Students

Congratulations to our Grade 12 ACT students who recently completed their AST Mock Examinations. These examinations are an important step in preparing students for their final assessments and provide valuable insight into examination expectations and procedures. Feedback will be provided shortly to help students identify their strengths and areas for improvement as they continue their preparation.

Grade 10 IGCSE Mock Examinations

The Grade 10 IGCSE Mock Examinations commenced this week. These assessments provide students with a valuable opportunity to experience examination conditions while preparing for their final IGCSE examinations later in the year.

We strongly encourage all students to attend and complete every examination paper. Regular attendance is particularly important at this time of the year, especially for students in Grades 10 and 12, as key examination concepts and revision strategies are being covered during lessons. Every lesson counts as we move closer to the final examination period.

Grade 12 PNG University of Technology Open Day

Our Grade 12 students will participate in the PNG University of Technology (Unitech) Open Day on Friday, 31 July 2026.

This event will provide students with valuable information about tertiary education opportunities, university life and future career pathways.

A letter to parents and guardians will be distributed separately. Please note that consent and permission requests will be managed exclusively through Audiri. We kindly ask families to ensure consent is submitted before the stated deadline.

Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs)

Extra-Curricular Activities remain an important part of the educational experience at Lae International School. Participation in ECAs provides students with opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence, strengthen teamwork and leadership abilities, and establish positive relationships outside the classroom.

We encourage all students to take advantage of the wide range of activities on offer and to participate regularly. These experiences complement academic learning and contribute significantly to the development of well-rounded individuals.

 

We also thank our staff who generously give their time and energy to provide meaningful and engaging opportunities for our students. We look forward to seeing strong participation throughout the term.

Upcoming Events

Monday, 27 July 2026

  • Grade 10 Final Science Practical Examination

Thursday, 30 July 2026

  • Secondary School Disco (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

Monday, 3 August 2026

  • Grade 12 Final Written Expression Examination

Looking Ahead This Term

The remainder of Term 3 promises to be both busy and exciting, with several important academic and co-curricular events planned.

Week 7

  • Final PNG Object Mock Examination

Week 8

  • STEM Fair

Week 9

  • Grade 11 Educational Trip

Week 10

  • Independence Day Observance and Celebrations

As we enter a critical period of the academic year, particularly for students in Grades 10 and 12, we encourage all students to:

  • Maintain excellent attendance.
  • Arrive prepared for all lessons.
  • Complete coursework and revision activities on time.
  • Seek assistance from teachers whenever required.
  • Continue demonstrating the positive attitudes and commitment that have contributed to such a successful start to the term.

Thank you to our students, parents, guardians and staff for your continued support of Lae International School. We look forward to a productive and successful term as we work together to achieve our academic goals and provide the very best opportunities for our students.

James Winas

Head of Secondary Campus

Boarding Campus

Dear Parents and Guardians,

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

We are delighted to share that our boarding students have settled in well. During the first few weeks of the term, we had the opportunity to meet individually with each boarder. These meetings provided students with the chance to review their Semester 1 academic reports, reflect on their achievements and challenges, and set personal goals for the semester ahead. It is always encouraging to see how quickly young people adapt and grow when given the right support and encouragement.

This week, our focus virtue is Initiative. We believe that taking initiative, whether in academics, sport or everyday responsibilities, is an essential part of building confidence, independence and leadership. Many of our students have already demonstrated this virtue by supporting their peers, participating enthusiastically in activities and taking greater ownership of their learning.

We encourage parents and guardians to continue nurturing this virtue at home by recognising and celebrating moments when your child demonstrates initiative. By working together, we can help our students develop the resilience, confidence and leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Remembrance Day Public Holiday

Our student leaders organised a short but meaningful programme to commemorate Remembrance Day. The event was well attended, and all speakers displayed confidence, maturity and strong leadership qualities. We are proud of the way our students honoured this important occasion with respect and dignity.

Upcoming Events

  • Friday Fellowship Evening, hosted by students from the Southern Region
  • Lockdown Drill
  • Community Service Activities
  • Weekend Study Programme
  • Weekend Sports Programme
  • Church Trip

Weekend Sign-Out

We kindly ask all parents and guardians to observe the updated weekend sign-out procedures. These changes have been introduced to further enhance student safety, accountability and overall wellbeing. We appreciate your support and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and caring boarding environment.

Boarding House Review

Our Boarding House Review will take place in Week 4. We sincerely thank the parents and guardians who have completed the review questionnaires and those who have agreed to participate in interviews. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us to continually improve the boarding experience for our students. We look forward to receiving the review findings and will continue working to ensure our boarding programme aligns with boarding school best practice standards.

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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Join our Social groups

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!

Facility Hire