Dear Families,

As you now may be aware, I am in the very fortunate position of being appointed the substantive Principal for Longford Primary School.  I am thrilled to be a part of the Longford Learning Community and very proud to be leading the Learning, Mission and Values of Longford Primary School now and into the future.  I feel privileged to support each child, their family and their teacher/s to reach academic and social and emotional goals as we grow and learn together. 

It has been exciting to see the teaching teams work through their focus areas of English (Whole School Literacy Approach), Numeracy (Big Ideas in Number), Real Schools (Restorative Practice) and Building a Respectful School Culture, during professional learning afternoon/evening sessions in Terms 1 and 2.  These areas of focus will continue into Term 3, with further work on our Restorative School Positive Behaviour Plan scheduled as an additional focus for Term 3. 

Over the course of Term 2 we also trialled the ‘Green Room’ to assist students that may need support to regulate or access the curriculum in a different way to their peers.  The Green Room has been led by Mr Nathan Guy on a Monday and Tuesday; the trial has been very successful for those participating.  The Green Room will continue to operate on a Monday and Tuesday for the remainder of the year.  We very much look forward to running some parent information sessions on ‘trauma and brain development’ in the Green Room over Terms 3 and 4.  An additional focus for us as a learning team has been teaching the core values of the Education Department.  In Term 1, we had a focus on RESPECT and in Term 2, GROWTH.  It has been wonderful to see the work happening in our classrooms on these two values and also for me to host the end of term Principal Morning Tea for students demonstrating that they are living these values as citizens of Longford Primary School.  In Term 3 the focus Value will be ASPIRATION.

Thank you to all families that feel encouraged to voice concerns or worries with myself or a member of the Leadership Team in such a positive and constructive way.  Please be assured that all conversations are shared as a Team and we appreciate the opportunity to work together to address any and all challenges.  The team are always very open to your feedback and suggestions and we encourage you to continue to talk with us around positives and concerns at any time.  Our Leadership Team aim to always work WITH students and families to address issues and work towards positive outcomes for all. 

Parent/Teacher Conversations

Thank you to all families that were able to make it to our recent Parent Teacher conversations. These meetings are highly valued by staff and families, and I encourage you to make an appointment in Term 3 if you were unable to attend our recent meetings.

Premier's Reading Challenge

This Friday marks the end of the ten week challenge to read 10 books. All students who have completed the challenge will go in the draw for a book voucher. We look forward to sharing if we have reached our 100% goal. Well done to all our amazing readers!

Helping Hand - 'Tin in the Bin'

Early in Term we are supporting the initiative of Roberts Real Estate and our local ‘Helping Hand’ to ‘put a tin in the bin!’.  All families are welcome to donate tins of food into the bin at the school office foyer this week and week 1 of Term 3.

KMHS Grade 7 Enrolment

Term 3

Students will finish up Term 2 on Friday the 5^th of July.  Monday the 22^nd of July is a Student Free Day.  Staff will be participating in further Literacy professional learning and team planning on this day.  I hope all families have a very safe, relaxing, healthy and happy Term 2 holiday break.  I look forward to welcoming all children back to school for their first day of Term 3, on Tuesday the 23^rd of July. We have much to look forward to in Term 3, including Book Week celebrations and Dad's Night; I can’t wait to share in these celebrations with you all. 

Carolyn Sutton

Principal

Congratulations to the following students for being presented with an award at our assembly yesterday.

Principal Awards

The past fortnight has been an exciting one in the school garden. Thanks to the Longford Rotary Club for the purchase of a lime tree for the early childhood playground. In years to come this will mean limes for cooking classes and fragrant blossoms in the play space. 

A load of premium top soil has been delivered and haven't the boys had fun with that! We've used this for topping up the vegetable beds and filling planting holes. 

We recently asked a selection of students what fruits they would like to grow at school. Berries were a favourite, so we've planted a whole bed of strawberries and ordered raspberry canes.

We planted a Chinese Elm in the infant playground to provide shade in summer and cleaner air for students. 

Did you know trees contribute to better mental health and well-being? 

Lastly, we harvested a basket full of fresh produce (including the superhydrophobic brassica leaves you can see in the photos) from the kitchen garden to share with Prep/1 Whiteley/Crawford. Each student was invited to take something home. Eating veggies has never been more appealing! 

Thanks to Pam, Aidan and Nina for their recent work in the school garden. 

During the last eight weeks two groups of Grade 5 and 6 students have read six books and created a creative presentation based on the themes from their chosen book. On Wednesday 26^th June,  the winning group of six students represented Longford Primary at the inter-school Readers’ Cup. They took part in a quiz, composed a creative response in 10 minutes and performed the creative presentation to a large audience. Team work, confidence and creativity were demonstrated from both groups throughout the experience.

Volunteers are needed for our recess canteen. If you are able to spare half an hour on a Wednesday to be part of a roster, please leave your name at the school office. Term 3 Wednesday recess ice creams will be having a price rise as per below. 

Kindergarten Claridge

Kinder have been on an excursion to the Dentist and also had a visit from Chanelle, our School Nurse, for Teddy Hospital.

2019

We are currently taking enrolments for After School Care for 2019.  After School Care operates Monday to Friday during School term from 3pm – 6pm from the Longford Parent room.  Cost is $22 per day per child before the child care subsidy is applied and depending on your child care subsidy percentage you could pay as little as $4.55 per day per child.

We are also running a Vacation Care program from the Perth Community Centre from our Midlands Kids Club Service which families are able to utilise.

Please support this vital community service.

Please call Kate Lee on 0438 911 303 or alternatively email childcaredirector@nmc.tas.gov.au for further details and to obtain an enrolment pack.

Legal Literacy Volunteers offer free help at the Helping Hand Centre Longford on Tuesday mornings. Some of the things that they help with are filling out forms, understanding documents, writing formal letters, prividing referalls to professional legal assistance.

Information for the following is available from the school office:

• Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre school holiday family entry only $15-50
• Girls Day, Tuesday 9th July (Bec, our School Chaplain, will be taking the dance elective at this event)
• Bookfest 2019, July 5-6, 9am-4pm at Launceston Conference Centre (Door of Hope)
• Hockey school holiday clinics 10th and 17th July
• Wings Wildlife Park, Gunns Plains - Kids Fun Day on Sunday 7th July 10am to 4pm
• Stories Bookshop holiday program

Leadership Staff

 Support Staff