Dear Families

We are now halfway through the term, and it has been a positive one so far. Students have been focused on their learning and have enjoyed taking part in a wide range of activities, including choir, drama, Dance Fever, Taiko Drumming, Tool Skool, and winter sport.

School Facilities Update

A big thank you to our School Association for their recent donation of heaters for the Kinder outdoor patio area. This has made the space much more comfortable and able to be used for both learning and play throughout the year. Playground upgrades in the Kinder area are also scheduled to begin during the next school holidays—we will keep you updated as this exciting project progresses.

We are also thrilled to share that both the School Association and our Student Leaders have contributed towards a new soccer turf area. Soccer is a very popular break-time activity, and work on this new space is set to begin early next term. Our groundsman, Brian, is also busy restoring the soccer goal to get everything ready.

School Events

This week we are celebrating Book Week! Families are warmly invited to join us for the parade, assembly, and readers’ picnic on Thursday morning. Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page for photo updates.

Looking ahead, one of our favourite events of the year—Dad’s Night—will be held next Thursday, 4th September. Families are invited to come along for open classrooms and a BBQ as we celebrate together.

We love having families join us to share in student learning and important school events, and we hope to see you at both Book Week and Dad’s Night.

Further details about these events can be found later in the newsletter. Please don’t hesitate to call the school if you have any questions.

In partnership
Candice Burnett

We have had a number of families impacted by illness recently, and we understand how challenging this can be. To help keep our students, staff, and families well, we kindly remind parents and carers to keep children at home if they are showing any cold or flu-like symptoms.

This includes coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat, or general unwellness. Staying home when sick helps prevent the spread of illness and supports the wellbeing of everyone in our school community.

If your child becomes unwell during the school day, we will contact you to arrange for them to be collected. We appreciate your support in following this important health guideline.

Let’s continue working together to keep Longford Primary a safe and healthy place for learning.

You can find more information from DECYP here Infectious diseases and your child - Department for Education, Children and Young People

This term our Values Certificates are for Courage and Growth. Congratulations to students on receiving their Certificate.

Lily, Lachlan, Mason, Riley, Effie, Chloe, Piper and Mia

Isabella, Theo, Kai, Ellanor, Harper, Charlotte, Ollie, Olivia, Deegan, Caleb, Claudette and Ryleigh

The School Association met last Thursday and it was passed to donate $6000 to our school. $3000 towards playground upgrade and $3000 for ceiling heating in the Kinder outdoor area off the main classroom.

Dad's Night

Our annual Dad’s Night is on Thursday 4th September. Open classrooms 4:30-5:00 and 5:30-6:00. BBQ 5:00-5:30.

It is a nice tradition for us to be able to offer free sausages to our families. The Association would appreciate help to serve at the sausage sizzle. Please leave your name at the school office if willing to lend a hand.

We will be having a Dad's Night Raffle. Tickets will be $1 each with the chance to win either of the 3 prizes - a football, soccer ball or basketball.

Last week staff farewelled Mrs Sandra Seen and wished her a happy retirement. Sandra has been our music teacher at Longford for over 13 years. When asking the students what they remembered about Mrs Seen, the 1/2s said with excitement 'our song'. Listen to the 1/2s singing their song via the link below.

We are excited to host our Dad's Night evening with our Dads/Grandads/Uncles and significant others on Thursday 4th September.  Dad's Night is a valued tradition at Longford Primary School, it allows us to share some of our learning and class activities with you all. 

Dad’s Night is open to all families of our learning community from LiL – Grade 6.  The event is from 4:30-6:00pm and will include opportunities for families to engage in some fun challenges and games together. 

• Open Classrooms 4:30-5:00 & 5:30-6:00
• BBQ 5:00-5:30

On the night we will have a free Sausage Sizzle. Soft drink will be available for $2 and water for free. Thank you to our School Association for organising the Sausage Sizzle. Volunteers are needed for serving, please leave your name with the school office if you are able to help.

Dental Health week falls in August and nurse Amy took this opportunity to go through some dental hygiene with the Kindergarten students. They learnt how to keep their teeth and gums healthy by brushing their teeth correctly for 2 minutes, start flossing when the teeth touch, what foods make their teeth happy and healthy or sad and unhealthy and having regular checkups to the dentist.

Amy Douglas
School Health Nurse

Science Talent Search

Recently, Gr1/2s started making their Bird Boxes as part of their entry into the Science Talent Search competition, "Decoding the Universe: Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language".

We kindly thank Bunnings Kings Meadows for their community donation of the wood, nails, screws and decking oil for this project. A huge thank you to Bob Thomas and his team at the Longford Men's Shed who carefully cut all the wood to size for our bird box templates, and to Geoff Shannon, our local bird expert for his support and guidance on our designs. Students used junior hammers, kindly loaned by Cressy District School, to put together the houses. Painting has started last week, with students encouraged to ensure their bird houses are camouflaged in our school environment, inviting birds the safety of a nesting box. 

Longford Men's Shed are looking for active members. If you are interested in wood or metal work or simply connecting with others in the community, please make contact (9-4 Tue Wed Thu, Malcombe St). The Men's Shed also has a community garden and there are currently lots of garden beds available. If you are interested in getting into gardening, this can be a great space to start with support.

STEM/ICT

Last week, Gr5/6s were challenged to build their own game controller, using MakeyMakey kits. Using foil as a conductor, teams needed 4 buttons for directional movements, and a 'jump' button for their game. To control the gamepad, students needed to be connected to the 'ground' input, as part of the circuit.

The Longford Primary Tree Club made history this week, celebrating their first birthday. This is unique and remarkable initiative led by an inspired, inclusive student leadership group. As far as we know, this is the first club of this kind in living (Longford Primary) history.

Tree Club formed last year when students perceived a school hedge at risk of removal. They protested the removal by gathering signatures on a petition and performing a play in assembly. Their efforts were successful, and Tree Club was born.

Yesterday they shared their dreams for the future of the earth (pictured below), encouraged one another, told jokes, ate party food and acted out Tree Club history in a dramatic role play game.

A huge congratulations to Phoebe, Frankie, Hazel, Olivia, Maddi and Bethany for their dedication to the club.

Leadership Staff

Support Staff