Weekly
news
Term 2, Week 5
Coming up this week
Date
Event
Monday 30 May
SpellMaster round 2
Thurday 2 June
Mortimer Shield - Stage 3
MISSION STATEMENT
To work under God in partnership with parents to provide an inclusive, nurturing and high quality education for every student.
VIsion
Flourishing through faith, belonging and the pursuit of excellence.
From The Principal
What students have to say...
Student voice is a big part of contemporary learning. When I was in school, I listened to the teacher and kept my thoughts to myself. We now know that a big part of wellbeing is having a platform to voice both thoughts and feelings so that we can support one another.
General wellbeing
Many students are quick to assert their voice in matters. Our teachers are excellent at responding and supporting students when they express needs. But what about the introverted students, the ones who are less likely to use their voices? In our most recent student survey, we asked the question, “On a scale of 1-10 (10 being ‘excellent’), how are you feeling about the term?” Below are graphs of their responses.
We were happy to see that the vast majority of students are feeling good about the term. When we asked the reasons behind their scores, they cited feeling good about the Athletics Carnival (although put a lower score because their legs hurt after the event!). They mentioned friendships, art activities and how much they like their teachers. Teachers have followed up already with the few students who are struggling and these conversations have led to support from both home and school. Many thanks to the staff and to YOU for your partnerships for the benefit of our young scholars.
Goal-setting
In our survey, we also asked students about the goals that they set at the end of last term. Those were categorised and shared back with them in this week’s video message. Below is a summary of the goals students made.
When we give students agency to share their thoughts, we find how self-aware students are. Many talked about their need for focus, better time management, independence and confidence. They realise that they can control their choices of seats and take steps to improve their listening skills both in class and with friends.
Our contemporary learning journey will continue to include check-ins with students so that they can build self-awareness and feel supported in their improvement efforts – beginning with intentions and mini-goals.
Janet Moeller
Principal
Mark your calendars
CIS Cross Country Championships – Sydney
Wednesday 8 June
School Photos
Thursday 9 June
SIRU Rugby Unions Finals – Canberra
Friday 10 June
Walkathon
Friday 10 June
From The DEPUTY Principal
Team 6 Walkathon
Please be aware the Team 6 Walkathon will take place on Friday 10 June. For families new to the school this is an annual Team 6 fundraising event. Profits will go toward their chosen legacy gift to the school. Further details will follow.
‘Social Circles’ Parent presentation
Just an early reminder that on Tuesday 14 June at 6pm I will lead a session on the use of Social Circles in the classroom and the benefits for our students. The session will be interactive and will take place in the hall. Please try and come along!
Contemporary Learning Tours
This week a couple of our staff have attended a Contemporary Learning Tour in Melbourne. It gave our teachers an opportunity to visit schools that have designed and set up flexible learning spaces. It also gave our teachers an opportunity to observe how these schools have set up their teaching and learning programs with real emphasis on ‘skills’ development such as collaboration, being adaptable and flexible in their thinking.
Strengthening School-parent relationships
Below is an article I read about the importance of the School-parent relationships. All the research shows that if the School-parent relationship is trusting and two way it leads to good outcomes for the students. Have a read.
https://www.k12dive.com/news/how-to-strengthen-school-parent-relationships/617409/
Dylan Evans
Deputy Principal
Student Article: Africa Day
Written by Kylie Warnes (Year 5), Posters by Cara Stanton (Year 5)
Africa Day is an annual celebration of the achievements of the people and governments of Africa celebrated in many countries in Africa, and now all around the world including right here in Australia.
What we know today as Africa Day was founded on the 25th of May 1963 as African Freedom Day or Annual Liberation Day by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) (now known as the African Union). This is a part of history which isn’t right but shouldn’t be forgotten. It doesn’t show the strength of a country by dominating another, it shows the strength of a country not willing to show defeat. In the case of Africa the suffering which people have made sure has made them stronger as a country.
Today we celebrate the diverse African-Australian cultures with the help of an organization called Africa Australia Day (ADA). Founded in 2012 in North Melbourne, the organization provides platforms for people of diverse backgrounds to meet, socialize and share experiences. In May each year, ADA hosts a Gala Dinner, Sports Carnival, Family Event and Africa’s Got Talent to empower African Australian communities and cultures. Their mission is simple, to drive unity and the celebration of African Australian successes with the whole of Australia.
Africa Day is an important part of history that we can’t ignore. We celebrate it to share and acknowledge African culture, values, success and multiculturalism in Australia.
We need to celebrate Africa by giving RESPECT to the African people! Africans are one of the oldest races. We celebrate Africa Day because Africans need credit for all they’ve suffered through, not even for the suffering but for achievements too. This is a day we can’t ignore.
Come celebrate Africa Day with us.
By Kylie Warnes. Help from Charlotte Croker and Chloe Lieschke, but a LOT of help from Michelle Sibanda.
Values Focus
Politics and the Gospel
With the election happening over the weekend and a new government being installed, taking a vow to serve the Australian people, I was reminded of a verse from the gospel of Matthew where Jesus talks about giving to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
“Why are you trying to test me? You show-offs! Let me see one of the coins used for paying taxes.” They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, “Whose picture and name are on it?” “The Emperor’s,” they answered. Then Jesus told them, “Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God.” Jesus’ answer surprised them so much that they walked away.
A bit of context to this: Jewish leaders of the time wanted to trip Jesus up and catch him with his own words. The Jews were under Roman rule at the time this was written and Caesar was the emperor. Caesar, as emperor, was regarded as a god. The Jews were not free to worship God as they would have in the Old Testament. There were always Roman guards in the temple as well. Everything they did was monitored by Rome, monitored by Pontius Pilot.
With that as a brief outline for the quote above, Jesus looked at the coin and told the Jewish leader to give to Rome what is Rome’s, and to give to God what is God’s. Would you struggle with giving to a government that is stalking you, restricting you, beating and imprisoning you? I know I would. But Jesus turns around and tells the Jewish people to pay the tax. The mere fact that the Jewish leaders had this coin on them tacitly acknowledged Caesar’s rule.
What can we take away from this for 2022, and for the school community were are in? Well, Jesus here is distinguishing between two realms, the Heavenly realm and the Civil realm. All Christian believers live under the Heavenly realm, but we are also bound to obey the legitimate Civil authorities God has established here in Wagga, and more broadly in Australia.
No matter the results of the weekend’s election, whether Labor or Liberal gained majority government, as Christians God has called us to respect them equally. As a Christian community we can show this in the way we live and cooperate despite any differing political views we may have from one another.
This is because we are united and saved through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. He died there so that you could know him personally, so you could have a citizenship in heaven.
So as a new government settles in and you have your political views, remember that every Christian you encounter is someone that Christ died for. They are members of both the school community and the heavenly community through baptism.
May God’s peace be with you.
Pastor David Cherry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Curriculum Matters
ICAS.
Lutheran School Wagga Wagga will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competitions this year. ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. The competition is opened to students from Year 2 to Year 6. Information about ICAS and how to register is available via Seesaw. Learn more by visiting http://icasassessments.com.
Emma Grant
Learning Innovation Coordinator
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From The Sports Desk
RAS Cross Country Carnival
On Wednesday 18 May our Cross Country Team travelled to the Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre for the annual RAS Cross Country Carnival. There were nearly 300 students from 10 local schools competing against one another in 2km and 3km events. The students’ day began with a walk of the course, followed by their individual races.
Congratulations to Isabelle Rodney (8/9 Girls-2km), Charlie Forsyth (8/9 Boys-2km), Max Pilkington (11 Years Boys-3km) and Sam Bull (12/13 Boys-3km) who respectively won their races. Ella Labens (8/9 Girls-2km) and Jack Molineux (12/13 Boys-3km) placed second and Tom Bull (8/9 Boys-2km), Rex Benecke (10 Years Boys-2km), Chloe Lieschke (11 Years Girls-3km) and Alice Ditchfield (12/13 Years Girls-3km) placed third.
Students who place in the top six of their respective races are eligible to compete at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships in Sydney. This year we had an impressive 17 students qualify for this event. Congratulations to Isabelle Rodney, Ella Labens & Amelia Gooden (8/9 Girls), Charlie Forsyth, Tom Bull & Eli Poole (8/9 Boys), Rex Benecke and Riley Goldsworthy (10 Years Boys), Chloe Lieschke and Maisie Hughes (11 Years Girls), Max Pilkington, Nathan Earl and Ben Bull (11 Years Boys), Alice Ditchfield and Poppy Gaynor (12/13 Girls), Sam Bull and Jack Molineux (12/13 Boys) who qualified for the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships.
At the conclusion of this event the Champion School and Aggregate winners were announced. Not only was our school crowned the 2022 RAS Cross Country Champions, we also took out the aggregate trophy (total points/divided by our Year 3-6 population).
1st – Lutheran School Wagga Wagga, 144 points.
2nd – Trinity Anglican College Thurgoona, 91 points.
3rd – The Scots School Albury, 52 points
We congratulate our Cross Country team on these wonderful achievements and wish the students who have qualified for the NSW CIS Cross Country on Wednesday 8th June all the best. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who travelled to the Albury-Wodonga Equestrian Centre and supported their children. Thank you also to Mr Gavin Richards and Mrs Jodie Hodgson for assisting with the duties on the day.
Caroline Stewart
PE Teacher/Sports Coordinator
OSHC
This week’s focus topic is on small insects and other bugs.
The children have been making keychains for their bags with bug shrinkies and we have played around with sand art bug designs.
Later in the week we will be decorating wooden insects, making beautiful wind chimes and trying to make some friendly buggy creations with Magiclay.
The children have very much been enjoying our physical activities in the afternoon as they loosen up with dancing, stretching or some Zumba. They have also been very busy cleaning up the fallen leaves in the OSHC garden with the children raking up the leaves and bagging them to clean up our play space.
Parents: Please keep an eye out in your emails as the Vacation Care program for the July school holidays will be available to Lutheran school families in the coming days.
Wishing you all a wonderful week.
Bec Cameron
OSHC Coordinator
Other Information
Families leaving the school
Please note that one full term’s written notice is required if you are withdrawing your child from Lutheran School. We purchase learning materials based on projected enrolment numbers at least one term in advance. Hence, the enrolment contract you signed specifies that failure to provide a term’s notice will result in you being charged for the subsequent term.
Uniform Shop Orders
If you would like to purchase uniforms from the Uniform Shop, please email [email protected] and we will email you once the order is ready to be picked up from the office. Thank you.
