Weekly
news
Term 1, Week 2
Coming up this week
Calendar
Upcoming Events
MISSION STATEMENT
To serve in a Christ-centred community, connected with families, nurturing students to grow in a love of learning and flourish in every part of life.
VIsion
Shaping faithful hearts and curious minds for a life of purpose.
Principal’s Report
Welcome Back to a New School Year
Welcome back to another year with us at Lutheran! We trust the year has begun well for you and your families. It is always a joy to see our community come back to life after the holiday break.
We warmly welcome all our existing families who continue to partner with us, but also extend a special welcome to the many new families joining Lutheran School this year. We are blessed by your presence and grateful that you have chosen to be part of our community.
Staff & School Board Installation and Blessing for 2026
Last Sunday, we as staff stood together as a team, receiving a blessing and prayer for the year ahead, reminding us of the foundation we share.
“The foundation of Lutheran education is the gospel of Jesus Christ which informs all learning and teaching, all human relationships, and all activities”. (Growing Deep, Lutheran Education, 2016). In Lutheran Education, we begin not with ourselves, but with Christ. His gospel is the firm ground beneath our feet, and the decisions we make as a school are shaped by this foundation.
Uniform
A reminder that our school uniform is an important part of maintaining consistency and belonging within our community. If your child requires any consideration or adjustment to the uniform, for example, cultural needs, please submit your request in writing by completing the uniform variation form. https://forms.office.com/r/wMphSbbP7w
Any alterations must have approval from the Principal before being implemented. Thank you for helping us keep expectations clear and consistent for all students.
Timetable Changes
NSW Education provides guidance on the recommended time allocations for each Key Learning Area. To ensure we are meeting these recommendations and requirements, we have made some adjustments to our timetable for this year. These changes help us maintain a balanced and compliant curriculum while supporting strong learning routines across the school. Our morning session is 2hrs and 10minutes, the middle (was 2hrs) and afternoon (was 1hr) session are both now 1.5hrs.
As a result of this, we are trialling a change to our lunch eating time. Students are playing at 11:05am for 30 minutes and then eating on their return, rather than eating first and playing second. There are a few reasons for this trial:
- We were finding that multiple children were ‘scoffing, not eating, or sometimes throwing away’ their food to ensure that they didn’t miss out on any playtime
- It provides the time for students to settle/calm after play, have a full stomach and be (potentially) more ready to tackle learning in the middle session.
- In theory, it gives more time for the canteen to prepare lunches.
We’re still working through this and plan to trial it for longer before making any final decisions.
If you have any questions about the updated structure, please contact the office.
We look forward to a positive, engaging, and hope filled year of learning ahead. May 2026 be a year where every student grows with confidence, every family feels at home, and our whole school community continues to flourish together.
If you have any questions as the year begins, please reach out to our office team, we are here to help.
Wishing you God’s blessings for the term and year ahead.
Hollie Kinning
Principal
Mark Your Calendars
Event Heading Here
Date
Event Heading Here
Date
Event Heading Here
Date
Event Heading Here
Date
Deputy Principal’s Report
Welcome to the new school year! It’s been a joy to see so many happy new and returning faces in the classrooms and on the playground. We are excited to collaborate with parents, carers, students, and the wider community throughout this year.
Parent Volunteers
We are grateful for the many ways families support our school, and we are currently seeking volunteers across several areas;
- The canteen would like helpers from 9:30–11:30am Monday, Wednesday – Friday. If you are interested please contact the office.
- The library is looking for assistance with covering newly accessioned books. If you prefer, covering materials can be sent home, or you’re welcome to come into the library on Friday afternoons during the final hour of the school day. If you are able to help, please contact the Deputy Principal, Emma Davenport.
- Our uniform shop also appreciates an extra set of hands when available. Please contact Nicole Verus for more information about this volunteer position.
As a Lutheran school, we are committed to ensuring a positive, safe, and respectful environment for all members of our community. To help us uphold these standards, all parent volunteers are required to complete the online Valuing Safe Communities (VSC) module provided by Lutheran Education Australia. This short training outlines key national policies and guidelines that support healthy relationships within our school and helps volunteers understand their responsibilities.
To become an approved volunteer:
Complete the online Valuing Safe Communities module at
VSC5 iLearn notes for volunteer training
Once finished, please email your completion certificate to [email protected].
Your volunteer status will then remain valid for three years, allowing you to assist in classrooms, at sporting events and carnivals, on excursions, and at overnight camps. We truly appreciate the time and care our volunteers contribute to enriching school life.
Electronic Devices Agreement
Last week your child brought home their Electronic Device Usage Agreement. Please take the time to go through this agreement with your child, sign it, and return it to your child’s teacher.
Student Information Parent Questionnaire
We recently sent home a questionnaire for parents and carers to complete with student information. If you haven’t already done so, please take a moment to fill it out and return it to your child’s teacher. This is an additional opportunity for you to share important and valuable information about your child with their teacher.
Shrove Tuesday on Monday 16th February
We are marking Shrove Tuesday a day early due to our swimming carnival. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a period where people give things, such as sweet treats, up or do additional duties/volunteer work. Shrove Tuesday is often seen as the last opportunity to consume these treats and use up what’s in your cupboard. It’s also therefore popularly known as Pancake Day. We thank members of the Bethlehem congregation for volunteering to cook us these delicious pancakes.
Care Coordinators
The role of the Care Coordinators within the school is to be a link between the school and year group parents, organise some social events for the parents for the grade and to act as a support for families who might be experiencing some hardship. Finally, it is about building a sense of community within the school.
Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to be Care Coordinators for 2026. If this is an area in which you can volunteer please email the office [email protected]
Parent Facebook groups
The LWSS parent Facebook groups serve as a valuable resource for our parent community to ask questions, share advice, find support, and connect with other parents in the community. It’s a place to share experiences, offer help, and build a sense of community and belonging. To maintain the privacy and security of our groups, we’ve updated the membership questions and rules.
If you find that you are no longer a member of your child’s year group, please use the links below to update your membership by answering the provided questions.
Year 6 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19z94kcPht/
Year 5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1572068286333864/
Year 4 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DhELKdaW1/
Year 3 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AdLCa8WKR/
Year 2 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17uvMPdoG9/
Year 1 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CQuv22guc/
Kindergarten https://fb.me/g/fwgEwMmVT/IE3y7qRF
SRC News
Next week in our first assembly for the year, our Semester One Student Representative Council (SRC) members will be officially installed into their roles.
Lutheran School will be participating in Clean Up Australia Day schools on Friday 27th February.
Clubs
Special Interest “Clubs” were introduced as part of our holistic approach to wellbeing, aiming to foster engagement across multi-age groups in a variety of learning areas.
Once again, we’ve added some new options for students to choose from. It’s fantastic to see our teachers and students come together to enjoy fun and engaging learning experiences in diverse areas. Clubs will take place this term on Friday afternoons during Weeks 4, 5, and 7. We look forward to sharing more details about the activities and opportunities our students will be involved in later in the term.
Emma Davenport
Deputy Principal
Inclusive Learning Lens
Supporting Every Learner To Thrive
Over the coming weeks, our teachers will be working thoughtfully and intentionally to ensure that appropriate adjustments and accommodations are in place to support the learning and full participation of all students within our school environment. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusive education and to nurturing every child to flourish in their learning and development.
As part of this process, teachers will be reviewing and updating Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students who require specific or targeted support. These plans help guide the reasonable adjustments, learning goals and support strategies that enable students to engage meaningfully with their learning and school life. Careful consideration is given to each child’s strengths, needs and interests, ensuring that support is purposeful, respectful and responsive.
A key part of this work is collaboration. Teachers will be working alongside students and families to ensure that each plan accurately reflects appropriate accommodations, clearly defined goals, and processes for ongoing monitoring and review throughout the year. Once teachers have made initial updates to IEPs, families (including students) will be invited to meet with classroom teachers to share insights, ask questions and contribute to the plan. This ensures that the voices of all key stakeholders are valued and that support plans are developed through a shared and transparent approach.
We are grateful for the strong partnerships we share with our families and for the trust placed in our staff to support each child’s learning journey. By working together, we can ensure that every student feels supported, understood and empowered to grow in confidence, independence and a love of learning.
We look forward to continuing this important work in partnership with our community as we support every learner to thrive.
Lauren Forsyth
Learning Enhancement Coordinator
Wellbeing Window
Wellbeing at the Heart of Our Learning Community
At our school, wellbeing and pastoral care are not add-ons—they are at the very heart of who we are and how we serve our community. Guided by our vision to serve in a Christ-centred community, connected with families, nurturing students to grow in a love of learning and flourish in every part of life, we remain deeply committed to caring for the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
This year has begun with a strong and intentional focus on wellbeing across our entire staff. All staff have completed Youth Mental Health First Aid training, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to recognise early signs of mental health concerns in young people and to respond with care, compassion and appropriate support. This training strengthens our shared capacity to walk alongside students and families with understanding, wisdom and sensitivity, ensuring that our school remains a safe, supportive and responsive environment for all.
We are also looking forward to launching The Resilience Project later this term in partnership with our families and staff. This initiative will further support our students to build the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges by fostering gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy. Our aim through this project is to intentionally build capacity in our students, while also developing a shared language between home and school. By working together, we can purposefully teach, practise and embed these skills in everyday learning and life experiences, ensuring they are meaningful, consistent and long-lasting.
This work aligns strongly with our school values of Courage, Compassion, Resilience and Respect, and reflects our commitment to nurturing confident, hopeful and emotionally healthy young people.
As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, we value strong, open and collaborative partnerships with families. If parents or carers ever have concerns about their child’s wellbeing, learning or engagement at school, we encourage you to make your child’s classroom teacher your first point of contact. Classroom teachers know your child best in the school setting and are well placed to listen, support and work collaboratively with families to ensure the right care and guidance is provided.
We also kindly remind families to complete the Student Information from Parents and Carers Questionnaire 2026 if you have not already done so. The information shared through this questionnaire is invaluable in helping us understand your child’s strengths, needs and experiences, and plays an important role in supporting a smooth and well-informed year ahead.
As a school community, we are grateful for the trust families place in us. Together, through shared language, shared values and shared care, we continue to live out our vision—supporting every child to flourish, feel known and valued, and grow into confident learners and compassionate members of the community.
Lauren Forsyth
Chaplain's Chatter
As Term 1 begins and students start the year with new teachers in new classrooms, I’m reminded of how much of our lives are filled with opportunities for fresh starts.
I wonder how you celebrate new beginnings in your household. Do you do a thorough clean at the end of the year, make New Year’s resolutions, or start new traditions for the year to come?
In the Church, each season can be seen as a new beginning – a fresh opportunity to dive into scripture and hear it with new ears. Next week, on the 18th, the Church moves into the season of Lent: a season of fasting and reflection on our lives, and what we might need to give up, or let go of, in order to live a life that is in line with the dream God has for the world.
We often mark this change by sharing pancakes, a tradition which helped people use up all their eggs, milk, and sugar before moving into a season of fasting. Our school will be sharing pancakes, cooked by our friends from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wagga, on Monday the 16th.
Speaking of fresh starts… if your household would like to start something new this year – perhaps a new practice, or reading the Bible together each day – please feel free to reach out. I have some great recommendations for Bibles to read at home or devotional resources to support you.May this term be filled with new adventures and God’s blessings.
Darren Wright
Blank Section
P&F News
Welcome to 2026!
The first P&F meeting for the year was held this week. It was lovely to welcome new families and to see many returning faces.
Save the Dates
2026 will be a busy year, with many exciting events on the calendar. Mark your calendars now for:
• Mix & Mingle – Saturday, 21 March 2026
• Spring Fair – Saturday, 7 November 2026
Mix & Mingle
This term, join us for a relaxed evening where new and returning families can connect, chat and get to know one another ahead of the school year as we continue to build our vibrant school community.
Book the babysitters and keep Saturday, 21 March free, it is sure to be a wonderful evening.
More details will follow with a link to buy tickets.
Spring Fair
2026 sees our bi-annual Spring Fair being held. Lock in Saturday, 7 November for this fantastic school and community event.
As always, a silent auction will be run. Is there something your family or your business can donate? We’d love to hear from you.
Spring Fair is our major fundraiser, with all monies raised ultimately going back into the school for the benefit of our kids.
Preparations are already underway, and we welcome anyone that would like to assist. Please contact Ketura, or any of the executive committee.
Volunteers
We are grateful for the continued support from our school community in assisting with our many and varied events through the year. There are all different ways you can support – please reach out to any of the P&F executive if you can help or if you’d like to know more.
Executive Committee
For our new families, the P&F executive for 2026 consists of:
Chair: Jodie Graham
Secretary: Kristin Browning
Treasurer: Margaret Riordan
Vice Chair: Katey Mulholland
Fundraising Co-ordinator: Ketura Weston
Next meeting
P&F meets on the Tuesday evening, in Weeks 2 and 8 each term.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. We would love to see as many parents and carers as possible. If you cannot attend in person, please feel free to join in via Zoom, the link can be found in the School Calendar.
P&F also have a WhatsApp group chat. The link to join is – https://chat.whatsapp.com/DqU1g7QCshlF3YR700IMWt?mode=gi_t
We hope everyone has settled into the new school year. We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
Jodie Graham
Chair
Library
Library
To help keep our collection available for everyone, the library is introducing a new end-of-term reminder system. Students will now receive a notice two weeks before the close of term listing any books that need to be returned. Please note that items not returned by the end of term will be considered lost and will need to be replaced. We appreciate your support in maintaining access to resources for all students.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help cover our newly accessioned books so they can make their way onto the shelves sooner. If you’re able to assist, you’re welcome to take a small bundle home with covering materials provided, or you can work in the library on Friday afternoons during the last hour of the school day. Your support makes a real difference in getting fresh resources into students’ hands. If you can help, please email the school on [email protected]
Book Club
One of the greatest gifts a parent can share with their child is a love of books and the lifelong joy that comes from reading for pleasure. Children who read regularly at home, or are read to, gain a strong foundation that supports their success at school.
Our Lutheran School library continues to benefit from families and staff who participate in the Scholastic Book Club. A small portion of every purchase goes directly toward expanding our library collection. Each issue, your child will bring home a catalogue featuring a wide range of books for all ages.
Ordering is simple. Using the Scholastic Book Club LOOP platform, parents can pay securely by credit card, and orders are delivered straight to your child’s classroom. You can place orders at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or through the LOOP app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
A heartfelt thank you to all families who supported our first Book Club issue for 2026. Orders for the current issue close at 4pm on Monday 16 February.
Sports Desk
LSWW Stage Sport
This year students will have the opportunity to engage in stage sport. One day per week classroom teachers will take their classes out for a 45-minute lesson, on top of their usual PE lessons. During this time, they will play a sport/game chosen by the classroom teacher to develop their motor skills, teamwork, coordination and ball skills.
Stage sport is planned to start in week 3 for years 1-6, dependent on the weather.
Here is a snapshot of what teachers have planned:
LSWW Swimming Carnival
Our annual 3-6 swimming carnival (+ competent year 2 swimmers) is next Tuesday, 17th February. Please ensure your child is wearing sunscreen before leaving home the morning of the Swimming Carnival. The school will supply sunscreen, and the staff will assist with the application throughout the day. Make sure to pack plenty of water, a hat, a towel and food. There will also be a canteen available with supervision between 12-1pm on the day. If you are collecting your child from the carnival, please remember to see the classroom teacher prior to your departure.
CIS Sport
A reminder for any students interested in competing in CIS or RAS sports this year the Expression of Interest form is due to be returned by Monday 23rd February (Week 4).
Eliza Smith
PE Teacher/Sports Coordinator
Stage In The Spotlight
Year 6
Our Year 6 students have had a wonderful first week as leaders of the school, beginning their final year of primary with a series of engaging team‑building activities. Through collaborative challenges and problem‑solving tasks, students worked together to build trust, strengthen positive relationships, and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to support one another highlight a cohort ready to lead with confidence, kindness, and a strong sense of community.
Finance
February
Weekly
Thursday 5, 12, 19, 26 February
Fortnightly
Thursday 12, 26 February
Monthly
Friday 27 February
Term
Thursday 26 February
Any changes to bank accounts or credit cards please let me know as this could result in a payment being declined.
If a payment is declined this can be paid either through direct deposit, credit card over the phone, or in person at the office.
*Term 1 fees have been emailed out and are now available on parent lounge*
Feel free to email me [email protected] call 69238100 or pop into the office and see me with any queries regarding your account.
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]
We will email you once the order is ready to be picked up from the office. Thank you.
Final Notices
