Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Next Friday will see Term 1 come to an end. So much has already been packed into 9 weeks and we still have, “ Year 6 Camp” and “Year 5 Grandparents Morning” to finish off a great term.

In the past fortnight, the Year 5 boys have completed the NAPLAN testing schedule. All boys did a great job, they tried their best and also created an environment that supported each other. Well done boys. Thanks must also go to all of the staff who facilitated the tests, especially Jon Tracey for his excellent co-ordination of the preparation and testing schedules.

I also wish to congratulate all boys who have been involved in any of the Term1 co-curricular programs. Sport has already transitioned to Term 2 offerings and the music concerts in the last couple of weeks have been excellent, while the Mini Vinnies crew have done amazing work this term leading several successful fundraising initiatives and preparing for upcoming events in Term 2.

I thank all parents who were able to attend the ML2 session last night to hear Michelle Mitchell’s presentation on a variety of topic related to supporting teenagers. The large audience enjoyed the hospitality before the event and we have received lots of positive feedback about the presentation itself. Please keep an eye out for future parent education opportunities next term.

REPORT CARDS/ PARENT -TEACHER- INTERVIEWS

Interim Reports will be published in Parent Lounge and Student Café on Thursday, 28 March. I hope all boys can be proud of their achievements this term and that their Report Card reflects a strong start to 2024.

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be conducted on Monday, 22 April (1:45-7:00pm) and on Wednesday, 1May (3:30-6:30pm). Details for booking appointments will be emailed soon. Interviews will be delivered via “Teams” in an online format. The use of technology for Parent- Teacher Interviews in recent years has been overwhelmingly successful. We encourage the boys to be involved and sit with parents for the interviews, to ensure consistent understanding of messages and feedback.

TERM 2 TRANSPORT—TUESDAYS

There will be no Tuesday afternoon sport/ activities next week, (26 March). Training will recommence after the holidays on Tuesday,16 April. Any changes to weekly transport arrangements from Runcorn, should be communicated to the Primary Office by Tuesday morning (9:00am) each week to ensure rolls are correct. All boys should continue to wear HPE uniform to school on Tuesdays next term as was the routine in Term 1.

YEAR 5 & 6 CAMPS
Year 5 Camp

This week, the Year 5 boys travelled to Camp Laurence for their very first Lauries Camp. It was a terrific experience and a nice change of pace after NAPLAN week. You can see pictures from camp in the Events section of this Newsletter.

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 will be travelling to Camp Laurence next week Tuesday-Thursday. Boys should pack for camp this weekend and know what is in their bag. It is almost impossible to return lost property after camp if the boys are not involved in the packing process as they often don’t know what gear was in their bag when they left home.

Year 6 Parents should drop boys at school, with bags for camp by 8:00am. Parents do not need to park and wait for the bus to leave. If you wish to help your son carry a bag to the waiting area, please ensure you don’t block the drop off zone for other cars. Boys should be able to carry their own gear as they will need to do that at camp. Boys can be picked up from outside the uniform shop/canteen area at 2:30pm on Thursday (when the bus returns). We are looking forward to camp being a fantastic experience next week.

GRANDPARENTS MORNING (Year 5)

Year 5 Grandparents morning is being held next Thursday, 28 March. We ask all Grandparents to gather outside the Chapel by 8:45am MAP.

The boys will come across and greet their special guests after the class rolls have been marked and they will then walk them to classrooms for the morning. After some activities, a light morning tea supplied will be shared between the boys and their grandparents. INVITATION

End of Term Raffle

A reminder that on Monday, 25 March we will be running the end of term raffle to celebrate all the great achievements boys have accomplished this term. Tickets are distributed in classes every week for effort, engagement, team work etc. Boys don’t need to buy tickets, they are earned across the term. If you would like to donate a prize (big or small) please send it into the Primary Office on Monday morning. All donations are very welcome and muchly appreciated.

In this Edition of the Primary Newsletter, you can also read about Curriculum Updates, Music, Upcoming Events and Laurie Journey winners.

We are looking forward to a really positive finish to the term next week.

Regards

Cameron Wigan
Dean of Primary

Lauries Primary Curriculum Update-Jon Tracey

Unlocking the Power of Vocabulary: A Key to Academic Success

Understanding the pivotal role vocabulary plays in a child's education is essential for fostering academic success. Research highlights that exposure to new words at least twelve times is crucial for children to confidently incorporate them into their daily language. Upon entering school, most Australian children bring a vocabulary of approximately 5000 words, and a yearly expansion of 7000 to 10,000 words is anticipated for optimal learning outcomes.

Studies indicate that 'world knowledge' and 'vocabulary' are paramount factors influencing a student's ability to comprehend and communicate effectively. Mastery of words is a stepping stone to academic achievement, serving as the vital link between reading and writing. Increasing specific and extensive vocabulary through reading and targeted instructional practices enhances a child's ability to articulate ideas in both spoken and written forms.

The correlation between vocabulary and academic success is undeniable. Students with larger vocabularies demonstrate a swifter grasp of new ideas and concepts compared to their peers with limited word knowledge.

Supporting Vocabulary Development at Home:

1. Encourage Independent Reading: Foster a love for reading to expand your child's world knowledge and vocabulary. This practice facilitates improved comprehension and the ability to articulate thoughts in increasingly complex ways.

2. Clarify Vocabulary when Reading: Engage in discussions around unfamiliar words during shared reading experiences. Explore meanings and encourage brainstorming of synonyms to enhance understanding.

3. Play Word-Guessing Games: Incorporate fun into vocabulary building with games like 'Taboo' or 'Articulate.' Take on roles as 'talker' and 'guesser,' describing key words using phrases and sentences without directly using the word on the card. Add a competitive edge with time rounds and point systems.

4. Model Use of Sophisticated Vocabulary: Integrate subject-specific, sophisticated vocabulary into your conversations with your child. Exposure to more complex language enhances their own vocabulary repertoire.

By actively participating in these practices at home, you empower your child with the linguistic tools which will support them with their academic journey.

Jon Tracey

Head of Teaching and Learning (Primary)

Music- Ross Capern

On Tuesday, we held our annual Breakfast Concerts to showcase the progress made by our junior ensembles; Treblehood, Concert Band 3, Big Band 3 and String Orchestra 3. An audience of family and friends enjoyed their first performances this year in the ERPAC foyer.

Congratulations to all students on their entertaining performances. We look forward to their next performance at the Junior Ensembles Concert in Term 2 on Thursday 16 May.

SAVE THE DATES – Term 2

29 Apr – Guitar Orchestra 2 Workshop (Somerville) 3:30pm

22 May - St Joseph’s Primary School (Kangaroo Point) Combined Concert @ 2-5pm (ERPAC) – String Orchestra 3 and Treblehood

16 May - Junior Ensembles Concert – Concert Band 3, Big Band 3, String Orchestra 3, Treblehood, Percussion Ensemble 3 and Year 5 String Orchestra

21-22 May – Speech & Drama Showcase (McElligott Theatre)

3 & 5 Jun – Strings Recital (Chapel)

6 Jun – Piano Recital (Chapel)

Music Communications – Laurie’s App

The Music Department uses the College App as our main point of contact with families.

We have redefined the groups under Music and do ask that you take a couple of minutes to update your preferences to ensure you receive the relevant notifications for this ensemble.

Note: You will receive notifications for all ensembles under the categories you subscribe to, however it will be clear which ensembles that notification relates to.

Any events that fall outside the usual ensemble routine may require a parent or guardian consent, and if required, an invitation will be sent via parent lounge.

Year 5 parents, please ensure your subscriptions include the Year 5 Music Program under ‘Music.’ Any program updates or performance information will be posted here once available.

LMSG Meeting | Term 2 - Tuesday 16 April | 6pm

Our next Laurie’s Music Support Group Meeting will be held in Term 2 on Tuesday 9 May in room MU1 (Top floor VAPA building). A great way to support your son at SLC is by joining the parent’s music support group. Meetings are once a month on the second Tuesday of each month (term time).

If you would like further information regarding any of the above, please contact the music department: music@slc.qld.edu.au or telephone 3010 1138.

Strike up the Band!

Ross Capern

Head of Instrumental Music

Mini Vinnies News:

Our ‘Guess the Lolly Jar’ finished up in Week 9, having raised over $90, which is an amazing effort. Congratulations to Declan McLoughlin who was the Lucky winner this year. Our Primary boys certainly love their sweets and it couldn’t be for a better cause. Collectively, between the Pancake Stall ($700+) Guess the Lolly Jar ($90) and our Show your True Colours ($300+), Caritas will walk away with a substantial amount from SLC. Our community, as always, has contributed so well!

Thank you to the families who have been able to donate Easter Eggs for the Xavier House charity, Ronald McDonald House. These tasty treats will go to Ronald McDonald House over the Easter break to help make the families staying there a little bit more comfortable.

In Term 2, we take part in our Annual Book Swap. Over the holidays, if you do a clean out, please save any books or magazines that may interest students of Primary School age (including picture books). All books can be handed into the 6MR classroom or the Primary Office and Staffroom. Thank you in advance as this is always a highlight of the term!

This week’s primary spotlight was to get ready for camp. We chose this because camp is this week for the Year 5’s and next week for the Grade 6’s. The boys need to get ready and by making sure they have the right the right equipment so they can have a fun and enjoyable camp experience. Boys remember to pack your own bags, so you know what you have and check it with the ‘What to Bring’ list. Lollies are banned so don’t try to sneak them into your bag and pack old clothes as it’s not a fashion contest. Get excited!