I would like to acknowledge all of the Grade 3 and 5 students who have participated in NAPLAN this week. All students worked hard and you should be super proud of their efforts! The following post was shared on our Facebook page earlier in the week and it's a great message to share with all students who participated in the testing:

As NAPLAN testing begins this week we want to remind our students that this test does not assess what makes each of you exceptional and unique.

The people who score these tests don't know that you love to sing, are good at drawing or that you can teach others how to use a computer program. They don't see the way in which you speak confidently in front of a group or the way in which you help others when they are in need. They don't see your fantastic sporting abilities or the sportsmanship you show in games and they don't know how you help out Mum and Dad at home. This testing will show how you did on that day.

The staff at Lindisfarne Primary know our students and what makes them special and we believe that they will do their very best. We wish them the best of luck.

The Cross Country carnival is being held on Tuesday 21st May at Geilston Bay Oval. This site will give students a practise at the course they will run if they make it into the Interschool competition. I welcome parents, friends and family to attend. The first race will start at 9:20am with the Grade 4 students. I would like to thank Donna Green, Danielle Johnson, Keith Scott and Sarah Peart for taking time out of their day and volunteering to support us at this event.

On Wednesday 22nd May all schools across Australia can participate in National Simultaneous Storytime. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 19th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

By facilitating NSS we aim to:

• promote the value of reading and literacy,
• promote the value and fun of books,
• promote an Australian writer and publisher,
• promote storytime activities in public libraries and communities around the country,
• and provide opportunities to involve parents, grandparents, the media and others to participate in and enjoy the occasion.

This year's story is Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove. If you have this book at home, read along with little ones at 11am next Wednesday. Last year over 1 million people in 8255 locations around the world participated. Katrina in the Library has organised 2 wonderful surprise visitors on Thursday!!

I hope you all have had the opportunity to meet Indy, the school dog. Indy has been working in schools for 3 years now, and has been welcomed into the Lindisfarne community by students, staff, parents and community members.

There are so many reasons why 'Fido' is considered man’s best friend- no one will ever be happier to see you when you walk through the front door every day, or listen to you for hours on end without a complaint. There’s no doubt that dogs help contribute to better health. Now that most of the school community have had a chance to see Indy working at school, I thought it was timely to share some research based information around animals in schools and animal therapy.

A snapshot of benefits where a School Dog can be engaged to help students:

• Improving concentration, attention and listening
• Play, participation and social interaction
• Speech and other communication
• Reducing anxiety
• Personal care activities eg grooming; personal hygiene etc Sensory skills development
• Motor skills development
• Cognitive skills development
• Confidence and self esteem
• Responsibility and respect for others
• Developing independence
• Motivation to attend school or engage in specific learning/activities
• Specific life skills

(This information is sourced from Delta Dogs and School Dogs websites across Australia)

More detail: A greater enjoyment of being in the school environment, improved attendance and a greater willingness to learn and participate. Improved behaviour, social interaction and sense of responsibility in the classroom are some other benefits, as well as increased knowledge of dogs and how to behave safely and appropriately around them.

Social benefits: Improvements in the way students interact with each other and with members of staff. The exciting part of this is that these effects extend into the home environment for some students.

Promote exercise: Having a dog at school can increase student’s willingness to exercise and improve motor skills.

Anxiety relief: Dogs can help students suffering from anxiety, severe disruptive behavioral disorder, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). Studies have shown that when we touch dogs, it has healing powers because hormones like dopamine and beta-endorphin are released. Some of the photos below show Indy at 'work', comforting some students who presented at the office with minor injuries. 

The presence of the dog in the classroom and around the school has a beneficial effect on students and staff. Members of the school have a ‘shared interest’. This encourages everyone to communicate, which has a positive impact on communication and relationships around the school.

If you do have any concerns or questions please make time to come in and have a discussion with me. Thank you to all the parents who have come to share positive experiences they have either seen of students with Indy or conversations they have had at home with their children.

  Kind regards

  Sarah Hoban

  Acting Principal