End of Year Wrap
As Term 4 comes to a busy but exciting close, everyone at Lord Howe Island Central School would like to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to students, families, and the whole community for a fantastic year.
From visits by a helicopter, a long line of experts, dignitaries, and guest speakers, wonderful excursions and camps, to an amazing end of year concert and bidding farewell to our graduating Year 6 students, this year has been full of learning, opportunities, and most of all fun!
Erskine Valley Cup
We would also like to take this opportunity to update you on the Erskine Valley Cup. This was introduced in 2024 as an initiative at Lord Howe Island Central School to build stronger connections between the school and the wider Island community. Named after Erskine Valley, located between Gower and Lidgbird houses, this annual inter-house competition invites students, parents, alumni, and community members to participate in various activities.
Events so far:
We began with a debate about which was the best house. For Gower, we had Bronte Cruikshank and her dad Tim combat with Katie Riddle and Mathew Retmock from Lidgbird. While the Cruikshank’s toiled hard and pulled many stories out of the closet to try to promote Gower, Lidgy won the debate keeping to time and with some masterly wit too.
Next, we had a Touch Footy afternoon. This massive event in November had a great turnout of players and supporters. Summary of results:
Group Who won
Girls Lidge 4-1
Boys Lidge 5-1
Women Gower 3-2
Men Drawn 6-6
Mixed Gower 4-3
The event certainly brought out the inter-house rivalry and some great skills from all. After some great battles, the points for the overall event were shared by both houses.
Lastly, we held a Trivia Night on the 2nd of December at the LHI Bowling Club, which was a massive success and doubled as a fundraiser for the 2025 Yr 5 & 6 Canberra tour.
Again, Lidgy came home the strongest on the night and took the points. We must thank the LHI Bowling club for hosting the event and kind support from Driftwood Café for the dinner donation.
Scoring for each event is each house gets 3 for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss. This inaugural event will continue in earnest next year, but so far, the points table looks like this:
Debate: Lidgbird 3, Gower 1
Touch Football: Lidgbird 2, Gower 2
Trivia Night: Lidgbird 3, Gower 1
Total to date: Lidgbird 8, Gower 4
In early 2025 we will have events with Nippers, Golf, Lawn Bowls, Beach Volleyball, and cooking contests, to name a few, and the events will continue all year, culminating in our first winner being announced at the end of 2025!
I would like to personally send many thanks to Moose and his beautiful family for helping to make this excellent community initiative a reality. Moose’s support has been invaluable, not only in driving the Erskine Valley Cup, but also across a number of other areas of school life, including helping to put together a memorable itinerary for the Yr 5 & 6 Canberra tour, connecting the school to expert locals, working on the School Council, organising the helicopter visit, and supporting our High School students each Monday, to name a few.
Thanks Moose from everyone connected to LHICS!
We wish everyone a safe and happy festive season, filled with laughs and love.
Jokes of the Month
Someone stole my Secret Santa present. It was a copy of Microsoft Office.
I will find you. You have my Word.
My math teacher said my Christmas present was average.
That’s just mean.
Last thought
It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.
(W.T. Ellis)