Principals' Message
Dear Parents and Friends,
We have had a busy and exciting two weeks here at TPPS. Our Grade 3 and 5 students undertook NAPLAN assessments and they all did an outstanding job. The students have been completely relaxed and optimistic about these assessments and we could not be any prouder of them. I would like to thank our teachers and support staff for preparing them so well. We look forward to receiving the results in the coming months so we can use this data to inform our teaching. Please see our Principals' Award recipients for two students who exemplified our RRIPO values when preparing for and participating in the NAPLAN assessments.
As part of our Positive Education whole school focus on Character Strengths, the Grade 6 students participated in a full day leadership incursion. The incursion was facilitated by the experienced team from Unleashing Personal Potential. It included the following three workshops:
- SESSION 1: LEADING WITH OR WITHOUT THE BADGEthrough example, influence and kindness.
- SESSION 2: THE EPIC RACE outdoor, fast-paced team event (using our A.S.P.I.R.E. framework).
- SESSION 3: KNOWING ME, GROWING ME understanding my strengths and those of others.
The students had a fantastic time and learnt so much about how to be a kind and impactful leader. This will hold them in great stead for the remainder of the year as they lead our school.
"Tricky Talks Interrelate Relationships Family Evening - keep the date free!
For many years, TPPS have used the organisation ‘Interrelate’, a not-for-profit provider of relationship services that specialise in supporting parents and children, to help us deliver relationship and sexuality programs. The programs empower families to build and navigate strong, resilient and healthy relationships, from primary school through to adulthood. TPPS hosts an ‘in class’ Interrelate program biannually for our Grade 5 and 6 students which will occur later in the month (a separate Compass event will be posted). In addition to our ‘in class’ learning, this year, we are also hosting the ‘Tricky Talks’ programs for TPPS families online on the evening of Tuesday 2nd May (Tm 2 Wk 2).
‘Tricky Talks’ offers two sessions for families to participate in together in the comfort and privacy of their own home. It is intended for children and parents to sit together at home and continue the conversation at the conclusion of the session (students in Grades 3-6). Sessions are intended to promote an open and supportive environment for you to discuss relationships with your child. The family evening complements, but does not replace, what is delivered in the Grade 5&6 'at school' program. Each session runs for 60 minutes, with a 15-minute break in between. The programs on offer are as follows:
Session 1 - Where did I come from?
Audience: Grade 3&4 students and their parents/carers
Program objectives and focus:
- To help children aged 8-10 years gain an understanding of the structure and functions of the reproductive system in males and females.
- To provide information on conception (describing sexual intercourse, associated with love in the context of a caring relationship), foetal development, twin explanation and birth of a baby.
- Personal safety and protective behaviours.
- To provide opportunities for parents and children to discuss various aspects of reproduction in an informal way.
- To reinforce the role of parents as a source of information on matters pertaining to sexuality and reproduction.
Note: Older students are encouraged to attend if they have not previously seen this program.
Session 2 – Preparing for Puberty
Audience: Grade 5&6 students and their parents/carers
Program objectives and focus:
- To provide information on puberty for 10-13 year olds, in relation to the physical changes and emotional changes (in particular, helping them feel comfortable about their bodies and its functions; preparing them for the changes during puberty and dispelling the myths; and providing accurate, understandable information).
- To help young people feel okay about being different and that the physical changes can be at a different rate for everyone.
- To develop students’ understanding of periods and sperm production, as well as the physical, emotional, social and intellectual changes associated with puberty for both boys and girls.
- Enhance awareness of children’s personal safety and protective behaviours.
- To confirm their individuality and promote self-esteem.
- To facilitate communication between parents and their children and encourage young people to take their questions, problems and concerns to their parents.
Note: Younger students are welcome to attend at the discretion of their parents/carers.
Families may choose to participate in one or both of the 'Tricky Talks'programs for a cost of $37.95 per family (set price, regardless of whether you choose one or both programs). All bookings will be made directly with Interrelate and a link to log in will be distributed upon booking. A member of the Principal class team will be present online during both sessions. We hope that these programs give our families the opportunity to create an open line of communication between parents and their children, led by highly skilled educators. If you would like further information about Interrelate including their history, please visit their website: https://www.interrelate.org.au/
In the meantime, keep your eyes open for the booking link that will be posted to you when we receive it from Interrelate.
Harmony Week at TPPS - Alone we are smart. Together we are BRILLIANT!
This week we celebrated Harmony Week at TPPS. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Throughout the week our students have been celebrating our diversity and every student from Prep - Grade 6 contributed to this fantastic 'TPPS Village' display that is in our main building. We are so fortunate to have a thriving village at TPPS made of so many different cultures. Happy Harmony Week!
Term 1 Progress Reports - Published on Thursday 6th April
New Term 1 Progress Reports will be published to all parents on Compass on Thursday 6th April. Term One Progress Reports are simple, easy to read reports that will provide feedback to parents regarding their child’s behaviour, punctuality and effort shown in Literacy and Numeracy during Term 1. They will clearly give the reader an understanding of how students have settled in and the effort they have shown.
The introduction of Progress Reports will not only give families access to information a lot earlier but will also help students / teachers / parents set goals regarding behaviour and effort earlier in the school year.
Workshops with Dr Jeni Wilson - Inquiry Learning
This week our teachers have been participating in workshops with inquiry learning expert, Dr Jeni Wilson, to design student learning inquiries for Term 2. Our aim is to make the student inquiries exciting, engaging and empowering for our students. Prior to these workshops our teachers collected the ‘Wonderings’ of our students about their Term 2 inquiries. Wonderings are the things that students are interested to learn more about in their inquiry. The workshops were extremely successful, and we are so excited to launch these new inquiries in Term 2. In the Term 2 overviews that will be published early next term, we will outline the focus and essential understandings that our students will focus on.
Please see the TPPS Inquiry Learning Model that we use to design our empowering and exciting student inquiries.
Guitars to buy!
The school has some excess musical equipment and due to storage restrictions, need to be moved on. There are several acoustic guitars (small sized for children) and one drum set that the school is willing to sell to families in our school community. If you are interested in purchasing one of these items for a very reasonable cost (guitars $30, drum set negotiable), please fill in the google form below. An email will then be sent inviting a family member to look and potentially make a purchase (cash only please). People will be invited on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis going in order of the google form response. All money raised will go directly back into the Performing Arts program.
https://forms.gle/jLYpEiXueCkVrTc26
2023 Writers’ Festival – Monday 8th – Friday 12th May
Our students are busily preparing for the biannual TPPS Writers' Festival. The students are writing such descriptive and entertaining pieces and we know that our community will be so impressed with their work.
Throughout the week of Monday 8th - Friday 12th May, the school library will be open from 8:30am - 8:50am and 3:30 - 3:50pm for families to read our amazing student works. The Writers' Festival Awards Night will take place on Thursday 11th May.
Parking and Road Safety - Reminder
Just another reminder that Manningham Council will be blitzing all Templestowe schools for illegal parking over the next month. This includes motorists leaving their car while parked in a ‘2-minute’ zone or parking in a ‘No-standing’ zone. Additionally, some families have been parking in the staff carpark during drop-off or pick-up times. This is strictly prohibited. Please note that Council officers will not approach motorists, they will take a photo and send a fine via the mail.
Please see the link below for the VicRoads Safe to School Brochure for Parents.
Prep 2024 Parent Information Evening
Wednesday, 26th April 7:00 – 8:00pm
We invite all parents of Prep 2024 students to attend our parent information evening on the 26th April. At this session we will discuss the important skills that children need to be ready to begin school successfully and why Templestowe Park is such a great school in which to learn.
To express your interest in attending the session please contact Katie or Brenda in the school office.
2024 Prep Enrolments
As outlined in our last newsletter, The Department of Education has introduced a new Prep enrolment timeline for 2024. Within this process, Victorian government primary schools are unable to receive enrolment applications for Prep 2024 until Term 2.
The state-wide timeline for Prep 2024 is as follows:
- Enrolment applications open for Prep 2024 government primary schools on Monday 24 April 2023 (First day of Term 2).
- Submit an enrolment application for Prep by Friday 28 July 2023.
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application by Friday 11 August 2023. If you receive an offer of placement, you should accept the offer by Friday 25 August 2023.
We are currently accepting expressions of interest from prospective parents from within or outside of our zone for Prep 2024. This will inform the school of any interest of attending Templestowe Park, allow us to keep families updated with important information, provide notice of our pre-Prep activities at the school and allow us to send an enrolment form when applications open in Term 2.
Please click on the link below to complete the EOI for Prep at Templestowe Park PS in 2024.
https://forms.gle/R8VDUzuthcmtAa458
Principals' Award - Congratulations to Nela Y-H and Caitlyn S!
This week's Principals' Awards were presented to Nela (Gr 3) and Caitlyn (Gr 5).
Nela worked incredibly hard in the lead up to NAPLAN, paying close attention to focus groups, mini lessons, as well as working hard with Mrs Barry. During the language conventions test, Nela got stuck on a tricky misspelt word, and started to run out of time towards the end of the test. Instead of panicking, she worked out a solution calmly and finished off the test in the pod. She not only caught up, but managed to answer every question on the test. We are enormously proud of Nela as a student. She has a terrific growth mindset and shows curiosity and a love of learning in all academic areas. Well done Nela!
Caitlyn exhibitied a conscientious approach to completing NAPLAN. She showed a growth mindset by trying her best and applying herself fully. She was always well prepared each day with a fully charged iPad and a terrific attitude. Caitlyn, you should be very proud of yourself with the outstanding job you have done. Your hard work and persistence are a great example to other students on how to be successful at anything you put your mind too. Congratulations, Caitlyn!
Take care and have a great weekend!
Mark Roberts Brian Cleary Robyn Twyford
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL