Student News

PE/Sport Update

Running Strong: Trafalgar Students Impress at Divisional Cross Country

A huge congratulations to the 20 students who represented Trafalgar Primary School at the West Gippsland Divisional Cross Country Championships held at Geoff Watt Track, Warragul, on Tuesday 19 May.

After qualifying through our school trials, these students took on some of the strongest distance runners from across the West Gippsland region. Competing over challenging 2km and 3km courses, every student demonstrated outstanding determination, resilience, and perseverance as they pushed themselves to the finish line.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was the number of students who recorded times significantly faster than those achieved at our school trials. This reflects the hard work, commitment, and positive attitude shown by our runners in preparing for the event.

Special congratulations go to our students who finished inside the top 10 and qualified for the Gippsland Regional Cross Country Championships:

• Peyton H – 3rd (9/10 Girls) 
• Havana B – 6th (11 Girls) 
• Layla R – 8th (11 Girls) 

• Libby B – 8th (12/13 Girls) 

   

These outstanding performances have earned them the opportunity to represent Trafalgar Primary School at the Gippsland Regional Cross Country Championships on Thursday 4 June.

We also acknowledge the efforts of every student who competed on the day. Whether they were chasing a top placing, a personal best, or simply challenging themselves to complete the course, each runner represented our school with pride and sportsmanship.

We wish Peyton, Havana, Libby, and Layla the very best as they prepare to compete against Gippsland's best runners at the next stage of competition.

Saints Stars Inspire the Next Generation

Our Grade 3–6 girls were treated to a special experience on Tuesday 19 May when AFLW players from the St Kilda Football Club visited Trafalgar Primary School.

The visit provided students with a unique opportunity to meet elite athletes, hear firsthand about their journeys in football, and learn more about the dedication, resilience, and teamwork required to compete at the highest level. Students also participated in an engaging football skills session, where they had the chance to learn from some of the game's best while developing their own AFL skills.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity for students to ask questions and interact with the players, with many students also enjoying the chance to have their Saints merchandise signed.

The visit was a fantastic source of inspiration for our students and reinforced the message that with hard work, persistence, and a love of sport, great opportunities can follow. We thank the St Kilda AFLW players for taking the time to visit our school and create such a memorable experience for our students.

Dance Fever Hits the Junior School!

Our Foundation–Grade 2 students have been having a fantastic time as part of our Jazz Funk Dance Program, delivered with the support of Miss Bobbie from Decipher Dance Trafalgar.

Throughout the first two sessions, students have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to learn new dance moves, develop their rhythm and coordination, and build confidence through movement and performance.

Each week, the gym has been filled with energy, smiles, and plenty of enthusiasm as students work together to master their routines. It has been wonderful to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, encouraging one another, and showcasing their creativity along the way.

With two sessions still to come, excitement is continuing to build as students rehearse for a special performance at assembly on Friday 19 June. We look forward to seeing all of their hard work come together and sharing their achievements with our school community.

Music Room Update

Instrumental lessons

We are currently accepting enrolments for instrumental music lessons commencing in Term 3. All four of our instrumental music teachers currently have vacancies available, so it’s not too late to join the program.

Students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular, one-on-one music lessons with professional musicians and learn a musical instrument in a supportive and engaging environment.

If your child is interested in joining the instrumental program, please submit an enrolment form as soon as possible.

You can find a full description of the instruments we offer, price, photos and bios of all the teachers, and a digital instrumental music form here - TPS Music site/Instrumental. 

Enrolment forms can be collected from the front office or from the Instrumental Music form box located just outside the Music room. Completed forms can be returned to the front office or placed back in the box, and students can begin their one-on-one lessons as soon as possible.

I have included photos and bios of all the TPS instrumental teachers below.

TPS Instrumental Music Teachers

Casey (Drums/Guitar)

I'm Casey Kurrle, a drum and guitar teacher who has been playing music for 20 years. Since the age of 5 I have dedicated my life to playing and learning musical instruments. For the last 5 years I have taught my passion for music to others working at ‘Jak’s Music’ and Trafalgar Primary School. 

Ruby (Piano/Vocal/Guitar/Ukulele)

I'm Ruby, I've been playing music for as long as I can remember and performing for almost a decade. I'm always trying to learn something new - from saxophone to banjo, and I love writing all types of songs and sharing my passion for music with others. I currently also teach instrumental at Jak's Music Warragul.

Georgia (Vocal/Piano)

Hi! I’m Georgia, I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and playing piano for 5+ years. I have plenty of experience with playing live and recording with some great bands. I’ve worked with the ABC and Triple J. I enjoy every aspect of music and hope to pass my passion on to the instrumental students I teach at Trafalgar Primary School!

Triki (Drums/Guitar).

With over 20 years of experience in the music industry, Triki is a passionate and versatile musician. From playing guitar, drums, and bass in various garage bands to providing extensive music tuition throughout the Gippsland region, Triki’s dedication to music is unmatched.

Choir

The choir meets every Thursday, second half of lunch (2PM).

During the year we will work on songs that will be performed at assemblies, instrumental concerts and finally, the Trafalgar Community Carols.

You don't need any singing experience. It costs nothing. You don't need to sign up. Just attend regularly if you love to sing.

We will be performing the song we are currently working on at assembly in week 8 of this term - on 12th June.

The Arts Are Alive!

Welcome back to another week in the Art room!

This week Foundation kids and been looking at mixed media collage and still life. They have been using oil pastel to colour pots and vases and water colour paints on dark coloured paper to create some great pieces. 

Our Grade 1's have also looked at still life and mixed media art pieces. They have been blowing ink bubbles and making some great bouquets of flowers out of their bubbles. They look amazing. 

Grade 2 burrows are finished and next they will be working on mixed media collage, focusing on colour and patterns. 

Grade 3 mixed media cactus pots are all done and look superb. They are moving onto baby dragon collages using metallic oil pastels. So far, their eggs look so good and are almost ready to hatch.  

Grade 4 have also begun work on some close-up dragon eyes with oil pastel. Their focus has been looking at different reptile eyes and reptile scales and seeing how these would look as colourful dragon eyes. 

Grades 5 and 6 element dragons and almost all finished. The colours of these dragons look so vibrant. They have done an amazing job. Next the Grades 5 and 6 are exploring immigration, trade and Chinese culture and its influence on art, especially pottery. Students are looking at blue and white porcelain, particularly from the Ming dynasty and how the blue represents wealth and each pattern and image tells a story. This week students learnt about the five and three clawed dragons and how one was designed for the king and other the prince. 

Mrs Brown has gathered up a large collection of art works across all year levels to display at the Tanjil Valley Art show over the long weekend. Almost 50 students will represent the school and compete for some great prizes. Names and letters will go home this week to those with chosen works. Good Luck to everyone, have a great week and don’t forget to stay creative!

Rotary Junior Community Award Program

What a fabulous start to the Rotary Junior Community Award program. Many of the students have already begun their volunteering and skill development activities, and it has been fantastic to see all they have been achieving.

Some highlights include several students volunteering with the Trafalgar Cemetery Trust Group and LCHS, with updates being shared on their respective Facebook pages. Please take a look at these pages to see some of the wonderful work our students have been involved in and continue to contribute to.

I have also received some fantastic photo updates of students learning to cook, decorate cakes, develop their skills in archery, and much more as part of their skill development component.

I look forward to sharing more updates in future newsletters as we continue to celebrate these amazing success stories. Keep up the great work, everyone!

Ms Ross

ANZAC DAY

By Knox

For my Rotary activity, I went to the ANZAC Day Service in Trafalgar. It was fun. At about 10:00 am there was a march. We walked from the bar to the Cenotaph. We raised the flags and had a minute's silence. Then we got a photo and went back to our families.

At the end of it, there was food and orange juice. I had an egg and bacon roll. It was yum.

My Rotary Experience

By Dakoda

For my 10 hours of volunteering with the SES, I got to look at the truck and learn about all the different things they do, which was really cool. I got to help wash the truck, and it was really fun. I also got to do some jobs with Georgia, and we helped clean their shed which was also really cool. I also got to look at the cars they use to help clear trees that have fallen onto the roads. I am also going to help with the Woorabinda Summer School camp and help pull out all the weeds so they can redo the gardens and put sugar cane mulch on them. 

For my skill development, I have also been making cakes, and I have learned all about observational drawing, which is really interesting. I am also going to learn how to sew. I did some cake decorating with my friends Ivy and Erin, and we got to taste test everything, which was really fun.

I have really loved doing the Rotary Award because I enjoy learning new things and finding out about things I didn’t know before.

My Rotary Award

By Ivy

As part of my 10 hours of community service, I have completed about half of my volunteering at the Op Shop. I volunteer there with support from the staff and try to learn as much as I can while helping the staff with different jobs. I help by neatening up the toys and baby items, folding blankets and clothes, and I even got to work behind the counter for a little while. I also help in the back rooms with sorting and pricing items. I am learning lots of cool things about pricing, customer service, how to fold clothes really quickly, and how to take the tags off items and box or bag them up. My favourite part about volunteering at the Op Shop is working behind the counter and stocking up the bookshelf because I get to see all the cool new books being put out.

For my new skills, I am learning two different things. I am learning how to crochet with my Gran, and I am either going to learn welding with my Poppy or my dad. I have also done some cake decorating with my friends Erin and Dakoda, which was very, very fun, except when the piping bags got really oily after Dakoda and Erin had finished with them!

I am really enjoying doing the Rotary Award.

Walk Safely to School Day

On Friday 22nd May, our school proudly participated in National Walk Safely to School Day.

It was wonderful to see more than 30 students and their families join staff at Balfour Park before walking to school together as a community. The morning was filled with great conversation, smiles, and an important focus on safe and active travel to school.

After arriving at school, families were welcomed into Breakfast Club, where everyone enjoyed toasties, cereal, Milo, tea, and coffee together. Students were able to get a temporary tattoo, take a colouring sheet home and received a participation certificate to celebrate the occasion.  We also shared information with families about the supports available through Breakfast Club in the morning and the care packages we can provide.

Thank you to all families and staff who helped make the morning such a positive and successful event. We loved seeing our school community come together to support healthy habits, road safety, and positive school connections.

Emma Semaan

Student Support Leader