What a big fortnight at TPS!

Welcome back to Term 3. This term is only a 9 week term, but with Sport, Science Week, Book Week, Athletics Sports, Pioneer Settlement camp, Hockey Clinics and a couple of visiting performers, we are going to be having a lot of fun, and great learning.

School Level Data

We are constantly looking for how we can improve and get better in all areas of the school. Changes to our Teaching and Learning model, the implementation of evidence based teaching and assessment, introduction of phonics plus in our junior school and a whole school approach toward community engagement and restorative practices have all been adopted over the past 12 months.

NAPLAN assessments and our school Attitude to School Surveys are 2 ways we can measure the effectiveness of what we are doing.

We have just received back our 2025 NAPLAN and Attitude to School Survey results, with some very pleasing improvements.

Some of the improvement gains are as follows:

NAPLAN

Year 3 Reading - students in strong or exceeding proficiency up from 40% to 52%

Year 5 Reading - students in strong or exceeding proficiency up from 35% to 41%

Year 3 Numeracy - students in strong or exceeding proficiency up from 56% to 62%

Year 5 Numeracy - students in strong or exceeding proficiency up from 29% to 36%.

Attitude to School Survey

Emotional Awareness and Regulation up from 66% to 74%

Managing bullying up from 62% to 77%

School Connectedness up from 60% to 77%

Stimulated learning up from 76% to 85%

We are really proud of these improvements, and will continue to work hard to ensure all students are given the best opportunity to learn, grow and feel safe.

Welcome back Mrs Holloway

It is lovely to welcome back Mrs Holloway on a part time basis. Jade has been on sick leave for the past 10 months, and has returned 2 days a week to teach some PE and Values classes. The students have been very excited to welcome her back and have her as part of the Tongala Primary School community again.

Community Programs

We have hit the ground running in Term 3 with our community programs. Our Senior Citz girls have been over serving lunches and then today were part of their birthday celebrations.

A group of Grade 4 boys headed down to GTS on Thursday morning to assist in the store with stacking shelves, filling feedlot bags and general jobs around the store.

Our Hands on Learning crew have joined forces on Thursday with 8 students involved.

Boys to the Bush started for 10 Grade 5/6 boys on Tuesday, where this week they did some shearing, had some lunch at the Bowling Club and visited the Moama Woolstores.

Not to mention Breakfast Club cooking up a storm and the return of Ronny and Friends which is now being co-ordinated by a group of practising OT students.

It is great to have so many great opportunities available for our students.

Child Safe requirements

All schools are tightening up their Child Safe requirements to ensure a safe community for all. Working With Children's Checks are a must for anyone who is undertaking a role in our school where they are working. All visitors, even if attending assembly or special days, must sign in and out of the office, as we need to have a record of who is on site at all times. You will now see large signs around the school to remind us of this.

The school has developed a number of Child Safe policies, which are on our Website under the Child Safe tab. Please feel free to look through these and provide any feedback to Melissa or myself in regard to these.

Seesaw

All classes are now using the Seesaw program to support their Teaching and Learning. This was trialled in our Grade 3/4 classes with great success and very positive feedback from families

Seesaw allows families to connect with their students learning, and for teachers to assign tasks based on the students needs. If you have not yet signed up to Seesaw to see what your child is doing, please speak to your child's classroom teacher.

Library Redevelopment

Our library is getting a makeover and will take pride of place in the main building, near Mrs Cardillo's current classroom. It will feature new shelving, a couch, work spaces and plenty of floor space for students to enjoy their reading. Thank you to Mrs Dullard for her work in getting this project underway.

2026 Enrolments

2026 Enrolments are now open. This year, enrolled students will receive an acceptance letter and will be part of an enrolment interview, so that we can gain a greater understanding of the students, families and allow us to accurately accomodate the needs of your child

If you, or someone you know is enrolling for 2026, please complete the enrolment paperwork and return to the school ASAP.

School Fete

Our bi-annual school fete will be happening on Friday, November7th.

The Fete committee have got the wheels moving for the Fete but we still need helpers. If anyone would like to be involved, please speak to Cherish Todd or Karen in the office. 

Our School Fete is our major fundraiser for the year, so any help to make this a fantastic evening will be greatly appreciated.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Rob