SCHOOL FLAGS can be booked via the school office. It is anticipated and promoted that school flags will be borrowed for school holiday periods, weekends, public holidays, or times during an 'Alternate Education Program.'

February 20th - 2026

TCPS NEWS

As we move into the beautiful Autumn weather. It has been great to see our students settle into their learning routines and also to have opportunities for families to share with staff at our Start right Interviews.

Thank you to our families for your time, openness and the partnership you bring to these conversations.

I am grateful to our staff for their thoughtful preparation and genuine commitment to every student’s growth and wellbeing. These strong partnerships between home and school make a real difference for our students.

We hope you have a lovely weekend.

Jo Loader

TCPS Principal

School Council Update and Call for Nominations:

We are pleased to confirm that Adam Rule, Emily Pearson, and Brad Miller will be continuing their service on our School Council. We sincerely thank them for their ongoing commitment and contribution to our school community.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Fernanda Alberici, Julie Roncon, and Kate Eddiehausen, whose terms on School Council have now concluded. Their time, dedication and valuable input have been greatly appreciated, and we thank them for the important role they have played in supporting our school.

As a result, we will be opening nominations for School Council membership. School Council plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the school and provides an opportunity for parents and community members to contribute to decision-making and school improvement.

Nominations open on Monday, 16 February and close at 3.30 pm on Monday, 23 February at 3.30pmFurther information and nomination forms will be available from the school office. Forms are available to nominate a suitable candidate or to self-nominate.

We encourage anyone interested in being involved to consider nominating.

2026 Current Enrolment Totals

Based on current enrolment numbers - homegroups will be designed around the following numbers and ratios at this point in time.

As of 28/11/25	Prep	Grade 1	Grade 2	Grade 3	Grade 4	Grade 5	Grade 6	Total
	112	80	113	96	111	114	93	719
	5.6	4	5	4	4.4	4.6	4	31.4
Ratio	29.82	20	22.6	24	25.22	24.78	23.25	22.89 (Whole School Student to Teacher ratio)

Lumi's Place

Lumi was tiny, quiet, and shy,

Living in a land where no one would wave

or even say “hi!”

She dreamed of a place she’d feel safe and seen,

Somewhere warm, where the world felt

kind, not mean.

One night came a breeze, all twirly and light,

It whispered, “Go find your place — start tonight!”

So off she skipped without delay,

To see where her heart might want to stay.

First came a jungle, noisy and wild,

With booming beasts and a grumpy child.

Lumi waved — but no one saw, just rushing feet and a jungle’s roar.

“This isn’t it,” she said with a sigh,

“They’re all too busy,” so she said “Goodbye.”

Next came a city, all shiny and fast, with lights that

blinked and people zooming past.

She helped someone who dropped their pack,

But they hurried away without looking back.

“This isn’t it,” she sadly whispered low,

As cars zoomed past in a dim silver glow.

Then came a desert, empty and bare,

With dusty winds and no one there.

No hands to hold, no friends to meet,

Just endless sky and burning heat.

Lumi’s eyes filled, but the breeze came near,

Salty and warm, like the sea was here.

It carried her down to a sandy shore,

Where children played and laughed some more.

And right by the Coast, near the ocean’s song,

Stood a school where kindness clearly grew strong.

From a leafy branch, she paused to see,

“Could this special place be meant for me?”

One child whispered, “There’s someone in need”.

Time to display gratitude and in great speed.

“That’s Mindfulness,” Lumi thought with great delight,

“They’re grateful for others and all things in their sight.

She saw kids playing games, both big and small,

Making sure everyone joined in them all.

“They cheer for each other, no matter the result.”

“That’s acceptance” she thought without fear of fault.

She saw in the playground a gentle scene,

Kids using THINK words, and none in between.

“That’s Respect,” she thought, “ from their hearts to their head,

It’s in what they say and the way they tread.”

And peeking inside, she saw on the wall,

Posters of strengths, twenty-four in all.

“Bravery, Love, Hope, Friendship too...

They’re learning how to grow strong and how to be true!”

Then came a voice, all cheerful and bright,

“Come play with us, Lumi, you’ll be alright!”

The breeze wrapped her close in a gentle embrace,

And Lumi knew she had found her place.

An orange heart appeared, glowing shiny and bright.

From her head to her feet Lumi knew this place was right.

“I’m finally home, it’s OUR Torquay Coast,

Where M.A.R.S. defines us, from the Pillars we love most.

2026 School Budget Approved

I am extremely pleased to inform our families that for the 5th year in a row, TCPS will provide a free education for all our students. There will be NO requested payments from TCPS families for Curriculum Contributions. This means education at TCPS is able to be provided for FREE.

TCPS will provide ALL curriculum materials for our students without any requested financial contribution. This includes ALL books/pens/pencils/paper etc, art supplies, online programs and classroom materials. Students in grades Prep to 4 will all be provided with their own personalised iPad also. Parents will not be requested to make any financial contribution to cover any of these items.

There are a number of complex contributing factors that has enabled TCPS to once again achieve and provide this for our families.

The ongoing support of our families has ensured that our school has been able to offer the best possible education and support for our students at no cost to our families. We want to thank all those over our school’s history for the support of our school and staff. This has made a huge difference to our school and the programs we have been able to, and will continue to, offer.

General Information for ONGOING Reference

Parking at Front of School

Unfortunately, there is no way to add more, but a number of parking initiatives have been implemented to help with the congestion. Two key ones are our focus on, and promotion of, Active Travel, and the 2 minute drop off zone at the front of the school.

What we do need however is for our TCPS drivers to support the initiative with their actions.

Please avoid the frustration experienced by parents caused by drivers who breach the parking sign regulations and exiting their parked car in the 2 minute 'Drop and Go' standing zone. Whilst the Shire do manage parking zones and all external road issues, we do feel obliged to pass on the impact and frustrations being experienced by parents in the hope of it being a friendly reminder. Limited parking and parking restrictions significantly impact student drop off and collection – please consider active travel where possible.

TCPS ASSEMBLY: Friday 2.20pm

Our TCPS Assembly is a very important part of our week. It is an opportunity to proactively reinforce our TCPS Pillars, Culture, and expectations through the acknowledgement and celebration of our students and school. Love of Learning is a key Character Strength of focus, as is Gratitude.

The inclusion of photos and emails celebrating our school and students in and around our community is a key part of our assembly. Due to the substantial amount of time required to process all inclusions, internal and external, and then to build into our assembly's visual format, can we please request that all items are sent to the principal by Thursday prior to assembly at the latest. If these emails/photos are sent to the school office or your child's teacher - they will be forwarded to the principal accordingly - but may miss the timeline.

Elements that TCPS families can contribute to our TCPS Assembly

TCPS Goes Global: Take a school flag (we have 10) or a TCPS polo on your journeys around the globe and send us a photo (3 maximum). I will then feature these at our assembly and have a photo added to our display wall at the front office. Please contact the school office to book a flag. It is anticipated and promoted that school flags will be borrowed for school holiday periods, weekends, public holidays, or times during an 'Alternate Education Program.'

TCPS Super Stars: If you know a TCPS child/teacher/family member who has achieved something amazing in any field (not just sporting) please email the office the details and a possible photo or 2 so that we can all celebrate and acknowledge the achievement.

TCPS: Shout Outs: If you have a special family member visiting for the first time who are in the audience - please let the principal know and they will be given a special TCPS 'Shout Out.'

Annual privacy reminder for our school community.

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.

Our policy - Please refer to our Media Agreement and Permission document on our Enrolment Form. It describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use [Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education] safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using [Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education], please contact the school.

Please be reminded of the following:

Dogs are not permitted onsite for a number of reasons mainly related to student well-being. Please also refrain from tying your beloved pets to entry points. Please note that this decision is based on our council’s responsibility for risk management in our school, ensuring a safe environment for our students, staff and community.
Hats are required for all students in order to be able to play outside.
No bikes or scooters to be ridden in the yard

Media Agreement - Parent Permission

Parents are provided the opportunity to have their children excluded from all media inclusions external to our school - e.g.. Newspaper articles. This is a respected parent choice. Unfortunately there is no allowance to be able to pick and choose participation after this decision has been made. Primarily this is due to our school being unable to resource the management required to allow for selective alterations. We will however be as sensitive as we possible can to children feeling left out of these opportunities.

Early Pick up of Children from School

Can I please request that parents contact individual staff members as early as possible if you are collecting your child/ren prior to the end of the school day. This will help in organising for children to be sent to the office ready for collection. Based on the increasing frequency of these occurrences we are unable to use the PA system due to the distraction and disruption it causes to teaching and learning across the school.

PA announcements occur in recess and lunch breaks.

As teachers do not have constant access to emails during the day, I encourage as much advanced notice as possible so we can do our best to have your child/ren ready and waiting for collection. Office staff will do their best to support you where possible, however with our increasing size there may be unfortunate delays especially if no advanced notice is provided.

We know that sometimes these early departures are unavoidable and necessary. However early departures do have the potential ability to cause disruption to not only your child's learning, but the learning of others.

Communication Devices

Staff have noted that more and more of our students are wearing Smart Watches. There is absolutely no problem with this at all, however parents should be reminded that there are a number of conditions that must be adhered to, as per Department of Education and Training policy.

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones/Smart Watches/cellular, telecommunication devices MUST NOT BE USED at TCPS during school hours, including lunchtime and recess. Devices should be handed to teachers at the commencement of the school day, and then collected at days end.

Smart Watches need to be programmed such that they do not function as communication devices during school hours. These devices are not permitted or required on school camps and excursions. All, and any, communication should be directed through your child's homegroup teacher or the school office.

Although a smart watch does have the ability to be used as a communication device, please remember that any such device that can be used for communication must be handed into the teacher at the start of the day.

Smart watches are able to be switched to 'School Mode' between the times of 9:00am-3:10pm allowing them to function only as a watch and therefore do not have to be handed in.

All communication between home and school, and vice versa, should be done via the school office.

Family Holidays

If you are planning a family holiday during school time, please be reminded that permission from the school is required, in order to determine the best way to support students in their learning during periods of prolonged absence. Please contact your child's teacher for further information.

Home group structures

As our school has moved into our 8th year of existence, it continues to grow as expected.

2018: 127 students (Inaugural year)

2019: 238 students

2020: 361 students

2021: 469 students

2022: 543 students

2023: 586 students

2024: 665 students

2025: 678 students

2026: 719 students

Community Noticeboard

Surf Coast Secondary College 2026 Tours