Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of Term One, we would like to thank our wonderful school community for a fantastic start to the year. It has been a busy and rewarding term filled with learning, growth, and many memorable moments.
Congratulations to our Grade 6 Gala Sports teams on their outstanding achievements last week. We are incredibly proud to share that eight teams placed first, and two teams came second — a remarkable effort by all students involved. Well done to everyone for demonstrating such excellent teamwork, sportsmanship, and school pride.
On Monday, we held our Annual General Meeting, followed by the first meeting of our new School Council. At this meeting, the Annual Report to the School Community was tabled. This report will be available on our website early next term for families to view.
This week at university, I have been learning about vocabulary acquisition. Did you know the English language contains over 170,000 words currently in use, making it one of the most extensive vocabularies of any language?
To be prepared for post-secondary education and employment, students are exposed to and learn thousands of new words each year (often estimated at around 3,000–4,000), largely through reading and rich language experiences. Words can be grouped using a conceptual, tiered framework.
Tier 1 words are everyday words that most people learn through regular conversation and interactions. These words often have Anglo-Saxon origins and come from Old English, having been part of the language for thousands of years.
Tier 2 words are more complex words often found in written texts. Many have French or Latin origins and became more common in English after the Norman Conquest (in 1066). These words often have multiple meanings and are frequently referred to as “academic” or “literary” language. Students typically learn them through reading.
Mastery of Tier 2 vocabulary is critical for academic success. If students do not read regularly, their vocabulary development can be limited, making it more difficult for them to comprehend increasingly complex texts.
We also know that as children get older, they tend to read less — a trend commonly seen during adolescence. Research shows a decline in the percentage of teenagers who read for pleasure.
At TRPS, we explicitly teach Tier 2 vocabulary. You can explore the PLC newsletter articles to see examples of the words being taught to students.
Why not take advantage of free public transport over the holidays and visit the State Library or your local library? Becoming a member is a wonderful way to encourage reading and support your child’s vocabulary development.
Holiday Technology Use
As we head into the school holidays, it can be easy for children to spend increased time on screens. While technology can be enjoyable and useful, we encourage families to support a healthy balance by limiting recreational screen time where possible.
Spending too much time on devices can impact sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing. The holidays are a wonderful opportunity for children to rest, play, and connect in other ways.
Some alternatives to screen time might include:
- Playing outside or visiting local parks
- Reading books together
- Creative activities such as drawing, building, or crafting
- Board games or family activities
Helping with simple cooking or household tasks
We encourage families to set clear, consistent expectations for technology use, including device-free times (e.g., before bed or during meals). We also encourage families to stay informed about current online trends and influences. The eSafety Commissioner has recently shared an article about the “manosphere” and its potential impact on young people.
If you are interested, you may find this a helpful resource in supporting conversations at home.
Thank you for your continued support in promoting healthy habits and wellbeing for all students.
We wish all of our families a safe and enjoyable break and hope you have the opportunity to relax and spend time together, enjoying the beautiful autumn weather.
Nadia