We have enjoyed a very successful start to the school year, and it has been our absolute pleasure welcoming returning and new students to a wonderful year of learning in 2025. We also extend a warm welcome to our new families who have joined our nurturing and friendly school community.

Our classrooms are calm, happy learning environments already at this early stage of the year and our teachers and teacher aides are enjoying getting to know their new students and seeing them learn.

Students were invited to plant flower seeds as we welcomed them on the first day of the school year. This was symbolic of our excitement to see our students grow and flourish throughout the year. The flowers have sprouted and are growing well.

Team Tally

The staff members of Tallebudgera State School i.e. Team Tally, collaborate to ensure that we maintain a high standard of education and care for our students, in partnership with families.

This year we are pleased to welcome back Amie Jenkins (teacher), Sophie Dunn-Vieira (teacher), Sarah Saye (teacher) and Ally Shah (psychologist) and to welcome Cloe Clarke (teacher), Lindy Rixon (teacher) and Courtney Fenech (teacher).

Team Tally commenced the year with a program of professional development on the Student Free Days before school resumed including topics such as evidence-informed teaching practices for reading, the new National curriculum (i.e. Version 9), wellbeing and supporting diverse student needs. Ongoing professional learning is a cornerstone of our success, as it supports the consistency of high capability throughout our team. New team members receive an extensive induction program facilitated by our Professional Learning Mentor, Amy Stockbridge, and like all our teachers, they work in collaboration with their year level teams and our Curriculum Leaders, Rachael McNabb (Deputy Principal), Sharna Gordon and Skye Lawrence.

Curriculum Information Session - Meet the Teacher Afternoon

Thank you to all parents and caregivers who watched the curriculum information presentations shared online and those who attended to meet the teachers and ask any questions they had. It was a lovely afternoon of community connection and partnership, topped off by the free sausage sizzle cooked by the fabulous YMCA team and Desi (our Tuckshop supervisor).

Student Leader Badge Ceremony

Congratulations to all students who have been appointed to leadership roles this year. 2025 student leaders were presented with their badges at a ceremony in the second week of school. These students are impressive young people and we appreciate their enthusiasm and commitment to helping our students, school and community.

Carpark Upgrade

As you may have noticed, the carpark project near the school administration building and school hall has commenced. The approximate completion is during the April school holidays and is dependent on weather.

We are undertaking this major upgrade to the staff carpark near Administration so that more staff will be able to park onsite, thereby freeing up valuable roadside parking for community members.

Provisions have been made for staff parking throughout the project to minimise disruption, including the temporary use of the grassed area in front of administration and a small council reserve (by permit).

As always, we ask that the school community remain considerate of our neighbours by refraining from parking at Man on the Bike or the golf course unless they are customers.

2026 Prep

Last week, we enjoyed welcoming future families to our school at the 2026 Prep Information presentation and school tour. This was the commencement of our Pounce into Prep program, a signature approach that gradually supports children and their parents and caregivers to prepare for Prep.

Enrolments for next year are due now to receive invitations to the upcoming opportunities and important information. The next events will be our Talk This Way – Foundations and Friendship sessions that are for children with their parent or caregiver.

Do you have a child who is due to start school in 2026? Children born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 are eligible to start Prep in 2026.

Volunteers

Our volunteers help in a range of ways including: at the tuckshop, in the library, with the P&C, during events and in classrooms when the need arises. A ClassDojo post was made this week about volunteering in the school and information about the annual mandatory training. If our school parents or caregivers have any questions or would like to volunteer please call our helpful office team on 5568 5222.

Communication

We use ClassDojo for regular communication with parents and caregivers and share an abundance of information such as what is being taught, event details, updates about our school and reminders. It also enables convenient communication with teachers. We encourage all parents and caregivers to use ClassDojo.

Tally Talk, our newsletter, will be issued three times a term (i.e. in the 3rd, 6th and 10th weeks).

Tally Tiger TV

We produce an educational show, Tally Tiger TV, to support the delivery of our whole-school wellbeing and positive behaviour program, The Tally Way.

Our Mascot, Tally Tiger, was out and about in the community this week with our principal, Mrs Harlow, and Mr Tengdahl filming a Tally Tiger TV episode. Our friends at the Tallebudgera Veterinary Clinic, including Dr Mark, were very helpful by allowing Tally Tiger to visit and taking very good care of him when he had his health check. This episode of Tally Tiger TV is about self-regulation and Tally was able to use strategies to help himself when he felt nervous getting his ears checked because he is ticklish. Thank you Dr Mark and the team, at the Tallebudgera Veterinary Clinic! By the way, Tally Tiger is super fit, healthy and feeling grrrrreat!

Classroom Corner