The Talk Around ... 

No School for Foundation Students next Wednesday 10th March 2021

Due to the interruption to schooling by the recent school closures, the Department of Education has extended Foundation testing by a period of 1 week.   This means no school for Foundation students on Wednesday 10th March 2021.   Foundation students will start full time from the week commencing Monday 15th March 2021.

Grade 6 Urban Camp

On the 22nd of February, the Grade 6 team went to Urban Camp in Royal Park near the Melbourne Zoo.

We got on the bus at 8:00 and it took about an hour and a half to get to Melbourne. When we first got there we went to Docklands, we went to ArtVo, then the Melbourne Star. It was great fun at both places. Afterwards we went to Urban Camp which is where we stayed through the duration of the camp. After dinner we went to GoClimb. There were massive climbing walls and a ninja warrior course. The next day we went to Imax. It was a massive cinema. We watched a documentary on Natural disasters. 

Next we went to the Chinese Museum and then to the Melbourne Museum. We also went to the Shrine, it was a memorial for the soldiers who died in WWI, WWII. That night we went to a Chinese Restaurant and ate dinner there. After dinner we went to the O’Brien Ice House and we got a lesson on ice skating before doing some laps of the ice house arena. One we had finished ice skating we went back to Urban camp and we slept. The next morning we put the bags on the bus before heading to the Old Melbourne Gaol where we saw where Ned Kelly was hanged and a replica of Ned Kelly’s armour. Afterwards we went to the old Magistrates Court and we acted out Ned Kelly’s trial. We all got on the bus and went home. 

It was a great experience going to camp, we were very happy being able to go after a small lockdown the week before.  The 2022 Grade 6 students will have a great time next year! 

Artvo

Melbourne Star

Old Melbourne Gaol

Shrine of Remembrance 

Melboune Museum 

Chinese Museum 

Go Climb

Ice Skating

Staffing Update

Welcome to Jess Prime who will be filling a vacancy for most of the remaining term while Jess Frost is on leave.  Ms Prime is well known to students at Trafalgar Primary School and we look forward to working with her again.

A warm welcome to Stephanie, who is the newly appointed coordinator of the YMCA Outside School Hours Program.  Stephanie was introduced to students at assembly on Friday afternoon. 

Steph has lots to share about upcoming school holiday programs and fun activities happening at Before and After School Care.  We look forward to hearing more about these.

Welcome to Kerry Rantall.  Kerry and her husband Jason have recently opened Bettermentall in Trafalgar which is an organisation that supports the community with mental health related issues.  Both Kerry and Jason are passionate about supporting people to improve their mental health and live fulfilling lives. Kerry and Jason are both valued members of the community, Jason is also a current School Council Parent representative and their children attend both here and the high school. 

Our student survey results and results from a community based survey done a few years ago through the Baw Baw Shire, indicate that we have a high percentage of students in our community that exhibit poor mental health and show behaviours that may indicate they were struggling with a number of mental health issues.  

At our school we have systems of support in place for student know to us to have trauma backgrounds, but we are also aware that there will be a number of our student population who do not present as having behavioural issues, yet are suffering in silence.  In order to support these students to overcome these issues and lead happy, healthy lives now and in the future, our school is investing in some external supports. 

Kerry will be observing classrooms to get to know the students and staff and also doing some small groups or one on one with the students.  We welcome Kerry onboard and value her input and expertise as an important part of our school wide supports to assist with developing healthy, happy and active kids. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this. 

Regards

Renata Rice

Assistant Principal- Student Services

Music News

In classroom music this term we are learning about musical instruments. The classes are working through the instrument families playing and learning about different types of musical instruments. 

In regard to instrumental music, we now have all instrumental teachers on board and working hard weekly to teach music lessons on the musical instrument of the student’s choice as part of our ‘Performing arts tuition program’. 

I’d like to welcome back teachers from last year: Lori (Piano/vocal), Grace (Piano/vocal), Steve (Guitar and bass) and Natasha (Violin, woodwinds and brass). I’d also like to welcome 2 new teachers to TPS: Sami Coulter (Drums) and Casey Kurrle (Drums and guitar). The new teachers are both very experienced young instrumental teachers and join our vibrant Music team. You can find their bios and photos below.

We have had a huge number of instrumental forms come in this year, which is great! 

Apologies if your child hasn’t received a lesson yet as we have had too many students for the teachers we had. We now have enough teachers to cover all the students. In fact, if you still want to get a form from the front office to enrol in instrumental lessons, we have spaces left to fit more students in now.

Looking forward to exciting things happening in music this year.

Ricky Allan

Introducing the Music team

Sami Coulter (Drums/guitar): My name is Sami Lee. C, and I’m the new drum teacher at Trafalgar Primary School. Since 2017, I have taught in several different locations across West Gippsland, including Jak’s Music, Ellinbank Primary School, Darnum Primary School and Warragul Regional College. I teach guitar, drums, bass, ukulele, keyboard, mandolin and vocals. I play in various bands and musical projects, as well as perform in shows with the Warragul Theatre Company. I look forward to working at Trafalgar alongside some new and old faces, and I am excited for the new year ahead!

Lori (Piano/voice): My name is Lori and I have been teaching piano and vocal lessons at TPS since 2017. I have been playing piano now for over 15 years and have been singing for just as long. I’ve also played a number of brass instruments in ensembles over the last 10 years. I enjoy listening to and playing a wide variety of musical genres, anywhere from classical to heavy metal. I love being able to share my musical knowledge with students and watching them grow their own skills and confidence with music.

Steven Forster (Guitar/bass):  I have been playing guitar for 29 years and teaching for 17. During this time, I have played in multiple bands across many genres (metal, rock, blues). I also led my own jazz trio for several years, playing at numerous festivals and events, both in Victoria and NSW.  Highlights of my live playing include support slots for both Russell Morris and Tex Perkins.

In recent years, family life has taken over from live playing (I have a 3 yr old son), but in my spare time I enjoy training boxing, kick-boxing and Brazilian Ju Jitsu.

Grace (Piano/Voice):  Hi! My name is Grace. I am a piano and singing teacher. I'm 19 and completing my double degree in Secondary Education and Science at Monash University. I have always been passionate about music from an early age (as many teachers at this school would tell you, I spent a LOT of time singing throughout primary school years!). I have loved sharing that passion with students and getting the opportunity to work with some awesome kids for the past year! I'm excited to take on students this year and continue to help others develop their musical abilities.

Casey (Drums/Guitar) I'm Casey Kurrle, a drum and guitar teacher who has been playing music for 15 years. Since the age of 5 years old I have dedicated my life to playing and learning musical instruments. Over the years I have played in multiple bands and participated in events like "Battle of the Bands" and school musicals whilst in Highschool. I recorded my first single when I was only 16 and for the last 3 years I have taught my passion for music to others working at ‘Jak’s Music’. I look forward to being a member of this school and sharing my love for music with you all."  

Natasha (Violin/ Woodwind/ Brass)  Natasha is a very versatile musician and teacher. She teaches violin, woodwinds and brass instruments at Trafalgar Primary School. Natasha is also an instrumental and classroom music teacher at the Trafalgar High School. Natasha brings a wealth of teaching and performing knowledge to the school and the students.

Dance News

Charlotte Farrell will no longer be teaching Dance at Trafalgar Primary School.  On behalf of the school community, I thank Charlotte for the work she has undertaken with our students and wish her all the best for the future.

Replacing Charlotte is Amanda Fazzani (affil A.T.O.D).  Amanda is the Principal Dance Teacher at Dance Pointe, Warragul.  

Amanda began dancing at the young age of five in all areas of dance and performance & has studied through the Australian teachers of dance where she obtained her teaching qualification. Amanda has taught at various primary & secondary schools in the area, she began teaching at Dancepointe and later on took over ownership. Amanda has also trained through the commonwealth society of teachers of dancing along with the Australian teachers of dancing. It is a privilege to welcome Miss Amanda to the Trafalgar Primary School Community. She will bring expertise and pedigree to our dance program.  Amanda will be onsite on Monday to meet the existing students and develop a timetable. Welcome Miss Amanda.

Miss Amanda met the existing dance students on Monday and students had their first lesson with her.  If you are interested in learning to dance at school you can collect a form from the office. There are still dance places available but filling up fast!  

Cinema Pop Up

Trafalgar Primary School is excited to host Cinema Pop Up between the 11th and 14th of March. 

Cinema Pop Up is an outdoor movie experience that provides the opportunity for families to enjoy an affordable night out in their local communities. The premium event creates an atmosphere of a city experience in a regional location, popping up in different towns with the huge 10m screen and epic sound system to thoroughly enjoy some of the best family favourite films. Tickets are limited and bookings are essential.

Car Park

A lot of parents and children have been seen walking through the staff car park during both mornings and afternoons. This is an OH&S issue and is strictly prohibited. Parents are asked to enter through the Main School gate (not the staff car park gate) when coming onto the school grounds for any purpose. 

High School Bus Loop

The High School have asked us to remind parents that the bus loop is not for picking up and/or dropping off students, nor is it a roundabout.  

Many parents are also going to the gate between the High School and Primary School to collect children and are allowing the riding of bikes up the High School driveway – this is still a roadway and the children are not practicing good road sense.  

This is for the safety of all students.