Dhumbadjirri "Talk Together"

A message from Megan

Kii Parents/Carers

 

Reflecting on "what went well" in Term One I am so proud and privileged to be able have been the Acting Principal for the term.  Next week the teachers have a planning week to prepare curriculum design for Term Two, however before we plan ahead here are some of the Term One highlights you may not be aware of...

Wurundjeri Council learning with Uncle Bill 

On Friday 18th March members of our TPS community spent the day with Uncle Bill Nicholson.   We were so privileged to be welcomed in ceremony and to hear his stories, ideas, wisdom and knowledge about Wurundjeri Country historically and in present day.   We finished the day with a river walk and yarn.   TPS community was represented by leadership, teachers, education support staff, parents, school council, Monash students and our partnership with Berry Street.   Ngoongodgin thank you to Darebin Council who contributed $1000 and supported the setup of the day. 

Nanggit Balit (Student Leadership) 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY LEADERS

Our incredible Year 5/6 students have worked all term as our Community Leaders.  Each day two Nanggit Balit (strong leaders) complete tasks around the school to support the front office, classrooms and learning.   They work independently throughout the day to complete a set task list.  Students developed "I am a Deadly Community Leader" to ensure they performed the tasks with integrity, respect, perseverance, trust and by working together.    

 

 

DUET (Success & Classroom Choirs)

This term we have been welcomed to the Music in Schools – DUET Teacher Mentoring Program for 2022! The Song Room, in partnership with the Department, look forward to working with your school in Terms 2 and 3 to build your teachers’ confidence and capability to deliver quality music education programs in their classrooms.

 

DUET provides your school with six key elements:

  1. Professional learning workshops provided by experts in music education
  2. A minimum of 10 weekly in-class modelling and mentoring sessions across Terms 2 and 3 for two teachers provided by a Teaching Artist Mentor
  3. Weekly one-on-one coaching sessions for two teachers with a Teaching Artist Mentor
  4. Access to hundreds of music lesson plans and resources via our digital platform ARTS:LIVE
  5. On the ground consultation to help grow music education at your school.
  6. 12 months follow up support after the program concludes should your school require further assistance.

Ngoongodgin thank you to Erica who submitted and followed up on the program submission - congratulations on your success! 

Parent/Carer Communication 

Meet the Teacher 

Education Subcommittee has worked in collaboration with leadership to improve communication about learning between home and school. In Term One we have re established "Meet the Teacher" as a way for families meet their child's teacher and the other teachers in the year level.  

Class Carers

Ngoongodgin, thank you to all the people who have taken on the role as "Class Carer" in 2022.  Jasmine has been working to ensure that each class has a carer who can provide a link between the parents/carers and the teacher when the school needs to communicate about activities, events, classroom celebrations. 

Future Learning Focus

Each term in week three you will receive a "Future Learning Focus" via Compass which details all of the learning which will take place that term. The focus will include integrated unit, reading, writing and mathematics.  The Steiner classes will share about Main Lesson focus.

Feedback and Communication of Concerns 

We are always open to improvement and are continually seeking feedback to ensure that we can provide the best learning and environment for all of our student at TPS.   Some ways to join us in a conversation about the school improvement include;

  •  email thornbury.ps@education.vic.gov.au 
  • book a meeting time with appropriate person in the leadership team
  • making a time with the teachers to talk about your child

Please be aware we require a 48hr timeframe to respond to emails and may not be able to take a meeting immediately without a booking.   Please also be aware that we enter all of these conversations assuming positive intent and with your child at the centre of the concern.   If you haven't heard for a teacher or leadership within the week, we invite you to please reach out again as we may have missed the communication.  Thank you to everyone who has supported and given feedback this term on processes and shared ideas for improvement. 

Community Deadly Behaviours 

Individual Learning Plans & Deadly Learning Plans 

Communicating student learning has become a focus in 2022 and improving the connections between home and school to support all students to learn and grow.  This term our teachers have been getting to know their students and all their individual learning needs.   We have a legal requirement to provide individual learning plans for the following students each semester. 

  • All students with an allocation of funding through Program Students with a Disability 
  • All students in out of home care 
  • All students who require additional support in learning working 12months or more behind expected level

As part of the Department of Education Marrung Plan all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have a Deadly Learning Plan.  This includes talking with the families and students to include all voices in the learning goals. 

 

All learning plans are uploaded to Compass in the reports Tab in Term One and Term Three. 

DSSI Lead Teachers working at TPS 

This year Val and Jess are working with our instructional leaders. They are lead teachers from the Differentiated School Support Initiative.   We are incredibly lucky to have their expertise supporting our teaching in writing and reading throughout term one, term two and term three.    Thank you to all our teachers who have been involved in working with them with learning walks and presentations.