Principal's Message 

 2nd of August

The 2024 news from TCPS....

And just like that we have reached the half way point of Term 3.

We have a number of camps occurring to complete the term and I know our students are very much looking forward to the unique experience that a school camp provides.

As always it is important to acknowledge our understanding that nothing happens by magic and that behind the scenes there are a lot of fingerprints on the logistical details. From bookings to camp agendas to menus to administration to staffing - to name just a few of the planning items. Thank you to the TCPS staff that do this without complaint in the support of our students!

Term 3 Camps

Grade 4 Camp: Sovereign Hill

Grade 5 Camp: Cave Hill Creek

Grade 6 Camp: Kangaroobie Princetown

On that note - TCPS hosted the Alpha Touring Group today. A whole school event that we know our students love. I'm sure your children will be able to verbally share with you this experience today.

Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey

Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking feedback from 120 randomly selected P/C/Gs from our TCPS Community. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024.

120 random sample of parents / caregivers / guardians have been selected to participate in this year’s survey. 

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. 

All randomly selected parents will be notified via email on Friday 26th July (today)

At this point in time there has only been 20 responses/ 120 (17%)

Darren Roskosch

TCPS Principal

General Information for ONGOING Reference

TCPS School Uniform

Please be reminded of our TCPS Uniform policy as we move into the 2nd half of our school year.

A comprehensive clarification of our uniform and acceptable 'accessories' can be found on our school webpage: https://www.torquaycoastps.vic.edu.au/uploads/Student%20Dress%20Code%20Policy.pdf

Please note that the uniform includes royal blue and navy blue items (not black).

New School Fencing

The replacement and construction of new external fence is progressing rapidly. It is anticipated that this will be completed by September, with works to commence post council approval (which is the current step that is up to). 

As this is an external project and outside of school leadership management, I can only provide an anticipated timeline at this stage. I will keep our school community informed once I have received stronger confirmation.

Current TCPS Enrolment - 658

Whilst there has been some change since the start of the year, and it is difficult to predict further change, below are the current ratios for grades across the school. 

It is mandated that grades from Prep - 2 do not exceed the teacher/student ratio of 1:21.

TCPS P-2 ratio is 1:19

TCPS P-6 ratio is 1:21.3

It will always be my aim to keep ratios as low as possible whilst still meeting the ration mandates. Staffing is influenced by two key factors: Staffing availability, and school funding. TCPS fortunately is able to provide extremely low ratios despite the potential impact of those factors. 

New Neighbourhood Development

https://www.mindaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2024-05/Haven_Torquay_fact_sheet.pdf

We as a school are aware that there currently is prolific discussion in varying circles on the planned Assisted Housing Development being constructed within our school neighbourhood.

Whilst we understand and empathise that there will always be polarising opinions and views on a multiple of topics, our position as a school must be to work within the parameters of Department expectation and policy.

Whilst there was no external consultation or discussion with the school in terms of this development (nor any formal obligation to do so) we do understand the unrest it is causing for potentially a large portion of the community. The only information our school has obtained has been predominantly through local residents and school community members.

As such I felt obliged at the time, as soon as I was made aware, to contact our Regional Office to ensure they were also understanding of the events impacting our school community. Our school as such can only adopt a neutral position as we, as a school, have absolutely no jurisdiction on developments in the local neighbourhood. This includes our School Council.

Please note any formal consultation, discussion or planning involvement was not a required pre-requisite to this development. As such I am unable to provide our school community with any further information outside of what has already been provided to local residents. 

I would however encourage, as always, anyone seeking more information to take the time to identify the correct information sources, or undertake the opportunities that may be provided to obtain information that will ensure an informed understanding.

The school's priority will continue to always be that our environment is as safe as possible for our students, staff, and school community. 

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 COMPASS Portal. 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.

TCPS ASSEMBLY: Friday 2.20pm

Our TCPS Assembly is a very important part of our week. It is an opportunity to proactively reinforce our school 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 I please request that all items are sent to me by Thursday prior to assembly. If these emails/photos are sent to the school office or your child's teacher - they will be forwarded to me accordingly.

Ideally, they can be sent directly to me via email darren.roskosch@education.vic.gov.au

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 this 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 send me 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 me know and I will give them a special TCPS 'Shout Out.'

Media Agreement - Parent Permission

Parents are provided the opportunity to have their children excluded from all media inclusions external to our school - eg. 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. 

School Grounds Maintenance

Due to the gradual and progressive deterioration of the school fencing, the fencing panels will need to be replaced. Key panels will be progressively replaced by temporary fencing until such time a contractor can be engaged to replace the existing fence with something more sustainable.

Whilst the company responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of our school grounds and facilities were very apologetic, they were reassured that although there would be an aesthetic impact on the façade, it was what lay within our boundaries that was most important.

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.

Early Pick Up of Students

As we avoid disrupting learning through unnecessary PA announcements please know:

• You are able to email the teacher the day prior with a pickup time so that they can arrange for your child to be at the office waiting for you at the desired time.

• We are able to call your student over the PA during the times below as students are on recess and lunch.

11am – 11:20am

1:20pm – 2:10pm

Our teaching and learning hours are 9am – 3:10pm

• Recess: 11am – 11:20am
• Lunchtime: 1:20pm – 2:10pm
• Dismissal time: 3:10pm

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. 

Employing a Tutor

It is timely to provide TCPS feedback and guidance on the possible engagement of an independent tutor to support your child’s learning.  Please know that we respect a parent’s choice in engaging the services of an external tutor to work with your child outside of school, however, please know that this is a parental decision and responsibility. In making the decision to employ a tutor, we know that parents will be understanding of the potential short and long term cognitive and physical impacts increased academic workloads can have on their particular child. There is also the potential of possible disruption to school programs, including social connections, particularly if tutoring occurs during school time.

When selecting and engaging the services of a tutor it is recommended that the standard considerations be given to:

• The educational background of the tutor
• The tutor’s ability to plan and set a learning program through knowledge of the Victorian Curriculum
• The tutor’s ability to plan and implement academic assessments and implement a learning program reflective of these assessments.

Our teachers are committed to support our students to the best of their abilities and time, within the confines of their roles as employees of the Department of Education. As such they are happy to converse with parents regarding student academic progress as part of our assessment and reporting program, and on request sharing an overview of the curriculum areas to be covered for the term. All educational programs at TCPS are reflective of both the Victorian Curriculum and the individual needs of their students. 

Please understand that it is not the professional responsibility of teaching staff to plan teaching programs for tutors. For professional reasons including the protection of student privacy, teachers are unable to converse with tutors directly about their students, share school documentation, nor meet with tutors personally. 

2024 School Council Members:

• Kelsey Jamieson – President
• Brad Millar – Vice President 
• Belinda Vaughan - Parent Rep 
• Kate Eddihausen Parent Rep 
• Julie Roncon– Parent Rep 
• Lisa Tout – Parent Rep 
• Darren Roskosch (Principal - Executive Officer of SC)
• Jo Loader (Assistant Principal – Teacher rep)
• Bianca McSparron (Business Manager - Finance)