News & updates

The Fathering Project

Family time is more than just a pleasant way to spend the weekend – it’s a vital ritual that helps parents and children build strong, lasting bonds. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday breakfast, a Friday night game marathon, a walk around the neighbourhood, or an after-dinner dance-off in the living room, creating space for regular family connection sends a powerful message: You matter, and we’re in this together. 

Why is family time important? Spending quality time together isn’t just about fun – although that’s definitely part of it. Regular family rituals help children feel emotionally safe and secure. These moments of connection build trust, create lasting memories, and help children learn key social and emotional skills like empathy, communication and cooperation. Research shows that children who have strong connections with their families are more resilient, confident, and better able to navigate the challenges of growing up. In fact, family time can help protect against mental health issues, reduce risky behaviour in adolescence, and support better outcomes in school and relationships. When kids know they can count on regular family time, it becomes a protective anchor in their lives — something reliable and safe, even as everything else around them changes. 

Tips for family time 

• Establish a regular family time when everyone is available to focus on the family. Family time can include fun family activities that everyone chooses together. i.e. board game time, family movie night, Sunday breakfast, etc 
• Allow everyone in the family to contribute ideas for family time. 
• Block out this family time and don't schedule other activities during that time. Keep it as a sacred time. Keep it simple. You don’t need a big event or expensive outing. The magic is in the consistency, not the cost. 
• A regular walk, pancake breakfast, or movie night can be just as meaningful as a weekend trip. 
• Be flexible when life happens. Sometimes routines get disrupted – and that’s okay. The key is to get back on track when you can. Children learn a lot from how we handle change.

Our last Fathering Project event was such a hit, with a soccer game with Dad’s and kids followed by a sausage sizzle cooked up by our local Rotary Club.  

Why run The Fathering Project in schools program? 

Research consistently shows schools with strong father involvement programs see a dramatic improvement in student well-being and academic achievement. Here’s how engaging dads benefit students and the school community: 

• Increases student connectedness and education in later years 
• Better health outcomes and increased physical activity levels 
• Improves the child’s transition to school 
• Reduces bullying, delinquency and engagement in risky behaviours 

On Friday 13 June we’ll host our second event Pizza and Paper Planes.  If you’d like to attend, for catering purposes please phone the office and advise of numbers attending.  

If you’d like to sign up for free resources and become a member of TPS school community Fathering project, please use the link below.  

https://portal.thefatheringproject.org/dads-group/tarrawanna-public-school-portal-and-dads-group/  Mrs Judd

District cross country

On Friday 9 May, 42 students proudly represented our school at the district cross country carnival. All the students who competed should hold their heads up high for their efforts and sportsmanship. A special shoutout goes to Max Peplow in Year 4, who finished 4th in the 10 boys age group. Max will now go on to represent our school at the regional carnival at Cambewarra. Mr Chadwick

Tennis program

We are thrilled to share that our Tennis Program is currently underway and will continue for four weeks, running from Week 4 to Week 7. Students have been actively participating every Tuesday, enjoying the opportunity to learn essential tennis skills and improve their technique. The program has been a fantastic way for students of all skill levels to engage in the sport, stay active, and have fun. We look forward to continue seeing students embrace this opportunity in the coming weeks! Mr Chadwick

Resilience with the Dragons!

Our students had an incredible opportunity to learn about resilience from the best! We welcomed a player and staff from the Dragons, who led engaging NRL exercises and drills that highlighted the importance of resilience both on and off the field. NRLW player Keele Browne shared her inspirational journey to the NRLW, emphasising the dedication and perseverance required to succeed in sports. She also spoke about balancing her athletic career with her studies at the University of Wollongong, showcasing how she is preparing for a successful future beyond football. The event was not only fun but also a powerful reminder of the value of resilience in achieving our goals. Thank you to the Dragons for this memorable experience! Mr Bray

School choir update

The Tarrawanna Public School Choir has been incredibly busy since our last update, participating in several significant events that have showcased their musical talents and the school’s community spirit. 

• Hat Parade day - The choir performed at the school Hat Parade & Grandparent’s Day, an event that not only allowed the choir to showcase their musical skills but also fostered school spirit and encouraged participation from the entire school community. 
• ANZAC Day Dawn Service - The choir's participation in the Combined Schools Choir for the Corrimal RSL ANZAC Day dawn service was a poignant moment for both the students and the community. A highlight for the choir was receiving a special award from Corrimal RSL for their participation in the ANZAC Day dawn service. This recognition is an honour for both the choir members and the entire school. The choir has also been invited to perform in the combined choir at the Remembrance Day ceremony in November, a significant honour for our school and the choir, as it provides an opportunity to once again pay tribute to those who have served. Their participation in such a meaningful event highlights the choir's ongoing commitment to community service and remembrance. 
• Mother's Day high tea -The choir put on a fabulous performance that brought joy to all attending mothers, grandmothers and guests. This event celebrated the important role that these women have in our lives and the choir's songs resonated with themes of love and appreciation. The choir students even choreographed some steps to enhance the performance, is there anything they can’t do? 

Overall, the Tarrawanna Public School Choir has not only demonstrated our school values superbly but has also created memorable experiences for themselves and the community. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and can't wait to see what they will accomplish next! Keep up the fantastic work, Tarrawanna Choir! 

STEM in K/1 Gugara

We had an incredible STEM afternoon in K/1 Gugara, filled with creativity and teamwork! Students immersed themselves in hands-on activities, designing and building forts, bridges, car ports, hockey tables, and even symmetrical patterns. It was wonderful to see their imaginations come to life as they explored the principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging way. The energy was high as everyone collaborated and solved problems, showcasing their innovative thinking. We are very proud of our students for their enthusiasm and creativity during this event! Keep an eye out for more exciting STEM activities coming up! Mrs Mathers

Wellbeing Program

In the first five weeks of Term Two, the Tarrawanna Wellbeing Program has focused on the school value of connection, promoting inclusivity and the building of positive relationships among peers. The 5/6 Burri Burri class has concentrated on teamwork, exploring essential skills such as leadership, decision-making, trust-building, turn-taking, active listening, and conflict management through the creation of their own card games. Meanwhile, our Stage 2 classes have engaged with the book "The Invisible Boy", which addresses feelings of being left out and reinforces the importance of inclusion and empathy in interactions. In small group sessions, students are developing key social skills such as listening to others, sharing and turn-taking through enjoyable activities and games. Stage 2 students are exploring concepts related to what’s within their circle of control and building upon their self and social awareness. Mrs Cram

Mother's Day High Tea

We extend a warm thank you to all the Mums, Grandmothers, and Mother figures who joined us for our 2025 Mother's Day High Tea! It was a delight to host you and celebrate the incredible role you play in the lives of our students. Your love and dedication truly inspire us all! A special shoutout to Natalie, Adam, and Bethany Irvine for planting our Mother’s Day tree for 2025. We can’t wait to see this beautiful native tree flourish and bloom in the springs to come, reminding us of the love and growth that mothers bring into our lives. 

We’d also like to express our gratitude to Good360 and Food Bank NSW for their generous contributions that made our event even more special. Good360 not only supplies our school with LEGO but also gifted us with $5,500 worth of bedding and electric blankets for Mother's Day! Meanwhile, Food Bank, which supports our Breakfast Club, provided 45 fabulous NATIO beauty bags valued at $50 each. Together, these incredible donations totalled over $7,000 in prizes! Thank you once again for making this celebration memorable. We look forward to more joyful gatherings in the future! Mrs Judd

Breakfast club - a delicious success!

We are thrilled to share that our Breakfast Club is thriving, operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and serving over 100 children each week! A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, student leaders and Rotary Corrimal who tirelessly order stock, restock supplies, and serve our students each morning with a smile. We are grateful to Food Bank NSW for generously supplying the majority of our food, including cereal, tinned fruit, fresh fruit, milk and bread, ensuring our students start their day with a nutritious meal. Your feedback has been incredibly valuable in helping us continue and improve this program, and we truly appreciate your input. 

Here’s what some parents have shared about their experiences: 

• "My children love it, they are up early 5.30 and eat then, so they are hungry again by 8.30"
• "My children are keen to get to school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, they enjoy having breakfast with friends"
• "We are always low on groceries by the end of the week; it helps my family out a lot"

We love your feedback, feel free to send it into us anytime.

1/2 Buru - Amazing Artists!

As part of our literacy unit this term, 1/2 Buru have been diving into the fascinating story of Nian, the mythical dragon associated with Chinese New Year. Under the guidance of our dedicated student teacher, Miss Murtagh, students have engaged in a vibrant and exciting art project that brought the legend of Nian to life! Throughout our lessons, we learned about the significance of the dragon in Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolising strength, good fortune, and the welcoming of the new year. Inspired by this rich cultural narrative, students enthusiastically created their own dragon artworks, incorporating bright colours and intricate designs that reflect the festive spirit of the holiday. Each student showcased their creativity, using various materials to craft unique representations of Nian. Mrs Craft

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A heartwarming afternoon of connection and culture

Our PLP Yarn-up and afternoon tea was a wonderful success, filled with smiles, stories, and strong connections. It was inspiring to see families, students, and staff come together in such a meaningful way, united by our shared commitment to celebrating identity, strengthening partnerships, and supporting student growth. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with powerful conversations that reminded us just how important it is to take the time to listen, connect, and learn from one another. 

Thank you to all the families who joined us and to our amazing staff for creating such a respectful and inclusive space. Events like this reflect the strength of our school community and our collective commitment to walking alongside our Aboriginal students and families on their learning journey. We are proud of what we achieved together and look forward to continuing these important conversations throughout the year. Mrs Deacon

Debating

As part of the NSW Premier’s Debating competition, our debating team, The Tenacious Ts, went up against Woonona East PS in round 1. They debated the topic “That schools should never run any activity that parents have to pay for” and we were affirmative (agreeing). Our first speaker, Benji, opened well, with our second speaker Zaki strongly presenting her arguments. Lara was our third speaker and had the job of summing up our team's case, which she did a terrific job of. The team advisor was Elsie and she helped formulate the arguments and potential rebuttals in the 1-hour preparation time. Well done on your first debate! We are very proud of you all!  Mrs Woloch

HPAG Challenge

On Tuesday 27 May, four enthusiastic Year 4 students represented our school at the Corrimal High School HPAG Challenge. Throughout the day, students faced a variety of engaging challenges that encouraged the use of essential skills and teamwork. Our students demonstrated great determination and collaboration as they worked together to overcome each obstacle. We are proud of their efforts and commend them for their participation in this exciting event! Mr Chadwick

NSW Public Schools Student Survey - OPT OUT

A copy of the non-consent form has been sent on School Bytes to all families with children in Year 3-6 should you not wish your child to participate please reply via School Bytes.