Principals' Message 

 Hello Parents and Friends,

We have really hit the ground running in Term 3. You will read below that we had a great time telling celebrating NAIDOC Week last week.  We have also participated in Grade 3/4 Hoop Time, played interschool sports finals in Grade 5/6, and our Grade 2 students attended their camp experience yesterday. All students have had an amazing time participating in these activities. 

Term 3 Overviews were published on Compass last week and they provide a full description of the learning that your children will undertake throughout the term.  One of the highlights for Term 3 learning is the novel study of ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ in Grade 4.  Our students have commenced their novel study in English and have been invited to join the Hogwarts School as they undertake exciting learning in their Inquiry.  Each Grade 4 class was visited by Albus Dumbledore and his assistant to provide every student with a personal invite.  They will then be placed in the different Houses shortly.  It was such great experience for our Grade 4 students and they are absolutely loving the commencement of this learning sequence.  A film study will coincide with the work on the novel and the students are very excited about this.  I would like to congratulate the Grade 4 teachers and our Learning Specialists, Oli Konakoff and Irene Lucas, for spending a huge amount of time designing this learning unit.  They have worked so hard to make the learning rigorous, empowering and enjoyable.  We can’t wait for the term ahead! 

Celebrating NAIDOC Week at TPPS - 50 Years of Deadly! 

We had a fantastic time celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at TPPS last week as we celebrated NAIDOC Week.  NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia in the first week of July.  As we were on school holidays during this time, we postponed our celebration until the first week of Term 3. 

To launch NAIDOC Week we held a Smoking Ceremony on Monday morning.  Ian Hunter held a wonderful ceremony with stories about Aboriginal culture, native flora and fauna, and his personal connection to Country and culture.  Ian is almost 80 years old, but this did not stop him playing the didgeridoo for us and leading the whole school in a dance to ‘Djapana’ by the legendary Australian band, Yothu Yindi.  We all had a wonderful time taking part in the ceremony and having a dance. 

Throughout the week, all students learnt about the origins of NAIDOC Week and participated in activities celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Culture. Additionally, late last term students from Prep – Gr 2 entered into NAIDOC Week colouring in competition and students from Grade 3-6 into a shorty story contest.  All participating students did exceedingly well and fingers crossed we may have a winner. 

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the week was our special NAIDOC Week Assembly on Friday afternoon. We were so pleased to have Yarren, the father of Jarrakai and Juwarn, undertake a Welcome to Country.  Yarren led the welcome and then told us about his own history and connection to Country. We were amazed to learn that Yarren’s father was the man pictured on the world’s first polymer banknote in 1988. It was the special commemorative $10 note to celebrate the 1988 Bicentennial celebrations. 

A special moment of the assembly was when Charlotte in Prep got up in front of over 500 students and the TPPS community to present a speech about her family background and connection to Country.  We learnt about her people and family in the Northern Territory, her language and a beautiful traditional dilly bag from her community.  You would not believe that Charlotte is in Grade Prep by the way she presented and spoke so confidently about herself and her culture.  We were completely blown away by Charlotte and we learnt so much from her presentation.  I think we may have found the future Prime Minister! 

We would like to thank our entire community for helping us celebrate such a special week.  The TPPS community is a rich tapestry of different nationalities, cultures and beliefs.  Happy NAIDOC Week!  

PFA School Disco - Tickets on Sale Now! 

Our PFA School Disco is taking place on Thursday 6 August.  Tickets are now on sale via Compass Links.  Please access your Compass Newsfeed to book your tickets.  All tickets must be purchased before the night.  Thank you to our PFA! 

Grade 6 Legacy Project 

The fabulous tradition of our Grade 6 students leaving a beautiful piece of art at TPPS has continued in 2026.  Ms Sumner and our Grade 6 students spent Term 2 creating a legacy art piece and it was hung over the school holidays in our office foyer.  It looks amazing and brightens up the entry to our school. For years to come, visitors to TPPS will be welcomed by our outstanding class of 2026. 

A huge thankyou goes to Ms Sumner for her creative vision and our students for the sensational piece. 

Exceptional Attendance – Keep up the great work!

In the final newsletter and assembly of Term 2, we celebrated our outstanding attendance at TPPS so far this year.  The outstanding improvement from 2025 is outlined in the table below. 

Comparing Term 2 2025 to 2026

 We encourage everyone to keep the excellent attendance going in Term 3.  This includes arriving to school on time.  We are on yard duty from 8:30am and our Breakfast Club opens at the same time.  It is so nice to see our students munching on fruit and vegetables while they play with their friends.  Our music starts at 8:50am and all students enter the class at this time. Please ensure that your child arrives at this time so they are unpacked and ready to start learning at 9:00am sharp. 

Well done to our entire community.  This has been a sensational improvement and it is having a huge impact on student learning and wellbeing. 

Grade 3 & 5 NAPLAN Results 

Last week, all families in Grade 3 and 5 received NAPLAN results for their children.  Our students performed very well in all areas and we are extremely proud of the students and our staff.  Three years ago we commenced an overhaul of teaching and learning programs. This started in our Prep – Grade 2 area with the introduction of a systematic synthetic phonics program and explicit teaching techniques.  Our Grade 3-6 students commenced new learning approaches through explicit teaching and the science of learning principles from 2025.   I am pleased to inform the community that our Grade 3 results are some of the best we have ever achieved and our Grammar & Punctuation and Numeracy outcomes in both Grade 3 and 5 were excellent.  In particular, Numeracy in both Grade 3 and 5 were well above State and Like School results. 

At our staff meeting this week, we reviewed and analysed our results.  While celebrating our successes, we also analysed areas for improvement and discussed the strategies we will use to support student learning. One of the greatest strengths of Templestowe Park is our focus on improving student outcomes and investigating the latest educational research to support this.  We are very pleased with the new teaching techniques and the excellent student learning that is taking place. 

Young Einsteins Program – Prep 2027 Transition 

We had over 50 Prep 2027 kinder students attend our Young Einsteins Prep transition program on Wednesday. Ms Augello, Ms Conn and Mrs Boucher provided the kinder kids with a fun and exciting introduction to STEM and Sustainability at TPPS.  They were supported so well by our Grade 4 helpers.  The children loved the experience as they learnt about worms, caterpillars and butterflies, and magnets in STEM. 

Our next and final Young Einsteins session will take place  on Thursday 6 August.  In Term 4, our Prep Transition programs will commence for all enrolled students. 

Parking and Road Safety around TPPS 

We have had more complaints from local residents and the school community

about parents parking across driveways, within Manningham Council green spaces and undertaking illegal U-turns during pick up time after school. I have witnessed this myself and when I have spoken to some people, I have received unpleasant responses and anger.  This is simply not good enough.  

The Manningham Council and Police have been notified and they will be undertaking regular patrols and issuing fines for any illegal activity.

We strongly encourage families to use the Greek Orthodox Church as a parking spot. The Church have kindly allowed the school to use their carpark at drop off and pick up time. This a short 350m walk from the Church Rd entry to the school. Parents are encouraged to park and walk from there if they would like to meet their children within the school grounds.

Please click here for information about road safety around schools, road rules and tips. 

Prep 2027 Enrolments are Open!

Enrolments for Prep 2027 are now open.  Families can click here to submit their digital enrolment.  To find out more about Prep 2027 at TPPS please click here. 

If you require any assistance with enrolment, please contact Katie in the office on 9846 2700. 

The enrolment process and timeline for Prep 2027 is outlined below. 

• Please contact our school office on 9846 2700 to book a school tour with our Principal or Assistant Principals.
• Submit an Expression of Interest EOI if you would like to receive updates from Templestowe Park about enrolment news and our numerous transition programs.
• Digital enrolments for Prep 2027 opened on Monday 20 April 2026.  Please click here to submit your digital enrolment.
• You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 3 August and Friday 14 August 2026. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should accept the offer by Friday 28 August 2026. Please note – all in zone student enrolments are guaranteed acceptance. 
• We will invite families to participate in our Prep 2027 Transition programs.
• Prep students will commence school on Friday 29 January 2027.

For further information from the Department of Education about enrolling in Prep for 2027 please click here. 

Facilities and Grounds Works 

We are always improving and maintaining our extensive grounds and facilities. Over the school holidays the work in the garden next to the school hall was undertaken. It looks amazing and provides a beautiful area when you enter the school.  Other work over the holidays and in early Term 3 have included:

• Painting of student games, seating and the exterior walls. This looks fantastic. 

• Safety grip installed on a number of stairs across the school.  Including the main entry to the building. 

• The installation of our Grade 6 Legacy project in the foyer of the office.  Ms Sumner and the Grade 6 students have done a sensational job. 

• The replenishment of sand in the Prep playground and long jump pit. 

Thank you for the support of the community through our student fees that assists us in providing the outstanding learning environment for our students and community. 

Student Free Day – Friday 28 August 

A student free day will take place on Friday 28 August. On this day, all staff will be undertaking professional learning about the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support program (SWPBS) that we are implementing later in 2026.

TeamKids will be running care on this day.  Please click here to make a booking. 

Have a fantastic weekend! 

Mark Roberts                       Brian Cleary                                       Robyn Twyford                                    

PRINCIPAL                           ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL                  ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL