Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Welcome to the first edition of our Term 3 newsletter! I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and relaxing break with family and friends.

As we begin a new semester, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the progress of all our students and express gratitude to our dedicated staff and supportive families. Most families are meeting today with their child’s/children’s teacher/s to celebrate the success of the first half of the school year, and to work together to support their child to be the best they can. 

The term has started smoothly, with students quickly readjusting back into the school routines. We have an exciting term ahead, packed with events such as school sleepovers, excursions, the Grade 6 Ski Camp, Book Week, Father’s Day stall, the Dental Van visit, various sporting events, and our highly anticipated art show.

We welcome some new staff members.

We are very pleased to welcome to our school teaching staff Mr. Ryan Bolger and Mr. O’Connor. 

Mr. Bolger is very excited to be joining the Toorak Primary School community. He has been a teacher for many years, last having taught at a Brighton School. For a brief time, he stepped aside from teaching, and has been working in education recruitment, but the pull of the classroom proved to be too great, and he has now joined the wonderful TPS team. He has been drawn to TPS because he is passionate about evidence-based approaches to learning and teaching. Mr. Bolger lives locally with his husband and their precocious twelve-year-old pug, Louis. He enjoys spending time at his house on the Mornington Peninsula and is striving to get back into running and lives in constant hope that this is ‘the year’ for the mighty Melbourne Demons.

Mr. O’Connor, you might know as Callum who has been working at our school as an education support staff member. We welcome Mr. O’Connor to our teaching team.  

Both Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Bolger will be working across the whole school, in different classes, in a casual replacement teacher role and to support staff in peer observations.

Whilst Mrs. Suada Dzaferovic (Assistant Principal) is undertaking long service leave Mr. Luke Fletcher has stepped up  as acting assistant principal for the next few weeks.  We also have Mr. Mark Walsh on leave and Mrs. Margaret Whitford is acting in his role. This is a great opportunity for staff within our school, aspiring for leadership positions in the future, to have the opportunity to lead within our school. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Fletcher or Mrs. Whitford for support about any concerns.

To further the work in the well-being space, Ms. Renee Kociski (Gr 6 teacher) will be taking on the role as Learning Specialist – Wellbeing, which entails leading the school in its implementation of School-Wide Positive Behaviours Supports and other associated programs. 

A sniffle or sore throat then…

Students should continue to stay home if they are unwell, given the impacts of flu and colds on our school community. This assists us with maintaining our teachers at school, as there is a shortage of replacement teachers and keeping our school community as healthy as we can.

To help reduce the spread of flu and colds, students are being encouraged to;

• wash and sanitise their hands regularly
• avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze 
• if unwell, stay at home until symptoms pass.

NAPLAN Reporting

The NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)  results for students, in Yr. 3 and 5, were sent home to families last Friday. 

NAPLAN continues to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation and is presented in 4 proficiency levels:

These are:

• exceeding
• strong
• developing
• needs additional support.

Students’ NAPLAN reports show how they are tracking and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be, in order to get the most out of schooling. This provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.

NAPLAN results are important milestone, but it is also important that students know that one result does not define them and that this is one assessment at a point of time. These results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to grow as learners.

As always, please reach out to your child’/children’s teacher or a member of the leadership team with any questions about NAPLAN.

See the NAPLAN infographic (PDF 810 KB) for useful information on NAPLAN tests and benefits. 

To see the look and feel of the tests and types of questions, visit the online assessment Public demonstration site. Find past NAPLAN paper tests and answers on the ACARA website.

Students looking their best

Toorak Primary has a compulsory uniform policy. A uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of themselves as an integral part of the school community, and assists in developing pride in representing their school. It promotes equality amongst all students and develops a sense of pride in, and identification with our school.

We are seeking parents’ co-operation to ensure the correct uniform is worn and that all clothing is clearly labeled. Staff are encouraged to remind students to wear the correct uniform.

Plans for 2025.

As in all school communities, some families relocate at the end of the year. It is very helpful for our planning and much appreciated at this early stage, if you could advise the office if you know you will not be returning to Toorak Primary School in 2025.

Workforce planning for the year ahead commences in Term 3. Prep enrolments and information about families leaving Toorak Primary School helps us plan for the overall organisation of the school in the new year.

Kind regards,

Sharon Wildermuth

Acting Principal