What a big fortnight at TPS

We continue to be amazed by the achievements of our students in their sporting endeavours, and this fortnight has been full of highlights. The way our students compete, represent the school and show amazing sportsmanship throughout is simply incredible and something we are very proud of.

State Athletics

40 years ago was the last time we had an athletics state champion, when Fiona Osment won the 12/13 girls high jump (thanks Mr T for the anecdote). This week we can add Ella F to this exclusive list, after winning the 9/10 girls Triple Jump at the State Athletics in Melbourne.

 This is an incredible achievement, and has come through lots of hard work and practice. Tilly F also represented our school, and amazingly came 5th in the 12/13 girls long jump.

Lawn Bowls State finals

Our team of Lawn Bowlers were only 2 ends off also being state champions. This team went through the interschool competition, regional finals and the first 2 matches of the state titles undefeated, before falling 8-6 in their final game. An amazing achievement from a group of students who have shown unbelievable improvement throughout the year. 

A big thank you to Mr T, Geoff and Bernie Tinning and Barry Cuttriss, who give up so much time to coach and mentor our lawn bowls program.

Team Tennis

In a very strong regional competition, our Team Tennis side came 3rd overall in their competition in Swan Hill last week. The girls played great tennis all day and competed largely against much bigger schools, showing great skill and resilience throughout. Thanks to Josh for coaching the girls and to Mrs Pridham for taking them to Swan Hill.

T20 Cricket

Today we took 3 teams to Moama for the Inter school cricket tournament. Our students again represented the school extremely well and showed great skill and sportsmanship throughout.

Our girls team, coached by John Forde, came away victorious and now travel to Swan Hill for the regional competition next Friday.

School Saving Bonus

As part of the Victorian Government Education State model, all families will be part of the new School Saving Bonus Initiative from 2025.

The School Saving Bonus initiative is a one-off payment of $400 per child to be used towards supporting your child's education. 

Families can choose how they spend the School Saving Bonus. It can be used towards 2025 school costs, which may include:

• camps, trips, excursions and incursions
• swimming and sporting programs
• school uniforms

The School Saving Bonus will be emailed directly to parents and carers in November 2024. Therefore, it is essential that the school has your correct email address on your child's enrolment. If you need to change this, please speak to the school.

More information about the School Saving Bonus can be found at:

https://www.vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus

Welcome

A big welcome to Mr David Bourke, who joins us as Grade 3/4A teacher until the end of the year, replacing Mrs Holloway, who is on extended sick leave. Mr Bourke is currently teaching at Ardmona PS, and has a strong background around curriculum knowledge, particularly in Numeracy.

You may have noticed a few new faces around the school lately on a regular basis.

Mrs Jo Webb, who has been a past teacher at the school, is working every Friday at the school. Jo is a trained social worker, and is doing some great group work with students around a range of different focuses. 

Mrs Brydie Eyre is working every Thursday, providing some additional tutoring in our Grade 5/6 space, assisting students in preparedness for Secondary School, and supporting students achieve learning goals.

Finally, a big welcome to the number of new families who have begun at Tongala PS recently. It is lovely to have so many new families joining our school community, and I have no doubt we will make them feel very welcome.

Have a great weekend everyone

Rob