Principal's Report

Dear families,

Welcome to the 2024 school year! We are all so excited to be back after a lovely break. Our 135 students have settled smoothly into their new classrooms. There is a very positive and happy vibe in the school. School supplies have arrived in a timely manner this year which has made it so much easier. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Over the holidays, Rachael Jeffers and her team from Jets Gymnastics competed at the Aloha International Gymfest in Hawaii! Competing against gymnasts from Canada, Japan, and the USA, and on all 4 apparatuses, bars, floor, balance beam and vault, Rachael achieved her highest individual scores ever. 9.25 on floor, earning her 4th place, and a 93 on beam, the bronze medal! She placed 7th All Around.

Rachael trains 17 hours a week, and is this year determined to qualify in level 6 for both the Victorian Junior Gymnastics Championships in October at Geelong, and National Gymnastics Clubs carnival in September on the Gold Coast.

WELCOME

We welcome twelve new students to our school this year. Foundation is a small class this year with ten students which will be a lovely learning environment. We have Indigo Ash, Scarlett Brown, Declan Burney, Lincoln Calley, Neve Cowan, Jep Ferguson, Nix Ladgrove, Ted Lang, Phillip Lombardozzi, Sam Peatling and Amelia Young. We would also like to welcome Mac and Declan Doller. We also extend a warm welcome to their parents and hope they enjoy being part of our Toolamba Community. 

Late last year we advertised two Student Support roles in our school, and we are very pleased to have Abby Knight and Stacey Hodgkisson join our team. They will be working across the school to support staff and students. 

STAFFING

SCHOOL UNIFORM CLARIFICATION

Just a clarification around school uniforms as several people have asked questions related to these items of clothing.

Socks: Plain black, white, or navy or blue no logos. 

Shorts: Plain navy blue not black ( A small logo is permissible) 

Hats: Navy broad brimmed hat with school logo. 

WELCOME BBQ/MEET AND GREET

On Wednesday 14th February we will be holding our Welcome BBQ commencing at 5.30pm. Prior to this at 5pm, classrooms will be open, and  families are welcome  to come and check out their child’s classroom and meet their teacher for 2024. 

Families are asked to bring along a salad or sweet to share on the night. The school will provide the meat and bread. BYO chair and drinks. To assist with catering please complete your response on XUNO. 

We ask that scooters and bikes are left at home for safety reasons. 

COMMUNICATION

We have four main forms of communication:

1. Weekly Newsletter accessed via XUNO or our school website www.toolambaps.vic.edu.au
2. XUNO
3. Email
4. Phone

If you need to contact your child’s teacher, please either.

• via XUNO
• email toolamba.ps@education.vic.gov.au
• phone call to the school 58265212

All emails and phone calls will be directed to the staff member concerned. 

URSTRONG PARENT/STUDENT INFORMATION SESSION

Originally we were going to view this session at school, however, after speaking to the presenter, he suggested it would be better for families to participate in this session at home with your child/ren. It is an interactive session which provides lots of opportunities to have conversations with your child/ren. He felt it was more comfortable for students to have such conversations in the home environment. 

In 2023 we introduced the program across the whole school. Students in 2024 will participate in weekly lessons around URstrong. A vital component of the program is having parents being informed about the strategies being taught in the school. I strongly encourage you to attend this session. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ASSEMBLY

Assembly will be held on a Monday at 3pm. At our first assembly on Monday, we will be presenting our school leaders for 2024 with their badges. 

PARENT STUDENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS 

In Week 6 (4th – 8th March) we will be holding our interviews. Bookings will be made via XUNO. We will send a notification when times are ready.

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF EDUCATION

The Toolamba Primary School will be celebrating 150 years of education on Saturday the 20th of April from 1pm-4pm. Please keep this date free.

PAEDIATRIC REFERRALS

Over the past 3 years the school has been very fortunate to access the paediatric services at Mooroopna Early Years Centre. Outlined below are the guidelines related to accessing this support.

2024 PAEDIATRIC CLINIC- REFERRAL PROCESS- Non-Neighbourhood Schools

• The child is identified by the school due to possible emotional/behavioural disorder; developmental disorder; mental health issue; knowledge of previous trauma.
• The school discusses the paediatric referral with the parent/carer and if in agreement requests the parent organise a referral from a GP to the paediatrician. This referral must be obtained through a general practitioner. Please make sure to obtain yearly referrals and not indefinite referrals.
• The referral is sent/emailed to the medical receptionist (on site at Mooroopna PS) and an appointment time is organised.
• If the medical receptionist has not heard from the relevant school, she will make contact to ensure the school is aware of the referral and the administrative cost.
• IMPORTANTLY schools are asked to ensure that a teacher or school wellbeing representative attends these appointments. In the event of the patient and family not arriving for the appointment the Paediatrician will still meet with the teacher/wellbeing representative to discuss the student. If a patient does not arrive for their appointment and there is also no school representative to see the Paediatrician, the school will be invoiced $100 for a missed appointment.
• The child may be referred for further assessments/therapy as appropriate. The follow up appointments for review are arranged at this time.
• Copies of correspondence, following each consultation, are forwarded by the paediatrician to the parent, referring general practitioner and therapists/allied health as appropriate.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

School Council elections are upon us again. This year we have 7 parents and 1 staff member who have completed their term of office and are up for re-election. Simon Robinson, Tayhlah Sammut, Justin Young, Ashlee Clowes, Carly Tuhan Shae Stewart and Jon Calvert. Hopefully we will be able to encourage many of these people to renominate as they make a valuable contribution to our school. We do encourage other members of our parent community to join our school council, we are always looking for new members as families leave our school. 

Jo Jeffers who has resigned from council, has been a valued member of our school council for several years and we appreciate all that she has done for Toolamba P.S. Thanks Jo.

Please refer to the School Council section of the newsletter for details about School Council Elections. Parents are strongly encouraged to nominate for School Council. 

• Ask at the school for help if you would like to stand for election and are not sure what to do
• Consider standing for election to council this year. Contact the school for further information.

Have  a lovely weekend,

Regards Heather