Principals' Message 

Hello Parents and Friends,

As you will read in this week’s newsletter, there are many events we are looking forward to as we progress to the end of the year.  It is such an exciting time at school.  Our Grade 1 students had a wonderful camp experience with their magic night last week. The TPPS future leaders in Grade 5 have just completed their unit of work on student leadership and this culminated in leadership speeches to their peers this week.  All of our Grade 5 students have done an exceptional job and it will be extremely difficult to select our Grade 6 leaders.  We are so fortunate to have such a principled, caring and talented Grade 5 cohort.   In Inquiry, our Grade 2 students have been studying the question, ‘Why are some Australian animals endangered and how can we help them?’ They built dioramas which look fantastic and they really exhibit the learning they have undertaken this term. Please take a look in the Learning @ TPPS section of this newsletter to read more about the outstanding achievements of our Grade 5/6 students in recent mathematics competitions, Grade 2 learning and Grade 1 camp. 

Remembrance Day

On Monday, we held a commemorative ceremony at TPPS to acknowledge Remembrance Day.   Remembrance Day is held on 11 November each year as this is the anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 that ended fighting in World War I.  Our Grade 6 Leaders, Angelique and Angus, led our ceremony beautifully as they explained the history of Remembrance Day and read the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.  The poem was written by a young World War 1 soldier named John McCrae. John was on the battlefields in 1915. After our speeches we held our minute of silence and Ms Somerville played the ‘Last Post’ on the cornet for the entire school.  Ms Somerville is a very talented musician and we thank her for her beautiful rendition. Lest we forget.  

Parent Payments for 2026

You will notice on your Newsfeed under Course Confirmation that the 2026 Parent Payments are now available to be paid on Compass. 

The process on how to pay the charges is outlined in the letter and guide on the Compass Newsfeed. 

Once again, the student charges for Prep and Grades 1-6 are different.  Our Grade 1-6 students use student textbooks while our Prep students do not.  Please see more information on what these levies cover in the attached letter. 

As well as Curriculum Contributions that cover all stationery, books and subscriptions, in 2026 the school will be undertaking a major project to build a shelter over our basketball court and lay synthetic grass over our asphalt courts. This is a large project that will be fully funded by the school. The shelter will provide a covered space for PE lessons and whole school events. Parent contributions assist us to undertake major projects such as this one.

Thank you for your vital contribution to our voluntary levies.  Without your contributions we would not be able to offer our extensive and diverse learning programs, purchase the excellent resources we have and improve our facilities.

If you have any further queries please contact Sanober in the school office.

A huge thank you to all the families that have already made the payments.  It is greatly appreciated. 

TPPS Christmas Concert - Wednesday 10 December 

Our annual TPPS Christmas Concert is set to take place on Wednesday 10 December. The night will kick off at 5:00pm on the synthetic basketball courts.  All year levels will sing a Christmas carol and there may even be a special visitor from the North Pole!

All families are invited to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the company of the school community before the concert begins at 5:00pm.  Our Christmas Concert is an alcohol free event. 

We are looking forward to sharing a fun and festive night with you all!

Class Placement Forms for 2026

As we move towards the end of the 2025 school year, over the next few weeks, staff will commence the process of creating grades for the 2026 school year.  Whilst this sounds like a straightforward task, creating grades is a complex process.  

What factors are considered when making grades?

The objective of making classes is to ensure they are as balanced as possible.  Factors teachers and principal staff consider are learning needs, behaviour, gender, learning and social networks, social and emotional maturity, class placements in previous years, opportunity for students to broaden their friendship groups and family situations (eg. twins, cousins, siblings).

Why has my child not been placed with one of their five nominated friends?

All children are placed with one of their five nominated friends.  While this question is often asked, when the handwritten forms of the students are checked it proves that a mistake was not made.  Quite often students forget who they selected or inform their parents they have not been placed with at least one friend when in fact they have.  

Can I request a particular teacher for my child either in writing or through discussion with my child’s present teacher? 

No, this is not part of the class placement process. 

Can I provide information to support the informed placement of my child? 

Yes, parents will be able to provide information that is not known by the school in an online form. 

Why haven’t my requests been approved? 

All family requests are seriously considered and recorded. At times, family requests can be conflicting (to another family’s request, to the student’s requests, or from the professional opinion of the teacher). 

Do teachers request certain student placements into their classes? 

No, teachers are not assigned to a class by the Principal team until after the classes have been approved. Teachers focus on class balance to ensure a successful year for all students. 

When I get my child’s class placement, can I request that it be changed? 

The class placements are considered final. Changes are not made due to the fact they cause a chain reaction and impact on the class balance. We consider the learning and wellbeing of each individual during the placement process and families must realise their child is part of a complex equation in school placements. If the school has made an obvious error, a change may be made.

How can I help my child during this process? 

Families can help by supporting the informed decisions of the staff and ensuring all conversations with their children are positive and encouraging.  Hold a conversation with your child and discuss who would be suitable to list as 5 possible classmates in 2026.

Where it is considered that special circumstances may have a significant impact on a student’s educational, social or personal development, parents may wish to make a request regarding their student’s placement. To do this, the electronic 2026 Class Placement Form can now be accessed at the following address.  The personal information provided is treated confidentially and will only be viewed by the principal team.

https://forms.gle/PBNZMqh5va4j2uXG7

This form is not to be used to request a particular teacher or for friendship groups.  Students will have an opportunity to nominate five friends and are guaranteed to be placed with at least one of them. 

Please complete the form (by clicking on the link above) by Friday 21st November. Late responses cannot be accepted as the classroom placement process begins immediately after this date. 

The selection of classes is a long and considered process with many factors considered when making a decision. The submission of this form does not guarantee the request, however, the information contained will be considered.

PFA Colour Fun Run - Friday 21 November

Our PFA Colour Explosion Fun Run will take place on Friday 21st of November.  The Fun Run will commence at 2:00pm and will take place on the back oval. 

The PFA have once again decided not to make this event a fundraiser.  The cost for each student will be $8 and this money will be used to purchase the colour powder and other equipment required for the day.  

Students will need to wear old clothing for the day (not their school uniform).  For full effect of colour, students should wear an old white T-shirt or purchase a cheap white T-shirt for the event. A couple of important clothing requirements are outlined below. 

• All students are required to bring a pair of sunglasses from home to wear during the event. 
• As the students will be sprayed with water, some students may wish to wear a singlet or crop top underneath their T-shirt. 

Holi Colour Powder will be used for the run.  These powders are non-toxic, non-flammable, environmentally friendly and skin safe and are made of 98% corn starch and 2% permitted colours.

Please see Compass to provide consent and payment for your child to participate in our colour explosion Fun Run and for further information.  We can’t wait for the event! Our students are going to have an amazing time. 

PFA Volunteers and Plumber Needed - Help Us Bring the Colour Fun Run to Life!

The PFA are looking for helpers to assist them with the Colour Fun Run next week.  Please click on the PFA section of this newsletter to learn about how you can assist and complete the volunteer form.  

Are you Leaving Templestowe Park in 2026?

We ask that you let us know if you are considering moving or have enrolled at another school in 2026.  We require this information as soon as possible in order to establish grade structures for the start of the new school year.

If your child is currently in Grades Prep to 5 and will not be at Templestowe Park in 2026, please notify the school office by emailing to:- templestowe.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au

2026 Grade Prep Transition 

Our 2026 Prep Orientation sessions have been fantastic and our youngest students have had a wonderful time.  We have only one session left and our new Preps will find out their teacher and class during this session. We can't wait for our new Preps to start next year! 

The remaining Orientation sessions are as follows: 

• Thursday, 27 November: 9.15 – 10.30am (final Prep orientation session)

Hats in Term 4 

I remind all families that school hats are compulsory in Term 4.  The Grade 1-6 school slouch and legionnaire hats can be purchased  from PSW online or in-store. 

Our Grade Prep and Grade 1-6 legionnaires hats can be purchased from the onsite uniform shop.

Please see all uniform information at the link below. 

https://www.templestoweparkps.vic.edu.au/page/34/School-Uniform

Principals' Award 

We were so pleased to present the Principals’ Award to Zoe M today at our assembly. Zoe has an optimistic approach to her learning by always trying her best. This has been proven by her fantastic results she has achieved so far this year. She’s a great friend to her peers, is always polite and is a pleasure to have at Templestowe Park. 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Mark Roberts                       Brian Cleary                                       Robyn Twyford                                    

PRINCIPAL                           ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL                  ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL