Toolamba Primary School

Principal's Report

Dear Families

Hopefully, everyone enjoyed spending time with their families over the past two weeks. We were blessed with some lovely sunny days, which made outdoor activities even more enjoyable.

 

A huge thank you to all the staff who covered for me while I was on leave. I am very fortunate to work with such a fantastic team. Thankfully, my husband is recovering well after his operation.

 

Pie Orders 

Pie orders will be ready for collection on Friday after school from the canteen.Thank you to all the families who supported this fundraiser.

 

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN student reports for Grades 3 and 5 have arrived this week and will be sent home tomorrow with your child.The results were very pleasing.

 

STAFFING

We would like to welcome Erin Osmond to the Grade 5/6 classroom, working with Filippa. She was the successful applicant for the advertised .6 position.

We would also like to welcome Sharne Milne, who was the successful applicant for the advertised Education Support position.

 

 

Lunchtime Activities

After consultation with students, we have decided to trial dedicated times for classes to use the Frog Bog area:

  • Weeks 1–3: Grade 5 & 6
  • Weeks 4–6: Foundation – Grade 2
  • Weeks 7–9: Grade 3 & 4

Other supervised lunchtime activities:

  • Monday: Origami – Mrs Aitken
  • Tuesday: Lego Club – Mrs Sammit
  • Wednesday: Sport – Mr Tarrant
  • Thursday: Art – Mrs Tuhan
  • Friday: Karaoke – Mrs Kimmorley

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Please book your interview via XUNO. Interviews run Monday 28th July – Friday 8th August.

These interviews are a valuable opportunity for parents to:

  • Gain insight into their child’s learning, progress, and wellbeing
  • Show children that their education is important
  • Build a strong partnership between home and school

These conversations allow parents and teachers to work together to support each child’s development, address concerns early, and ensure the best outcomes for learning and growth.

 

Student Leadership

This week, we came across an article by Michael Grose on high-impact gestures to encourage school leadership, which we plan to share with students. It aligns strongly with our school values.

25 Simple, High-impact Gestures to Encourage in Student Leaders

Leadership isn't just about titles—it’s about actions that inspire and uplift others. For primary students, simple gestures can profoundly impact their character and school culture.

Here are 10 examples:

  1. Greet all classmates warmly – Helps others feel valued and welcomed.
  2. Help new students settle in – Builds empathy and ensures no one feels left out.
  3. Organise group activities – Fosters teamwork and collaboration.
  4. Take responsibility for cleaning shared spaces – Encourages respect and accountability.
  5. Cheer for classmates’ achievements – Creates a culture of encouragement.
  6. Volunteer for classroom tasks – Shows initiative and selflessness.
  7. Encourage quiet peers to share thoughts – Builds confidence and inclusivity.
  8. Help classmates struggling with schoolwork – Reinforces empathy and support.
  9. Respect everyone’s ideas in discussions – Encourages open-mindedness.
  10. Create inclusive games – Promotes fairness and inclusion.

(Source: Michael Grose, 22 July 2025)

 

National Tree Day Postponed

The Greater City of Shepparton has postponed its National Tree Day event planned for Sunday, 27th July, due to forecast rain and site constraints.

New event date: Sunday, 31st August 2025 at the same location.

 

Have a lovely weekend!

Heather & Filippa