Term 3 is Well Underway

What an extremely busy start it has been to Term 3. We ended Term 2 with lots of wonderful events too. Never a quiet week. I do believe our students experience very enriching learning opportunities. On June 21st, our curriculum day, TSPS was joined by five other schools from Wyndham to be part of a combined schools' professional learning day. Our shared focus was 'writing' . Keynote speaker Misty Adoniou enthralled us as she engaged in rich reading processes that enhanced writing in students. In the afternoon, teachers from the various schools showcased best practice through workshops. A great day of learning and networking.

At our final assembly for Term 2, ANZ and Tennis Australia presented all our Prep students with their own tennis racquets as a promotion for both the sport and in and effort to get our children being more active in their daily lives. Just seeing the surprised looks on the faces of our Prep students as they received the racquets was priceless. I thank both the bank and tennis association for this initiative. I also thank Lee for engaging in this initiative and making this a reality for our Prep students. I do hope our students have been using these racquets at home and practising their skills.

Four weeks into Term 3 and many events that have happened that I am pleased to share with our community. In Week 1, we marked NAIDOC week. Kinder children from YMCA and Arndell Park joined our Prep students in marking NAIDOC with a combined acknowledgement ceremony on our school oval. It was a wonderful moment in time. Very moving and symbolic.

In Week 2, we had our Parent Teacher Interviews and I spoke with a number of families as they exited and there were many favourable comments about the opportunity to celebrate student achievement and plan for future learning. It does so much to build the home school partnership when students see their families engage with school in this way. I have also enjoyed attending some of the Year 5/6 debates this past couple of weeks. The art of public speaking is an important one. Developing skills such as working as part of a team to debate a particular topic is very important in developing student confidence and voice. I have been impressed by the planning and presentation of many of the speeches delivered as part of this program. Week 3 was another huge week with Athletics Day on Friday Aug 2 for our Yr. 3-6 students. It was a very well organised event with the students participating in a number of track and field events. Our PE team, (Robbie and Lee), is to be commended for the excellent organisation of the day.All the teachers and family members who attended and cheered our students on are to be thanked for their support. On Thursday and Friday we marked 100 days of schooling. This was particularly significant for our Prep students who marked their very first 100 days at school. It was a magnificent celebration with all our little ones dressing up to the theme of 'superpowers'- superheroes, storybook characters and our wonderful Prep teachers who all donned on capes with the best slogan "I Teach- What is Your Super Power?" What an amazing memory for our youngest school community members to treasure. On Monday evening, Aug 5th I sat in the audience at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre- a very proud Principal as I cheered on our wonderful Wakakirri Crew as they and 5 other schools presented their 7 minute story dances. Our school's theme "War on Waste" was incredibly topical and the costumes, choreography, sets and props, storyline were all incredible. The school received four awards including public speaking and I congratulate Ty, Sienna and Swasthika for speaking so beautifully when conveying our school's message and journey.

Congratulations in particular to Jenn Stirk, Genn Collier, Jacinta Porter and Alex Wren for their vision, facilitation and support in getting 80+ student participants from across Yr 3-6 to be part of this phenomenal event. Well done! Our students just shone.To all the families who came out in support and cheered so loudly (we were the loudest supporters by far) thank you so very much.

This week a number of students attended a Robotics program with other schools in our network. The students learnt a lot about team work and sharing and building upon each other's ideas.

This week our Yr 1-2 from Garnet and Opal have also ventured to Werribee Open Range Zoo and from all accounts the experience has been eye opening and enthralling as students went on Safari and view animals in the open plains. Topaz heads off next Monday.

There have been a number of sporting events where students from TSPS have advanced to the next level. They represent TSPS well.

Staff Updates

At the end of Term 2 we sadly farewelled Jess Dando, Liz Mc lean and Lachlan Scott. Lachlan and Jess have headed to Lara Primary (with Joel). Liz has taken 6 months Leave without Pay to explore other opportunities. I am pleased to welcome Daniel Conibeer and Adam Weise as our ICT techs. I also welcome Holly CIcino (Prep), Callum Crocker (Science), Patricia van den Broeck (social worker) and Naw Tardif (ES). Callum will be replacing Vanessa Smith who is about to take up family leave as she awaits the arrival of her first baby. I wish her well for a safe and healthy delivery of little one. I am excited that we have a social worker in Patricia. Already in just 4 weeks, I am very impressed by the support, knowledge and practices she is bringing to the community. A warm welcome to all our new colleagues.

Patricia vanden Broeck- Social Worker

Just wanting to introduce you al to Patricia, our new social worker. I am pleased to be able to provide such a service at TSPS. Patricia has already made herself very familiar with many of our students and a number of families.- with positive relationships already being forged.I welcome Patricia to our school and look forward to the support she will provide for students, colleagues and families.

Reminders and Updates

Parent Opinion Survey

Many families have received online links to complete DET Parent Opinion Survey for 2019. The families are randomly selected. It is important that where possible families take the time to complete the surveys as the information it provides gives the school the opportunity to reflect upon parent perspectives and see where else we can improve pour delivery and interactions with our community. We distributed 229 surveys. I have been notified by DET that to date we have only had 50 survey responses. Please note access to the survey will end on Aug 16th. There is still a little time to get this done. Your views are important to us.

Early arrival at School

Again I remind families that students are NOT to arrive at school before 8.30am. The grounds are not supervised until 8.30 am. Students are encouraged to arrive between 8.30 and 8.40am to beginning preparing for their school day. Students access classrooms at 8.40. Instruction begins at 8.50am. Please adhere to this time frame.

Medication

At times it is necessary for students to bring medication to school. Under NO circumstance are students to possess the medications themselves. All medications must be brought to the office by a parent and signed in by a parent to Roz Bowles, our medical officer. This process is for the safety of all.

School Council Meetings

trail fo lights festival

Please note the dates for the remaining School Council Meetings for

2019 are as follows:

Aug 14

Sept 18

Oct 16

Nov 13

Dec 4th (Network School Councils dinner - for presiding councillors only)

Meetings begin 6.30pm and are held in the main staffroom.

Trail of Lights Festival

I am really excited about this community event. In conjunction with Wyndham Council, a number of community organisations, kinders and schools are taking part in this event. The students in Yr 5-6 are currently working with Lachlan Plan, an artist, to design lanterns that will feature in this parade and subsequent fortnight of lantern trail tours. On Sept 20, last day of term 3, this event will be launched in Garran Lane, backing onto the back of our school fence. The launch will run from 6-10pm with families and student and many other community members taking part in this event. I am looking for as many families as are able to be part of this celebration. Following on from this, for the following fortnight, running along Federation Trail, the lanterns will feature as part of the lights festival including digital projections, 3D art works and the lanterns themselves with twilight tours and exhibitions. It is a wonderful way for our community (school and wider) to come together. The students lanterns are coming along very nicely. Please consider being part of the launch event.

Hire of Facilities