Torquay Coast Primary School Newsletter

General School News & Information

Changed Parking Conditions around the School

Parent Payment Information 2022

Torquay Coast Primary School is excited to announce that in 2022, and for the foreseeable future, there will be NO requested payment towards Curriculum Contributions from TCPS families. Our school will provide ALL curriculum materials for our students without any requested financial contribution in the form of student charges, from our families. This includes ALL books/pens/pencils/paper etc, art supplies, online programs, classroom materials, sporting programs inc. buses. 

 

Parents will not be requested to make any financial contribution to cover these items. Please refer to the attached tables for further information. The only requested payments will be for camps and any other extra-curriculum excursions. These items will be parent choice in terms of student attendance. 

 

There has been a number of complex contributing factors that has enabled us to achieve and provide this for our families. The ongoing support of our families has ensured that our school has been able to offer the best possible education and support for our students. We want to thank all those over our school’s history for their support. This has made a huge difference to our school and the programs we have been able to, and will continue to, offer. We look forward to another great year of teaching and learning in 2022, without disruption to our educational programs, and the delivery of a comprehensive curriculum supported by our amazing staff. 

 

For further information on the Department’s Parent Payments Policy please see a one-page overview attached. Parents can pay on a ‘USER PAYS’ Basis for any Extra Curricular Excursions/Camps. These are an option for families to pay for if they wish their student to attend. These Extra-Curricular Items/Activities will be communicated to families next year through COMPASS outlining the costs per event. You will be able to consent online and pay via COMPASS PAY.

Parent Payment Information 2022.pdf

Torquay Coast Primary School Annual Privacy Reminder for 2022

Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy.

 

Please take time to remind yourself of our school’s collection notice, found on our website: TCPS COLLECTION STATEMENT. 

 

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in nine community languages:

  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • DarI
  • Gujarati
  • Mandarin
  • Somali
  • Sudanese
  • Turkish
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese

Term Dates 2026-2030

The Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 require the Minister for Education to determine the days on which a government school is required to be open for attendance by students.

 

The Minister for Education has set the term dates for 2026-2030. Setting school dates well in advance assists with school planning and ensures the school community knows the days Victorian government schools are open for student instruction.

 

The 2026-2030 term dates are based on these criteria:

  • there are four school terms
  • the school year is 200 days
  • the Australia Day holiday occurs before students return to school
  • the first term vacation is to coincide with Easter
  • that, as far as possible, a consistent pattern be maintained from one five-year block to the next.

More information is on the Department’s website: School term dates and holidays in Victoria (education.vic.gov.au)

 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/pages/datesterm.aspx

Extra Curricular Programs at TCPS

School are not always able to provide specialist programs for all areas of preference - based on the way our curriculum is designed.

 

However at TCPS we are committed to provide as many diverse learning experiences as possible to cater for varying interests and in support of student engagement. We do this at TCPS by offering daily lunchtime programs. Currently our students have the opportunity to participate in the following:

 

Music: Drumming

Visual Arts

STEM

Creative Arts - Dance

Mindfulness

Reading (Library)

Mobile Phones/Smart Watches/Communication devices

Staff have noted that more and more of our students are wearing Smart Watches. There is absolutely no problem with this at all, however parents should be reminded that there are a number of conditions that must be adhered to, as per Department of Education and Training policy.

 

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones/Smart Watches/cellular, telecommunication devices MUST NOT BE USED at TCPS during school hours, including lunchtime and recess. Devices should be handed to teachers at the commencement of the school day, and then collected at days end.

 

Smart Watches need to be programmed such that they do not function as communication devices during school hours. These devices are not permitted or required on school camps and excursions. All, and any, communication should be directed through your child's homegroup teacher or the school office.

TCPS Uniform

  • School Uniform is available to be purchased at PSW in Geelong, located at 164 Malop Street Geelong.
  • Students are able to wear any closed toe shoe (runners or school shoe)
  • The only unique school items of uniform are the school polo and the school dress - our polo has been uniquely designed for TCPS

You can also order uniform online at:

http://www.psw.com.au/retail/schoolorderform.aspx?id=19294  

 

Please add the following code for free shipping at checkout: FREESHIPPING19294_2020

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening, with the worst case scenario being death in 3-5 minutes. Anaphylaxis always requires an emergency response. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and medication.

 

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of the students who have been diagnosed at risk; awareness of triggers (allergens) and; prevention of exposure to these triggers.

 

TORQUAY COAST PRIMARY SCHOOL acknowledges that the management of a student diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis is a joint responsibility of the school and staff, the student, the student’s parents/guardians and the student’s Medical Practitioner.

 

TORQUAY COAST PRIMARY SCHOOL is “allergy aware” and not a NUT FREE SCHOOL.  A nut free environment is not recommended as it is impossible to guarantee, which potentially provides a false sense of security to students, parents/guardians and staff.

 

A NUT FREE SCHOOL environment does not protect students whose allergen may be egg, insect bite etc. A NUT FREE SCHOOL environment does not enable the school to prepare a student with life skills in teaching them how to manage their risk of anaphylaxis

 

This article is to alert you that we have a number of students in the school that have severe and life threatening allergies to a number of foods. To help keep the classroom safe it would be greatly appreciated if you could be mindful when sending foods that contain the above listed food to school with your child.

 

I thank you for your cooperation in helping to make our school a safe environment for all students.

Learning Tasks - Live Reporting

Learning Tasks form the LIVE REPORTING component of the TCPS reporting program.

This process involves teachers providing parents and students with feedback based on Learning Tasks that are completed in the classroom throughout the term.

 

Teachers assess students based on specific criteria for each carefully planned Learning Task and provide written comments several times each term. Parents can log onto COMPASS at any time to read these comments as soon as they are published. Parents are also encouraged to submit a feedback comment based on their children’s work on COMPASS in the ‘Conversation’ section of the learning Task. 

 

It is important to remember that a Learning Task is an indication of how a student is progressing in that particular area of the curriculum at that time. It is an up to date ‘snapshot’ of learning. Students’ learning develops, grows and evolves as time progresses.

The work the students produce during the Learning Tasks will be assessed as either:

  • Progressing towards achieving the learning outcome.
  • Proficient at the learning outcome.
  • At an advanced level that exceeds the learning outcome.

Please note: Learning outcomes (the Proficient level) are expected to be achieved by the end of a school year.

 

Your child’s level of learning on a Learning Task will be presented in a Proficiency Scale attached as a PDF. 

 

Teachers also provide a personalised written paragraph on COMPASS about your child’s performance in the Learning Task.

 

During the school year, you will receive feedback on your child’s Learning Tasks in key areas of the curriculum:

  • Reading and Viewing
  • Writing
  • Mathematics

VIRTUAL TOUR

follow this link to view the video:

Torquay YMCA Key Information 2021.pdf

Please note the following message from DET

  • Schools are reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident insurance for students.
  • Parents and guardians are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including any transport costs.
  • Student accident insurance policies are available from some commercial insurers. These cover a range of medical expenses not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.