I have been reflecting recently about learning lessons rather than focussing on mistakes. I am just like everyone else and get it wrong from time to time so I need to change my focus to what am I learning? How can I increase my self-reliance? This is important for us as adults but also for our children. We need to encourage them that it’s OK to make a mistake. We need to learn from it and move forward.

2020 Planning

I have commenced planning for 2020. It is a long and complex process. I am excited to see our school continue to grow next year. We are working through Foundation (Prep) placements for 2020. We hope to notify parents confirmation of places within the next 2 weeks. If you know of anyone new who would like to attend Thornbury Primary in 2020 (in any year level), they must complete an enrolment form. Families who live in the area where Thornbury Primary School is their closest designated school, will be admitted (According to www. Findmyschool.vic.gov.au). We can take students from outside this area provided we have the space to do so. Siblings of students who attend Thornbury Primary will be given priority and then location of address.

If you have any questions regarding enrolments, please feel free to speak to the office.

Camping programs

This term has been very busy with our camping program. We have re-introduced the 1/2 dinner/sleepover recently which was a huge success. This term has also seen our 3/4 camps and 5/6 camps in operation.

Camp dates are hard to book. Some campsites require 2 years advanced notice and the popular times of the year are already booked. Schools with bigger numbers also receive priority as they fill all the resources of the campsite. We continue to try to book various times of the year but we often find it hard to book a time outside of Term 3. We will continue to look for campsites at various times.

I would like to thank all the staff and parents who helped out at any of our camping events. Our staff are not paid any extra and they receive no extra payments but they are on duty 24/7 for your child to be safe. Some of our staff were required to attend a couple of camps so our supervision ratios were correct. Please thank our staff for their dedication to the camping program.

Student Free Days

What is the difference between Curriculum Days, Student Led Conferences and Student Free days?

Curriculum Days are student free days that allow staff to have professional learning. Every school should have four Curriculum Days in any year. Thornbury Primary School has had 3 Curriculum Days this year and our 4th on is on Monday September 16th.

Student Led Conferences are school adjusted days. Students are required to attend the conferences with their parents on that day. Thornbury Primary School has only 1 of these days per year which is similar to most primary schools.

The Monday before Melbourne Cup Day is also an adjusted School Day. Staff and students are expected at the Arts Festival on Saturday November 16th to perform or work. The

Monday before Melbourne Cup Day is given in Lieu of November 16th

We will endeavour to communicate our Student Free Days to you earlier next year. Curriculum Days are dependent on speakers, booking places and staff schedules.

Special Funding Announcement

Many of you may recall that Thornbury Primary School received an extra $80,000 towards building maintenance. We are still in negotiations with the Victorian School Building Authority over what will be completed.

On Monday the Minister of Education, James Merlino, announced a new round of funding for schools. Thornbury Primary School will receive an addition $100,000 towards the extra costs of things needed for our maintenance. I hope that works will commence in 2019. I would like to thank our local member Kat Theophanous for her advocacy to the State Government.

Next issue I will tell you about another exciting event for Thornbury Primary School but I am not allowed to say anything yet…….

Enjoy the warmer weather

Leon Bell

Principal

“The more seriously you take your growth, the more seriously your people will take you.” – John Maxwell

In the Arts / Craft

Arts Festival – 16 November 2019