Principal's Report
Dear Families,
Orientation Day was an exciting one for children and staff. Everyone settled eagerly into their 2023 class. Thanks to our teachers for their careful preparation for this day and to the students who all suddenly seemed much older and wiser in their new classrooms. Thank you to those families who took the time to provide positive feedback to our staff.
After 2 years of straight classes, we decide to have some composite classes. Student preferences and staff observations were used when forming these groups.
Composite classes will facilitate:
• Team planning where teachers work together to plan tasks to scaffold student learning
• Common assessment tasks are used to identify students' next point of learning and then students are grouped according to their learning needs.
• Such planning allows for targeted teaching.
• Assisting students with developing and forming new friendship groups.
Please be assured that composite classes will not hinder your child’s academic development, as teachers' planning is informed by data on an ongoing basis. Students will still have timetabled opportunities to be with other students in their year level.
We also had the privilege of listening to the leadership speeches on Tuesday. Students presented some extremely persuasive reasons why they would make excellent leaders in our school in 2023.
Enjoy some photos of our 2023 Foundation students.
PHILLIP ISLAND CAMP
Our Grades 3-6 headed off to camp on Wednesday morning. Thank you once again to the staff who volunteered to go on camp, we are certainly very appreciative of your efforts. I have loved seeing the photos as the days have progressed. Despite the chilly weather, they appear to be having great fun. At this stage they are expected to return at 4pm on Friday.
LAST DAY SCHOOL
Our last day of school for the year is Tuesday 20th of December. Class parties and KKs will be held on this day. Due to changes to the bus times Final Assembly will commence at 12pm in the amphitheatre and conclude at 1.15pm.
END OF YEAR ASSEMBLY ORDER
Scholarships
o Mooroopna Rotary Scholarship
o Toolamba Wrens CWA
o Toolamba Lions
o Terrific Kids
Teacher awards
o Academic Award
o Excellence Awards
o Citizenship
o Terrific Teammate
o Sports Award
o Art Award
o Music
• Farewell students & families
• School Captain Speeches
• Leadership Announcements
• School Council Speech
• P & F Speech
• Whole School Song
• Santa
FAREWELL
The end of the year is always a time to say farewell to members of our school community. On Monday night, we will have the opportunity to formally farewell our Grade 6 students. They have been a fantastic group whom we have grown very extremely fond of. We are certainly going to miss them and their unique sense of humour! We wish them all the best as they head off to their respective secondary schools. We are also sad to be farewelling, Matilda Hall, Angus McNaughton, Finn Walta and Zac Webb.
For our Year 6 families who have the last of their children finishing at Toolamba. They include Kristy & Vince Fasano, Kylie & James Hoskin, Karen Ferguson & Darren Kelly, Nina & Vince Lemma, Pam & Kevin Moran, Tammy Sole, Kristy & Clint Thomas, Bec & Daniel Trevaskis, Mary & Tony Valentin, Anna & Justin Walta and Rebecca & Daryl Webb, we wish you all the very best for the future and thank you for all your contributions over the years.
VICTORIAN HIGH ABILITIES PROGRAM
Congratulation to Ava Giles, Matilda Marsden and Rachael Jeffers who have been selected to participate in this extension programs in English and Mathematics in Term 1 next year.
The Virtual School Victoria is delivering the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP) to high-ability students in Years 5-8, at all Victorian State Schools. This is part of the State Government’s $60.2 million investment in the new Student Excellence Program. Selection is based on NAPLAN and teacher judgement results.
VHAP consists of ten-week online courses in Mathematics and English for both Primary and Secondary levels. Students engage in synchronous Webex classes with their teachers. They can also engage with the course material on VSV Online outside of the class time.
STAFFING 2023
Sadly, Ms Uhlendorf has accepted a teaching position in Melbourne next year closer to her family. She certainly will be missed at Toolamba. Students have had the opportunity to create some very original pieces of art.
On a positive note, we would like to welcome Carly Tuhan to our staff in 2023. Carly will be taking Art which is very exciting.
Mrs Bathman has requested a part time position for 2023. She will be working two days per week. We are still very thankful that she will remain at Toolamba! Jayne Sproule will return to her full-time position which is great news for the school. I know she is extremely keen to be back in the classroom. Maria Serra has 12 months leave along with Jenny Davey who is on Long Service Leave.
THANK YOU
Firstly, thank you to our Toolamba Staff. We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate group of people who have your child’s academic and social and emotional needs at the heart of everything they do. I'm confident that you would join me in commending and thanking them for the outstanding work they do in education and for the very many ways in which they go "above and beyond."
So too, I wish to acknowledge and thank our parents for the amazing home-school partnerships. These positive partnerships certainly enhance your child’s wellbeing and learning opportunities.
HOLIDAY SECURITY
As you have done in the past, I encourage you to keep an eye on our school over the holidays. Please notify the police if you see anything suspicious.
Finally, on behalf of the Staff of Toolamba PS, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. For those of you that are travelling I hope that you arrive and return safely.
Happy Christmas and take care over the holiday season!
Regards Heather