We are nearly half way through the first term and we have some big things coming up.

Colour Run

Our Colour Run will be on April 1st.  Students can earn amazing prizes if they get sponsors and earn a certain amount of money for the school.  Participation for the day requires a $10 registration fee as we have hired an external company to assist us with the organisation of this event.  So far, we have raised over $5000 towards purchasing a new playground for our students to use.  Students will also benefit from having a white t-shirt for this event, that will need to be purchased from elsewhere before the day.  Students who register will get sunglasses and a headband.

NAPLAN

Students have been preparing to complete their NAPLAN over the next couple of weeks.  NAPLAN is a measure of student achievement compared to other schools across Australia.  We value this data as it shows how well our programs are working within our school.

Hats

We have noticed a huge number of students not wearing hats during this very hot and dry weather that we are currently experiencing.  It is an Anti-Cancer Council Australia requirement that students wear hats during the months where UV is at it’s highest and the risks of sun exposure and skin cancer are higher.  Please ensure your child has a hat and possibly 2 or 3 that they can use as spares.  We would prefer if they had school hats, but other bucket or broad brimmed hats are acceptable.

Parking and traffic safety

Congratulations to all of our parents and families who have been doing an amazing job at the drop off zone each morning.  I have even noticed families coordinating to have one person exit the vehicle with the children whilst the driver waits elsewhere.   It has been wonderful to see everyone doing their bit to keep our students safe and to keep traffic moving.

I will remind parents to be especially careful near the Speed Bumps on Tower St and Baxterpark Drive as well as beside the crossing.  It is a regular occurrence that people are driving straight through the zebra crossing on Tower St and not allowing students to cross the road safely.  It is everyone’s job to keep our community safe.

Have a great weekend

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

Promoting positive student behaviour and wellbeing is a priority at Thornhill Park Primary School.  School-wide positive behaviour support (SWPBS) is a whole-school framework which provides an approach to promote improved behaviour at school.  SWPBS has been developed through evidence and data and has shown to reduce inappropriate behaviour, improving school culture, and increasing academic performance.

Instead of using many different behaviour management strategies, a consistent system of expectations for all students within our school is implemented in all areas including classrooms and the yard.  All students enhance their social, emotional, and behavioural competencies by

• Regularly reviewing their school’s agreed upon school-wide social values.
• Frequently experiencing specific recognition when they engage in expected behaviour.
• Extending expected behaviours to all parts of the school, especially in classrooms to enhance their academic engagement and success.
• Experiencing predictable instructional consequences (reteaching) for problem behaviour without inadvertent rewarding of problem behaviour
• Using a common language for communication, collaboration, play, problem solving, conflict resolution, and securing assistance

Classroom teachers explicitly teach the positive behaviour expectations just as we explicitly teach academics. Mistakes in behaviour are treated as learning opportunities, much as mistakes in learning are treated as learning opportunities.

Our Learning in Years 3 & 4

Term One has had a fantastic start to the year, with students engaging in rich and meaningful learning experiences across all curriculum areas. Here’s a snapshot of what the students have explored:

 In Reading, students studied the book “My Two Blankets“ by Irena Kobald. They explored characters, settings and language choices. In Writing, students have become authors themselves, creating imaginative narratives with clear beginnings, problems and satisfying solutions.

In Numeracy, students have begun the term revising place value, extending their understanding to 10 000 and beyond. They are applying this knowledge to solve additional problems using a range of strategies.

In AUSLAN, students have tried correct hand shapes and use of their dominant hand. They have practised the alphabet and how to introduce themselves.

During Inquiry, students have started to explore the communities they belong to. They investigated flags, exploring the elements of different flags to understand what they represent. Students shared their own experiences and explored similarities and differences between communities by bringing in special items from home.

Congratulations to 1E who achieved the best attendance for the week ending 20th February, 2026.

Congratulations to Prep E who achieved the best attendance for the week ending 27th February, 2026.

PRIMARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day – missing school puts them behind.

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:

1. Online: log the absence directly using Compass.
2. Telephone: the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.

Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.

Why do I need to notify the school if my child is absent?

Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school.

If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

What is your responsibility?

You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let them know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term.

Recognising great attendance and punctuality.

Our attendance target is 96%.  Each week, we reward the class with the highest attendance (which includes getting to school on time!), with our school mascot, Ripwell in their classroom for the week.

A Message from First Aid

Dear Families

Just a reminder to check the weather each day to make sure that your children are wearing the appropriate clothing.

If they have on bulky jumpers and track pants on a warm day this can make them feel unwell and same if they do not have a jumper on cold days.

Windy & wet weather can increase the likelihood of hay fever.  If your child is susceptible to this, please ensure that they have medication before school to relieve symptoms.

If your child is unwell please keep them home until they feel better this reduces more sickness in the classroom.

For any students that require medication at school please come and see me at reception to complete appropriate forms and so that we can best support your child at school.

Kind regards,

Andrea

Important Dates – Term 1

• Friday 6th March – Summer Lightning Cup MPSSA1 (selected students only)
• Monday 9th March – Public Holiday – Labor Day (Student free day)
• 2026 NAPLAN Years 3 & 5 – NAPLAN schedule from 11^th March to 23^rd March
• Friday 20th March – Harmony Day
• Friday 27th March – National Young Leaders Day Year 5/6 – School Captain and House Captains
• Wednesday 1^st April – Colour Run – incorporating House Spirit Day
• Thursday, 2 April – Last day of Term 1

Term 2

• Monday 20th April – Curriculum Day (Student free day)
• Term 2 starts on Tuesday 21st of April 

Congratulations to the following students who received awards during our assemblies!

Keep up the great work!

Students of the Week – Ending 20th February

Students of the Week – Ending 27th February

Congratulations to the following students who are celebrating a birthday in February & March!

We hope you had a lovely day!

Darrian 1H

Solenn 56D

Karter  2G

Kingsley 34B

Avanit  56E

Sienna PC

Jairo     2G

Axel      2D

Isaiah  34A

Ozias   56E

Zahra   34I

Samreet Kaur 1H

Ayesha 34I

Tohree 2E

Luca     56E

 Lio        56F

Shreya 2G

Ayaan  PE

Kyra      1B

Adorian 1E

Moiz     34F

Adhya  PA

Chikaima 56B

Huxley PE

Akira    PE

Ambar 34G

Amber 1D

Keeratprabh    56E

Pepa    1D

Aria       56D

Max       PB

Erwin   1D

Emma 2A

Aiden   56D

Bowen 56F

Dante  56H

Navnidh PB

Aavan  PD

Elayna PF

Avi 1F

Sehaj Kaur 56C

Akaalikrat 56F

Kai PF

Christina 34D

Avireet 56H

Leia 1H

Adem 1C

Parteet Kaur 56A

Ahem 34B

Reign   PE

*Please note that birthdays are only published up until the date of publication.  

KIDS KARATE EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 4PM HERE AT THORNHILL PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL!

-Increase your confidence & self esteem

-Learn control, respect & discipline

-Improve physical & mental health

-A safe space to build lifelong friendships 

-Learn Self Defence techniques and skills 

2 FREE SESSIONS PLUS A FREE UNIFORM ON JOINING! (SAVING YOU $115) 

To register for your free sessions, please call OR text 0407-320-333 

http://www.artofdefence.com.au