Welcome back to Thornhill Park Primary School for 2025.  We have started the year with strong enrolment numbers and welcome over 730 students, with over 160 Preps. It has certainly been a busy start to the year, but the students have shown the school values and are moving smoothly into the new year.  We also welcome over 25 new staff this year to our team.  They have settled in well to our Thornhill Park family and are doing great things in the classroom already.  Welcome to all of our new families.  We hope that your children will flourish at our school.

Building Access

Please do not enter the buildings whilst waiting for your children in the afternoon.  There are many seats and shaded areas around the school for you to use.  Going into the buildings distracts the teachers and students and prevents them from completing lessons or packing up effectively each day.  Using the toilet doors to enter the buildings when the main doors are locked is also not permitted.  Please do your part to ensure our students are safe and learning each day.

Hot days

We are experiencing some warm weather to start this year and decisions are made at times that may question whether students should be outside or in their classrooms.  As a general rule we apply a rule where any temperatures over 35 degrees warrant students staying inside.  There may be variations of this rule if it is windy or feels particularly humid.  Please understand that all of these decisions are not taken lightly and the safety of students is our utmost goal.  Please encourage your children to wear the short sleeved polo, dresses or shorts on hotter days.  Also peak to them about taking regular drink breaks and trying to stay in the shade where possible.  Many of our students continue to play in the sun when it is hot and are unable to regulate their body temperature leading to dizziness or blood noses.  If your child is susceptible to these sorts of ailments, including asthma it is worth having a conversation with them about being safe in the sun.  It is also fine for parents to supply sunscreen to their children.  This may help to prevent heat stroke or sunburn.

Power in the portables

When all the air conditioners were on at the same time on Monday, it caused our power to fail.  This meant that only the portable classrooms had no air conditioning or power in the last hour of the day.  After analysing the situation and calling an electrician we were able to get things back online after school.  It was deemed unnecessary to inform the community of this power outage as most classes were still fine, given they had air conditioners on all day.  It was also too late in the day to be able to send a message out and it may have caused unnecessary panic.  Grade 2 classes were all offered alternate rooms for the last 20 minutes of the day and the Year 3-6 students completed passive activities to get them through the day.  We will hopefully be having a power upgrade this weekend to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Absences

It is important that students are at school and on time every day.  All students should be aiming for 100% attendance to maximise their learning capabilities.  School starts at 8.40am each day. It is important to not go on long overseas holidays for months at a time as this can affect your child’s academic growth.

eScooters

eScooters will no longer be permitted to be ridden to school.  It is actually against the law for any student below the age of 16 to use an eScooter as they can be dangerous to pedestrians, riders and traffic.  Any students who ride an eScooter to school will have them confiscated and parents will be contacted to pick it up before the end of the day.  Safety is paramount to all at Thornhill Park and this is to ensure that as the school gets bigger and more people are around in mornings and afternoons, that everyone can get home without incident.

Parking bays and staff car park

Please do not park in the parking bays at the front of the school when picking up your child.  This halts all traffic in Baxterpark Dve and prevents it from being an effective pick up and drop off zone.  Many parents still do not follow the rules and park their car in these spaces and then leave their cars to get their children.  I can guarantee that those in the community who do the right thing are very frustrated by this lack of respect and they have asked me to reiterate the importance of following the correct procedures and rules during pick up and drop off times.  The Staff Car Park is for Staff Only and out of bounds to parents.  We have already had to remove several parents from these areas, which is dangerous to the pedestrians who enter and exit through our car park each day.  We are working on providing safer alternatives in the coming weeks.

Parent Meet and Greet and Information Session

On Wednesday 26th February we will be having an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher for 2025.  Formal lessons will conclude at 12.30pm on this day and students will be participating in a whole school House Spirit event in the afternoon, linked to our house colours and teams.  Face-to-face meetings will start at 1pm and run through until 5pm.  Each meeting will be no longer than 10 minutes.  Anyone unable to attend in person can arrange a Webex meeting with their child’s teacher between 5pm and 6pm.  All bookings will be made through Compass.  We expect all families to engage with their teacher in this informal way.  Each meeting will be a short introduction and will not delve too deeply into your child’s academic progress as we have not had enough time with them to make a judgment.  Our leadership team will be running an information session all afternoon in the Wellbeing Space.  This will highlight all the things of importance that you will need to know as a parent for 2025.  This presentation will be ongoing and parents will be required to enter at least one cycle of the information to ensure you are fully informed for 2025.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

The importance of full time attendance

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don’t fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community.

Conversely, limited school participation is associated with a greater chance of dropping out of school, disruptive and delinquent behaviour and may lead to a cycle of rebellion against authority. These outcomes have later implications for employment, a range of health risk behaviours (drug and alcohol abuse), homelessness, poverty, welfare dependence, and involvement in the justice system. For more information, visit Student Attendance and Educational Outcomes: Every Day Counts.

It is acknowledged that for some children and young people mainstream school environments may not always be the most appropriate settings. For the purpose of this document, participation in an approved re­-engagement program is considered attendance at school. For more information, refer to the Department’s policy on Re-engagement Programs.

Students are expected to attend the school in which they are enrolled, during normal school hours every day of each term, unless:

• there is an approved exemption from school attendance for the student, or
• the student is registered for home schooling and has only a partial enrolment in a school for particular activities

A student is considered to be in attendance at school when involved in an offsite curriculum program or other activity organised by the school (for example an excursion or camp), or where the student is engaged in a re-engagement program or another school part time to make up full time attendance and the schools or settings have agreed the time fractions, allocation of Student Resource Package (or other funding) and the educational plan for the student.

Home schooling in Victoria is a legally recognised alternative to attending a registered school. Parents who wish to home school their child must satisfy the requirements of the Victorian Regulation and Qualifications Authority. For more information, refer to the Department’s policy on Home Schooling and Partial Enrolments.

Congratulations to 1F who achieved the highest attendance

for the week ending 7th February.

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.

Adding Absence Notes on Compass

Figure 1 Parents can add absence notes by clicking ‘Shortcuts’ and selecting ‘Submit absence note’.

Figure 2 If you have more than one student at the school, you will be required to select which child the note is being added for.

Figure 3 In the note screen, you will need to select the reason from the available options listed.

Figure 4 Add any applicable details/comments and click on the ‘Start Date’ and/or ‘End Date’ fields to add in the correct information for the absence note.

When all content is added to the absence note, click ‘Add Attendance Note’ button and the absence note will be added to the student’s record.

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seeker and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

The annual CSEF amount per student is: $154 for primary school students.

HOW TO APPLY: Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef.  If you applied for the CSEF at your child’s school in 2024 you do not need to complete an application form in 2025 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.  Applications close on 21/04/25.

Our Learning in Years 5/6

Welcome to a vibrant start to Term 1 in our Grade 5 and 6 classes for 2025! We began the year with our comprehensive Start-Up Program, where students revisited our school-wide rights, responsibilities, and rules. This groundwork has prepared us for a year filled with collaboration, curiosity, and leadership growth.

Recently, we held our “Aspire Higher 2” Workshop—an action-packed, high-energy day that expanded on last year’s leadership themes. During this workshop, students explored the power of influence, tested their teamwork in interactive challenges, and strengthened their skills in communication and problem-solving. The excitement was electric as they recognised that leadership is more than a title; it’s demonstrated every day through supportive actions, mutual respect, and the willingness to inspire peers.

Literacy:

This term, we’re embracing a combined approach to reading, writing, speaking, and listening under the Victorian Curriculum, giving our Grade 5/6 students plenty of opportunities to experiment with both narrative and informative text types. In our narrative work, we’ll focus on crafting pieces that entertain, including plays, scripts, and short stories—connecting imaginative storytelling to real-life experiences. Students will learn how to structure dialogue, develop characters, and build suspense, all while honing their performance skills through script-based activities. Meanwhile, our informative writing will centre on creating clear and concise procedures or directions, which could range from mapping out a treasure hunt to guiding classmates through a simple science experiment. By exploring different styles of writing, students expand their vocabulary, practise effective speaking and listening techniques, and learn to adapt their communication for various purposes and audiences.

Numeracy:

In Numeracy, we’re delving deeper into place value and data, ensuring our learners can confidently manipulate larger numbers, decimals, and fractions while honing their estimation and mental arithmetic skills. Grade 5 students will sharpen these foundations as they prepare for NAPLAN, while Grade 6 students build upon them through operations-focused tasks. We’ll engage in hands-on problem-solving—such as collecting and analysing real-world data—to help students understand how to organise and interpret information in meaningful ways. Whether they’re creating graphs, examining survey results, or exploring probability, our goal is to foster mathematical thinking that is both critical and creative. 

Inquiry:

This term’s inquiry theme, “Young Leaders in Public Leadership,” builds on the foundational skills developed in our recent leadership incursion. This theme is designed to extend students’ understanding of personal and social capabilities, critical and creative thinking, and their potential as young leaders. Through a series of engaging discussions, activities, and projects, we aim to empower our students to explore their identities, beliefs, and the impact they can have on their community and beyond.

Wellbeing:

We are also dedicated to reinforcing our school-wide behaviour matrix, emphasizing respect, responsibility, and a strong sense of community. This initiative is crucial in maintaining a positive and inclusive school environment.

As we continue our journey through Term 1, we would like to remind families of a few key points to help our students thrive:

• Reading Challenge: Encourage your child to read every night, to reach 300 nights of reading. This practice is crucial for developing literacy skills and fostering a love for reading.
• School Uniform: Please ensure your child wears the full school uniform daily. Presenting in uniform promotes a sense of pride and belonging within our school community.
• Attendance: Regular attendance is vital for your child’s educational progress. To add a bit of fun and motivation, Mr. Spiteri will host a BBQ for the class with the highest attendance this term. Let’s aim to participate fully and enjoy this special reward!

Thank you for your ongoing support and for fostering a positive atmosphere where our students can flourish. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and growth as the term progresses.

Sincerely,

Grade 5/6 Team

Multimedia 

During this week in Multimedia, the students in Years 3/4 and 5/6 have explored the meaning of Multimedia as well as highlighting the importance of cyber safety. The students brainstormed ways they use social media and how they interact online.

Over this term, they will further investigate various apps that develop their thinking and creativity.

Best regards,

Mr Pody

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

Keep up the great work!

Students of the Week – Ending 7/02

Congratulations to the following students who are celebrating a birthday in January and February!

We hope you had a lovely day!

Ethan  1E

Ridhi    2B

Viona   PC

Eshaal 34E

Raj 34B

Daniel 34D

Rudra  1C

Hussain Ali 34C

Elias    PF

Joyce   1D

Auddie 34F

Alpha   56F

Jayden 2E

Ashmeet 56E

Florence PG

Saish Aryan 1C

Abigalie 2D

Aaron  2B

Emaan 2B

Leeroy 34B

Mahit   PB

Luca 34F

Arliya   PC

Kayla   34C

Vicky   34G

Daksh 56C

Janice 56D

Myles  PD

Oliver  1C

Asees  2E

Rakeb 1B

Avi        34C

Amir     PB

Kolton 1A

Arwa    2C

ManaiaPF

Rabaab PB

Gianna 2C

Rhythm 34F

Emad   56E

Angus  56E

Prabhleen 1E

Ada 1F

Kanade PE

Jayce   34E

Guntaas 34G

Avery   PA

Navroop 34C

Chinaza 56C

Luna    PA

Oscar  1D

Braxton 1E

Kaedyn 2D

Celina 2D

Achyuth PE

Vaishnavi PH

Haider 1F

Franky 2A

Roland 1F

Sam 2A

Meena  2E

Gavin 34G

Ryan 34E

Neriah 56D

Kaya 2A

Gurasees Kaur 34B

Marley 56B

Kayla PE

Angelo 1B

Indy 34F

Braxton 56D

Jaxon 56B

Annabella 56F

Prince 2C

Xander 34G

Bryan   PC

Lani 1A

Connor 2B

Aveer 2D

Tommy 2D

Zehra 56C

Christina 34C

Jaskaran Singh 34D

Hussain PF

Attia 56E

Shishir 2E

Rad 34E

Come along and try Karate! Increase your confidence, learn new physical skills and have FUN in a safe and nurturing environment.

THORNHILL PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL GYM – WEDNESDAYS 4PM (AGES 4+)

To register for 2 FREE SESSIONS, please call 0407320333 or visit our website www.artofdefence.com.au

Dear Parents,

We are glad to announce that we are back at Thornhill Primary on Mondays again.

Here is the flyer with the QR code, if you wish to register you can scan the QR code and it will take you straight there.

We look forward to seeing all of you there again.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me (my number is below) happy to chat more about our programs.

I have also attached the link below. Click the link and it will take you directly to the registration page.

Coerver course | Coerver Coaching