We are fast approaching the end of the year having just gone past the Melbourne Cup weekend.  I hope you had the opportunity to enjoy the four day break with your families.  We are about to get into the busiest part of the year and before we know it, the year will be over.  We are not quite there yet and there is still so much to do and enjoy.

New buildings

We have been given more new buildings for the start of 2027.  There are 3 new Specialist type buildings that have already been dropped and are in the process of being completed and there are 2 double storey classrooms being delivered next week.  This will give us a capacity of 1250, even though we have 900 students.  Not all of these rooms will be filled to start next year, but it gives us space to spread out a little and run programs in good spaces.  It feels a bit like a construction zone at the moment, but the good news is that this will all be ready to go for 2027.  We will also be looking to improve our play areas once these buildings go in to enable students to have more options when they are outside.  We thank you all for your patience whilst this happens.

Prep Transitions

Today was the 3rd of our four Prep Transition mornings.  The next one will be in December on the whole school Step Up Day.  The students were busy making a teddy bear this morning and learning about what it means to be in the ‘big school.’  We thank all the parents who brough their children to school and hope they have a wonderful time when coming to these days.  We look forward to seeing them all at our next transition day and when they start school next year.

Hats

Parents are reminded that it is compulsory for students to wear a sunsmart hat during Term 1 and Term 4.  Many students still do not have hats or they hold them in their hands during break times.  Students without a hat will be asked to stay in designated shaded areas for the duration of play time.  Baseball caps are not a suitably sunsmart hat.  I would also remind people to have their child’s name in clear writing on their child’s hat and other clothing items.

Swimming

Our swimming program has concluded for 2026.  We thank Bright Waves in Melton for their hospitality.  It has been a very positive experience for all of our students and teachers.  It has enabled some of our students to develop increasing independence, which is an essential skill for life.  It has also, more importantly, given our students some of the skills necessary to survive around water.  This is an essential skill to have when living in Australia and near our beaches and backyard swimming pools.  We know that these lessons don’t necessarily make students competent swimmers, but it does teach them about water safety and buoyancy to give them a chance if ever in danger.  We hope that your children have appreciated the lessons and the improved venue.

Camp

Our Year 3/4 students will be heading to camp next week.  We hope they have an amazing time and thank the teachers who are taking time away from their families to lead and participate in this experience with our students.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

Congratulations to Prep A!

Prep A achieved the highest attendance for the week ending Friday 30 October 2026, with an amazing 97.5% attendance!

Congratulations to Prep G who achieved the best attendance for the week ending 6th November, 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.

Walk, bike or scoot -how this is great for your health.

Walking, riding a bike or scooting to school is a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way for students at Thornhill Park to travel to school.

With the warmer weather approaching, encouraging your child to walk, ride or scoot to school, either independently or as a family, can support their physical and mental wellbeing by helping them to:

• Build their confidence and independence.
• Move their bodies and stay active.
• Reduce the number of cars on the road, helping to make school drop-off and pick-up safer for everyone.

How can you support your child?

• Walk or ride to school together as a family.
• Organise a “walking bus” with other families you know.

Melton City Council has identified safe routes that your child may be able to use. Take a look at the map together and decide on the safest route to and from school. Every little step counts.

A Message from First Aid

Dear Families

If your child has Asthma or has the need to use an inhaler please provide medications that are in date and a recently completed Asthma Action Plan.

This is to ensure that your child can be fully supported if they have an Asthma flare up or there are instances of Thunderstorm Asthma.

If your child has hayfever or spring related allergies antihistamines including eye and nasal drops can be given at home before school to relieve symptoms.

Some symptoms can be more severe and if this is your child please provide the appropriate medications such as Zyrtec, Telfast and Claratyne to reception with a completed Allergy Action Plan

Forms can be picked up from Reception at any time during school hours.

If you have any questions please contact me in the office.

Thank you – Andrea 😊

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

Keep up the great work!

Students of the Week – Ending 30th October

Students of the Week – Ending 6th November

Important Dates – Term 4

Thursday 5th November – Bike-Ed Program starts

Thursday 12th November – Year 3/4 Soccer (selected students only)

Monday 16th November – Thursday 19th November – Glasses for Kids

Wednesday 18th November till Friday 20th November – Year 3/4 Lady Northcote Camp

Friday 27^th November – House Spirit Day

Tuesday 8^th December – Statewide Step-Up- Day

Wednesday 9th December – Year 6 Graduation (4pm till 6pm)

Friday 11th December – Year 6 Big Day Out at Funfields!

Friday 18th December – Last Day of Term 4 (early finish at 12:30pm) & Semester 2 reports sent via Compass to parents/families.

Congratulations to the following students who are celebrating a birthday in October & November!

Isabelle PG

Asaia 1F

Malakai 34C

Aarav 56B

Dante 1A

Noah 1A

Ally 1E

Leul 2A

Nihaaljeet 56D

Peter PG

Hasrat 56A

Mila-Rose 56H

Harry PC

Parwaz PC

Neil Eoin 1F

Ekam 34A

Sophie 34C

Hashaam 34A

Ahmad 56E

Marilyn PG

Marcus 1G

Amaya 2F

Ranveer 1F

Julian   1G

Jordan 2D

Nova PF

Amber 34B

Jeremiah 34D

Mabior 56E

Ayaan  56H

Adriana 56A

Wania 2A

Atarah 2C

Iyan 34B

Kirsten PD

Fateh 1F

Radhav 56C

We hope you had a lovely day!

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

Hillside Tennis Club is hosting a free Open Day together with our AO 1 Point Slam Competition.

Free sausage sizzle, fairy floss, popcorn and slushies throughout the afternoon together with fun activities to try.

Learn of the coaching programs, social hits, competitions and memberships offered at the club.

When

• Saturday, 07 November 2026 | 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM

Location

Parkwood Green Reserve, Cnr Catherine Drive & Community Hub, Hillside, 3037