We are into the final quarter of what has been a truly fabulous first year here at Thornhill Park Primary School.  I am extremely proud of how the community has come together to form this new school that services the local area well.

Hats

A reminder that hats are required to be worn by students each day during term 4 when outside.  They need to be wide-brimmed hats and school hats are preferred.  Any children not wearing a hat are required to stay in the shaded areas of the main buildings for the duration of play time.  Hats are available for purchase from the office as well as Dobsons in Caroline Springs.

Uniform

Dobsons currently has a sale of on school uniform items online.  Have a look if you are in the market to purchase some new uniform for 2024.

Approaching Children in the Yard

From time to time some of our students find themselves in challenging situations at school that involve conflict or disagreement.  We do not tolerate this behaviour at school and help students to understand their role in such situations.  Sometimes children go home and tell their parents, often very one-sided stories about things that may have occurred and parents feel it is necessary to speak directly to the children involved to assist their child.  This is never ok!  We would appreciate that if there are issues that happen between students that you speak with your child’s teacher of bring it to the attention of Mrs Payton or Mrs Pittman.  Approaching children in the yard and threatening them is unacceptable and will result in parents being issues with orders that prevent them from stepping foot on the school grounds.  These powers were introduced by the State Government in 2021 to protect communities from aggressive and antisocial behaviour.  Please continue to contribute positively to our school community.

New Year 3/4 Teacher

We welcome Jay Smith to our staff as a new 3/4 teacher.  He joins us as we have split our Year 3/4s given the growth of our school.  Students have settled well in their new classes.

Enrolments for 2024

Please ensure that if you are yet to enrol for 2024 that you do so immediately.  We are finalising grade lists and employing teachers as we speak.

Absent next week

I will be absent next week as I attend the School Sport Australia Championships for u12 Soccer in Melbourne, as I am lucky enough to be the Manager of this team.  Han Pittman will be the Acting Principal next week and Donna Payton will step into the role of Acting Assistant Principal.

Have a wonderful weekend

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

SunSmart

Students must wear their school hats this term. Please make sure that you label your child’s hat with the child’s full name and class.  When outside the school buildings students without an appropriate hat will be asked to use shaded areas.

Changes to the sun smart policy are now in place to reflect important information provided by the Bureau of Meteorology in respect to the impact of UV levels reaching 3 or higher.
Daily sun protection times are forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the time-of-day UV levels are predicted to reach 3 or higher, based on location. At these levels, sun protection is recommended for all skin types. In Victoria, UV levels typically reach 3 or higher daily from mid-August to the end of April.

If your child is in need of new hat, they can be purchased from the school office via Eftpos only.  Price: $22

Smile Squad

In the next few days your child will receive a Smile Squad dental pack. The pack includes all the tools your child needs for good oral health – a full sized tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush and a brochure full of helpful hints and tips for a healthy smile. 

Smile Squad is a Victorian Government program that provides free dental care to all primary, secondary and specialist school students enrolled in government schools across Victoria. Smile Squad will be visiting our school in the future but are not ready just yet. 

For more information on the program you can visit the Smile Squad website at: www.smilesquad.vic.gov.au  

Dobsons Uniform Shop

Dobsons are have a uniform sale until the 29th of October.  Buy early and save!

Caroline Springs Store

12 Panamax Rd,
RAVENHALL VIC 3023
P: (03) 8348 5477

Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 2:30pm
Sunday: Closed

Our Learning in Prep

Throughout this year the Prep cohort have learnt about the four seasons, in particular the season spring. Students explored rainbows and learnt that a rainbow is a multicoloured arc made by light striking water droplets. Students then used a range of materials to create a rainbow. Students followed the seven colours of the rainbow or let their creativity flow!

e-Safety – Screen Time

(from e-safety.gov.au)

Help your child achieve a healthy balance in their online and offline activities.

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.

Week Ending: 6th October

Congratulations to Prep B, who had the best classroom attendance for the week ending 6th October.

Week Ending: 13th October

Congratulations to 34C, who had the best classroom attendance for the week ending 13th October.

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

Keep up the great work!

Students of the Week – Ending 06/10

Students of the Week – Ending 13/10

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

We hope you had a lovely day!

Aarika PC

Lanston PB

Somto 5/6A

Agampreet 12D

Tarj PA

Abijot PC

Gurneet 12B

Marc 34C

Oliver 12C

Arya 12A

Affan 34A

Angad 56C

Rafaan 12C

Eyad 12B

Ali 12D

Chiqueeta 5/6A

Jaskiran 56B

Alraav 12A

Jayda-Lee PC

Robel 34A

Kamya 12A

Dani 34D

Krishnavi 12D

Indiannah-Jade 12B

Madia 5/6A

Zoe PB

Kavandeep 12E

Navya 12D

Ishrat 34D

Prabhvir 12B

Jas 5/6A

Ava PD

School Term 4

Monday 2nd October 2023 – Wednesday 20th December 2023

Wednesday 18th October – Regional Athletics

Thursday 19th October – Year 5/6 Rugby Union (Macpherson Park)

Friday 20th October – Prep 2024 Transition – 9:00am -10:45am

Wednesday 25th October – Year 3/4 Rugby Union (Macpherson Park)

Thursday 26th October – Prep 2024 Transition – 9:00am -10:45am

Thursday 26th October – Community Event – Movie Night @ 5:30pm

Monday 6th November – Curriculum Day (Student free day)

Friday 10th November – Colour Run Event

Wednesday 6th December – Year 6 Excursion to Funfields

Tuesday 12th December – Whole School 2024 Transition – 9:00am -10:45am

Thursday 14th December – Year 6 Graduation @ 4:30pm

Monday 18th December – Whole School Presentations and Performances

Wednesday 20th December – Last Day of Term – 12:30pm Finish