Welcome back to school for 2024.  I have been very pleased with our start in our second year as a school and want to thank the community for your support in ensuring we achieve success this year.  We have a very busy year planned for our students including the introduction of a swimming program, Art Show and School Camps.  2024 promises to be an exciting year for the Thornhill Park Primary School community.

I want to start the year by reiterating a few safety messages that are essential to the safety of everyone in our community.

Wearing hats and being Sunsmart

Please ensure your children are wearing hats every day at school.  It is a good idea to label all of their uniform items as they can often be misplaced or confused with other students during times of transition from class to yard or when travelling to or from Specialist classes like PE.  Students who are not wearing a broad brimmed hat will be asked to sit in the shade during play time.  Hats can be purchased from our office or from our uniform supplier Dobsons.  This is a compulsory item of uniform, so it is an expectation that they have a hat throughout their time at school.  I would encourage students to also use sunscreen and wear sunglasses to provide added protection from the sun.  These items are not compulsory, but encourage safe practices in the sun.

Parking and travelling safely around the school in cars and as pedestrians

I cannot stress enough that the parking out the front of the school is a drop off and pick up zone.  People who leave their cars in this space are causing traffic mayhem in the mornings and afternoons.  It is not our role as a school to remind people of the road rules or to observe signs, however safety is of the highest priority for us and we will be working with the Melton Council to ensure these spaces are safe.  Please do not ask for an endorsement from the school if you receive a fine for not following the correct signage.  We would also ask that you please do not U-Turn out the front of the school as it is a very dangerous practice and often involves people reversing into oncoming traffic.  It is much safer to take 30 seconds and drive around the block.

We would also ask that you use the appropriate crossings when crossing the roads with children.  There are several pedestrian crossings positioned around the school with a Supervisor positioned out the front of our gym and Traffic Lights if you are travelling in the opposite direction.  We see too many people walk directly out across the school or motioning to children to cross the road from their cars.  We had several near misses in 2023 and as the school grows we do not want to have issues because it is quicker to cross at an unsafe spot.

Attendance

We are determined to improve our attendance levels in 2024.  Last year we had 180 students which equated to 44% of our student population have over 20 days off school for the year.  This level of absence is not only concerning, but it is not conducive to high levels of learning.  Of course, we do not want children at school who are sick and cannot be at their best, but my experience in this space over more than 20 years in education would suggest that children are not usually sick for more than one or two days a term, if at all, unless they are having intensive medical treatments.  It is very difficult to teach students to be their best if they are not at school.  If you consider that taking 20 days off per year for a child’s education from Prep to Year 12 equates to around 52 weeks off over this time.  A whole year off school and even more than that when you consider that a school year is 41 weeks!  Over 30 days off school each year equates to nearly 80 weeks off school over the journey! Our initial NAPLAN data suggests that 50% of our students in Year 5 in 2023 achieved high growth in reading and 28% achieved high growth in Numeracy.  Our reading data is well above the National Average.  Imagine how much we can achieve if students are here on time and every day.  We are incentivising attendance by having our school mascot – Ripwell spend the week with the best attended class each week.  We are adding to this incentive by providing a BBQ lunch, cooked by me to the best attended grade each term.  Please help us to help your children to be the best they can be by having them here every day and on time at 8.40am.

Parent Information Night

Our Parent Information Night will take place on Wednesday 21st February.  We will be running 3 identical half hour sessions in each area of the school to provide parents an opportunity to find out what will be taught to their children this year and the expectations of the year level.  Lots of vital information relating to the use of Compass, Class Dojo, Swimming, Camps, Homework, Curriculum, etc… will be provided to parents during these sessions.  Parents will be encouraged to ask questions at the conclusion of each session.  It would make sense to come to the later sessions to spread out the number of people in attendance, as we have greater numbers of students at our school this year.  Sessions will take place at 3.15pm, 3.45pm  and 4.15pm.  We encourage you to attend whichever sessions you need to that relate to your child’s Year level at school.  We also encourage you to keep a dialogue with your child’s teacher across the year to ensure you are fully informed about events and progress.  Please ensure you have Class Dojo installed on your phone and notifications switched on to receive messages from our school and updates on your child’s progress throughout the year.

Have a great weekend

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

Our Learning in Years 5 & 6

Welcome to a vibrant start to Term 1 in our Grade 5 and 6 classes! We’ve embarked on an exciting journey, beginning with our comprehensive start-up program. This foundational phase set the stage for a year filled with learning, growth, and leadership development. A standout experience was the “Young Leaders Public Leadership Personal & Social Capability Critical & Creative Thinking Incursion,” where our students showcased impressive teamwork and leadership skills, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

During this incursion, our students engaged in several team-building activities that challenged them to work together in innovative ways. Using yoga balls and marbles, they navigated tasks that required precision, coordination, and collective strategy. The “25 up” game was a particular highlight, where teams worked to keep a ball in the air for 25 consecutive hits, fostering a sense of unity and shared achievement.  These activities were not just about fun; they were carefully designed to cultivate an understanding of leadership that is inclusive and accessible to all students. Our Grade 5/6 cohort emerged with a reinforced belief that leadership is not just a title but an action, demonstrated through cooperation, respect, and the ability to inspire and support one another. This experience has instilled in them that leadership is inherent in every student, setting a strong foundation for their development as the leaders of tomorrow.

This enriching start has filled our students with enthusiasm and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead and work as part of a team. We look forward to seeing how these skills develop and influence our learning community throughout the term.

Literacy:

In reading this term, students will delve into the complexities of texts, employing strategies such as Thinking WITHIN the Text and Thinking BEYOND the Text to
enhance comprehension and critical thinking. They will explore different text structures and learn to infer meanings beyond the written word.
In writing this term, students will express their creativity through Imaginative-Realistic Narratives, blending literary elements with their personal experiences. The introduction of the Writer’s Notebook will empower them to capture their thoughts and inspirations, fostering a deeper connection with their writing.

Numeracy:

In Numeracy this term, we will be focusing on Number and Place Value, alongside Fractions and Decimals.  Our curriculum is designed to challenge and support students, with activities that promote practical problem-solving, the application of technology, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

Protecting against mosquito-borne diseases

Warm and wet weather can result in greater numbers of mosquitoes and increased risk of illnesses from mosquito bites. While the overall risk is low, some mosquitoes carry diseases that make people sick.

The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is to avoid mosquito bites.

Families can protect against mosquito bites by:

· covering up as much as possible with long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing

· applying insect repellent that contains picaridin or DEET on exposed skin when leaving home

· limiting outdoor activity if lots of mosquitoes are active.

Families with any health concerns should see their doctor or phone NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 606 024 (available 24 hours).

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines

Japanese encephalitis virus is spread to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes and can cause a rare but potentially serious infection of the brain.

Free Japanese encephalitis vaccines are available to protect Victorians at higher risk of the virus.

The Victorian Department of Health encourages eligible people who live or work in high-risk local government areas to get vaccinated.

For more information, including what is considered a high-risk area and eligibility for a free vaccine, refer to the Department of Health’s Japanese encephalitis webpage.

Find out more

For more information on protecting against mosquito-borne diseases, families can refer to the following Better Health Channel pages:

• Mosquitoes can carry diseases
• Protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease, including a handy checklist to help reduce mosquito breeding sites at home and resources translated into other languages.

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.

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

Keep up the great work!

Students of the Week – Ending 02/02

Students of the Week – Ending 09/02

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

We hope you had a lovely day!

Ethan PC

Ridhi 12F

Eshaal 12C

Manraj [Raj] 34B

Filimaina 56C

Rudra PA

Hussain Ali Bin [Hussain Ali] 12E

Joyce PC

Nanda Srikar PE

Auddie 12C

Alpha 56B

Zikora [Jayden] 12H

Saish Aryan PC

Abigale 12G

Gurnoor 56A

Aaron 12B

Emaan 12H

Leeroy 12G

Mohammad Ali 12H

Vicky 34B

Daksh 56D

Janice 34B

Oliver PF

Asees 12F

Caroline PB

Rakeb PC

Avi 12H

Arwa 12E

Gianna 12B

Rhythm 12B

Emad 34D

Angus 56C

Prabhleen PB

Jezreel 34C

Navroop 12F

Isabella 34B

Chinaza 34F

Alisha 56D

Braxton PC

Oscar PD

Kaedyn 12C

Celina 12G

Caleb 56A

Meena 12E

Anotida [Ryan] 34E

Neriah 34B

Kaya 12B

Gurasees Kaur 12B

Marley 56A

Angelo PB

Indy 34D

Braxton 56D

Jaxon 56D

Annabella 56D

Prince 12G

Alexander [Xander] 12D

Aveer 12C

Connor 12C

Tommy 12E

Jaskaran Singh 34B

Luyanda 12C

Maora 12D

Mankirat 34F

Aaryan PB

Samuel 34A

2024 School Terms    

Term 1  Tuesday 30th January till Thursday 28th March

Term 2  Monday 15th April till 28th June

Term 3  Monday 15th July till 20th September

Term 4  Monday 7th October till Friday 20th December

Important Dates – Term 1 

Term 1 Commences on Tuesday 30th January 2024

Friday 16th February – Parent Helper Session

Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th February – Prep Incursion – Western Water

Monday 19th February – Friday 23rd February / Swimming Years 2/3/4

Monday 26th February – Friday 1st March / Swimming Preps and Year 1

Wednesday 21st February – Parent Information Session

Monday 11th March – Public Holiday – Labour Day

Wednesday 13th March – Naplan – Writing / Years 3 & 5

Thursday 14th March – Naplan – Reading / Years 3 & 5

Monday 18th March – Naplan – Numeracy / Years 3 & 5

Monday 18th March – Friday 24th March – Cultural Diversity Week

Thursday 21st March – Harmony Day

Friday 29th March – Good Friday Public Holiday

School Holidays commence on Monday 1st April – Friday 12th April

KIDS KARATE CLASSES – THORNHILL PARK! 

Looking to start a new activity in 2024? COME ALONG AND TRY KARATE! ?

➡️ Increase your personal confidence & self esteem

➡️ Learn control, respect & discipline

➡️ Learn new skills in a safe & nurturing environment

➡️ Become assertive

➡️ Improve your physical fitness

➡️ HAVE FUN all at the same time!

Thornhill Park Primary School , 61 Baxterpark Drive, Thornhill Park

? Wednesdays 3.20pm – Beginners Junior Karate (ages 4 -12)

? Wednesdays 4.05pm – Beginners Junior Karate (ages 4-12)

COME ALONG AND ENJOY 2 FREE SESSIONS PLUS RECEIVE A FREE PREMIUM KARATE UNIFORM UPON JOINING (SAVING YOU $115!)

WE ARE A NDIS APPROVED ACTIVITY!

For more information CALL US on 0407320333.

www.artofdefence.com.au

INTRODUCING the Thornhill Park Flames Basketball Club