We are 4 weeks into our school year and we couldn’t be prouder of the way our students have settled into the year.  We have started our first ever swimming program and we are now preparing for NAPLAN.

Swimming

Our Year 2 to 4 students went to Genesis in Melton to participate in our first ever swimming program.  Swimming is a vital skill for everyone to learn to enable safety around water.  If our program assists in helping children to feel more confident around water, then it is program that is worthwhile.    Students and teachers quickly adapted to the routine for the week and enjoyed the sessions.  As this is the first time we are doing this program, there are some things that we know we need to improve in terms of getting back to school on time.  Our school heavily subsidises this program, to ensure that every child can participate.  Thank you to the parent helpers who are helping us with this program.

Parking

Parking is still a major concern at school.  Parents are constantly parking in No Standing Zones and are blocking garages and driveways around the rear of the townhouses at the front of the school or taking it upon themselves to drop off their children in the staff car park.  Areas around the school are clearly signed and we will be encouraging the Council to come around and ensure people are doing the right thing.  If you receive a fine due to illegal parking of your vehicle, please do not ask us to assist as we have reminded you on numerous occasions to do the right thing for the safety of our children and the wider community.

Uniform

Students are required to wear the school uniform at all times.  Coats or parkas are only permitted when it is cold or raining and can only be worn to and from school.  Hats must be broad brimmed and we prefer those with our school logo, which can be purchased from our office or Dobsons.  Shoes need to be closed and safe.  Runners or school shoes are fine.  Shoes with wheels are not permitted as they pose a danger to the wearer and other children.  Please ensure your child’s name is on their uniform.  We have many items handed in with no name, however if they have a name they are returned to the owner immediately.  This is particularly important during the swimming program.

Welcome Kate

We welcome Kate Vukoja who joins our office team this week.  Kate will be working in our First Aid room and at the front desk.  She will be the person to see if you have any First Aid questions.

Canteen

A reminder that the canteen is open between Tuesday and Friday.  Orders can be made on Quickcliq or there is counter service.  Please don’t give your children large notes such as $50 or $100 as they may lose them at school or create unnecessary temptation for others.

Have a great week

Darryl Spiteri

Principal

Our Learning in Visual Arts

This week in Visual Art the students in Grade 1/2 have been learning about warm and cool colours. They traced their hand several times to form an abstract piece of art. The students used a selection of warm and cool colours to enhance their work. The School Value of Persistence was definitely practised during these Art lessons. Keep up the great creativity Grade 1/2s. 

Mr Pody and Mrs Shoebridge

Our Learning in Year 3 & 4

It has been an amazing start to the year with our fun and engaging start up program. Teachers have been getting to know your children as they work together with your children to set class expectations and routines that align with our school values.

NOTE: Expectations and routines have been created with the students, they may differ slightly from class to class.

Our 3/4 cohort has been very fortunate in being provided with an opportunity to participate in a Water Safety Swimming Program. Students have been going to the pools daily to learn about water safety and basic swimming skills. Those at school have been participating in a variety of lessons around water safety and its importance.

Attendance and missing school

It’s the law that children 6 to 17 years old go to school or be home schooled. You are legally responsible for making sure your child goes to school every day.

Why going to school is important

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop:

• important skills and knowledge to help them learn
• social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team work.

Children who attend school every day and complete year 12 have:

• better health
• better job opportunities
• higher income across their lives.

There is no safe number of days for missing school. Each day a student misses puts them behind.

What to do if your child can’t go to school

Let the school know by entering it directly on Compass as soon as possible.  If you do not let us know, we may contact you to make sure your child is safe.

Talk to us if your child needs to take and extended period of time off, prior to the time please.

If your child misses a lot of school

We will work with you if your child has more than 5 days of unapproved or unexplained days off in a school year.

If this does not work, we might refer your child to a school attendance officer. The school attendance officer will monitor and investigate your child’s attendance. You might receive a warning, an attendance notice or a fine.

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: 16th February

Congratulations to 56B who achieved an incredible 98.75%! 

Week Ending: 23rd February

Congratulations to 56B who achieved the best attendance for 3 weeks in a row.

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 16/02

Students of the Week – Ending 23/02

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

We hope you had a lovely day!

Luyanda 12C

Maora 12D

Mankirat 34F

Aaryan PB

Samuel 34A

Joshua PD

Rayan 12G

Manroop PF

Mehtaab 34B

Joonas 34D

Solenn 34F

Karter PF

Elias 12F

Axel PD

Isaiah 12D

Preetham PC

Zahra 12C

Ayesha 12A

Zac 34D

Reyansh PE

Lio 34B

Harnoor 34F

Elia 56A

Moiz 12H

Chikaima 34B

Ambar 12F

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 

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

Thursday 29th February – District Swimming

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)

For more information CALL US on 0407320333.

www.artofdefence.com.au