Dear Families and Friends of TWPS,

What a fantastic start to the school year at TWPS! The energy across the school has been incredible, with students settling in quickly, reconnecting with friends, and diving into their learning with enthusiasm. Welcome to our new Preps! Please scroll down to enjoy our Prep 2025 photos!

A special welcome to our new families and returning staff—we’re thrilled to have you as part of the Thomastown West Learning Community! I’ve enjoyed meeting many new families already, and if we haven’t had a chance to chat yet, please feel free to say hello. You’ll often find me in the yard before or after school, either near the front entrance or by the Junior Building.

Our dedicated teachers worked tirelessly to ensure classrooms were ready for day one. If you noticed a full car park during the holidays, it was because staff were busy preparing learning spaces and materials. A huge thank you to them for their commitment and professionalism—it truly makes a difference for our students.

Speaking of students, it’s been wonderful hearing their excitement about new classes and teachers. Change isn’t always easy, but they’ve shown great resilience in adapting to new routines. A big well done to everyone who is following our School Values and wearing their uniform with pride! Just a quick reminder—black shorts, pants, and leggings are not part of our school colours and are not permitted, as outlined in our TWPS School Uniform Policy. You can access our school policies on our website: https://www.thomwestps.vic.edu.au/page/101 

Finally, a shout out to our incredible office staff, Suzi and Sakina. The start of the year is always a busy time, and they’ve been working nonstop to keep everything running smoothly. Thank you both for your dedication—we truly couldn’t do it without you!

Mr  Crotti and I are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Cottage by the Sea: Grade 5/6
Our Cottage by the Sea camp will be held in Queenscliff next week. How exciting!! This afternoon our 'Campers' will be bringing home the 2024-2028 Thomastown West Camps and Excursions Policy that includes the TWPS STUDENT EXCURSION/CAMP SUPPORT PLAN 2024. You can also access the policy with the support plan HERE. If you believe that your child requires additional suport at the Cottage by the Sea camp next week, please complete the form and return it to Mrs Selma Raif on Monday 10th February 2025.

Class Dojo: The FREE version of the App
We use Class Dojo for positive reinforcement in the classroom, and teachers will often share students’ work and successes through posts on it. Staff can also send parents individual messages through the app. Please make sure you have it downloaded and notifications switched on. Please see your child’s teacher or the office if you need any assistance with this.

Brain Food
At our school we encourage all children to have ‘brain food’ and eat fruit and/or vegetables during the long learning sessions. If you have joined me for a tour of our school, you will know how passionate we are about student engagement, wellbeing and inclusion!  This focus on eating fruit and/or vegetables, as well as drinking water, supports student learning. Thank you to the parents who have already made sure that their children have plenty ‘brain food’ and water!

Primary Nursing Program
The Primary School Nursing Program will continue supporting the health and wellbeing of students and families at Thomastown West Primary School this year. The Victorian Primary School Nursing Program is a free health assessment service offered by the Department of Education and Training to all children during their first year of primary school and for children enrolled in years 1 to 6 upon referral. During 2025 a primary school nurse will deliver the School Entrant Health Questionnaire (SEHQ) to be distributed to all parents/carers of Foundation (Prep) children.

ESafety
At school, we provide a filtered internet service for students to complete work collaboratively, research and learn together. In order for students to use the Internet, we send home an Internet and Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Agreement. Please read this together and sign it with your child/ren if you haven’t already. 

GREAT NEWS! There are free online Webinars for parents, carers and families available through https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars. 

We encourage parents and families of all ages to join in. There are sessions on a range of topics, from

Supporting your students with Online Gaming to Parental Controls on Devices and Social Media Safety with Tik Tok, YouTube and Instagram. See the Flyers from the ESafety Commissioner later in the Newsletter for more information and sessions available this.

Student Leadership: Badge presentation
Our School Captains, SRC Captains, Student Voice Captains and House Captains will be presented with their leadership badges at the next whole school assembly on Friday 21st February 2025. The following whole school assembly (7/3/25) we will present badges to the Class Captains, the Student Voice Team and the SRC Team.


Mobile Phone Policy
Thomastown West Primary School understands that   students may bring a personal mobile phone to school,  particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school. Mobile phones and smart watches with internet capabilities are considered as smart devices in our policy.

At Thomastown West Primary School: 

*Students who choose to bring mobile phones/smart devices to school must have them switched off and securely stored in the school office during school hours.

*If there is an emergency, please contact the school office.

NAPLAN
Each year, students in Year 3 and 5 participate in the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) as part of the National Assessment Program which is a Federal Government initiative. Students are assessed on Conventions of Language, Reading, Writing and Numeracy. In 2023, NAPLAN will be held during Term 1 from Wednesday 12th March 2025 and finsishes on Monday 24th March 2025.

Arrive on time at quarter to nine! We can do better! There are too many children arriving after the bell. Please remember school begins at 8:45am for the children to complete their morning process. Learning begins at 8:50am sharp. If students arrive on time to school, they will be there for the ‘introductions’ to the lesson with focused teaching which includes a learning intention. This is an optimum time for student learning - we do not want our students to miss out. If a student arrives late they have missed an important part of the lesson which impacts on their learning. Please have your children at school on time, ready for their learning.  Thank you

Sun Smart Reminder Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can cause health problems including skin cancer. UV radiation  cannot be seen or felt, can pass through light clouds and peaks during school hours. All children are expected to be in full school uniform every day, including school hats. School hats are to be worn in Term 1 until the end of April, then from September 1st  until the end of Term 4. Please make sure that your child has a wide brim hat/bucket or legionnaire style hat with them at school. If your child has lost their hat, they can be purchased at the office for $14.

Privacy Policy
Our school collects, uses, discloses and stores student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy. Please take time to remind yourself of the school’s collection statement, found on our website:
https://www.thomwestps.vic.edu.au/page/101
or https:// www.education.vic.gov.au/Pages/ schoolsprivacypolicy.aspx

Safety must come first!
At Thomastown West Primary School everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable. This includes safety outside of our school.

Safe Morning and Afternoon Drop-Off Tips:

To keep everyone safe during morning drop-off, please follow these road safety guidelines:

• Park safely and legally – Avoid stopping in no-parking areas or blocking driveways. Please do not park in front of the Community Hub in the mornings.
• Use designated parking areas – Park in a safe spot before letting your child out.
• Hold hands with younger children – Keep them close while walking near traffic.
• Use the School Crossing– Always cross at designated areas and follow the Crossing Supervisor's instructions.
• Obey speed limits – Drive slowly and stay alert for children and pedestrians.
• Avoid U-turns – These can be dangerous in busy school areas.
• Please do not double park – It creates hazards and reduces visibility for others.
• Be patient and courteous – Allow extra time and follow the road rules for everyone’s safety.

Thank you for helping keep our school community safe! ✨

Our Prep students had a fabulous DAY ONE of their educational journey!
 

First day of Prep 2025

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 TERM DATES

Back To School Routine

Tips To Help You and Your Children

Setting up routines for your child or children can help them thrive at school and throughout their lives.

Heading back to school means lots of new things all at once: new classes, new teachers, new classmates, and new after-school activities.

When your children head back to school, one of the best things you can do for them is help them develop and set daily routines.

Routines give children a sense of control and safety because they help them learn what to expect, and how to prepare for the day ahead. They also help kids develop life skills that will benefit them far beyond their school days.

Research shows that children who participate in daily routines with their families have stronger language development, increased academic achievement, and improved social and emotional functioning.                              

The Basics: How to set healthy routines

Here are a few routine setting tips to consider as you’re setting up your healthy family routines:

• Explain the routines to your child. Have them repeat the routines back to you to show they’ve understood.
• Put a chart on the wall. A visual of your daily routines can help everyone in the household see what needs to happen and when. Set wake up times and morning tasks, like eating breakfast and brushing teeth.
• Be consistent. Stick to your routines as closely as possible, even when you’re tired or overwhelmed as a parent.
• Set times and stick to them. For example, have an agreed time for after school activities, eg. reading, homework, gaming, watching TV.
• Go slow, adding one or two new habits at a time. Making gradual changes to your family routine will give you the best chance of building lasting, positive routines.
• It’s OK if your routine needs to change. That’s life. Just make sure to tell your child about the change — well ahead of time, if possible.

Create a Calming Bedtime Routine

• Wind-Down Activities: Start winding down about 30 minutes before bed. Avoid stimulating activities like screen time, active play, or exciting conversations. Instead, opt for calming activities like reading a book, listening to soft music, or having a quiet chat.
• Warm Bath or Shower: A relaxing bath or shower can signal to the body that it’s time to sleep, especially if you make it a part of the routine.

Sleep Tips for a Successful School Week

As we settle into the school year, it's essential to remember that a good night's sleep is key to your child’s well-being and academic success. Here are some helpful sleep guidelines to ensure your child is well-rested and ready for the school day:

Sleep Recommendations for primary school children:

• Ages 6-7: 10-11 hours of sleep, with a bedtime of 8:00-8:30 PM.
• Ages 8-9: 9-10 hours of sleep, with a bedtime of 8:30-9:00 PM.
• Ages 10-11: 9-11 hours of sleep, with a bedtime of 8:45-9:15 PM.

Thomastown West Primary School is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. 

Please scroll down to access TWPS Child Safe Policies.
Updated November 2024

Thomastown West Primary School's Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Thomastown West Primary School is committed to safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision-making.



Thomastown West Primary School has zero tolerance for child abuse.
Thomastown West Primary School is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in Thomastown West Primary School has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Thomastown West Primary School’s Principles for Child Safety

In its planning, decision-making and operations Thomastown West Primary School will:

1. Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
2. Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
3. Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
4. Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
5. Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
6. Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
7. Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
8. Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
9. Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and
10. Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.

Thomastown West Primary School’s Child Safe Policies

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Student Engagement Wellbeing and Inclusion Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Child Safe and Wellbeing Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2025 TWPS Child Safe Risk Register

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Child Safe Code of Conduct

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Child Safety, Responding and Reporting (Including Mandatory Reporting) Policy 

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Bullying Prevention Policy 

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Child Safe Officers and Flowcharts of Responsibility

Click HERE to view the 2024-2028 TWPS Inclusion and Diversity Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Complaints Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2028 TWPS Digital Learning (incl. Digital Devices) Policy 

Click HERE to view the ANZUK (Casual Relief Teacher Agency) Safe Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2028 TWPS Camps and Excursions Policy

Click HERE to view the TWPS Disclosure Template using PROTECT for Compass

Click HERE to view the 2024-2028 TWPS Duty of Care Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026 TWPS Yard Duty and Supervision Policy

Click HERE to view the  TWPS Four Critical Actions for Schools

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026  Volunteers Policy

Click HERE to view the 2024-2026  Visitors Policy

Click HERE to view Privacy Information for TWPS Parents and Carers

Click HERE to view the DET Betrayal of Trust implementation

Click HERE to view DET's Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people document.

Click HERE to view DET's 'PROTECT' document: Identifying and Responding to All Forms of Abuse in Victorian Schools

Click HERE to view the Step by step guide to making a report to child protection or child first

Click HERE to view the PROTECT Four Critical Actions for responding to incidents, disclosures and suspicions of child abuse.

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thomastown West Primary School is looking forward to another great year of teaching and learning and would like to advise you of Thomastown West Primary School’s parent payment arrangements for 2025.

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Prep 2025

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 1, 2025

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 2, 2025

CLICK HERE for the  Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 3, 2025

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 4, 2025

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 5, 2025

CLICK HERE for the Parent-Payments-Arrangements-TWPS for students in Grade 6, 2025

CLICK HERE for the Department of Education Parent Payment Policy

Thomastown West Primary School uses the Compass School Manager to communicate with Parents and Carers. COMPASS allows you to access up-to-date and meaningful information about our school and your child’s learning.

You can also use COMPASS to provide an explanation of your child’s absence.

Thomastown West Primary School uses the Compass School Manager to communicate with Parents and Carers. Our school uses COMPASS as an online content management system which allows you to access up-to-date and meaningful information about our school and your child’s learning.

You can also use COMPASS to provide an explanation of your child’s absence.

We will send home your COMPASS Parent Portal log in details. 

If you have lost your details, please contact our School Office on 9465 4317.

You will need Compass to:

• Book your Parent/Teacher meeting.
• Read or download your child’s Semester report and weekly Newsletter.
• Receive notifications and reminders from the school.
• Receive emails and messages from the school if there was an emergency.

How do I get Compass?

• Download the 'Compass School Manager' app on your smart phone, iPad or device at home. 

or​

• Click HERE or copy https://schools.compass.education into any Internet browser on your computer or tablet.  (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari)

• On the COMPASS website where you log in, under username and password boxes, there is a link that you can reset your own password.
• Call the School Office on 9465 4317 and we can reset your password for you.

CUP OF LIFE

Term 1 Week 2  Student Attendance Report

As part of the Department of Education Every Day Counts initiative, schools report attendance in percentages. The Government regard 95% as the minimum satisfactory attendance for a school student.

The percentages in the table below indicates the average attendance for each class for this week.

The shaded boxes  below indicate which classroom has the highest level of attendance for their year level.

Every day of learning really does count!

At TWPS we want every child to achieve their full potential and we know that parents share this goal. There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement. If your child is not in school, on time, as often as possible they will be missing out on many important parts of their
education.                      

Why is regular attendance at school important?

Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day...

*they learn better   
*they make friends      
*they are happier   
*they have a brighter future

If your child is sick, of course it is appropriate to keep your child at home but

other ‘days off’ school add up to lost learning.  See below:

CUP OF LIFE

Well done to all the boys and girls who are attending school every day. 

Congratulations! The room that had the BEST ATTENDANCE for Week 2, Term 1 is Room 03

TERM 1 WEEK 2
 
Scroll down to view our super stars in the photo below

Stars of the week 

Welcome to our new students

FRIENDLY REMINDER

ALL STUDENTS MUST WEAR THEIR SCHOOL HATS WHEN OUTSIDE.

1. Improve and monitor skin cancer prevention awareness, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.
2. Support priority populations to detect cancers early.
3. Advocate for strategies that aim to reduce the health and economic burdens of skin cancer.

• loose, cool, closely-woven fabric
• shirts with a collar and/or high necklines
• tops with elbow length or long sleeves
• longer style shorts and skirts
• a wide brim hat/bucket or legionnaire style hat to be worn from September 1st to the end of April.

Thomastown West Primary School offers a FREE Breakfast Club at our Community Hub from 7.45am!

Breakfast Club is FREE 'Before School Care' for TWPS families who need it! 

• Breakfast Club will open at 7:45am.

• Breakfast Club is FREE

• Breakfast Club willl operate from our Thomastown West Community Hub.

• Students will enter Breakfast Club vlai the single Hub gate on Main Street.

• From 7:45am - 8:15am parents or care,rs must drop their child at Breakfast Club and sign them in.

• From 8:15am students may arrive at Breakfast Club in the Hub and sign in without their parents or carers.

• Students are encouraged to bring a small toy or game to play. There are plenty of books to read at the Hub.

• The Breakfast Club will close at 8:30am and the single Hub gate on Main Street will be closed.

• At 8:30am the double gates at the front entrance of our school will be opened for students to enter.

MORE PROGRAMS COMING SOON!