NAIDOC Week 2025

This week we are proudly acknowledging NAIDOC Week, an important opportunity for all Australians to learn about and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2025 theme encourages all of us to listen, learn and walk together in a spirit of unity and respect. This week at TWPS, students engaged in a range of meaningful learning experiences and celebrations throughout the week. Today at our special NAIDOC week assembly, the:

• The Prep/One's shared their work relating to an Indigenous story 
• Grade 1/2 students shared thank you cards to the Elders and influential people 
• Grades 3/4 and 5/6 students shared their poems 
• The whole school sang along to a rendition of "You're The Voice" sung by Mitch Tambo, an Indigenous singer and a proud Gamilaraay and Birri Gubba man.

We have shared some of the amazing NAIDOC week work later in the newsletter.

NAPLAN

Student NAPLAN results were posted to families on Friday afternoon. 

As you are aware the children in grade 3 and 5 participated in the National Assessment Program (NAPLAN), Literacy & Numeracy assessments in March this year.

The results arrived last week. We have spent time familiarising ourselves with these reports. We will use them to contribute in a small way to our profile of the students’ achievement.

We have sent an information pamphlet from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, with your child's NAPLAN results. The pamphlet includes a detailed explanation on how to interpret the results but please see your child’s class teacher or myself if you have any questions or require further explanation.

When you read the results, please keep in mind that

• they provide a brief snapshot of the achievement on a particular day related to the specific type of testing instrument
• teachers use a number of other strategies to complete student profiles, reports and portfolios
• these were completed in early May.

Your child’s Semester 2 Report will be distributed in December and will give you a more detailed and accurate view of your child’s achievement.

School Uniform

It’s great to see students returning in full school uniform and wearing our school colours with pride: navy blue, red and white. During winter, students may wear extra layers before and after school, but are expected to remove these inside when heaters are on. This helps ensure a comfortable and consistent classroom environment for everyone.

**GREAT NEWS** we have ordered some navy blue beanies for parents to purchase. More details coming soon!

School Attendance

Consistent attendance is key to learning success. Every day at school counts and builds on the one before. As a school, we are aiming for at least 95 percent attendance across all year levels. If your child is absent due to illness or other reasons, please contact the office or log the absence via Compass as soon as possible.

Students Who Are Unwell

To help keep everyone healthy this winter, we ask that unwell students stay home until they are fully recovered, especially if they have cold or flu symptoms. This helps protect both students and staff, and supports a safe and productive learning environment for all.

Arriving on Time

Please ensure your child arrives at school by 8:45 am each day. Being on time allows students to settle into the day, hear important instructions, and participate fully in the morning learning block. Arriving late can be disruptive and affect your child’s confidence and progress.

Excursion Payments: Keeping Cash Safe at School

As we continue to offer a range of valuable excursions and learning experiences for our students, we understand that many families choose to pay for these events using cash. While we are always happy to accept cash payments, we’d like to remind students and parents about the importance of handling money safely at school. We have noticed a number of Junior School students walking around holding $5 or $10 notes before and after school.

Bringing Cash to School
When bringing cash to school for an excursion, please ensure it is placed inside the TWPS school payment envelope (sent home with the excursion notice) or  a clearly labelled envelope (or zip lock bag) with the student’s name, room number, and the purpose of the payment (e.g. “100 Days of Learning Celebration – Year 1”). This helps office staff identify and process payments quickly and securely.

Handing Cash In
Students should hand their payment envelope directly to their teacher or the front office before the start of the school day. This reduces the risk of money being misplaced, lost or accidentally left in school bags or classrooms.

Why It Matters
While we work hard to maintain a safe and respectful environment, cash left unattended in bags or pockets can easily go missing. By following the steps above, we can help students take responsibility and ensure all excursion payments are received without issue.

Other Payment Options
If you prefer not to send cash, our school also accepts payments via EFTPOS at the Office. Please contact the office if you need help with these methods.

Thank you for working with us to keep all student payments secure.

Thomastown West Primary School understands that students may bring a personal mobile phone or smart watch to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school.

At Thomastown West Primary School:

• Students who choose to bring mobile phones or smart watch to school must have them switched off and securely stored in the school office during school hours
• Exceptions to this policy may be applied if certain conditions are met (see refer to our school's Mobile Phone policy for further information)
• When emergencies occur, the school will contact parents or carers via Compass, Class Dojo and Phone calls/text message. 
• Should parents or carers need to reach their child in case of an emergency, they do so by calling the school’s office.

In accordance with the Department’s Mobile Phones Policy issued by the Minister for Education, personal mobile phones and smart watches must not be used at Thomastown West Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted.

Grades Prep and 1/2 Sandpit

At TWPS, our sandpit is a much loved play area designed especially for our Prep to Year 2 students. It offers a creative and engaging space where children can learn, explore, and connect with others. To support safe and respectful play, we follow a simple set of expectations known as the TWPS Sandpit Agreement. We encourage families to talk with their children about the agreement to reinforce positive behaviour and shared responsibility during playtime. Your support helps us maintain a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment for all.

Grade 1/2 have been very busy in the sandpit and are incredibly proud of their creation!



In Term 3, We’re Excited About…

• Curiosity Projects: It's that time of the year where students can take charge and direct their learning with their inquiry unit! We can't wait to share their work with you all during week 8 of this term. Dates and times to be confirmed.
• 100 Days of Prep: our Prep - 2 students thoroughly enjoy celebrating this important milestone! We can’t wait to join in the celebrations and support their achievements.
  
  
• BOOK WEEK PARADE: It's back! Our annual Book Week Parade has returned!! Save the date: Friday morning 22nd August 2025. More information below.
• Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences: In Week 9, students will share their learning progress and goals directly with parents and carers.
  
  

Principal                         Acting Assistant Principal

 TWPS CURRICULM DAYS
*Students do NOT attend school on these days*

*Whole School Professional Practice Day for Staff. Students do not attend school.

TERM DATES

TERM 3 WEEK 1
 

DEADLY AWARDS

CUP OF LIFE

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.

Student Attendance Report

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 rooms that had the BEST ATTENDANCE for:

* Term 2 Week 11 is  Room 03

* Term 3 Week 1 is  Room 10

The class who has head the BEST ATTENDANCE THIS TERM and wins the FREE pizza lunch is: