NAPLAN
We have recently received our NAPLAN results, and are very proud of our students achieving to a higher standard than the state average in Writing. These results are a reflection of both our students' and teachers' commitment and perseverance. We are equally pleased to see a significant reduction in the number of students in the 'Needs Additional Support' range of Numeracy. This result comes from our three years of focused work by our teachers strengthening our Maths teaching model, working in partnership with our Maths Consultant Hannah and our school's tutoring program. Looking ahead, our Prep - 2 and 3 - 6 Professional Learning Communities will continue this momentum by placing a strong focus on Reading teaching and learning, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Uniform policy
The Schools uniform policy has been updated by the Department of Education for all schools in Victoria this year. This doesn’t directly change our school policy, but it does confirm what we already had in place. That is, branded clothes are not to be worn to school.

What are the statewide changes to student dress code policy?
The Department of Education Student Dress Code policy has been updated to help make uniforms more affordable. We will discuss this at our School Council meeting next week. Please note, the recent update includes requirements that:

•  all student dress codes ensure uniform are affordable
•  uniforms do not include branded pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings and socks.

What uniform items are impacted by the changes to the Student Dress Code Policy?
The change in policy immediately impacts all branded ‘below the waist’ uniform items, including branded pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, leggings and socks. From the start of 2026 schools cannot include these items in their student uniform. Schools can continue to have branded tops including t-shirts, jumpers and jackets. Schools and school councils are also required to review their existing student dress code policies in consultation with their school communities, considering additional strategies for reducing uniform costs. This review may result in changes to other uniform items.

Teachers are learners too
This term our staff have been actively engaged in a range of professional learning opportunities to strengthen teaching and support for our students. Teachers worked alongside our Maths Consultant, Hannah Marino from the Mathematical Association of Victoria, observing her model effective teaching practices before planning and reflecting on follow-up lessons together. Our Education Support team and teachers also participated in the Berry Street Masterclass sessions, focusing on strengths-based learning, regulation and self-reflection. In addition, our teachers also received valuable training from our Regional Respectful Relationships team, and our Middle Leaders have led professional learning that is building collective capacity across the school.

VAEI Visit for Aboriginal Perspectives
Mr Crotti and Mrs Jones recently visited the Victorian Aboriginal Education Incorporated (VAEI) office in Northcote, where they learned about the Koorie Excellence Academy, cultural protocols, and ways to further support the inclusion of Aboriginal students in our school. We invited principals and assistant principals from other local schools to join us, as part of our Aboriginal Perspectives Community of Practice group. During their visit, VAEI generously offered to work with us by visiting our school to share Aboriginal history lessons with staff, helping to strengthen our cultural understanding and embed Aboriginal perspectives more meaningfully into teaching and learning. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to deepen our knowledge and continue building a culturally safe and inclusive environment for all students.

South Whittlesea Secondary Consult meeting at TWPS
We were delighted to welcome some of the ICYMHS team from the Austin Team, along with representatives from Student Support Services and the Regional Student Engagement and Wellbeing Officer, for a joint meeting with our neighbouring schools at TWPS last week. The focus of the session was to explore the range of supports available for students and families who may be experiencing challenges, and to strengthen connections across our local network. Our visitors were especially touched by the warm welcome they received from our Prep students, whose cheerful greetings set a positive tone for the day.

Prep 2026
Our Play and Grow sessions have commenced, with our first session on Thursday morning. These will continue until the end of the year, with Preps for 2026 coming in to meet each other and their teachers, as well as getting familiar with our school spaces, ready for school next year. If you have a child that has not yet enrolled for 2026, please see our friendly office staff for an enrolment pack.

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences are coming up soon, providing a valuable opportunity to celebrate learning progress and set future goals together. Families are encouraged to book their times as soon as possible to ensure their preferred slot. A note with all the details was sent home yesterday, please check your child’s bag for the information and booking instructions.

Interpreters are available if needed, and students only attend school (with their Parents or Carers) at the time of their conference meeting on 17th September 2025.

Mrs Raif will be offering Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences for Room 10, in week 3 of term 4, Tuesday 21^st October 2025.

Book Week Parade
Our Book Week Parade was a fantastic celebration of reading and imagination, with students and staff dressing up as their favourite book characters. The creativity and effort put into the costumes made the event extra special, and it was wonderful to see so many parents joining us to enjoy the parade. The morning was filled with excitement, laughter, and a shared love of stories, making it a highlight of the school calendar. It was lovely to see so many parents come and see our costumes and parade. Thank you for supporting our students and staff with this fun event.

TWPS Instrumental Programs
Mr Rosa provides wonderful opportunities for students to explore their musical talents through choir, school band, and guitar lessons held during lunchtime. These programs are open to all students who would like to join, and they have quickly become a highlight of the week. Many students look forward to participating, developing their skills, and sharing their love of music with others, making these sessions a much-loved part of our school culture. The band, choir, guitar and keyboard students often perform at our end of term assemblies, which are an exciting and joyful celebration of their learning.



Parent opinion survey
Our school is conducting the annual Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement.

The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. Only one Parent/Caregiver/Guardian from your family is invited to complete the survey.

Yesterday I emailed a survey link and PIN to every family. In your youngest child’s school bag, I also sent home a hard copy notice containing your families survey link and PIN.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies.

To improve our response rate this year, all families are invited to participate in the survey.

Please take the time to complete the survey as your opinions are important to us and will contribute to the future management and organisation of our school.

• The survey is conducted online by ORIMA Research and should take around 20 minutes to complete.
• The survey will be open from Friday 22^nd August to Friday 19^th September.
• The survey can be completed using any device connected to the internet (even a mobile phone).
• Should you require access to a device to complete the survey, please let the school office know.
• The online survey can be completed in: English, Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Chin (Hakha) or Hindi.

Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential. The survey is conducted anonymously and it is important to us that you complete the survey as honestly as possible.

Your comments in the final open-ended question will be provided back to the school.

Hoop Time Basketball
Mr Crotti and Mrs Kellie took two teams of basketball players to represent our school in the Hoop Time Basketball Competition today against other schools from the Whittlesea Network. There was a girls’ team and a boys’ team, and our students represented our school with pride. Everyone had fun and we we were thrilled to celebrate a few great wins along the way. Most importantly, our students lived our school values by showing teamwork, respect, and resilience, and they were excellent sports throughout the day!

 
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

THE EVENTS BELOW CAN ONLY GO AHEAD, WITH YOUR SUPPORT:

PLEASE HELP! We need you! Due to staff illness, we are finding it challenging to prepare and run our annual fund raising events. 

Only with parents and carers support, the following events can go ahead as planned. Please add your name to the comments below, if you are available to assist the school to run these events:

• Tues 16/9   Footy Day: Parent/Carer helpers sort/deliver special hot lunch 

TERM 3 WEEK 4

TERM 3 WEEK 5

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 3 Week 4 is Room 10

* Term 3 Week 5 is Room 5

Term 2

Term 1

Healthy Lunch Box Ideas & Brain Food Breaks

At Thomastown West Primary, we encourage all students to bring a healthy, balanced lunch to help them feel their best and stay focused during the school day. Eating the right foods gives kids energy to learn, play, and concentrate in class.

Brain Food Break at TWPS – Every Day at 9:50 AM!

At 9:50 AM every day, all students at TWPS stop for a quick Brain Food Break. This is a short snack time where kids can eat fresh fruit, vegetables, or nuts to keep their minds focused and their energy levels up.

Packing a healthy lunch helps your child stay happy, full, and ready to learn all day long! Thank you for your support in making school lunches delicious and nutritious.

Why is Healthy Eating Important?

Good food helps kids:
✅ Stay full for longer
✅ Have steady energy throughout the day
✅ Think clearly and focus in class
✅ Feel happy and ready to learn

Kid-Friendly Lunch Box Ideas

A great lunch box has a mix of protein, wholegrains, dairy, fruits, and veggies to keep kids strong and energised. Here are some easy, yummy ideas that kids will love!

Main Meal Ideas 

• DIY Lunchables – Wholegrain crackers, cheese slices, and ham or turkey pieces
• Sandwich or Wrap – Wholegrain bread with ham & cheese, egg & mayo, or chicken & avocado
• Pizza Pockets – Wholemeal pita bread with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings like vegetables or chicken. 
• Pasta Salad – Cooked pasta with chicken or vegetables, cheese, and a little dressing. 
• Sushi Rolls – Homemade Rice, tuna, and avocado wrapped in seaweed

Fruits & Veggies (Pick 1–2)

• Apple slices, grapes, or mandarin segments
• Chopped strawberries, blueberries, or watermelon
• Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes
• Fun idea: Make a fruit skewer with different fruits on a toothpick!

Snacks & Sides (Pick 1–2)

• Popcorn (plain or lightly salted)
• Cheese cubes or a cheese stick
• Yoghurt pouch or tub with a little honey
• Wholegrain crackers with cream cheese
• Boiled egg
• Homemade mini muffins with banana or blueberries

Drinks

• Water (best choice!) 

Websites with Recipe Ideas: 

Healthy Eating Advisory Service: Improving wellbeing through healthy eating. Free support to provide and promote healthier food and drinks

Healthy Lunboxes

Taste.com.au Offers a variety of healthy lunch box fillers that kids will enjoy.
taste.com.au

Better Homes and Gardens: Provides a list of 23 lunch box ideas to kickstart the school year.
bhg.com.au

Eating Bird Food: Provides ideas for healthy lunches with some great visual examples.
https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/kids-lunch-box-ideas/

Parent Student Teacher Conferences will be ONSITE at TWPS in Term 3: Wednesday 17th September 2025

This year, we will use COMPASS again for booking our Parent Student Teacher Conference meetings.

From this afternoon YOU can book your child(ren) conference ONLINE using COMPASS!
(We will not activate the button until Friday 9:00am. Do not panic if you can’t  find where to click, as it will not work until 10:00am Friday 22nd August 2025).

GREAT NEWS! When you use COMPASS to book a conference meeting with your teacher, it will be a time that you choose, which suits YOUR FAMILY! It is really easy to let us know (on Compass) if you require an interpreter!

For parents and carers that do not have access to the internet at home, at work, Thomastown Library, or at a friend’s house, support will be available at the office from 3:15pm Monday 25th August 2025 onwards, so that parents and carers can still make  bookings online.

Each Parent Student Teacher Conference is strictly 15 minutes and spaces are  limited. However, more time may be allocated to your conference if your child has their Student Support Group (SSG) meeting scheduled.

Parents can change their bookings, any time prior to the closing date, by revisiting COMPASS, and following the instructions. Remember to use the same COMPASS login you used when you made your original booking. Parents   wishing to change their meeting times after the closing date, should contact the school directly on: 9465 4317.

Students only attend school on 17/9/25 with their parents or carers at the time of their conference.

1. Login to Compass: Use your parent login details. -Please do not give these to your child. -Your login details are unique to you and provide you with ongoing parent access to Compass and information about your child(ren). -If you have problems... click on the:                    ‘Can’t access your account?’

3. Click My Bookings:

5. Click the time that suits you then click on the teacher’s name

6. CHECK the time is correct then click OK unless...

Would you like an interpreter?   
                             CLICK HERE and CHOOSE the language.




7. If you have more than one child… Click here:

If you get lost, click the    button to return to the main Dashboard.

Term 3 Fundraisers:
Please get involved!

Sweet Treats for Sale!

Starting Monday, 18th August, students can buy Freddo Frogs and Caramello Koalas during lunch eating time—while stocks last!

They cost 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. You’ll be able to purchase them directly in class from an SRC member.
Don’t miss out on these yummy treats!

We have a fun-filled term ahead with several exciting fundraising events planned!

We really do need your support to ensure the following events happen:

• Father’s Day Stall – A wonderful opportunity for students to choose from a great variety of gifts for Dad or a special father figure.

• Footy Day Parade & Hot Lunch – We wrap up the term with our much-loved Footy Day! Students are invited to wear their team colours, join in the parade, and enjoy a hot lunch (available to order).
  
  

If you’d like to volunteer at any of these events, please see Mrs. Young or Mrs. Elzoobi in the office.

As always, your support is greatly appreciated!



Father's Day Sneak Peek

Air Freshener $3.00	Car Wash Mit $4.00
Magnets $2.00	Measuring Tape $5.00
Stress balls $3.00	Chamois for the Car! $3.00
Pens $2.00	Air Freshener $3.00
Air Freshener $3.00	20 PIECE TOOL KIT $10.00
Plate set $5.00	Travel Mug $6.00
31 Precision Screwdriver $10.00	$5.00 (ONLY A FEW LEFT from 2024)
Sponge with chocolate $3.00	Key Rings $3.00

We will also have assorted chocolate bags available for purchase, from $1.00.

The TWPS Father's Day notice will be sent home on Monday 25/8/25.

INVITATION

COME AND BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY DANCE PROJECT!

WALKING THOMASTOWN!

SAT 30^th AUGUST, 6pm

@ Thomas St Community Stage

Thomastown West Primary School students are invited to join the Community Dance Project on the Community Stage at WALKING THOMASTOWN.  Throughout August on Tuesday Lunch Times, local dance instructor, Sandrine from Thomastown Neighbourhood House team has been running dance workshops with the TWPS students.  We thank everyone who has joined the dance so far and we hope to see many families from TWPS come to enjoy the event on the night!  

What date is Walking Thomastown?

Sat 30^st August

What time to arrive?  

5.30pm (to sign in at the stage)

What time does the dance start? 

6pm

Where do we go?  

The Thomas Street Community Stage, located at Thomas St  (Dog Park and  Soccer Club), across bridge from the Main St Recreation Reserve Playground (behind the Library).  See Map- Thomas Street Community Stage (number 2).